What is everybody else using to make gcode for your routers?Īspire was my 2D and Rhinocam was my 3D cutting program of choice. I have a workaround for the mister, (Which is a pain itself since the mist on/off commands need their own lines of code and can't be lumped into a line like plunge or tool up, but that's a different story.) What I'd really like is some stupid simple software that will allow me to specify tool numbers, add its own offset, add mist commands, and accept vector files other than just dxf's. The machine came with a copy of vcarve, but it's geared toward the woodworking industry, and doesn't have options for mist. I've figured out a couple of different options, but they are all extremely frustrating. Now that I have this fancy beast, this is keeping my machine from really shining. Previously I had just been dealing with inefficient code, you know, 512 points/lines of code to make a circle as opposed to 4 points or 2 lines of code. I have corel (first mistake, as it doesn't make proper dxf files for CAM software) that I really prefer to continue to utilize as my CAD.

My problem is now generating my gcode for the router. After a rough start, everything is up and running well, once it's running that is. Right now I am using BobCAD v21 to make all the designs and am not happy with any fonts I can find or come with BCC.I got a shopsabre is612 for christmas last year. The tab option of Cut-2D is a real temptation to me. I prefer using Whiteside 60 degree v-groove bits. My signs will be in the 16' wide by 10' tall size range (and smaller) made in sassafrass wood. I know that I could download the demos and answer most questions, but I am burned out with trying demo programs. The Vectric Cut-2D doesn't seem to have the sign fonts or any type of design functions, although the Vectric forum gallery for it shows some nice work. Their price is quite a bit outside my budget and I wouldn't use a forth of the V-Carve Pro options. They seem the best turnkey product for signs. The Sawmill Creek CNC guys are all advocates of Aspire and Vectric V-Carve Pro. The price isn't that bad, but thought I would ask if anyone is using it and their experience with it.

I guess the software grew up and changed from free to $100. In searching for engraving fonts for signs on this forum, I came across a post about TTFtoDXF from couple years ago.