Draft Site G code generator

[Stewart HartParticipant @stewarthart90345]

I use the free 2D draft site soft ware for my drawings, that doesn't have the G code generator activated I don't think the free version has this facility.

A quick search online comes up with a number of free G code generators can any of you chaps recommend one, this is my first attempt at CNC so I need something simple.

Cheers

Stew

[Stewart HartParticipant @stewarthart90345]

[John HaineParticipant @johnhaine32865]

When I don't use a wizard or generate my own using Excel, I find that G-Simple is very good. You can import dxf files I believe but I have never used that facility – I tend to draw direct in G-Simple.

[geoff adamsParticipant @geoffadams14047]

fusion 360 has cam package built in and is free It does both milling and lathes I use cambam cost me £80.00 for my milling it has a lathe program never got it to work for me there is also easy turn and easy mill they are part of the mach 3 people mach 3 also has basic wizards

hope this helps Geoff

[EmgeeParticipant @emgee]

Stew

It may be better to go the Fusion 360 route, all you need in 1 package.
In any case you need to ensure the G code program generated can be read by your machine operating system.

Emgee

[AndyAParticipant @andya]

Is there a free version of Fusion 360 still available? I thought it had gone to a free for 30days trial period.

[John HaineParticipant @johnhaine32865]

G-Simple is definitely free, and you can preserve your investment in learning Draftsight.

[Russell EberhardtParticipant @russelleberhardt48058]

For a simple free gcode generator have a look at DXF2GCODE. It's a free download and will convert DXF files generated by Draftsight to gcode. I use that combination a lot for 2 1/2 D work.

Russell

[Russell EberhardtParticipant @russelleberhardt48058]

Posted by AndyA on 29/05/2018 09:49:11:

Is there a free version of Fusion 360 still available? I thought it had gone to a free for 30days trial period.

Yes, it's still free but it isn't easy to find on their site. I installed it a on a new computer a couple of weeks ago but sorry I didn't bookmark the link.

Russell

[AndyAParticipant @andya]

Thanks Russell, I will investigate further.

[NealebParticipant @nealeb]

Used to be that you installed trial version of F360, and when it was getting towards the end, it would ask if you wanted to buy a licence or continue with free "home/hobby" user licence. Can't tell if it still does, but I believe that's the way to go.

[Gary WoodingParticipant @garywooding25363]

Posted by Nealeb on 30/05/2018 20:07:16:

Used to be that you installed trial version of F360, and when it was getting towards the end, it would ask if you wanted to buy a licence or continue with free "home/hobby" user licence. Can't tell if it still does, but I believe that's the way to go.

That is still true. If you register as qualifying for free usage during the 30 day trial then you are free to use the full version for a year before having to confirm that you're still entitled to it, in which case you get another year free, and so on for each subsequent year. Nobody is sure if this will continue adinfinitem, but I'm on my 2nd year now.

[Stewart HartParticipant @stewarthart90345]

Thanks for pointing me in the direction of G-Simple chaps.

I've converted the drawing successfully in G code but what do I do next, my friend with the CNC mill who is a complete novice like me says its not in the same format he uses ?. he says he gets a line of code . What i've got is a drawing with the tools paths. ?. I.m going over to see him later today we'll try and load what I have to the machine and see what happens

Thanks for your help

Stew

[John HaineParticipant @johnhaine32865]

Stewart, I’m not at home now to check, but iirc there is an option under the gcode tab to edit gcode. This opens the file in notepad where you can ‘save as’. If you friend is using Mach 3 just save as a .txt file.

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