I'm trying to send a simple dxf file to run on an arduino uno based diy cnc .
Using universal gcode sender I can get all the motors moving currently.
Now I want to transfer some simple cad drawings .DXF to the cnc .
I've downloaded several programs but am having a heck of a time getting them to work.
Is there a simple (no Intelligence required ) program that will convert DXF files so the universal gcode reader will understand it and be able to run the program
Regards Zap
The CNC machine requires a route for the eg cutter. The dxf is just a picture...
conversion? - not easy
or am I wrong?
regards
Allan
Converting a dxf file to G Code is a complex task but I imagine, a common one. I suspect if you search on the CNC forums or the RepRap Forum you will find someone who knows of a program that can do it.
Have you asked Google? "dxf to g code"
...R
or am I wrong?
About the need for M and G codes to control the machine? No.
About the difficulty of converting DXF "pictures" to tool paths? Possibly. In general a DXF file is a vector file (as opposed to a bitmap file). So, making toolpaths from the lines is simple enough. Then, all that is needed is to convert the tool paths to APT and run a post processor to get M and G code data.
I'm not aware of any apps that can do that in one step (nor do I know that there are NOT such apps), but developing one is not all that difficult.
PaulS:
I'm not aware of any apps that can do that in one step (nor do I know that there are NOT such apps), but developing one is not all that difficult.
I wrote a Python program to develop G Code for a router from simple black and white bitmaps - cut everything that black. I used a very limited range of G Code.
Recently I have got a Portrait Silhouette paper cutter and I have been looking at the program that converts Inkscape .SVG files to codes for the cutter (similar to HPGL). There is a certain similarity with the code I wrote myself. But I think it would be wrong to give a beginner the impression it is "not all that difficult".
My advice to the OP is to get an existing dxf to G Code program.
...R
Here is an Open Source one written in Python so it will run on Windows, Linux, and Mac:
I wonder how the OP could not have found that himself?
...R
If you use the free Inkscape package that has an option to output Gcode.
no Intelligence required
That is a moot point.
Grumpy_Mike:
If you use the free Inkscape package that has an option to output Gcode.
I think I am the only person who mentioned Inkscape here and I did not suggest that it would be used to produce G Code. The version of Inkscape that I have does not seem to have the option of producing G Code.
...R
@Robin2:
You will need a special plugin:
GitHub - cnc-club/gcodetools: CAM extension for Inkscape to export paths to Gcode (Sorry, I am on the road with my iPad, so it is not possible to insert an active, clickable link).
rpt007:
@Robin2:
You will need a special plugin:
Hold on a mo ... this is getting way out of control.
I don't want to create G Code using Inkscape and I don't believe the OP does either.
I only mentioned Inkscape anecdotally as part of my comment that writing a program to turn a dxf file into G Code is not easy for a beginner.
...R
Inkscape can read a dxf file and output Gcode which I thought was what the OP wanted to do.
The dxf does output a set of vectors - but the cutter has a width, and a profile ,and will require to be lifted between cuts, and may take many passes to cut a big area. And as for a 3-d shape? even more complicated.
Not trivial.
regards
Allan
Grumpy_Mike:
Inkscape can read a dxf file and output Gcode which I thought was what the OP wanted to do.
In that case I don't understand your Reply #7.
I thought that Reply was saying that Inkscape is a bad idea.
...R
No it was saying that even with a Gcode output you need some intelligence to evaluate if the resultant code could go direct to the CNC machine.
It is fine for 2D shapes and engraving but it is not for more complex shapes as most of the time you need a tool path and not just an outline. This involves a zig zag for example when cutting out an area larger than the tool.
That is very sensible advice. Sorry I was too thick to infer it from Reply #7
...R
I actually found that if I use sketchup and use a svg plug in I then use makercam and it works well
You may have better luck to send the file to a HPplotter plot file then the plot file converted to G code.
.
The keyword is "CAM". The folks at ShapeOko maintain a good wiki for such things...