I have been using FreeCAD for producing 3d models and 2d prints for a little over 2 years now it is still under heavy development but defiantly usable and improved hugely in the time I have used it. I use a 3rd party add in workbench for dimensioning my prints available on github. Recently the path modal has been added to the stable release of FreeCAD it has a LinuxCNC post possessor but offers only very basic functionality Profile, Pocket, Drill, Peck Drill, ect. There are still defanatly some bugs feet and inches don’t always display as expected although the dimension is correct and g code arcs the G2 and G3 commands getting transposed ocasonaly. I have used it successfully but you defiantly have to hand edit a little and back plot to test before running any generated G code on a machine. If the current rate of development keeps up in a year or 2 it will be able to compeet with some of the lower priced CAM software. The 3D cad is defiantly at the point it is better than a lot of the lower end proprietary software. The programming behind it is very well thought out with all the heavy lifting done with a core written in C and python used for all the GUI and workbenches set up as plug ins. If you know a little python you can customize or create just about any thing you could dream of. Still not ready for prime time but defiantly on the right track and better than PyCAM and more versitile than the G code tools plugin for inkscape. There is also blendercam if you are doing arty stuff it is bast on meshes so you do not get true arcs but faceted faces. Some of the bass relief stuff done with it is pretty incredible.
On 15-09-18 12:49 PM, John Dammeyer wrote: > Hi, > I've been using Alibre (now Geomagic) and the VisualCAM plugin for > generating G-Code. MecSoft will no longer be supporting the plugin and has > offered a standalone version of VisualCAM. When 3D Systems purchased Alibre > I wondered whether it would eventually just become a CAD system for rapid > prototyping. I suspect that will happen soon. > > So with MACH3 turning into a networked licensed (must be internet connected) > CNC system and Geomagic no longer having an integrated CAM interface it > seems like it's a good time to re-evaluate LinuxCNC and for that matter > Linux for the entire development process. That or live with WIN-10 (GACK) > > So what are people using for the 3D parametric drawing to G-Code CAM > generation to the LinuxCNC control? > > Or is Linux still in the 2D drawing world with a post processor to generate > G-Code that needs the command line editor VI to clean up? > John > > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ > _______________________________________________ > Emc-users mailing list > Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net > https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ _______________________________________________ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
