Nesting software?? Engraving Pics?

[romaxxcnc]

I noticed today that there was a post and at the time I didn't have a chance to respond. It was about nesting software and importing pics and machining images??

As far as nesting software goes, there are quite a few available. Bobcad offers "Bobnest". I've never used it. Also, One can copy toolpaths in the CAD window and generate nested parts that way. Although thats not a true nesting scheme. Nesting software takes the material into consideration and lays parts out in order to minimize waste.

As far as Vectoring and rastering images. Again there are several options available for this. Bobcad sells "Bobart" Which does a pretty good job with pics and images. And then there are free ones around the web like Wintopo. The demo is free non expiring, and of course has some limitations.

homepage.ntlworld.com/heatons/softsoft/wintopo/

There is another called "Profiler"

Looks as though I've misplaced the link for this one.

Then there is Corel. And from what I understand Corel 7 is the best one to use for 2D shapes and it can be had for like 20 dollars on Ebay.

Heres a corel 7 for ten bucks:

cgi.ebay.com/COREL-WORD-PERFECT-7-COMPLETE-WORKS-IN-95-98-M-E-XP_W0QQitemZ270144196844QQihZ017QQcategoryZ41878QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

All of these above will generate a DXF that can be imported into Artsoft's Lazycam for G-code generation.

Thanks Ron

[samcrow]

The link looks like it is for word perfect, not draw.

[romaxxcnc]

"The link looks like it is for word perfect, not draw. "

Oops, Yes Coreldraw. I've personally never used it. Alot of the plasmacutting people use that and say it works well.

Thanks, Ron

[samcrow]

i have purchased CorelDraw 7. what format do i use to output to lazycam or mach 3.

[romaxxcnc]

Sam,

You'd want to export your drawing as a DXF.

Ron

[samcrow]

unfortunately the CorelDraw version 7 does not export DXF. The only vector format it exports is Corel Wordperfect grafic (wpg).