I am new to this forum and new to using a Cnc. I built my own Cnc and am using Mach3 to run it. I am retired and don’t have a wad of cash to spend on software. I can find gobs of STL files but converting them for use on a Cnc router I find to be almost impossible. Is there any web sites that offer Cnc 3d models that are in dxf or g-code format? I am willing to pay for the files, it’s just finding them. Can anyone help with this?
Availability of dxf, g-code and other files for Cnc router
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Which CAD/CAM software are you using? I wouldn't use G-code that you didn't produce for your machine. There are a ton of SVG files out there that you can import into most CAD/CAM software. With that software you will define the toolpaths that will generate the G-code for your machine. I personally use Vectric's VCarve Pro, which is very popular, but is a little expensive. You can get their desktop version for about half price and then upgrade to the Pro version at a later date. There are a lot of really good and informative videos out there on using Vectric products for CNC.
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Yes. You can use intermediary software to convert STL files to dxf.
I am going to recommend Blender 3d because its free though it has a steep learning curve if you want to use it for CNC pattern modeling. Blender can convert STL to dxf. So import as STL and then export to dxf is really basic.
You do have to enable the STL and DXF add-ons in the edit tab. They are part of the program but aren't enabled to keep the GUI clean if not needed.
I am going to recommend Blender 3d because its free though it has a steep learning curve if you want to use it for CNC pattern modeling. Blender can convert STL to dxf. So import as STL and then export to dxf is really basic.
You do have to enable the STL and DXF add-ons in the edit tab. They are part of the program but aren't enabled to keep the GUI clean if not needed.
I would recommend you download and use FREEWARE Inkscape and use SVG files instead. Inkscape can write g-code directly too.
If you want a low cost CAD/CAM I would recommend HEEKS-CNC 1.4 that only cost EU10. I am using it.
HeeksCAD & HeeksCNC
Buy HeeksCNC 1.4 CAD/CAM software, only £10 Here at Heeks Software, you can buy HeeksCNC 1.4, a CAD/CAM application for Windows, for only £10, that can help you produce the NC code for your milling machine. Many happy customers are already using HeeksCNC to boost their productivity. HeeksCNC is
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You sound like me. I purchased a used cnc machine from someone and he gave me everything he had. Pc and all. The pc runs the cnc and uses Mach 3. I have been looking on you tube, and it helps a lot also I have been using inventible pro. and I am just starting to do some projects. Had to learn Mach 3 from you tube also Inventible for you tube. You can download g code files from inventible and use them in Mach 3. It works and I am finally cutting wood. Good luck.
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You can get tons of free graphic files from google. Be aware that some sires are malicious sites andy Norton prevents them from loading. Bitap images can be converted to svg in Inkscape which is free. Not all files are suitable to carve with cnc. I have Affinity Designer which is very cheap and competes with Adobe at a fraction of its price. Affinity can edit svg files or create your own designs.
CNC is a lot of fun but you need to feed it. You need a tablesaw and some other woodworking tools to feed it. When your projects are cut you need to finish them. CNC is still woodworking and everything cannot be done on cnc.
Check out carbide3d.com for free Carbide Create CAD software. The post processors have generic gcode and gbrl options. The CAM gcode sender Carbide Motion pnly works with C3D machines. The cc is very robust.
CNC is a lot of fun but you need to feed it. You need a tablesaw and some other woodworking tools to feed it. When your projects are cut you need to finish them. CNC is still woodworking and everything cannot be done on cnc.
Check out carbide3d.com for free Carbide Create CAD software. The post processors have generic gcode and gbrl options. The CAM gcode sender Carbide Motion pnly works with C3D machines. The cc is very robust.
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