A question or three before buying DFX Importer

[Carrott]

If I import a DXF file created in V-Carve Pro, does the designer software follow the same tool paths retaining the depth and size of the V-Carve project?

Will it prompt me for the tool bit changes or at least ask me what bits and depth I want to use?

Does the DFX file even have this info in it?

Ne Help Appreciated

TIA: Carrott

[Cabinetdesigner]

the dxf importer just simply imports the the lines. Once imported into designer you are able to assign tools and depth. I love the dxf importer.

[Carrott]

the dxf importer just simply imports the the lines. Once imported into designer you are able to assign tools and depth. I love the dxf importer.

But can you actually pick a tool and depth. I wish you could at least bring the work into the designer and maybe even preview the toolpath. I just dont want to spend $200 and only be able to do the same as if I would just import a bitmat image into the designer.

Carrott

[dbfletcher]

But can you actually pick a tool and depth. I wish you could at least bring the work into the designer and maybe even preview the toolpath. I just dont want to spend $200 and only be able to do the same as if I would just import a bitmat image into the designer.

Carrott

Yes, It will create vector object which you can assign a bit and depth. When you import a bitmap you are createing a rsdter pattern which only can use the 1/16 carving bit. If you have a drawing program that can export to adobe illustrator 8, I would play around with ai2mpc to see if it meets your needs.

[Carrott]

Yes, It will create vector object which you can assign a bit and depth. When you import a bitmap you are createing a rsdter pattern which only can use the 1/16 carving bit. If you have a drawing program that can export to adobe illustrator 8, I would play around with ai2mpc to see if it meets your needs.

I have autocad architecure 8 and I also have v-carve pro V5, photo vcarve, and cut 3d. Usually I just save the toolpaths as a mach 3 file and run it through a CNC machine. However the carvewright does not support importing g-code, so I probably have to import each cut path seperately. I no longer have access to a CNC which is why I purchased this puppy, and am having a hard time getting the results that I desire on it though. For instance I bought Centerline Text and decided to make a clock face. The numerals all turned out to be noticably different sizes and depths even though I made sure every one was set up the same in designer. I even put the 1 and # in seperately for the numbers 10, 11, 12. I used to spend 20 minutes on the computer, make a test carve, and maybe fix a thing or too. Now I spend 8 hours on a project, waste 30' x 15" of material and every time I change one thing 3 others change with it.

Carrott

[Ike]

Sounds like you need a g-code cnc! I have a 2514 K2 CNC I never used, I too have V-Carve pro V4 and photo V Carve and Cut 3D and Mach 3 and don't have a clue how to use any of the software! I even sold a never used Shopbot 4896! All because of the CW and I learned the designer and it does all I want. Now you make me wonder if I ever get around to using my K2 before I sell it, will there be that much of a difference? We seemed to have opposite issues!

You know if you post your mpc, we can take a look and see if we see anything.

Ike

[Cabinetdesigner]

the big atvantage I found to the dxf importer is being able to split a design among multiple boards easily. I have sign I am doing for the highschool that would have been imposible without the dxf importer. I am just waiting for the tempature to raise to be able to cut it. If you know aoutcad and are wishing to carve vector art it is money well spent in my opinion.
Joe

[Carrott]

the big atvantage I found to the dxf importer is being able to split a design among multiple boards easily. I have sign I am doing for the highschool that would have been imposible without the dxf importer. I am just waiting for the tempature to raise to be able to cut it. If you know aoutcad and are wishing to carve vector art it is money well spent in my opinion.
Joe

Well I finally bought it, and I did manage to create a project I have been working on for a while. It did make it a lot easier.
I will probably get back to the clock thingy by downloading a picture from the colouring pages and creating vectors with v-carve, then import it into carvewright.

Thanks to all for the help!

Carrott

[Ike]

Carrot let me know how it works using V- Carve then importing to the designer. I would imagine you would be import in DFX format? I would think the STL software would work also, problem no money to find out! Lol guess I should learn how to use my K2 CNC I paid $3500.00 to collect dust rather them making! I still have plastic around the Z motor!

Would you mind me asking some questions on how to get started through e-mail or maybe calling you?

Ike

[Digitalwoodshop]

the big advantage I found to the dxf importer is being able to split a design among multiple boards easily. I have sign I am doing for the high school that would have been impossible without the dxf importer. I am just waiting for the temperature to raise to be able to cut it. If you know aoutcad and are wishing to carve vector art it is money well spent in my opinion.
Joe

I am resurrecting this old post as I now have a big interest in the DXF importer after seeing it work in MT's Video of Tips and Tricks... Doing a project over a few boards has my interest peeked.... So how did the multi board project work out?

AL