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Free CAD software? — Parallax Forums

Free CAD software?

$WMc%$WMc% Posts: 1,884
edited 2014-03-25 06:33 in General Discussion
Hello All:
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I have a Probotix CNC set-up.(All most...waiting for Christmas day to have the driver boards)
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I have the software loaded and the simulate G-Code works great.
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I've imported Diptrace Gerber files that run in the simulate mode.
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I want to make a more simple G-Code to start out with.
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I'm looking for a free CAD software.
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Just a simple version.
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Comments

  • LoopyBytelooseLoopyByteloose Posts: 12,537
    edited 2013-12-23 08:31
    Well, I am still using Eagle CAD. It is even listed in the Linux repositories. There is also a free Windows version.

    It does reliable Gerber files. But I suspect that others will chime in and say it is so hard to learn and there are better packages now available. Since I did figure it out, I just keep using it.

    Are you looking for CAD software to do other things besides circuit boards? Try LInux.... there are a lot of free CAD applications. And many also have a Windows version.
  • $WMc%$WMc% Posts: 1,884
    edited 2013-12-23 16:52
    Thanks Loopy
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    I want to run the CNC router from an RPi in the end. It's the learning curve with Python 3 that I'm working on. I need something that I can make some really simple g-codes with. Like a circle or a square. From this I will know exactly what the end result should be.
    '
    A forum friend of mine showed me how to parse out g-code with the Prop. I plan to reuse this method with a Prop.as a interface.
    '
    Thanks again and happy holidays
  • LoopyBytelooseLoopyByteloose Posts: 12,537
    edited 2013-12-25 08:36
    These days on the Web, if you directly search for a Windows application you will reliably get software that you have to buy. I guess they pay Google to divert searches to them. If you ask for free Windows software, about the best you can expect is a Free demo and then a fee.

    But by searching for applications in Linux, you will find excellent open-source free applications. And in many cases they have a free version in Windows as well. Even if they do not, you can use a LiveCD version of Linus to just run the application on Windows machine for your CAD work and then remove the CD and revert to normal Windows use.

    IOW, I always start looking for new software in Linux to get an honest survey of the array of choices.
  • xanaduxanadu Posts: 3,347
    edited 2013-12-25 08:54
    My favorites -

    http://www.3ds.com/products-services/draftsight/

    http://www.freecadweb.org/

    http://www.emachineshop.com/machine-shop/Download/page100.html
  • $WMc%$WMc% Posts: 1,884
    edited 2013-12-30 14:55
    Thanks Guys
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    The info is Great.
  • xanaduxanadu Posts: 3,347
    edited 2013-12-30 16:22
    I stumbled on this today and it seemed pretty cool too - http://www.inkscape.org/en/

    I guess you would need http://www.ncplot.com/ to use some of the programs I mentioned to produce the G Code. I have never actually had to do this so I'm not sure. Seems there's a way to get G Code from just about anything with some converter if the application doesn't support it.
  • $WMc%$WMc% Posts: 1,884
    edited 2013-12-30 16:57
    Thanks xanadu
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    I wasn't seeing any g-code from the cad-cam software you posted.
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    http://www.ncplot.com/ ...This might do what I need.
  • W9GFOW9GFO Posts: 4,010
    edited 2013-12-30 17:19
    US veterans can buy Solidworks for $20.

    https://store.solidworks.com/veteran/default.php?command=Step1

    Then you can get HSMXpress CAM for free.

    http://www.hsmworks.com/hsmxpress/
  • xanaduxanadu Posts: 3,347
    edited 2013-12-30 18:31
    $WMc% wrote: »
    Thanks xanadu
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    I wasn't seeing any g-code from the cad-cam software you posted.
    '
    http://www.ncplot.com/ ...This might do what I need.

    I just saw free CAD and started typing... I usually wait a few days after writing a response to read the full original post. I would love to build a CNC, such a small bill of materials for almost endless possibilities. Seems like a better deal than any 3D printer.
  • xanaduxanadu Posts: 3,347
    edited 2013-12-30 18:41
    Check this out - http://www.dakeng.com/ace.html

    .dfx to G Code, less complaints, hopefully worth a try. Wish I had something to offer from experience with this kind of thing it looks like a lot of fun.
  • Donny86Donny86 Posts: 1
    edited 2014-03-25 06:33
    my alltime favorit is still eagle. if anyone asks after a simple software for beginners i would recommend eagle. of course also available as freeware, see here

    have fun
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