CNC Newbie: Need start up help

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I bought a new machine, and need help getting started. What software do I need? I have Mach3 to operate, what else show I get?

Asked on October 3, 2019 in CNC.
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So you have something to control the machine. The answer to your question would depend on what you wish to achieve..

 

 

Are you designing from scratch? Just cutting templates? What are you making?

Answered on October 3, 2019.

I am wanting to create signs, and table tops from clipart/ images from internet.

on October 3, 2019.

OK, so if the designs you’re grabbing from the internet are not suitable for CNC (i.e. just images) you’ll need to manually design them for CNC using graphic design software or convert them to a CNC format using something like Scan2CAD.

 

Then, cut the designs using what you have.

 

Do some test runs with low-cost materials. See how it goes, if you hit problems you’ll probably learn what else you need (if anything.)

on October 7, 2019.
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If you haven’t already, get some CAD software to edit the images and clipart as you need. There are a bunch of free ones on the internet, ones I would recommend are SketchUp, Draftsight, and LibreCAD among others.

Answered on January 8, 2020.
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