I am looking to something fairly easy to use that will let me design front panels then spit out gcode at the other end where hopefully I can cut some panels at least in plastic.

I found this

http://www.frontpanelexpress.com/

Seems easy to use. The problem is it does not generate gcode. I t does export DXF and SVG files, Does anyone have experience with software that converts these files to gcode?

 

https://sourceforge.net/projects/dxf2gcode/

 

https://sourceforge.net/projects/dxf2gcode/

I saw this. Have you used it?

 

to be honest i am not quite sure... few years ago i worked on a custom plotter and something like this was utilized to generate g-code from cad files. if find time i will try to look it up, probably still have files on one of my old computers...

 

You could always write the G-code out!
Max.

 

You could always write the G-code out!
Max.

Yeah that is going to happen.

 

Yeah that is going to happen.

They did it for years, before CAD-CAM became available.

 

Yeah that is going to happen.

Is G-code the same as (similar to) the pen plotter files from the old HP plotters used?

 

Is G-code the same as (similar to) the pen plotter files from the old HP plotters used?

No idea. Doubtful since gcode can be in multiple axis and depths. You should know about gcode? Don't you have a 3d printer? I would think they use gcode.

 

No idea. Doubtful since gcode can be in multiple axis and depths.

I think it “can” be used for 3D but some company’s plotter code was repurposed from the generalized G-Code, if I remember correctly. Just implementing fewer degrees of freedom.

 

They did it for years, before CAD-CAM became available.

And I used to walk ten miles to school up hill both ways in 3 feet of snow (even in the summer time).

 

G code can be written and applied in multi-axis.
If interested, one of the 'Bibles' used for manual programming is 'CNC Programming Handbook' by Peter Smid.
Gerber files are the result of the axis output positioning.
Max.

 

I saw this. Have you used it?

I've used it. I made some text in Inkscape, saved it as DXF and loaded it in dxf2gcode. It worked ok. Inkscape and dxf2gcode on ubuntu. CNC machine have LinuxCNC.

And I used to walk ten miles to school up hill both ways in 3 feet of snow (even in the summer time).

Bet you had shoes.

 

Bet you had shoes.

Nope no shoes. In fact I didn't even have feet then. We couldn't afford them. We were tough when we were kids.

 

I had to buy my own feet with money I saved from mowing lawns on my knees.

 

I am looking to something fairly easy to use that will let me design front panels then spit out gcode at the other end where hopefully I can cut some panels

What if you load the demo version of Mach mill and use the free LazyCam to build the motion file, you see the path on the screen, it then develops the G-code file.
It allows direct import of DXF, BMP, JPG, and HPGL files into LazyCam.
I have never played with it, but it cost nothing to try.
Max.

 

It would be easier to label your panel with a Sharpie and some Post-It notes.

 

What if you load the demo version of Mach mill and use the free LazyCam to build the motion file, you see the path on the screen, it then develops the G-code file.
It allows direct import of DXF, BMP, JPG, and HPGL files into LazyCam.
I have never played with it, but it cost nothing to try.
Max.

The milling part I have. I use LinuxCNC.

 

It would be easier to label your panel with a Sharpie and some Post-It notes.

Wow that would look real fancy. A yinzer panel.

 

The milling part I have. I use LinuxCNC.

You don't have an old Win PC or a laptop you could run it on?
You just want the G file right?
Max.