Guys, Just venturing on this CNC path. I have Inkscape and Makercam. No matter what I do when I open the SVG file in Makercam it shows nothing other than a rectangle box, none of the text is shown. When I click file open and navigate to the file, Makercam sees all the contents of the file but refuses to show it on the main editing page. I have edited the preference to 90 for inkscape. Hope you can help. Tony
In Inkscape select your text then go to Path > Object to Path. You do this for basically everything except for when you bring in images such as .bmp, .jpg or .png files. Those you select them and go to Path > Trace Bitmap. Then you select how you want to define your image and and either click update or click the live preview. When you click OK, it will then make a copy over top of your image. Move the image out of the way and then you can delete the under lying original image. Save your svg and it should show up in makercam.
No matter what I do I can not get the MakerCam G-Code to run on my C-Beam. *sigh* I've been up for 38 hours trying to find ANY G-Code program other than SketchUCAM that will work ... is there a setting I am missing in MakerCam? I notice the MakerCam files end with .nc ... and all the example files from OpenBuilds that came with the C-Beam are .cnc and they all the OpenBuilds G-Code examples function perfect on my C-Beam so I no it is working correctly with the xPro V2 and Grbl Panel. I made a YouTube video showing the MakerCam files running correctly in CAMotics simulation but they stop on the C-Beam as soon as the Z moves off Home for the first time. I draw everything in SolidWorks and usually have items cut a Fab shops out of Laser, Plasma, and WaterJet ... I bought this C-Beam to do simple small items and it is easy to create accurate .SVG files but in have never been able to find a G-Code program yet that can make a G-Code file that will work on the my C-Bean. I see all these people on the forum saying they use MakerCam with .SVG files but I can't get MakerCam G-Code to work? So tired... Depressed Please ANYONE Help me PLEASE
Not much help I know, But since starting this thread I have moved on to Vectric VCarve software. Bit expensive but there is also a cost to be continually frustrated. Try it it is free to try, and their tutorials are brilliant. Tony
All I need to know is does G-Code .nc files created with MakerCam from an .SVG file work on the C-Beam with xPro V2 and Grbl Panel ... if not then I just wasted 38 hours. Time for bed... *sigh*
I just noticed your G-Code. Grbl does not support M6 (tool change) - you can safely delete that entire line. I don't think G40 is supported either but I don't know if it would halt processing (try deleting G40 as well).
YOU ARE AMAZING!! It worked. Deleted the line and it worked ... THANK YOU I can now finish Christmas gifts ... I’ll write a proper thank you after sleep
Very smart people made wonderful suggestions and I want to thank everyone for helping me get my Christmas gifts finished ... files are cutting as I write this. THAN YOU.
Lodds Have you looked at Estlcam. Excellent program. Easy to use but very powerful, and cheap!!!. Have a look at the videos on YouTube.
Was able to get some sleep knowing I could wake up and finish the gift items I promised I would do for others Therefore, this is my attempt (*grin*) at a proper THANK YOU and explanation as to why I am testing/using MakerCam.com G-Code. Scotty, Mark and ALL of you helped a lot of individuals waiting on me to get them parts that I offered to make gratis before Christmas ( Just-for-Fun ) as part of my hobby giving back to people. My hobby is helping individuals, students, clubs, amateur magicians, and new music artists/DJs/bands with there Mechanical (Robotic) projects... and I don't want to leave anyone out because they don't have access to equipment where they live. They ALL have access to a computer; yet, MANY cannot modify the computer in any way (due to parents/school) and must rely on online free software for their projects. I'm just a CAD Designer/metalworker that uses SolidWorks to draw my items and then uses Fabrication Shops to cut out my normal work CNC items on Plasma Cutters, Lasers and WaterJets. For everything else I have a private Metalworking Shop with Mills, Lathes, TIG & MIG, Metalcasting, etc... So I can do many items for people for the fun of it gratis. I keep a 'Just-for-Fun' website to show simple projects worked on with others, etc Aluminum Cast Drill Press Knobs Also have a small inside 3D-Printing Workshop so can make whatever they need in the way of ABS or PLA parts ... and AFINIA (Afinia 3D Printer - 3D Printer for Home, Education and Rapid Prototyping) provided me with a bunch of Filament a while back as a thank you for me creating with SolidWorks the Photo-Realistic renderings to print on all their Filament boxes. Link to Project with AFINIA 3D: AFINIA 3D-Printing Filament Box So that helps keep the 3D-Printing filament cost down on these free gratis projects to help people ... Example: SafeKids Charity Event 3D-Printed Shapes to Make Chocolate Molds for Event ( Everyone Donated their time and materials, Shapeways.com made Hi-Res 3DP shapes, etc) Link about SafeKids Project: 3D Printed Chocolate Candy Molds Anyway, I bought the C-Beam Machine 2 years ago and tested it out and of course it worked wonderful as did the OpenBuilds Example files, and Mark was amazing with questions helping me set it up. Made several items with G-Code files provided to me from a friend ( I believe he used Fusion 360? ) but that was all I did with it at that time. ( Realized it's value to me would be a DREMEL mounted engraver for parts & small logos ) 3D-Printed DREMEL Mount for C-Beam Machine: GrabCAD - CAD library Almost immediately, I took the C-Beam apart and used the OpenBuilds parts for a Linear motion process for my workshop for several months... then I put it back together but didn't use it since because stuck working on other projects, so it sat on my Table was visable in all my Just-for-Fun project website (blog) photos for two years so everyone knew I had it and asked me to make little CNC parts. *grin* https://ctmprojectsblog.wordpress.com/2016/03/26/inside-office-workshop-table/ Found that many people needed little items cut or engraved for their projects and/or small Delrin parts, so started back up the OpenBuilds C-Beam Machine and tested it out with the Example files and it worked great as it did before, so the next step was to figure out a way for people to use FREE online software to create G-Code files to send to me and/or be able to use the G-Code at their school shop, etc. Hence this Forum Area using MakerCam.com (Thank You for the Suggestion ) PLUS... wanted to be able to quickly draw items in SolidWorks and then save the drawing file in a .ai file format and convert accurately holding the dimensions into an .SVG file for them to use at MakerCam.com Long story short *grin* (Not so short story) ... I did all the items easy and quickly weeks ago that were 3D-Printing & metal-casting 3DP patterns, and then finished all the Metalworking/Machining/Welding items for people wanting to get the parts for their Christmas gift projects and the only items left were the CNC items that a Fab shop did for me in trade for SolidWorks designs I did for them ... that left these few little CNC router parts that I need to get to some individuals locally at a Maker/Robot Club. ( I can just drive over and drop them off, no worries about mailed in time for Christmas ) So that's my Story *laughing* ... it is long but I wanted to explain my frustration and lack of sleep ... I was very sleepy and almost finished with everyone's gratis Christmas gift parts, but the ones created on MakerCam.com didn't work yesterday because (THANK YOU for informing me) the G-Code was putting in a Tool Change at the beginning. Wish I could say it was the lack of sleep, but I'm not brilliant like you all, so honestly, I just glitched out and missed it so Thank You for the quick help. I try to do projects using the same items I suggest to others, so having my friend use Fusion 360 to make G-Code would have been cheating for these projects because we did them together using the free online MakerCam that is available to them. I'm usually very upbeat, but when I feel I am going to let people down I get very worried and was depressed as I have ever been this morning after failing all night. You Saved Me by Saving their Projects!! Thank You!! All the items left now are local so can easily finish and doing a few of the Aluminum items on my Milling Machine and Lathe by hand because can use the wireless 'bluDRO' Digital Readout with FREE DRO app on my Bluetooth tablet to make very accurate parts. https://ctmprojectsblog.wordpress.com/2015/12/08/3d-printed-bluetooth-wireless-dro/ Going to finish a few days ahead of schedule and maybe get to make a few items for my own projects!! CHEERS ... and once again THANK YOU OpenBuilds, Mark, Scotty and everyone for the helpful software suggestions and G-Code help. P.S. Isn't sleep glorious when you can go to bed knowing everything will get finished on time or early. WHOO HOO!!
For those that use SOLIDWORKS ... They are including CAM with SolidWorks 2018 SOLIDWORKS CAM 2018 What's New in SOLIDWORKS CAM
MetalDesigner. You are a very talented, versatile and generous guy!!! I think the people who benefit from your generosity are so very,very lucky and blessed to have someone like yourself in their area!!!! On behalf of everyone at this Forum: May I say, I'm sure, we are all very pleased we were able to help you with your problem, and hope we may be able to help you out again in the future. Please enjoy your Christmas, it would seem you have worked so very hard and deserve it. Well done. Good Job! Gray
I like your Frozen Dakota Rum idea. I went to college in sugar beat country. The smell driving by the American Crystal Sugar Company was... unique.
