software recomendations?

[Jordf]

Hey Im new to the CNC plasma world, I have a 4x8 burntables machine, 65amp hypertherm, and engraver set up.
It comes with the HYcad program which I find isnt the most user friendly, due to a lack of instructions.. It seems to take a lot longer then it should to make basic parts, or some functions work great once then next time cant get it to do the same thing.. etc (ie tangent)

Anyhow whats a better program out there? that's easy to learn? I plan on using my table for lots of custom automotive parts, brackets, signs, converting logos and all the other kinda cool files that are on this site..

thanks for your input

[Metriccar]

I'm surprised you haven't gotten any responses as I'm sure most on here use some sort of CAD. Sorry I can't help, I'm in the same boat as you.

I have seen the following names:

BobCAD/CAM
Autodesk AutoCAD
Corel Draw
Rhino (I have heard this is easier to use)
Inkscape
Striker Systems-Profile

Corel Draw is like $600. AutoCAD LT is like $1000. AutoCAD is like $3500.
I'm not sure if you need anything more than AutoCAD LT for what we do with plasma cutters.
I'm guessing a CAD program like LaserCAM or SS-Profile would be a little easier to use, with features/options more likely to be relevant to 2d shape creating. SS-Profile automatically creates tool paths for example. Does Corel Draw do that? I'm guessing not. I've heard of people having issues depending on how thick the line is in Corel Draw. That's the last thing I want to deal with.

[abmagrum]

Inkscape is free

corel draw works good

you can get plug ins to clean up files ,dxf tool

one to nest projects, nesting tool

and one to tell the cutter best path to take. artwork optimizer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIgMfn-qOr8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eoBv1FPTa3Q

[mike 1948]

If you have a extra $600.00 I would look at Vcarve Pro from Vectric. Made more for wood carving but its very easy to use vector creation. It can also trace pictures, logos etc. and export cleanly to DXF for cutting. And if you get a wild hair you could mount a router and cut wood.
You can also get Draftsight(AutoCAD clone) for free.

Mike

[beefy]

SolidEdge2D Drafting from Siemens - free and powerful 2D drawing. You've got to do a bit of hunting for info on how to use it though. There is a forum on their website. A lot of people seem to like it. I think it's actually the 2D part of there multi thousand dollar 3D solid modelling cad, and the free giveaway is to entise people to graduate to their full 3d package. I can never understand though why they don't assist the customer in learning it.

Coreldraw, although being a vector based graphics program can also be quite good for 2D mechanical cad type drawing. It's got its' grid, guidlines, snap features, alignment features, sizing input boxes, etc. Then there's some additional plugins to give it more functionality. Lots of tutorials out there too which is very important. My opinion - if you have a plasma table you need Coreldraw or Adobe Illustrator.

Sheetcam is the cam software between cad and the plasma cutter. Great product, great support, continuously improving in functionality.

I've done some damn wicked things with the above three packages combined. My best accomplishment just for the heck of trying it was nesting about 630 circles on a 2.4 x 1.2m sheet, and cutting them all out using only two pierces. I might actually need that ability and I'll not remember how I did it

[Jordf]

awesome thanks for all your help