Re: Traveling Salesman Syndrome

Hi Bob,

Yeah, I know there are a LOT of extra moves! I have a file converter
for PLT to DXF, so that might be interesting. I'm gonna keep using
Vector, as I have the CAD/CAM, but otherwise I'd get the TurboCad hard
copy. Might anyway, thanks for the tip.

I'm thinking I need to write a little tool to tell me what IS in a .DXF
file, and then determine which programs can read what.

Chevy parts for a Ford. That's about it! Hafta quote you on that one!

Alan KM6VV


cncdxf@... wrote:

>
> Hi Alan,
> Last week I broke down and bought the $30 Turbocad
> in Staples. Works a little better than the free version. It
> would not install on my AMD 333 with WIN95b. I had to copy the
> files to my hard drive and install it from there. I tried
> a clean copy of WIN95b with no luck. TurboCad is worth the
> money except it won't import PLT files. My Corel will but
> it makes the lines fatter on some of the lines in a DXF
> file when you save the PLT as a DXF. It also messes up the
> DXF files from TURBOCAD. This works with that, but not with
> this. I feel like I am trying to use Chevy parts on a Ford.
> Use the test board that came with Eagle and make
> a outline file of it as a Gcode. Let me know how many extra
> moves you see.
>
> Bob
>
>
>
>
>
> --- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@y..., Alan Marconett KM6VV <KM6VV@a...> wrote:
> > Hi Bob,
> >
> > I have only looked at the Gerber output, and the outline Gcode
> output
> > (which could be all one needs). How is the size off? By a scale
> > factor? Offset in X or Y?
> >
> > The PLT file output is another possibility. Now THAT's a mess!
> Yeah,
> > DXF's are a lot of fun. :-|
> >
> > Alan KM6VV
> >
> >
> > cncdxf@a... wrote:
> > >
> > > Hi Alan,
> > > Eagle has a ULP file that exports the pads and
> > > traces as a DXF. The problem is the size is off! I was hoping
> > > to be able to trace over the DXF in TURBOCAD. Thought I had
> > > it! I just love these so called DXF files. They are as funny
> > > as the words WINDOWS compatible.
> > >
> > > Bob
> > >
> > > --- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@y..., Alan Marconett KM6VV <KM6VV@a...>
> wrote:
> > > > Hi Bob, Jon,
> > > >
> > > > PLT format? I have found that ViewCompanion v2.0 is inexpensive
> > > and can
> > > > convert .PLT files to DXF or a host of other formats. From
> there,
> > > you
> > > > could import into Vector CAD/CAM; reorganize, and generate the
> > > Gcode.
> > > > OR the CAD-only could save DXF, and let Yeager's ACE generate
> the
> > > > Gcode. The Harley file is a good file to experiment on (who can
> > > read
> > > > DXF's), as I have found out.
> > > >
> > > > I haven't designed any boards in Eagle (yet), but I have
> exported
> > > the
> > > > hexapod and other demos for experimentation/edification.
> > > >
> > > > http://www.softwarecompanions.com/ (ViewCompanion)
> > > >
> > > > I'll experiment with the .PLT file output!
> > > >
> > > > Jon had some good comments on the T.S. problem. Seems to me,
> that
> > > as
> > > > the "traces" are "closed" tool paths, when you cut them, you
> come
> > > back
> > > > to the same point. So like Jon said, we're only needing to
> sort the
> > > > rapids, I.E., the starting points of the traces, as I see it.
> How
> > > about
> > > > a "flood fill" to keep the rapids in-between trace starts to a
> > > minimum?
> > > > Start at origin, find the first point from that within a
> specified
> > > > radius, cut it, find the remainder of start points, then expand
> the
> > > > radius, etc. Or maybe the center of the radius needs to be
> moved
> > > to the
> > > > point just done? (that's not really a flood).
> > > >
> > > > Alan KM6VV
>
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