G-Code Arc drawing question

I have a somewhat unique situation, atleast I think it is unique. I am
currently running a 3-axis Sherline converted mill. I have connected the
Y-axis stepper motors to a vertically mounted ratoary table, and I do not
have a stepper motor connected to the linear (normal) Y-axis.

I have just started writing G-Code programs and I do not have a CAD program
yet (probably will buy BobCAD this wek). I create my G-Code files in
Microsoft Excel since I am only created engraving patterns utilizing
functional realtionships between X and Y coordinates.

Since I am doing it this was all of my curved cuts are preformed as a series
of finally divided straight line segments, which is really convenient. I
then rescale my Y-axis data points to place them on a 360 degree rotation
path (since my Y-axis is the rotary table). I am controlling the mill with
TurboCNC configured for a rotary axis as the Y-axis.

Here is my problem (finally!):

When I try out all of the demo versions of the CAD programs and I draw
circles and curves, it always converts them to the G-Code for cutting arcs
(makes sense). Is there a way to tell the Cad program to break the arcs up
into tiny line segments so that I get the G01 output (many lines) instead of
G03 (or whatever the arc code is)? The arc cutting does not work when the
Y-axis is scaled from 0 to 360 degrees and the x-axis of the part is scaled
from 0 to 0.100"

Does this make any sense, and can anyone help me.

I need to keep the Y-axis as an angular axis since then I do not have to
change any of the code (or configuration settings) for different outer
diameter rings that I make with the same patterns.


Thanks for any and all suggestions,

Daniel J. Statman, Statman Designs
www.statmandesigns.com


If interested, check out the Celtic knot patterns at the bottom of my
website homepage.