Re: Need Engravng Software

>--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@y..., Bob Bachman <bobach@v...> wrote:
> I need some software to create gcode to mill a part number
> into some molds I'm building. The numbers need to be about
> 3/8" high and be mirror image so they read properly on the
> molded part.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Bob Bachman
>

Bob,
To answer your specif request about text in moulds it's obvious you
want some simple font.
The problem with using True Type is that each letter has two sides.
An 'O' for instance has an inner and an outer. At 3/8" high these are
hard to cut and still be readable especially in a mould.
In some programs when using true type you have to define the inners
as islands, a lot of work for small return.
True type or even the simple stick font like in Bobcad when smashed
down turns into all small line moves making a long file.
The only two simple programs [ read cheapish ] that can handle stick
fonts that work with arcs as opposed to all short line moves are
Millwrite and Dolphin.

Millwrite uses it own type of font and can mirror this at the click
of a button or alter it in many ways, depth of cut , multiple passes
etc. This is what the program was written for.
Downside is they have added some CAM functions to the program, jacked
the price up and to be honest for $650 for what you get it's
expensive. The older version that sold for $250 is a very good buy
for what you want.

Dolphin approaches this a different way. It actually has two
engraving modules built in. One handles the true type engraving like
Bobcad and Vector but a hell of a lot simpler.
The second module is a throwback to the old DOS days and was put
there for engraving simple part numbers on parts, moulds etc
This uses one of 9 predetermined fonts but has all the same editing
commands as the true type module. Mirroring is just a click box.
These fonts come out very well and clean in a mould.
Like most thing in Dolphin it's very simple and easy to use.
With the new version you don't even have to go into the CAD side.
Just bring your DXF shape into the CAM system, select and define
tool, select engrave, type in your text and co-ordinates, select post.
that's it, file written.
Anybody want to see some screen shots?

John S.