Re: Software options

I'm not positive, but I think the terms we use are

CAD, this is the drawing part. Corel would fit here although it is
not called a 'C.A.D.' program.

then a Post-Processor. this converts the file from whatever format to
G-code (for machineing) or to Gerbers (for PCB work)

lastly, CAM or Computer Aided Manufacturing. This is where Mach2/3,
TurboCAD, EMC and others come in.

The post-processor part takes the drawing file and fixes it. it
allows a person to add cutter compensation, to tweak tool paths, to
take a roughing cut, then a finish cut....

the CAM just takes the g-code and sends it to the machine. I'm not
sure if CNC or NC or DNC is the more appropriate term for the software
that looks at each line of the code and then sends those signals to
the machine.

Probably the most common suite of software for the home shop guys is
either corel or some CAD, then, SheetCAM for the post processor, then
Mach2/3 on the machine.

I think you might be looking for something like SheetCAM ?

Dave



<snip>

>
> Alternatively has anybody a system that they think works well for the
> design side of things? Something that DOES handle the drafting side
> while also producing acceptable GCode. Something even ProEngineer with
> its large price tag does not do completely, and Catia would probably

eat

> up the entire annual profit for a small operation ;)
>
> --
> Lester Caine - G8HFL