Cutting letters

[Neville Bastian]

Just want to cut a few basic inhouse signs but not sure what to use. I was wondering if anyone has a almost free software that send dxf's or Gcode to the Thermwood successfullly. Dont want to pay too much money for a seldom used program. Any suggestions?
Regards
Neville

[Will Williamson]

V Carve Pro, well worth the money for what you are doing.

[Neville Bastian]

Thanks Will for the advice. I will try the sample version first and see how it goes but if you use it it must be OK. I will post my results in a few weeks.

[Will Williamson]

I received VCarve pro on Thursday, tuned it in to my machine on Friday, Made $5000.00 dollars with it Saturday.
5 weeks later i upgraded to Aspire. For its 3 D modeling and cutting ability.
I've been using it for 3 years now. I lay the whole project out in aspire and use Ecabinets to cut the boxes
I still like the profile modeler to cut curved moldings
I do a lot of two sided machining using this software.

[Jeremy Schiffer]

Hey Neville! If it's something you're just going to use once, or very seldom, there are free programs that have the layered DXF ability. One is LibreCAD, and another is called FreeCAD. I have them both, but have never really played with them, but from what I've seen, it sounds like they would fit your purpose fine.

[Brad McIntosh]

For a FREE CAD program that is very AUTOCAD compatible (2D only) is DraftSight. We recommend it to our clients that do not have AUTOCAD and who need a CAD package. Of course it is capable of generating Layered DXF files that can be processed with Control Nesting.

DraftSight® FREE* CAD Software Download
http://www.3ds.com/products-services/dr ... -download/
(* As this application is free, I do not think Thermwood would mind a reference to it.)

* The new "PLUNGE" option for the "CENTERLINE" layer is great for doing 'stick' lettering.
* The "CLAMP" option for the "POCKET" layer is fantastic for raised or pocketed lettering - or anything with "islands" in the pocketed area.

For an affordable "artistic CAD/CAM" program, we offer/recommend ArtCAM Express to our clients. The basic package goes for about $149 USD for the "dongleless" and downloadable version. (The "boxed" version with a security key is about $194 USD.) The nice thing about ArtCAM Express is that you can add advanced features that you need individually through their "in the software" store - you basically only pay for what you need/will use. (We also provide our clients with a proven and flexible ArtCAM post processor for their Thermwood 3 axis router.)

About ArtCAM Express
http://www.artcam.com/express/about.asp
(* As Thermwood is an ArtCAM representative, I do not think they would mind a reference to it.)