Have you used MeshCam? If so, what are your comments on it?
Thanks,
Rex
I own and occasionally use MeshCAM.
Its forte is 3D carving and double-sided cuts.
When it come to 2D or 2.5D or Vcarving itâs useless.
I took a quick look and while it doesnât run on Linux( didnât try WINE ) I did watch a beginner video and it looks really easy to use. And I learned something which I was missed setting up in the software Iâm slicing with, setting up the âstockâ. Iâm using Kiri;Moto( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9OD_1hacwU ) only I installed it onto a small local computer( raspberry Pi ).
In Fusion 360 I created my design on the X,Y plane and was confused as to how to get the design to engrave into the top of a larger piece of wood. It turns out setting up the âstockâ and setting the origin options in that section makes it slice relative to the top of the stock. So cool to be learning all these specifics of CNCâing.
1 Like
Doug,
Thanks, I am working pure Windows and trying to find an alternative to VCarve, which impressed me but I cannot seem to get it to work and Vectric cannot seem to answer any questions.
I watched one of the beginner videos as well. It seems MechCam is a âconversionâ tool rather than a âcreatingâ tool. Will look into it deeper. For some reason I need to whack some weeds right now.
Thanks,
Rex
Rex, by âpure Windowsâ I take it you are meaning âruns on the computer which is running Windowsâ?
If so, the cool part about Kiri:Moto is that it can run locally only I chose to install it on a raspberry Pi which is also running my CNC software. I donât have to and plan on installing it on my Linux laptop but since it is a client/server setup it can also run on a Windows machine through small virtual machine running Linux.
Iâm hoping someone who knows other CNC GCode generation software(slicers) will give it a try and explain what I might be missing or if it really is as good as it seems to this rookie.
The funny thing is, I keep forgetting that it is not a normal application on my computer. For example, I just finished this reply and went to switch back to it using Alt-Tab like it was a different application from the Chrome browser Iâm in now. But itâs GUI is running in the browser tab right next to this forum tab. And Iâve donât that many times.
Doug,
By pure Windows, all my computers are HPs. The only Apple products in the house are two smartphones â wife and daughter, and both will be changed to Samsung when they die. And an Apple iPad my wife uses for school stuff.
I will take a look at Kiri:Moto in a bit. Right now kind of let down by several things so looking for something I can succeed on. And that is going to be my son-in-lawâs 1982 Chevy one-ton dually that he wanted to restore for his mother. His dadâs business truck with over 1,000,000 documented miles on it.
Just a few comments â I was totally impressed with VCarve in the SDFWA CNC course. I know other users are getting great results with VCarve. I am not. Anytime I use the Pocketing or VCarve toolpath processes with two bits things go south. So, looking for SOMETHING. It appears that MechCam is âconversionâ software where VCarve is âcreationâ software. By that I mean, you have something, import it to MechCam, play with it, and get toolpaths. With VCarve open the app, create something and create toolpaths. Not sure yet.
Spent a fair chunk of time at the VA Medical Center Thursday, May 14, 2020. Spent a fair amount of time today, Friday, May 15, 2020, whacking weeds. In the process of making a Cookie Monster cake for my Granddaughter. Will ice it tonight, going to the workshop to work on the dually. Want to accomplish SOMETHING.
Thanks,
Rex
Wow, full plates and I know what you mean about having many projects and lots of them are tough and seem like no progress is being made. This CNC stuff is not like the 2D world of laser cutting and so many variables with tools, homing, feeds/speeds, etc etc. Sometimes itâs 1 step forwared 3 back but keep at it. IIRC VCarve was a favorite of the MakerPlace and I think the FabLab even used it along with Mach or something like that. Good luck, hope the cake turns out well.
1 Like
Wonât say its good but it will be tasty. I am using canned icing and it just gets mushy due to the heat of my hand on the icing bag. Putting it in the refrigerator it gets too thick to pipe. I have four more cans of icing and then will make some from raw materials. My wife says the homemade stuff holds up better. She has won awards with her character cakes. I just win hugs and smiles from my granddaughter
.
Thanks,
Rex
1 Like
Thatâs stunning work on her part. âMe want cookie!â