Artcam Drawing
Tracee Hsiang
I recently had to reload Artcam 9.126 because of a computer crash. I have always used Autocad 2007 to create drawings to import as dxf files. Now i get a invalid drawing error when trying to import a drawing. Can anyone give me some advice as to what I'm doing wrong?
We will need to wait on Dillon returning (its after hours for him now) to confirm if the link he supplied you included exchange, but a quick search of your computer should tell if you have Delcam Exchange installed.
No problem at all; it's been over a decade since the ArtCAM 9 product range was released by Delcam, so it's a test of anybody's memory! If I recall correctly, Delcam Exchange was first installed alongside ArtCAM 2008.
It is not necessary for you to reinstall ArtCAM Pro 9.126. Since ArtCAM Pro 9.126 was released in 2006, I expect that saving the DXF file in the AutoCAD 2007 (AC1021) format means that ArtCAM cannot read it. Where any file uses a particular format released later than your ArtCAM software, the file might well be incompatible; developers cannot support file formats that have not yet been released, and which are often different to previous versions of those formats.
I recommend that you try exporting your drawing from AutoCAD 2007 using an earlier DWG version (for example, R12 or R14), and then importing the resulting DXF file into ArtCAM Pro 9.126; you might find this article from the Autodesk Knowledge Network (AKN) useful.
We've been using the same Autocad 2007 on another machine since 2006. Would there be any issues with the Autocad on an XP machine and Artcam on Windows 10? Just considering everything that changed. i'm trying the attachment again.
Your reported issue is not attributable to the Windows operating system on which you are using AutoCAD 2007 and ArtCAM Pro 9.126. Again, I suggest that you open your wine cabinet.dxf file in AutoCAD 2007 and export the artwork as a DXF file with an earlier DWG version (for example, R12 or R14), as illustrated below:
I'm very pleased to hear this. I do not expect you'll encounter any further DXF file import issues when working in ArtCAM Pro 9.126 if you continue to save from AutoCAD 2007 in the AutoCAD 2004 (AC1018) format.
I have managed to reinstall the software and have ticked the 'other' box which now includes the Australian Standards. SO now I can use the correct steel sizes available here, all good up to the next.... Now I am creating a drawing from the file using Australain Steel sizes and when adding a part list it is showing the steel cut list in inches. I have edited the parts list but cannot find where the update the standard from ANSI to AS? Can this be done so I can get an accurate parts list in the drawing file? P.S. Thanks Adam:)
Hi William, thanks for the questions. I have attached a couple of pictures more to show scale than anything else. I do a crazy variety of work, everything from jewelry pieces to shawlpins to touchplates for Rose Engine lathes to vbit carved boxes. I also make dies which are used to press metal into intricate shapes to be used in jewelry and I create small molds for artglass work from graphite blocks. My workflow usually goes something like this: I start with an idea which I usually put down on a piece of paper with a pencil (old school, but it works for me) I then translate that into a vector art drawing using CorelDraw. I can also start with a picture and trace into Corel. I then export as a .DXF file and import the vector into ArtCam. I use ArtCam to create/extrude a 2.5/3d piece and then make tool paths/gcode for the Mill. Then into Carbide Motion to create the piece. The part of this I am going to be missing is moving my flat vector art to a 2.5/3d piece of art. Most CAD programs are designed to make industrial parts/models and to create art with them is a clunky process at best. ArtCam was specifically designed for CAD art for the jewelry industry. When Autodesk bought it they envisioned using it for woodworkers creating motifs for fancy furniture and signmakers.
That aluminum is .125" thick by 1.625 OD. I used a 60 degree V bit with .010 step over (BAD).
Tried to go in opposite direction with 1/16" ball (Smallest I had), but it didnt help alot. I get in a hurry It has all the same 3d tools, and they work the same, even look the same.
Point is, it can do it.
Oh yeah, and with the big XXL. No problem with the details. Accurate machine.
Hi, there!
I am in the same position you were a year ago. Trying to decide if it pays to use zbrush modeling for cnc output. (wooden ornaments and frames) Or just artcam will do? Any advice? Thank you!
I'm a looking currently to buy an artistic CADCAM package and was looking at either Artcam pro or Mastercam X. Mastercam X seems very expensive but I'd like to get some views about what you guys think about it... I happened across the artcam forum where there was an interesting discussion about the pros and cons of the two softwares...
I tryed Artcam Pro for about 2 monthes. I had a project that was a little complex regarding a hand carved appearance and using Mastercam for that particular project was not practicle. I could not accomplish what I needed with Artcam so I had a sample part scanned for $2000. and run toolpaths with MasterCam Mill 9.1.
Shortly after that project was finnished Mastercam Art came out. I got a trial version from my Mastercam dealer. Watching the tutorials and practicing I was able to do a project using Mastercam Art. The project came off with no problems.
What I did not like with Artcam Pro was it was not easy to create simple geometry for the part. The demonstrator was struggling create a real part that I needed. In Master cam I could create the basic geometry in a few minutes. Artcam was supposed to be converted into a STL file to bring into Mastercam. The dealer could not show me how.
I like your story, always looking for good articles, could you contact me. I wrote the article abouve for marketing and sent it to them yesterday in reply to a customers inquiry ,my how fast things fly about.
I started looking for a software package to help me program what we needed. I started looking in woodworking magizines. I ran across a full page add about Surfcam, it looked pretty cool so I emailed a request for info. Two weeks went by with no response so I went back to looking and I ran across Mastercam. I did the same thing, sent in a email for info. Within a couple days I got a call from Bryan Johnson at MLC Cad Systems in Dallas. He set up a time to come in and give a demo a few days later. It was impressive what he could do and he was so fast at creating the parts from scratch and setting up toolpaths that it seemed that they just magically appeared on the screen.
After the demo we discussed about purchasing Mastercam but we were a little nervous about the price. After about two weeks we made the decision to go ahead and take the leap to get into Mastecam. I got on the phone and called Bryan and told him we decided to make the commitment.
I swear that this is true, while I was talking to Bryan I had another call come in. My seccretary put them on hold. When I finnished with Bryan I went to the other line and it was a Surfcam Dealer who I won't mention his name, it was the same person that gave the Artcam demo to us. Of course I told him that we made our decision to go to Mastecam.
I am glad that Surfcam did not respond sooner because we might of purchased it. When I went to Dallas for training in Mastercam there were several other students that their company's had Surfcam. Their problem was in the support.
Well, obviously I know a little about Mastercam, but Art is something I have about 30 minutes experience with YESTERDAY!!!! It was VERY easy to figure out. It gave me EXACTLY what I wanted with a few mouse clicks. So from a n00b's perspective I was thoroughly impressed and it worked very well.
What I was doing was I imported a BMP of a cartoon character. These characters are to be on belt buckles. The BMP was clean, Art gave it the relief, I adjusted the settings to suit my taste and from import, to toolpath... about 15 minutes. That includes about 10 minutes of figuring things out because I know absolutely nothing about it.
I looked at Artcam Pro demo and one thing I found real fast was that I could not even draw a strait line with it, don't believe me ? try it they have very complex methods to draw basic geometry, which is hopeless, I am sure eventually you could get used to it.
I have had some very frustrating times with MC art ( ask Iven) But the clincher for me: CNC systems and all of their staff from the top to the reseller have been fantastic, nothing has been too much trouble to help sort out, Iven, Ruth and Bob Hill have been particularly fabulous ( no I am not getting paid for this.
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