Software Suggestions - LowRider - Design and processing

So I’ve read here - Software Workflow - V1 Engineering Documentation

But looking for what everyone suggests for entry software to design and edit CNC / DFX files and is ESTLCAM the best software to cut and process the project for the lowrider? Using either the Jackpot or SKR Pro board?

Thanks for any input !

I personally use fusion for CAD and editing dxf files. It is relatively easy to learn the basics using some tutorials online. I think they still have a free version available.

Definitely give estlecam a shot, I use it for all of my cnc projects. Easy to learn and use.

I don’t know to what extent you want to edit files, but in estlecam you can add text directly on the dxf files if I remember correctly.

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The milling basics can be found here: EstlCAM Setup - V1 Engineering Documentation, where it explains you how you get toolpaths from dxfs to the Jackpot.

I edit DXFs with AutoCAD.

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I find Estlcam to be useful and it was worth the money to me to buy. I have not upgraded to version 12, and am still on version 11.

I have used FreeCAD and Fusion360 for CAD drawings to use with Estlcam. both are free, though Fusion360 does make you jump through some hoops for the free not-for-profit usage. There is a CAM add-in for Fusion360 to make toolpaths, but I have never used it.

Some people have used tools like Inkscape to make SVG drawings that can be imported into EstlCAM. Tinkercad can do SVG drawings as well, which us useful for making profiles of mesh works like STL files.

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I definitely use Estlcam for my toolpaths, and I’d suggest it’s probably the fastest route to get cutting. Once you start bumping against limitations, you’ll know what you’re looking for in other software.

I’m probably crazy (I’m OK with it) but I use Lightburn quite a bit to create and edit simple DXFs for cutting. Since I may use both a laser and a router on the same project, I find the design path on Lightburn works for me, with an export and toolpath definition in Estlcam. BTW Estlcam is also VERY reasonably priced.

I haven’t really used Fusion for the CAM functions but I’m very much looking forward to the future release of MillMage from the makers of Lightburn. I’m planning on living in Estlcam until I either hit a hardstop, or until I muster the courage to try MillMage.

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I use Corel draw 2018 and estlcam. Inkscape is also close to Corel draw in concept and is free. I started with inkscape and used its built in gcode tools cam processor, but found it very labor intensive. Both can export svg files for estlcam import but I find it much easier to do trace and the fine editing in coreldraw. The newer versions are quite expensive, but the old ones make svg just as well.

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Just to add another items on this for what I’m looking for in software is taking a drawing that I had scanned to a PDF - and has a layout design - that is dimensionally correct - on it that I want to import it into software to cut and on the LowRider - is that possible in some software? ESTLCAM or even Fusion 360 personal to do these projects.