Hello! Quick question on running a project made on the free version of Carbide Create vs the Pro version.
A few years ago when I was running the free version, I thought I had to create a new Gcode file every time I did a project, and then when I upgraded to Pro, I was able to simply save over my c2d file and not have to save out the Gcode file every time.
A friend is about to pull the trigger a Shapeoko and this morning I was showing him some basics. He was asking me about the difference between the free and pro versions, and I told him one difference was that with the free version you have to save out a Gcode file every time, so I proceeded to save out the sample project I created but I was only able to save a Gcode file with the Pro verion (which I have but was trying to show him how).
Anyway, I’ll probably be helping him get started when he gets his machine so how does somebody run their project if they have the free version of Carbide Create? I haven’t had the free version for 3 or 4 years now so am I missing something? Or did something change? Haha. Thanks in advance.
Basically, Carbide Create now has the facility to include G-code (toolpaths) in a .c2d file.
Carbide Motion is then able to load .c2d files which include toolpaths (as G-code) and extract it — that G-code may then either be sent to the machine, or saved to a separate file.
Carbide Create Pro affords the option of outputting G-code for folks who either have non-Carbide 3D machines (and cannot run Carbide Motion), or who need to use a custom post-processor, or who want access to Pro-specific features (3D modeling and toolpaths, and some additional toolpaths/toolpath options).
Version 6 of CC made separate gcode files. Starting in v7 of CC the gcode is encrypted inside the .c2d file. If using CM and a Shapeoko (C3D) machine the v7 files will work fine. If you created the files with Pro and there is 3d inside the file it will still work without the Pro version if your friend wants to duplicate your files. CM does not check for the Pro license but CC does. Plus your friend could get the 15 day free trial of CC Pro to design his own files or modify your 3d files. The Pro license can run on multiple computers as long as you are not running them at the same time. Not telling you to give your Pro license to your friend but nothing is stopping that. The license check is not very robust. Your friend should buy his own Pro license if they want the functionality.
Where the Pro license is necessary is for 3rd party machines to extract separate gcode files. If running a C3D machine you can extract gcode separate files or simply run the .c2d files and the gcode is stripped out by CM and run on a C3D machine. On a 3rd party machine you need to use the generic or gbrl post processor. On a C3D machine you need to pick the Shapeoko post processor to take advantage of the BitSetter functionality. As far as I know no one else has a BitSetter like function so that is a big advantage for Shapeoko machines.
Ahhhh, okay. I was trying to show my friend how to run the project “as if I were him”, running the free version like he’s planning to start out with. Thanks for the clarification!