I just received a Nomad 3 and attempted to make the test project that comes with the machine. I downloaded the Create software. When I click the “create Gcode” button it says “simulation and g code isn’t available pro only”.
As far as I can see on their site Create is free and works for 2d and 2.5d tool paths. You only need pro for 3d toolpaths.
Has anyone else had this problem? I have Autodesk FeatureCam software and my reseller is going to make a post for me, but I thought the machine would be more fool proof with a software specifically made for the machine.
In v6 CC and below the gcode files were created separately. Starting in v7 the gcode is included as @WillAdams said. If you have the Pro version you can extract the gcode files. You only need to extract the gcode if you are running a 3rd party gcode sender or if you have a 3rd party machine. Since you have a Nomad you simply use CM 566 or above and use the c2d file and the gcode is encrypted in that file and the Nomad will execute the cut file.
Not sure if all the instructions have caught up with the v7 changes.
If you have not used v7 CC there are a few short cuts that are beneficial.
Making a circle. You had to use the Radius and not the Diameter in previous CC versions. You still need to use the Radius but you can also just put in for instance for a 1 inch circle 1/2. That is 1 divided by 2 and not one half. Any diameter circle you want just put in the diameter wanted with a slash (divide) and 2. Another example would be a 3/4" circle so .75/2 and you would get a .75" circle.
When doing a pocket or contour that you want to cut all the way through there is a link that says “Use Stock Bottom”. That is handy but if you put the letter t in the “Max Depth” and you later change the material depth all you have to do is save the c2d file and the toolpath is automatically updated with the new material depth. If you use the use stock bottom you have to go into each tool path that you used that and update to get the tool path updated. When I design I do not always know my stock depth until I get it mounted on the Shapeoko spoilboard. If you use masking tape and super glue it gets a little taller. Plus your design and the actual material may not match so it helps you get a full cut in the pocket/contour.
The “t” is available in all tool paths that use a max depth like vcarve or drill.
During the design phase you can change the grid anytime you want. Existing items will not move unless you move them. So if you are doing some odd measurement items you can change the grid to match the measurement of any even fraction you need to get things to line up. The default is to snap to grid but you can also turn that off if you need to line things up that are snapped to the grid.
If you have two objects that you want to align in some way then pick the object you want moved into alignment first and hold down the shift key and select the main object second and use the alignment to move the first object to the second object. This works similarity with boolean operations.
When trying to boolean operations on multiple objects it is usually easier to do two objects at a time. The results of picking multiple object can not be what you want. The v7 version of boolean gives you a preview of what will happen and you can back out. If you do something that you did not want you can use Ctrl Z in Windows, not sure what the command is in Mac. Every time you do a Ctrl Z you back up a step. There is a limit but I am not sure how big that limit is. The Ctrl Z works until you save the file then the Ctrl Z is que is restarted.
When designing and cutting files and maybe you dont cut all the way through but do not want to start the whole job over you can disable the other tool paths and edit the cutout tool path to start lower and cut deeper to completely cut through the project. All you do is disable the unnecessary toolpaths, modify the one you want and then save the file. AFter you get the file cut out and if you want to cut that again simply go in and enable the other tool paths and reedit the modified tool path and save your file again. Alternately you could save the altered file with “Save As” and the original file will not be changed. In the case of not cutting all the way through you need to increase the material thickness and reset your Z zero before cutting the modified file/tool path.
Thanks for the info.
\Is it default to cut using conventional milling vs climb milling? Is that a soft material thing or is there an option to change that? In cnc machining climb milling is used almost exclusively.
CC does not support climb cutting. It may come in future versions. Vetric and Fusion 360 support that type of cutting but at a price. CC has made great strides in the last few years. For a free product it pretty robust but just keeps getting better.
Conventional milling is what works in CC and works well. People that are doing climb cutting usually are making very complicated items. You can get Fusion360 for free but it has a lot of restrictions. Also as mentioned Vetric products can do the climb cutting. The good thing about Vetric is if you buy the Desktop version and decide you want to upgrade they only charge you the difference in price to Vetric is upgrade able and does not waste your initial investment. The commercial software is a major investment and may be worth it to you but starting out master CC to give you a solid foundation. Plus the support is free. Even after your warranty runs out support will help you with a thorny design or an issue that you cannot figure out on your own. This forum is one of the best I have ever been on. I have membership in a lot of forums but this one is friendly and helpful. Plus it is actively monitored to keep out objectionable posts. We have a wide experience from engineering types down to newbie users. So if you have questions just ask and you will find answers between the forum and C3D support.
Edit: I just watched a video about CC Pro. They include ramping with the Pro version. It is sort of climb cutting but the basic edition of CC does not include the ramping.
See this video:
You can decide if ramping and climb cutting is what you are thinking bout.
