Design and Make

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As I understand it, this was a 3rd party site selling 3D files for Vectric software which the company bought:

http://www.designandmake.com/

Basically you go to: http://www.designandmake.com/index.php/software/

and download the software, ‘Design & Make Machinist’ and install it, then you can access the free content: https://store.designandmake.com/search/search?returnType=search&pageSize=24&q=Free&_csrf=174e0a2c-3a9c-4b10-ae72-8c39de83da3d

after making an account: https://store.designandmake.com/register

but of course, what they really want you to do is to purchase files, which is how they monetize.

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They offer a couple of different file formats:

The files seem to be provided in a .exe archive which unloads them at: C:\Users\Public\Documents\Vectric Files\Design&Make

Note that there is an option to indicate which Vectric software you own so that the web site will indicate which files you already own.

Launch the application — you can manually load the file if you know its name and location by navigating to it — given the obscure filenames, it’s a shame that there isn’t some sort of interactive browsing option other than the web interface.

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Once you have loaded a file you will get a 3D preview:

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Click the Next button

Adjust size and placement as desired

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Click the Next button again

Select a suitable endmill and assign suitable feeds and speeds for the roughing toolpath using a chart: http://docs.carbide3d.com/support/#tooling-support chipload calculator, or by testing: https://precisebits.com/tutorials/calibrating_feeds_n_speeds.htm

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Click Next

Repeat for the finishing pass:

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If desired, add a toolpath to cut out the 3D design all the way through the specified stock:

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(you would skip that if machining the design in place on the stock)

Click Next

Simulate and verify the toolpaths:

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Click Next

Select a suitable post-processor and save the file for machining:

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Apparently the only option is a .v3m file which you can then load into Vectric software (Cut2D is the least expensive specified) — rather than allow directly opening, the file has to be imported, then one can arrange toolpaths as desired — which seems rather redundant given the need to assign endmills, feeds, speeds, and post-processor in Design and Make.

Articles on Vectric about it:

http://support.vectric.com/aspire-questions/item/how-to-open-v3m-files-in-aspire

EDIT: Note that Design and Make makes one assign everything needed for machining and will write out a G-Code file without further edits (see below). See https://store.designandmake.com/machinist — note that it is possible so as to allow Cut2D (which usually only does 2.5D) to integrate these 3D files with 2.5D designs: http://support.vectric.com/aspire-questions/item/can-i-open-files-from-other-vectric-programs

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So, is the only solution to buy Vectric software?

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I believe that you could:

  • make an account
  • download a file as an STL or pixel image file
  • use an opensource CAM tool such a pyCAM, or a free one such as FreeMill
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I will say that Design and Make integrates nicely with Vectric products such as VCarve Desktop. I have purchased several models and have been very happy with them.

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7

I was able to cut this after signing up for free using the design & make software. I exported it to Grbl and was able to run it in Carbide Motion. 1 hour for roughing and 1 hour for finishing using a 1/8" Ball nose. The design I cut was 6" X 6".

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8

Thank you for pointing that out. I’ve edited my post above.

One can export toolpaths from this — just click on the toolpath buttons:

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I was excited that it worked. 1st full 3d cut that I have made.

1 Like
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Does this work with carbide motion?

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Yes. Carbide Motion (and Grbl) accept most G-Code.