AnnieMason Posted October 14, 2014 Share Posted October 14, 2014 Please can you provide any guidance, I am completely new and would like to know whether AutoCad or CorelDraw is best suited for me. I have a laser engraver/cutting machine and currently engrave photos on wood using photoshop cc, photgrav and Lasercut 5.3. I wish to design shapes to cut, some will need to be in exact scale but my current software in not capable. I am undecided as to which software I need to develop my business further. Any guidance would be most appreciated. Many thanks Annie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReMark Posted October 14, 2014 Share Posted October 14, 2014 What files type can be opened and/or imported by Lasercut 5.3? Once you know that then you can checked what files type AutoCAD and CorelDraw can save to and export. Compare the two lists (open/import and save/export) and see if there are any matches. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIGAL Posted October 15, 2014 Share Posted October 15, 2014 If you can import DXF then your on your way you can look at the Autocad clones if you dont require 3d solids. Coreldraw definately exports DXF. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnnieMason Posted October 15, 2014 Author Share Posted October 15, 2014 Thank you for your comments, that's a very good starting point! And one so simple! Such a technophobe! Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReMark Posted October 15, 2014 Share Posted October 15, 2014 One such AutoCAD clone is Draftsight. Two things you should know about DS. 1) It is strictly 2D. 2) It's free for the downloading at the Dassault Systemes website. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SLW210 Posted October 15, 2014 Share Posted October 15, 2014 You might also look at InkScape an Open Source and FREE equivalent to Illustrator and CorelDraw. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tzframpton Posted October 15, 2014 Share Posted October 15, 2014 You might also look at InkScape an Open Source and FREE equivalent to Illustrator and CorelDraw.+1 on this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
f700es Posted October 15, 2014 Share Posted October 15, 2014 +2 from me. I have seen some sweet stuff from Inkscape. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quik&Easy Posted October 15, 2014 Share Posted October 15, 2014 Over the years, CorelDraw has had a habit of making tons of short straight lines of many curves and arcs and those little short lines choke lots of CNC machines. I hate getting Corel files from my clients for that very reason. AutoCAD is much better in that regard provided you stay away from the splines; your CNC may have trouble with those, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnnieMason Posted October 15, 2014 Author Share Posted October 15, 2014 Brilliant, thank you so much Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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