Lando13 Posted February 20, 2011 Posted February 20, 2011 I have a family member that has a cnc plasma cutter that I have access to. Right now he has to use Corel Draw to draw whatever he will be cutting on the plasma, then convert it to a PLT file and then load it into the plasma cutter's computer in order to cut the pattern. (Corel Draw is not on the same PC that operates the plasma) I have become interested in making some items on the plasma cutter myself and am having trouble figuring out what design program I should consider. I use Mac's and PC's, but prefer the Mac's. (nothing against PC users) I am not familiar with Corel Draw at all and trying to figure it out on his computer was not much fun, especially since he is not fluent with the program. What recommendations for programs does anyone have for a Mac user that is just getting started. I assume most programs will convert the files to a PLT file so that the cuter can read it??????????? At the moment I am only interested in cutting 2d images into flat metal. Thanks for your help! Quote
BIGAL Posted February 21, 2011 Posted February 21, 2011 Ok a plt file is a plot file so out of corel he is printing as per normal windows but choosing a particular printer and printing to file. You could use just about any software so long as you end up with a correct plt file. Find out what printer he is using more than likely its a HP Hewlett packard old model pen plotter hence pen up/down is cut on cut off. You should be able to download from their web site a printer driver. Quote
Lando13 Posted February 21, 2011 Author Posted February 21, 2011 He is not using an actual printer. The drawing is saved as a plt file in corel, then that is used in command and cut on the plasma machine to cut flat metal with a plasma torch. (maybe I misunderstood what you were saying) So what programs would anyone recommend to do the design if I were using a mac so that it can be saved as a plt file, opened in command and cut, and used to cut the design? Thanks! Quote
ReMark Posted February 21, 2011 Posted February 21, 2011 I'd stay away from AutoCAD for Mac. It costs the same as the PC version but a good portion of the program was never ported over so the end user ends up with less functionality. If you are going to use AutoCAD then I think you would need to work with a DXF file for your CNC control input. What about using G-Code? What types of programs can create PLT files that can be used on a CNC machine? Have you done any research on the topic other than post here at CADTutor? Quote
Lando13 Posted February 21, 2011 Author Posted February 21, 2011 Still trying to do research, but I am not coming up with a whole lot at this point. I know the program that the cnc uses is Command and Cut and it operates on a plt file.... which at this point us being converted from Corel Draw. Quote
SLW210 Posted February 21, 2011 Posted February 21, 2011 Not being familiar with MAC drawing programs, but, I would think it should use .DXF files, most of the free CAD programs should work for this. Just do a quick search of programs for MAC and see if they save in .dxf. I think Command'n Cut software is used by Tracker CNC. Quote
BIGAL Posted February 22, 2011 Posted February 22, 2011 Again I reiterate the plt is a particular printer output file !!! Corel draw is setup to output it as default printer. As an example the older if I remember part number hp7580 creates a txt plt file which can be simply read. Something like p1;pu;1000,1000;pd;2000,2000;pu this has just cut a line between two points, lots of cnc machine read it direct where they are only 2 axis (x&y only) signs cutters, routers, lasers, it make sense to me the cnc machine can read this code and converts it to Gcode. I used to have a read a plt and make a dxf file to load into Autocad reverse engineering a plot file. Chase the family member he should be able to tell you what the cnc is expecting the plt to be and hence you will know which printer. Quote
SLW210 Posted February 22, 2011 Posted February 22, 2011 Again I reiterate the plt is a particular printer output file !!! Corel draw is setup to output it as default printer. As an example the older if I remember part number hp7580 creates a txt plt file which can be simply read. Something like p1;pu;1000,1000;pd;2000,2000;pu this has just cut a line between two points, lots of cnc machine read it direct where they are only 2 axis (x&y only) signs cutters, routers, lasers, it make sense to me the cnc machine can read this code and converts it to Gcode. I used to have a read a plt and make a dxf file to load into Autocad reverse engineering a plot file. Chase the family member he should be able to tell you what the cnc is expecting the plt to be and hence you will know which printer. DXF File ReaderReads any .dxf file from almost any source and be ready to cut in seconds Tracker CNC website http://www.trackercnc.com/ Quote
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