Patrick Fritsch Posted May 26, 2016 Share Posted May 26, 2016 Does anyone have any experience designing in Vectorworks with the purpose of exporting to a CNC Router like ShopBot? I'm wondering if it's posible or even worthwhile. I'm looking at getting one of these CNC's but they push use with V-Carve Pro or Fusion 360, Can we VW users export geometry easily to these programs or should I just learn these programs? Thanks for any insight, Quote Link to comment
Vectorworks, Inc Employee PVA - Admin Posted May 26, 2016 Vectorworks, Inc Employee Share Posted May 26, 2016 Depends what file formats they take, I am experimenting with a CNC machine here and I am able to load STL files by default, which you can export directly from Vectorworks. I have seen some of the CNC control software packages take DWG or even PDF, but I am not sure if there is another standard file format they commonly accept, STL was what I normally worked in for 3D printing so I stuck with it. Quote Link to comment
Kevin McAllister Posted May 26, 2016 Share Posted May 26, 2016 I've sent tons of stuff for CNCing from Vectorworks. Usually surface shapes extracted from 3d models. Often the file is exported as DWG or DXF and sometimes sent via Illustrator. All of the vendors I've used have different control software. I don't think any of them are really up to the level of VW for drawing. Kevin Quote Link to comment
Benson Shaw Posted May 26, 2016 Share Posted May 26, 2016 I think several cnc router shops here start with VWX, port out to dwg or dxf, then into Bobcat or other on a Windows computer. Anyway, 2d and 3d drawing is in Vectorworks, then port to format for the other software to control the router xyz. -B Quote Link to comment
Ride Posted May 31, 2016 Share Posted May 31, 2016 I use a Biesse machine, and we export from VW to DXF, then use an automatic import function to bring the geometry into Biesseworks. I would assume most CNC control software would have similar, if not better capability than Biesseworks. For us, doing cabinet work, we create the cabinets parts and other basic parts right in Biesseworks, and only draw the more complex curved stuff and import it. Quote Link to comment
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