Sketchup to CNC

[airman00]

Sketchup users can now convert their CADs to CNC job files for free using this plugin ( for Shopbot routers only, I think)

http://www.becausewecan.org/Sketchup_to_CNC_via_OpenSource_Free_CAM_plugin


Quick question :
 I have an Autocad Inventor translator that converts Autocad .dwg to CNC job files. Sketchup can convert its CAD files to a .dwg file. So theoretically can I make a model on sketchup , convert to .dwg, and then convert the .dwg to a CNC job file?

[Admin]

Add this to your sketchup tutorial

I have an Autocad Inventor translator that converts Autocad .dwg to CNC job files. Sketchup can convert its CAD files to a .dwg file. So theoretically can I make a model on sketchup , convert to .dwg, and then convert the .dwg to a CNC job file?

I think so, can't see why not.

[airman00]

I think so, can't see why not.

I'll try it out next week and take some pictures of it

[pomprocker]

ugh, i really need to learn sketchup so i can design things before i build them. i'm tired of my low quality engineered stuff.

[airman00]

ugh, i really need to learn sketchup so i can design things before i build them. i'm tired of my low quality engineered stuff.

Lucky for you that I wrote this:
http://www.societyofrobots.com/member_tutorials/node/70

[pomprocker]

Yeah, I saw that, I still need to find the time to get through it all!

[Admin]

Yeah, I saw that, I still need to find the time to get through it all!

The time it takes to learn CAD is nothing compared to the time you'll save from it. Trust me on this!

And your designs will be much more professional looking and reliable, as an added bonus.

[airman00]

The time it takes to learn CAD is nothing compared to the time you'll save from it. Trust me on this!
And your designs will be much more professional looking and reliable, as an added bonus.

yea I totally agree, Sketchup is probably the easiest CAD software to learn and use . If you follow my tutorial that I wrote ,you will be a pro at sketchup. Set aside like 3-5 hours to learn Sketchup.

OK so the deal with the sketchup to CNC thing is as follows . You can import .dwg files(Sketchup can export .dwg files from Sketchup CADs) into the CNC software but you still need to setup the waypoints and some other stuff.  Right now I got a 400 page manual ( ) to read over the weekend about how to operate the software correctly.

I'll add in a small paragraph into my member tutorial about this process but I don't think it will be worth it to go into any more detail because the details would be different for every part and for every CNC machine.

[Admin]

Well, I meant CAD in general, not just Sketchup (which I've never used before).

For CNC, I use an older version of EdgeCAM. You just tell it what edges you want cut, and what holes you want cut, fill in the endmill/bit specs, and it auto-generates the G-code. No manual waypoints. But unfortunately the software is expensive and I haven't tried any others . . .

[airman00]

I have MasterCAM , I gotta learn how to use it .

btw I've used AutoCAD for a while before discovering sketchup ...