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It is possible that a NewMars member may have experience with CAD software.
This topic is available for anyone who might wish to help to build up a small set of knowledge in this area.
The leader of the local 3D Printer User Group allowed a question about CAD during this evening's meeting.
It turns out he has experience with QCAD.
QCAD is (apparently) a software product from Scandinavia that has a limited free edition, and a modest costing paid version.
Apparently the modest fee for the software goes primarily to pay license fees for proprietary software that is bundled into the package.
I am interested in QCAD because a local vendor can cut plastic (or other material) with a laser using command files with either DXF or DWG file types.
With any luck, I'll be able to add a bit more information to this topic in coming days.
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Per Google:
A DXF file, which stands for "Drawing Exchange Format" or "Drawing Interchange Format", is a vector-based file format used to transfer 2D and 3D drawing data between different CAD (Computer-Aided Design) programs, allowing for easy sharing of designs across various software platforms; it's essentially a universal format for exchanging design information between different CAD applications, developed by Autodesk, the creators of AutoCAD.
and ...
Key points about DXF files:
Open Standard:
Unlike native CAD formats like DWG (AutoCAD's native format), DXF is an open standard, meaning the file structure is publicly available and can be read and written by various software programs.Text-based format:
DXF files can be stored in either ASCII (text) format, allowing for easy editing in a plain text editor, or binary format for smaller file sizes.
Data structure:
DXF files use a tagged data representation, where each data element is preceded by a group code indicating its type and meaning.
Applications:
Architects, engineers, and designers often use DXF files to share designs between different CAD programs, such as AutoCAD, SolidWorks, and others.Learn About DXF Files - Adobe
What is a DXF file? DXF is short for Drawing Exchange Format or Drawing Interchange Format and is a type of vector file. Engineers...
AdobeDXF File Structure — ezdxf 1.3.4 documentation
The CLASSES section can be empty, but some DXF entities requires class definitions to work in AutoCAD. The TABLES section requires...
ezdxf
About the DXF Format (DXF) - Autodesk Help
The DXF™ format is a tagged data representation of all the information contained in an AutoCAD ® drawing file. Tagged data means t...
Autodesk HelpShow all
Generative AI is experimental.
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Per Google re DWG file format:
DWG is a binary file format that stores data in a compressed form. It's the native format for several CAD packages, including AutoCAD, DraftSight, and IntelliCAD.
What it's used for
DWG files are commonly used by architects, engineers, and drafters to develop design sketches.
How it's different from DXF
DWG is a proprietary format, while DXF is a neutral, open-source format that stores data as plain text.
How to open it
Only Autodesk and licensed software can read and write DWG files. Some software that can open DWG files includes:
Autodesk AutoCAD
Autodesk DWG TrueView
IntelliCAD
Open Design Alliance applications
Caddie
IMSI TurboCAD
CorelCADHow to share files
DWG files are generally forward compatible, meaning you can open files created with an earlier version of a product in a later version. However, files created with the latest version may not be backwards compatible with earlier versions.How to view DWG files online
You can use free online viewers from Autodesk, including:Autodesk Viewer
A360 Viewer, a browser-based file viewer
DWG TrueView, a mobile or web appLearn About DWG Files - Adobe
What is a DWG file? DWG files are closely associated with CAD (computer-aided design) programs. Originally named as an abbreviatio...
AdobeWhat is a .dwg File? | DWG File Extension / Format - Spatial Corp
A DWG file is a proprietary (closed-source) file format used for storing two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) drawings,
Spatial CorpAbout Drawing (DWG) File Changes - Autodesk Help
AutoCAD 2024 Developer and ObjectARX Help | About Drawing (DWG) File Changes | Autodesk. About Drawing (DWG) File Changes. DWG is ...
Autodesk HelpShow all
Generative AI is experimental.
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I decided to try the free trial version of QCAD in hopes of at least seeing what it looks like.
The free trial version installed easily on Ubuntu 22.04. I was amazed how smoothly the installation went. A team put a ** lot ** of effort into creating the script for the shell that runs in a terminal window in Ubuntu 22.04.
I entered the command to start the program and it came right up. I have no idea what to do with it, but it sure does appear to be ready to so something involving a drawing. I suspect that GW Johnson or Void would feel right at home with this software.
However, I then learned what the "free trial" means ... the program timed out after a few minutes, so you have to restart the program. The cost of the program is quite modest, so if it proves to be useful, it is probably worth the investment for a permanent license.
If anyone else is interested in trying this program, i'd ** really ** appreciate some feedback via this topic.
I want this program to work so I can create laser cutout plans for a local company. They are ready and willing to make laser cuts for a modest fee, if provided a command file with the correct file type which QCAD is apparently able to provide.
This company did another project for me on behalf of a local academic institution. For that project I hired a designer in India, and she did the work via one of the Internet Consulting companies. The results were surprisingly affordable and the quality was excellent.
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My progress investigating QCAD has been excruciatingly slow.
This system is not intuitive from my perspective.
It is possible (and even likely) that others might find the "way of working" with this tool intuitive.
However, given the limitations of my background, here is a brief summary of the little achieved to date.
1) How to save a file
2) How to create a new layer beyond the default Layer 0 that opens automatically when the program first starts
3) How to add text to the new layer ... When Layer 0 is restored to visibility, the two layers are visible simultaneously
4) How to export an SVG file
5) How to import that SVG file to Blender (the pieces are scattered due to incompatible navigation systems, but they were all there)
6) How to create a 2D drawing in Blender using Grease Pencil
7) Miscellaneous other discoveries while trying to accomplish a simple task that never did work.
I'll renew the invitation for anyone else who might like to share in this adventure to install QCAD and report your experiences.
My purpose in pursuing this is to be able to create .dwg files for import to a laser cutter.
My current strategy is to see if Blender can be persuaded to create 2D SVG files that can be imported correctly to QCAD.
Note: there are a LOT of YouTube videos about QCAD, as there are for Blender.
My observation is that it is rare for a video to match the problem I am working, but occasionally there is a good match.
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ChatGPT4o and I made quite a bit of progress in learning QCAD today.
I was delighted to discover that ChatGPT4o appeared to know as little about the program as i did when we started. This made the learning experience fun, because we had to puzzle out how to do things together.
ChatGPT4o appears to have access to the documentation for QCAD, but that in itself appears to be insufficient. I tried things ChatGPT4o suggested, and when they didn't work we diagnosed the problem(s) and eventually discovered the solution.
The solution (in this case) was to draw a box on the drawing surface, using CSV file as input.
Along the way, we looked at how QCAD implements it's many powerful features. We looked at JavaScript scripts, building up from the simple Hello World examples to more complex ones. I am a ** long ** way from being able to create such a script, but I was able to read and understand the code to do something as simple as printing "Hello World" in the command line results window.
In the moment, I am debating whether to draw in Blender and try to feed the results into QCAD, or just learn how to work with QCAD and cut out the middle man.
There ** is ** a way to move data from Blender to QCAD, but the method is so complicated and has to be done so precisely, that it seems to me almost more trouble than it is worth.
If anyone currently in the NewMars membership would be interested in learning these skills, this topic is available for collaboration
Just for the heck of it, I'll post the successful CSV file that makes a box. It is the result of a number of unsuccessful tries.
line,0,0,240,0
line,240,0,240,150
line,240,150,0,150
line,0,150,0,0
Each line has a method in column one, and then the required parameters X, Y, X, Y in this case.
Apparently there are a number of methods, and each has different numbers of parameters.
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