Thank you for considering Sheetcam.
Consider these next actions to get up and running quickly…
1) Review some youtube videos on Sheetcam basics and topics of interest.
A great set of training videos were produced by Arclight Dynamics, for starters see…
Sheetcam tutorial 1 Basics - YouTube
Arclight CNC - SheetCam Tutorial - YouTube
Path Rules tutorial- Youtube
SheetCam Rotary plasma pipe cutting demo - YouTube
be sure to view other videos that youtube may suggest on sheetcam from these providers and from the sheetcam channel.
2) Download and try Sheetcam.
The trial/demo version of SheetCam is the exact same executable as the licensed version, which you can download from here Download SheetCam – SheetCam LLC, It is fully functional with the exception that it will only produce 180 lines or so of gcode. There is no time limit on trial use in this fashion. We have found this to be very effective in allowing those interested (in purchasing a Sheetcam license) to make a meaningful and full assessment of our product. This includes searching and using the library of included post processors which drive the gcode production.
3) Find your post processor in Sheetcam install lib.
see menu Options->Machine->Post Processor.
There may be post processors for your CNC controller brand or others that are compatible. You will need to examine the library or the gcode produced once choosing a post processor, or inquire to your CNCs mfg, as to which one is compatible with your model. If none are found to be completely compatible, it is usually the case that with little effort you can modify it to support your CNC. Sheetcam Customer Support (sales@sheetcam.com) can offer a quote for such modification services for a custom post processor. Sheetcam also provides the API documentation, at the same menu cited above, for you or your programming staff to make the post processor modifications or create a new one.
A good pp exemplar you can copy to use as is (grbl gcode dialect) or modify to suit your machine controller is here, in two complexities depending on your taste or machine use of rotary plugin or not- Post Processor Example w Custom Options popup window
4) See Sheetcam’s menu Help / Tutorials to get step by step How-To guidance on typical tasks needed to get started creating CNC toolpaths and related gcode from your CAD drawings. Note: when using these tutorials, your Options / ‘Job options’ will be changed, including material, work area, and table size settings, be prepared to manually revert them to your machine when finished with the tutorial.
5) usual rookie gotchas…
- there are two places to setup linear units, menu Options / ‘Application options’ for the toolpath design (drawing canvas), and then in Options / Machine / ‘Post Processor’ for gcode production (the units you like to run your machine). The two settings are independent of each other do not have to be in sync.
- at least one Operation (for plasma, Jet Operation) is required to define the toolpath, at least one Layer, at least one Tool but have at least two defined (I’ll explain later), and at least one Part. dxf import lands in a Part, correlation is 1:1. Layers arrive from dxf and are subordinate to Part.
- to see the Layer names and control their view or not, menu View / 'Layer tool’. The left hand gutter of main window is best managed by keeping these windows open: Layers view, Part view, Tools view, and Operations view. size the window sections as needed.
- to see gcode after the pp runs… BEFORE the pp runs, open menu View / ‘Code editor’. This makes a shallow split screen at bottom of main window. I hate that. Suggest that you grab that split Code editor title bar and drag it to become either a floating window on the drawing canvas, or dock it to right hand side of main window. Where ever you put it, size it as you like, sheetcam will remember placement and size, so you can close the window when its in the way, and easily open it again from the menu or toolbar. Hover help is available on toolbar icons.
- the file extension (.tap, .nc, .gnc, etc) can be set for the gcode file in menu Options / Machine / ‘Post Processor’
- Sheetcam typically remembers field values for most window dialogues throughout the UI, this can be handy, but it can also be dangerous when such values change without you knowing about it. The most common reason this can happen is menu File / ‘Open job’ from your past history or from someone else.
- some pp’s place profuse comments in the gcode, the prologues usually have good-to-know stuff concerning machine axes zero and setup, especially for rotary jobs. Please notice where this is as different pp options will make a huge difference.