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Author Topic: Text disapears when I export file to ESTLCAM  (Read 2898 times)

June 05, 2017, 03:19:57 AM
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Penged

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I have created a sign that has text and a drawing of a flower that I want to carve on my CNC plotter. When I import the file into ESTLCAM to create to gcode the only part that appears is the flower. The text (and rounded rectangle as a border) are missing. I have exported it as several different file types with no success. Thank you in advance for any advice

June 05, 2017, 05:51:59 PM
Reply #1

Moini

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Can you try to select both the text and the rectangle, and then do Path -> Object to Path ?

This will convert objects to paths, so if you think you will need to edit them again as rectangle or as a text (e.g. adjust the rectangle's corner radius, or type a different text), make a backup of the original file first.


June 06, 2017, 01:10:52 AM
Reply #2

brynn

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Welcome to the forum!

I agree with Moini's suggestions, for the first thing to try. 

But I wanted to ask about estlcam.  I looked it up, but it doesn't give much info in English.  From the website, it looks more like an editor.  It doesn't give a clue that it can produce gcode.  But I did some further searching and found there are a few different versions of it around the internet.  Is gcode the only kind of code it creates for CNC?  Or does it do more?

Even though I don't have a woodshop, much less CNC, I've been trying to help Inkscape users with Inkscape's gcode tools extensions.  So far, afaict, Inkscape's extensions are somewhat limited.  I've run into a couple of people who can't find the right kind of gcode for their project (in Inkscape).  So I've been hoping to learn about other programs I might suggest.  It's not free, but at least there's a trial version.
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June 06, 2017, 02:56:17 AM
Reply #3

Penged

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Moini, Thank you for the help. that solved my problem.
    brynn, I am using version 10.035. I am really just starting to learn how to use ESTLCAM myself. I learned about ESTLCAM when I built my CNC machine. The website for that is www.Vicious1.com. It is an open source plan for a multi use machine. The creator of ESTLCAM is a member of the forum and is very helpful on the site. I find it helpful to use since I can import different file types than I can in fusion 360. I know that members of the vicious1 site have used ESTLCAM for gcode creation with lasers, pen plotters, and spindle motors. Lastly, the program is free to try. After a time it prompts you to buy and enter a registration code and makes you wait before it will generate the gcode but it still works. Honestly, I think that $60 is a fair price for what it does compared to what other CAM programs can cost.