What design software do you use?

[plain ol Bill]

I appreciate all the designs that are posted here. I am a curious sort and would love to see you post the type software you used when a new post goes up. Myself I use CorelDraw IV and DXF tool for my work and love it.

[Scratch]

I use Corel version 11 and also love it!

[jim]

I also use corel draw .The X3 version I have been very happy with it and find once you get comfortable with something you stick with it .I have been playing around with the vectormagic that was posted earlier and think I will add this I think it cleans up my lines a lot easier.
Jim(murals in metal)

[Brenham Iron Works]

where did you get the vector magic from? or where was it posted at?

[jim]

I found it in the CNC PLASMA CUTTERS GENERAL FORUM under (jpg to dxf) scroll down it was posted by plasmaguy they give you a free trial.
Jim(murals in metal)

[CPK_Jim]

I use flexi sign pro 8 mainly because I am fimiliar with it and it works with all the other stuff I do. It is also very versitile meaning it will open many different types of files and export them too. The only one I seem to have trouble with sometimes is cdr .

Jim

[KenTexFabrications]

I have not tried it yet but I think it may be worth looking into. http://vectormagic.com/home


KenTexFabrications

[KenTexFabrications]

OH, yeah, by the way I use "glichmate", Oh, I mean Torchmate, Oh, I mean SignLab7.1. It works if you have a lot of patience and know how to come at things from the back door!

KenTexFabrications

[Brenham Iron Works]

thanx for the info. I have corel draw X3 and I am still learning. It seems to be getting better.

[plasmajoe]

I use AutoCad Mechanical 2004, and Fast Cam. Love them both I find with AutoCad you have much less nodes than other programs out there.

Joe

[ericandmollie]

I use Gimp, and MSPaint to edit JPEGS and BMP's,
Inkscape, MagicTracer, Ghostscript, and Wiseimage for converting raster to vectors,
Cadkey, Tops100, Autocad to touchup vectors.

[ageeironworks]

I use corel x3 and also love it with the DXF tool

[glgsales]

i can't get inkscape to open .ai files from the mega disc at all keep getting error unable to open file.

Installed the plugins and restrted twice now anyone got any ideas?

Thanks guys...

gary

[williamd]

I use Coreldraw mainly, but I can work in Illustrator, Surfcam, Mastercam and Autocad.... I spend about 60-70+ hrs a week working in Coreldraw as I specialize in bitmap to vector conversions. I re-draw for all types of applications, cnc plasma cutting, machining, laser engraving, etc....

If ever anyone has questions, feel free to send me an email, PM, etc....

[griffin]

I use CorelDraw X4, or should I say I attempt to use CorelDraw X4. I do some art type stuff on it. However, I have a very hard time with it when I am trying to do my main business. I mostly need to make brackets and things of that nature. I build custom cars and just got into plasma cutting a couple months ago. This forum has been very helpful in my learning. I use a free download from a machine shop company that makes bracket making very easy. I wish there were more tutorials for the CorelDraw. The ones that come with the program are more geared toward graphic design, which is not alway friendly to the plasma cutting. I also got the CNC router, but have not even plugged it in yet.

[srp]

griffin - Sounds like some ttype of cadd program would be better suited to your current need. There was a free ver. of a program in one of the recent posts. I use General Cadd which is a remake of the original Generic Cadd from the DOS days. I would reccomend to anyone in this business to be familiar in both the cad arena and a graphics program - John

[grogmeister]

I USE V CARVE PRO 5 WITH DXF FILES . THE V CARVE PRO 5 IS AMAZING FOR MANIPULATING FILES , I THEN PUT THEM ON A STICK AND INTO MY CNC MACHINE WHICH IS A GORILLA MADE IN LONDON ONTARIO, I;VE LEARNED LOTS FROM THIS SITE , THANKS , GREG

[jeeplogic83]

I use BobCAD V21 and have had very good results. I bought version 23 but it is not as 2d friendly.

[marecat]

Hope someone can help me. I am starting to try using inkscape to see if it is better then paint to convert into PlasmaCam. My question is what do you save the drawing in inkscape under to be able to import into PlasmaCam. All help will be greatly appreciated. Thank you, Mare

[knoeberm]

To get Inkscape to play nice, you have to export it as a .DXF file. Be patient when you do it, though - it's always popped up another window for me when I export. Be sure to give that window time to go away. If you do so, it'll work pretty well. Always be sure to save your work as an Inkscape svg too, so you can go back and edit it later. Inkscape can't open dxf files.

[FreeDXF.com]

I utilize Adobe Illustrato design software with a Wacom digitizing pad. If I was to learn how to design all over again, I would probably learn Corel Draw because it is well used within the industry and alot of people can share their knowledge with you as you are learning. There are also several online design tutorials available for teaching people how to design with the Corel Draw software. JH

[Dennis]

I use Cascade Metal Design... Costs a little more , but saves tons of time

[rock4xfab]

hmmm Adobe Illistrator, Bobcad 18,20,21,24, BobArt, and Nest Bend-Tech SE tube bending Alibre Design Pro.
I am going to Bobcad class in July out in Milwaukee for the new V24

[malkintent]

I use autocad and vulvanxp,
but our sys is so old we need a new design program that works with vulcan parts.

[kbenz]

autocad lt97