New user here
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WyattPritchard
- 1/2 Star Member
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Sat Mar 22, 2025 10:21 am
New user here
Hey guys, I've been operating a 8'x24' Messer cutting systems table for just over 2 years now but have never done programming. My father recently bought a crossfire xr 4'x8' with a Hypertherm 45 sync and am just starting. Cut ready files off fire share work great but haven't drawn anything yet. Any tips on a good 2d cad would be helpful. I am already familiar with sheetcam from high school and have got that figured.
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adbuch
- 6 Star Elite Contributing Member
- Posts: 11177
- Joined: Thu Sep 21, 2017 5:22 pm
- Location: Tucson, Arizona
- Contact:
Re: New user here
Welcome aboard Wyatt! For drawing mechanical parts - QCad, SolidEdge 2D are some good choices. Also - Fusion 360 is great for drawing 2D parts and saving as dxf. For the artistic stuff - Inkscape would be my recommendation and it's free. Any of these programs will export as dxf and Inkscape will export in both dxf and svg formats for import to SheetCam.
David
David
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acourtjester
- 6 Star Elite Contributing Member
- Posts: 8489
- Joined: Sat Jun 02, 2012 6:04 pm
- Location: Pensacola, Fla
Re: New user here
Welcome aboard and Ditto on David's recommendations on the software, those are used by many here. Also use the search function in the upper right for a look around here. David has posted many tutorials pertaining to drawings with Inkscape and importing files into SheetCam. Lots of fun to be had and help with new projects for your shop. Many "show and tell" projects posted here to see what others have done, post some of what you and your father do with his new table. 
DIY 4X4 Plasma/Router Table
Hypertherm PM65 Machine Torch
Drag Knife and Scribe
Miller Mig welder
13" metal lathe
Small Mill
Everlast PowerTig 255 EXT
Hypertherm PM65 Machine Torch
Drag Knife and Scribe
Miller Mig welder
13" metal lathe
Small Mill
Everlast PowerTig 255 EXT
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Joe Jones
- 5 Star Elite Contributing Member
- Posts: 3767
- Joined: Sat Oct 11, 2014 2:33 pm
- Location: Franklin, KY., USA
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Re: New user here
For freehand drawing, get an iPad and load the VECTOR Q app. Draw freely with the Apple pencil, save as an svg file and convert to dxf for cutting.
Joe
Joe
FREE DesignEdge Training Online Via ZOOM!
PlasmaCam 4x4 and 5x10 w/ ALL Upgrades
(14) X-TOOL LASERS
LaserPecker 1 PRO, LP-2, LP-4 + accs
50 Watt GALVO fiber
TYVOK Spider S1 60W Diode Laser 49" x 96"
1,000 Watt 4x8 Fiber Laser Table
(2) X-TOOL Apparel Printers
(2) XTOOL MetalFab Machines
CreatBot D600 PRO
Fortus 400mc
BIGREP Studio Gen 2
MODIX Big Meter
MakerBOT Z-18 3D Printer
Bernardo Mach 55 TON Ironworker
Grizzly G0792 - Roll Bender
Langmuir MR-1 CNC Mill
PlasmaCam 4x4 and 5x10 w/ ALL Upgrades
(14) X-TOOL LASERS
LaserPecker 1 PRO, LP-2, LP-4 + accs
50 Watt GALVO fiber
TYVOK Spider S1 60W Diode Laser 49" x 96"
1,000 Watt 4x8 Fiber Laser Table
(2) X-TOOL Apparel Printers
(2) XTOOL MetalFab Machines
CreatBot D600 PRO
Fortus 400mc
BIGREP Studio Gen 2
MODIX Big Meter
MakerBOT Z-18 3D Printer
Bernardo Mach 55 TON Ironworker
Grizzly G0792 - Roll Bender
Langmuir MR-1 CNC Mill
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adbuch
- 6 Star Elite Contributing Member
- Posts: 11177
- Joined: Thu Sep 21, 2017 5:22 pm
- Location: Tucson, Arizona
- Contact:
Re: New user here
acourtjester wrote: Sun Mar 23, 2025 10:37 am Welcome aboard and Ditto on David's recommendations on the software, those are used by many here. Also use the search function in the upper right for a look around here. David has posted many tutorials pertaining to drawings with Inkscape and importing files into SheetCam. Lots of fun to be had and help with new projects for your shop. Many "show and tell" projects posted here to see what others have done, post some of what you and your father do with his new table.
