1. Design
You can use any Software you like for Designing Parts to Cut.
Our Software reads GCode Files and many popular Design Programs have the ability to create GCode Files.
Most of our Owners use a Free Design Program called inkScape for Designing. It's a great program capable of Designing from scratch or importing many popular file types and converting them to GCode.
List of programs verified to work with our Software:
- InkScape
- SheetCAM
- Fusion 360 (Part of Autodesk)
- Aspire
- BobCAD
- SolidWorks
- ShopDATA (HVAC Duct Design)
InkScape can be downloaded for Free from: www.inkScape.org
To follow our step-by-step process for Designing, please visit our inkScape Tutorial page.
2. Copy
Copy the GCode File to your Go Fab CNC tablet.
USB Cable
(included)
Connect the Go Fab CNC Tablet to your computer with the included USB cable and it becomes a regular storage drive. Files can be transferred by dragging them to the Go Fab CNC Tablet icon.
USB Drive / Thumb Drive
You can connect a USB Drive/Thumb Drive to the Tablet using an On-The-Go (OTG) Cable and Open Files directly from the Drive. OTG Cables are cheap and sold everywhere.
MicroSD Card
The Go Fab CNC Tablet has a MicroSD Card slot that can be for transferring and storing files.
(requires wifi)
You can setup the Go Fab CNC Tablet to connect to your email account. This allows you to transfer files wirelessly by emailing them to yourself.
Google Drive
(requires wifi)
The Go Fab CNC Tablet also comes with Google Drive. If you setup Google Drive on your computer, you can transfer files back and forth using your Google Drive folder.
3. Cut
Once your file is on the Go Fab CNC Tablet, cutting is a piece of cake! Please visit our Tablet page for more information.
Post Processors
SheetCAM: Go Fab CNC Post Processor for SheetCAM
If you have a Post Processor for a Design Program not listed, please EMail it to us at Support@gofabcnc.com
Inkscape does not require a Post Processor or anything in addition to the standard Inkscape Program.
DXF Files
The Go Fab CNC App that controls the Table does not have the ability to read DXF Files. However, if you intend to work with the DXF File Format, there are several options.
1. Use a Design Program that has the ability to Convert DXF Files to GCode Files
There are many Design Programs that have the ability to both Read DXF Files and Create GCode Files. Having the ability to do both means you wouldn't need multiple Programs and can greatly streamline your workflow. Typically, Design these Design Programs have a Cost that can range from around $150 to over $6,000 for Specialty Design Programs for industries such as HVAC Ductwork Design. If you work with a lot of DXF Files, then this is the ideal solution.
Here are a few Design Programs that have the ability to Read DXF Files and Create GCode Files for the Table:
- SheetCAM
- SolidWorks
- Fusion 360 (Part of Autodesk)
2. Use a Converter Program that has the ability to Convert DXF Files to GCode Files
There are many Converter Programs that have the ability to Convert DXF Files to either GCode Files for going straight to the Table, or to another format such as SVG so you can use your Design Program to modify the DXF File before sending it to the Table. The benefit of a Converter Program is primarily cost, but can also be simplicity. Converter Programs are typically very easy to use and quicker to learn than some of the Design Programs that have the ability to both Read DXF Files and Create GCode. If you don't work with DXF Files very often, then this is the ideal solution.
Here are a couple of Converter Programs that have the ability to Convert DXF Files to GCode:
- ABViewer
- QCAD
3. Avoid using DXF Files
If you're receiving DXF Files from a client or someone else, you can request the File in a different format that's easier to work with. If you're interested in buying a compilation set of pre-made DXF Files for CNC, keep in mind that it's very easy to grab images from Google and Convert them to GCode Files using Free Design Programs such as inkScape.