Test some new software!!

[EricSchimel]

Hey everyone! I've been a ShopBot user for a number of years now. You may have seen some of my work here that I've posted from time to time. I you haven't you can check out some of it at www.digitallyfabbed.com (http://www.digitallyfabbed.com).

Going from design to actually cutting files can be tricky as you know. It's been my belief for years that one spends a lot of time thinking about how something will be made when they design it. They're forced to "re-explain" a lot of that design intent again to make toolpaths for the thing they they've carefully designed.

What if you CAM software just understood what you were trying to? Imagine if all of your toolpaths could be automatically generated from a 3D model you imported? This is something I've wanted to do for a long time.

To solve this problem I've built some software and I'd like to share it with you all. Here's a quick, unscripted demo of that software in action:

YouTube Demo (https://youtu.be/oKlwlWhGpRw)

As you can see you can now take a SketchUp model and automatically generate the toolpaths you need directly using VCarve or Aspire. You no longer need to spend a lot of time re-working your 3D model for export, nor do you need to spend a lot of time cleaning up vectors in Vectric.

Our intent is to get you from your 3D model to ready to cut in just a few minutes.

This is brand new software and I'm reaching out to you all to ask you to come help us test it.

We'll be sending out a beta test in a few weeks and would love to have as many of you as possible on board.

If you're interested, sign up at www.getfabber.com (http://www.getfabber.com) and we'll send you the beta.

Let me know if you have any questions in the mean time.

[myxpykalix]

Hi Eric,
This looks cool. I am not that versed in sketchup but this is more for machining 2D parts created in sketchup but nothing that requires 3d carving, correct? I've been away from the forum for some time so i need to get caught back up on alot. This looks like a really neat project.

[EricSchimel]

Right now this is just for 2.5D parts. 3D is coming... soon. Today if you wanted to do some 3D carving out of SketchUp you can export an STL file and bring it into Aspire that way. You just can't do it with our software and get the automatic toolpathing.

[bbrozo]

Looks interesting. I can't wait to try it. Hopefully, it's not just for cutting parts from sheet goods. I use hardwoods mostly for cutting parts at varying widths and lengths.

Bill

[EricSchimel]

Bill, it's for any part, any shape or size you want. If you're doing hardwoods that vary in thickness we'll be able to handle that no problem. When you draw something in SketchUp we're reading the thickness you drew it so all of your cutouts, drills, pockets and such will line up just right.

Do you have a photo of some of the parts you normally cut you could share?

[jTr]

Thank you Eric for tackling such a challenging task. Always felt there must be a better way with Sketchup, as you and I have discussed - appreciate your efforts towards a solution and very much looking forward to an opportunity to try it out!

jeff

[EricSchimel]

No problem! Just finishing up a few things with the installer and we should have this out very soon!

What kind of work are you designing and building in SketchUp?

[dlcw]

Eric, This looks really cool. I do a lot of design work in Sketchup and would love an easier way to export those designs for cutting on the CNC.

THank you for putting this together. I look forward to seeing it and trying it out! :)

[woodshop]

Will it work on Macs?

[EricSchimel]

The SketchUp exporter does work just fine (I'm actually using a Mac in the video) but obviously you need Vectric to use that side of things.

For users that want to use a Mac/PC combo we support that, but you'll have to manually install it for now (not hard, but it does require copying a few files)

[jTr]

What kind of work are you designing and building in SketchUp?
Kitchens, baths, built ins and free standing furniture. (Tables, chairs, case goods, beds.)
Wide variety, and even some architectural details on an upcoming house full.


3173631737

[EricSchimel]

Those are some awesome looking models!

So what's your current process for getting models like that out to your CNC?

[McGee]

Need to check it, thx

[jTr]

So what's your current process for getting models like that out to your CNC?
You and I discussed via phone conversation a while back - quite laborious - lay out/nest parts on screen, export elements (5mm holes, Dados, rabbets, cutouts) separately as dxf files. Import into VCPro and generate part files. No biggie on the small stuff, but borderline silly for a kitchen, hence my great anticipation for this announcement since we spoke.

jeff

[EricSchimel]

Yes! I remember our conversation! We're really close. I can't wait for you to be able to try this.

[EricSchimel]

Invites are rolling out to those that met the criteria. Check your inbox! You can still sign up if you want to as well.

[McGee]

Can I share information about this project with a friend so that he can participate in the beta test, if possible?

[EricSchimel]

Absolutely. It's not a private beta. We're just having people sign up with the form so we can make sure that people that are getting the software can actually use it (that's why we're asking a few basic questions about your setup)

[EricSchimel]

Hey everyone, we just pushed out a nice update. We've got much better handling of export vectors, we now have presets for your tool size. Now if you tell us that you're cutting with a .25" tool we'll consider all .25" holes a drilling toolpath, and anything larger an inside toolpath.

If you haven't signed up, it's free to do so. Check it out here:

https://forum.getfabber.com/t/welcome-to-fabber-get-started-here/8

(There are videos there showing how it all works)

[carlcnc]

Eric
this isnterest me,
after 20+ years of cnc I still haven't ventured into any 3d type Cad programs,
you may have finally pushed me to do so
thanks
Carl

[EricSchimel]

That's pretty awesome Carl!

Over the years I've seen a lot of people who are designing in 2D and totally making it work. I think once you get used to 3D, there are ways you can make less mistakes, and do things that you previously thought to be complex just as easily as 2D stuff.. That's what we're trying to do here..