Newlydraw Alternative Board/Program

[Joe Thorn 911]

I have an Artsign JSM3040U 50 watt laser running Newlydraw thru USB.

Are there any other boards I can buy so I can run a program better than Newlydraw?

Are there any programs that will control this laser in place of Newlydraw?

I have found out how to engrave and cut. What I finally want to do is import images and drawings into Newlydraw and engrave/cut them, but I don't have CorelDRAW or any Cad programs. Any ideas?

This Newbie thanks anyone who can help. I hope to be able to return the favor some day.

Firejoe
Colorado

[carl stevenson]

You can use "inkscape" which is a free vector program to make drawings then export them as dxf files. You need to add a plugin to inkscape to export dxf. I can't remember the exact name of the plugin but if you decide to try it I will post the link here.

Newleydraw imports the dxf

this is the cheapest way rather than replacing the board which is possible but not straightforward.

[Norberto Coutinho]

Hi
Do a search in cnczone web site. Maybe you can find some help.

[Joe Thorn 911]

Carl,

Yes, please post the link! I've tried using Inkscape but the only format it will save in is .svg.

Joe

[Norberto Coutinho]

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=79

[Norberto Coutinho]

Use the Search engine in the above link for NEWLYDRAW .... lots of posts about .

[Dan Hintz]

Norberto, direct links to other forums are against this site's TOS. I have already flagged that post for removal.

[Dan Hintz]

Joe, go here for a plugin for improved DXF output from Inkscape:
http://www.bobcookdev.com/inkscape/inkscape-dxf.html

Even without this plug-in, though, Inkscape should have no problem saving as a DXF. Make sure you're selecting "Save as" and choosing the correct format from the drop-down menu.

[Norberto Coutinho]

Sorry.... I need to read the TOS again with more atention.

[Simon Arthur]

Joe, go here for a plugin for improved DXF output from Inkscape:
http://www.bobcookdev.com/inkscape/inkscape-dxf.html

Even without this plug-in, though, Inkscape should have no problem saving as a DXF. Make sure you're selecting "Save as" and choosing the correct format from the drop-down menu.

Both Inkscape DXF exports are lousy. I use Inkscape's PostScript export, then convert it to a DXF with pstoedit. This technique even gets you DXF splines.

[carl stevenson]

yes the plugin link as in the above post.

also yes inkscape should export dxf but the plugin makes it a smoother more reliable export (for me anyway)

sketchup exports dxf in the pro version
in the free version you need another plugin to export dxf

http://www.guitar-list.com/download-...les-dxf-or-stl

there are also some linux, free cad programs I think.

[Joe Thorn 911]

Hey guys, thanks for all the input. I've been trying so many variations my head is about to explode.

I tried the plugin for Inkcape but still no "save as" .dxf option. If I try to open something in Newlydraw that isn't exactly right, if crashes.

I finally created a file in Inkscape and exported as BMP, but Newlydraw still crashes when I try to open the file. What's the difference between "Import" and "Open"?

Does anyone know if I can scan directly into Newlydraw? That would be great.

OpenDraw, on the other hand, will export DXF, but only drawings created in that program. I'd like to know if I can scan into OpenDraw, but it's all in French.

Do you guys think if I break down and buy CorelDraw that I will be able to successfully scan drawings and get them into Newlydraw OK?

My final goal is to scan line drawings and cut them out.

Frustrated In Colorado

[carl stevenson]

yes you should import the dxf, not open it. Newleydraw will crash if you try and open dxf files. file/Import them and it should be fine.

[carl stevenson]

dxf is for line drawings (vector drawings) if you are scanning artwork it should be in a bitmap format and should be imported into newleydraw. The you can use photoshop to scan and save as bmp. Or Gimp is a free photo editing program. You only need dxf for vectors.

You can either cut or engrave vectors (engrave = scan option in newlydraw)
you can only engrave bmp files

buying coral draw isnt necessary to do what you want. I have the same machine and newlydraw and can do everything with the free softwares mentioned.

make sure you have the latest inkscape version. I can export dxf from mine (it is on a mac but I think the pc version is the same)