Basic Drawing Software

This section is for useful tips and tricks for Aspire
Post Reply
Soapyjoe
Vectric Wizard
Posts: 375
Joined: Mon Aug 10, 2015 8:57 am
Model of CNC Machine: Heiz High Z Machine German manufacture
Location: Derbyshire, England

Basic Drawing Software

Post by Soapyjoe »

Hi Everybody,

I am interested to learn from fellow Vectric Forum Users their experience with the various software available for use with CNC.

Normally I design straight into Vectric Aspire but do wonder if it would be better to draw the part/component in a different drawing software then download into Aspire.

I would like to illustrate my posts to the various forums and, I feel that a decent basic drawing software, suitable for Windows 10, would help considerably.

Spapy

User avatar
Adrian
Vectric Archimage
Posts: 14544
Joined: Thu Nov 23, 2006 2:19 pm
Model of CNC Machine: ShopBot PRS Alpha 96x48
Location: Surrey, UK

Re: Basic Drawing Software

Post by Adrian »

What is that you want to do that you feel that you can't with the tools in Aspire?

Soapyjoe
Vectric Wizard
Posts: 375
Joined: Mon Aug 10, 2015 8:57 am
Model of CNC Machine: Heiz High Z Machine German manufacture
Location: Derbyshire, England

Re: Basic Drawing Software

Post by Soapyjoe »

Hi Adrian,

Thanks for your speedy reply

One thing I do not feel I can do in Aspire is to post illustrations to the various Vectric forums.... I get so far then when I would like to preview my illustration I am asked what app I would like to view it in.... At this point I appear to get stuck.

Most possibly this is more to do with my inexperience than the lack of a cad software.

I would really appreciate your views on this.

I was messing around for ages last night trying to post an illustration of a 3D view of a 10 degree slice of a Sphere.

Soapy

User avatar
Adrian
Vectric Archimage
Posts: 14544
Joined: Thu Nov 23, 2006 2:19 pm
Model of CNC Machine: ShopBot PRS Alpha 96x48
Location: Surrey, UK

Re: Basic Drawing Software

Post by Adrian »

If you want to share a preview of a toolpathed item that is showing in the 3D window then you can use the Save Shaded Image command on the View menu to save a JPG file that can be uploaded to the forum.

One of the best ways to illustrate things you are doing in the software is to use the Windows Snipping tool. With that you can create pictures of various parts of the screen, save whole screens, write notes, highlight sections etc etc. It's what I use whenever I post a picture up. You'll find it in the Window Acccesories section on the Windows Start menu. I have it pinned to the Start Menu so I can get to it easily.

Soapyjoe
Vectric Wizard
Posts: 375
Joined: Mon Aug 10, 2015 8:57 am
Model of CNC Machine: Heiz High Z Machine German manufacture
Location: Derbyshire, England

Re: Basic Drawing Software

Post by Soapyjoe »

Thanks Adrian,

I will try tonight .... I need to go out now will post to you later

Soapy

User avatar
Leo
Vectric Wizard
Posts: 4082
Joined: Sat Jul 14, 2007 3:02 am
Model of CNC Machine: 1300 x 1300 x 254 Chinese Made
Location: East Freetown, Ma.
Contact:

Re: Basic Drawing Software

Post by Leo »

I know I am a bit old school, but I do it this way,

I will use "print screen" then paste into MS PAINT. ( I have not tried the snipping tool, but I am sure it is better)

Once in MS Paint I crop the image I want. I will then resize to pixels. The larger setting no more than 750. I then save as a JPG

In the forum below the edit window there is a button "Upload Attachment".
Imagine the Possibilities of a Creative mind, combined with the functionality of CNC

ger21
Vectric Wizard
Posts: 1592
Joined: Sun Sep 16, 2007 2:59 pm
Model of CNC Machine: Custom DIY
Location: Lake St Clair, MI, USA
Contact:

Re: Basic Drawing Software

Post by ger21 »

Use the Windows Snipping tool to take a screenshot, and save as a .jpg.
In the Start Menu, under Windows Accessories.
Gerry - http://www.thecncwoodworker.com

User avatar
Leo
Vectric Wizard
Posts: 4082
Joined: Sat Jul 14, 2007 3:02 am
Model of CNC Machine: 1300 x 1300 x 254 Chinese Made
Location: East Freetown, Ma.
Contact:

Re: Basic Drawing Software

Post by Leo »

OK, Thanks Ger, I just tried it - YES - that is much better - That is what I will be using from now on.
Imagine the Possibilities of a Creative mind, combined with the functionality of CNC

ger21
Vectric Wizard
Posts: 1592
Joined: Sun Sep 16, 2007 2:59 pm
Model of CNC Machine: Custom DIY
Location: Lake St Clair, MI, USA
Contact:

Re: Basic Drawing Software

Post by ger21 »

Yeah, once I tried it, I dragged it onto the Taskbar for easy access.
Gerry - http://www.thecncwoodworker.com

PaulRowntree
Vectric Wizard
Posts: 1687
Joined: Sun Oct 24, 2010 7:28 pm
Model of CNC Machine: homebuilt 4'x2' (Mach3+G540)
Location: Guelph, Ontario
Contact:

Re: Basic Drawing Software

Post by PaulRowntree »

Greenshot is similar to the snipping tool, but offers more annotation tools. Free download.
Paul Rowntree
WarpDriver, StandingWave, Topo and gadgets available at PaulRowntree.weebly.com

Soapyjoe
Vectric Wizard
Posts: 375
Joined: Mon Aug 10, 2015 8:57 am
Model of CNC Machine: Heiz High Z Machine German manufacture
Location: Derbyshire, England

Re: Basic Drawing Software

Post by Soapyjoe »

This is my first trial with the Snipping tool.... needs to be a bit larger to show the detail but the method works and it is easy to use .... thanks Adrian

Soapy
Attachments
10 degree slices.PNG

Soapyjoe
Vectric Wizard
Posts: 375
Joined: Mon Aug 10, 2015 8:57 am
Model of CNC Machine: Heiz High Z Machine German manufacture
Location: Derbyshire, England

Re: Basic Drawing Software

Post by Soapyjoe »

Just realized.... double click the image and it is as large as ever one would want.

Fred Grover
Posts: 39
Joined: Thu Feb 04, 2016 5:06 am
Model of CNC Machine: CNC Pilot Pro 5050

Re: Basic Drawing Software

Post by Fred Grover »

I know I am coming in a little late on this post. But, if it helps anyone for taking screenshots and using notes or callouts to help explain or mockup a screenshot I use SnagIt 2018 from TechSmith. It is not a free software application but it does an excellent job. I did not post a link to it as I am not sure if that is allowed here or not. I am in no way getting paid to promote this software but have beta tested for them for awhile and love the screen capture options they offer. If it is allowed I will post a link and there is a 30 Day - Free Trial to use to see if it is what you would want or not. Hope this helps some people here and just trying to help and give my input. Have a great day/night everyone.

Cheers - Fred.

Post Reply