I’m on MacOS and I use Vectorworks for my original drawings, export to DXF, open in Illustrator (could also use Inkscape, but I feel like I’m in the 90’s when I use it (why doesn’t the Mac version map the CTRL shortcuts to the CMD shortcuts like other Mac ported software?)), convert to SVG, open in Easel, convert to G-code, then open in Groundcontrol to cut.
Unfortunately, Vectorworks does not export to SVG 
and no amount of requests over the years seem to convince them to do otherwise. I’ve been on Vectorworks since 2004, so I’m not terribly interested in switching to another CAD application. I’d like to be able to use a plug-in or macro or Mac Automator script and spit out a usable SVG. I’m vaguely familiar with Automator, but not with any other solutions.
Does anyone have a good way to automate file conversions? I didn’t find much in a forum search, so I’d love to hear anyone’s creative solutions or a link to a relevant thread.
find a different CAM program.
makercam is convienient if you start off with a svg. But converting from DXF to
SVG just so you can use makercam is acting as if makercam we the only (or at
least the best) CAM software out there.
It’s not, and it’s not currently being developed. It’s rather restricted.
If it works well for you, go ahead and use it, but if you are having to jump
through a bunch of hoops and file conversions to try and use it, just use
something else instead.
I’m not using MakerCAM. I’m using Easel for CAM. I really like it and it’s pre-vis is so helpful. I’m looking for automation to go from Vectorworks to SVG. The only types that Easel imports are SVG or G-code.
Do you have suggestions for CAM software that accepts DXF or any of the file types that Vectorworks exports? Below is a screenshot of the export options in VW. Do any of these help me in any way?
LibreCad is free and has an OSX port. I haven’t been in the MAC world in awhile. But, the only resason I used it was for quick conversion or edit.
http://librecad.org/cms/home/installation/osx.html
Also, if you are up to running a Virtual Machine, CAMBam is worth a look, the latest version is built on .net and I actually fot it to run with the mono libraries installed.
If you are using a 3D cad that can output STL, you can use kir:moto