# Questions from a Newbie **URL:** \ **Category:** Technical Details\ **Created:** [December 8, 2017, 8:25pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/questions-from-a-newbie/1416 "2017-12-08T20:25:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![happyhungarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@happyhungarian](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/happyhungarian)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2017, 8:25pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/questions-from-a-newbie/1416/1 "2017-12-08T20:25:20Z")
Hi, I’m completely and utterly new to CNC machining but am considering purchasing my own Maslow and had a few questions: 1. By the looks of the setup I’m assuming that the Maslow isn’t able to “pick up” and move in order to do an inside cut without having to cut across the object it self (picture cutting an “O”, would it essentially cut a “C” instead? 2. How easy is the frame/assembly to dissemble/move/store? Once it’s assembled is it a pain to try to tear down? 3. Does the MakerCNC software accept a PDF file? Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Gero](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/gero/32/17487_2.png) [@Gero](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/Gero)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2017, 8:38pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/questions-from-a-newbie/1416/2 "2017-12-08T20:38:27Z")
Welcome, > [@happyhungarian](#): > > cut across the object it self With the Z-Axis kit you can pull the bit out and move anywhere without cutting. The Maslow can make nice O’s. > [@happyhungarian](#): > > dissemble/move/store The stock frame does not have disassemble in mind. Creative Members have done shown designs here that might be easier take apart. You are free to invent your own frame that serves your needs. > [@happyhungarian](#): > > MakerCNC software accept a PDF file The Maslow GroundControl does not work with a .pdf You need a valid g-code. For a .pdf you might want to check the Inkscape (Trace Bitmap) → MakerCam (g-code) route. ---
**Author:** ![dlang](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/dlang/32/859_2.png) [@dlang](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/dlang)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2017, 8:38pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/questions-from-a-newbie/1416/3 "2017-12-08T20:38:35Z")
> Hi, I’m completely and utterly new to CNC machining but am considering purchasing my own Maslow and had a few questions: Welcome > 1. By the looks of the setup I’m assuming that the Maslow isn’t able to “pick up” and move in order to do an inside cut without having to cut across the object it self (picture cutting an “O”, would it essentially cut a “C” instead? not true, the depth of the cut is adjustable (either manually, or automatically if you buy the Z axis, which you should) the maslow does require that you leave enough uncut surface for the sled to ride on, so you can’t use it to make contour maps for example > 1. How easy is the frame/assembly to dissemble/move/store? Once it’s assembled is it a pain to try to tear down? There are several frame designs available, and people are working on versions designed to be portable > 1. Does the MakerCNC software accept a PDF file? not directly, CNC machines run on g-code, so you need to find a CAM (computer aided manufacturing) program that can accept your pdf file. If the file is all vector graphics, it will probably work well, but if you have bitmaps, color gradiants, etc, those won’t work well. David Lang ---
**Author:** ![Bee](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/bee/32/2160_2.png) [@Bee](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/Bee)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2017, 8:42pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/questions-from-a-newbie/1416/4 "2017-12-08T20:42:29Z")
@happyhungarian Welcome to our group. This was well answered by @dlang & @Gero. You certainly can design a frame for mobility. Someone is working on one but I don’t think is is complete yet. Thank you ---
**Author:** ![happyhungarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@happyhungarian](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/happyhungarian)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2017, 9:13pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/questions-from-a-newbie/1416/5 "2017-12-08T21:13:30Z")
Thank you very much! I had a typo and put “MakerCNC” rather than “MakerCAM”. Does MakerCAM take .pdf files directly or is there an intermediate step required for MakerCAM to read it? ---
**Author:** ![Gero](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/gero/32/17487_2.png) [@Gero](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/Gero)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2017, 9:18pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/questions-from-a-newbie/1416/6 "2017-12-08T21:18:16Z")
MakerCam needs a .svg that you can make with Inkscape or illustrator by tracing the lines in your .pdf. --\>Trace bitmap\<-- on Youtube will give you a start. ---
**Author:** ![dlang](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/dlang/32/859_2.png) [@dlang](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/dlang)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2017, 10:07pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/questions-from-a-newbie/1416/7 "2017-12-08T22:07:16Z")
a proper pdf should not be a bitmap, you may be able to import the pdf into inkscape and export a svg ---
**Author:** ![vertex](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/vertex/32/972_2.png) [@vertex](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/vertex)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2017, 12:01am UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/questions-from-a-newbie/1416/8 "2017-12-09T00:01:52Z")
Not all PDF’s are the same, some are bitmaps some are vector based. Still the vector based ones can be ‘locked’ in a DRM kind of manner and rendered in a PNG style of bitmap. These can however be ‘screenshotted’ and then you have a bitmap, that bitmap can be traced (as described by @Gero) and that traced image is then a vector kind of image that can be used in Inkscape or a better suited CAD program. So it can be done, but it is a bit of a pain in most cases. Thank’s Adobe for making simple things like running around a big lake, a good pirate will eventually find a way across the lake. No matter how deep Adobe buried the treasure. HAR HAR HAR!