CNC Classes

Well folks,

Does anyone know where someone like me (a woodworker - NOT a computer designer/programmer) can turn to learn how to use Easel and the X-Carve Pro?

Thank you

Joe

1 Like

I ask the above question because there are no user’s manual for anything any longer (to the great frustration of old-school users like me). Everyone wants to pretend that their products are ‘intuitive’ - but they never are - some companies are better at embedding instructions for using their products into their software than others. Easel needs a lot of work on this front. For instance; what is the difference between “Group” and “Combine”?

No seriously. You likely know the difference, but go ahead and search this website and try to find that answer. I’ve been searching this site, and the internet in general. The answer eludes me.

Like most features in Easel, I have had to learn the HARD way (AKA, make a lot of firewood and sawdust).

Using the “Group” and “Combine” example, many companies (such as the company for which I spent a 20+ year career), embed their software with instruction sheets and videos. So again, using the “Group” and “combine” example again, other companies would have a hyperlink to the word in Easel allowing the user to pull up a definition, description, and use video, and possibly a simple explanation of the difference between the two.
Barring this, give us a user’s manual or provide training.

I have a simple design that has three elements of three different depths. I presume that either “Group” or “Combine” will change the depths to all one depth - or not. I cannot tell while working in Easel. So that means making two duplicate work-pieces. On one “Combine” the elements. On the other “Group” the elements. Go down to the shop and carve them both and see what happens.

I’d like to stop having to “see what happens” to learn how to use this software. I want/need to have classes so that I can learn this software and machine. This learning curve is killing me, and Inventables either does not care, or they are going broke and cannot afford to train people on how to use their products after the sale.

Sometimes it feels like attempting to learn calculus without a teacher or textbook.

I do not mean to sound negative because I am actually not. But I AM frustrated that I bought this product and there is no way to learn how to use it. So if anyone knows someone that teaches Easel and X-Carve PRO (more Easel at this point, but I do still run into issues with the machine), PLEASE pass that information along.

1 Like

I get your frustration. I felt the same way trying to use Cambam. What I suggest you try, and I may be repeating myself here, is to start with simple things to get a grasp on the steps needed to make a part.

First you need a drawing. Then you need to convert the drawing to Gcode. Then you need a sender to process the Gcode and tell the machine what to do.

I started out with MacDraft in the 80’s. It was just a bit more complex than MS paint.
But you could do basic drafting with it. Everything else came and evolved to today’s current popular software.

So what I suggest you do, and this is what I did, was start simple. Instead of trying to make complex things…make simple things.

You “could” download a drafting program and learn how to draw using that. Then you can import that into Easel.

You could also download a Gcode sender. I use Universal Gcode sender. It’s got fewer bells and whistles.

You can also download a Cam program to create the gcode from the drawing to use with the sender.

So to conclude. Keep it simple. Remember the steps you need to follow, and make more complex parts as you go along.

So for example. Lesson 1 Wooden cutting board.

Draw a simple 4 sided cutting board with your Easel tools. It can be
square, or whatever. Save the drawing. Download the Gcode. Open the gcode in wordpad or notepad and look at it. Learn what the codes do.

Knowing what the basic gcodes do is a large part of all this if you really want to get the most out of it.

Grbl V2.0 Quick Reference – SainSmart.com

1 Like

You could also take one of the library graphics and learn how to make it. Say you want a piggy bread board. search for pigs. in the pro design library…the Apple Icon. But that’s a pro thing…so forget it.

Open Easel and create a new project.

Pick the square tool and make a shape. I elected to make a rectangle with a finger hole in it.
My easel is set up for a 3018, so this is why the cutting board is small. I don’t want tiling.

Now that you have your cheese board…click on Project and download gcode. The file will open up in a window at the top right.

When you click open, my pc asks what app you want to use. I clicked on Notepad. This is the beginning of the gcode commands.

What they do:

G20 ( Use Inches)

M3 S12000 ( Start spindle at speed rate of 12K rpm. )

G90 (absolute positioning as opposed to incremental positioning)

G1 Z0.25000 F9.0 ( Raise the Z axis 1/4" above the home position at a feed rate of 9 inches per minute)

G0 X2.89938 Y2.04037 ( While the Z is raised, move to this location.)

G1 Z-0.02800 F9.0 ( The Z drops down . 028 into the material)

G1 X2.91574 Y2.04910 F30.0 ( then the machine moves to these coordinates one at a time etc.
G1 X2.92749 Y2.06348 F30.0

It’s not specifically Easel, but if you live in a city with a Rockler, they offer classes covering most of the machines they sell including CNC machines. They may be able to get you past some of the sticking points. Also, look on social media for local clubs or groups in your area.

If you haven’t yet, you might find some value to watching a fellow xcarve user who goes by the name of “Paw Paw’s workshop” on YouTube. He was pretty good at covering most of the features of the machine and software. Hopefully this helps. Also, check you local junior college. I was surprised to find out my local college offered CAD class.

1 Like

Thank you Martin, I mean that, thank you. Some of what you posted, I already know and can or have done, some of what you mention is new to me - and valuable. The last post feels a bit like sipping from the fire-hose and I will need to absorb and explore that further.
I also want to mention that You (as well as a handful of others) have been in a sense my teacher & mentor when I have gotten ‘stuck’ an I often have and continue to be. This of course is the source of my frustration. There is no repository of knowledge around Easel beyond what you and other’s who have already learned - possibly also ‘the hard way’.
I have no other choice but to continue given that I have invested all that I have in this venture, and so I want to say it once again, sincerely ‘Thank You’ for taking the time to respond when I am struggling. Perhaps you (and several others) should be on the payroll at Inventables to create a digital 'Owner’s Manual" of sorts. But I digress.
New day, new challenges and learning opportunities.

1 Like

Hello Harry, and thank you. I don’t know why I didn’t think of reaching out to Rockler. I am fortunate enough to have both a Rockler and a Woodcraft both within a half hour drive from my home/shop. I will explore what they offer.

Hello Michael, and thank you. Yes, I have watched many hours’ of Paw Paw’s Workshop videos. Some more helpful than others. Frankly I NEVER would have figured out how to do a keyhole carve to hang the Christmas Gifts that I made last year without his help. Another who might be valuable in the employ of Inventables. The trouble that I find is that because they are YouTube videos, it isn’t possible to search by specific tasks (not the fault of Paw Paw or YouTube, just the nature of the beast). So one has to scour many hours of video content to try to find the answer to a specific answer. Again, this is no insult to Paw Paw’s videos or YouTube, and I will continue to watch more as time allows.

As to classes at community college, it is ironic that you mention this, because it was after searching the class schedules of the community colleges in the area and finding that to my dismay they did not offer said CNC classes that I became despondent, which led me to my post.

It was my sincere hope that such a thing as “CNC Academy” or something of the sort, existed out there in the ether to which I could enroll and try and flatten this brutal learning curve. I have not found that, but my quest continues alongside learning ‘the HARD way’ by making large piles of firewood and sawdust.

all my best,

Joe

3 Likes

YouTube.
Had a Genmitsu 3018 for a little over a month now and 85%+ of what i learned has been from there. The rest is trial and error I’m afraid to say. True the lack of manuals is frustrating but the cost of production is high. So back to a combination of YouTube and Google searches

Thanks Rob. Mostly error I’m afraid to say. I’ve made a lot of firewood and sawdust.

You can email pawpaw. The email is in the description. I’ll do my best to answer your questions. Here is my email address also. Pawpawsworkshop411@gmail.com

A college class most likely will not cover the easel software. Easel is much different than other software such as vcarve

I’m Happy to answer your questions. Just email me at pawpawsworkshop411@gmail.com.

Thanks Phillip,

I sent an email last evening. No rush, just wanted to let you know that I sent it.

BTW, do you by chance have a video on doing V-Carve inlays? I’ve watched a dozen or so such videos of guys doing them using other software/machines etc… and either the knowledge does not transfer, of I’m just not getting it. My several attempts have been failures.

thanks,

All my best,

Joe

Hi Joe,
You’ve asked about inlays several times. What’s have you tried and what’s not working?