Favorite program for editing DXF files?

[Econdron]

Just looking for a program that can import pre-made DXF files and is pretty user friendly to edit them. My computer from CandCNC came with a trial of QCAD. I've used it once or twice, but wasn't too impressed with it. Any other favorites? I use AutoDesk Inventor for making the DXF files, it can technically import them, but it's very awkward and slow to use to import DXF files.

[plasmanewbie]

I started with CorelDraw and it has always worked very well for me. I would recommend it to anyone.

[WyoGreen]

It really depends on what kind of DXF's you're working with. If it's pure CAD type mechcanical drawings, you may want a AutoCad type program (there are free ones out there). If you're working with artistic type programs (which is the majority of what you'll find on here), then you can try Inkscape, a free program. Personally I use Coreldraw, but it's a windows program, so I have to boot up into Windows whenever I need to make a file. Inkscape will run under Linux (which is my operating system of choice), so I'm working at learning it.

Hope that helps some, Steve

[gamble]

Coreldraw x6 or x7 is decent. I got mine for $60
I really think torchmate cad is my favorite. Lite was around $250
If they still sell it. Full (with tracing and nesting) is $850ish
Plus it does toolpaths too so no need for another software like sheetcam.
I love my flashcut software but it won't work with your setup

[DXF]

Coreldraw x6 or x7 is decent. I got mine for $60
I really think torchmate cad is my favorite. Lite was around $250
If they still sell it. Full (with tracing and nesting) is $850ish
Plus it does toolpaths too so no need for another software like sheetcam.
I love my flashcut software but it won't work with your setup

Where did you buy Corel Draw for $60? Does it export as DXF files? I use inkscape to convert and then use Plasma Cam 3.11 to clean it up.

Dave Hanks

[motoguy]

Coreldraw x6 or x7 is decent. I got mine for $60
I really think torchmate cad is my favorite. Lite was around $250
If they still sell it. Full (with tracing and nesting) is $850ish
Plus it does toolpaths too so no need for another software like sheetcam.
I love my flashcut software but it won't work with your setup

Where did you buy Corel Draw for $60? Does it export as DXF files? I use inkscape to convert and then use Plasma Cam 3.11 to clean it up.

Dave Hanks

Current version is Corel X8, so X7 and X6 are 1 and 2 generations old. You can usually find the older generations at good prices on eBay, or Amazon if you don't quite trust eBay.

[gamble]

Coreldraw x6 or x7 is decent. I got mine for $60
I really think torchmate cad is my favorite. Lite was around $250
If they still sell it. Full (with tracing and nesting) is $850ish
Plus it does toolpaths too so no need for another software like sheetcam.
I love my flashcut software but it won't work with your setup

Where did you buy Corel Draw for $60? Does it export as DXF files? I use inkscape to convert and then use Plasma Cam 3.11 to clean it up.

Dave Hanks

Got it 2 years ago on eBay.
Brand new
They say it's a "student version" and you have to show them your student ID. But it was all bs. Still import and exports DXF perfectly fine. I would use it for a quick auto trace, export to dxf and import to TMcad.

[2015cmax]

Take a look at Solid Edge 2D. It is free, fairly powerful and flexible. Imports dxf easily and so far I have not had issues editing or modifying existing files, most of which I down loaded from this group to learn how to use it. I also have Corel Draw, but just don't find it intuitive. I am always surprised when I stumble on to a new feature for drawing in Solid Edge. The very simple scaling function is a great plus. Saves alot of metal when I just want to run a cut to see the results of efforts. Just scale it down to the smallest size, run the cut and evaluate.

I have often wondered why I have not seen/read much on this group on Solid Edge.

[Econdron]

I bought CorelDraw, the home and student version. There's a fine print in there apparently that doesn't allow importing of DXF files. I have to convert the DXF to PDF then import the PDF. I'll play around with it some more and see if I like it. I have a 30 day money back guarantee. I think I paid $85 for it.

I'm downloading Solid Edge now. I'll give that a shot.