There’s a new CncSimulator in the works, and by the looks of this preview video, it’s a pretty impressive piece of software for hobbyists, or anyone who’s ever laid hands on a CNC milling machine or taken shop class.
You can arrange your project in basically any configuration, with any tools you want, like ball mills, drills and disk cutters. Basically, you have the run of a whole workshop’s worth of tools to operate and observe however you want. It’s like the coolest wood shop field trip ever jammed into your computer.
CncSimulator is “returnware”, meaning you can go try it out for free as long as you return to the site every once in a while — which is a pretty peachy deal, if you ask me. [CncSimulator via Mike Senese]
EckyThump
Thursday, October 6, 2011 at 9:18 AMSo this is a way to see what the product looks like while being cut,.. why? :) I have no issue with CNC being used to carve the plethora of metals and whatnot, and there has been timber cutting CNC machines around for awhile,… but, being an avid amateur wood worker for most of my life I really hate the idea of cutting timber this way and calling it art or whatever other simile you want to use! I think it’s cheating! if you want to build your (what the hell was that being carved anyway?) item this way please don’t refer to it as art! or even woodwork! Wood needs to be cut and carved by hand, not a machine! End of rant!! #]
Maniacal
Thursday, October 6, 2011 at 4:15 PMAre you serious? I have used CNC machines to carve/cut/template/create/manufacture etc for a variety of purposes over the years as well as hand tools and other factory equipment. A CNC machine is just a tool, like a chisel or hammer or saw or panel saw or lathe. To assume ‘woodwork needs to be cut and carved by hand’ is complete bollocks. Are you saying you use your fingernails to chisel? Maybe you peel the bark off with your teeth. I would like to see you turn a table leg without a lathe or CNC, just a hammer and chisel. I have put a lot of love into some woodwork using CNCs and I consider it to be art.
EckyThump
Thursday, October 6, 2011 at 5:18 PMMate why the hell are you being so bloody aggressive, I have a right to my opinion about what constitutes ART, the same as any one else! As for calling an object that is created on a computer and built by a computer ‘ART’ bollocks to you! In my opinion and it’s just my opinion, timber is organic and it needs an organic touch, to bring out the design in my head! If you want to call it ART, then call it bloody art! I don’t give a shit! Jesus Christ, lighten the fuck up! I have no problem calling a computer generated image art if it suits my aesthetic, I personally just don’t like the idea of carving a piece of wood with a CNC machine and calling it ART! It’s just something that any dickhead can push a button and create! Just stand back, take a breath and calm down, you’ll give yourself an aneurysm for Gods sake!
Maniacal
Thursday, October 6, 2011 at 6:20 PMDefinition of Art
The expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form such as painting or sculpture etc
Works produced by such skill and imagination.
Why post an opinion, which indicates you care, then derail a reply to that statement with ‘I don’t give a shit!’
Was I aggressive? Yes. I saw no need for smiley faces.
I asked ‘Are you serious?’ Fuck knows from your reply.
I never stated ALL work coming from a CNC was art and deserved to be. Yes any dickhead can use a CNC to cut wood. A few dickheads here cut the work in the factory that was prepared by yours truly (another dickhead apparently) and as its for commercial production it is most definately not art.
But once again, I have put a lot of love into some woodwork using CNCs and I consider it to be art. It was not a commercial endeavour, personal projects created with love, skill and imagination. If you don’t like the art it produces fair enough. Critique the art though. But to say it is not art because it is produced in a certain manner is fucking insulting.
And to say using a CNC to cut wood, is not woodwork, is just plain incorrect. I would never tell you that anything you produced with handtools was not art if you said it was, or woodwork for that matter as well. I might say it was absolute shit, hell I might even like it, but you don’t have to like the artist to appreciate the art (or woodwork for that matter once again).
Eckythump
Thursday, October 6, 2011 at 6:36 PMBloody hell,.. The gist of my reply is that if you want to call it art, fill yer boots, I don’t care what you call art anymore than you care what I call art, it’s a matter of opinion, something I would’ve gladly discussed civilly with you if you weren’t so bloody beligerent! Clearly you don’t want to discuss it, just lose your rag,.. fine, leave it there and walk away a gentleman. I really don’t understand why people have to be so damned rude when replying to a comment!