Hi Wade, I'm not really familiar with Mach3 CAM.

Usually with most CAM programs you send data from MoI into the CAM program using either IGES, STEP, or STL format.

On the Mach3 web site which seems to be here: http://www.machsupport.com/ it says:

"Allows direct import of DXF, BMP, JPG, and HPGL files through LazyCam"

But those seem to be all 2d graphics formats and not formats that contain 3D geometry in them.

Is Mach3 CAM a 2D only focused CAM program, or does it work with 3D imported objects?

Generally the focus for MoI is on generating 3D models and not 2D bitmaps.

For 2D only you might be able to make some curves and convert them to DXF format using the 3DM curves to DXF converter from here: http://moi3d.com/wiki/Resources#3dmCurves2DXF_converter


But basically if that CAM program is focused totally on 2D imported data and especially if it's mostly focused on 2D bitmap data then it may not really be a fit with MoI's typical 3D geometry output.

- Michael

Wade,
Mach 3 is really a machine controller. You will still need software that will generate your g-code for you. An inexpensive solution like meshcam might be good enough if you don't need 4th axis capability. If you need 4th axis have a look at deskproto which is still reasonably priced...cam programs can get very expensive. The overall 'software chain' would have you creating your object in moi and exporting the Stl files to meshcam that would generate the g-code that would run your machine being managed by Mach3. If all you want to do is make signs you might be able to get by with lazy cam that can be purchased as an addon to mach3-it can generate g-code from dxf files which are possible to get from moi (with that format converter).
hth...possum