501 S. Lewis Ave.
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74104
(918) 779-6025

Software

Digital Design Software

Fab Lab Tulsa is a digital fabrication makerspace that heavily utilizes software. New lab members should have basic computer literacy and the motivation to learn new software skills across multiple software packages, both in a classroom setting as well as independently.

The lab uses many free software packages for design and toolpathing purposes that anyone can download and start using on their own personal computer. Explore the tables below to view some freely available software packages and whenever possible utilize online tutorials to accelerate your learning experience.

Currently, Solidworks 3D is offering a year of service for members of a makerspace.  Called the 3D Experience Solidworks for Makers, requires an approval process. Check it out here: https://www.solidworks.com/solution/3dexperience-solidworks-makers/makerspaces-offer

If you are looking at Fusion 360, try the tutorials here, 100 DAYS OF FUSION:  https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrJMSDJUL0BY1k7IuczB5yDdr7we_2PFj

2D Design Software 3D Editing Software 3D Design Software 3D Design APPs 3D Scanning Software 3D Printing Software Microcontroller Software Circuit Design Software
Inkscape Mesh Mixer TinkerCAD Nomad Sculpt (ipad) ResconstructMe Ultimaker Cura Arduino IDE AutoDesk Eagle
QCAD MeshLab SketchUp Sculptura 3D (ipad)
Formlabs Preform Python Fritzing
SolidEdge
3D Builder 3D Modeling App (android) PHOTOGRAMMETRY

DesignSpark
Gimp
Blender
3DF Zephyr

KiCad
LibreCAD
SculptGL
Meshroom

EasyEDA
Gravit Designer (browser based)
Fusion 360 (personal use lic)
Visual SFM


Vectornator (Apple)
OnShape
Reality Capture




OpenSCAD
Agisoft Metashape




FreeCAD
Artec Studio




ZBrush Core Mini






Vectary






BlocksCAD




Paid Licensed Software

2D Design Software 3D Design Software Lab Machinery Software
AutoCAD 3D Builder Roland CutStudio (Vinyl Cutter)
TurboCAD Geomagic FreeForm Bantam Software (PCB Milling Machine)
CorelCAD Rhinoceros 3D Vectric VCarve Pro (Small & Large Milling Machines)
Adobe Illustrator AutoDesk Inventor Fusion 360 (as toolpath command)
CorelDraw Moment of Inspiration Versa Works (Roland equipment)

ZBrush

Catia

Solidworks

File Formats

File format is more important than the software used to create your digital part file.  Below is a list of design file formats necessary to communicate with the lab’s machinery.

Machine Design Formats Fab Lab Recommended Software
Vinyl Cutter .PDF InkScape, Adobe Illustrator, Corel Draw
Print and Cut .PDF Inkscape, Corel Draw, Versaworks
UV Printer .PDF Inkscape, Corel Draw, Versaworks
Laser Cutter .PDF, SVG Inkscape, Adobe Illustrator, Corel Draw
WaterJet .DXF, .AI, .DWG, .ORD, .PDF, .SVG, .EPS Inkscape, Adobe Illustrator,
COMING 2024 - CNC Plasma .DWG, DXF, CAM, DGN, .NC, .NC1, RASTER, .PDF, .SVG,.TOK ProNest, LibreCAD, Inkscape
FDM 3D Printer .STL, OBJ, .WRL, .SLDPRT, .IPT, .IGES, .IGS, .STEP, .STP, .CATPART, .PRT, .PAR, .ASM, .X_T, .X_B, .JT, .3MF, .AMF, .DAE, .ZAE, .CTM, .PLY, .X3D, .GLB, .GLTF Ultimaker Cura
SLA 3D Printer .STL, .OBJ Preform
SLS 3D Printer .STL, .OBJ Preform
PCB Milling Machine .BRD, .GTL, .GBR, .CMP, .NC, .GCODE, .TAP, .BTM, .SVG Bantam Software
Large & Small Milling Machines .CRV, .DXF, .DWG, .EPS, .AI, .PDF, .PVC, .V3D, .V3M, .SKP, SVG, .STL, .3DM, .3DS, .ASC, .PRJ, .X, .LWO, .WRL, .OBJ, .JPEG, .JPG, .BMP, .GIF, .TIF, .TIFF, .PNG Vectric VCarve Pro

VCarve Pro Makerspace Edition

Fab Lab Tulsa freely provides its license of VCarve Pro Makerspace Edition (VCarve Pro ME) to lab members who have completed the relevant requisite training. VCarve Pro ME is a Vectric Ltd product, it is the preferred toolpathing software for Fab Lab Tulsa's Wood Lab 3-Axis Milling Machines 1 and 2, it is the software covered in FLT's instruction classes, and is the software supported by Fab Lab Tulsa staff.

Getting Started

Review the following Vectric documents to get started with VCarve Pro Makerspace Edition:

Machine Configuration Process

Please refer to Vectric Ltd’s YouTube Channel for more information on Machine Configuration Setup for VCarve Pro (V11 example shown).

Important Information for VCarve Pro ME Setup:

  • Milling Machine Manufacturer / Brand:  Shopbot
  • Milling Machine Model:  PRSAlpha 96-48
  • Post Processor:  Shopbot_TC_inch.pp

Tool Database

Contact Dan Moran (dan@fablabtulsa.org) for the VCarve Pro ME tool database compatible with Fab Lab Tulsa machinery.  Using the appropriate tool settings and tool number assignments (1-9) is essential to safely utilize the 3-Axis Milling Machine’s 9-Position Automatic Tool Changer (ATC).

Tool Database Installation

Use the following steps to install a tool database in VCarve Pro Makerspace Edition:

  1. Launch VCarve Pro Makerspace Edition
  2. Create a new file (.CRV)
  3. Within the main toolbar go to Toolpaths > Tool Database
  4. Within the Tool Database window, delete all existing tool groups using the trash can icon at the bottom of the screen.  Select the tool group heading prior to using the delete button.
  5. Within the Tool Database window, import the Fab Lab Tulsa tool database using the folder icon at the bottom of the screen
  6. Within the Tool Database window, press the OK button 

Tutorials

Additional VCarve Pro information is available through the following resources:

Fab Modules

The MIT Center for Bits and Atoms and the International Fab Lab Network are developing software to facilitate tool-pathing for and communicating with digital fabrication machinery commonly found in all fab labs. You can a find a downloadable version for Ubuntu and OSX here and a web version at fabmodules.org. This software is currently under development.

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501 S. Lewis Ave.
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74104
(918) 779-6025
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