Your first job

Work from the drawing to operations, then calculate, inspect and export. Keep the editable project as well as the final machine file.

What do the main areas of the window show?

Drawing is where you select and edit geometry. Toolpaths shows calculated movements and simulation controls. The left side lists operations and layers. Selecting an operation displays its settings on the right. G-code and Diagnostics appear below the view.

The upper bars contain file commands, the post-processor, drawing units and language. Drawing tools appear below the Drawing tab. Zoom to fit is available on the viewport itself. When starting a new task, first check the units and the selected post-processor.

How do I turn my first DXF into G-code?

Use the following sequence for a simple cutting job. Export requires activation; in Demo you can prepare, simulate and save the editable project. Automatic operations may already be present after opening the DXF, depending on your import preference. Inspect them before adding more, so the same geometry is not assigned twice.

The post-processor must match the intended process and machine. Simulation helps you inspect the movements, but does not demonstrate that every setting suits your actual machine or material.

1. Choose the appropriate post-processor, then Open your DXF.
2. Confirm Drawing units is mm and measure a known dimension.
3. Inspect the operations on the left. Add Cut or Profile only where needed.
4. Set feed, power or depth, compensation and any required passes.
5. Press Calculate, read Diagnostics, then inspect Toolpaths and simulation.
6. Save the project, then Export G-code with an activated license. Check the exported file before running it.

What should I check about millimeters and inches?

A DXF opened as a drawing starts in mm. DWG follows its declared drawing units. Measure a known feature instead of judging size from the screen. A line that should be 100 mm long should measure 100 in an mm drawing.

Changing Drawing units reinterprets the drawing numbers; it is not a physical-size-preserving conversion. A 100-unit line becomes 100 inches if you switch that drawing to inches. If the imported numeric geometry itself needs conversion, use Scale with the appropriate factor, for example 25.4 from inch numbers to mm numbers. Then verify a known dimension again. The selected drawing unit also controls the generated output units; verify it again after choosing or importing a post.

How do I save my work and continue later?

Use File > Save or Ctrl+S to save an editable .gscam project. Save As creates another file, useful before trying a different machining strategy. Reopen the project with Open; supported older .gdx projects can also be opened.

The project retains the drawing, operations and their settings, work origin, cutting order and the selected post settings. Export G-code produces the machine file, not a substitute for the editable project. Export DXF is useful for exchanging drawing geometry, but is not the way to preserve the complete machining job.

How do I start over or undo a mistake?

File > New starts a new drawing; save the current project first if you want to keep it. Undo (Ctrl+Z) reverses supported editing actions, while Redo (Ctrl+Y) restores an undone action. A shape insertion and the operations created with it can be undone together.

Esc cancels the current drawing or point-picking command. Cancel in a shape dialog discards that pending insertion. After a geometry edit, calculate again before trusting the previous toolpath or exported file.