Hi folks, I'm pretty new to the topic of CAD and CAM. So far I have a PUMA 562 robot with which I'm doing cutting of 2D models of steel plates with an attached plasma cutter (some garden art). Currently I'm doing this very easy by creating scalable vector graphics files with tools like inkscape. I'm converting those files into something that can be handled by my robot.Now I want to go to 3D (or maybe more 2,5D) models. The idea is to create 3D models (consisting of flat surfaces in 2D). I'm searching for a CAD tool where I can create 3D models and then extracting the 2D surfaces and cut them on the robot to weld them later on together to a 3D model. I'm pretty sure that there is a term for what I'm doing and also software available. Can you please help with some feedback on how this is called. Ideally it would be great if somebody could recommend me a CAD program and a procedure to start. If possible please recommend me first some easy programs (maybe free) for a fast start. Many thanks, Thomas  

A lot will depend on your budget.I use a program called AutoCAD and using the latest version there are at least five different ways 2D views can be extracted from 3D models.  Then downside?  In the U.S. the program retails for over $4000.Now there are AutoCAD clone programs that retail for less than $1000 and in some cases as low as $500 but I don't fully know what their capabilities are although I would guess they are similar.

Hi John, thanks for the answer. At least it shows me that the requested functionality is available. I don't looking for such sofisticated and expensive programs like AutoCAD. Can you please give me some buzzwords for this functionality so I can search for some programs offering similar things for much lower amount or for free. Many thanks, Thomas