This is relatively simple.  First, when opening a .DXF file for foam cutting you will ALWAYS open the file under FOAMCUTTER located inside the File menu located at the top left of your screen.

I will from this point foreword reference File actions separated by a "/"(slash) such as   "Open : File/FOAMCUTTER/Open Top, Left, Larger DXF File

Meaning:  Inside the file menu you will find FOAMCUTTER and inside that you will find Open top, left, larger DXF file.  

Now that we have that out of the way...  Here we go.

1. Open FOAMCUTTER DXF

   Opening your DXF using any other method will no allow you to access the foam cutting mode for your  Toolpath  creation.  Notice when you click File/ Foam Cutter there are two options available open top/left/larger and open bottom/right/smaller.  Once the top/left/larger file is open (which is the default for both sides of the machine) you will then have the opportunity to open a second DIFFERENT profile for the bottom/right/smaller.  This will give you the ability to make a tapered cut or some very strange geometric cuts like circle to star column, and the like.

   For a standard cut file foam cutter open top/left/larger, locate profile, then click open.

   Notice there are two of the same images on your screen, the top one is the left side of the machine, the bottom one is the right side of machine.

2. Set Machining Order

   If there is more then 1 entity loaded on each side of the machine, then you will need to tell DESKCNC which to cut first, second, third,... .  

   Click EDIT DXF, Set machining order , notice a dialog window opens with "Start From Number".  If this is the first time you are doing this start from number 1 ,this will be your answer, click O.K.  to continue.  If you are performing this process a second time because of an improperly numbered machining  order start from the number before the mistake i.e. .....if you screwed up on number 57 use 56 as your start number to correct your mistake and finish the process. 

   Click once on each profile to set its number (only one click per profile).  Notice the lower left hand corner of the screen will have the instructions for the current process.  

   This is also a good time for us to learn how to Zoom and Pan using our mouse.  To Zoom press and hold the Ctrl key and left click holding the left click moving your mouse toward your body and away from your body SLOWLY.  Notice the screen Zoom.  To Pan use the same process but the Shift key instead of Ctrl.  Click a point and move it as if  you were moving the entire page with your mouse pointer.  This is handy when there are many entities to be toolpathed together and are difficult to find a point on the profile that is easily distinguishable from another profile, if profile lines are to close together DESKCNC may interpret you clicking on a different profile then the one you had expected.  Zoom in and the space between the two profiles will become larger and more easy to distinguish one form the next.

   The last profile entity will be numbered automatically.  No need to click on this one.

3. Change Start and Depart

   This is the process we use to determine where the wire will enter each profile entity and where this will depart from the same onto the next profile entity.  If there is only one profile the Start and Depart point are in the same location if there is more than one profile in your Toolpath you will need to Enter the first part, travel a distance Exit this part, and Enter the next part.  In other words, each part will be broken into an outbound path, and a return path with the last part in your chain being the turn around point.

   1. (Imagine 3 columns side by side numbered from left to right 1,2,3)
   2. Cut the top half of column 1 then the top half of column 2  then the entire column 3 (remember last in the chain is the turn around point) then the bottom half of number 2, then the bottom half of number 1 then go home.  
   3. The top half of column 1 and 2 was your Outbound path. Number 3 and the bottom of  2 and bottom of 1 will be your Return path.  Notice  Blue is your Outbound path color and Green is your Return path color and the faint Pink of each profile is the Actual DXF as drawn.

   Click Edit DXF/change start/depart points.  Now look at the lower left hand corner of your screen again and notice the instruction. Left click to set start point, and right click to set depart point.  This process maybe repeated over and over until you get the proper Toolpath.  The best method to begin is to choose the point of entity 1 that is closest to your 0,0 location and left click there.  Now find the point on entity1 closest to entity 2 and right click to set the depart point.  Choose the point on entity 2 closest to where you just departed from number 1 and left click to start the set point of number 2.  Repeat this process for number 3,4,5...until you've reached the last in the chain.  The last item in the chain will have the same point for start and depart.  This is your turn around piece. 

   Please notice while you are adjusting Start and Depart points that the cross-over lines (the lines that go between two entities) will act a little crazy until the entire Toolpath is made.  Kind of ignore these until you've reached the turnaround entity and notice that they will disappear.  When you are finished no cross-over line should cut through any of your profile entities. (unless you want one too).  If they do then move the Start and Depart points for that entity until you are happy with the way the wire will behave.  

    

4. Toolpath 4 axis foam cut

   Click Toolpath/4axis foam cut a dialog box will open requesting a wire speed in inches per minute and an approach height which will always be zero, then click create Notice your screen will have new colors either black or red where the blue or green lines used to be.  This shows your Toolpath has been created.

    

5. Toolpath Run Machine

   This opens a save dialog box, give your file an appropriate name CHOOSE AN APPROPRIATE FOLDER FOR STORAGE (remember you will need to find this later in life).  Click Save when you are happy.

   DESKCNC will switch to machine mode automatically if your controller is connected and enabled.  If not DESKCNC will switch to Edit CNC mode which is useful for testing your Toolpath on the screen without actually running a wire.

    

6. Jog to Appropriate location

   Remember when you draw DESKCNC and your Cad program work in the same coordinate universe.  So you can use this to your advantage and offset your drawing to allow DESKCNC to have a zero coordinate that is not on the edge of your foam, but at a specific distance away from your foam.

   Jog and touch the edge of your foam, move that specific distance away from the foam and  ZERO YOUR COORDINATES.

    

7. Wire heat

   Turn your wire heat on set the dial to an appropriate level that will not burn too much foam for your wire diameter but is not to cold either because if your wire heat is set too low the wire will chatter in the foam which appears like a corduroy effect.  remember to remove tool chatter lower your speed increase your feed (Heat).  This rule is taken from the machineries hand book which is a standard for all machining process no matter the material being machined.  Yes folks this includes Styrofoam.

    

8. GO

   Go!  Hit the Go button.  Yes, the Go button.  Right side of the screen half way down.  Yes ,the Go button.  Uh-Huh the Go button.  Hit it!!  With the mouse.  Ooooooooo...  Look!  It's moving!  Cool Huh?  

    

9. Wire heat off

   Now in all that excitement don't forget when the process is completed  TURN THE DARN WIRE HEAT OFF!!! When the program is done.

10. Yippeeeee.... Your finished