s/w chain ?

[kec-10238]

Since I am new to CNC I am figuring this how the s/w chain works (flat work not 3d work). Wondering if this is correct?
1-use any vector program you are familiar with (eases the pain) ie Corel, Illustrator, Inkscape
2-import your vector file into a CAM program like artcam or vcarve/aspire or create your artwork directly in these programs - and use these programs to generate your toolpaths
3-use universal gcode sender to actually send the gcode to the machine

why don't programs like vcarve and the like have the capability to send it to the machine? or am I missing something.

vcarve sample sign in their s/w after spending 20 minutes figuring out the program - doesn't look like it's going to be too hard. Of course I can't see what the actual cuts look like yet (have to wait till my machine gets here) but it seems the hard part is going to be picking the correct tool(s)/sizes for the job. Additionally, I need to include tool width's as part of my design process. My first shot the tool was too large to cut between letters correctly. Then the golf club shaft did't show up. Once I adjusted tool widths everything worked. Gonna be fun. 

any comments or hints

[Derek the Admin]

You pretty much have described the tool chain as it applies to us.

The reason that CAD/CAM packages don't usually serve as a machine interface (the G Code Sender) because there are a lot of different controller boards and control firmwares out there. G Code senders usually get targeted to a specific board firmware or a few different firmwares. Universal G Code Sender is written to work with Grbl (what we use), TinyG, and maybe one other I'm not thinking about right now. They would have to write 100s of different interfaces. Instead, they write different post processors that format the g code to something that is acceptable for a given control firmware. That's a lot more technically feasible than the former.