A number of discussions have addressed software tools to generate G-code mostly as part of another discussion..
1. Some of us are interested in starting from various mechanical CAD programs and file formats. 2. Some of us are starting from existing graphics in various formats. 3. Some of us build our own tools to generate it from mathematical formulas. 4. Some of us build our own tools to generate it form our own simple graphics. 5. some of us want tools to help us write, edit and debug the g-code. 6. Some of us are routing circuit boards starting form PCB other layout programs. We use a variety of existing programs and languages to do these things. Sometimes several tools are needed. A map of existing tools to get to g-code from various starting points would be useful. If not a map then at least a collecting most such information in one place would be useful. If such exists somewhere a pointer to such would be appreciated. What are you using to generate G-code starting with: 1. DFX files? 2. Other mechanical CAD formats? 3. vector graphics formats? 4. bitmap images? 5. Mathematically constructed shapes? I mostly do decorative 2.5 D work doing 3 and 4 with Java Code (using Eclipse) and sometimes 2, I do 5 often and rarely 6. The mechanical design I do is simple enough that working directly with G-code is easier than learning a mechanical CAD program. I have found Inkscape useful for 2 The gcodetools plugin (v 0.49) is a little rough and under-documented but works. (I hope the young programmers in Russia continue this useful work) Inkscape is also rough in places but is aparently becoming the primary open source graphics design tool. I have found NCplot useful for 5. I have found Eagle useful for 6. Craig ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Live Security Virtual Conference Exclusive live event will cover all the ways today's security and threat landscape has changed and how IT managers can respond. Discussions will include endpoint security, mobile security and the latest in malware threats. http://www.accelacomm.com/jaw/sfrnl04242012/114/50122263/ _______________________________________________ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
