Zar
24-08-2010, 08:55 AM
Hi! I'm one of the developers of Gcodetools and I want to introduce it to you :).
Gcodetools is a CAM extension for Inkscape - open source vector graphics editor with capabilities similar to Illustrator, CorelDraw, or Xara X.
Inkscape supports many advanced SVG features (markers, clones, alpha blending, etc.) and great care is taken in designing a streamlined interface. It is very easy to edit nodes, perform complex path operations, trace bitmaps and much more.
So Gcodetools is a CAM extension which allows to export curves from Inkscape to G-code.
Both Inkscape and Gcode are free (they are licensed under GNU GPL) and cross-platform (they work on Windows, Linux and probably MacOS).
Here is the feature list of Gcodetools 1.6:
(New features from previous version are marked with green)
Export to Gcode
Export paths to Gcode
Using circular (biarc approximation) or straight line interpolation
Automatic path subdivision to reach defined tolerance
Multiply tool processing
Export Gcode in parametric of flat form
Including personal headers and footers
Choosing units
Multi-pass processing
Numeric suffix is added to generated files to avoid overwriting
Lathe Gcode
Compute trajectories for lathe
Fine cut
Define fine cut's depth
Define fine rounds
Two different computation functions for fine cut
Standard axis remapping
Path's area processing
Building area paths
Area paths could be modified
Engraving
Building trajectory according to the cutter's shape
Defining different cutter's shapes
Tool's library
Defining different tool's parameters (diameter, feed, depth step, penetration feed, personal Gcode before/after each path, cutters shape, personal tool's changing Gcode)
Tools can be managed by Inkscape's standard procedures (copy, delete, assigned to different layer)
Multiply tools processing
Orientation system
Applying scale along any axis
Apply rotate in the ХY plane
Apply translation along any axis
Apply transforms according to arbitrary points
Post-processor
You can create custom post-processor by writing down the commands or choose from the list of default post-processors
Scale and offset Gcode
Gcode commands remapping
Parameterize Gcode
Round floating point values to specified precision
Verifying tools for the scene
Select and remove small paths (area artefacts)
Tool's alignment check
Cutting order check
Plotter cutting
Export to Gcode for plotter with tangential knife. Forth axis A is knife's rotation.
PS We need more photos of work made using Gcodetools if you can do it I'll be glad to publish it. Unfortunately I can not do it myself because my hobby cnc is not finished yet.
Here are some screenshots and made things...
2840284128422843
You can freely download Gcodetools from here: http://www.cnc-club.ru/gcodetools
More info can be found at http://www.inkscape.org (http://www.inkscape.org/)
Gcodetools is a CAM extension for Inkscape - open source vector graphics editor with capabilities similar to Illustrator, CorelDraw, or Xara X.
Inkscape supports many advanced SVG features (markers, clones, alpha blending, etc.) and great care is taken in designing a streamlined interface. It is very easy to edit nodes, perform complex path operations, trace bitmaps and much more.
So Gcodetools is a CAM extension which allows to export curves from Inkscape to G-code.
Both Inkscape and Gcode are free (they are licensed under GNU GPL) and cross-platform (they work on Windows, Linux and probably MacOS).
Here is the feature list of Gcodetools 1.6:
(New features from previous version are marked with green)
Export to Gcode
Export paths to Gcode
Using circular (biarc approximation) or straight line interpolation
Automatic path subdivision to reach defined tolerance
Multiply tool processing
Export Gcode in parametric of flat form
Including personal headers and footers
Choosing units
Multi-pass processing
Numeric suffix is added to generated files to avoid overwriting
Lathe Gcode
Compute trajectories for lathe
Fine cut
Define fine cut's depth
Define fine rounds
Two different computation functions for fine cut
Standard axis remapping
Path's area processing
Building area paths
Area paths could be modified
Engraving
Building trajectory according to the cutter's shape
Defining different cutter's shapes
Tool's library
Defining different tool's parameters (diameter, feed, depth step, penetration feed, personal Gcode before/after each path, cutters shape, personal tool's changing Gcode)
Tools can be managed by Inkscape's standard procedures (copy, delete, assigned to different layer)
Multiply tools processing
Orientation system
Applying scale along any axis
Apply rotate in the ХY plane
Apply translation along any axis
Apply transforms according to arbitrary points
Post-processor
You can create custom post-processor by writing down the commands or choose from the list of default post-processors
Scale and offset Gcode
Gcode commands remapping
Parameterize Gcode
Round floating point values to specified precision
Verifying tools for the scene
Select and remove small paths (area artefacts)
Tool's alignment check
Cutting order check
Plotter cutting
Export to Gcode for plotter with tangential knife. Forth axis A is knife's rotation.
PS We need more photos of work made using Gcodetools if you can do it I'll be glad to publish it. Unfortunately I can not do it myself because my hobby cnc is not finished yet.
Here are some screenshots and made things...
2840284128422843
You can freely download Gcodetools from here: http://www.cnc-club.ru/gcodetools
More info can be found at http://www.inkscape.org (http://www.inkscape.org/)