download it at:

www.ncplot.com

New for Beta 11:

NCPlot now supports rotary 4th axis. The axis name can be A, B, C, U, V or W and can rotate around the X or Y axis.

Added new settings to the Machine Configuration dialog. All the settings that are on this dialog are functional and can be saved and loaded to an .ncp file.
· The rapid type setting allows selecting between interpolated, dog-leg and Z first / last. The Interpolated Rapid Move setting has been removed from the Draw menu.
· Coordinate resolution setting determines the decimal point position for coordinates that do not have them. This applies to addresses X, Y, Z, I, J, K, R and F.
· The color and DXF settings have been moved from the preferences dialog to the machine configuration settings.
· New viewport coloring scheme has been added. You now have the option to color the viewport by tool. The color changes every time an M6 code is encountered.
· Rotary axis settings.

Added Axis Lines display. These lines indicate where 0, 0, 0 is on the viewport. This can be disabled on the Draw menu.

Added viewport shortcut keys.
· Z = Zoom Window
· X = Zoom extents
· C = Zoom in
· V = Zoom out
· P = Pan

Added an option to auto show the entity info window. This is on the preferences dialog. When enabled, the info window opens when an object is selected on the viewport and disappears when everything is un-selected. When disabled, the info window can be opened manually by selecting the menu Tools | Show Entity Info.

Added a variable display window. This can be opened on the Calc menu. This window displays all non-empty variables and their current values. This is a work-in-progress, as it currently only displays common variables #100 - #999.

I've been working on program coloring, as some of you may have noticed. You can color the program by selecting Test Mode from the Help menu. This still needs a lot of work... I have added an option to save the program as .RTF, you can do this by clicking Save As and setting the file type to .rtf. You can also load .rtf files back into NCPlot.

Changed the M99Pxx functionality. When this code is encountered in the main program, it acts as a jump command with the P value indicating the block to jump to.

NCPlot now supports rotary 4th axis.

You da man! :D

LOL!!! I wondered how long it would take you to notice... Not even 15 minutes!

Thanks

Scott,
I like what you are doing with this program. Some real neat features that make debugging a lot easier.

I do a lot of lathe programming. I know you said you are working on lathe canned cycles. I am looking forward to that.

I use a subprogram call to move the tailstock forward and back. That sub program stays on the machine, but NCplot is looking for it in my simulation. Do I need to open it or can I somehow ignore a subroutine call? (I commented the calls out, but sometimes I have a lot of tailstock moves)


A couple of things that I would like to see in a future version:
-Separate/detachable windows for plot screen and nc program screen.
-Text scheme that can be assigned colors for different modes (i.e. G0 G1, X, Y, Z, comments etc.) This helps the readability especially on printouts.


Thanks,
Bill

I use a subprogram call to move the tailstock forward and back. That sub program stays on the machine, but NCplot is looking for it in my simulation. Do I need to open it or can I somehow ignore a subroutine call? (I commented the calls out, but sometimes I have a lot of tailstock moves)

A couple of things that I would like to see in a future version:
-Separate/detachable windows for plot screen and nc program screen.
-Text scheme that can be assigned colors for different modes (i.e. G0 G1, X, Y, Z, comments etc.) This helps the readability especially on printouts.

Thanks,
Bill

Bill,

The easiest thing to do about the subprogram is to write a short program and save it on your PC. It doesn't need to be anything fancy, just put in an M99 code and save it. Then use the menu Setup | Subprograms to assign your subprogram number to this file.

The text coloring is something I'm still working on. If you go to the menu Help | Test Mode, you'll get a look at what I've done so far.

The seperate window thing is a bit more complicated. NCPlot is an SDI application (single document). To convert it to an MDI (multiple document) could require major surgery. Notice that I didn't say it couldn't be done. Something I could do is allow more than 1 instance of NCPlot... Then you could accomplish the same thing by having each open program in it's own program instance.

So, this brings up a couple of questions (for everybody):
Should I take the plunge and make NCPlot an MDI application?
Should I allow ignoring subprograms (M98 and G65)?

Regards,
Scott

Scott,
I like what you are doing with this program. Some real neat features that make debugging a lot easier.

I do a lot of lathe programming. I know you said you are working on lathe canned cycles. I am looking forward to that.

I use a subprogram call to move the tailstock forward and back. That sub program stays on the machine, but NCplot is looking for it in my simulation. Do I need to open it or can I somehow ignore a subroutine call? (I commented the calls out, but sometimes I have a lot of tailstock moves)


A couple of things that I would like to see in a future version:
-Separate/detachable windows for plot screen and nc program screen.
-Text scheme that can be assigned colors for different modes (i.e. G0 G1, X, Y, Z, comments etc.) This helps the readability especially on printouts.


Thanks,
Bill


"I do a lot of lathe programming. I know you said you are working on lathe canned cycles. I am looking forward to that."

Would probably have to be machine dependant. I know that many lathe programmers use the canned cycles in their control for roughing, threading. etc.

Our shop will be getting a CNC lathe soon and being able to create programs when not in front of the control would be a great benefit to me. We are looking at a Daewoo lathe right now... uses a Fanuc control.

I would love to see a user be able to create their own canned cycles with an open API for NC Plot and the Sax Basic engine.


jon

Beta 11 of NC Plot has corrected a lot of graphic problems I was having. In older versions of NC Plot when I stopped Animate or Plot and then restarted I would lose the graphical backplot completely and I had to reload the text file.

What are your thoughts on bi directional editing with graphical CAD tools..... meaning create a new arc with CAD tools and it puts the entity into the text program on the left hand side of the screen ?

If CAD is done a grid and plane system would be required.

I still like the idea of finding away to control almost everything via right clicking. I think the reason I like this so much is it's so effective for me when I'm using another program I love.... VX. I also believe MasterCAM X has moved in this direction.

It's a pleasure to see NC Plot develop and this version of NC Plot seems to have made giant steps in usability for me.

Thank you for all the effort.

Perhaps a way to donate funds with a credit card can be set up as I would like show some "love" ?

jon

"I do a lot of lathe programming. I know you said you are working on lathe canned cycles. I am looking forward to that."

Would probably have to be machine dependant. I know that many lathe programmers use the canned cycles in their control for roughing, threading. etc.

Our shop will be getting a CNC lathe soon and being able to create programs when not in front of the control would be a great benefit to me. We are looking at a Daewoo lathe right now... uses a Fanuc control.

I would love to see a user be able to create their own canned cycles with an open API for NC Plot and the Sax Basic engine.


jon

Jon,

I've been putting more thought into this lately, and here's where I'm at:

The approach I'm thinking of would allow you to point at a folder where your canned cycles are located. This could be changed on the setup dialog. This also include settings to tell NCPlot which G-Codes are associated with these files.

The files would be the same as they are now, standard variable macros. I favor this approach vs. a scripting engine because the average CNC programmer is far more likely to be able to write a variable macro than a VB script (this is the part where everybody tells me otherwise).

Let me know your thoughts on this.

Scott

Beta 11 of NC Plot has corrected a lot of graphic problems I was having. In older versions of NC Plot when I stopped Animate or Plot and then restarted I would lose the graphical backplot completely and I had to reload the text file.

What are your thoughts on bi directional editing with graphical CAD tools..... meaning create a new arc with CAD tools and it puts the entity into the text program on the left hand side of the screen ?

If CAD is done a grid and plane system would be required.

I still like the idea of finding away to control almost everything via right clicking. I think the reason I like this so much is it's so effective for me when I'm using another program I love.... VX. I also believe MasterCAM X has moved in this direction.

It's a pleasure to see NC Plot develop and this version of NC Plot seems to have made giant steps in usability for me.

Thank you for all the effort.

Perhaps a way to donate funds with a credit card can be set up as I would like show some "love" ?

jon

Jon

The CAD side of this whole project has been an issue for me since I started NCPlot. I just can't decide where to draw the line. Right now, the closest thing you'll find is the Calc tools. It wouldn't be difficult to allow you to create G-Code from the newly created objects. I've also considered this approach for the DXF importing. Doing this would mean being able to load in a drawing file, select objects and then create code. But now you're talking about a CAM application, which was never my intent with NCPlot.

If you or anybody else has any ideas or suggestions, I'd love to hear them. Maybe point me in the right direction...

BTW, I haven't announced this, but I did finally put up an order page on the www.ncplot.com website. I know there's really no reason to order it when you can use it for free, so I'm having a pre-release "sale" :D

Thanks,
Scott

Scott,

I haven't had the time (need) to check out the new version yet. But I got an email from a customer the other day wanting me to look at something...so I"ll get it installed soon....

But as you may have seen in one of my previous posts, I started a new job a couple of weeks ago. And I'll be doing most of the programming once I get the work on the machines caught up. They were without an operator for a few weeks before I started, and also had one of two machines break down for a couple of weeks.

When I start programming, which should be in a couple of weeks, I plan on trying to work them away from the software they use now (solidworks for modeling and Esprit for programming). So NCPlot will be something I'll be showing them. Any idea on what the price will be after beta testing?

Anyhow, one of their machines is a bit unique. It runs most standard g codes, and some of it's own. But the main difference is that it can be/has been programmed to be very 'conversational'. You can program a menu to pop up, allow the operator which operation/part to run, etc. The way it is set up now, it's waaaayyy too easy for someone to accidently hit the wrong button, and do something they did not want to do. Which is one of the main things I'll be working away from.

The programming is pretty simple to understand. Seems to remind me of the BASIC that I learned in junior high (if/then statements, goto etc.). Would this be something that a user could work with in NCPlot? Hmmm, nevermind I think I found the answer....it might. :D I see that it will do the if/then/goto stuff. Just need to find out about the menu stuff.

Any idea on what the price will be after beta testing?

No pricing has been set for the release version yet, but you can buy licenses right now for $75.00 with price breaks at 5 and 10 licenses. The release version will likely be less than $200.

The programming is pretty simple to understand. Seems to remind me of the BASIC that I learned in junior high (if/then statements, goto etc.). Would this be something that a user could work with in NCPlot? Hmmm, nevermind I think I found the answer....it might. :D I see that it will do the if/then/goto stuff. Just need to find out about the menu stuff.

Do you know what control it is? If you want to send me a sample program, I'd be glad to look at it.

Scott

Scott, the control is a Thermwood (http://www.thermwood.com/twood_site/pages_2_8_05/thermwood_control/thm_control_features.htm).

The second thumbnail down shows a screenshot of the screen, and the 5th thumbnail down shows the menu.

I'll try to jot down the commands used for the menu section tomorrow.

Bill,

The easiest thing to do about the subprogram is to write a short program and save it on your PC. It doesn't need to be anything fancy, just put in an M99 code and save it. Then use the menu Setup | Subprograms to assign your subprogram number to this file.

The text coloring is something I'm still working on. If you go to the menu Help | Test Mode, you'll get a look at what I've done so far.

The seperate window thing is a bit more complicated. NCPlot is an SDI application (single document). To convert it to an MDI (multiple document) could require major surgery. Notice that I didn't say it couldn't be done. Something I could do is allow more than 1 instance of NCPlot... Then you could accomplish the same thing by having each open program in it's own program instance.

So, this brings up a couple of questions (for everybody):
Should I take the plunge and make NCPlot an MDI application?
Should I allow ignoring subprograms (M98 and G65)?

Regards,
Scott

Yes put an ignoring M98 as Hardinge CHNC's use this a lot for safe index on the lathe part & it screws up the runing of your program. Where on Macgen it works fine.

Yes put an ignoring M98 as Hardinge CHNC's use this a lot for safe index on the lathe part & it screws up the runing of your program. Where on Macgen it works fine.

OK, I will add options to allow ignoring M98 and G65 calls. This would definately be easier than adding definitions for subprograms you don't need to plot or commenting out all the sub calls.

Scott

Scott,

Here's an example of the code.

[WINDOW ON] - Causes the window to pop up
[CLS]
[PRINT "MESSAGE OR QUESTION"]
[INPUT XXX] - XXX Can be any word or number
[CLS]
[WINDOW OFF]
IF[(XXX=1)]THEN[GOTOX] - I believe X can be any number
IF[(XXX=2)]THEN[GOTOY] - I believe Y can be any number
...
some of the same stuff here to warn of an unexpected answer was given.
...
M80LX - where X equals the value from the above goto statement
...
part of program that would be ran if 1 was selected
...
M80LY - where Y equals the value from the above goto statement
...
part of program that would be ran if 2 was selected

I'm pretty sure all of this is done by hand. Since I"m not aware of any CAM software that can output that kind of stuff. Hopefully, this won't be an issue and it is something that I'm hoping to steer them away from. But for the mean time I'll be a good little boy and do what they say. :)

Scott,

Here's an example of the code.

[WINDOW ON] - Causes the window to pop up
[CLS]
[PRINT "MESSAGE OR QUESTION"]
[INPUT XXX] - XXX Can be any word or number
[CLS]
[WINDOW OFF]



Dustin,

This looks like something that would probably only work on a Thermwood control. NCPlot can run G-Code or Fanuc macro B programs, but unfortunately this code is neither. Translating it would be a chore as well, since there is no provision for message prompts.

Sorry to be so negative, but on the plus side the Thermwood can run G-Code programs. I've been working on the macro interface in NCPlot, which is a feature that allows you to fill in variable values before executing a macro. When the macro is executed, NCPlot removes all the macro stuff and just spits out the resulting G-Code. It's possible that your code could be translated to work with this. If you would like to pursue this route, email me a sample program and I'll see if it could be translated.

Scott

Scott,

I figured it would be a screwy thing. The more research I do on the Thermwoods, I'm actually getting impressed by them. All the maint., troubleshooting, and even repair info is on the control (it runs in os2).

I don't have a full program. I figured I would just jot it down. I doubt they would be happy about me taking a program home when I've only worked there a couple of weeks. :D I'll see what I can do though.

Thanks for everything.

Scott,
I like the method of using the "Setup | Subprograms" to assign your subprogram number.

I looked at "Test Mode", are the text colors assignable?

It would be a good thing, if there was a status bar note that shows what machine configuration I have selected.



The approach I'm thinking of would allow you to point at a folder where your canned cycles are located. This could be changed on the setup dialog. This also include settings to tell NCPlot which G-Codes are associated with these files.

The files would be the same as they are now, standard variable macros. I favor this approach vs. a scripting engine because the average CNC programmer is far more likely to be able to write a variable macro than a VB script (this is the part where everybody tells me otherwise).

Let me know your thoughts on this.

Scott
As for the Lathe canned cycles, a method of "Setup | Cycles" sounds like a good way.

I am not clear when you say "The files would be the same as they are now, standard variable macros." Is there a canned cycle using this method now?

How would this work lathe cycles like:
G71 (OD roughing)
G72 (Face Roughing)

Sorry if I am mixing too many questions/comments.
Bill

Scott,
I like the method of using the "Setup | Subprograms" to assign your subprogram number.

I looked at "Test Mode", are the text colors assignable?

It would be a good thing, if there was a status bar note that shows what machine configuration I have selected.

As for the Lathe canned cycles, a method of "Setup | Cycles" sounds like a good way.

I am not clear when you say "The files would be the same as they are now, standard variable macros." Is there a canned cycle using this method now?

How would this work lathe cycles like:
G71 (OD roughing)
G72 (Face Roughing)

Sorry if I am mixing too many questions/comments.
Bill

Bill,

The text coloring is not assignable right now. The Test Mode is just that, it's where I add a new feature so I can see if it's going to work the way I want it to before I add it to the menus. I will eventually add a dialog where you will be able to assign colors.

The current config note in the status bar is a good idea, I will add this.

The way the canned cycles work is this: Each G-code from G70 thru G89 causes NCPlot to search the \MACRO folder for a file with a matching name. So when you call a G81 drill cycle, you are actually running the macro file G810.PRG. So, to add a G71 cycle I just need to add a file called G710.PRG. What I was talking about in my earlier post was coming up with a method to organize different sets of macro cycles for different machine configurations.

Regards,
Scott

Jon,

I've been putting more thought into this lately, and here's where I'm at:

The approach I'm thinking of would allow you to point at a folder where your canned cycles are located. This could be changed on the setup dialog. This also include settings to tell NCPlot which G-Codes are associated with these files.

The files would be the same as they are now, standard variable macros. I favor this approach vs. a scripting engine because the average CNC programmer is far more likely to be able to write a variable macro than a VB script (this is the part where everybody tells me otherwise).

Let me know your thoughts on this.

Scott


Is this approach going to allow me to enable NC Plot to recognize machine specific canned cycles (G codes) and make NC Plot backplot my newly described canned cycle properly ?

Perhaps I should post some of the specific G code canned cycles (like for a Bridgeport DX-32) and what the variables do ?

Bridgeport does a lot of weird stuff with the DX/32... for instance many Z variables in canned cycles are entered in positive numbers even though they cause the tool to go negative into the part.

jon

Is this approach going to allow me to enable NC Plot to recognize machine specific canned cycles (G codes) and make NC Plot backplot my newly described canned cycle properly ?

Perhaps I should post some of the specific G code canned cycles (like for a Bridgeport DX-32) and what the variables do ?

Bridgeport does a lot of weird stuff with the DX/32... for instance many Z variables in canned cycles are entered in positive numbers even though they cause the tool to go negative into the part.

jon

Jon,

This approach will enable me to have a different set of canned cycles for each machine configuration. Each canned cycle can be written to do anything a variable macro can do. Which is just about anything, even reverse Z direction. Posting some examples of what you are after would be very helpful.

Regards,
Scott

Scott,

I just noticed the Selected Entity Info display shows X values. This is actually the radius value when using lathe diameter programming. No big deal.

A handy feature in a backplotter I use is to be able to change the number of steps that are run each time the step forward (or backward) button is pressed. Default is one step, but can be changed.

I have to put in my vote for a MDI interface. I know it's major surgery, but it allows me to take advantage of dual monitors.

Allowing multiple instances of NCplot will make copy/paste and comparison between programs a lot easier.

Bill

Scott,

Sounds good to me. I will post some Bridgeport DX/32 canned cycle info shortly. Was wondering if you have any interest in using a solid modeling component in NC Plot as someone raised this issue in alt.machines.cnc in regards to what they need ? I believe a component is available from MachineWorks which allows VB to be used to hook into the object as I once discussed this with Don Ball who is the owner of Rapid Output creators of G-Zero.

www.g-zero.com

I believe it's the old NC Verify component and I would venture a guess that it can be had at a very reasonable price.

I will try and hit your website tomorrow and contribute $100 as my way of saying thank you for doing all you have done. Hopefully you take Visa. The $100 is a gift with nothing expected. It is based on what you have already done for which I am very grateful.

jon

I just noticed the Selected Entity Info display shows X values. This is actually the radius value when using lathe diameter programming. No big deal.

A handy feature in a backplotter I use is to be able to change the number of steps that are run each time the step forward (or backward) button is pressed. Default is one step, but can be changed.

These two items are no problem.

I have to put in my vote for a MDI interface. I know it's major surgery, but it allows me to take advantage of dual monitors.

Allowing multiple instances of NCplot will make copy/paste and comparison between programs a lot easier.

I will see what needs to be done to do this, but I can't make any promises. At least not for version 2. You probably know this, but I'll elaborate anyway. MDI and multiple instances are actually two different things. Adobe Acrobat is a good example of an MDI application. If Adobe has a PDF open and you go to open another, it opens in the same _instance_ . This type of application usually has a Window menu where you can display the open documents in different ways. I had mentioned allowing multiple instances of NCPlot, this would mean you would actually get another copy of it running for every program you had open.

Regards,
Scott

Scott,

Sounds good to me. I will post some Bridgeport DX/32 canned cycle info shortly. Was wondering if you have any interest in using a solid modeling component in NC Plot as someone raised this issue in alt.machines.cnc in regards to what they need ? I believe a component is available from MachineWorks which allows VB to be used to hook into the object as I once discussed this with Don Ball who is the owner of Rapid Output creators of G-Zero.

www.g-zero.com

I believe it's the old NC Verify component and I would venture a guess that it can be had at a very reasonable price.

I will try and hit your website tomorrow and contribute $100 as my way of saying thank you for doing all you have done. Hopefully you take Visa. The $100 is a gift with nothing expected. It is based on what you have already done for which I am very grateful.

jon

Jon,

I'll be glad to look at this component for version 3, but version 2 will have to be wireframe only. I really want to keep the cost down for V2.

Thank you very much for contributing. I'll be more than happy to give you a key in return, though.

Scott

Do you know were can I get macgen?
Thanks.