NCPlot can be downloaded at:

www.ncplot.com


NCPlot v2.0 Beta 23 Release Notes
July 17, 2006

General
=======

Made some cosmetic changes to the buttons and frame borders.

Fixed a bug that was causing NCPlot to crash if you attempted to save a file that was also in use by another application.

Fixed a problem with the G28 command not recognizing the U and W addresses.

The axis lines may now be relocated from the machine zero point to any of the G54 - G59 work zero points. This may be selected from the menu Draw | Axis lines.

Added an option to allow automatic refreshing of the viewport. When enabled, changes made to the program will automatically trigger a viewport refresh. This option can be enabled on the menu Draw | Auto Refresh Viewport. There is a corresponding setting on the preferences dialog which sets the delay time between when you stop typing and when the refresh occurs. Error messages are suppressed for the auto refresh, but the plot will still stop at the offending block. So if you notice that the plot doesn't seem to be keeping up with what you are typing, refresh the viewport manually to check for errors.

The marker icon will now follow the cursor as it moves through the program, showing the endpoint that corresponds to the line the cursor is on.

Added two shortcuts for the Plot To Cursor tool. Holding the CTRL key and left-clicking the program will redraw the viewport up the line in the program that was clicked on. You can also do this with the up and down cursor keys while holding the CTRL key.

Added the ability to display system variables on the variable display window. To do this, first open the variable display window from the menu Calc | Show Variables. Then right-click the variable display list and select "Add System Variable" from the popup menu that appears. Type in the system variable number that you want to add and press <enter>. Variables that are added will remain in the list until they are removed by right-clicking them and selecting "Remove System Variable" from the popup menu.

Fixed a problem with commanding a work offset when lathe machine type is active. If a work offset G54 - G59 was commanded without an axis, an error message was displayed.


DXF Import / Export
===================

The DXF importer will now read LWPOLYLINE objects.

Fixed a problem with the sorting tool that was causing errors.


Printing
========

Points and helical arcs were not being printed, this is fixed.

Added axis lines and viewport orientation icon to the printed output.

Thanks,
Scott

Thanks for pinging me in the other thread. I was not aware you had completed release 23.

It sounds like you made lots of changes, I will download it and check it out ASAP.


Dave

In inch mode I use G54 offsets of -4.0 for both X and Z.

O1003.nc (http://www.coolfall.com/images/dpreview/O1003.nc) is my current program. Please look under tool 4, there is a G28 and then a G0Z1.0. The G28 is fine but the G0 shows a move in both Z and X.

Dave

Scott

The changes you have made are stupendous! I love it. Great work.

:banana:

Dave

In inch mode I use G54 offsets of -4.0 for both X and Z.

O1003.nc (http://www.coolfall.com/images/dpreview/O1003.nc) is my current program. Please look under tool 4, there is a G28 and then a G0Z1.0. The G28 is fine but the G0 shows a move in both Z and X.

Dave

I see what you are talking about, I'll work on fixing this.

Thanks,
Scott

As I have said in several of my previous posts in your forum, I have scoured the Internet looking for the best lathe back plotter I can find. It seams to me that everybody concentrates on the mill stuff and gives no attention to the lathe. Your NCPlot is one of the best out there for use with lathes.

However, I have not found any back-plotter that implements the standard Fanuc lathe g-code. The following g-code is what I am talking about; G40-42,G53,G70-76,G90,G92,G94,G96 and G97.

Scott, would you implement these for me if I pay you to do so? Say we just start with the 90's (G90,G92,G94,G96 and G97). I want to see each of these plot the complete set of movements. Would you give me a quote for the work? I have seen what you can do and I am willing to pay up front. I bet there are other lathe users here on the forum that have always wanted to see this capability and that would kick in for this functionality too.

If we get this complete you will have the only lathe back plotter on Earth that actually plots what the programmer needs to see. The use for a product like this in schools would be enormous.

Cheers
Dave

Thanks Dave!

I still have a few lathe items on my list, one being the selectable lathe G-Code format (see attached pic). I'll have a look at the other items you mentioned, but I'm not asking you to pay for these. This is all part of the development process. If you'd like to support NCPlot, just get everyone you know to buy a license ;)

Thanks,
Scott

That is all true and fair and I know you did not ever ask for development funds from me. But for personal reasons I am asking for you to temporarily sway your development to the lathe perspective. I will gladly pay you for that service.

Dave

Dave,

OK, I'm willing to consider this. Send me an email directly, and outline the features you would like to see.

Scott

I am able to help sell your software. I believe in it and think many people would purchase it if they knew it could completely simulate all the lathe g-codes. If you have looked around the web you know there is nothing available that can. I believe this is so because no one has taken the time to program it. It is no small undertaking and I can't foot the bill for all of it but I am willing to put in my share.


Dave

OK Scott if you will not take any money for the development that is OK by me. :cheers:



I thought I would list the G90's for my Fanuc 16 TA controller that would matter to me.
G90 OD/ID turning cycle
G92 Thread cutting cycle
G94 Facing cycle

cheers
Dave

Dave,

I appreciate the offer, I just couldn't take money for doing something I was already doing. If you still feel like giving me money though, I'd be happy to sell you licenses of NCPlot :)

Thanks,
Scott

I may do just that by purchasing licenses for my friends.

Cheers
Dave

Dave,

Do you have some programs using the G90's cycles that you could share with me?

Thanks,
Scott

There are G90 commands in the program O1003.nc. I will post some pages from my manual too.

D'oh! I knew that :rolleyes:

I already have a manual though, so I'm good there. I'm on vacation all next week, so if the weather isn't nice enough to be outside, I'll get a lot done.

Thanks,
Scott

I am on vacation next week too. I started a big tree house for the kids so I will be working on that next week if the weather is good. If not I will be machining. :bat:

Cheers
Dave

Scott,

Does NCPlot support FAGOR Controls? I don't use Fagor so I don't know. Kiwi in this forum uses Fagor.

Also I posted in BCC's Forum to ask BCC users if they would like an NCPlot Plug-In for BCC V18-V21.

So far Bata 23 is great.

http://216.117.147.20/bobcadsupport/forums/showthread.php?t=2310

BTW: I Hope the weather is nice during your vacation :cool:

Toby,

I've never run or worked on a Fagor control, so I don't know. NCPlot only supports G-Code, so if it's a conversational control, then no.

It's supposed to be hot for the next couple of days, so I'll be in the lake a lot. Hooray for air conditioning!

Scott

Fagor has to be G-Code. Kiwi is using BobCad/Cam to do his programming. On to another issue. The Bird answered my post in BCC for a possible NCPlot Plug-In. No Dice :frown: .

Here is the Thread (quoting didn't work again)

The Bird
I hate to be the bearer of bad news....but that is not possible with Version 18-21.
First, BobCAD does not support an Open API at this time(which would be required in order to be able to do plug-ins of that nature).
Second, Development on Version 21 has ceased. There will still be updates as they are necessary, but overall development on that system has been ended.


Regards

http://216.117.147.20/bobcadsupport/forums/showthread.php?t=2310

That will teach me not to get my hopes up :o

Toby,

Well, I suppose I'll have to wait until BobCAD v22 comes out. In the meantime, you can always use BobCAD and NCPlot side by side. :cheers:

Scott

Toby,

Well, I suppose I'll have to wait until BobCAD v22 comes out. In the meantime, you can always use BobCAD and NCPlot side by side. :cheers:

Scott

I have to because BCC doesn't support 4 axis and sub-programs the way I want. Unless BCC does something about this ncplot and bcc will be on all my computers. :cheers:

I am on vacation next week too. I started a big tree house for the kids so I will be working on that next week if the weather is good. If not I will be machining. :bat:

Cheers
Dave

Hi Dave, how'd the tree house go?

Just to let you know I've been working on the G90 series canned cycles and I've attached a couple of pictures of what I've got. Does it look like I'm on the right track? I should have a new beta ready pretty soon.

Thanks,
Scott

Hi Dave, how'd the tree house go?

Just to let you know I've been working on the G90 series canned cycles and I've attached a couple of pictures of what I've got. Does it look like I'm on the right track? I should have a new beta ready pretty soon.

Thanks,
Scott


I have to compliment you on your excellent work Scott. NCPlot is the first software that actually simulates Lathe Canned Cycles like G76, G90, G92, and G94. This should make a nice market for you. Great Job!!!!

BTW; Yes your on the right track. G90 is very simular too G32, G76 and G92 Threading Cycles.

:cheers:

Oh, is there an update file to download at your website or do we hve to uninstall and reinstall the new Bata 23?

Did you have a nice vacation Scott? :)

Oh, is there an update file to download at your website or do we hve to uninstall and reinstall the new Bata 23?

Did you have a nice vacation Scott? :)

The new beta has not been posted yet, I will post a new thread when it is.

Vacation was very relaxing, and of course, too short.

Thanks,
Scott

The new beta has not been posted yet, I will post a new thread when it is.

Vacation was very relaxing, and of course, too short.

Thanks,
Scott

Funny, you keep making so many improvements to your software. It's difficult to keep up and continue working on what I should be. Seems my work hours have trippled for what little work I do have. :D

Funny, you keep making so many improvements to your software. It's difficult to keep up and continue working on what I should be. Seems my work hours have trippled for what little work I do have. :D

Well, at least you have someone to blame :cheers:

I've been working at getting NCPlot finished and I'm finally getting close. Of course it will never really be done, but I'm close to releasing v2.

Thanks,
Scott

Well, at least you have someone to blame :cheers:

I've been working at getting NCPlot finished and I'm finally getting close. Of course it will never really be done, but I'm close to releasing v2.

Thanks,
Scott


I think I have asked this question before but can't find it. The Price of NCPlot v2 is the same inital $75.00 per seat right?

Thanks

Toby,

Yes, NCPlot is currently $75 per license. Just to clarify, you are getting a version 2 full license at this price. This price will be going up after release. This key can be entered into the beta versions and will keep it from expiring. For all the details, check out the ordering page on the NCPlot site.

Thanks,
Scott

Toby,

Yes, NCPlot is currently $75 per license. Just to clarify, you are getting a version 2 full license at this price. This price will be going up after release. This key can be entered into the beta versions and will keep it from expiring. For all the details, check out the ordering page on the NCPlot site.

Thanks,
Scott

Thanks Scott,

Hi Dave, how'd the tree house go?

Just to let you know I've been working on the G90 series canned cycles and I've attached a couple of pictures of what I've got. Does it look like I'm on the right track? I should have a new beta ready pretty soon.

Thanks,
Scott

Just got back from our short vacation at the shore. I see you have been busy. These plots look great! I am so excited to give the new beta a try.

This kind of functionality makes this a truly unique piece of software.
:wee:
Cheers
Dave