Anyone Know Of A Freeware G Code Viewer?

[ljoe1969]

Hi.

I was wondering if anyone knows of a decent g-code/ toolpath viewer? I would like to view the files i make before i cut them just to see if all is ok.

i tried qviewer and it doesnt do arcs well.

http://www.gsktechnologies.com/En/qv...er_autocad.htm

i use ace converter to make my g-codes.


thanks.

[Rekd]

Try EZDNC. It's a shareware that you can't save files with, but the backplotter works real nice.

'Rekd

[mrainey]

Also look at Discriminator. It's a text editor with a really nice 2D backplotter - all I've used for my own programming for several years now. The author says the free demo doesn't time out, and that none of the key features are disabled.


http://www.cncedit.com/SetupFiles.zip

[kong]

I am using cnc simulator by Microtech. It is free, all that they ask is you go back to the site every three months to get a free "petrol" token, so you can use the sim for another 3 months. Works great, but I am doing mostly 2d work at the mo, so unsure of it;s 3d capability.

[mrainey]

Wow, kong, that program looks interesting! I'll read the docs and play with it some. Thanks.


Mike

[mrainey]

The MicroTech CNC Simulator appears to have lots of capabilities. One major negative - the program crashed and when I tried to rerun it, threw up this dialog. Gonna be hard to get much practice in like this.

[Rekd]

Look for a file in that directory with a creation date of when you ran it. There's likely a temp file that specifies if it's running, which didn't get deleted when the app crashed. (It may also be a reg entry, in which case it will be much harder to find.)

LoL, 4 hours??

'Rekd

[Rekd]

BTW, you'd think they'd proof read their messages before release..

'Rekd

[mrainey]

What you suggested was my first thought as well. I did find such a file, and deleted it. The program threw up a dialog saying the file was missing, recreated it in front of my eyes, then displayed the four-hour-dialog again.

A shame, because the program really does look interesting, in terms of a lot of capabilities at no cost. Won't impress the big-time CAM users, but for the rest of us it's a deal.

[mrainey]

Setting the clock ahead four hours fooled it.

[mrainey]

Crashed four times in an hour. Maybe it doesn't like XP? Will try it at work tomorrow on NT.

[balsaman]

I have heard of this error before in this simulator. I THINK this is the NAG screen made by the author to make you want to pay for it...??? Someone should email the author about it. It's a wierd nag don't ya think?

Eric