NCPlot v2 beta 23 now available for download

[MetLHead]

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

[single phase]

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

[single phase]

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

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

[single phase]

Scott

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



Dave

[MetLHead]

Originally Posted by single phase In inch mode I use G54 offsets of -4.0 for both X and Z. 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

[single phase]

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

[MetLHead]

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

[single phase]

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

[MetLHead]

Dave,

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

Scott

[single phase]

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

[single phase]

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



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

[MetLHead]

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