Stick Font to GCode Converter

[MetLHead]

Who would like to try out this program for me? I just finished with it, and would be grateful if some of you could try it out before I put up a page for it on NCPlot.com.

This program creates G-Code from text using a single-stroke font. There are options for size, location, angle plus the G-Code settings. There is only one font file, but more can be added later. The font file is in ASCII format that's easy to understand, so if you want to, you can create your own fonts.

The link to the download is:
www.ncplot.com/stickfont/Setup_StickFont_v1.exe

By the way, this will be freeware.

Thanks,
Scott

[tobyaxis]

I used NCPlot Bata 22 and BobCadCam V20.7 to verify text height, Angle, and Position. Every thing looks great. It works as far as I can see. Three different text Hieghts 1/32, 1/4, and 1". Angles 1, 5 ,45 degrees. Capital and Lower Case.

Is there anything specific you would like me to try?

[MetLHead]

I just wanted to know that everything worked in general. Starting from the installation on through to saving the G-Code. I did find one thing - the "Exit" menu doesn't work, but that's easily fixed. Let me know if you find anything else.

Thanks,
Scott

[Switcher]

Scott,

Nice program!

You might want to add a G90 at the the start of the g-code, and maybe a return path "X0.0 Y0.0" Home, and a M30 to finish it out.

Everything else worked good.

Jerry

[MetLHead]

Thanks Jerry,

It outputs the program in absolute, so the G90 is a good idea. Everything else is kinda dependant on what you are using for a machine controller, so I left the G-Code program "unfinished" on purpose. I could add a header and footer to the program that you could edit to work with any particular machine. Would that work?

Thanks,
Scott

[Switcher]

Scott,

I could add a header and footer to the program that you could edit to work with any particular machine

I agree, I think that would work.

Just curious, what do you program with, C++?

Jerry

[MetLHead]

Jerry,
This program was written in Visual Basic 6.

Scott

[lakeside]

you may want to add a % sign in for first and last line most controler need this

[MetLHead]

Originally Posted by lakeside you may want to add a % sign in for first and last line most controler need this

Yep, this would also be covered by adding customizable header and footer text (see above post).

Thanks,
Scott

[MetLHead]

Well, StickFont has been updated and moved to it's new home. There is also a new page for it that can be accessed from the NCPlot main page. The new link is:

www.ncplot.com/stickfont/Setup_StickFont_v1.exe

There are a few changes from the version I posted yesterday:

I added settings for header and footer text. The header text is output before the G-Code and the footer is output after.

The mouse wheel now works for zooming in and out.

I fixed the Exit menu.

Let me know if you have any problems with it.

Thanks,
Scott

[Kiwi]

Nice utility, worked well, just a couple of points.....
When I enter text for header.eg 'TEST1' the G code adds the first block to this.
eg. TEST1G00Z0.0
Also my preference for code is to have a space between the G,X,Y etc., I find easier to read.

[MetLHead]

Originally Posted by Kiwi Nice utility, worked well, just a couple of points..... When I enter text for header.eg 'TEST1' the G code adds the first block to this. eg. TEST1G00Z0.0 Also my preference for code is to have a space between the G,X,Y etc., I find easier to read.

Hi Kiwi,
For the header, the G-Code will start wherever the header text ends, so in this case just hit the <enter> key at the end of the line to bring the cursor down to the beginning of the next line.

If you need to change the formatting of the resulting G-Code, just download NCPlot it will add spaces to the program, along with lot's of other formatting tools.

Thanks,
Scott