NCPlot in October ShopTalk Magazine

[MetLHead]

Peter Smid writes a monthly column for ShopTalk magazine, and the topic of the October issue is none other than NCPlot:

http://www.shoptalkmag.com/index.cfm...aytype=current

Scott

[pointcloud]

Scott,

I got the software and I think its great.. I have used it a lot in the last few days.
How can you stop the plot or jump to end?

Thanks,
M

[MetLHead]

Thanks,

There are two main controls for plotting, the plot toolbar (the one with the blue buttons) and the viewport slider (at the bottom of the graphics window). The slider lets you quickly advance the plot to any point in the program. The toolbar buttons lets you do things like animate the plot or single step it forward and backward.

Scott

[pointcloud]

Ok.. I get it now.. You need to PAUSE then use the slider bar.. I did not realize that was a slider for the pause-play buttons, I thought it was a window slider.

I was looking at the color changes, I made some but when I load a program the colors do not change?
How does this feature work? I like to see colors like Red for Z-, F in green, G00 in orange and so on. It makes it easy to scan after loading in the machine.. Bobcad/cam posts in color and my machine recognizes the color. BCC can verify and so can Rhinocam BUT they are VERY slow compaired to NCplot, because NCplot does not use as much graphics..

So please fill me in on how to make those changes.. Thanks.

Marc

[MetLHead]

Marc,

The graphics colors can be changed on the machine configuration setup. Click the menu "Setup", then click "Machine Configuration". This opens the machine configuration dialog. Then click the "Viewport Colors" tab. This tab contains all the graphics color settings. Be sure to save the configuration after making changes.

There are actually two ways NCPlot will color the graphics. The first one, which is the default, colors based on the type of motion. Which means G00 moves have a color, G01 moves have a color, etc. The second method will color based on the active tool. Every time a tool change is encountered in the program, the graphics will change color. This lets you quickly see which areas of the part are being cut by any of the tools.

Scott

[pointcloud]

Ok.. so you are saying that this function only changes the graphics color (toolpath) not the text in the post..

Is there a way for me to change the text colors?

[MetLHead]

Marc,

To change the text colors click the menu "Setup" then click "Address Colors". A dialog will appear that lists the letters and their colors. Double-click the color boxes to change the colors. To apply the colors, click the menu "Edit" then click "Colorize". You don't need to close the address color dialog before colorizing. Also, the color settings are automatically saved, you don't need to do anything to save them.

Scott

[pointcloud]

That's the Shi?>?>?>?>?> I got it... I have been going back and fourth so I can get this worked out..
Where are you located?

[MetLHead]

Marc,

I'm right here in front of the computer, where else?

Oh, you mean where in the USA? We're in west Michigan, right near the big lake.

Scott

[pointcloud]

I was just wondering.. It was pretty early for most people in the US when we started talking... Most peps are in the bed being LAZY... I like my worms FREASH, so I am an early bird too.. Me, I'm in GA...

I love the program and I am trying to make Rhinocam use it instead of x-pert cnc, or mcu.. I have almost figured it out, but if you can help I would greatly appreiciate it.... I have specified the path but it will not open the posted text, just the program (ncplot). It was configured to open mcu3 with the text. Now I have it opening the ncplot, but no text...

Thanks.
M

[Karl_T]

Originally Posted by MetLHead Marc, I'm right here in front of the computer, where else? Oh, you mean where in the USA? We're in west Michigan, right near the big lake. Scott

Ah, that makes you a U-per and you're near Lake Superior. God's country. Or, are you ignoring the best part of Michigan?

BTW, I've never seen such quality support in any other product. Thanks a lot,Scott.

Karl

[pointcloud]

Karl,