Optimizer for PCB-Gcode

[Jay C]

I have uploaded the command line version to a file hosting site.

• Updated: 7/27/2008 10:29AM -5GMT | Added kudos to Daniel the original coder aka daKiller
• Updated: 7/26/2008 10:29pM -5GMT | Tweaked the code a bit based on what I learned from the windows code. Source file cleaned up.

You can get the source and executable here. All future update will be at this file host site. Look for new links as old versions may be deleted.

Jay

PS: PCB-Gcode is now located at www.pcbgcode.org

[Jay C]

Added code to allow for input files with no spacing between G code and coordinate pair.

Not sure how I want to approach the drill files yet so that is not included in this release.

Jay

[ringram2077]

Hi Jay C

Could be something I am doing wrong but after optimizing a board nc file it would no longer show up graphically in NCPLOT. The file loads but nothing shows in the window (traces). I am running the windows version and have not tried the command line version.

Richard

[Jay C]

Richard, would you mind posting your before and after files here, or else PM me so I can give you my email address.

[ringram2077]

I have attached the zip for the two files.

Richard

[Jay C]

Ok, I d/l'd NCPLot (I usually use Mach as my previewer) and can duplicate the same issue, but can't figure out what it doesn't like. Still looking. OTH, Mach and CAMBAM like it just fine so you should be good to go when you are ready to cut it.

Now what is really strange is that if you copy and paste the test of the OPT file into NC ... it works ... hmmm

Jay

[dakiller322]

I've had issues where you don't have a blank line at the end of the file it doesn't like it, I have the same problem with 'Image to G-code' viewer on my windows machine

[Jay C]

That's weird too. Since the code doesn't modify the contents of the paths, it just rearranges them. However, it doest tough the header, the first path, or the last path in the file so the extra line, if it's preset, will be in the same location. I confirmed this by looking at the HEX of both files side by side.

Jay

[Jay C]

Update: Some users were experiencing "strange" behavior with the output file format in some programs. The issue was tracked to missing carriage returns. I have fixed this in release 1.1 and uploaded the code to the repository link above. This issue only affected the GUI version.

note: This thread was meant for the command line version

Jay

[Greolt]

Jay

I am using what I think is the latest version and am getting an error.

Unoptimised file loads fine in Mach and NCplot but once optimised there is a carriage return that is incorrect.

This is so in Mach and NCplot. Here is a cut and paste of the intro. See unwanted return on third line,



( This gcode generated by C:/Program Files/EAGLE-5.2.0/ulp/pcb-gcode.ulp )
( Copyright 2005 by John Johnson. See readme.txt for licensing terms. )

( This file generated from the board E:/My Documents/Downloads/Eagll/MYcontrolle
r-rev2.brd )
( This file generated 28/08/2008 4:32:21 PM )


Thanks for your efforts, Greg

[Jay C]

Greg, can you verify if you are using the GUI or command line version. I think I know the issue, but I don't have the code at work with me and the file site I'm using is blocked by the FW so it'll be tonight before I can look at it.

[Greolt]

Sorry Jay we are on different sides of the planet. Time zones and all.

I have only used the GUI version.

Can I say maybe more descriptive labelling on the download site would be good. I was thinking "which one do I get? what are the other files for? "

Thanks, Greg