DIY CNC G-Code Plotter (VB.NET 2005)

[Switcher]

First, the code in the link, is not mine (I just found the cool link).

The link takes you to the "CodeProject" site, shows you how to build your own g-code plotter, in VB.Net 2005 (Free from MS).

The source may not be complete, for all your needs, but I'm sure the coder did at least 75% of the work already.

This is by far the best in vb.net 2005 that I've found.

http://www.codeproject.com/vb/net/CNC_Viewer.asp

I added a couple of basic things to the code that I downloaded, like a button for auto plot (similar to NcPlot), & RTB for the g-code.

This code is great for learning.





Screenshot:

[GaryM]

Thanks Switcher, I just downloaded that viewer. That is cool! I'm going to check this out.

Gary

[Switcher]

The program is nice, kinda like ncplot, only we can change anything we want!

If you do anything cool, with the code, post the exec.

I added a timer/button for the viewer like the latest ncplot has. I'll post it soon.

This would make a great start for an open source plotter.




.

[Switcher]

This is a free g-code plotter.

Update:

This plotter is far from done, anyone that wants to modify the program is welcome to, just follw the link in post #1.



.

[dertsap]

neat program
how does a guy go about modifying or even creating a program like this ,it always blows me away when i see some of the programs that guys whip up and post here , i d like to do this type of stuff but i ve got no idea where to start , is it as difficult as it looks

[Switcher]

Originally Posted by dertsap neat program how does a guy go about modifying or even creating a program like this ,it always blows me away when i see some of the programs that guys whip up and post here , i d like to do this type of stuff but i ve got no idea where to start , is it as difficult as it looks

Hey,dertsap

Learning to program is kinda like writing your first g-code program for cnc, It'll put a smile on your face when it actually works like you want it to, or have you swearing at your pc monitor (like it stole your wallet!).

Anyway, it's still a lot of fun.

1) To start, you need to decide what language to use, I use "Visual Basic Express .Net 2005" it's free from Microsoft (ever heard that before in the same sentence?).

2) Get all the help you can for free, it really helps to have DSL internet service, the "Visual Basic Express .Net 2005" is a large download, MS now has video that will take you thru building your first program, & I'll tell you video beats any book!
You can find tons of websites on www.google.com that other programmers have posted free code samples, this is how I started (again working code samples are better than any book).

So to start, this is what you'll need:

1) A PC running "Windows XP" (I don't know about Vista)

2) Download "Visual Basic Express .Net 2005" http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/express/vb/

3) Look at the "Learning Tracks" (option) for VB.Net (Visual Basic .Net 2005) http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/ex.../learningpath/




.

[Switcher]

On the "Learning Tracks" http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/ex.../learningpath/ I would only start with "Tier1 & 2", & anything that says "C#" just skip over, to much stuff will make things complicated to start out.



.

[Switcher]

A couple of good sites for VB.Net

1) http://www.planetsourcecode.com/vb/d....asp?lngWId=10 (scroll to the bottom of the page)

2) www.codeproject.com/vb/net (slow, but good content)



.

[dertsap]

thanks Switcher ,much appreciated

this looks like it s going to be interesting , i followed the first lesson on windows apps and now ive got a button that has a message pop up , it seems fairly straight forward at this point of time ,i'm sure the confusion will start to set in as i get deeper into this stuff ,
i think this is going to be some fun ,and some heavy learning to accomplish the types of programs i would like to create

[dandumit]

It's indeed very interesting. I have seen it a while ago and at that time the author has developed his own version. I have seen that now it's available the C# source code too.

[crob09]

Hi,

I built a machine with the intent of controlling it using the phidgets 4-motor controller, the problem is I don't know VB.NET and need to make stepper motor "0" the "X" axis and stepper motor "1" the "Y" axis.

SO I suppose my question is how do I define each stepper a Axis? I only need two.

[Mike O]

I'm sure this thread has everyone over at NCPlot sweating bullets.

I'm all for 'open source' code. Its great if you want to take someones work and change it to fit your needs. It is also a good way to get software for ZERO cost. Open Office has cost Micro$oft millions in sales. This is good for the software users but very very bad for the software industry.
Imagine if you will, there is a OPEN MACHINE SHOP where anyone can get machine work done for free. Get my point now? Where would the incentives be for you or anyone in the machining industry to improve their methods and spend the hundreds of thousands on machine tools? (or hire software engineers) Why would anyone pay you to do the work if they can get it done for free?
Anyone that has read or posted in this thread that understands programming in .NET, C++, Java, PHP or any language also understands that its a lot of work! I do it because its fun for the same reason I make parts. I enjoy the work but, none the less, it IS work.

With that said...
If you want to buy a fully functional back plotting app instead of hacking existing code or using partially functioning code, I have a very nice .net app for plotting G-Code called CodeChop.
It does everything a CNC editor needs to do.
Number Removal and renumbering lines with 0 padding if needed.
Find / Replace.
Expansion and compression of the text so its easier to read.
Undockable edit window.
Independent zoom window. Great for multiple monitor setups.
It also understands Sub Program calls.
It includes a RS232 com app. This Com Panel app searches for all com ports you have. It doesn't assume you only have com1 to com4. It can find any com port up to com255. It will save as many port configurations as you have hard drive space. Com Panel is FREE with the demo. You can run as many instances as you have com ports. It can be used with DNC but doesn't have all the features of a well written DNC app.
There is also a point/arc filter included. This works well when there are no conjoined arcs. If there is, you must be careful with using it as the tangential connection where the arcs meet can throw the filtering algorithm for a loop and cause under/over shoot.

What sets my app apart form most of the other back plotting programs is, It uses OpenGL for the graphics. It parses the G-code and converts it all in to code that OpenGL can plot. This allows to freely spin, pan and zoom the plot window in real time. If you modify the G-Code, you have to click the update button so the changes in the g-code are re-parsed.
You can center mouse button click on the path and it will take you to that line of g-code that makes that move. This also works in reverse.
There are a number of lockable buttons on the top menu bar such as, Auto centering the window on the selected line. This is very handy when single stepping the program.
Lighting levels can be changed as well as the STL's color.


Here's a couple of thumbnail images. Click to enlarge to actual size.


There is a demo version to try out, just go Here and download it.

As you can see in the above image, It can import ASCII and Binary STL files.

There is more info about CodeChop Here.
CodeChop may not run on all versions of OpenGL. It works great up to 3.1 but be cause of the use of gllist, may not function on the new 4.0 version of opengl. Try out the demo before buying to make sure it will do the job for you. (for some unknown reason, gllist has been deprecated in the last version of OpenGL and even some vendor versions of 3.1 There are no issues with nVidia 9800 and earlier cards)
I'm after constant improvement in CodeChop and would appreciate any input. You can post any ideas at the support forums.

Thanks for reading....
--Mike