[MetLHead]

NC Plot v2 Beta 7 is now available for download.

available at:
http://home.wmis.net/~smartinz/softw...2/ncplotv2.htm

New for Beta 7:
Many improvements to the UI:
Toolbars have a new look and can now be rearranged. I plan to add more toolbars as well as the option to turn them on/off.
You can now change the font setting for the edit window. This is located under the Edit menu.
The viewport mouse operation has been changed:
2D views: Right mouse button pans the viewport.
Mouse wheel zooms in/out.
ISO view: Right mouse button rotates the viewport.
Shift + Right mouse button pans the viewport.
Mouse wheel zooms in/out.

Object highlighting now displays the object properties in the status bar. For line segments this is start point, end point and length. For arcs this is start point, end point, center point and radius. The toolbar button for it has been temporarily removed, but you can still activate it through the Tools menu.

The DXF file importer has been improved. I've added a setting for a Z axis approach plane. This plane allows you to rapid the Z back down from the retract height. I've also modified the DXF settings dialog. The G-Code generator now creates code for each layer in sequence. The layer sequence can be changed on the settings dialog.

The Replace All button of the Find dialog now works the way it should - fast.

G12/G13 was not hooked up. This is now fixed.

Regards,
Scott

[jonbanquer]

Scott,

Still no way to step backwards through the code just forward.

I would like to be able to just close a file.... File / Close.

The following file displays perfectly in Discriminator (www.cncedit.com) except for G13 which Discriminator does not support. It does not display even close to properly in NC Plot. Please try it for yourself. The warning for start radius and end radius not being the same is annoying. How do you turn it off ?

O3333(42-2456.B)
(X0Y0 IS BACK RIGHT)
(Z0 IS TOP OF PART)
(T1 = 3 DIA SHELL MILL)
(T3 = 1/4 DIA NC SPOTTING DRILL CARB)
(T7 = 3/8 DIA END MILL CARB)
N101 (3 DIA SHELL MILL)
G80G90G40G49G17G0Z0
T1 M6
G0G55X3.0Y-1.3175S2000M3T7
G43Z.1H1M8
G1Z-.005F25.0
G1X-18.5
Z0
X3.0
G0Z.1 M9
G49Z0M5
M1
N102 (T7 = 3/8 DIA END MILL CARB)
G80G90G40G49G17G0Z0
T7 M6
G0G55X-1.51Y-.375S4000M3T3
G43Z.1H7M8
G1Z-.330F8.0
G13D27I.125L2
G0G40Z.1
X-6.01
G1Z-.330F8.0
G13D27I.125L2
G0G40Z.1
X-10.51
G1Z-.330F8.0
G13D27I.125L2
G0G40Z.1
X-15.01
G1Z-.330F8.0
G13D27I.125L2
G0G40Z.1 M9
G49Z0M5
M1
N103 (1/4 DIA NC SPOTTING DRILL)
G80G90G40G49G17G0Z0
T3M6
G0G55X-510Y-2.36S7000M3T1
G43Z.1H3M8
G1Z-.065F5.0
Y-2.39
G0Z.1
X-1.51Y-2.36
G1Z-.065F5.0
Y-2.39
G0Z.1
X-2.510Y-2.36
G1Z-.065F5.0
Y-2.39
G0Z.1
X-3.510Y-2.360
G1Z-.065F5.0
Y-2.39
G0Z.1
X-4.510Y-2.360
G1Z-.065F5.0
Y-2.39
G0Z.1
X-5.510Y-2.360
G1Z-.065F5.0
Y-2.39
G0Z.1
X-6.510Y-2.360
G1Z-.065F5.0
Y-2.39
G0Z.1
X-7.510Y-2.360
G1Z-.065F5.0
Y-2.39
G0Z.1
X-8.510Y-2.360
G1Z-.065F5.0
Y-2.39
G0Z.1
X-9.510Y-2.360
G1Z-.065F5.0
Y-2.39
G0Z.1
X-10.510Y-2.360
G1Z-.065F5.0
Y-2.39
G0Z.1
X-11.510Y-2.360
G1Z-.065F5.0
Y-2.39
G0Z.1
X-12.510Y-2.360
G1Z-.065F5.0
Y-2.39
G0Z.1
X-13.510Y-2.360
G1Z-.065F5.0
Y-2.39
G0Z.1
X-14.510Y-2.360
G1Z-.065F5.0
Y-2.39
G0Z.1
X-15.510Y-2.360
G1Z-.065F5.0
Y-2.39
G0Z.1
X-1.51Y-.375
G1Z-.380F50.
G13D22I.092F12.
G0G40Z.1
G1Z-.050F50.
G13D22I.265
G0G40Z.1
X-6.01
G1Z-.380F50.
G13D22I.092F12.
G0G40Z.1
G1Z-.050F50.
G13D22I.265
G0G40Z.1
X-10.51
G1Z-.380F50.
G13D22I.092F12.
G0G40Z.1
G1Z-.050F50.
G13D22I.265
G0G40Z.1
X-15.01
G1Z-.380F50.
G13D22I.092F12.
G0G40Z.1
G1Z-.050F50.
G13D22I.265
G0G40Z.1
X0.250 Y.250
G1 Z-0.05F35.0
X0.05 Y-0.01
Y-2.46
G2 X-0.01 Y-2.52 R0.06
G1 X-16.01
G2 X-16.07 Y-2.46 R0.06
G1 Y-0.01
G2 X-16.01 Y0.05 R0.06
G1 X-0.01
G2 X0.05 Y-0.01 R0.06
G1X0.250 Y.250
G0Z1.0M9
G49Z0M5
M30

I tried using NC Plot at work today and very quickly had to go back to Discriminator.

jon

[MetLHead]

Jon,

I'm not sure what you mean by 'not even close to properly'. I tried your program here and here's what I got:


Your program has a typo that Discriminator seems to ignore:
G0G55X-510Y-2.36S7000M3T1
This block does not have a decimal point in the X axis endpoint.

This is what I get in Discriminator:


If this is different from what you see, post a screenshot of it. As far as closing a file, this is exactly what File / New does.

I know that the backplotter needs some work, this is what I'm working on for the next beta. Don't give up on me yet!

Thanks,
Scott

[jonbanquer]

Scott,

I use UltraEdit. File close is a nice touch. If you are not familiar with this first rate text editor you might want to check it out. Note how much smaller the icons are in UltraEdit than in NC Plot.

G13 is not being displayed properly... take a look at my G code.

My G code opens centered perfectly in NC Discriminator. Notice how it does not do this in NC Plot and needs to be zoomed... 2X on my notebook !

Compare the speed difference of stepping forward (just hit the "s" key) in NC Discriminator vs NC Plot. BTW, I greatly prefer hitting one key rather than two keys which limits my productivity.

I'm not giving up but in my opinion the focus should be more on the robust backplotting than on the UI at this time.

IMO, a radical speed bump in backplotting, being able to backstep, a tool definition library (database) and a machine definition library (database) should all come before the UI.

Perhaps use MS Access for the machine and tool database like many CAD/CAM developers do (SURFCAM, CAMWorks, Predator Editor, etc.)

http://www.predator-software.com/editor.htm

"Predator Editor CNC Templates add intelligence by remembering all the CNC control details. Includes a library of 20 sample CNC templates. Each CNC template is completely configurable"

Probably also a good time to think hard about the possible benefits of implementing the Sax Basic Scripting engine.

jon

[MetLHead]

Jon,

I've made some changes I'd like you to try. Download this file and copy it over the existing NCPlot.exe:

http://home.wmis.net/~smartinz/softw...tv2/update.zip

The changes are to the plot controls. All of the plot controls now work, including step forward / step backward. Click the viewport then press the "S" or "B" keys to step the program. Play around with it and see what you think.

You'll also notice that drawing is MUCH faster. The only downside to this is that the viewport will need to be refreshed after making edits to the program. To do this, press the Plot toolbar button or use the menu Draw / Plot.

Thanks,
Scott

[jonbanquer]

The S and B keys are very, very helpful. Thank you. I also notice a very significant speed increase. Steping is still to slow, though. (G13) and Zoom Extents does not work like I think it should on this file. IMO, your headed in the right direction now. I can live with refreshing the view port.

Lets keep moving in the right direction, Scott.

jon

[jonbanquer]

Scott,

I would like this file to open focused large so I don't have to use Zoom Window.

(G55 X0Y0 IS BACK LEFT)
N101(.109 DIA ENDMILL)
G80G90G40G49G0G17Z0
T6M6
G0G54X-1.120Y-.235S4250M3T3
G43Z.1H6M8
G1Z-0.0F5.0
Y-.265Z-.05
Y-.235
Y-.265Z-.1
Y-.235
Y-.265Z-.150
Y-.235
Y-.265Z-.200
Y-.235
G41D26X-1.1285
Y-.265
G3X-1.1115 R.0085
G1Y-.235
G3X-1.1285 R.0085
G1Y-.265
G3X-1.1115R.0085
G1Y-.235
G3X-1.1285R.0085
G1X-1.120
G0G40Z.1
M9
G49Z0M5
M1
N102(.250 DIA SPOT )
G80G90G40G49G0G17Z0
T3M6
G0G54X-1.120Y-.235S4500M3T6
G43Z.1H3M8
G1Z-.065F3.5
Y-.265
G0G40Z.1
M9
G49Z0M5
G53Y0
M30


Also:

In the text editor window please enable right clicking so I can :

Select All

Copy

Paste

Find

Replace

Etc. etc.

jon

[MetLHead]

Jon,

Could you post a picture of what the G13 backplot should look like? The one that you see now is based on a Mitsubishi control. If you show me what you need, I can customize it for your control.

Also, check out the latest beta. I added the right-click menu and I think I fixed your zoom problem.

You said you think that stepping is still too slow... I don't know what you mean by this. Stepping is only as fast as you hit the step forward or backward keys.

Thanks,
Scott