Inkscape is an Open Source vector graphics editor, with capabilities similar to Illustrator, CorelDraw, or Xara X, using the W3C standard Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) file format.
New plug-in converts path's from Inkscape to Gcode. Major feature of plug-in is using biarc interpolation of Bezier curves instead of straight line interpolation (see examples).
This means that:
- you will have smooth objects with out rebuilding the path
- resulting Gcode will be much more shorter
- you will save machine time
- you will save you machine
Plug-in provides a lot of additional functions:
- Area processing ("Pocketing")
- Scaling and offsetting
- Multi-pass cutting
- Personal headers and footers for resulting Gcode files
- ...
Gcode tools plug-in if freely available for download here:
- for English users: http://www.cnc-club.ru/forum/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=35
- for Russian users: http://www.cnc-club.ru/forum/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=34
Any feedback is appreciated!
Inkscape is a crossplatform software, here are available versions for Windows, MacOS, Linux, source codes. Inkscape is included in official repositories of Ubuntu, Debian, Puppy and others.
Tested on:
- Linux
- inkscape 0.46 / Ubuntu 9.04
- inkscape-devel 0.46 / Ubuntu 9.04
- inkscape 0.47 / Ubuntu 9.04
- inkscape 0.46 / Ubuntu 8.10
- Windows
- inkscape 0.47 / Windows XP
- inkscape 0.47 / Windows 7
Sorry for my English, I will appreciate any corrections .
Here are some examples: