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GRBL-Plotter

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A GCode sender for GRBL under windows, using DotNET 4.0 (should also work with Windows XP)
Written in C# VisualStudio 2022.
For use under Linux check this description by metzger100: GRBL-Plotter-Linux

If you like GRBL-Plotter, show it to me with a small donation :-)

Check History

Check the Wiki for further information

Program is free and you can use it at your own risk,<br>as you understand there is no warranty of any kind.

Zip folder contains application files as generated by VisualStudio: GRBL-Plotter/bin/release.

GRBL-Plotter Vers. 1.7.4.0 2024-08-18

Requirements for compiling

• VisualStudio 2022
• DotNET 4.0

Feature list:

Import/Export:

• Several options to translate Pen Up/Down
  • controlling a Z axis
  • controlling a RC-Servo
  • controlling a laser
  • user defined commands
  • Create GCode absolute or relative (for further use as subroutine)
• Ruler and import units can be switched between mm or inch
• GCode import via file load, drag & drop or copy & paste
  • Loading GCode with optional replacement of M3 / M4 commands (helpful for 'Laser Mode' $32=1)
• SVG graphics import via file load, drag & drop (also URL) or copy & paste - tested with Inkscape generated SVGs
  • optional resize to fixed size
  • optional output of nodes only (generating drill holes for string art Video 'String Art' )
  • optional sorting of paths by used color
  • optional tool change
  • if text needs to be imported, convert text into path first
• DXF graphics import via file load, drag & drop (also URL) - tested with LibreCAD generated DXFs
  • few entities are missing
• Drag tool compensation
• HPGL graphics import via file load, drag & drop
• Drill file import via file load, drag & drop
• Gerber file import (rough implementation) via file load, drag & drop
• CSV file import via file load, drag & drop
• Image import via file load or drag & drop
• GCode can be edited and saved
• Recent File List (Files and URLs)
• Export / import machine specific settings (Joystick, Buttons)

GCode creation:

• Create Text from hershey or windows system font
  • own created 'Dot Matrix' font Video 'Dot Matrix'
• Create simple shapes
• Create Barcode and QR-Code
• Create GCode via tool extensions

Import options:

• Process pen-width as Z-depth
• Process circle radius as dot (optional with Z-depth)
• Modify paths for drag knife
• Add angle information for tangential axis
• Add hatch fill to closed paths
• Repeat closed path for a small distance (for laser cutter)
• Group code by graphic-properties: layers, colors, pen-widths
• Tile the graphic

GCode manipulation:

• Transformation of GCodes (scale, rotation, mirror, zero-Offset)
  any A,B,C,U,V,W commands will stay in place.

• Transformation via camera teaching

• Axis Substitution for Rotary Axis

• Radius compensation

• Convert to polar coordinates (X=radius, Y=angle)

Machine control:

• Height map, auto leveling
• Probing dialog
• Individual commands via user defined Buttons
• Joystick like control in user interface
• support of no-name USB GamePad / Joystick
• Optional usage of a WebCam with separate coordinate system: graphics overlay of the current GCode, set zero point, measure angle, zoom, teaching
  • Shape recognition for easier teach-point (fiducial) assignment
  • Transforming GCode with camera aid, to match drill file with PCB view Wiki 'PCB drilling'

Flow control:

• Supporting subroutines M98, M99 Sub-Program Call (P, L)
• Internal variable to support probing, e.g.:
  • G38.3 Z-50 (probe toward tool length sensor, stop on contact - because of deceleration stop-pos. is not trigger-pos.)
  • G43.1 Z@PRBZ (Offset Tool with value stored on trigger of sensor switch)
  • examine SerialForm.cs for implementation
• Progress notification via email or pushbullet

GRBL:

• Automatic reconnect on program start

• Supporting GRBL 1.1 (and 0.9 also)

• Check for 30 kHz max. step-pin frequency

• Supporting new GRBL 1.1 features

  • Jogging
  • Feed rate override
  • Spindle speed override
  • real time display GRBL states (in COM CNC window)

• Check limits of GRBL setup - max. STEP frequency and min. FEED rate in COM CNC window

• Controlling a 2nd GRBL-Hardware

• Supports 4th axis (A, B, C, U, V or W). Status and control (special GRBL version needed)

My test bed

On my german homepage: my XYZ platform

GRBL-Plotter in tool change action

Screenshots

Main GUI

Separate serial COM window(s) - one for the CNC, one for the tool changer (or 4th axis)

Setup import / GCode conversion
Setup import / GCode conversion
Setup import / GCode conversion
Setup import / GCode conversion

Setup main tool table

Setup tool change configuration

Setup flow control configuration

Setup program control configuration

Setup user defined buttons

Setup GamePad

Setup virtual Joystick

Setup Hot-Keys

Setup shape recogniton for fiducial camera

Text import

Picture import

Different scaling options

Feed rate overrid for Version 0.9 and 1.1