Machcloud file extension question

[vicrider]

Hello,

This may not be the correct forum space, but I hope someone can help me with a basic question.

When I use the Mach3 digitize wizard, it indicates the point cloud file will be saved as a Triplet .txt file.

However, the file is not saved as a .txt file, even though I selected and named the .txt at the Cycle Start. (The properties of the file are shown as simply 'file' with no extension).

When I select File/Open in MachCloud, it does not see the saved file. MachColud asks for a 'Point cloud Ascii*.txt file, which as I understand it is a readable text file.

If I open the file in WordPad and save it as a .txt file, Machcloud sees the file, but will not open it. The x, y, and z coordinates are correctly displayed in the file, but I get a 'Cloudview: An open GL error occurred : Invalid Value' error. and the application hangs up.

Does anyone know what I am doing wrong?

Thanks,

Vic

[vicrider]

Here is the .txt cloud point file I am trying to open in Machcloud. Can anyone tell me why it won't open, or if it will open on their system?

Thanks,

Vic

[stirling]

Hi Vic

If I understand your broblem correctly it's not the wizard that saves a .txt file it's the M40 in the gcode created by the wizard that opens the text file - is that your problem?

Mach has a few issues with the use of the file dialog box. Although it suggests that your file will be saved with a .txt extension, as you've found out it doesn't allways work out that way. YOU have to specifically name your file something.txt at the file "Save as" dialog.

If you forget, all is not lost, after you've finished the gcode run, just right click on the file without an extension and choose "rename". Then just add the .txt extension. (or you can click the file twice and do the same thing - twice is not the same as double-click!)

Re: Wordpad: I havn't checked this but I suspect it uses a different line termination sequence to what MachCloud expects.

Cheers

Ian

[vicrider]

If I understand your broblem correctly it's not the wizard that saves a .txt file it's the M40 in the gcode created by the wizard that opens the text file - is that your problem?

That is correct, Ian, the M40 command opens the save dialog box.

I renamed the original digitize file with the .txt extension (no Wordpad conversion) but still get the same error in Machcloud. This digitize took 2 1/2 hours to run so I don't really want to do it again if I don't have to. Do you have any other suggestions? Will this file open in Maccloud for you? Is it possible that the formatting is incorrect (I see it adds the 4th axis by default)?

In looking at the MachCloud download folder I only see 4 files; ANN.dll, MachCloud.exe, MachCloud.xml, and zdecimated.txt. I am unable to open a help file in MachCloud. Do I have the entire application?

Thanks for your time and attention,

Vic

[stirling]

Hi Vic

Never used Mach Cloud but I notice that the example file is just triplet values, whereas your file has x,y and z (and a) identifiers.

I've stripped out the x,y and z (and a and it's values). see if that's any better.

Cheers

Ian

[vicrider]

Thanks so much Ian,

Yes, your file worked. MC opened the file. Lessons learned, strip x, y, z, denominators and the empty a column.

I ran the scan again, and Mach saves the file with x, y, and z in the text. I used MSWord to edit the file and was able to open that new file in MC.

Now if I just had some instructions on how to manipulate the file in MachCloud. I think I'll ask for help in the Forum's general topic or in CNCzone. Maybe there is someone who uses it.

All this to create a chair seat profile from an existing seat so I can consistently reproduce it with my router.

Vic

[BR549]

To save some time NEXT time. If you go to GenConfig /Mill options then look in the Digitize checkbox on the LH side and UNCHECK add letters to the points file then the file will be straight numbers and NO axis letters.

Justa thought, (;-)TP

[stirling]

what on earth is it doing there? Surely it could have been hidden a bit better than that  

Ian

[vicrider]

Thanks, BR,

Amen, Ian,

Vic

[jackym]

can someone tell me the best way to get this txt file in to autocad, i got it to open in pointcloud, looks like a butt