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Mach Screens / Re: Tool Path Display Question
« on: December 04, 2019, 12:52:34 AM »
Hi,
see my previous post about posting on the Mach4 General Discussion board rather than here.
I agree that we use the visualization for that purpose but really Mach4 is a motion control program NOT a Gcode simulator.
I think Mach4 will ALLWAYS struggle to display complex 3D imagery of toolpaths, that is really the province of a Gcode viewer.
I use a couple of freeware ones which I find adequate.
There have been a few posts that all but demand that the developers at NFS provide a better toolpath plotter and while
I understand the demand I do not support the request. I would rather the developers stick to the motion control functionality.
You may recall that Mach4 has a nearly new software only THC solution....this is an example of what the NFS developers can and
actually do......and may not have happened if they spent their time on a Gcode simulator.
I favor the idea of 'socketing in' your favorite Gcode simulator.
I have not used:
https://www.machsupport.com/software/3d-cutting-simulator-moduleworks-plugin/
but I have heard good reports from those who have. I understand that it was written by a third party as a paid for ($50) add-on to
Mach4Hobby. It might satisfy your requirement to view a more detailed and revealing toolpath WITHIN Mach4 as opposed to a
stand-alone Gcode viewer/simulator.
Craig
see my previous post about posting on the Mach4 General Discussion board rather than here.
Quote
The reason I want to do this is I always use the graphics window to verify that; Mach4 interpreted the tool path correctly, it posted correctly, or more than likely it was programmed correctly
I agree that we use the visualization for that purpose but really Mach4 is a motion control program NOT a Gcode simulator.
I think Mach4 will ALLWAYS struggle to display complex 3D imagery of toolpaths, that is really the province of a Gcode viewer.
I use a couple of freeware ones which I find adequate.
There have been a few posts that all but demand that the developers at NFS provide a better toolpath plotter and while
I understand the demand I do not support the request. I would rather the developers stick to the motion control functionality.
You may recall that Mach4 has a nearly new software only THC solution....this is an example of what the NFS developers can and
actually do......and may not have happened if they spent their time on a Gcode simulator.
I favor the idea of 'socketing in' your favorite Gcode simulator.
I have not used:
https://www.machsupport.com/software/3d-cutting-simulator-moduleworks-plugin/
but I have heard good reports from those who have. I understand that it was written by a third party as a paid for ($50) add-on to
Mach4Hobby. It might satisfy your requirement to view a more detailed and revealing toolpath WITHIN Mach4 as opposed to a
stand-alone Gcode viewer/simulator.
Craig