Machsupport Forum
Mach Discussion => Mach Screens => Works in progress => Topic started by: dotScott on July 20, 2010, 12:46:09 PM
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In response to several requests for modern looking screens and my own personal preference I've decided to develop my own screen called M3. I have a 19" Elo touch screen and didn't think any of the available screens my my needs. I still have some major tweaking to do. I would really like to hear any comments or suggestions for improvement. This is my first screen and very new to Mach3 so please be kind.
(http://fallwater.com/images/M3.jpg)
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looks interesting but it would be better to be able to try it out. looks like some things are not needed, what is the special wizard for? I rarely use wizards now, not sure it warrants three buttons.
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So what would you suggest?
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Looks very good I for one would use it as I to have an ELO touchscreen , as for the buttons whatever you put in will never suit everyone I say keep up the good work and when done I will certainly give it a go
Alan
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Nice looking screen. Clean, crisp and well arranged. One thing bothers me there is the location of the Reset button. It's too close to the Rewind button for a touch screen. User can accidentally hit it when going for rewind.
Color scheme and layout are excellent. I'd love to see other screens too when they are complete.
Zafar
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Here are some updates with some screen captures of it running. I've been using it for a few days now and I like the overall feel of it as well as the functionality.
Positive and negative feedback appreciated.
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Looks really cool on the desktop pc. Not sure how would it look like in the workshop environment. Can we have a copy to try.
Zafar
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It has possibilities but,
Now no Wizard buttons?
Noticed a truncation of the status message on the Program page.
I'd always wanted to be able to color code the status message's Font, based on Importance.
but haven't even had time to look into if it is possible.
I love my "Search M06" button, (looks for the next tool change in my gcode)
I would have replaced one of the wizard buttons with that one first.
I have a screen tab of 28 buttons on doing just gauging, touch offs and alignments.
Post the screen set and graphics to see what others come up with.
Screens sets are always a work in progress.
I am sure yours has some future for many users.
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It has possibilities but,
Now no Wizard buttons?
Noticed a truncation of the status message on the Program page.
I'd always wanted to be able to color code the status message's Font, based on Importance.
but haven't even had time to look into if it is possible.
I love my "Search M06" button, (looks for the next tool change in my gcode)
I would have replaced one of the wizard buttons with that one first.
I have a screen tab of 28 buttons on doing just gauging, touch offs and alignments.
Post the screen set and graphics to see what others come up with.
Screens sets are always a work in progress.
I am sure yours has some future for many users.
I don't think I will be using wizard too often so I'm not sure if they will be included on these pages. I may create a User page similar to the new MachStdMill screenset. Then users can do whatever they please. You are right about "always a work in progress" I'm sure I'll tweak it more. The wizards and M06 buttons could be placed just to the right of the g-code screen on the program run page. I'll give it some thought. The status text isn't truly truncated, that just the ticker and it was simply captured that way.
To all, this screen isn't ready for general consumption as of yet. I'll see if I can get it up and going in the next day or so and post back here.
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Major setback. Long story short, I lost my source graphic file and needed to recreate all the elements. Below is a preview of the latest Hardware page along with an incomplete set file to try out. Please let me know if you find any issues with button assignments, etc. Included in the ZIP file are the fonts used. These fonts are from dafont.com (and excellent resource for fonts!) and are free for personal use.
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Hi,
I'm new both to the forum and Mach3 but I must say this looks very nice!
I have downloaded and played a little bit with it without any hardware connected.
I will have a ELO touch screen on my mill so I will certainly give this a try.
Since I'm totally new to Mach3 I can’t give so much feedback yet but I have 3 questions so far regarding the M3 screen.
1. I don’t have the correct font on the hardware tab. It seems to be the default font.
2. The Stop button is flashing yellow all the time. Is it correct or is it only on my PC.
3. Will the offset tab be in the M3 screen as well?
I’m running Visa64 for the moment, but I will have XP on my PC for the mill. I’m waiting for a power supply before I can test on that PC.
--Per
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Hi,
I'm new both to the forum and Mach3 but I must say this looks very nice!
I have downloaded and played a little bit with it without any hardware connected.
I will have a ELO touch screen on my mill so I will certainly give this a try.
Since I'm totally new to Mach3 I can’t give so much feedback yet but I have 3 questions so far regarding the M3 screen.
1. I don’t have the correct font on the hardware tab. It seems to be the default font.
2. The Stop button is flashing yellow all the time. Is it correct or is it only on my PC.
3. Will the offset tab be in the M3 screen as well?
I’m running Visa64 for the moment, but I will have XP on my PC for the mill. I’m waiting for a power supply before I can test on that PC.
--Per
Thank you, I'm glad you like it. You need to install the fonts that are included in the zip file under the FONTS folder. The stop button will flash until you are connected to your machine and reset. I am working on the offset, probe and touch off screens now (as time permits).
-Scott
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Thank you for your replay. I have the fonts in c.\Mach3\Fonts directory and I have installed the fonts in windows as well, but no success.
I got my power supply today so I will make a test on the PC with xp today. I let you know the result. It might be a Vista 64 issue.
--Per
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Thank you for your replay. I have the fonts in c.\Mach3\Fonts directory and I have installed the fonts in windows as well, but no success.
I got my power supply today so I will make a test on the PC with xp today. I let you know the result. It might be a Vista 64 issue.
--Per
Drag and drop the fonts into c:\windows\fonts to install them. Restart Mach3 and then go to FUNCTION CFG > FONTS and select the fonts as shown in the screen capture in the zip file FONTS directory
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Thank you. Works like a charm now :-)
I missed the part to configure the fonts in Mach3. New on this but I'm learning.
I work as a software developer so I'm used to search for things, but this I have totaly missed.
--Per
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Last night I connected my machine to Mach3, but the stop button still flashed after reset.
I must reset Mach3 from my machine. A brain file listen to "enable1-signal" and then resets mach3.
This may be the reason why the stop button don't stop to flash. This has probably nothing to do with the screen, but maybe you know how to solve this any way.
I must say that so far this screen works very well with the tuch screen.
Regards
--Per
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Sorry, A brain file listen to "input#1-signal" and then resets mach3, not "enable1-signal".
--Per
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Finally found what causing the flashing. This was a great exercise since I learned a lot about Mach3 customization along the way.
I found that the blinking yellow stop button was the triggerd by "Optional Stop On LED" (Oemled 65). It also took some time to find out what that was :-)
Have you thought about the "Estimated Program Run Time" in simulation? I have a suggestion to put that under the "Run From Here" button, after the file name.
--Per
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I found that the blinking yellow stop button was the triggerd by "Optional Stop On LED" (Oemled 65).
So, now that you found the problem, how did you solve it??? I have a flashing STOP button also.
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The Optional Stop led is on when Stop on M1 Command is selected.
So in Config->General Config there is a checkbox under M01 Control that say "Stop on M1 Command". If you uncheck this it will stop flashing.
--Per
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If you uncheck this it will stop flashing.
THANKS! That did it!
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You should also be able to click the M1 OPTIONAL STOP button on the Program Run page.
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Well, even better :-) Almost embarrassing that I missed that!
Now the flashing stop button is really useful!
--Per
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Hello VERY VERY great look !!!
Thank you for this work :o If you do not see a problem, I wish your work inspire me to do a "screen" similar but in French?
Excuse me for my bad English :-\
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Thank you. I'm sorry there haven't been any updates. I've been focusing on the day job and putting the finishing touches on my CNC machine. I did however let me AADD get the best of me and started yet another screen inspired by my iPad. I'll post a screenshot here soon. Hopefully the community here can help me decide which screen set to finish.
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Merci. Je suis là haven' désolé ; t été toutes mises à jour. Je m'étais concentré sur le travail de jour et avais mis la touche finale sur ma machine de commande numérique par ordinateur. J'ai fait m'ai cependant laissé AADD tirer le meilleur parti de moi et ai mis en marche encore un autre écran inspiré par mon iPad. Je signalerai une récupération d'écran ici bientôt. Si tout va bien la communauté ici peut m'aider à décider quel ensemble d'écran à finir.
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Obviously not done yet but the basic design elements are there. Let me know what you think.
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This looks very promising. It is hard to say from a picture if somthing is missing (I still have too little experience of Mach3), but I don't think so.
Keep up the good work. I'm looking forward for a relase.
--Per
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Hello,
maybe a button with the function 'Run from here'
Its really a nice screen !
Fabrice
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looks interesting touchscreen only reset button dangerous
Color scheme and layout are excellent try complete
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final design, so perfect please one designed for plasma
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looks interesting touchscreen only reset button dangerous
Color scheme and layout are excellent try complete
The reset button is simply a software version. I have 3 hard E-Stops around my machine. I would hope that people would have more than 1 soft E-Stop.
Regarding the plasma, I don't have any experience with plasma cutters and therefore don't know the requirements. I am still learning my mill ;-)
I will continue to work on the latest screenset (as time permits) as it seems to be easier to read and understand versus the previous design.
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dear dotScott
not much difference between plasma and mill
2 button is the difference
1: thc on/off
2: M3 buton name plasma on/off
A axis unusable
tekno
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Hi dotScott, I've got to say that your screen design is simply outstanding. To me the first one has the looks of Haas Controller and prefer this one over the other. But I guess that's up to your will. I would like to see more progress in your work, whatever your choice came out to be. Its about time Mach3 got to have a good touch screen and enter the major leagues in CNC control soft. Greeting!
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Thank you for the compliment. I too wish to see more progress on this screen but I can only commit so much time to it. I think my approach going forward will be to complete the original design under v3 and use the iPad influenced version for the future release of Mach. I'll try to post some updates in the next few days.
I agree, Mach is a great program but simply lacks a polished GUI to really make it shine. The MachStdMill interface is better than previous versions and hopefully will get polished up before the release.
I really wish I could devote more time to this project but my available time doesn't look like it's going to increase any time soon. There have been only a few people that have either commented or presented criticism on the designs so it's difficult to get too excited when I have a feeling that only myself and a handful of people will benefit from all the hours invested. If I knew there was some real interest in it I would probably find the time.
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Is there a way to help you? I know it's hard to share work, but if you have somthing, just let me know and I will see if I can do it.
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You are correct, it's difficult to share this type of work. It's similar to working on another person's painting. Different styles and visions. One of the biggest issues I face personally is my lack of experience with mills in general. I have almost 30 years of experience in programming and graphics production but the lack of practical experience in running a mill are hindering me from producing logical layouts of controls. I struggle with that more than anything. I've found myself spending countless hours rearranging the layout, trying to guess how I will use the end product while including the features that are required for the population of more experienced users. The main reason I haven't devoted a lot of time to the development of this interface is that I have just completed my machine. I've learned a lot in the past 8 months and now that my machine (link) (http://scottrmorris.com) is actually capable of production, I have been familiarizing myself with the general operation and use of the tool.
I could simply update the graphics on MachBlue or MachStdMill but because touchscreen controls require more real estate for fat fingers than mouse controls, it's not possible to include all the features that are currently displayed. I could use advise in what controls and features people find most important on each page. An example in my original design is the consistent placement of common controls and DROs. I like the thought of the pages that contain operational controls maintain functions such as Cycle Start, Stop, E-Stop, feed hold et cetera in the same location. I don't want to have to hunt for the controls on each page. Same goes for the position DROs. I want to look up and see those in the same spot regardless of what function page is loaded. Does this make sense to you more experienced users? What other functionality would be useful that is not currently provided? This is the type of help I could use.
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screens so far. needs a lot of work
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Hi dotScott Jog picture very amateur Colorize keys rewind reverse stop end start
for example, stop red start green. for 4 page too much detail, Must be 7 or 8 pages
the reset button is still problematic
tekno
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I personally like it. Its very clean and straight forward. I think adding tons of color becomes distracting. I love that the key things remain in the same locations no matter what screen you are on. Very easy to understand. I have been working on a lathe screenset myself. This biggest issues I have is the buttons. Not very good with making this look realistic when mousing over and pressing. Any chance you would share your graphics or maybe even point me in the direction to create them myself? Will this be a standard screenset or flash based?
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Hello dotScott, I understand your limitations concerning time availability. I think the way to go is taking one step at a time, to overcome a task that could become overwhelming, while seeking professional results. I have no experience at all developing GUI' s but I have some time operating a CNC machine running Mach3, so I' ll try to help you figuring out the screen layout.
Observing the screen captures of the work in progress I think that you could move the status display and history and clear buttons just between the reset one and the group that controls the rewind, resent, stop and cycle start functions. In that way you could add up a safety feature related to the reset being to close to the rewind, without altering a desing, that I too consider very clean and straight forward.
I do too appreciate that the keys remain in the same locations, no matter what screen you are on. As you might have experienced, you keep going back and forth while needing to configure your running work. So a simplyfied design makes it easier and intuitive.
what I have firstly noticed in your program run screen is that there is no block Line# display and the same occurs with the Set Next Line and Run From Here buttons. All those features I consider too valuable and useful to resume a halted work. I assume that could be a good idea to place all those controls in the MDI screen or some other, along with the Input text box and a code blocks follow up window.
Also being a touch screen, I guess is of vital importance to have a set of Up and Down buttons to scroll up and down along the program blocks, so that the selection of a particular one could be done without the assistance of the mouse. That is also of relevance while selecting a point of view in all Job Follow Screens. Here are needed some Pan, Tilt and Zoom buttons like the ones found in RU Screen done by Elpablito, here in Mach3 forum. Mouse control should be put aside or at least be optional.
I do think too that al least 7 or 8 pages are required for a touch screen to undertake all control instances, without getting everything overcrowded. Finally concerning the Edge Finder configuration tool found in the Offsets page, let me tell you that most conversational programing or wisards trend to be very graphical, like the ones found in the std mill screen. I suppose that you' ll have to come up with something out of your creative graphical mind.
So, I hope my contribution help you find some way into the completion of this fine job. Sincerily yours, Aviomac
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Well after a long hiatus and some crappy weather here in the North East, I've had the itch to finish development of this screen. Does anyone know if there is a beta of Mach4 available? I'd rather not put all the work into getting this running and not have it be compatible. From the sounds of it, there won't be an upgrade path due to the level of change to the core code and framework which tells me that screens won't translate either.
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No, there's no beta yet. And no, screens won't transfer.
Mach4 has a screen designer built into it.
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Like... Any progress?
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I'm with (Contract Pilot) . Any more progress on this thing?
Come on don't leave us hanging ;D ;D
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Sorry for the lack of response as I didn't realize this had received any attention. I would love to finish this screen for Mach4 but my machine is finally back up and running after a slight disaster required me to rewire much of my machine. After that expense, and Christmas coming up, there just isn't the money available to purchase the new software. Now if someone wanted to buy me a copy for Christmas.... ;-)
I'll see what I can do after the holiday season.
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Whatever happened to the Ipad Inspired Screen. I would be interested in that TOO!!!!!
As I'm looking into touch screen's now. thanks