Machsupport Forum
Mach Discussion => Mach Screens => Works in progress => Topic started by: RogerJ on December 16, 2007, 02:32:00 AM
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Hi
I'm using Corel Draw to make designs and wanted to engrave plt ( HPGL ) files with Mach3.
This screen can import HPGL files generated with Corel Draw and converts it to Gcode.
With this screen you can set the following parameters for 8 different colors:
-Feedrate speed
-Depth
-Start depth
-Depth steps
-Dwell time
-Smart fill
-Smart drill
-Plunge speed
-Peck drill
-Tool change
-Drill option
-Enable / Disable Colors
It’s very easy now to make a design in Corel Draw and engrave with Mach3.
Greetings
roger
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Nice work, I don't have SolidWorks or Coral draw but looking at the code it looks great.
Do you have a PLT file to post so I can take alook (also intrested in there formating)?.
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Hi
This is a little example of a gearbox made from wood.
width = 65 mm / Height = 64 mm / Cutter diameter = 4 mm.
You must tweak around with the XY factor for the right dimensions.
Safeheight around 5 mm
Enter the following pen settings:
Pen 1 2 3 4
Feedrate 200 200 200 200
Depth -5.5 -10.5 -10.5 -17.5
Start depth 0 -5.5 0 -10.5
Depth steps -1 -1 -1 -1
Dwell time 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5
Smart fill 2 2 2 2
Smart drill 100 100 100 100
Plunge speed 100 100 100 100
(Feedrate and Plunge speed Depends on yore hardware configuration)
I hope this works.
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Some pictures:
All designed with coreldraw12 and milled with this Mach3 screen.
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Hey Roger,
I couldn't get that attachment to you but this is what I was talking about as a "CorelDraw" screen that you can use inside of Mach.
Most keyboard shortcut work just like in CorelDraw and most other drawing programs:
"Shift" will keep it proportional
"Space bar" will pan canvas
There is also tip bars that will pop up if the cursor is over an object for awhile...
-I'm adding a pen tool that will just draw...
-currently the "Freehand draw" will create anchor points...this is just like Illustrator.
-if you zoom (to unzoom hold down "Z" on the keyboard and left click or double click the zoom Icon to bring you back out to fit the drawing.it will zoom to the area your cursor is in or draw out a box to zoom to,by select zoom tool..
-left click draw out box.use join to connect to patters and the "White" arrow key icon to change "Anchor" points positioning..
and many other shortcuts.
Pressing the "Export API" or/and "Export XML" displays the code for the objects created.
API is the native Flash code for its vector points....these exported coordinates can me formated however you like...
I'll be adding tool height,width,depth of cut est...
Alot of the code for shapes has be written by Bob adn I have modifyed it..
This is a live preview to test here on the web.
http://alphagraphicdesigns.com/help/Quantum/VectorPadTest2.swf
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Very Cool Jason, very cool.
Brett
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Thanks, I can make a list of short cuts, for example if you draw out a shape you can add points (for example to make a stare) select the "polygon tool" ,by holding down the Left mouse button and hitting the arrow keys up or down.
Hey Roger, Do you think this could work with your PLT converter
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Wow this looks very nice.
I just finished with a new core for converting plt files.( Its 5 in the morning here)
Its much more stable and it can also handle older Corel versions now.
Can you give me a good beginner guide where i can learn Flash programming?
What editor can i use for building Flash screens for Mach3?
Im new to this and i must look into it first before i can give you an answer.
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Can someone help me with this?
If i send all axis to zero and then get the XYZ DRO info
the values are not zero.
Please try the this code and let me know if you get the same result.
code "g00 x0 y0"
While ismoving
Wend
code "g00 z0"
While ismoving
Wend
MsgBox "X" & GetDRO(0) & " Y" & GetDRO(1) & " Z" & GetDRO(2)
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Hey Roger,
The code is working for me..returns X0 Y0 Z0
The only thing I can think of is your machine is moving alittle after stoping...are is your return values low or heigh..meaning in the +1 or 0.01?
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Thanks Jason
I know what the problem was now.
The setting steps per unit was set to 508.(after using Axis Calibration)
In this case the returned values are never zero.
Changed the value to 500 and all works fine now.
It took me 2 days to find this problem ::)
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New update! ;D (look first post)
Please report anny bugs or comments in this topic.
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So I've added this to my Mach3 but I don't know how I'm supposed to actually use it. The 'Load HPGL file' just opens a white box saying cancel /ok. No file browser, no clue as to where this box is looking.
Seems like everyone else here knows how to use it since it's never been mentioned.
Thanks.
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Yes you are the first reporting this problem.
For this screen to work it needs a folder called HPGL in where all the hpgl files are stored.
The first time you start the screen it creates this folder automaticly.Maby there was a problem creating it
and you must create one manualy.
Please let me know if this was the problem.
Gretings
roger
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Yeah when I looked around in the mach3 folder I saw the HPGL folder so I thought it was related. There was already some sample file in there, I put mine in there anyway but there's still nothing listed inside the mach3 program.
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Strange ???
Can you give me some info on what platform you working on.
I created this screen using XP and tested it with 2000 & Vista, i never had any problems.
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It's the only thing running on an XP machine, I'll go take another look at the workshop later today and make sure I didn't miss anything stupid. Have you got anything to recommend I try? or some more information you want?
Thanks for the replies.
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If you can find the time you can try this version with some error reporting changes.
Hopefuly it reports an error number insted of a blank box so i can trace the problem.
Thanks.....
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http://imgur.com/GJmDH.jpg
I'm afraid the above image is what I see when running your debug set. you'll also notice I've got windows explorer open at the location of the hgpl files.
Not shown in the windows explorer is defold.plt & .txt that are already there.
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Thanks for the time and effort m8, im afraid i cant help you with this.
If you are into basic programing you can play around with the code.
By selecting Operator > Edit button script you can see and modify it.
Also you can try if the same problem exists on another computer.
8)
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Hi
I have made a new version for this screen with some new functions and bug fixes.
( version 0.98 )
Its not possible to modify my first post in this topic to upload the file for download. :'(
Is this function disabled? Can someone help me with this?
Gretings
roger
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Hi Roger,
Great and professional work.
Plt is the most popular file used in engraving machines, and corel is very good in hpgl files.
I have a small suggestion ,if you can add (start position ) =(top left) or (center) or (bottom left).
Thank you for your efforts.
Regards,
Usama
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I have made a new version for this screen with some new functions and bug fixes.
( version 0.98 )
I am looking forward to seeing your new revision. Hopefully a Moderator can help you update your original post; or you can just upload it and all will understand.
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Hi
I have made a new version for this screen with some new functions and bug fixes.
( version 0.98 )
Its not possible to modify my first post in this topic to upload the file for download. :'(
Is this function disabled? Can someone help me with this?
Gretings
roger
Roger,
I contacted those who know how to do this for you, so hopefully you'll here something fairly soon.
Dave
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Thanks
Good suggestion Usama!
I can make a home position for the tool ( drill ) to start from, and returning to this position after the job is done.
Just give me a few days to look into this.
Greetings
Roger
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Hi Roger
I took off the old file, you can post it in a new topic now or send it to me via email and I will add it onto your first post.
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Hi Roger
You Should be all set now
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How do you get the feedrate and other options when your exporting from Corel? All I get is Pen, Color, Width, & Velocity. Do I have to drop something in the Corel plug-in folder or something?
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Hi
You can ignore the PEN settings in the hpgl export from corel.
All settings can be changed in mach3 screen.
Some values you enter cant be zero or positive numbers.
In the errormessage you can see the
Greater than sine >
Or Less than sine <
Adjust the value and it will be ok.
See attachment with my hpgl export settings
Hope it works
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Is this an add-on for mach3 or coreldraw? I have X5 and would like to use this. I am new to mach3. How can I get it?
Thanks!