Machsupport Forum
Mach Discussion => Mach4 General Discussion => Topic started by: ART on January 24, 2015, 04:01:11 PM
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Hi All:
Ive decided to release a Mach4 plugin thats not a motion driver, but one that will work on any Windows
install of Mach4. GSim is a simulation that shows the material removal and displays some other statistics that I find
helpfull about a job I may be about to run. It can be used to experiement to see the effects of various tools on
more artisitc carvings, and is simply a good way to see if your really about to cut the right thing. :)
A video is here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpX-hrZKXa4&feature=youtu.be
and the plugin will be posted here as soon as the next update of Mach4 is out ( 2192). Should you find bugs
or wish to see features in this beta release, please drop comments here. Hopefully it works out well, only I have run it so far.
:)
Thx
Art
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Great Idea Art. I really LIKE your tool table section I am working on something for MAch4 that is similar.
(;-) TP
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Terry:
The tooltable doesnt quite follow proposed standards for digital tool generation, but it does allow for a pretty good
configuration of endmill, toroidal tip , radial ball ends and V-Bits. It should do for simulations and such, and its possible for the
plugin to update Mach4's tables with its data in the end. Its also capable of importing and exporting in ascii form so others can
use the output tables as input for other plugins or programs.
It doesnt however do Turn tools.. but I do have one from Lazyturn that could be added into my plugins over time. In fact much
of LazyTurn may in the end become a plugin...who knows. :) , I have so much code laying about I can build almost any frankenstein
plugin I wish at this point. .. HaaaHHaaaa WhoooHaaaa <Maniacal laugh ensues..>
Art
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I have a LIST, >:D
(;-) TP
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Sweet Job Art, thanks for fixing the issue I found.
Now this is a functional Plugin/wizard ;D
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Art How about a HOT SWAP tool changer plugin that links to the Tool table and displays each tools picture as you select them. It would be used to setup and monitor the tool changer AND setup the tools to the changer. It can also be the soft LINK( comunications) to the TOOL changer it self. WHILE you are at it have it EXPORT the tooltable so it can be imported into the CAM side.
Just a thought,
(;-) TP
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Thanks YaNvrNo...
Its the work of those who test and test again that allow for such toys. :)
I hope to add more over time. We'll see how popular the plugins are before I spend
too much development time on them. ( That toolpath was just bothering me whenever I tried
to figure out if my stock was large enough. :-)
Art
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Hello All:
I see Mach4 2192 is out . Here is the Beta version of the GSim for Mach4. It has been tested only lightly.
A problem has been found on some systems where if you have a special screenset loaded into M4, this plugin may
crash. We're searching for why. It, of course, works fine here.
No rotational modes are ready, this is for 3 axis only and not for lathe ortr 4th axis work, although it will display
in 4th axis (imperfectly.. :) if it senses the use of one.
Please let me know here on this thread if this plugin crashes on you, OR if it runs fine. Please just drop a note as to
your OS and if it works. If it fails, please also note if your using a special screenset. This is a beta and has no license
restrictions. In the end it will be free to any holder of a Darwin license.
Unzip the enclosed file in its entirety into your plugins folder. You may then run it..
Thx
Art
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Hi All:
Just a small extra comment, when you finish unzipping, the /Plugins folder should now have the .m4pw and .sig files as well as the glew and glut libraries.
The folder GSimSupport shoudl also be in that folder. In the GSimSupport folder is the tool table data as well as tspin.dxf which is used for tool
solid creation..
Thx
Art
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I must have done something wrong. I down loaded the plugin, enabled in plugin selector, loaded .nc program, latest update of Mach4. When I select GMsim from the diagnostics tab nothing happens. I checked and all the listed files are in my plugin folder. Do you have a suggestion?
Thanks, Charlie
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Hi Charlie:
No error? No nothing?
I appreciate the report, Ill be issueing a newer version with many more error reports in it to help me track down why your system refuses to run it.
Sorry it doesnt yet work for you. :)
Art
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Hi all:
This is versin 1.002 of GSim. Look to your error history for startup messages if the plugin wont start.
If you get a SetPixel error, please report the exact wording of it as there are now several types of this message.
Thx
Art
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Art,
Using the new version I get GSIM INiTS after clicking Gsim. I pulled up the history and took a screen shot (attached). Do I have a license problem. I am running Mach4 on a Windows 7 computer with a PMDX controller.
Thanks
Charlie
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Art,
I get this.
Mach4 CNC GUI has encountered a problem and needs
to close. We are sorry for the inconvenience.
Windows xp and Darwin
Thanks
Jerry
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Hi Charlie..
No, not a license issue, while GSim recognizes if you have one, it isnt needed to run it.
Looks like I need a few more errors to find out why your failing.. New version probably tomorrow for that..
Thx for the reports, I appreciate it..
Art
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Jerry:
Thanks, your the second Ive heard of that error, have you tried running under wxmach with no special screenset? We're thinking this
particular error is caused by the screenset interactions..
Art
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Hi Guys:
This version will give many more stage lists in the error history.
Thx
Art
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Art it has dependence required what block Darwin and gsim from running don't know what it was, its finally working with last release
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Art here in Vista teh sim loads but all I get is a blank screen in the SIM no info or toolpathing. when I close down the SIM it crashes and locks up the PC .
Power down to restart.
(;-0 TP
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Wow..bad responce there...
Art
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Here is the History on load for the SIM
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Here is the Screen View.
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Terry:
Interestng.. Heres a version that will dig a bit further on that track..
Art
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Same History message same screen.
Is there somewhere else I need to look for error codes ????
(;-) TP
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Staring at the empty screen I press the reset button and got this error message.
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Hmm, seems your run is stopping before it hit the new messages.. Still a good clue..
Im looking into it and will issue yet another soon..
Thx
Art
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Terry:
Your update didnt work properly. Its not possible for the messages to have stayed the same, they changed in the 2b file..
Try copying those in again and trying it, the last message you get cannot be "Toolpath read". It is always follwed by the next message
no matter what. I suspect your files didnt copy..
Art
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GSim messageBox now reads: SetPixelFormat failed for subtraction
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OK so I can't tell an A from a B. Try this one.
The tool Button works it brings up teh tool Crib.
But the reset button this time crashed.
Why is it when Mach4 crashes you cannot CLOSE IT DOWN from task manager. You always have to reboot the PC and I mean power it down the restart?????????
Just a thought, (;-) TP
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Terry:
Try roadrunner. it looks like your GCode file is tripping it up.. the entties indicated no file is loaded or its not seeing any motions in the file..
Art
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RoadRunner it is.
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Interesting... I wonder why no entities.. weird really..
Ill investigate.. :)
ARt
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Art
When trying to install GSim on my Windows 8.1 tablet, I get "Fail to Load shared library 'GSim.m4pw' (error 0:the operation completed successfully)" when I try and open Mach 4. Any idea what I am doing wrong. I tried to install on the D: drive because it has a lot more room on it. And got the message. So I uninstalled it, and reinstalled in on c: I still get the same message.
Karl
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Karl:
I "think" its the C++ support files. Try installing the Demo of Gearotic.. Ive heard that fixed a couple
of Darwin installs that had the same issue.... the vcredist_86.exe seems to have more than 1 version, and the one
in the gearotic install worked at least once...
Let me know what happens..
Art
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I installed the development version of Gearotic and left the check mark for installing the redistribute, checked. When I tried to run Gearotic I got the "side by side config" error message. I uninstalled Gearrotic and Mach4 & deleted the directories. Rebooted my tablet. Reinstalled Gearotic, this time unchecked the install redistributable option. Ran ran gearotic, again I got the "side by side config" error message.
Karl
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I just went to the Gearotic Motion directory and ran the "vcredist_x86.exe" and now Gearotic program runs.
Karl
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Installed Mach4 and GSim and both work. Thanks Art. It is such a COOL program.
Karl
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Karl:
Very interesting.. it seems some systems reject the runtime files unless you run them manually.. ( A security issue I assume..)
Thanks for the information though, it will probably help others.
I have foudn a few errors Im fixing, an update shoudl be tomorrow at some point which will hopefully run
on many system sit woudlnt run on before..
Thx again
Art
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Hi Guys:
Ive found a few errors and have hopes this ill fix many of your problems found...
This version is 1.004 and does things a bit better in Wiondow organisation..
Thx
Art
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Art
I downloaded the latest version. Extracted the files on both of my machines, copy and pasted the files into the "Mach4Hobby/plugins" directory and ran mach4. I could see no differences in the operation of GSim. It worked correctly as before.
Attached is a file I have my students write and it is sure fun to watch run on you simulator. Note: although the G20 is programmed, it uses the metric tools.
Karl
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One option that would be nice is to add a "stock" size option. Attached is a picture of how I did it that you are welcome to copy any/all of it if you are so inclined.
Karl
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Latest version, Gearotic motion runs OK, I have rerun the distrrabutables file. Loading the RR.
STILL NOJOY a blank screen. The tool Crib works fine but still no toolpathing. I even tried rrerunning the GSIM while the GSim was loaded. Got a LOT of info in teh History file about extents but no toolpathing.
(;-) TP
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OK a Question about viewing this in gearotic. I select a pulley and apply and it shows the rendering on screen. I then go to the WORKBENCH and I get a blank table. I did select the pulley from the project list. AM I doing something wrong there as well ?
(;-) TP
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Another clue ? When you load teh Gsim and have teh blank page if you mouse over the screen the toolpathing widow flickers from color to black back to color at the speed ot which you are moving the mouse. It never did that before.
(;-) TP
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Terry:
In Gearotic, you have to select the gear or pulley, then press the "Send to WorkBench" button, OR right click in the tree and
select "Send to workbench". Otherwise your just going to a empty workbench.
For GSim, for some reason your the only one who whenm loading a file gets no entities actually loaded. The blank screen is normal
when you have no file loaded. I know you do have one loaded, but I still cant figure why the job doesnt load for you... Tiem will tell I guess.. :)
Art
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Karl:
Excellent file for displaying what GSim can do.. Thanks for that.
(Next version shoudl be more accurate, Im working on some small issues. :)
Thx
Art
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OK Gearotic works fine. Lets make sure I copied the Gsim files over correctly.
Unzip the file and then Copy ALL teh Files including teh Folder into the PLUGINS folder.
Was I suppose to setup a SUB folder (Gsim)in the Plugins directory or just dump the files/folder into the PLUGINS folder(which does NOT sound right as it makes a jumbled mess) ??
(;-) TP
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Could it be a problem with DARWIN not being licensed ???
(;-) TP
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Terry:
You unzip the folder.. and put the files and the included subfolder into the plugins folder. So Plugins gets the gsim.m4pw and gsim.sig, as well as glew32.dll and glut32.dll, also it gets the folder GSimSupport which has a couple files in it..
thx
Art
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Hi All:
A new version, all black screens should now be gone, there is a reload button on screen, and more error messages in m4's history buffer.
This should fix more errors many may have had..
Thx
Art
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OK here TIS. I like the Imbedded values I wish Mach4 did that.
(;-) TP
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Art, could I design a totally unorthodox tool like a disk (imagine a sawblade) with a semicircular rim radius? and have the centre of the disk to be the point anchored to the toolpath lines? So imagine a disk cutting with its faces back and forth. This is for foam cutter machine. Maybe I could design the disk as a solid and import it into the program? And how about we also define the stock accurately, lets say if you could also open a solid (stl, step, obj or some other solid file).
thanks,
F
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OK here is an update/ answer(;-)
I redownloaded the lastest ver and set it up in another drive as a DEMO version and Gsim WORKS (;-)
BUT it still will not work in the original profile Mach4 Industrial version.
(;-)TP
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You're the only one using the industrial version. It's not available to us mere mortals.
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HIYA Gerry, Unless you are doing conditional parametric Gcode and G65 Macros I don't see where you are missing anything (;-)
There IS a pro version Gcode Editor but I have not seen that yet(;-)
ART, Here is are TEST Gcode files IF you want something to PUSH or punish Gsim (;-) Mach4 can run it BUT not Gsim.
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Hi Terry:
I think I found the problem that stopped those two files from running, Im simming them fine now. (Though the first pass is at z=0 so does nothing, the rest simulates kinda nice looking...
New version in a few minutes that shoudl fix that. IT coudl also explain some crashing issues... IT DOESNT explain how roadrunner coudl have failed.. but
you never know... :)
Art
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Hi All:
Version 1.005 allows for full arcs.. ( the previous files issue.. just a typo.. )
It also fixes a possibel crash issue in arc interpolations..
Thx
Art
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no luck here with the test files.
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try updating your direct x its one of the thing i had to do
also vista is a hog of a program it takes one gig to run it
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I knew it woulnt fix your problem Terry, you couldnt load Roadrunner... which is really weird.
Im not sure their would be a different. Have you tried running vanilla wxMach with no screenset?
Any Difference?
Art
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Terry:
I see your problem now, its a framebuffer issue with your video card.. ( which is a bit old..). (Error on top line of your recent snap)
This should be fixable though, so Im working on it..
Thx
Art
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Art
Attached is a program still having problems with arcs. I've remarked out the G41 command thinking that might be the problem, but it didn't change.
Karl
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Photo is of right half of GSim image next to Mach4 image of same file
Karl
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HIYA ART I can RUN the Gsim on a demo install of Mach4 and it works for most things. IN an install on Mach4 Industrial it will NOT run even the simple things. SAME PC for both tests.
I am still working on that one. I also have the latest video driver install that accounts for directX and opengl. Tested with FURMARK video standards and it rates "Fair"
Just a thought, (;-) TP
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Art, I am almost there (05 version)! I now see the GSim screen when I start the app however it is telling me no file loaded. I have a .nc file loaded in Mach4 which will run. I can't figure out how to load the file into GSim or why it isn't auto loading. Any suggestions?
Thanks in advance,
Charlie
Catlett VA
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Hi Guys:
Im still working on a couple of small issues in compatability for OpenGL . If the roadrunner fiole wont load, its
probably an OpenGL issue, or an interaction between GSim and a loaded Screenset. ( Some screensets can for some reason
cause a crash.). I suyspect this is alll incremental, each version will work for more people. Thx for the bug reports, they all total up
to point to errors.
If you find you cannot run files but GSim starts up please let me know what message is in the top center of screen.. AND
what is in the history error file. Usually somehting like "OpengL failure on stage 3.." etc..
Thx
Art
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Art, Sorry I can't describe a pattern here. First attempt from a cold start using my file I got the GSIM screen with the message [file rejected, X or Y extent is zero]. See attached 0201a. I then loaded road runner and all I got was the error message Gsim fired with no screen. After closing and restarting Mach now I don't see the GSim screen same error message GSim fired See attached 0201b. I have tried road runner and two other files after closing and restarting Mach. I still don't get the GSIM screen.
Charlie
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Thanks Charlie..
Im looking into it all.
Art
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Hi All:
This is version 1.007 , it fixes the error pointed out in Karls incrmental macro oriented file.
It also attempts to fix the VBO error and a couepl others. If it fails for you, please send a snap
of your error history and tell me the message top center of sim screen at startup if it appears.
Will read something like NVidea 4.3.0213..
Good luck,
Thx again for all the testing..
Art
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And yet a further test if that didnt help..
version 1.008
Art
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V.007 loaded and it failled to loadGsim on the test file. It ran and ran and ran but no load. I gave it a full minute to load.
(;-) TP
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V.008 same as V.007 Gsim fails to load, same history message.
(;-) TP
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Art
I tried loading ver 1007 on my win 7 machine. Seemed to load ok but got the message in the attached photo. When I "unpaused" it, the tool moved correctly but left a black screen behind all movements. Then on 3rd try, it all hung including Mach4 and I had to stop it using task manager.
Karl
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Same results with ver 1008 as 1007. I did not copy the directory, just the 2 .dll's and "GSim.m4wp" & "GSim.sig" files. Is this OK?
Karl
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Recopied the 1005 files and it works as before.
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Hi Karl:
Sorry I broke it on you, Im playing with variosu OpenGL structures hoping to find a common thread for the problem..
Here is 1.009 which should add more messages and fix your trouble. (hopefully)
Thx
Art
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Hi Guys:
Thank you to all that have been testing. This version should fix the issue of Sim firing , but not opening. It now works on my test system that
had been havig trouble as well , please let me know your experience..
Thx
Art
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OK IT ran the test file. BUT it took 8min 30secs to load the image and the SIM ran extremely SLOW. At that speed it would have taken about 30 minutes to run the sim.
(;-) TP
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Terry:
Can you send me the file... I know theres still issues with some files, and I suspect its simply a resolution issue..
Art
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HIYA ART, Look at reply #54 File Name "Hemi_cut.tap"
(;-) TP
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Terry:
Ahh.. OK. I do have it.
Here is version 1.011
This version is more accurate due to a 2 pass loader. However, arcs do slow this thing down.
I can speed it up by implementing a sewpt tool algorithm, but I will wait to see how all else
works and if it is popular before I spend that development effort. The sim works very well
on 2.5d general files, Gears and the like, for doing complex stl 3d models Ill likely have to
have a swept tool in effect or sim'ing woudl take near as long as cutting. :)
Art
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Just loaded 1.010. Everything is running great, no error messages. Tool has changed colors in the last couple of updates. From a yellow to purple. (I'm color blind, so don't rely too heavy on the actual colors).
Sorry, I've been offline. Been busy plowing snow. We got 12.5". Plowed 8 driveways! Life just don't get more fun than that!
Karl
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1.0011 loaded and works without a problem.
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Hi Guys:
Isee its actually an INCH issue, it will take a day or two to recode for imperial not slowing it down.
Thx
Art
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I will be looking forward to it.
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Hi All:
Here is a preliminary re-release of the beta for GSim. This is version 1.012
Its been designed to parse the input file only on startup, so it should load almost any file you have instantly.
It still needs optimiising in the sim, but for many youll find it fast enough for the jobs you do. Tortuous files
I suspect will allwys be pretty slow to sim to completion.
Thx
Art
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HIYA ART, ;D V.012 works very very well even on the Testfiles which are HUGE in nature and use both #vars and Subs .
They are still a bit slow to SIM but that is to be expected considering the file.
Now to see why it does not run in the industrial version I have(;-)
Thanks for the Time, (;-) TP
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Early observations on ver 12
I like the addition of 4 views
When I set resolution to "extreme" on a large file (Variables and sub programs) I got a system crash message with 3 options one of which was close the program. Which I did. I can not repeat the crash, though to get more info on the exact messages.
The tool # does not increment even though the tool name and display do. There are other difference in the tool display that I have not yet figured out. Maybe having to do with inch and metric?
I don't perceive a noticeable speed difference between 12 and earlier versions.
Karl
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I reloaded your tool table and the V inch (tool #9) moves thru the part, but does not remove any stock from the screen view.
Could the problem with the first time crash be that I had not yet "Enabled" Mach 4?
Karl
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It crashed again. This time i took pictures. Again resolution is set to "extreme"
Karl
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Hi Karl:
Im looking into it. :)
Thx
Art
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Karl:
Which file are you simming? I seem to be working ok here... but I did notice what you mean about the displays, Ill fix those up.
Thx
Art
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Hi Karl:
I did find a bug in the VBit code.. new release soon to fix it. Still dont know why you crashed, but it may be related..
Art
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HIYA Art, I just noticed that in the 4 veiws you have the top and front bottons crossed.
Still working fine here except it does NOT drill the holes (;-) must be a dull drill bit. It just mushes down through the material and springs back up.
JUST TEASING, it does show the tool motion just no visual hole at that location in the material.
(;-) TP
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Heres a new version guys, turns out any VBit would have failed to cut.. this version shoudl also be faster. Ill check the
other bits.. I may have screwed up one of those..
Art
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br549 send art a copy of M4 industrial so he can get it going a see whats different
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Here's the file I play with the most and the one that caused the crash in Extreme resolution.
Terry. On my machine not only do the peck drill cycles show the motion, it also leaves holes in the model on the screen
Karl
(Karl Kirk Cir/Sq)
(Mill 4)
(Karl's Emco Mill)
(MECH_247)
(12/05/08)
#1=40 (# of Passes/Quadrant)
#2=[90/#1] (Angular Increment)
#3=[2./#1] (Linear Increment)
#4=[0-#2] (Starting angle)
#5=[0-#3] (Starting Y Position)
G20 G17 G40 G80 G50
G90
(G55)
G00 Z.3
G00 X.5 Y0
M3
G90
G0 T00 Z.2
G1 F50.0
M98 L[#1/2] P0004
#4=[45-#2]
#5=[1.+#3]
M98 L[#1+1] P0005
#4=[135-#2]
#5=1.0
M98 L[#1/2] P0006
G00 Z.3
X.5
G51 Y-1.0
#4=[0-#2] (Starting angle)
#5=[0-#3] (Starting Y Position)
M98 L[#1/2] P0004
#4=[45-#2]
#5=[1.+#3]
M98 L[#1+1] P0005
#4=[135-#2]
#5=1.0
M98 L[#1/2] P0006
G50
G00 Z0
G00 X0 Y0
M5
M30
O4
#4=[#4+#2]
#5=[#5+#3]
G1 X [.5*cos[#4]] Y[.5*sin[#4]] Z-.05
G1 X1. Y#5 Z-.5
M99
O5
#4=[#4+#2]
#5=[#5-#3]
G1 X [.5*cos[#4]] Y[.5*sin[#4]] Z-.05
G1 X#5 Y1. Z-.5
M99
O6
#4=[#4+#2]
#5=[#5-#3]
G1 X [.5*cos[#4]] Y[.5*sin[#4]] Z-.05
G1 X-1. Y#5 Z-.5
M99
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Ver 13 also crashed in same manner.
Karl
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Karl:
Weird, runs fine here.. rigth to end onm extreme. Ill keep looking. I see the top and rigth side doesnt machine away.. and it should. :)
Art
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I can make it crash repeatably
Load Mach4
Enable
Recent File
Cir-Sq_Var.tap
Diagnostics
Gsim
Resolution
Extreme
Sim speed 100%
Reset
and it will crash when the prep for sim gets to about 5%
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Must be a fresh load of Mach 4
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Might be memory issue, extreme is pretty memory hungry..
I guess that why I call it extreme.. lol , runs here with same sequence..
Art
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It just may be memory because it takes a considerable time (35 seconds) before the crash, getting slower and slower on the counter as it runs. I have 4 gig ram on a win 7 64 bit Sony Vaio laptop.
I also loaded on on my Windows 8.1 Dell tablet. On this machine the gsim window is not scaleable and the bottom options are all below of the displayable window. I ran earlier version on this machine.
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Karl:
Ive shrunk the window a bit for next release.. I realize its cutting off on some machines..
Art
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Hi All:
This is GSim version 1.015 , its a bit faster and optimized, the window is also a bit smaller to avoid cuttoff
on your screens. Hope you enjoy it..
Thx
Art
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1.0015 observations:
On win 8.1 tablet: Window is now smaller and I can see the entire screen but not the controls below the window. If I grab the top of the window and drag it upward the 1st line of the controls comes into view, but as soon as I let up on the mouse, the window pops back down and I can not get to the controls. I reloaded ver 1003 and the window size is fine.
On Win 7 machine crash test: after hitting the reset button the regen makes it all the way through and says stimulation complete and stimulation run and it starts running. However it takes about a minute for each screen update. In otherwords about 10 minuites for the tool to come in first contact with the part. Very very slow! Sounds like a memory problem alright.
On other jobs: seems just like last version. Tool# does not display. almost seems slower. V tools display correctly but leave no change to the stock.
window size is fine, fills about 90% of screen.
I hope this is helpful
Karl
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Also it now does not leave stock on the right and back of the part any more.
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Karl:
Sorry about that, I did discover another important metric/inch bug. This version fixes it and the taped bit up..
Art
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.015a observations
Win 8.1 tablet:
Screen size is perfect
Crash test: It crashes at an earlier point than win 7 machine but this time gives a memory message (see photo). (1st time tested on this machine)
(Kinda versifys that it is a memory issue), right?
Win 7 laptop:
Screen size: less than full screen but works well - see photo
Has a wall on back side ISO window (see photo). Wall does not appear in top view (see photo)
Crash test: now finishes regen, but does nothing when "pause simulation" is selected. Machine is hung. Requires a task manage stop of GSim, Mach 4 OK.
Both
I like the addition of the "code for tool in use" addition.
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Thx Karl:
Not sure about memory as yet, funny it runs here.. ( thats always the way. :)
Thx for the reports, lets see what happens over the next few days..
Art
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How about letting us specify stock size? The default stock doesn't really show what I'm doing.
Also, it doesn't use the correct tool. G Code tool # stays on tool 0, so I have to use "what if" tools and toggle to the correct tool.
My code has a T2 M6 in it, and Mach4 is showing tool #2 is in use.
A resizable window would be nice for those with 1920x1080 monitors.
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Gerry:
It chooses the stock to be the size of the job, but it does always start it at zero Z height. I do think a resizable window
woudl be more usefull and I do have that in planning, but Ill wait to see if its really a usefull utitllity via the download
counters and feedback to see if it reaches a level of attraction that justfies the development time. It does sound like a bug for
the tool though, Ill run some tests to see why its not properly switching.. Im pretty sure I missed something in there now that
I consider that.. A new version will be released to fix that up.. Preciate the bug report..
Thx
Art
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It chooses the stock to be the size of the job,
Say I'm cutting something like a board with box joints, with the board laying flat on the table. So I'm making a series of grooves in the end of the board.
Currently, the displayed stock starts outside of my actual stock, and stops at the point that my toolpath extends into the stock. If you need a visual, I can draw something up tomorrow. But right now, it doesn't give an accurate representation of what I'm cutting, because it's not showing my actual parts, but rather my toolpaths in an arbitrary piece of stock.
Without being able to specify stock size, I think it's usefulness is greatly diminished. But then what do you want for free. ;)
Just my two cents (nickel in Canada, no more pennies). To be honest, in my 20 years of programming routers, I've almost never used a simulator. But some people can't work without them.
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Hi All:
Version 1.016..
Fixes tool selections..
Ger:
Im having trouble picturing it.. drawa quick skecth if you like, Id be interested to see. I guess I can imagine circumstances where itd be necessary.. but it sounds like a lot of work,
Ill wait fer a bit.. :)
Art
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Something like this. After simulating, your left with an array of small rectangles, which is nothing like the actual part.
You don't have to add it for me, as I probably wouldn't use it anyway, once the novelty wore off.
But it would be beneficial in some instances.
Perhaps you could do it similar to how CutViewer works, where the stock is defined in comments in the g-code?
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Gerry:
Ahh, yes, now I understand. Unfortunatley, GCode comments couldnt work, GSim gets its data from m4, so m4'd have to understand them, the plugin has
no way to get them. Ill keep it in mind though for when a tim ecomes I may want to switch to an app window for it. GSim was written for Gearotic, which has no heavy
need for complexities, most gears are more easily done with auto stock size , its easy to see what a gear woudl look like. The more artistic the job the more usefull a
simulator is to my mind.. its more of an artistic theing than an engineering one..
:)
Art
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Have you tried just setting the Softlimits(turned off) to the stock size. Then use table view. It gives you a semi 3d look to the Toolpathing.
Just a thought, (;-) TP
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Terry:
Actually, the stock size has great effect on overall resolution. The resolution of GSim in "medium res" is width or height ( whichever is larger) / 1024. So if a job is 6" x 6"
in size, the resolution of Gsims model is .005" , in extreme res its .0029" per triangle vertex. SO having the stock larger than the model has a detrimental effect on resolution.
Since a sim is usually just to allow one to either play with various tools in an artitistic sense, or verify clearance of a tool, I dont think trying to make it too realistic
is high on the agenda.. but yanvrno....
Art
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You could define the stock with #var in the preamble of the file.
#500 =3.5 #501 =.750 #502 =24
Part defined as 3.5 W 24" L .750 tall a basic 1x4 24" long
Just a thought
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If you define stock size, you also have to define the home datum relative to the lower left (or some point) on the stock. It would require 6 variables, length, width and height, and X,Y,Z to home.
One could also make an initial cut from lower left to upper right of stock. before cutting the actual program. This would have to be remarked out before actually cutting, come up with some other way make sure it wasn't actually cut.
Or you could have another window that stored the current 6 values, like the tool table that was save and trayed the same until changed.
Just ideas.
I always like to simulate a cut before making it, to me it is a very valuable tool for students to visualize their path before a program is tried in a real machine with real material.
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Well, I guess should it get popular enough and I end up putting it in an app window rather than a dialog, I will
also add the variables necessary to allow a stock designation. I always resist adding complexity, its just more
things to get buggy or confuse the users that just want a quick something..
I guess I can make it with a "Pro" checkbox if I go there. :)
Thx for the comments and the testing guys, I do appreciate it. Looking at download numbers though it
could be quite awhile before it justifies further work. Does seem to work pretty well on the final version
though, so Ill let it steep..
Thx
Art
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Art
What you have given us at this point is absolutely WONDERFUL. It is the sizzle in Mastercam and other high end cam software programs. At the end of my class, I demo mastercam in order to entice them to take a mastercam class next, and what you have added to Mach 4 is what impresses the students to take the mastercam. Of course it always helps that I always "oh and ah" while I demo it. If you add nothing else, what you have given me is awesome tool, and I am grateful. If you decide to do further developement, I will be interested, of course.
Once again, Thanks Art.
Karl
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2nd that
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Art,
I would also like to throw in a vote of support
It's working well with M4 2214 and Darwin 2176 on Win7 32 bit. Machine is 3GHz Core Duo 4Gb with 1Gb Video supporting Open GL 3.3
Thanks,
Graham
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Art
I just got my new faster computer to try GSim on and I can't get Mach 4 to load Gsim. When Mach 4 runs I get the "Failed to load shared library Gsim" error message (see photo). I seem to remember seeing that problem earlier but can not find it. Do you remember the fix for this problem?
Karl
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I did a search in "side by side" and found the January 30 post by me and the instructions about running the "vcredist_x86.exe" file the gearotic directory after installing Gearotic program. That solved the "failed to load" problem. Now everything runs until Mach 4 trys to load Gsim. Here I get a Mach 4 'gui' error message. What do I do next?
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Karl:
Are you sure its the latest version.. the prior to last version did that one in Win7 as I recall...
Art
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I am using 1.016
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it does not even get to the rotating image. It gives the error message as soon as GSim is selected and when I say "close program" (only option) I have the desktop. When I have the roadrunner loaded, and I select GSim the MDI window displays "GSim context: X:1024 Y:845"
Karl
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It is a win 7 32 bit machine.
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History (MDI) window displays "Vertex Buffers requested but not available" after a roadrunner or arc test file is loaded in Mach 4 could this be involved?
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try updating your graphxs it would not run on my computer to I installed the lasted drivers I have a gaming laptop so its a bit different
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History (MDI) window displays "Vertex Buffers requested but not available" after a roadrunner or arc test file is loaded in Mach 4 could this be involved?
yes
that's problem has come up before one thing you can try is loading up gearotic
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Here's the entire history file
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Thanks Daniel. I loaded Gearotic and after running the vcredist_x86 file gearotic runs fine.
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That sounds like a possible cause, Daniel. do you know where I can find the latest drivers. I wonder if this machine even has openGL installed on it?
Karl
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you would have to look through this thread but I think that was for XP I just loaded up a new game it had the drivers in it.
you can go into hardware config in your control panel and up date your graphix drivers
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The more I think about it, it can not be the open Gl drivers because Mach 4's graphic window is an openGl driven window and it works fine. It just that GSim won't start.
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could be different GL version latest will confirm. art will be online soon so he will jump in
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I have openGl 1.4 with 56 extensions. do I need 2.0 or may 4.0 to run GSim?
Karl
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you would have to what for art to answer that one
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Karl:
Try it in wxMach and see if the history button shows a list of debug messages from Gsim.. can you list them ?
Art
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what is wxmach
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My laptop that runs GSim is openGl ver 2.1
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Karl:
Sorry, missed many of those. I think you need OpenGL 1.5 or better for VBO objects, but that depends on type of card. It
may be a driver upgrade woudl help, that a pretty low GL version.. That error I think is coming from the driver, not from GSim,
I have no error with that text in it..
Art
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wxmach4.exe is the non-gui version of mach4.. but that isnt it. Im pretty sure its your opengl version..
Art
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its in M4 file on C drive bottom of the list
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It appears to crash at the exact same point with no ability to read anything except the frozen history window "GSim contex: X:11024 Y:845"
Karl
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The tablet that runs GSim is openGL ver 4.0 with 178 extensions. Until I can update the video card in the new machine, we'll have to put this discussion on hold. And I'm off to watch grown men play with antique tractors in Florida for a week. So I'll check back then.
Thanks again Daniel and Art
Karl
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Art
You, once again have hit the nail on the head!! I couldn't go to Florida without knowing if a newer OpenGL solved the problem. So this morning I got up early and drove an hour to to a computer store and picked up a new video card with OpenGL4.4. Not only do I get no more error messages, it fires right up and WOW does it fly! It is now running faster in the GSim than I could cut it. You put my laptop next to the new box and it is unbelievable
One more time Art, Thanks
Karl
Ps thanks to Daniel for your help in this matter also.
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glad you got it working
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Karl what card did you get. Manf, model number ?? I need to upgrade as well I am on openGl V2.5 and it is a bit slow
(;-) TP
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Terry
I bought a EVGA GT 730 with 1GB ram, OpenGL 4.4. I am sure there are much faster ones, but this is a medium price and speed one. Listed @ $89, discounted to $79 and they gave me a mail in rebate for $10. So I paid $69. The main considerations for me were: NVIDIA chip set, PCI Express 16 2.0 support, & something that makes Art's GSim scream!
Karl
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a good gaming card is what you need 1 gig or more they put more work into gaming cards as the market for them is in the 100 of million`s if not more per year hell you could even get a 6 gig if you wont.
get a card from a computer builder not a shop less bs and they will sell you one that is correct for your needs not one that might work.
I don't by computers from shops I get them built I trust my computer guy hes never put me wrong and its cheaper sometimes it just cash only no tax last one was$1200 in shops the same computer specks over $2000
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Art
I hope you are giving serious thought on attending the CNC Workshop in Detroit in June. I'd sit in the front row and cheer as you demo GSim to the crowd. There would be a spike in interest if you did. I've got an inside track to Ron Ginger and I guarantee you, I can get you a spot on the agenda! :D
Karl
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Hi Karl:
Its looking like I will be there in June. (But Ive told Ron Ill be there only as a visitor. :) , no lectures or demo's, more just a chance to
see old friends and meet new ones. :-)
Art
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Good morning
I have installed and unzipped as per instructions
Open resent
Diagnostic
GSIM Job
I get the following error message
C:\mach4Hobby\Mach4GUI.exe
"SetPixelFormatFailed"
Any idea when this error is originating from?
Thanks Eldon
Hello All:
I see Mach4 2192 is out . Here is the Beta version of the GSim for Mach4. It has been tested only lightly.
A problem has been found on some systems where if you have a special screenset loaded into M4, this plugin may
crash. We're searching for why. It, of course, works fine here.
No rotational modes are ready, this is for 3 axis only and not for lathe ortr 4th axis work, although it will display
in 4th axis (imperfectly.. :) if it senses the use of one.
Please let me know here on this thread if this plugin crashes on you, OR if it runs fine. Please just drop a note as to
your OS and if it works. If it fails, please also note if your using a special screenset. This is a beta and has no license
restrictions. In the end it will be free to any holder of a Darwin license.
Unzip the enclosed file in its entirety into your plugins folder. You may then run it..
Thx
Art
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Hi Eldon:
Sounds like an error in you opengl initializing. Sim uses a vbo, not all graphics card have the capability. Any idea your OpenGL version?
Art
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Art
Thanks for info
Have updated Windows 8.1 Geforce760 V347.52 and windows driver 9.18.13.4752 Web site says comp with OpenGL 4.5
PC has also DX 11.00
Can you point me to a site with the OpenGL 4.5 or another?? that is compatible with the GSIM software
After doing all of the above I am one step closer to the program opening but
still see "Set Pixel Format Failed"
then the software opens and in top middle "Failure in GL subsystem Error #1"
and the tool path image is just barely visible in center and no mouse control IE: zoom in and out
So my conclusion is that I still dont have that appropriate OpenGL installed
Regards
Eldon
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Eldon:
You DO have the appropriate OpenGL.. Open GL is in the video card and version 4.5 is great, very up to date.
Sounds like GSim doesnt work with your card for some reason. Is it the last GSim in the thread.. ?
Art
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This one?
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Art
Thanks a bunch
It was the same file I used initially but down loaded last one as per thread and all seems to be working as it should
...ah the joys of the digital age
Thanks again
Eldon
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Hi Eldon:
Glad to hear it works, must have just been an old version, I havent heard of anyone that cant run it with opengl version over 1.5
Art
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Art,
Running Mach4 build 2259, I'm getting this brief message in GSim - "Plugin Expired, Please Update". Nothing happens after that.
Also, if I look in the History, there's also this message - "Failed to License feature M4_DARWIN (GSim)" and "Darwin License has failed with -33"
I don't have Darwin installed (at least I'm pretty sure I don't), and am just running in Sim mode.
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Hi Gerry:
Looking at downloads and Sim usage, Im not sure Ill keep it released. There doesnt seem to be much interest in simulation in Mach4.
The demo period on the sim plugin has expired and probably doesnt warrant keeping it up to date as M4 matures. It was planned that as of its beta
timeout it woudl then be free to Darwin users or anyone with a Darwin license. Ill look at releaseing it again at some point in the future
or at least turning it on for Darwin users..
Thx
Art
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Thanks. Just thought I was reporting a bug. As I mentioned earlier in this thread, it wasn't really usable for me anyway.
There doesn't seem to be much interest in simulation in Mach4.
I think the issue is that there's not a lot of interest in Mach4 right now.
Between the pace of development, and the complexity of using it (if you want to do anything that doesn't work "out of the box"), I think a lot of people are disappointed.
8 months ago, everyone was saying give it 6-12 more months to mature. To me, it still looks like it's another 12 months away.
I read a lot of different CNC forums every day, and I don't see anyone talking about it, or talk of using it.
But I do see a lot of posts from people that can't get it working.
I keep reading posts from the "inner circle" about how great it is, and everything's been working great for a while now.
But from an outsider's perspective, it looks very different.
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Gerry:
You have been really helpfll as a tester thoguh, so send me an offline message to support@gearotic.com, Ill send you a current version. I always appreciate all the testing people do.
Someday , Ill re-release it when M4 matures.
Art
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a little off topic I guess , but is there a mach4 plugin sdk or other documentation on how to use any api?
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Hi:
There is API Docs soon to be released I think, for Lua users, but for the SDK you need to sign a nondisclosure and
such. Youd need to get in touch with Brian to get the full details..
Art