Messages

791

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: The great screen debate

« on: August 25, 2015, 09:18:09 AM »

The black screen is Hoods Simple touch screen that I have modified a little bit. I think it is a great example of how simple a screen can be used in conjunction with hardware. I have a homemade pendant with MPG and a few hardware buttons.

I agree with the screen not demanding attention unless warranted and screen buttons emulating hardware buttons should be in a fixed position. Obviously the default screens are a compromise at many levels. Not to worry though. They are not the end, only the beginning.

792

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: The great screen debate

« on: August 24, 2015, 06:47:39 PM »

Terry, that is simply not true. That is a lie promoted by the smurfs who had cornered the blue dye market back in the dark ages. Since then we have evolved, gotten educated and even have an eye crutch station in every Walmart. You need to read the interwebs more.  

But no your right. It has something to do with the X chrome of something or others.  

The only light I use is my usb keyboard light. I unwired the other switches when I got the power bill.

I always liked the Blue buttons on Fanuc controls better than the Martha Stuart Earth editions that followed. Sorry Martha but the chrome of something or others don't lie!

How about blue buttons with Yellow leds and a black background?
 

Thanks simpson, that is accurate.

793

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: The great screen debate

« on: August 24, 2015, 05:16:30 PM »

LOL Daniel, just make the screen I want and everyone else can do their own is what I read. LOL  No, in all seriousness, Ill do what I can.

Hows this for a simple screen? Its what I use and all I need. Thanks Hood!

794

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: The great screen debate

« on: August 24, 2015, 02:08:16 PM »

Do you like the extent DROs where they are?

I rarely use them, but yes, that seems fine.

From my experience, very few new Mach users use 1024x768 monitors, which are probably hard to find these days. I suspect that Most Mach4 users will be new users as well, and will be running 1920x1080 monitors, or laptops with widescreen resolutions.

I agree Gerry. I dont think I have ever used the extent DROs myself.

I am told lots of machine builders still use 1024 X 768 monitors.

attached image would be close to how I would like it just one more button added, all the main tools used everyday on one page is good. FRO, RRO moved to tab used 10 times in 4 years if that.

MDI page removed, every other page is fine.

also it would be good, to not have it look so fancy that is not important to me.

have more keyboard control of screen main tabs on F keys, the bit at the bottom on tab key to move from page to page,
have it so it`s tab or F to page hit enter to select page, then tab to move through page and enter to action or key`s pre set to commands I know you can do it now but more than what can be use now. like what can be done with pokey keyboard.

Daniell, I don't like any of the sliders in the Screen anywhere myself. I use pots on my machines but for those who do not I think it is critical to always have them in view and the FRO close to the Cycle Start button. Lots will run the first time through constantly lowering and raising the feed. But I did put them in their own groups so you can easily delete them if not needed.

The page control/tab/selection bit is a little tougher. Whats logical for one will not be for another. Adding to that is the Keyboard input plugin. This is why I like touch screens............. until a lady bug crawls around on it.    So in short, there really is nothing to compete with hardware buttons, sliders, selectors, etc. IMO. I will likely make a screen for those that agree as time allows. Once we get the do all Mach3ish defaults buttoned up deleting is easy. But I am hearing your input and appreciate it.

Thanks Fellas!
Brett

795

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: The great screen debate

« on: August 23, 2015, 08:01:40 PM »

Thanks Guys,

A lot of the changes were to do exactly that, simplify and eliminate redundancy. I agree with the Ref all button being bigger than is necessary to. We are still trying to keep it Mach3ish as well. I can hardly wait to see what those with no bounds create. I hope to have time in the near future to spend on a personal one myself. Mach4 has the tools to do things we could not do in 3. There are so many ways to take advantage of display real estate.

When sizing things for the screen I try to base that on how it looks in edit mode. (1024 X 768). I know the DROs look ridiculously long but in mm mode and 1024 X 768 monitors I think they are within reason.

I know there is still a lot to be done but do the buttons flow logically for the most part?

Do you like the extent DROs where they are?

796

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: The great screen debate

« on: August 23, 2015, 07:04:02 PM »

Thanks Guys, glad you caught that. I could not agree more but its much easier to get a little input and delete than delete and have to build a new MDI page.

Do you think the Toolpath page is still necessary? And if so, would you delete the DROs and G Code display to gain an even larger tool path preview window?

797

General Mach Discussion / Re: NOT CONTINUING WHERE LEFT OFF AFTER FEED HOLD

« on: August 23, 2015, 01:36:36 PM »

Your aren't pausing in an arc are you?

798

Mach4 General Discussion / The great screen debate

« on: August 23, 2015, 01:05:12 PM »

Hey Guys, if any of you are interested in helping mold the face and functionality of default screens in future releases of Mach4 we would like to hear from you. This is a trial run and we will see where it goes. Constructive criticism is welcome but if we get lots of unnecessary negative ramblings it will be deleted. Simple statements similar to "I like this *********xx" or "I do not like this ******************" is all that is needed. Debates between varying opinions are welcome as long it stays on point and is done so in a respectable manner. No screen posted here will have any level of tech support backing it at all. Only if it makes it into future releases as a default screen will it be supported.

So to kick this off, download and have a play with the attached screen. The position of the MDI and the MDI execute button will likely be changing. There has already been discussions about the start button starting the G Code that is loaded or executing MDI. My initial thought was there is no reason to have them linked but have since changed my mind. Thinking of a control panel made of hardware buttons there is usually only one start button. What it does depends on what mode the machine is in, MDI or G Code. One idea is to place the G Code display and MDI input in the same group with their own tab. They would populate the same area of the screen. Clicking Cycle Start would execute which ever you have in view at that time. Another thought is to have a selection button that selects what the cycle start button does. I will go ahead and say that pressing the enter key to execute MDI as Mach3 did is not an option at this time and never will be that I know of.

Thanks in advance for your input!
Brett

799

Mach4 Toolbox / Re: Floating MDI Panel V1

« on: August 22, 2015, 11:30:24 AM »

Thanks for the heads up Brett..

No problem Daz, thanks for posting!

800

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Mach 4 Bug Reports

« on: August 03, 2015, 11:53:01 AM »

Any future Mach4 bug reports should be submitted via a customer support request from our Contact Us page at the following link.

http://www.machsupport.com/contact-us/

Thanks,
Brett