Messages

1

Works in progress / Re: Mach Blue and Steel/Blue screens image source avail?

« on: May 04, 2009, 07:36:56 PM »

They were Photoshop PSD files, all seperated into layers.
There's some bad news but still some hope.  I searched all the drives on my network and found nothing except the zipped setup files for the screens we made at the time.
I do have some drives that were removed from PC's a while back.  I'll get them plugged in and see if there's anything on those.
I contacted SantiniUK to see if he still has copies too.

It's late here now so I'll look at the other drives tomorrow.  Fingers crossed.......

It was quite a while since we did those screens.  I don't remember exactly how long, but it's been a good few years.

I'll get back to you.

2

Works in progress / Re: Mach Blue and Steel/Blue screens image source avail?

« on: May 04, 2009, 07:00:03 PM »

Hi, I got your message.  I've not logged in here in a long while.
I may still have the source files that I used for the bitmap although I can't promise anything.

If I find them, I am willing to to post them, but I would ask that you credit SantiniUK and MrBean if you produce any work derived from them.
It doesn't necessarily have to be on the screens, a text file distributed with any bitmaps made would be fine.
We spent many many hours on them and it would be nice to be credited.

I'll have a dig around my HD's and get back to you.

Regards MrBean.

3

Works in progress / Re: An unfinished screen set - "Mach Blue"

« on: July 18, 2006, 07:00:34 AM »

I checked the background images, and they are 72 pixels per inch.

The reason they are not 1024*768 exactly, is because some of the screen (at 1024*768), is occupied by things such as the "Windows TaskBar"
Even Mach has non graphical areas.  For example, the menu bar at the top of the screen, also there is a vertical border to one edge.

The screens were designed for a native resolution of 1024*768, and while Art has made some big improvements regarding screen stretching to display on higher res screens, they still fit better on a native 1024*768.

Regards Mr Bean.

4

Works in progress / Re: An unfinished screen set - "Mach Blue"

« on: July 17, 2006, 06:31:40 PM »

I noticed some of the button drop shadows show some polarization, even though the file is 24-bit.

That's our fault.  Some of the button images at certain sizes, didn't export to transparent gif format with very clean edges.
Cleaning up the edges would have had to have been done manually, pixel by pixel, and to be honest we we're a bit lazy regarding that, and left them as you see them.

The G-Code display on the "Diagnostics" page is somewhat pixelized, and difficult to read.

Again.  That's down to us.  The "Diag" screen is pretty cramped for space and we almost left the Gcode window off that particular screen.
We moved a few things around and managed to squeeze the Gcode window in, but it had to be small.  That's why the text is hard to read.
To be honest if I were looking at the diagnostics screen, chances are I'd be monitoring something other than the Gcode text.
Generally I'd run in the "Program run" or "Toolpath" Screens.
But I guess everyone's different.

So...  It's not you.  That's just how the screens are.


Regards.
Mr Bean.

5

Works in progress / Re: Mach3Turn - 1st 'Beta' release of the SilverBlue Screenset for lathes

« on: June 29, 2006, 04:43:31 PM »

Hi Art.  Neither Santini or myself have a lathe, so cannot test the functionality of the screens ourselves.
We've been relying on others to "shout" if they've had any issues.
So far nothing's come to light that we could pin down to the screenset.
There have been around 100 downloads.  So far no complaints.

I think the only question is, do they function well engouh for a general release?

Hmmmm.  Suck it and see I guess.

We'd love to be able to thouroughly test the screenset, but with no lathe it's not so easy.
How about putting the screenset on the main Mach website as an optional download,
with a screen shot maybe, so people can see roughly what they're going to get.

It's free.  If peolple don't get on with it, they can use the original .set
Nothing lost really.

It's really cool to think you like our screens enough to want to include them in the release package.
I'm sure I speak for both of us when I say, we'd be honoured.

Cheers.
MrBean.

6

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 Steps per unit calculations.

« on: May 17, 2006, 05:51:06 AM »

I could be wrong, but I looks like you are dividing the microstep instead of multiplying.
I did 200 Step Per Rev, 20 TPI, and 8 as the Microstep and it came to 80, shouldn't it be 32000? 200x20x8??

Hi.  Thanks for trying it out.

The reason you didn't get the figures you were expecting is because you entered (TPI) instead of (pitch)
A 20 tpi screw, has a pitch of 0.05 Inches.

I guess it would be useful to be able to select if you wanted to input "pitch or tpi".  I'll look into adding the choice.


@Benny

I really fancied a go at C# too.  I don't know quite what it is that I don't get about it, but there's something?
Microsofts "Visual" Development enviroment, doesn't do anything for me.  The code seems all dis-jointed.
Also I find it hard to fully grasp the OOP concept. Objects, Classes, methods etc...  It seems like a multidimentional array with bells on, and then some?

Maybe it's just me getting older and the grey matter isn't as absorbant as it used to be, or perhaps I just havn't given it enough effort.  Maybe I'll go back to it.

I hope you find it easier to pick up than I did.

Cheers,
MrBean.

7

General Mach Discussion / Mach3 Steps per unit calculations.

« on: May 16, 2006, 09:27:25 PM »

Hi.  I was looking for a project to get my feet wet in php scripting and html forms, and rather than do something pointless, I made an online "steps per unit" calculator for Screw drives (ballscrews, all-thread, etc..) and one for belt drives too.

I know it's not rocket science, but someone may find it useful?

Anyway, if you're curious go here

www.mr-bean.co.uk

Please bare in mind I've only been learning php for 2 days.

Cheers,
MrBean.

8

Works in progress / Re: Mach3Turn - 1st 'Beta' release of the MachBlue Screenset for lathes

« on: May 10, 2006, 07:11:58 PM »

Oooh, Oooh.  Santini jabs me in the ribs......

I forgot some preview shots.  Quick, shoot me.

Here's a couple.

9

Works in progress / Mach3Turn - 1st 'Beta' release of the MachBlue Screenset for lathes

« on: May 10, 2006, 07:06:34 PM »

Santini done the biz and got the MachBlue lathe set wrapped in the installer.  So we are go for launch.

We did find a few bits that weren't quite right, so if you've downloaded the SilverBlue theme it may be worth downloading again.  Some of the file paths were incorrect and the DRO's are missing the skins on a couple of screens.

Both the MachBlue, and SilverBlue are now fixed and should run ok.

As usual, let us know if you find any "Nasties"

Download link is here:

www.cnc-builder.co.uk/insomniax

Cheers.

10

Works in progress / Re: Mach3Turn - 1st 'Beta' release of the SilverBlue Screenset for lathes

« on: May 10, 2006, 05:27:23 PM »

Beano's being getting some new toys to play with. DivX player, New graphics card, G.P.S..... The list goes on. I might have to get the whip cracked on the Blue Release!

The blue set's all done Mr Santini.  Just waiting for you to login and sync your PC to pick up the files and wrap them in an installer.
Come on.....  Put some effort in.   

Still waiting on more toys turning up, but having fun with the one's I got.   

I'm glad some of you like the screenset we've done.  I hope you find it useful.

Cheers.
MrBean.