Hi all,
One of the things that Mach4 was missing and that I think is very important for users is simple and easy to use engraving software. In Mach3 we had the write wizard, for it's time it was a really great thing but we demand better! We have made a new Lua module that will produce Gcode for engraving text. This is the first round of the screen and modules but as far as I can tell it is working well. This is another example of the power of the screen designer and why we picked Lua as the scripting language. This is a function that was added that required no changes to the source code of Mach4, Simply scripting (sounds like a TV show)! On the screen we have a Lua panel that has a data input field where you can type in what you want to engrave as well as some serial number settings. Every time you produce the Gcode it will increment the serial number automatically. We have also added tools for engraving the time and date if needed. The screen is intended to mark parts or do very simple engraving, we are not making this to take the place of a Cad package.

Some of the boring details about the new engraving is that the fonts are 100% editable. Well if you know Gcode they are. I made the fonts 1 unit high and with a style that is sort of Gcode meets HPGL. Here is a sample of a W:
-- W
ascii87 = function()
ZUp()
G0(1.20070,1.00150)
ZDn()
G1(1.20070,1.00150)
G1(0.92860,-0.01410)
G1(0.62130,1.00150)
G1(0.57920,1.00150)
G1(0.27210,-0.01410)
G1(0.00000,1.00150)
ZUp()
return (AddWidth(1.201))
end

The screen has a Lua panel that can be added to any screen. So if you have a custom screen you can make a new tab and you place a Lua panel with this code in it. We have been thinking about making a Gcode interface to the engraving but just have not had the time. Also I think a more graphical interface is better for getting started.

Anyway enough of my mindless rambling.

Here is a link :
ftp://machsupport.com/Mach4/Screens/EngravingUpdate.exe

Thanks
Brian

I just updated the update.  Changed some defaults for the font module. This update also includes the ErrorCheck module (as did the previous).

I put the toolpath in a notebook. The toolpath has it's own tab and the Font Engrave panel has its own tab. Here are a few screen shots of what you will see with the Engrave_Marking screen set included in the update. Once we prove it out this will likely be added to all of the default screens. 

Here is a link to a little video about the Font Engrave module.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoi8i-FA0a4