[CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re: Gcode standards (Was: easy to learn use cad/cam cnc software?)

At 4:55 PM +0000 11/2/04, Fred Smith wrote:

>--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, Chuck Rice <Chuck@W...> wrote:
>>
>> Interesting. What I have been doing is writing a macro language for
>> gcode. I have written a set of macros that allow you to insert a
>line
>> like:
>>
>> engrave({0.5},{0.5},{0.9},{Part #2X534C 10/31/2004})
>>
>
>DeskEngrave is also free ( deskam.com ) for the downloading. It
>creates vanilla G-code from tru-type fonts, has horizontal, vertical,
>and arced baseline formatting.

Ah yes, but it is PC only and there are a few rebels in the crowd. I
am just creating a macro toolkit for the bare-metal folk. I am also
an assembler programmer, so I feel right at home with gcode and macro
coding. My CNC is done on a Linux box, so these macros are much
easier for me to use. The tedious part is coding up the font for the
first time, but I only need one font anyway and that is mostly done.
Others that might want other fonts can donate to the cause.

>I feel your pain. I wrote a superb 4th axis post processor ( g-code
>parser, selectable axis of revolution, worked for mill or lathe C-
>axis) and then made the mistake of mentioning it to a business
>associate before release.
>
>Lo and behold, suddenly Xoxcad could do 4th axis, (albeit poorly, but
>good enough to let me appreciate the value of keeping my own counsel
>in regards to product development)

I am not too worried about this as I was going to make the macros
available for free anyway.

I find it hard to justify a $1000 to $2000 expense of a CAD/CAM to
make the one-of-a-kind parts that I need. And the cheaper packages do
not seem to be quite good enough. And most of them are PC-centric.
Some Java CAN/CAM/CNC tools would be nice. -Chuck-