1 Topic by macouno

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Topic: Is there a nice graphic gcode editor?

Hi,

Ok... so.. I own a makerbot, and use makerware... which is generating some really neat gcode that's "almost" what I want.

But I'd like to make a few changes to the final code, and since I'm a visually orientated artist I'd love to do that in a more visual way than the text in the gcode file. Maybe something more akin a vector graphics program like inkscape.

Is there something like that out there? Something that lets me grab a node on a line and drag it elsewhere.. or delete it completely?

2 Reply by cozierad

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Re: Is there a nice graphic gcode editor?

Hey,

I am an engineer in the Manufacuring field and have used several different types of CAM programs, some free and some costing $$$$ a liscense. I have never seen a program that can do this. Most(all) programs use a solid model then generate the tool paths(Gcode) from that. Similar to how RH or the Makerware programs work.

Maybe theres an obscure one out there that works this way but I am not aware.
Sorry!

3 Reply by 2n2r5

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Re: Is there a nice graphic gcode editor?

Netfabb might do something that you need. You can import g-code to it at least.

But honestly, the g-code is the tool path. You really don't want to manually edit that. You should be fixing whatever the problem is in the STL or the original model. The G-code is a bit late to make tweaks.

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4 Reply by macouno

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Re: Is there a nice graphic gcode editor?

I got the idea because I loaded some files in this nice gcode viewer: gcode.ws

I can easily imagine a version of that that allows you to grab "nodes/lines" and move them around.

2n2r5: Well... I am looking at a slightly more artistic interpretation of my model and would simply like more control over the end product than feeding it to a slicer and living with the result. I actually believe that the gcode is exactly where I want to tweak to make sure the end result is exactly what I want... since that is what ultimately defines what comes out of my printer.

5 Reply by Hazer

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Re: Is there a nice graphic gcode editor?

By not tweaking, he means that the GCODE is computed pathways in the X-Y coordinate plane based upon your model. Simply 'grabbing' these pathways and moving them even slightly would most likely end up with material separated, shredded, and/or overlapped. The slicer computes the pathways to make sure the right amount of material is being placed in the exact correct spot. This also includes the amount of material extruded (amount of flow) for each path. If you changed the length of a path without adjusting for the extruder as well, you would over/under extrude material.

The slicer can only do as good as a job as the original model, so if your having problems then you need to realize the basic rule:

s**t in = s**t out.

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6 Reply by macouno

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Re: Is there a nice graphic gcode editor?

Thanks for in the input... but... not everything can be solved by modelling and then letting the slicer do the work... I want way more control over the paths it's following. Everything will be visible in my current art project... so it all matters (also the paths the printer head follows for internal support).

So currently I'm working with a python script that rewrites the gcode makerware makes for me... seems to work well enough!

7 Reply by DigitalWhitewater

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Re: Is there a nice graphic gcode editor?

Would the program file2part be more along the lines of what you're looking for?

I kinda got to agree with the other folks though, edit the model, not the Gcode.
I'm pretty sure though that I'm just not understanding what it is that you are trying to explain.

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8 Reply by Hazer

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Re: Is there a nice graphic gcode editor?

Sounds like he either wants to slice his models manually, and/or make his own pseudo slicer.

Have fun with that. Seriously.

I once reverse engineered USB code back to assembly language to rewrite it in my own style of programming. I have an appreciation for going the painstaking route to get something accomplished in the manner I choose, not how it is 'unquestionably' presented to me.

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9 Reply by weberluo

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Re: Is there a nice graphic gcode editor?

I'm new to 3d printing and new to this forum. While searching for the same thing, found this thread. Since couldn't find a software, I got my own solution. See my blog here. weberluo.blogspot.ca/2014/06/how-to-manually-modify-your-3d-printing.html?m=1
Maybe a bit complicated but it works for me.

10 Reply by nobias

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Re: Is there a nice graphic gcode editor?

macouno wrote:

I got the idea because I loaded some files in this nice gcode viewer: gcode.ws

I can easily imagine a version of that that allows you to grab "nodes/lines" and move them around.

2n2r5: Well... I am looking at a slightly more artistic interpretation of my model and would simply like more control over the end product than feeding it to a slicer and living with the result. I actually believe that the gcode is exactly where I want to tweak to make sure the end result is exactly what I want... since that is what ultimately defines what comes out of my printer.


Hey Guy "I" get what your after and would like to be able to do some 'tweaking' myself, mostly in how much the extrude 'spreads' in certain parts of my models, But  sorry I don't know of anyway either - short of changing the g-code manually. You might use one of the slicer/editors that lets you visualize the paths and show the code side-by-side. Then alter the g-code to see results, but that a kluge method.

don't let the doubters get you down, keep looking