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MiniCNCBasics: Difference between revisions
→Step 5 – Loading and editing your G-Code
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== Step 5 – Loading and editing your G-Code == | == Step 5 – Loading and editing your G-Code == | ||
13. The next step in milling anything is to load a G-Code file. | 13. The next step in milling anything is to load a G-Code file. | ||
Note that | |||
Note that instruction on how to create a G-Code file is beyond the scope of this tutorial and is up to you. | |||
You can use programs such as [https://www.autodesk.ca/en/products/fusion-360/overview Fusion 360] or a simpler program such as [http://easel.inventables.com/users/sign_in Easel] | |||
* Beginners can get started with [[Easy_CAM_Guide|Easy CAM Guide]], which explains how to create milling files using Easel's browser-based CAM. | |||
* Advanced users can learn more about CAM with Autodesk Fusion 360 by checking out this [https://skippy.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/09_CAM.pdf Fusion CAM writeup]. | |||
I have documented a very very simple sample in order to demonstrate the concepts of how to use the tool.<br> | |||
To load a g-code file, simply click on “Load G-Code” button. | To load a g-code file, simply click on “Load G-Code” button. | ||
Now that you have loaded your G-Code, I would like to run you through what I have learned about the | Now that you have loaded your G-Code, I would like to run you through what I have learned about the dialog's. | ||
*By clicking on the G-Code Dialog box, you can then scroll up and down the file. It appears that you cannot edit on the screen, but you can start selecting some other nifty controls within the file. | *By clicking on the G-Code Dialog box, you can then scroll up and down the file. It appears that you cannot edit on the screen, but you can start selecting some other nifty controls within the file. | ||
*To edit the code, you click on the “Edit G-Code” button. This will open the file in a text editor. When you close the file it will automatically load back into Mach3 | *To edit the code, you click on the “Edit G-Code” button. This will open the file in a text editor. When you close the file it will automatically load back into Mach3 | ||
*Also note if your click on the “Tool Path (Alt-4)” then you can visualize the cut path on each line of the G-Code file. | *Also note if your click on the “Tool Path (Alt-4)” then you can visualize the cut path on each line of the G-Code file. | ||
(The sample image shows the tool path after | (The sample image shows the tool path after I moved the image slightly to view the Z axis. Do this by click and hold the moue button on the view window and then moving the mouse slowly.<br> | ||
Notice that the line highlighted | Notice that the line highlighted in the G-Code dialog box is also highlighted in the tool path window. | ||
Important Note: in the sample, on line 2, it says to go to Z-26. This was what I entered before I understood how to use the height sensor properly. This is using a reference of Z as Zero after using the buck to sense the height, but then I incorrectly reset the Z height to zero manually. <br> | |||
This will be updated with a proper graphic and instructions once we figure it out. <br> | |||
Meanwhile, set your code to a very small number and test it first before you break a bit. | |||
<br>[[File:141-Tool-Path-View-1.jpg]] | <br>[[File:141-Tool-Path-View-1.jpg]] | ||