# GRBL-Plotter

**Repository Path**: xiaodelea/GRBL-Plotter

## Basic Information

- **Project Name**: GRBL-Plotter
- **Description**: A GCode sender for up to two GRBL controller. SVG, DXF import. 4th axis support. 6 axis DRO.
- **Primary Language**: Unknown
- **License**: GPL-3.0
- **Default Branch**: master
- **Homepage**: None
- **GVP Project**: No

## Statistics

- **Stars**: 1
- **Forks**: 1
- **Created**: 2019-11-01
- **Last Updated**: 2025-08-14

## Categories & Tags

**Categories**: Uncategorized

**Tags**: None

## README

# GRBL-Plotter
[README deutsch](README_de.md)  
A GCode sender for GRBL under windows, using DotNET 4.0 (should also work with Windows XP)  
Written in C# VisualStudio 2015.  
If you like GRBL-Plotter, show it to me with a small donation :-) [![Donate](https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/DE/i/btn/btn_donateCC_LG.gif)](https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=PVBK8U866QNQ6)   
   
### New in Version 1.3.0.x
#### New feature 'use cases':
* select a 'use-case' when importing DXF or SVG
* preset import options, pen up/down definitions, Z deepth, etc.
* use it for machine-selection, material-selection or tool-selection
* example [Using a pen and laser together](https://youtu.be/Ebe2kFlE058)
#### Improoved 'grouping'
* Paths from imports by DXF or SVG can be grouped (by color or layer)
* Groups can be selected, transformed, deleted
#### Misc
* process dashed lines from DXF or SVG
* Add a logger
* extend error handling on SVG import
* Laser tools to optimize parameters e.g.  [Scan Z to find laser focus](https://youtu.be/blhaZ8rb2ec)

#### Attentions: some incompatibilities:  
* new file format for csv tool table now ',' comma separated instead of ';' semicolon  
* new file locations for examples, fonts, scripts, tools
   
### New in Version 1.2.5.x:
* Transform of all or selected code
* ___simple___ cutter radius compensation
* option for final Z depth in several passes
* update Hershey fonts from evil mad scientist (before their new release)
* New option for text creation: connect characters within a word
* Hot keys: assign direct commands / scripts to keys    
   
### New in version 1.2.4.x:  
* extend override buttons in GUI for grbl version 1.1
* bug fix drag tool compensation: correct start point of first line in object
* For 2D view: mapping rotary axis to X or Y axis
* Resizeable Joystick control (Setup - Joystick)
* Resizable editor
* Ruler scale also for negative dimension
* Mirroring of Rotary axis
* New menu 'view'. E.g. switch between traditional object view or view to the complete machine area  
* Highlight selected path (e.g. for deletion)
* Copy gcode path to background as a landmark for positions applying new gcode (check context menu on 2D view)
* New window to handle coordinate systems G54, etc (Menu Machine control - Coordinate system)
* Code creation with usage of Z and spindle - add variable delay after spindle start (to be sure spindle really started)    
* Add extensions 'cnc', 'gcode' as possible gcode source
* New menu item 'Remove any Z movement' in GCode Transform  
* Replace G92 command by G10 L20 P0
* Remove hotkey assignment with "Strg" via form-designer (Strg / Ctrl Problem)
* Some code clean up
  
### Check [History](https://github.com/svenhb/GRBL-Plotter/blob/master/History.md)  
      
Check the [Wiki](https://github.com/svenhb/GRBL-Plotter/wiki) for further information   

### Program is free and you can use it at your own risk,<br>as you understand there is no warranty of any kind
Zip folder contains ClickOnce application setup. Exe can be found in sub-folder GRBL-Plotter/bin/release.
#### [GRBL-Plotter Vers. 1.3.0.0](https://github.com/svenhb/GRBL-Plotter/releases/latest)  2019-10-03    

### Requirements for compiling
* VisualStudio 2015 
* DotNET 4.0
 
### Feature list:
#### Import/Export:  
* Several options to translate Pen Up/Down
  - controlling a Z axis
  - controlling a servo
  - controlling a laser
  - user defined commands
  - Create GCode absolute or relative (for further use as subroutine)  
* Ruler and import units can be switched between mm or inch
* GCode import via file load, drag & drop or copy & paste
  - Loading GCode with optional replacement of M3 / M4 commands (helpful for 'Laser Mode' $32=1) 
* SVG graphics import via file load, drag & drop (also URL) or copy & paste - tested with [Inkscape](https://inkscape.org/de/) generated SVGs 
  - optional resize to fixed size
  - optional output of nodes only (generating drill holes for string art [Video 'String Art'](https://youtu.be/ymWi15rvTvM)  )
  - optional sorting of paths by used color
  - optional tool change
  - if text needs to be imported, convert text into path first
* DXF graphics import via file load, drag & drop (also URL) - tested with [LibreCAD](http://librecad.org/cms/home.html) generated DXFs 
  - few entities are missing
* Drill file import via file load, drag & drop
* Image import via file load or drag & drop
* GCode can be edited and saved
* Recent File List (Files and URLs)
* Export / import machine specific settings (Joystick, Buttons)
  
#### GCode creation:
* Create Text
  - own created 'Dot Matrix' font [Video 'Dot Matrix'](https://youtu.be/ip_qCQwoufw) 
* Create simple shapes
    
#### GCode manipulation:  
* Transformation of GCodes (scale, rotation, mirror, zero-Offset)  
any A,B,C,U,V,W commands will stay in place.
* Transformation via camera teaching
* Axis Substitution for Rotary Axis
  
#### Machine control:  
* Individual commands via user defined Buttons  
* Joystick like control in user interface  
* support of no-name USB GamePad  
* Optional usage of a WebCam with separate coordinate system: graphics overlay of the current GCode, set zero point, measure angle, zoom, teaching  
  - Shape recognition for easier teach-point (fiducial) assignment  
  - Transforming GCode with camera aid, to match drill file with PCB view [Wiki 'PCB drilling'](https://github.com/svenhb/GRBL-Plotter/wiki/PCB-drilling)   
  
#### Flow control:
* Supporting subroutines M98, M99 Sub-Program Call (P, L)
* Internal variable to support probing, e.g.:
  - G38.3 Z-50		(probe toward tool length sensor, stop on contact - because of deceleration stop-pos. is not trigger-pos.)
  - G43.1 Z@PRBZ	(Offset Tool with value stored on trigger of sensor switch)
  - examine SerialForm.cs for implementation
  
#### GRBL:  
* Automatic reconnect on program start  
* Supporting GRBL 1.1 (and 0.9 also)
* Supporting new GRBL 1.1 features
  - Jogging
  - Feed rate override
  - Spindle speed override
  - real time display GRBL states (in COM CNC window)
* Check limits of GRBL setup - max. STEP frequency and min. FEED rate in COM CNC window  
* Controlling a 2nd GRBL-Hardware
* Supports 4th axis (A, B, C, U, V or W). Status and control (special GRBL version needed)

 
### My test bed
On my german homepage:
[my XYZ platform](http://svenhb.bplaced.net/?CNC___Plotter) 

### GRBL-Plotter in tool change action
[![Import an image](https://i9.ytimg.com/vi/GGtdwYdZWi8/mq2.jpg?sqp=COypi98F&rs=AOn4CLAbkofKlCN1cepOQkGvpG6YlnRwrQ)](https://youtu.be/GGtdwYdZWi8) 

### Screenshots
Main GUI
![GRBL-Plotter GUI](doc/GRBLPlotter_GUI.png?raw=true "Main GUI") 

Separate serial COM window(s) - one for the CNC, one for the tool changer (or 4th axis)  
![GRBL-Plotter COM interface](doc/GRBLPlotter_COM2.png?raw=true "Serial connection") ![2nd GRBL control](doc/GRBLPlotter_Control_COM2.png?raw=true "Serial connection")

Setup import / GCode conversion  
![GRBL-Plotter Setup1.1](doc/GRBLPlotter_Setup1_1_en.png?raw=true "Setup1.1") 
Setup import / GCode conversion  
![GRBL-Plotter Setup1.2](doc/GRBLPlotter_Setup1_2_en.png?raw=true "Setup1.2") 
Setup import / GCode conversion  
![GRBL-Plotter Setup1.3](doc/GRBLPlotter_Setup1_3_en.png?raw=true "Setup1.3") 
   
Setup main tool table  
![GRBL-Plotter Setup2](doc/GRBLPlotter_Setup2_en.png?raw=true "Setup2")  
   
Setup main configuration  
![GRBL-Plotter Setup3](doc/GRBLPlotter_Setup3_en.png?raw=true "Setup3")  
  
Setup user defined buttons  
![GRBL-Plotter Setup4](doc/GRBLPlotter_Setup4_en.png?raw=true "Setup4")  
  
Setup GamePad  
![GRBL-Plotter Setup5](doc/GRBLPlotter_Setup5_en.png?raw=true "Setup5")  
  
Setup virtual Joystick  
![GRBL-Plotter Setup6](doc/GRBLPlotter_Setup6_en.png?raw=true "Setup6")  
  
Setup shape recogniton for fiducial camera     
![GRBL-Plotter Setup7](doc/GRBLPlotter_Setup7_en.png?raw=true "Setup7")  
  
Text import  
![GRBL-Plotter Text](doc/GRBLPlotter_Text.png?raw=true "Text conversion")  
  
Picture import  
![GRBL-Plotter Image](doc/ImageImport/ImageImport1.png?raw=true "Image import")  
  
Different scaling options  
![GRBL-Plotter Scaling](doc/GRBLPlotter_scaling.png?raw=true "GCode scaling")  

Feed rate overrid for Version 0.9 and 1.1  
![GRBL-Plotter Override](doc/GRBLPlotter_override.png?raw=true "GCode override") ![GRBL-Plotter Override](doc/GRBLPlotter_override2.png?raw=true "GCode override")