Im sorry I dont see any exe files, do I treat these files like plugins in inskape? Sorry I am not as savy as I need to be to figure this out. I feel really foolish these days trying understand something that was to be simple lol.
I have attached the program. You will have to decompress it with a program such as winzip, 7zip, or winrar. Inside you will find the .exe file that will run it. It is a standalone program, not part of Inkscape.
3dpBurner-Image2Gcode-MPCNC-2.rar (103 KB)
@Andrew. Probably worth mentioning that if you’re running a newer version of Windows then you’ll probably get a warning from Smartscreen filter or other antivirus when you try to run the program. It’s a generic warning that comes up anytime you try to run an unknown application. Just choose to ignore the warning, the file is safe. You can scan it at virustotal.com if you need peace of mind.
Some aggressive antivirus programs will automatically quarantine exe files downloaded from the web so you may have to allow a exception for the download.
Awesome guys, thank you so much. My brain is truly fried from all the stuff I have been doing since before christmas lol. I purchased the laser thinking I could handle it and I did for the most part. The build was challenging, but not impossible. My background in RC hobbies greatly helped in the electronics modification. I did not however factor in the image or graphic design element. Which is what makes all this possible, not being able to generate images into code that can be read or recognized by laser controller has been a complete nightmare. On the plus side, I have learned several new skills lol.
That all said, I am hopeful this will work for my setup. I am using a cheap and cheerful k40 40watt laser which I modified with ramps 1.4 + Arduino Uno + LCD + SD card reader on board. Ive also added air assist and lighting. I have burnt several test pieces of MDF 1/4 inch with various shapes, images, text, and graphics, none of which came out exactly as I planned lol. I have been stuck at this point trying my best to learn graphic design, vector graphics, image coding, as well as learning all these different plugins in a program(inkscape) That sometimes works and sometimes doesnt, while other times locking up my systems all together. I work now on win8 and win7, win 7 is directly connected to laser to run a program like laserweb, pronterface, repteir, pic sender, or whatever is to work best. I currently have laserweb up and running if this is the best way, but for now I use only the SD card to print from.
If nothing else works for me then I may just rewire my laser following jtech design, where fan control is modified for laser. I am certain that whatever I do will someway involve revisiting and modifying my marlin config.h file to enable my controller to understand the code generated for each individual print job(graphic/image). Ok, I feel a bit better and I am done with my rant lol. Please feel free to offer any insight, direction, or criticism, I very humbly accept all lol.
Don’t worry, I’ve had my fair share of headaches with every new element. As long as you’re willing to learn, there are many people here and in the community that are glad to help you along the way.
I am unfamiliar with the K40 lasers, but I do give you this word of caution: understand what input voltage your laser driver expects, and do not blow it! The D9 pin for the fan connector on the RAMPS 1.4 supplies a TTL signal from 0 to 12V. So make sure that your driver can handle this before you switch it. Leo69 has a well written guide that is on the front page that may be of use.
Bryan, are you referring to the x and y drivers? When I set them up in the begginning they were taking on 24v. This is my setup and yes I have looked into the fact that there is 0-12v out of fan control on ramps and I dont believe that me moving my current laser pwm control to fan location will work. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-84-8KpcR0vY/U-UAoggAaII/AAAAAAAAEp4/aYj0-6NZ8HY/s1600/CO2LaserRampsHookup.jpg and http://3dprintzothar.blogspot.com/2014/08/40-watt-chinese-co2-laser-upgrade-with.html.
Last test I ran using piclaser demo here is the code it spit out. the laser comes on completes a very small sqaure, tiny, then stays on while continuing to fire at the given intensities being fed into controller, but will not move correctly. I can see movement after the little square, but only if I watch the teeth on the timing belt of x axis, in which x is moving .01 up to .04 and then back down then repeats??? All I want is to take an image to gcode and print why is this so hard? After looking at this software I dont think it will work for my set up either and they guys over at pic laser have all but given up on me haha.
( File: 20130401_162956 Resized Dithered.bmp )
( 01-31-2016 at 21:37:07 )
( PicLaser v. 2.1.1)
( UNREGISTERED DEMO VERSION )
( AUTOMATIC SKIP LINES ENABLED )
( J-Tech 3D )
( FeedRate = 3000 )
( Pixel Resolution = 0.0100 )
( Max. Laser Value 75.0000 )
( Min. Laser Value 15.0000 )
( Engraving Angle = Horizontal )
M80
G28
G20
G01 F3000
G01 M05 S0
G01 X0.00 Y0.00
M03
G01 X0 Y0
M03 S69.5882
G01 X0.01 Y0
M03 S65.8235
G01 X0.02 Y0
M03 S63.4706
G01 X0.03 Y0
M03 S65.8235
G01 X0.04 Y0
M03 S66.0588
G01 X0.05 Y0
M03 S66.5294
G01 X0.06 Y0
M03 S68.4118
G01 X0.07 Y0
M03 S66.7647
G01 X0.08 Y0
M03 S65.5882
G01 X0.09 Y0
M03 S62.2941
G01 X0.1 Y0
M03 S67
G01 X0.11 Y0
M03 S64.6471
G01 X0.12 Y0
M03 S64.4118
G01 X0.13 Y0
M03 S63.9412
G01 X0.14 Y0
M03 S68.1765
G01 X0.15 Y0
M03 S63.9412
G01 X0.16 Y0
M03 S66.5294
G01 X0.17 Y0
M03 S67
G01 X0.18 Y0
M03 S67.2353
G01 X0.19 Y0
M03 S67.9412
G01 X0.2 Y0
M03 S67
G01 X0.21 Y0
M03 S62.5294
G01 X0.22 Y0
M03 S66.7647
G01 X0.23 Y0
M03 S66.5294
G01 X0.24 Y0
M03 S65.8235
G01 X0.25 Y0
M03 S66.5294
G01 X0.26 Y0
M03 S69.5882
G01 X0.27 Y0
M03 S65.5882
G01 X0.28 Y0
M03 S66.2941
G01 X0.29 Y0
M03 S67.7059
G01 X0.3 Y0
M03 S65.8235
G01 X0.31 Y0
M03 S65.5882
G01 X0.32 Y0
M03 S66.2941
G01 X0.33 Y0
Ok got this to work seemingly ok so far, still a bit to hot in intensity of laser. Is there are way to set origin in the program? or set x,y home all? In the one image I saw that it could be selected from a dot matrix in program, but cant find the modified version to install. Here is test code I generated and ran for a few mins again I have to play with intensity.
( File: 20130401_162956 Resized Dithered.bmp )
( 01-31-2016 at 21:37:07 )
( PicLaser v. 2.1.1)
( UNREGISTERED DEMO VERSION )
( AUTOMATIC SKIP LINES ENABLED )
( J-Tech 3D )
( FeedRate = 3000 )
( Pixel Resolution = 0.0100 )
( Max. Laser Value 75.0000 )
( Min. Laser Value 15.0000 )
( Engraving Angle = Horizontal )
M80
G28
G20
G01 F3000
G01 M05 S0
G01 X0.00 Y0.00
M03
G01 X0 Y0
M03 S69.5882
G01 X0.01 Y0
M03 S65.8235
G01 X0.02 Y0
M03 S63.4706
G01 X0.03 Y0
M03 S65.8235
G01 X0.04 Y0
M03 S66.0588
G01 X0.05 Y0
M03 S66.5294
G01 X0.06 Y0
M03 S68.4118
G01 X0.07 Y0
M03 S66.7647
G01 X0.08 Y0
M03 S65.5882
G01 X0.09 Y0
M03 S62.2941
G01 X0.1 Y0
M03 S67
G01 X0.11 Y0
M03 S64.6471
G01 X0.12 Y0
M03 S64.4118
G01 X0.13 Y0
M03 S63.9412
G01 X0.14 Y0
M03 S68.1765
G01 X0.15 Y0
M03 S63.9412
G01 X0.16 Y0
M03 S66.5294
G01 X0.17 Y0
M03 S67
G01 X0.18 Y0
M03 S67.2353
G01 X0.19 Y0
M03 S67.9412
G01 X0.2 Y0
M03 S67
G01 X0.21 Y0
M03 S62.5294
G01 X0.22 Y0
M03 S66.7647
G01 X0.23 Y0
M03 S66.5294
G01 X0.24 Y0
M03 S65.8235
G01 X0.25 Y0
M03 S66.5294
G01 X0.26 Y0
M03 S69.5882
G01 X0.27 Y0
M03 S65.5882
G01 X0.28 Y0
M03 S66.2941
G01 X0.29 Y0
M03 S67.7059
G01 X0.3 Y0
M03 S65.8235
G01 X0.31 Y0
M03 S65.5882
G01 X0.32 Y0
M03 S66.2941
G01 X0.33 Y0
This thread is specifically about image2gcode software which DOES allow origin setting, thanks to Bryan’s revision. The code you posted is specific to pic laser which i believe does NOT allow origin setting. That’s a Jtech software package so maybe someone here uses it and can answer otherwise maybe Jtech forum? Also, why dithering? Does your laser support regular raster/TTL engraving? If it does then give image2gcode a try.
Do you mind sharing pics of your setup? The k40 laser is co2 right? I’d like to see how that looks on the mpcnc. Might have to try that myself some day.
I was under the impression that he wasn’t using a MPCNC at all, but rather one of those blue and white laser cutters from ebay. At least that’s what I get when I google K40 laser.
Oh ok. I just read the earlier posts a little more closely. I think there’s quite a bit of info on those Chinese C02 lasers on the CNCzone forums. I once found a web page with a write-up on retrofitting a CNC router with a Co2 laser. Was hoping he had done the same with an MPCNC.
I would be very interested in a 40w CO2 laser on my MPCNC as well. Probably burn my house down, though.
Ditto:)
ooops I, my bad. I did not mean to post the piclaser gcode, the message was intended to correlate with the image of code generated with image2gcode. Certainly I will share video and pics, but must warn that I am not great at all this as seen in my previous posts. The building/modification made to the laser was the easy part for me, I did not run into issues until hitting the wall of vector graphic design and all work having to be in code to print on laser. Primarily, I am all about the RC Hobby stuff and that led me to this insane side hobby lol. Now I have plans to get a top of line 3d printer within a couple weeks to complicate things even further. I saw that the origin could be set but did not know how to open that file attached to that post. Is there a version that has all mods up to date? I was able to obviously unzip the others and then saw the executable files, however the .rar file which carries the origin mod it says it cant be opened, wanting me to search other applications to run it?
Ok off to run one of these images I just generated code for in image2gcode and I will be back with pics with video as well. I did provide a link to a build which I modeled mine off of. Again you have to understand, I have been at this like an insane crazy person for months with very little success with what I wanted to get out of this whole process. Again, I did not take into account the massive amount of design and code that goes into all this.
Sorry again for all the ranting and whining lol, just been near impossible especially with a wife who I promised that this would all be operational before Christmas for a couple gifts lol. So yea unhappy wife leads to miserable life lol jk.
(Generated by 3dpBurner Image2Gcode v0.1)
(@Feb/01/2016 23:19:52)
M05 S
(Header)
G0 X0 Y0
(Header end)
G90
G21
F3000
G0 X0 Y75.06
G1
G1 X0 Y74.88
M03 S25
G1 X0.18
G1 X0.36
G1 X0.54
G1 X0.72
G1 X0.9
G1 X1.08
M03 S24
G1 X1.26
G1 X1.44
M03 S25
G1 X1.62
G1 X1.8
M03 S24
G1 X1.98
G1 X2.16
G1 X2.34
G1 X2.52
G1 X2.7
G1 X2.88
G1 X3.06
M03 S25
G1 X3.24
M03 S26
G1 X3.42
G1 X3.6
M03 S25
was able to figure out how to open that .rar file from bryan that contains the .exe file with origin mod. Win10 didn’t recognize the file type and I took a shot at it searching webstore, this led me to a zip app that allowed files like this to be opened, unzipped, unpacked, and so on. I feel silly now lol that I didnt figure this out sooner. Like I said before, my mind is all over the place trying to retain all this stuff lol.
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B5YapASZj2L1OGNyYVYtQ1JfN2M Here the link to my setup as it is now. I still need to mod the cutting surface to enable z bed or roller system, however I might just stick with a more simple solution for focal adjustment via adjustable lens/laser head. I wasnt able to get video just yet but I will as soon as possible. I thank you again for assisting me in earlier posts. If I can assist or pay it forward in anyway please let me know, via post here or PM.
Here is a video link I created last night with explanation of issues having with y axis. Not a major issue, in fact maybe an issue I could attempt to alter in the software/code. My home position is X=0, Y=O. Sorry in advance for the slow speaking in the video, was my first blog vid lol, and I have yet to put a vid on youtube of anything. https://drive.google.com/open?id=1SA1V-VKQl2lDcFs1oOO1S2sEBcQxywaFWg also here is the link with pics of my setup as it is now https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B5YapASZj2L1OGNyYVYtQ1JfN2M Would be awesome if I am able to help others they way these types of blogs and information has helped me in not only the laser community, but also the electronic endeavors I take on. I am new to posting, blogging, and chat, so I may have posted replies above in wrong way leading to no other responses from members. Should I re-post the information in the last two posts?
Beginning to think I ran you all off lol, I provided pics and video of my setup and have heard nothing in over a day now ;( I am working on a piece right now seems to be working perfectly. Slow very very slow but really nice, is there a way to increase line width being cut in the program? in regards to origin all I had to do is do the opposite in software for it to be correct on my setup. Intensity is currently working well min10 and max35, again very slow though. it is possible I did not check the feed override, however I didnt think it had any baring on feed set on gcode tab? Another small issue I am having repeatedly is the y axis slide bar or whatever you call the rod in which it slides up and down on, keeps sticking in same area. I adjusted the pot for y axis thinking that would force it a bit more which it seemed to do but is there a way i can fix this other than forcing? What may the problem be in this case?
Lastly, is there a way to use this software to pull out images from surroundings such as inkscape trace bitmap with edge detect? Or dither 2-4 more times to allow more spacing? Works awesome though all in all and this is the first of all that I have tired to use that has worked so seemingly. Please let me know how I can assist if any.
Andrew,
I was still having issues viewing your video. I suggest you put it on YouTube so it’s accessible to more as well.
The feed rate override checkbox will enable the profile selection to override the current feed rate value in the gcode tab. It’s a little buggy right now and I need to fix it in the next update (if you already have a profile selected and then check feed rate override, it will not update the gcode tab)
In order to get a wider line, just slightly defocus your laser a little to get a larger spot size (I’m not sure if you are able to adjust the focus on your k40).
See if your y-axis rod has any scratches/dents on it. It could cause issues and sticking.
And lastly, the image2gcode software only has basic image editing. It will not be able to perform edge detection. I would suggest doing your photo editing in Inkscape before importing it to image2gcode.
I would suggest that you create a thread over in the subforum “Builds and Things Built” so you can show off your k40 conversion and other people can provide more specific help in regards to the k40.
@Andrew Are you asking if there is a way to isolate images in a photograph, so you can print only the part of the image you want? If so, you need a program used for manipulating photographs (inkscape is for manipulating vector drawings). A good free one is called the Gimp. Like inkscape, it is powerful and has a steep learning curve, but it will do what you want. You could probably find simpler software out there is cutting out part of a picture is all you want to do. For simple stuff, you could try Paint.Net.
I’m not sure what you mean by “dither 2-4 more times to allow more spacing”. If you mean resize the image, the Gimp will do that too. The main thing is if you’re looking to manipulate a photograph or bitmap, you need software made for that, like the Gimp or Paint.Net.
You have mentioned several times now that you’re not getting much response from folks here. You should recognize that you are on a forum dedicated specifically to the Mostly Printed CNC, which we have all built. You’ve also hijacked a thread discussing the latest modifications to image2gcode for the MPCNC to ask about how to use the software on your K40 laser cutter and also how to solve some other issues you have with it.
Luckily for you, there are a few of us here who use lasers on our MPCNC, or have some level of experience and expertise with software or CNC machines in general, and are willing to help out. But most of the people on this forum are here to discuss the Mostly Printed CNC, which is why you don’t always get a lot of response.
That said, there ARE two or three people here interested enough to respond if we can, so feel free to ask questions, but you might need to be patient.