I was wondering what software to use for creating gcode files.
I have carbide create, just wondering if using the gcode it creates would run on the skr pro board? it is limited for sure and pro version doesnt add much. also if just using an sd card to load filles, should it plug into tft slot or skrpro board micro slot?
Thank You
Yes the gcode from the software should work - you’ll need to set you movement speeds and decide if you want to zero the axes yourself or include that in the start of every file.
A lot of us use estlcam because it’s easy to get to grips with, free to install and cheap to buy. But it’s not essential.
And yes you put the files in the sdcard in the side of the TFT.
thanks. TFT slot it is. think ill try estlcam next. just tried loading a file created in carbide crreate but errors. probably because i have several items enabled such as bit setter and bit runner which isnt on the mpcnc. ill try doing htat first and estlcam. thanks for the info.
I’d be interested to see a gcode file generated in carbide create - they specifically say on their website it only works on their machines and give them more money for the pro version if you want gcode that will work on non carbide CNC.
Gcode is a very old language, the files are just txts, you can open and read them in a text editor and see on each line what it’s doing.
I have carbide create, just wondering if using the gcode it creates would run on the skr pro board?
I doubt the g-code will run. I bet it generates g-code for some flavor of GRBL. It might be possible to edit or otherwise modify the g-code to run on a Marlin board. If you upload a g-code file generated with Carbide Create in a post, we can take a look at it and give you more information.
should it plug into tft slot or skrpro board micro slot?
If your SKR Pro board has recent V1 Marlin firmware, then it uses the slot on the SKR Pro board. Older versions of the firmware used the TFT slot.
I was wondering what software to use for creating gcode files.
The table in this post provides a map of the various software solutions. The most popular CAM solution for V1 machines is EstlCAM. Fusion 360 is a distant second, with just a smattering of other software.
so here is the carbide create file. Hmm wont let me upload as not an accepted file type. its extension is c2d. can i reame ext to txt or something else? i know i can export to svg or png.
Try changing the extension of the file to “gcode”. I just checked, and that works for me. Also, the forum will upload ZIP files, so you can toss anything you want in a ZIP file, and it will upload. There is also a file size limit for uploaded files, but a g-code file won’t be big enough to hit the limit.
If you mean exporting SVG or PNG from Carbide Create, that does not help us understand the Carbide Create g-code.
ok uploading file.
janet final.gcode (808 KB)
ok it worked.
Unfortunately, this is not a g-code file. It is some sort of binary format, probably the Carbide Create file rather than the g-code file. It references “SQLite format 3” as well a png file and an svg file. These are not things that would ever appear in a valid g-code file.
You need to generate/export the g-code file from Carbide Create. This assumes the free version supports this feature. The resulting file will have either a “.gcode” extension or a “.nc” extension. I’m not sure if the forum accepts “.nc” files, but you can rename it to “.gcode” to upload it.
so im wondering when i import these files into carbide motion if it converts to gcode. the program saves in this format then can be exported to png or svg. no other options available. maybe the pro version allows. oh well im in the process of learning estlcam. these are simple things ive made in carbide create so easily remade with estlcam. I appreciate the help.
ok my bad I do have the pro version, and after reading help file i can export as gode several versions such as grble basic gcode etc. but it loads in pronterface but not prperly. here is png and gcode file.
test sign.nc (804.5 KB)
hmm png doesdt load just a long title with weird numbers.
ok it loads into estlcam much better shows proper image. but with a bunch of invalid commands.