Using Inkscape to Generate Gcode

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Gcode Plot

  1. Video 1 - [1]
  2. GcodePlot extension for inkscape. Inkscape post - [2]. Github - [3]. Instructable - [4]
  3. Pen holder 3D design - [5]. Simplest way - is a flat piece of plastic. Support should be 2-point for parallelogramming (goes straight down) or 4 point for straight up-down - though 2-point parallelogramming should likewise produce straight up-down. See D3D Universal#Plotter pen holder design.

Instructions

From Instructable, in pertinent part, after installing extension:

  1. Restart or start Inkscape.
  2. Load the SVG file you want to draw or cut into Inskcape. The lower-left corner of the page in Inkscape corresponds to the minimum X and Y coordinates you measured in the previous step. Make sure your images fit into the print area.
  3. Convert the drawing to a path: ctrl-A to select everything, then Path | Object to Path.
  4. Save to gcode:
    1. File | Save As...
    2. Select: "3-axis gcode plotter" ... And a massive popup comes out. Should be self-explanatory, outside of:
    3. Make the area SAME in document size as the X and Y in the output settings. Straightforward.

Exercise

  1. Get your hands on SVG files. Since there are more PNG than SVG available in the wild - convert PNG to SVG first with Inkscape - [6]
  2. Take a file such as OSE d3d printer logo v1-16a.png. But would need to convert it to vectors. Power user material.
  3. So start with a vector file - File:Axis Idler LAI SVGs.zip
  4. Yes! Convert Object to Path in Path menu in inskscape
  5. Export gcode.
  6. How do you know g-code is valid? Use OpenSCAM - see [7]. To install a deb package, use a tool called gdebi. OpenSCAM installs under the name CAMotics. Didn't work on Ubuntu 16.04. Use https://ncviewer.com/ instead

MJ Notes

  1. Installed GcodePlot for Inkscape
  2. Drew in inkscape. Set coordinates the same in Save As Gcode and in Document/Settings for the document
  3. Viewed the file in https://ncviewer.com/. Line I drew showed up, but not the text.

Inkscape Notes

  • Work in File -> doc properties
  • In inskscape, make sure you have a correct image size
  • Work in mm'
  • Using a vector file, grab a corner to resize it correctly in mm
  • In path menu - select Trace Bitmap
  • Save SVG
  • Then it's ready for the Inkscape plugin called Gcode Tools
  • https://www.lifewire.com/inkscape-to-make-templates-cutting-machines-1701892 - turning letters into gcode with gcodetools - works for us
  • Add G29 and eliminate pen park in preprocessing for printing

Gcodeplot Settings

  • Set z working height to 0
  • Make sure you are within 150 by 150 mm boundaries
  • Copy start gcode. from d3d universal on homing and leveling

Support

  • It appears that the GcodePlot extension is not supported. See thread with some troubleshooting on proper install - [8]
  • Russion support forum with some usage instructions - [9]
  • Video - how to generate gcode in inkscape - [10]

Other Ways to Work With Inkscape SVG Files

  • Export to DXF in Inkscape - [11]
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