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@@ -25,8 +25,14 @@ unsuitable due to their high cost. Examples below: -<img src="https://www.fwei.tk/blog/d-day.jpg" width="100%"> -<img src="https://www.fwei.tk/blog/baby-yoda.png" width="100%"> +<img src="https://www.fwei.tk/blog/d-day.jpg" width="100%" /> +<img src="https://raw.githubusercontent.com/built1n/rastercarve/master/examples/pen_plotter.jpg" width="100%" /> +<img src="https://www.fwei.tk/blog/baby-yoda.png" width="100%" /> + +The program's output has been tested on a ShopBot Desktop MAX, which +produced the results shown earlier, and a ShopBot PRTalpha. Various +users have reported successful results on an X-Carve and Shapeoko +machines, among others. # Installation @@ -98,8 +104,13 @@ location. Double check that the bottom right corner is in bounds. right corner and work its way down to the bottom right in a serpentine fashion. -The program's output has been tested on a ShopBot Desktop MAX, which -produced the results shown earlier. +## Ramping + +Some tools (e.g. ShopBot) have an option to control acceleration ramping +speeds. The intricate nature of many raster engraving toolpaths generated +with this program tend to trigger unneccessary speed ramping on these +machines, leading to very slow cycle times. The solution to this is to +set more aggressive ramping values. (ShopBot users can use [VR].) # Advanced @@ -172,6 +183,52 @@ not be used, since the spindle will fail to start and damage the material. Use this flag with caution on other machines. ``` +## G-code Customization + +The G-code produced should work out-of-the-box on ShopBot machines. Other +machines may need some fine-tuning. + +The default G-code preamble is + +``` +G00 G90 G80 G28 G17 G20 G40 G49 +M03 +``` + +The `--preamble[-file]` and `--epilogue[-file]` options allow you to specify +a custom G-code header or footer to override the default. Note that in writing +a custom preamble/epilogue, you should *not* include line numbers; the program +will automatically insert them on each line of the supplied preamble/epilogue. + +If the default preamble is giving you issues, try the following stripped-down +version: + +``` +G20 +``` + +This will only tell the machine to use inch units (`G20`) and nothing else. It +should work with virtually any machine. + +## Metric Units + +Passing the `--metric` flag will replace the default `G20` directive with `G21` +to force metric units. If this is passed, all measurements given will be +interpreted as millimeters. E.g., `--width 100` will be interpreted as a width +of 100mm. (That is to say, the `--metric` flag is comparatively dumb; no +internal unit scaling takes place.) + +Note that the `--metric` flag cannot be used in conjunction with +`--preamble[-file]`. If a custom preamble is necessary, just include `G21`. + +## Pen Plotting + +The generated toolpaths produce excellent results when used with pen plotters +instead of engraving bits (see above). The machine setup is a little more +complicated, though: the Z height must be set to half the maximum engraving +depth *above* the material for the black and white regions to be drawn +correctly. + # Related [Vectric PhotoVCarve](https://www.vectric.com/products/photovcarve) - |