Sketchup CNC
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Mmm... Indeed you would get that error. At the moment the plugin is only really usable by people who are comfortable editing some ruby. postprocessor.rb is trying to save the CNC files to my directory ("c:\Users\Noel\CNC"). If you want to give it a shot, scan through the file. You should be able to spot the paths. Look for the double slashes (Mac unfriendly as Tim pointed out).
I'm working on making it all MUCH easier to edit. Keep you posted.
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Just curious but would it be more user friendly for the user to draw the tool paths on the work piece then select that geometry and select the tool path button then have a pop up info box for them to set the tool info such as cut diameter cut depth feed speed rpms and maybe a max plunge for that tool as well as the other info you have set up (cut direction,compin,compout,or centerline.)That way the user would not have to move the geometry into the work piece out of view. If the geometry is a circle they would select the drill button and do the same process. And if the geometry is on the back side of the work piece then all of those tool paths would be back operations. Not trying to redesign your plugin just brainstorming. Another thought is to have some sort of database to setup the tools for the toolbox so the user could just select the toolbox button and enter the tool geometry as well as feed speed plunge rate etc. for that tool. See The attached file hopes this explains it better
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By the way I am taking Dave's advise after seeing your post I think I can come up with someting better. That one looks like a tooth pick jabbed into a board
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Don't be so hard on yourself. I'm just glad to have your help. Just one thing... If you are going to edit it please don't make the background white. Use the same grey as the rest of the sketchup icons otherwise it'll look out of place. -
FWIW, the other toolbar icons have a transparent background, not grey.
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I thought png didn't do transparency... my bad. I've always found transparency tricky to work with, though if the other icons have transparent backgrounds it would clearly be the most correct. Imagine if SU9 changed its colour theme to green
Our buttons would be the only grey ones. How dire that would be -
Noel here are some icons please tell me what you think and maybe Dave will approve also
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The colours came as a bit of a shock but after a few seconds I warmed to them. I love the retro feel, ESPECIALLY the 5 1/4 inch floppy. What a pleasant surprise! First time I've seen Sketchup used for 2D too
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Looking good AND retro!
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My head's about to explode.
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Hey guys. Well, this is really starting to come together. I guess you could say that we now have a solid foundation upon which to build. I'd bore you to bits with what the plugin does, how it does it and what it could do but I think I'll just sit back for the time being and wait for the questions to come.
There are a few minor issues with it not being an extention and not propperly integrated into the toolbar but I think I've earned a rest. The point is it works and I am now doing ALL my CNC work with it.
Big shout out to Scott for the icons and look forward to answering any questions. I'll be posting photos of CNC jobs on my Google+ stream so you know where to find me
todo list
..make it an extention
..improve ui (show/hide toolpaths, etc)
..get more files into the cnc folder (Especially a template one)
..get assemblies working (I tried but my head exploded)
..automatic toolpath/hole generation -
100% Sketchup CAM. 100% minivistii
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Seriously? Those are real tables and chairs made directly from SU output? Very cool!
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Well, I'm not sure what you mean by "directly". There is nothing automatic about the process. All toolpaths have to be specified. But yes, it's all done within the Sketchup UI. From Sketchup to CNC.
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Hello
I am in the cabinet business and have used my Thermwood model 45 5' x 10' for the last four years. I use sketchup for all design work and convert skp surfaces to 2d toolpaths by exporting them to dxf. Layers are then created to identify tools, cutting depths etc. in the dxf. The Thermwood then converts these layers to G code.
Is a plug in available to automatically save selected surfaces to a 2d plane?
Thanks
Chris
adwwinc.com -
@chrisadww said:
Hello
I am in the cabinet business and have used my Thermwood model 45 5' x 10' for the last four years. I use sketchup for all design work and convert skp surfaces to 2d toolpaths by exporting them to dxf. Layers are then created to identify tools, cutting depths etc. in the dxf. The Thermwood then converts these layers to G code.
Is a plug in available to automatically save selected surfaces to a 2d plane?
Thanks
Chris
adwwinc.comTry this plugin http://rhin.crai.archi.fr/rld/plugin_details.php?id=753
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Hi Guys,
This is the 19th September 2012 Grand Design - Series 7 Episode 4 with CNC in action...
http://www.channel4.com/programmes/grand-designs/4od#3414075
CNC + REVIT = BUILDINGI wonder if that could be done with SU - I assume it could...
CNC + SketchUp = BUILDING
They are using MultiCam 1000 Series
http://www.multicam.com/eng/Products/1000series.htmlI'm not sure if you can watch outside UK - maybe you could use some proxy servers to 'overcome the hurdle'...
PS. I'm watching the topic closely
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Noel,
nice plugin. Good work. Your coding is better than mine. (I'm self taught on Ruby, so my code ain't so great).I work in a factory which does hardly any solid timber, we do board and edgetape.
We have a nested-base machine - you know, a flat bed cnc. So my output has to be to "optimising software" (we use on old version of aspan) which nests the parts and writes the G-code. So I'm working on a plugin of my own...when I reach a meaningful milestone, I'll post it (in another thread).
Even though I can't really use your plugin for our work, your code can help me (make better code and give me better ideas.).
Regards,
Anthony -
Cheers Anthony.
Just last week I got mailed by someone else working on another CNC plugin. (http://sketchucation.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=180&t=48781&p=439028#p438163) I got sent a screen shot and it looks quite promising.
It might be interesting to form a kind of common language between all of our plugins. A standard of sorts. I have a rough idea of how that might work. Would you be willing to work together a little?
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