Creating a G-code file

Dear All,

I hope you are well,

I am a new grasshopper user and I'm currently using silkworm to create G-code file for 3D printing on a makerBot printer.

I was able to get the final G-code as a text out of grasshopper, but I still can't export it as a G-code file.

I tried slic3r to export G-code files out of obj. and stl. files before, so kindly if you can help me export the text file somehow to one of the previous mentioned file types (obj., stl., or G-code)

Many Thanks

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Riccardo Majewski on November 13, 2015 at 2:49am

Hi Ayham,

I've also did a simple tool to create a G-code for a 3-axis cam.

At the end of the definition I attached a panel, and when I want to export the data, just right-click over it and "copy data only".

An then i paste it in a .txt file.

Would it work like this?

Permalink Reply by Ayham Kabbani on November 13, 2015 at 6:10am

Hello Riccardo, Yes It does work like this but after creating this .txt file were you able to transform it to a .gcode, .stl, or .obj file?

Permalink Reply by Riccardo Majewski on November 13, 2015 at 6:53am

Wait.

Here's the workflow for 3dprinting as i know it:

1 design concept

2 creating geometry (mesh as .stl , .obj or such file)

3 creating supports geometries (mesh as .stl , .obj or such file)

4 slicing with a software that outputs a g-code file (like grasshopper), it can be a .txt , .iso or whatever... but not again an .stl or .obj file!

Ugually g-code files are a very simple format, like again, a .txt or .iso .

The way that your 3dprinter "use", "read", or "eat" that file, i don't know it....

I think that, making the g-code file is not a problem; grasshopper can be useful, and here, indeed, you can find some help in doing that. (Is this your problem?)

But for how to "give" the g-code to the printer, you should search in dedicated MakerBot forums.

Or, maybe someone other can help you in that....I can't, sorry.

(Edit. Maybe my english hurt your eyes... sorry for that)

Permalink Reply by Arthur Mamou-Mani on November 13, 2015 at 8:27am

Hi Ayham,

Do you mean exporting the text at the end of Silkworm as G-Code?

Have you tried right clicking on panel to copy text and then paste it in a notepad and saving as .gcode?

All the best,

Arthur

Permalink Reply by Ayham Kabbani on November 13, 2015 at 11:40am

Thank you Arthur, it has worked I didn't know it can be as simple as that actually.

Thanks again,

Permalink Reply by Ayham Kabbani on November 13, 2015 at 11:40am

Thank you Arthur, it has worked I didn't know it can be as simple as that actually.

Thanks again,

Permalink Reply by RhinoProf- Rhino Gh Online Tutor on June 22, 2017 at 6:59pm

Hi Arthur,

Thanks for your message. I am exporting gcode to makerbot replicator 2 for the first time and the machine is not reading the file.

Could you please suggest me how can i make the machine read the file?

Also I am concerned about the origin of the print.. Will it automatically print in the center of I have to position it in Rhino..?

Looking forward for your reply.

Regards,

Porus

Permalink Reply by Stephen Maher on November 13, 2015 at 9:08am

Like Arthur, I've always understood GCODE to be an easy TXT document transfer.

Attached is a Python script that allows you to export text with a given file extension. Just use ".gcode" and set "write" to True.

/SPM

Attachments:

gcode_writer.gh, 10 KB

Permalink Reply by Ayham Kabbani on November 13, 2015 at 11:43am

hello Stephen, well yes it seemed to be easy as Arthur has said, but the python script seems quite helpful too, I have tried to download it, but apparently the latest version on food4rhino is not exactly the same as this one. do u have the link to download it?

Permalink Reply by Stephen Maher on November 14, 2015 at 11:51am

Ayham,

I'm using the latest version of GHPython (0.6.0.3). Are you sure you have the latest component?

/SPM

Permalink Reply by Fred on June 28, 2017 at 1:33am

Hi Stephen,

Thanks for the python code. I have tried to introduce it but it seems that by pushing the button, the Python code still remain "orange" and no file is generated. Do you have a solution ?

Fred

Permalink Reply by Stephen Maher on June 30, 2017 at 6:21am

Fred,

Apologies for the delayed reply. Mind posting your file?

/SPM