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GCode sender changelog

Executable for development builds available for download here if you want to participate in testing.

2020-09-28: Development build for testing.

  • Added gcode preview to center finder.
  • Enabled function key shortcuts for macros in probing tab.
  • Fixed profile handling in probing tab.
  • Added simple probe protect to parts of probing sequence.
    Requires grblHAL based controller with build 20200927 or later and Run substatus enabled in Status report options.
    NOTE: "simple" because the sender will cancel non-probing motions and stop the sequence when receiving a probe triggered message. This message can be delayed up to the status report polling time, typically 200 ms.
    Warning: do not rely on this saving your probe from probing setup mistakes.
  • Bug fixes.

2020-09-26: Development build for testing.

  • Added gcode preview to edge finders, based on code/input from @jschoch
  • Added workaround for legacy grbl in order to keep probing UI in sync with controller status.
  • Bug fixes.

2020-09-21: Development build for testing.

  • Added machine position flyout.
  • Added warning about setting tool length reference if job has tool changes.
  • Added support for non-uniform heightmap grid size.
  • Added floating console window, show/hide it from the File menu.
  • Added filter to suppress real time messages in console.
  • Bug fixes, a major one was heightmap probing could exceed the defined area to be probed.
  • Added home position in machine coordinates to the core viewmodel, will be set by new message. From next build of grblHAL.
    Axes not homed is set to double.NaN.

2020-09-17: Development build for testing.

  • Added TLO (Tool Length Offset) and TLO referenced "LEDs" to Work Parameters box in the Grbl tab.
    The first will lit when a tool offset is active, the second when a tool offset reference is set (grblHAL only).
  • Added app setting for whether the MDI field should keep focus on a tab change.
  • Added <Ctrl>+<Shift> as keyboard shortcut in the MDI to reenable keyboard jogging.
    This as keyboard jogging is disabled when an input field has focus and tabbing may move focus elsewhere.
  • Added display of current block number executing (technically last ok'ed block) in status line.
  • Refactored probing to use machine position moves as much as possible.
  • Added internal edge finder.
  • Added option of adding number of passes to run in center finder and XY dimensions input instead of diameter.
  • Added option for setting Z offset in Tool Length Offset tab.
  • Bug fixes.

2020-09-04 : Sixth beta release.

Refactored probing to work with networking protocols. Some bug fixes and new shortcuts added since beta 1.

2020-08-05 : First beta release.

Updated for latest (20200805) grblHAL tool change functionality, bug fixes for tool change handling (UI was not correctly enabled for the different state changes).

2020-07-22: Alpha 20 release of binary.

Changes to probing and updates for new features in grblHAL. This release is for testing of new features both in the sender and in grblHAL. Revert to alpha 19 if problems arise.

Active development will not restart until the summer holidays are over.

2020-05-20: Alpha 19 release of binary.

Changes:

  • Major refactoring of probing tab:
    Inspired by probing plugin for LinuxCNC (IMO a good reference).
    Allows definition of probing profiles.
    Shortcut for enabling keyboard jogging: <CRTL>+<SHIFT>
    Tool length probing now honors toolplate/fixture height, new input field for workpiece height.
    Center finder workpiece diameter defaults to 0.
    Option to automatically set G92 offset (tool zero) at heightmap origin.
    Some sanity checks performed on data input.
    Note: tool length probing is not yet complete, fixture probing and tool table/tool length options remains. USE WITH CARE!
  • Sidebar flyouts can be activated with Alt shortcuts.
  • Bug fixes.

2020-05-09: Alpha 18 release of binary.

Changes:

  • <Ctrl>+<H> shortcut for homing added.
  • Keyboard jogging can be enabled when probing tab is active. Jog flyout always active in probing tab.
  • Number of blocks (lines) in loaded program shown in status bar.
  • Option for real time display of parser state in grbl tab (requires latest grblHAL build)
  • Some semantic changes, e.g. File > Open is now File > Load.
  • Bug fixes, internal changes.

2020-04-17: Alpha 17 release of binary.

Changes:

  • Resizable UI.
  • Toolbar with file handling tools, display of user defined macros with keyboard shortcuts.
  • Status bar for messages, run time and keyboard jog step size (jogging with <CTRL>+cursor keys).
  • Keyboard step jogging made available for non-grblHAL firmware. Change beetwen step sizes on the fly with numeric keypad 4 and 6. Feed rate is fixed to setting in Settings: App tab.
  • Shortcuts for sidebar flyouts (use Alt+underscored letter).
  • Cursor key jogging when jog flyout is active, even for non grblHAL firmware. No autorepeat!.
  • Change step size and feedrate with keyboard shortcuts when jog flyout is active. Bound to numeric keypad 2, 4, 6 and 8.
  • Manually associate GCode filetypes with sender.

2020-04-11: Alpha 15 release of binary.

Added interfaces for GCode conversion (from other file formats) and transformation.

Initially I have added two converters that I need for drilling, milling board outlines and making solder paste stencils from KiCad PCB designs:

  • Excellon to G81 drill commands. Has support for slots (Excellon G85). .drl filename extension required. Only for grblHAL firmware.

  • HPGL to edge cuts or solder paste stencil (when firmware is in laser mode). .plt filename extension required.

Two transformers added (available from File>Transform menu):

  • Arc to lines. Replaces Arcs (G2, G3) and splines (G5) with line segments. Arc tolerance from grbl firmware setting.

  • Add drag knife moves.

Note: these conversions and transformations has not yet been tested in a machine! Use with care.

Added File>Save menu option for saving converted/transformed GCode.
NOTE: Only metric output for now. Blocks will be reorganized to comply with NIST ordering. Again, use with care!

Lathe mode extensions: 3D viewer switched to XZ plane. G33 and G76 rendering implemented.

Added setup option to to enable keyboard jogging when firmware is not grblHAL. Understand the risks involved before doing so!

Many internal changes - perhaps the most important is a GCode emulator that is used by functions such as 3D rendering and transformations. Some bug fixes.

2020-03-29: Alpha 14 release of binary.

Added probing tab with tool length, edge finder, center finder and height map options. NOTE: This has NOT been extensively tested! G20 (inches) mode not tested at all! Do not use unless you understand the risks.

Disabled keyboard jogging when firmware is not grblHAL](https://github.com/terjeio/grblHAL). May add setup option to reenable later.

Many internal changes.

2020-03-16: Alpha 13 release of binary.

Program list control has been replaced vith a tab control with easy access to a 3D view and a console (for showing replies from grbl).

Added bounding box calculation for arcs (G2 & G3), Program limits should now be accurate.

2020-01-22: First alpha release of binary. Use with care and please report issues!

NOTE: Keyboard jogging with a grbl firmware other than grblHAL is likely to fail, this is a firmware problem so no plan to fix. grblHAL may also occasionally fail (likely due to issues in the sender) so be ready to hit reset/estop if it goes wrong!

NOTE: .Net Runtime version 4.5.2 is required, so this sender is for Win7 or later.

Some known issues:

  • The 3D-viewer will slow down loading of large files, if this is a problem then disable it in app settings. Fixed.

  • A restart is required after changing most app settings.

  • Lathe mode wizards may generate bad code, needs comprehensive testing. NOTE: As far as I know currently only grblHAL for MSP432 supports G76 for threading, all other builds will generate an error on G76. The G76 code generated is the linuxCNC variant.

  • There is no UI yet for configuring streaming via telnet or websocket protocols, either the app config file must be edited or the connection parameter has to be supplied on the command line.

  • Program limits displayed does not include arcs correctly if outside the bounding box defined by linear moves. Fixed.