Not easy by any stretch of the imagination. If anyone doesn't believe
me, take a look at
http://www.cg.tuwien.ac.at/studentwork/CESCG99/SKrivograd/This page describes some of the math involved with generating an
outline or tool path.
On a side note, I got ToolPathPro to compile this afternoon. I ran a
sample DXF file through it and generated some rather interesting
GCodes. I'll have some pics on my website shortly. The good news is
that Alan has inspired me to keep on working on this thing. It can
currently handle direct DXF export from TraxMakerPro and convert to
GCode. I still need to work on the optimization algorithm, and forsee
several weeks of coding, but it is in the works.
Dave
--- In Homebrew_PCBs@y..., Alan Marconett KM6VV <KM6VV@a...> wrote:
> Hi John,
>
> Well, I wouldn't say it's a "very simple program to write", right
Dave?
> I've seen the three Gerber files from TCi. Silk, component, and
> solder. Both component (green) and solder (red) have traces and
pads.
> The silk (yellow) is component outline.
> I only saw a few random blue and red lines when I loaded a TCi
gerber
> file into KCam. I suspect I have an old version. As long as I can
> convert the files, I'll just run them through my own "process".
>
> Hay! If the cost is high, maybe I can sell an inexpensive converter
> program!
>
> Alan KM6VV
>
>
> crankorgan wrote:
> >
> > Hi Alan,
> > TCI makes three Gerber files. One of them has the
> > pads and traces. When I plot the Gerber I get lots of
> > BLUE lines. Red is cut and blue is travel. When I see
> > more BLUE than Red I quit. I like my machine to spend
> > it's time cutting not traveling all over. Most program
> > that do outlines of traces are bogus. There are several
> > new ones coming out. Big money! A very simple program to write. I
> > think the cost is high because there are so few PCBMills in
> > use. They are very expensive to buy. I got laughed at last
> > year when I came out with my plans. Now there are several
> > people with homemade PCBMills. Here is your chance to get
> > in on the fun!
> >
> > John
> >