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Thread: Font to G-Code CNC VB2005E

  1. #1

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    Font to G-Code CNC VB2005E

    Somthing I did during Thanksgiving weekend.
    This is a Font to G-Code converter Class that will generate G-Code for a CNC machine.
    Allows you to Scale, Offset and select the Origin of X/Y.
    The result G-Code can be Copied to Clipboard or Saved to a txt file.

    Example how to read graphic Point Data and Types to a Text Box.

    Code:
    ' Font to G-Code by: Jim Steinbrecher 24 Nov 2011
    Imports System.Drawing.Drawing2D
    Imports System
    Imports System.Windows.Forms
    Imports System.Drawing.Text
    Imports System.Drawing
    
    
    Public Class Form1
        Dim graphics_path1 As New Drawing2D.GraphicsPath
        Dim ZType, Org As Byte
        Dim x, y, z, XOffsetSave, YOffsetSave, XSave, YSave, ZSave, ZSafe, ZDepth, Speed, Feed, DFeed, CFeed As Single ' x y z
        Dim XOffSet, YOffSet, Xsize, Xscale, Ysize, Yscale, FontSize As Single ' X & Y Min Max Offset Size Scale
        Dim FontName, GText As String
        Dim FontStyle, i As Integer
        Dim PlotFlag As Boolean = False
    
    
        Private Sub Form1_Load(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles MyBase.Load
            PlotFlag = False
            GText = "G00"
            ZSafe = 0.15
            ZDepth = -0.1
            Speed = 5000
            CFeed = 18.0
            DFeed = 9.0
            FontName = "Times New Roman"
            FontStyle = 1
            FontSize = 125
            TB_font.Text = FontName & ", Type: " & FontStyle
            Org = 0
        End Sub
    
        Public Sub GetPointData(ByVal e As PaintEventArgs, ByVal PathPoints() As PointF, ByVal pathtypes() As Byte, ByVal xOfset As Integer)
            'Build the G Code in RichTextBox1
            GText = "G00"
            ProgressBar.Maximum = PathPoints.Length - 1
            For i = 0 To PathPoints.Length - 1
                If PathPoints(i).IsEmpty = False Then
                    x = PathPoints(i).X : x = (x / 10) + XOffSet : x = x * Xscale : x = Math.Round(x, 4) 'calc x
                    y = PathPoints(i).Y : y = (y / 10) + YOffSet : y = y * Yscale : y = Math.Round(y, 4) : y = 0 - y ' calc y
                    If TB_Xneg.Text = "*" Then TB_Xneg.Text = x
                    If TB_Xpos.Text = "*" Then TB_Xpos.Text = x
                    If TB_Yneg.Text = "*" Then TB_Yneg.Text = y
                    If TB_Ypos.Text = "*" Then TB_Ypos.Text = y ' calc min & max x & y
                    If x < TB_Xneg.Text Then TB_Xneg.Text = x
                    If x > TB_Xpos.Text Then TB_Xpos.Text = x
                    If y < TB_Yneg.Text Then TB_Yneg.Text = y
                    If y > TB_Ypos.Text Then TB_Ypos.Text = y
    
                    ZType = pathtypes(i) 'Bit 6: 1=Last line in chr. - Byte: 0=First line, 1=Stright line, 3=Curve 
                    If ZType = 0 Then XSave = x : YSave = y 'Type 0 is first line in chr., Save for closure
                    If ZType < 128 Then z = ZDepth 'Bit 8 off is pen down
                    If ZType > 127 Then z = ZSafe 'Bit 8 on is pen up
    
    
                    If Feed = CFeed Then RichTextBox1.AppendText(GText & " X" & x & " Y" & y & vbCrLf) ' 1st G00 & All G01's Except last one in Chr.
                    If Feed = DFeed Then Feed = CFeed : RichTextBox1.AppendText(GText & " X" & x & " Y" & y & " F" & CFeed & vbCrLf)
                    GText = "G01" : If z > 0 Then GText = "G00" 'Z: <0 = G01, >0 = G00
                    If ZType > 127 Then RichTextBox1.AppendText("G01" & " X" & XSave & " Y" & YSave & vbCrLf) 'Last G01 line, move to start.
                    If ZSave <> z And z > 0 Then RichTextBox1.AppendText("G00" & " Z" & z & vbCrLf) 'Z Change, <0 = G01, >0 = G00
                    If ZSave <> z And z < 0 Then Feed = DFeed : RichTextBox1.AppendText("G01" & " Z" & z & " F" & DFeed & vbCrLf) 'Z Change, <0 = G01, >0 = G00
                    ZSave = z
                End If
                ProgressBar.Value = i
            Next i
            ProgressBar.Value = 0
        End Sub
    
        Private Sub ButCopy_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles But_CopyToClipboard.Click
            If My.Computer.Keyboard.CtrlKeyDown Then GoTo SaveFile
    
            Me.RichTextBox1.Focus()
            Me.RichTextBox1.SelectAll()
            Me.RichTextBox1.Copy() 'Copy to Clipboard
            Exit Sub
    SaveFile:
            ' Create a SaveFileDialog to request a path and file name to save to.
            Dim saveFile1 As New SaveFileDialog()
    
            ' Initialize the SaveFileDialog to specify the .txt extension for the file.
            saveFile1.DefaultExt = "*.txt"
            saveFile1.Filter = "*.txt|*.txt"
    
            ' Determine if the user selected a file name from the saveFileDialog.
            If (saveFile1.ShowDialog() = System.Windows.Forms.DialogResult.OK) _
                And (saveFile1.FileName.Length) > 0 Then
    
                ' Save the contents of the RichTextBox into the file.
                RichTextBox1.SaveFile(saveFile1.FileName, _
                    RichTextBoxStreamType.PlainText)
            End If
            saveFile1.Dispose()
        End Sub
    
    
        Private Sub But_GenPlot_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles But_GenPlot.Click
            If TB_Input.Text = "" Then Exit Sub 'Plot setup
            TB_Xsize.Text = "" : TB_Ysize.Text = ""
            GText = "G00"
            ZSafe = Val(TB_SafeZ.Text)
            ZDepth = Val(TB_DepthZ.Text)
            Speed = Val(TB_speed.Text)
            CFeed = Val(TB_CutFeed.Text)
            DFeed = Val(TB_DropFeed.Text)
            Xscale = Val(TB_Xscale.Text) : Yscale = Val(TB_Yscale.Text)
            XOffSet = Val(TB_XOffset.Text) : YOffSet = Val(TB_YOffset.Text)
            TB_Xneg.Text = "*" : TB_Xpos.Text = "*"
            TB_Yneg.Text = "*" : TB_Ypos.Text = "*"
            RichTextBox1.Clear()
            RichTextBox1.AppendText("(Font to G-Code By: Jim Steinbrecher)" & vbCrLf)
            RichTextBox1.AppendText("(Text: " & TB_Input.Text & ")" & vbCrLf)
            RichTextBox1.AppendText("(Font: " & TB_font.Text & ")" & vbCrLf)
            If Org = 0 Then RichTextBox1.AppendText("(X/Y Origin:)" & vbCrLf)
            If Org = 1 Then RichTextBox1.AppendText("(X/Y Origin: Lower Left)" & vbCrLf)
            If Org = 2 Then RichTextBox1.AppendText("(X/Y Origin: Central)" & vbCrLf)
            RichTextBox1.AppendText("(" & Date.Now & ")" & vbCrLf)
            RichTextBox1.AppendText(GText & " Z" & ZSafe & vbCrLf)
            RichTextBox1.AppendText("F" & CFeed & vbCrLf)
            RichTextBox1.AppendText("M3 S" & Speed & vbCrLf)
            PlotFlag = True
            Me.Refresh()
        End Sub
        Private Sub But_GenPlot_Paint(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.Windows.Forms.PaintEventArgs) Handles Me.Paint
    
            If TB_Input.Text = "" Then Exit Sub 'Plot if have text
            If PlotFlag = False Then Exit Sub 'Only plot 1 time
    
            Dim graphics_path1 As New Drawing2D.GraphicsPath  ' Create a GraphicsPath.
            graphics_path1.AddString(TB_Input.Text, _
            New FontFamily(FontName), FontStyle, FontSize, _
            New Point(8, 2), StringFormat.GenericTypographic) ' Screen Start location
            PlotFlag = False
            'e.Graphics.SmoothingMode = Drawing2D.SmoothingMode.AntiAlias 'This will smooth out the drawing
            graphics_path1.CloseAllFigures()
            'e.Graphics.PixelOffsetMode = Drawing2D.PixelOffsetMode.HighQuality
            e.Graphics.DrawPath(New Pen(Color.Black, 0), graphics_path1) ' Draw the path.
            'e.Graphics..FillPath(Brushes.Black, graphics_path1)
    
            GetPointData(e, graphics_path1.PathPoints, graphics_path1.PathTypes, 0) 'x offset <------- Build the G Code in RichTextBox1
            RichTextBox1.AppendText("M5" & vbCrLf)
            RichTextBox1.AppendText("M30" & vbCrLf)
            If Org = 0 Then
                RichTextBox1.Text = Replace(RichTextBox1.Text, "(X/Y Origin:)", "(X/Y Origin: Top Left and " & TB_Xneg.Text & ", " & TB_Yneg.Text & ")") 'ROld, RNew)
            End If
            TB_Xsize.Text = Val(TB_Xpos.Text) - Val(TB_Xneg.Text) ' update stats
            TB_Ysize.Text = Val(TB_Ypos.Text) - Val(TB_Yneg.Text)
            graphics_path1.Dispose()
        End Sub
    
        Private Sub TBfont_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles TB_font.Click
            If FontDialog1.ShowDialog() = DialogResult.OK Then ' change font stats
                FontName = FontDialog1.Font.Name.ToString
                FontStyle = 0
                If FontDialog1.Font.Bold Then FontStyle += 1
                If FontDialog1.Font.Italic Then FontStyle += 2
                If FontDialog1.Font.Underline Then FontStyle += 4
                If FontDialog1.Font.Strikeout Then FontStyle += 8
                FontSize = 125
                TB_font.Text = FontName & ", Type: " & FontStyle
                But_GenPlot.PerformClick()
            End If
            'ButPlot.PerformClick()
        End Sub
    
        Private Sub TBInput_TextChanged(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles TB_Input.TextChanged
            PlotFlag = False
        End Sub
        Private Sub ButOrgLowerLeft_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles But_OrgLowerLeft.Click
            XOffsetSave = Val(TB_XOffset.Text) : YOffsetSave = Val(TB_YOffset.Text)
            x = TB_XOffset.Text : x = 0 - x : TB_XOffset.Text = Str(x)
            Org = 1
            But_GenPlot.PerformClick()
            Xscale = Val(TB_Xscale.Text)
            x = Val(TB_Xneg.Text) / Xscale
            x = 0 - x
            TB_XOffset.Text = Str(x)
            Yscale = Val(TB_Yscale.Text)
            y = Val(TB_Yneg.Text) / Yscale
            TB_YOffset.Text = Str(y)
            But_GenPlot.PerformClick()
            TB_XOffset.Text = Str(XOffsetSave) : TB_YOffset.Text = Str(YOffsetSave)
            Org = 0
        End Sub
    
        Private Sub ButOrgCenter_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles But_OrgCentral.Click
            XOffsetSave = Val(TB_XOffset.Text) : YOffsetSave = Val(TB_YOffset.Text)
            x = TB_XOffset.Text : x = 0 - x : TB_XOffset.Text = Str(x)
            Org = 2
            But_GenPlot.PerformClick()
            Xscale = Val(TB_Xscale.Text)
            Xsize = Val(TB_Xsize.Text) / 2
            x = Val(TB_Xneg.Text)
            x = Xsize + x
            x = 0 - x
            x = x / Xscale
            TB_XOffset.Text = Str(x)
    
            Yscale = Val(TB_Yscale.Text)
            Ysize = Val(TB_Ysize.Text) / 2
            y = Val(TB_Yneg.Text)
            y = Ysize + y
            y = y / Yscale
            TB_YOffset.Text = Str(y)
            But_GenPlot.PerformClick()
            TB_XOffset.Text = Str(XOffsetSave) : TB_YOffset.Text = Str(YOffsetSave)
            Org = 0
        End Sub
    End Class
    Attached Images Attached Images  
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    Last edited by Steinie; Dec 18th, 2011 at 01:20 PM. Reason: Upload VB files

  2. #2
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    Re: Font to G-Code CNC VB2005E

    That's pretty cool!
    Something I've wanted to do for a while, but just never makes it high enough on the priorty list.
    Any chance that you could post the entire project here?
    ...
    If someone helps you, show it by rating their post!
    VB.net Code:
    1. ' These two lines will make your coding life much easier!
    2. Option Explicit On
    3. Option Strict On

    "Check everything. That's what software developers do." jmcilhinney

  3. #3

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    Re: Font to G-Code CNC VB2005E

    Yes, I can do that, but not sure how or what files I need to post. I know that I can't post .exe files. So do I copy the folder, delete the .exe's then zip-it and post? Or do I just pick each file out and zip-it? If so, what files? Thanks.

  4. #4
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    Re: Font to G-Code CNC VB2005E

    Quote Originally Posted by Steinie View Post
    Yes, I can do that, but not sure how or what files I need to post. I know that I can't post .exe files. So do I copy the folder, delete the .exe's then zip-it and post? Or do I just pick each file out and zip-it? If so, what files? Thanks.
    You remove the .exe's from your project, then (I think) you zip the project folder and attach that.
    Again, it's not something I do regularly.

    I sure appreciate you making the effort, as it would save me some time!
    ...
    If someone helps you, show it by rating their post!
    VB.net Code:
    1. ' These two lines will make your coding life much easier!
    2. Option Explicit On
    3. Option Strict On

    "Check everything. That's what software developers do." jmcilhinney

  5. #5
    Fanatic Member BlindSniper's Avatar
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    Re: Font to G-Code CNC VB2005E

    Just delete the debug and/or release folder and the obj folder and zip and upload.

    Useful CodeBank Entries of mine
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    Read this to get Effective help on VBForums
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  6. #6
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    Re: Font to G-Code CNC VB2005E

    do you have more g code generators for shapes and stuff ?
    btw, awesome !

  7. #7

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    Re: Font to G-Code CNC VB2005E

    Thanks for the info. Will give it a go in next few days.
    @Moti; I did one, I call it G-Code clean-up. It allows you to do some editing of G Code like Change Origin to Lower Left, Center or anywere you want using offsets. Will Scale the code in X, Y, or X&Y. Insert or Remove line numbers also. Not done yet, will upload when I clean it up. I use it alot.

  8. #8
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    Re: Font to G-Code CNC VB2005E

    I think vb.net has the power to run a full scall cad and cam program, if you comment the codes and give me some walkthroughs for g codes I will try to help.

    this is what I have so far :

    MDI, gcodes to do stuff:
    S speed of spindle(drill), example S 1800
    M03- clockwise spin
    M04- ccw spin
    M05- spindle off
    M07- mist coolant on
    M08- coolant on
    M09 coolant off
    T15- ready tool 15
    m06-tool change
    M60 auto pallet change

  9. #9

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    Re: Font to G-Code CNC VB2005E

    See: Font To Gcode.zip
    in first post.

  10. #10
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    Re: Font to G-Code CNC VB2005E

    Thanks!
    You should remove the deployment .EXE too.(I think?)
    Last edited by CodeDabbler; Dec 19th, 2011 at 10:26 AM.
    ...
    If someone helps you, show it by rating their post!
    VB.net Code:
    1. ' These two lines will make your coding life much easier!
    2. Option Explicit On
    3. Option Strict On

    "Check everything. That's what software developers do." jmcilhinney

  11. #11
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    Re: Font to G-Code CNC VB2005E

    no .txt walkthrough for g codes ?

  12. #12
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    Re: Font to G-Code CNC VB2005E

    Can you change some code so that instead of Z retract code (like Z-1) it writes M03 (Spindle ON) and instead of Z0 it writes M05 (Spindle OFF).

  13. #13
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    Re: Font to G-Code CNC VB2005E

    Hello, how could I change Steinie's code so that the letters are broken into small 0.05mm segments? I need to machine small segments and not long straight

  14. #14
    PowerPoster boops boops's Avatar
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    Re: Font to G-Code CNC VB2005E

    Quote Originally Posted by tucoali View Post
    Hello, how could I change Steinie's code so that the letters are broken into small 0.05mm segments? I need to machine small segments and not long straight
    Hi tucoali, I think that what you need is the GraphicsPath.Flatten method. What this does is approximate each curve in the graphics path to a succession of straight line segments.

    In Steinie's code, find the paint sub (But_GenPlot_Paint) and add the Flatten statement immediately after the AddString statement. Example:
    Code:
    Dim flatValue As Single = 0.01 'example value
    graphics_path1.Flatten(Nothing, flatValue)
    The flatValue determines the length of the resulting line segments. You will probably have to try out different values of flatValue to get your required spacing in millimetres, because that will depend on things like the pixel resolution of your screen.

    BB

  15. #15
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    Re: Font to G-Code CNC VB2005E

    Hello boops!
    I added the lines you proposed and it seems to work. I generated the gcode of number 0 with 0.5 and gave 83 lines of code, then generated with 0.001 and resulted 900 lines of code.
    However, my ncviwer does not show this change. It looks very broken and I didn't find another friendly gcode viewer, but thanks for the tip, you are very smart.

    If anyone knows any nc viewer, please send me the tip. Thank you all.

  16. #16
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    Re: Font to G-Code CNC VB2005E

    Boops, something else ...
    In the capital letter L in arial, the number of segments has not changed, ie when the path type is straight line, the "flatten" does not interfere and I need all types of paths to be broken into small segments equally. Did you know how to solve this?

  17. #17
    PowerPoster boops boops's Avatar
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    Re: Font to G-Code CNC VB2005E

    Sorry tucoali, I am getting a bit rusty! I forgot that flattening doesn't guarantee equal segments. The vertices will always be more crowded in sharp curves, and straight-line segments won't be changed at all. I think it must be possible to divide up a GraphicsPath into equal small segments and I have been planning to solve this problem. And flattening will still be useful.

    Another mistake I made was to reply to this thread! That's because the Code Bank forum isn't meant for asking questions, particularly questions that aren't addressed to the original poster (who may have disappeared years ago for all I know).

    Would you please post your question to the VB.Net forum. I will try to answer it there, and perhaps other people can contribute too.

    BB

  18. #18
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    Re: Font to G-Code CNC VB2005E

    Thanks Boops, I just need to understand how to draw a text and then get all the points that define that text. Amazingly, there is no such thing available on the internet.

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