Nc to dxf

[jim barone]

is there a program that will let me take the nc code back into a cad program so i can view it and alter as i need?? basically i need nc to dxf so i can open it. thanks.....

[shuttle]

Vector will open some SBP files, if they arent too complex.

[edcoleman]

Jim:

I have used a program called DesKAM (www.deskam.com) that will open an NC file and save to a DXF. However, it will NOT read a shopbot (SBP) file.

The program is relatively inexpensive $250 and they offer a trial version.

I haven't used this program to convert NC to DXF, so I don't know how well the process might work. If you have a file you want converted, I'll be glad to run it thru and you can see the results.

-Ed

[jkforney]

Rob
I think that only Vector 9.3 will backplot SBP files. Could be wrong.

Jim
If you have a specific file that is already a sbp file I will be happy to backplot it and send you a dxf file. Just email me the .sbp file. What program are you using for creating your shopbot files. Will it save as a dxf to start? (If you have parts wizard, the answer is no. It only saves as a .art file.) I don't know of a program other than Vector that will backplot.

John Forney

[jim]

i had a customer want to send me G code that is a series of one line commands m 0,5........

i was wondering can that be taken back into a dxf format for alterations???? thanks

[matt@podworksonline.com]

Jim,

If you have Vector it will backplot G-code. Create a new drawing and insert a NC window. Import your .nc file, Edit-Select All, Special-Backplot. Now go over to the drawing window and use Paste to finish the backplot. You will then have a drawing that you can edit and save as a .dxf file. Make sure all the letters in the code are capitalized... I believe backplotting is case sensitive.

Matt

[jim barone]

matt, im not the best using vector so please bear with me. here is what i did what did i do wrong?
1.new file
2. special:insert nc code
3.imported my nc file and the g code popped up all caps too.
4.edit:select all (they all got highlighted)
5.special:the only option is "scripts"??????? i have no backplot option??? thats where i am with this. any help would be appreicated!!! thanks

[jkforney]

Jim
You don't have the latest version of Vector so you can't backplot.

Matt
You also have to use the shoptogc driver to backplot. If you have 9.3 and you can backplot be sure to change the default drive the next time you insert a NC object


John Forney

[jkforney]

Jim & Matt
Just reread the message. I was writing about backplotting .sbp files. Ignore my message since I don't know about g code files.

Sorry for the confusion.


John Forney

[jim barone]

here is an idea of what i get from my customer
G91
G0X-1.5Y-1.5
M91
G1X.625
M90
G0X.25
M91
G1X1.25
M90
G0X.25
M91
G1X.625
G1Y.625
M90
G0Y.25
M91
G1Y1.25
M90
G0Y.25
M91
G1Y.625
G1X-.625
M90
G0X-.25
M91
G1X-1.25
M90
G0X-.25
M91
G1X-.625
G1Y-.625
M90
G0Y-.25
M91
G1Y-1.25
M90
G0Y-.25
M91
G1Y-.625
M90
G0X1.5Y1.5
in this case a simple 3inch sq. just an easy example. can i get this into a cad program (copy/paste or insert somehow)so i can save it as a dxf. hope this clears up some of the confusion. thanks

[sam@odysseywood.us]

Jim, here is the dxf file that vector created from your gcode file above:
backplot.dxf

3994 (4 k)

Sam

[matt@podworksonline.com]

Jim,

Earlier versions of Vector can backplot. In version 8.0 you Edit-Select All in the NC window and press the Copy button. Then on the drawing side you press the Paste button and it should backplot your code.

Also, in version 8.0, Vector assumes the axis values are modal if they are left out in incremental mode (G91 = SR in Shopbot). Try backplotting your original code and then backplot the following code to see what I mean. BTW, I removed all of the M90's and M91's... to my knowledge they don't do anything in any control I've worked with and just make the code more confusing to read.

G91
G0 X-1.5 Y-1.5
G1 X.625 Y0
G0 X.25
G1 X1.25
G0 X.25
G1 X.625
G1 X0 Y.625
G0 Y.25
G1 Y1.25
G0 Y.25
G1 Y.625
G1 X-.625 Y0
G0 X-.25
G1 X-1.25
G0 X-.25
G1 X-.625
G1 X0 Y-.625
G0 Y-.25
G1 Y-1.25
G0 Y-.25
G1 Y-.625
G0 X1.5 Y1.5

Hope this helps,
Matt

[garyb]

When I upgraded to Vector 9.3 I tried the backplotting feature on .SBP files but was unsuccessful. This thread has stirred my interest again so I ran it again using the above G-Code which in turn produced the drawing. Am I to assume that the backplot feature will not work on SBP files? Or am I missing a step?

[matt@podworksonline.com]

Gary,

You have to convert the Shopbot code to G-code before you can backplot. Vector has supplied a driver that will do this. Copy the shoptogc.cfg file from the v9.3 disc to your Vector folder. Then open up Vector, create a new drawing, Special-Insert NC, select the shoptogc driver. In the NC window use Edit-Select All, Special-Text Conversion, Special-Backplot. On the drawing side press the Paste button.

I think you may be limited to the J3, M3, and CG commands for the conversion though. Syntax seems to be important, too. You have to use the comma between the command and your numbers-

J3,10,10,.1 'will work
J3 10,10,.1 'won't work

Matt

[garyb]

Thanks Matt,

You turned the light switch on, I was missing the main ingredient, use the shoptogc driver and the special- text coversion. I had tried backplotting on sbp files only, the assumption was Vector produced the NC code using the shopbt2g driver then the backplot would need the same driver.

OK blinders off - must re-read that manual one day!