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Welcome to the Gcode Step and Alignment Tool (gcs) wiki!

gcs is a cross-platform GCODE debug/step and alignment tool for Grbl like GCODE interpreter. with features similar to software debugger. For example usage of breakpoints, change program counter (position), inspection/modification of machine variables, and continuing with the program flow.

use case: The gcode is adrill program for a PCB, gcs will make it possible to set-up a break point right before the tool plunge. At this point with the jogging controls it is possible to lower the tool right before penetrating the surface to verify alignment is adequate. Once this is verify and or adjusted, the program can continue.

gcs's dependencies are:

• [python 2.7] (http://www.python.org)
• pySerial 2.5
• wxPython 2.8

Additional dependencies if enabling Computer Vision

• [OpenCV 2.4.1] (http://opencv.org/)
• [numpy 1.6.1] (http://pypi.python.org/pypi/numpy)

NOTE: As of this writing in Windows OS OpenCV 2.4.1. doesn't work well with Python 64bit, please use python 32bit.

Development environment:

Devices

• [Grbl 0.8c] (http://github.com/grbl/grbl/blob/master/README.md)
• [ShapeOko] (http://www.shapeoko.com/)

OSes:

• [Ubuntu 12.04, 12.10, 13.04, 13.10 (32/64)] (http://www.ubuntu.com/)
• Installing dependencies:

sudo apt-get install python-wxgtk2.8 python-wxtools wx2.8-i18n python-pip
sudo pip install pyserial

• Optional for OpenCV (video)

sudo apt-get install python-numpy python-opencv

• Windows 7 (32/64)
• for installation instructions, follow the links above of each dependency; it's not as easy as apt-get in Ubuntu.

Editors

• [Geany] (http://www.geany.org/)
• [Notepad ++] (http://notepad-plus-plus.org/)

Running gcs...

python gcs.py