Gcodetools - Inkscape's CAM extension

Hi John,
I had the same problem, this is what worked for me...
open terminal window
type sudo bash
enter YOUR password
now you are root user
type nautilus to start a gui browser as root
navigate to appropriate directory and set full permissions for all users
then I started another browser as my normal user
then copied files from one browser to another
from now on I can copy files anytime as my normal user.

boy, this linux permissions stuff is a pain.

This really should be documented along with extensions files.
Unless you know linux, this is very frustrating for newbies like me.
I only figured it out by advice from another kind user on this forum, and some trial and error.

~*Brian

It's not good to run GUI application under the root. It's not the unix way and could be not safe.

On Linux while you are not a super user you can not harm the system. All you can break is only your own data in your home dir. And when you became a super user only one command can ruin everything like rm / -f (like format c: in windows or cd c:; del*). And it wont ask you "Are you really-really-REALLY want do delete all the data??? If yes write down "YES" and your mother's maiden name:" It'll just start to deleting everything.

Probably it's my mistake that I've not explained installation well. But you can always copy files into ~/.config/inkscape/extensions/ and you wont need root's privileges. (in linux all files and dirs starting with "." are hidden, you can show them by pressing Ctrl+H in nautilus)

I got gcode tools installed ok. but....

I've tried various tutorials and read the howto, but I keep getting the 'no paths selected!' error.
I'm sure I have paths selected!! I can see them! . Nothing works just this error all the time.

How do I fix this?

Hi,

What is written in the status bar when you apply extension?
Make sure that all paths you want t export are paths and not texts, dynamic offsets, etc.
You can use Ctrl+Shift+C or Path - Object to path to convert different objects to paths.

Thanks Nick,

It was working on InkScape (Mac), but not in InkScape(Linux).

I have reset InkScape (Linux) and it does select the paths.
Maybe I had a strange setting somewhere.

Cheers,
Ian

very good job nick,..is excellent......did u know freecad??....i want to make the plug in cam up to 4th axis...so i think u r the right ones..to help this proyect...freecad is parametric...so...nice to meet smart people like u...

Hi!
Nick, thank you so much for your tools, it's very useful!
I suddenly develop true vector font for engraving. ASCII, Cyrillic (and some EU chars/signs) present. Can anybody please try to use it (with Inkscape + Gcodetools) and post here photo of result?
Please also read here bugs.launchpad.net/inkscape/+bug/716676/ .
Thank you! =)

File attached
Edit #2: This is .tar.bz2 file

I can not cut it, but in LinuxCNC it looks fine:

Great looking software.

Is it possible to have an entire sequence of cut features (pockets, profiles etc) and change the order in which they are executed/cut?

i.e. say you have:

-Pocket Routine 1
-Pocket Routine 2
-4 holes to drill in one routine
-1 Engrave Routine
-Then the final Profile


Could I easily switch the sequence in which this happens? In some CAM software you just click on the name of the routine and drag it to where you want it in the cut sequence.