.nc files not loading

Hi everyone, I am using GMOCCAPY and trying to add compatibility with .nc files. Adding it to the PROGRAM_EXTENSION line in the [FILTER] section of the .ini is pretty straightforward. I'm just not sure what filter to use when adding the second line. 

I've tried it without adding the second line. The file was visible in the program file directory, but it just didn't open and linuxcnc was frozen.

I've tried it after adding a second line filtering it through axis like this...
nc = /usr/bin/axis 

That time I got an error. (attached image)

What filter am I supposed to run them through? Would someone mind posting their entire [FILTER] section of their .ini who has gotten this to work in GMOCCAPY?

Thanks for the assistance!

Sean

Ok, thanks Andy. I copied exactly what you have and I'm still having the same issue. Any reason running GMOCCAPY  instead of the regular AXIS would make a difference? I included a video this time. 

photos.app.goo.gl/LLaJ83yN9fWih8sU9

I see the .nc file, select it, but then it just sits. It goes back to the main screen and freezes up. 

 

I have this on mine, I dont know where I found it or what it means.


I was doing a post processor the other day, and was wondering why does linuxcnc use .ngc and what is the difference between nc and ngc?

cakeslob wrote:

PROGRAM_EXTENSION = .NC XYZ Post Processor

I have this on mine, I dont know where I found it or what it means.


I was doing a post processor the other day, and was wondering why does linuxcnc use .ngc and what is the difference between nc and ngc?

 

Simple answer: they're both text files

More complex: I suspect LCNC uses the .ngc file extension as it's based on the NIST RS274NGC interpreter.

linuxcnc.org/docs/devel/html/gcode/overview.html

Other machines/vendors use different file extensions, including .nc (i.e. Fanuc).  I've no idea who started the '.nc' file extension, but it wouldn't surprise me if Fanuc started this ages ago... and the '.ngc' extension came later when NIST first started the RS274 thing.  I'm sure some of the folks who've been around LCNC forever might know.

Regarding your specific PROGRAM_EXTENSION = ... line, that is explained in the [FILTER] section of the INI file manual page:If your post processor outputs files in all caps you might want to add the following line:

• PROGRAM_EXTENSION = .NGC XYZ Post Processor

LCNC can open .nc files if the settings are correct in the INI file.  For example, my INI file [FILTER] section looks like this:
PROGRAM_EXTENSION = .nc, .txt, .tap Other NC files

Issues arise if the source of the .nc (or other) file doesn't 'speak' LCNC-accepted G-code as noted earlier in this thread.

 

Thanks Spumco and Cakeslob. I'm sure I have the .ini correct at this point but maybe its the file itself that is the problem. I'm not sure if you saw the video but it just doesn't load and everything freezes up. I'll play around with loading a few different files and changing some settings in our editor we use. Ultimately, if we only can get the .ngc files to load it wont be a big deal, but it would be nice to get it figured out. I'll post anything else that I find here.  

Quick test:

Find an .ngc file that you know opens up OK in LCNC.  Make a copy, and rename the copy ".nc"

See if it still opens.  If so, you have a problem with the original file... it's missing something LCNC wants (or vise-versa).

If it doesn't open, you've likely got an INI file issue.

sorry sean, I was wondering about linuxcnc and .ngc
The cam Im using outputs nc so I tried a bunch of my files on linuxcnc 2.8 , and even the ones that will not run due to an error in the gcode, still get loaded into the gcode menu but do not generate a preview.
Do the files load when you change them to .ngc? Perhaps load linuxcnc from terminal and see if it outputs an error

Ok, so I think I got it figured out and it relates to the linefeed type our gcode editor was saving the .nc files with. We usually CAM a part and then make a few edits using Cimco. In Cimco there are several options for what style linefeed to save the file with. So even though they all save as .nc files they could be in these different formats. Of course I happened to apparantly be using one of the ones that didn't work haha. I selected the Unix style linefeed (see picture) and re-saved my file and it loads fine now. 

This page had a simple explanation of the differences between the linefeed styles for Windows, Mac, Unix, Linux...
www.editpadpro.com/tricklinebreak.html#:...0for%20line%20breaks. .

Ah, I never played with that option before. How well does backplot work? The cimco with mastercam doesnt include backplot, and I am interested in cimco backplot because Ive read it can preview using parameters/macrob