Not sure if I should tag onto this post but it already has G-Code experts on it. I am looking for a plain G-Code editor with back plotting. i.e. I type in the code and it displays as a line drawing what the machine will do. Up to now I am using jViewer but there are a lot of codes it does not know about and I believe its development was abandoned long ago. I have evaluated GWizard but I am not willing to pay their asking price since it has some bugs and they seem to be not interested in fixing the bugs. I have tried Predator but their version with back plotting is over $500. Can anyone recommend a fully working application for £200 or less?

Edited By JasonB on 02/10/2018 16:09:19

I have been using DesKAM 2000 by Carken for the last 18 years and would not change it. DesKAM 2000 creates G code toolpaths with a backplot from a .DXF file. It's old software which runs well on my Win XP machine. If, you can find a download of this rather old software you will not be disappointed.

Edited By mike T on 02/10/2018 17:08:11

I mostly use CAM to generate my G-code, writing by hand once in a blue moon. However, experience says that the toolpath the CAM program thinks it is following isn't always the one followed by the G-code it generates.

So I use a backplotting program to display the toolpath direct from the saved G-code as a sanity check. I use NCPlot which costs $299, after a short free trial. The loaded G-code is in a text editor, and I have editted the code from time to time, mostly associated with tool changes which don't affect the toolpath. I've just had a play and edits to codes like G00 or G01 do show up on the graphical display provided you do a plot refresh.

Andrew

I've been using NC Corrector for 4 or 5 years now to good effect.

Totally free too!

Martin.

Actually, now I think about it, you can probably use PlanetCNC TNG machine controller to both program and give a graphical display of the workpiece (available here)

It should work with both miller and lathe gcode.

Martin.

Tried Camotics out of interest. Could anyone advise why nothing appears in the simulation screen even though my code is running and the code is viewable on the code screen?

I now looked at the above suggestions but none meets my needs. None of them updates the backplot as I type the code. All need a manual update action to see what progress or errors I have made. This might seem a small issue but becomes very tedious if entering a significant program. NCPlot comes the closest needing only one button click or F9 key to update. But at $300 it is too expensive with this issue. The rest seem to need many clicks to update. For now I will stick to jViewer for most code and use one of the cumbersome options (maybe Mach4) when I really need codes not supported by jViewer.

Can't you use a CAM system for what you need?

There are some good, affordable solutions out there now.

Martin.

I work out paths using CAD, write the code in notepad, open it in Mach3 and check it looks good before putting it on a memory stick to take to the workshop. I don't wory about optimising for speed because mostly I am doing one offs. I use Mach3 turning wizards for a lot of basic operations on the lathe, I don't find the milling wizards much use as most of my work on the mill is manual data input. It's like manual milling without the need to wind handles.

Martin C