GCode generator for raster images

⚠️ The code is now for Inkscape > 1.1 only

Usage of "Raster2Laser NG"

📖 For a detailed description take a look into the WIKI: User Manual

Change-log

23.08.2024

• Speed up engraving bigger pictures within "fastest" mode by using traveling speed (e.g. with G0 command) when laser is off in a scan line for a longer distance
• Add new configuration "Laser off travel code"

30.03.2024

• Change code to work with Inkscape > 1.1 (Tested with 1.1.2, 1.2.2 and 1.3 Linux-AppImg, 1.2.1 Win10)
• Reorder of the configuration settings

09.04.2023

• Fix some 1.1. related Issues (inkscape put all output in stderr and script stops)

14.03.2022

• Fix some 1.1. related Issues

12.03.2022

• Adapted to work with 0.9x and 1.1.x (Tested with 0.92.5 and 1.1.2)

06.03.2022

• Add function "Invert (Black/White)" while processing laser power, e.g. for slate

18.01.2022

• Add new configuration "Optimize scan line"
• Add new configuration "Gamma value for laser power output"
• Add new configuration "Interleaved line scan with fixed laser power"
• Add variable Pixel Value {POWL}, get maximal power value in current scan line
• Change gray scale setting "0.21R + 0.71G + 0.07B" so a white pixel keeps white

15.01.2022

• Add new configuration "Zig zag offset"
• Fix: image was shifted by one pixel in y direction
• Fix: avoid scientific numbers in GCode output

13.01.2022

• Add variable Pixel Value {PIXV}
• Add configuration "Laser on threshold" to control laser on/off command

10.01.2022

• Rename and reorder parameters (also internally) and set more common default values
• Add debug switch to write all (internal) parameters into the CGode file

08.01.2022

this is a fork of "305engineering raster2laser" code

• Raster 2 Laser GCode generator is an extension to generate GCode for a laser cutter/engraver (or pen plotter), it can generate various type of outputs from a simple B&W (on/off) to a more detailed Gray scale (pwm)
• I added some more image processing functions and a new GCode generator
  • Added dithering types (Simple2D, Floyd–Steinberg, Jarvis-Judice-Ninke)
  • Modify gray scale conversion with lookup table and any number of 2..256 gray steps
  • Add image conversion "Flip X"
  • Use image size of full page or the outline of all objects
  • Define resolution with laser spot size
  • The exported inkscape image (not the preview) is deleted after processing
• New B/W to GCode generator with this features
  • Set min/max laser power values
  • Allow user configurable GCode init, line, and exit Code
  • Calculate positions for rotary axis with a given diameter
  • Add a distance to move the laser for acceleration and deceleration with laser power off
  • set position of zero point
  • Scanline in X or Y direction

Installing

Simply copy all the *.py and *.inx files into the folder "Extensions" of Inkscape. Where this is located, take a look into "Edit => Settings => System" and use one of the folders configured in "User extensions" or "Inkscape extensions"

e.g. Linux "/usr/share/inkscape/extensions"

for unix (& mac maybe) change the permission on the file:

chmod 755 *.py
chmod 644 *.inx

The extension can be started with: Extension => GCode Laser Tools => Raster2Laser NG

The pull down entry name can be changed in the *.inx file, look for <submenu name="GCode Laser tools"/>

Note

Fork from: https://github.com/305engineering/Inkscape