WinLauncher: Backplotter

Backplotter is a wireframe simulation of the G-code tool motion.

Select the Backplot option from the Additional features pop menu (right mouse button)
From the "Backplot a G-code file" window, select the G-code file you want to backplot and click on the Open button
At this point, Backplotter will display the wireframe representation of the G-code file selected

wl-backplotter.GIF (8881 bytes)

(1) Top Information: Maximum and minimum values of the X, Y, and Z dimensions of the area used by the tools

(2) Blue box: Three dimensional representation of the X, Y, and Z dimensions of the area used by the tools

(3) Green solid lines: Path followed by tools while feeding

(4) Esc - Exit: Exit Backplotter and return to G-code Editor

(5) F2 - Away: Rotate wireframe up and away from the user

(6) F3 - Toward: Rotate wireframe down and toward the user

(7) F4 - Left: Rotate wireframe to the left

(8) F5 - Right: Rotate wireframe to the right

(9) F6 - Single: Read through G-code and draw wireframe one block at a time

(10) DXF Export: Save wireframe representation as a DXF file in the current directory using the same file name

(11) Dbl mouse - Zoom in: (a) Position cursor at a corner of the area to be zoomed. (b) Press BOTH mouse buttons and move cursor to the opposite diagonal corner of the area to be zoomed. (c) Release mouse buttons to redraw the zoomed area
- Zoom out: Press and release BOTH mouse buttons simultaneously without moving the mouse

Configure Backplotter

BP.UNI is the Backplotter initialization file located in the same directory as your WinLauncher. BP.UNI is a text file and it can be edited with any text editor. This is a copy of the BP.UNI file:

Colors are:

1) Blue 5) Magenta 9) Bright Blue 13) Bright Magenta

2) Green 6) Brown 10) Bright Green 14) Yellow

3) Cyan 7) Gray 11) Bright Blue 15) White

4) Red 8) Dark Gray 12) Bright Red 0) Black (invisible)

1. What color should tool 1 be? 2_

2. What color should tool 2 be? 3_

3. What color should tool 3 be? 4_

4. What color should tool 4 be? 5_

5. What color should tool 5 be? 6_

6. What color should tool 6 be? 9_

7. What color should tool 7 be? 10

8. What color should tool 8 be? 11

9. What color should tool 9 be? 12

10. What color should tool 10 be? 13

11. What color should the text be? 15

12. What color should the box be? 7_

13. What signifies the end of the main program? M02___

14. What else for end of main? M30___

15. What letter comes just before a sub number? O

16. What signifies a sub call? M98___

17. What letter comes just before the sub jump? P

18. What signifies the end of a sub? M99___

19. What signifies a clear screen? [CLEAR__

20. What signifies a pause? M00_____

21. What comes just before a new color callout? [COLOR__

22. What signifies a tool change? M6__

23. What letter comes just before a tool number? T

24. If T preselect, what must NOT be on the tool change line? _____

25. What signifies a tool dia callout? [TDIA____

26. Would you like all Lathe plots flipped in X (Y,N) ? Y

27. Are IJs (center point of arcs) Absolute (Y,N) [usually N]? N

28. Should mill plots start in iso view (Y,N)? N

Note: for line numbers 1-10, 13-14, and 25, you may embed tool diameter information so that drill holes look more realistic.