Hi Dear community,
I bought an cubiio Laser engraver, what is really a nice thing.
But the Mini-engraver only reads bmp files (got it) or g-code files ( .txt )
This ist the official answer in the cubiio FAQ:
"cubiio supports 8-bit, 24-bit, and 32-bit uncompressed BMP files with extension .bmp and text g-code files with extension .txt."
Do anybody know, if and if yes - how - I can export my corel vector filex into g-coes files ?
:-)
Thanks a lot for reading and comments :-)
if I knew description of the G-code language, I could write a macro for export.
Hi shark,
I dont know how to describe, because I´m not a programmer.
The cubio website is recommending the program " Inkscape "
And I do not imagine, what it may costs.
I think Inkscape is free.
Don't need it though. Just export as bmp with Corel.
It's been a long time since I worked with lasers (mostly Universal and Epilag brand). Universal and Epilog both had a Windows driver that would read the .cdr file directly to the machine. It was easy, as we could define different line colors in CorelDraw that the laser would interpret as different power settings.
The only problem with exporting to bitmap is that the laser will treat a bitmap as a raster, and will go back and forth in ridiculously small moves depending on line width. I think what the OP is looking for is a true vector cut /engrave line for their laser, where it moves from one coordinate to the next. Bitmap lines take a long time to run compared to vector lines.
Almost any machine that uses G-Code needs a "post processor" or a driver that takes the graphic file (in your case Corel vector) and converts that to G-Code. If no post-processors or drivers are available, you can always export your corel files to another program that can write G-Code in a format that your laser model understands. Inkscape looks like it might do that if you can import the .cdr files in.
Not all machines uses G-Code in exactly the same way hence the need for a post-processor or diver specifically for your machine. That is what I do with CorelDraw files that I want to take to my CNC router. There are no post-processors direct from CorelDraw to my machine so I export from CorelDraw and import into Vectric VCarve which has post-processors for my CNC model.
Like Myron stated, Inkscape is free. Cubio also has a step by step process for using inkscape for writing gcode. A quick glance over the instructions appears that you may need to download additional extensions for writing gcode for lasers. It appears they have the links and the steps for that as well. Not sure if you found this link. But give it a shot. http://cubiio.muherz.com/gcode_instruction.html
Good luck.