Back
 
Backplot displays a window that allows two and three axis programs to be displayed graphically.
 
Image backplotintro.GIF
 
 
 
Mouse  Usage
 
Left button - Click on the toolpath display to center the image on the clicked location. Click and drag to define a new display area ("Rubber band zooming and panning").
 
Right button / Center - Click and drag to rotate the toolpath diaplay.
 
Mouse Wheel - Rotate to zoom, press and drag to rotate.
 
Note - When viewing the XY, ZX, or YZ plane, the mouse coordinates are shown in the Image mouse.GIF box.
 
Toolbar buttons :
 
 
Image backplot1.GIF Contol the image size - Fit to window, zoom up, zoom down.
Image backplot2.GIF Four preset views. The "XYZ" view angles can be set using the backplotter setup dialog.
Image backplot3.GIFImage edmmode.GIF Switch to lathe or wire EDM  view - this shows the ZX view oriented for a 2 axis lathe, or enables 4-axis wire viewing.
Image backplot4.GIF Move or rotate the image.
Image backplot5.GIF Refresh the backplot - re-reads to CNC program and redisplays it. Use this after editing a program while you are backploting it.
Image backplot6.GIF Erase - clear the screen.
Image backplot10.GIF Print the image.
Image backplot11.GIF Display CNC program up to next tool change.
Image backplot7.GIF Display CNC program up to next OPSTOP. Unavailable if no M1 commands in program.
Image backplot8.GIF (Or Space Bar) Move forward one block. 
Image backplot9.GIF (Or backspace key) Move back one block.
Image backplot12.GIF Rewind to start of program.
Image backplot13.GIF Speed controls. Pause, slow, medium, fast. (Note 1)
 
 
 
Note 1: At slow or medium speeds, the current block is highlighted in the editor as the replay proceeds.
 
"Hide" Lockdown Buttons
 
When locked down, the buttons have the following effect.
 
Rapid Moves - Rapid moves are displayed
 
Cycle Symbols – Cycle symbol is not shown when a cycle is displayed.
 
Opskips – Blocks preceeded by a slash are not displayed.
 
Axis - The XYZ axis block will be hidden.
 
"Show Tool" Dropdown List
 
Coordinates - XYZ coodinates will be displayed in the information box. ( Image info.GIF )
 
Selecting a tool from this list displays motion produced by this single tool.
 
"Color Change" Dropdown List
 
Change color when the specified condition occurs. Colors can be set to change on tool, feedrate, or spindle speed changes. Also allows incremental (G91) moves, moves with radius compensation (G41/G42) applied, or circular moves (G2/G3) to be shown in a highlighted color. The highlight color is specified in the Setup dialog.
 
Backplot Setup Options
 
Click the Setup button on the backplotter screen for setup options.
 
Support for arcs/circles
 
Several methods of specifying arc center points are supported:
 
1 - Relative to start point via I,J,K
2 - Absolute via I,J,K
3 - Radius specified via R-word
4 - Relative to start point via I,J,K with inverted signs
 
Arcs in XY, ZX, and YZ planes are supported via G17,G18, and G19 commands.
 
Cycles
 
Cycles are shown symbolically and may not exactly match actual tool motion. Supported cycles are shown on the backplotter Setup dialog. Lathe cycles are not currently supported for backplotting.
 
Symbols used are:
 
 
  + Simple drill cycle - used for cycles not listed below.
Image cyclepeckdrill.GIF Peck drill cycle - used for G73 and G83.
Image cycletap.GIF Tap cycle - used for G74 and G84.
 
Symbols will be superimposed if multiple operations are performed at the same position.
 
Fixture Offsets
 
Fixture offsets are supported with the values specified using the Setup dialog.
 
 
 
 

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