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CNC allows designers, engineers and hobbyists worldwide to create all kinds of interesting projects. Using CNC tools like milling machines, waterjets and laser cutters, nothing is too far out of reach. With so much to create, you might be wondering how you can go about starting on your next project. How, for example, can you take a JPG and create a wooden sign for your business? It's simple—all you have to do is convert JPG to G-Code and off you go!
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Our latest Scan2CAD guide will take you through the intricacies of converting JPG to G-Code. We'll cover everything from why you may need to do it, to how the process works, to how Scan2CAD can do it all for you at the click of a few buttons!
- Why is conversion necessary?
- What is vectorization?
- Convert JPG to G-Code
- Tips for converting
General purposes: raster versus vector
JPG is a raster file format which is used predominantly for digital photography. While it's a common file format (and small in size, which makes it ideal for sharing) it comes with a range of issues that all raster file types suffer from. Rasters are made up entirely of pixels—those tiny squares that become more noticeable when you zoom in or enlarge your JPG. Unfortunately, this means that changing your raster's scale is difficult and ill-advised. They're resolution dependent, after all!
In comparison, vector file types like DXF and DWG are mathematically perfect. Used in graphic design, engineering and CAD, vectors don't lose their quality. Unlike rasters, they're made up of paths, not pixels. This means that it doesn't matter how much you zoom in or change the scale: they remain high in quality. As such, you could take the same vector image and use it on both a business card and a billboard.
For CNC: from JPG to G-Code
CNC machines like routers or milling machines make use of a series of pre-programmed commands to—in subtractive processes—take material from your piece. The most popular programming language is G-Code, the creation of which marked an important step in the history of CAM. This language controls exactly how your CNC machine's tools move. From how fast your tools move to the speed of rotation, everything is covered in the G-Code.
You can see why, then, you can't simply take a JPG and automatically use it with your CNC machine. These machines only work with vector file formats or G-Code. Fortunately, conversion software like Scan2CAD can trace your simple JPG and convert it to a vector file format so you can take your design to fabrication. This vector can then be converted directly to G-Code which can be read by control software and used to run your CNC machine.
Conversion—or vectorization—involves taking your raster, in this case a JPG, and converting it to a vector. This can be done by either manual tracing or automatically tracing your JPG. We'll discuss how each process works briefly and help you decide which is best for you.
Manual tracing
If the name didn't give you a clue, manual tracing involves tracing—or drawing—over your raster image with vector lines. This can be done with software like Inkscape and Illustrator. If the idea of using your mouse to click and trace over your entire image exhausts you, you might instead opt to use a tablet and graphics pen.
Automatic tracing
Adobe bridge updates cs6 for mac. As you might have guessed, automatic tracing involves using software—like Scan2CAD—to instantly convert your JPG, for example, to a vector and then G-Code. The way Scan2CAD works is by detecting the lines present in your raster and converting them to vector entities. This can then be converted to G-Code ready for use with your CNC machine.
Which process is better?
One of the main factors to take into consideration is time. Manual tracing is a time-consuming and taxing process. If you're pressed for time—or you're anything like us and you're rushing to start those CNC projects—you might be looking to get your JPG converted ASAP! In this case, automatic tracing is the process to pick. On the other hand, if you're working with a more complex image, manual tracing might be the better option. Some conversion software can struggle with understanding and recognizing certain raster images.
If you're still unsure, make up your mind by looking at tracing: manual or automatic.
Avoid online converters
You might think that the easiest thing to do is to search for 'convert JPG to G-Code' into your browser and choosing the first result. Unfortunately, as we frequently warn our readers, online converters are extremely temperamental. Some of the many disadvantages include:
- Limited capabilities in converting certain entities
- No conversion for large file sizes
- No batch conversion
- An output that, more often than not, won't work with CAM
- Problems with converting raster text to vector text
View Gcode File
That's not even mentioning the most obvious disadvantage—the possibility of accidentally downloading a dangerous virus or trojan. In all, you have to ask yourself: is facing the pitfalls of online converters really worth it? If your answer is no—as we hope it is—we can show you how Scan2CAD can convert JPG to G-Code in a few simple steps!
Using Scan2CAD to convert JPG to G-Code
We don't call Scan2CAD the market-leading raster-to-vector converter for no reason! While its primary focus is the conversion of raster technical drawings to vector images, Scan2CAD can also be used as a vital part of the CNC process. The many ways Scan2CAD has been used include routed signs, metal sculpting and glass reproduction.
Unlike online converters, Scan2CAD makes use of vectorization type settings to give all users a specialized conversion suited to the type of image they're converting. If you're converting a JPG for use in CNC, for example, you'd select the 'CNC Profile' setting. Scan2CAD, using pre-programmed variables, would then try to reduce the number of lines and node points in your image. Why? The cut paths of your CNC machine relate directly to the number of vector shapes you have. Reducing them, therefore, makes it easier for your machine.
The best part about the entire vectorization process in Scan2CAD is that it takes mere seconds to complete. Once the process is done, you can then skip the entire CAM process and convert your image directly to G-Code!
In this animation we convert an anchor image to a vector outline for CNC using Scan2CAD
How it works
All you've got to do is load your JPG in Scan2CAD and click on one of the vectorization options. Then, just a few seconds later, you'll have converted your raster image to a vector. You can then choose to save your new image in a G-Code format. Of the popular CNC formats, Scan2CAD supports .NC, .CNC and .TAP.
Now you can convert any JPG—or other raster file type—to one of these three G-Code file types. Scan2CAD's CNC Export option gives users a selection of options:
- G-Code Bezier Options: cubic splines, arcs or polylines
- Arc and Circle Rotation: clockwise or anti-clockwise
- Z Settings: Z offset, Z max for passes, Z limit per pass and Z retract per pass
- Scale Settings: setting the required scale, e.g., inches or millimeters.
What not to convert
To get the best possible output, you should only look to convert high-quality rasters. Otherwise, you'll run into issues when converting. For example, if your image is low-quality, Scan2CAD will struggle to detect the lines and curves present. Fortunately, we've got some top tips to help you pick the right image…
- Only pick images with high resolution. If it's pixelated, you should look for an alternative.
- Try for a better raster file format. JPGs aren't the best file format—you might look towards using a TIFF instead, taking advantage of its lossless compression.
- Less is more. Try to use images with as few colors as possible. For CNC in particular, 2-bit color is a necessity.
- Clean, clean, clean. Avoid images that have blurred areas, shadows or any overlap—it will only cause issues during vectorization.
- Avoid compound curves. CNC machines aren't big fans of curves (splines, ellipses), and instead prefer polylines which only include line and arc segments.
You can see more common problems associated with raster images in the image below…
Pre-conversion tips
It's worth noting that sometimes, even after following the tips highlighted above, there's no avoiding images that are somewhat flawed. Fortunately, Scan2CAD doesn't just support you through vectorization—it also comes with market-leading tools that enable you to clean up your image before and after conversion. Here are a few examples of top raster effects…
- Thresholding is key. By using Scan2CAD's thresholding tool, you can reduce the colors in your image to just black and white, making it easier for the software to detect the entities in your raster. You can choose between simple and adaptive—the latter of which enables you to define the point at which pixels are classed as 'black' or 'white'.
- Remove speckles and holes. You can easily remove stray pixels with the despeckle tool which allows you to erase pixels that are larger than a certain amount. Just as easily as you can get rid of speckles, you can also fill in any holes to make solid objects.
- Thicken lines. If you're looking to convert JPG to G-Code, you need an image without gaps or broken lines. The thicken lines tool makes this a problem of the past. Be sure to look over your image carefully, however: you don't want to accidentally join lines that are meant to be separate.
- Smooth image. If your image has too many 'hairs' around the edges, you can use the smooth tool to—yes, you guessed it—smooth out the edges. This will stop the software from drawing vectors around these hairs.
Post-conversion tips
The last thing you want is to take your G-Code to your CNC machine only to find that you've missed a few issues—this could lead to you wasting time and resources on a ruined output. As such, it's incredibly important that you check your vector closely before you save it as G-Code and send it to your control software.
You should check that your vector output only contains single line cut paths and that these lines are all connected—one coherent cut path is needed. This is particularly important around the corners and curves of your image. Using Scan2CAD, you should try to remove as many node counts and intersections as possible. You might also consider converting any broken entities (like arcs or Beziers) to polylines.
And that's all there is to it! Now you've successfully managed to convert JPG to G-Code, the possibilities are practically endless—you'll be able to start a multitude of CNC projects. Got a logo you need to mill? Vectorize your logo quickly and efficiently with Scan2CAD!
Whether you're a professional or hobbyist machinist, there's always something new to learn or enjoy in the realm of CNC. Scan2CAD loves to help, which is why we've compiled all of our top resources…
Software and hardware
If you're not sure what control software to use, or you're in the market for a new CNC kit—you've come to the right place. Get all the best tips and tricks for CNC software and hardware in Scan2CAD's CNC-related articles:
Free DXFs
Sometimes we just want to get straight out there and start a new CNC project. If you'd rather skip the fuss of finding the perfect raster image to convert to vector and then G-Code, why not use ready-to-cut DXFs? Simply use one of these 13 sites with free DXFs and export them directly to G-Code using Scan2CAD. Or, you can receive free DXF packs from Scan2CAD when you sign up using your email.
Scan2CAD
If you want to convert JPG to G-Code or any design for CNC, Scan2CAD should be your first port of call. A professional, market-leading converter, Scan2CAD comes with a range of top tools that enable you to convert from a number of file types to vector or G-Code file types. Got raster text in your image? With Smart OCR, you can train the software to recognize even handwritten text! And with features like batch conversion, you can convert hundreds of files in no time at all.
With no obligations or limitations, you can enjoy the full range of Scan2CAD features with our free, 14-day trial. Simply click on the link below to download now.
Introduction – GRBL Feed Rate
Congratulations on getting your CNC machine running. By now you should have adjusted a few of the GRBL settings. If not then before setting your GRBL feed rate, I recommend you set the steps per mm at the very least. Click the following link for a guide that will walk you through the process for the x,y and z axis Steps per mm ($100, $101, $102). GRBL settings 101
Now that your machine moves to the location you want, it's time to see if we can get the machine there faster. The following guide outlines the process of setting your GRBL feed rate.
Why Does Feed Rate Matter?
Many times, your machine will have to rapid to a location before or between cuts. Depending on what you are cutting and how big that part is, this can add up to a significant amount of time. Especially if your max GRBL feed rate settings are not optimized. In my case, I was able to more than double the safe speed of my machine. This meant that the machine moved to the cutting positions faster and didn't waste time slowly moving to the next cut. I saw a significant drop in cycle time, the amount of time it takes to cut a given part.
Again these settings deal with the machine limits. The actual cutting feed rates in your gcode program are set in your CAM software. These settings represent the upper limit of what the machine will do even if the gcode program tells the machine to move faster.
GRBL Feed Rate Settings
We are interested in maximizing the following the GRBL feed rate parameters. These are accessed through the command interface portion of Universal GCode Sender (UGCS).
$110=635.000 – X – Max Rate (mm/min) $111=635.000 – Y – Max Rate (mm/min) $112=635.000 – Z – Max Rate (mm/min)Not to worry, we don't need any fancy math to define these settings. We will use a series of tests and iterate to find the optimal GRBL feed rate settings.
For a complete list of GRBL Settings, download the GRBL Settings Pocket Guide
Maximum Speed – GRBL Definition
Max Rate – Sets the maximum speed for a given axis. The machine will not move faster than the values set here. This is the feed rate the machine will use when you type a G00 command.
Understand You Baseline
The first thing we want to do is capture the baseline settings. This way, we can go back to these if we make a mistake while updating one of the new settings.
1. Power on your machine
2. Open Universal Gcode Sender (UGCS) and view your current settings by typing $$ in the Command box under the Command tab.
You should get a list that looks something like the following.
**** Connected to COM3 @ 115200 baud ****
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Grbl 0.9j [‘$' for help]
>>> $$
$0=10 (step pulse, usec)
$1=25 (step idle delay, msec)
$2=0 (step port invert mask:00000000)
$3=3 (dir port invert mask:00000011)
$4=0 (step enable invert, bool)
$5=0 (limit pins invert, bool)
$6=0 (probe pin invert, bool)
$10=3 (status report mask:00000011)
$11=0.010 (junction deviation, mm)
$12=0.002 (arc tolerance, mm)
$13=1 (report inches, bool)
$20=0 (soft limits, bool)
$21=0 (hard limits, bool)
$22=0 (homing cycle, bool)
$23=0 (homing dir invert mask:00000000)
$24=25.000 (homing feed, mm/min)
$25=500.000 (homing seek, mm/min)
$26=250 (homing debounce, msec)
$27=1.000 (homing pull-off, mm)
$100=314.960 (x, step/mm)
$101=314.960 (y, step/mm)
$102=78.740 (z, step/mm)
$110=800.000 (x max rate, mm/min)
$111=800.000 (y max rate, mm/min)
$112=350.000 (z max rate, mm/min)
$120=10.000 (x accel, mm/sec^2)
$121=10.000 (y accel, mm/sec^2)
$122=10.000 (z accel, mm/sec^2)
$130=200.000 (x max travel, mm)
$131=200.000 (y max travel, mm)
$132=200.000 (z max travel, mm)
ok
3. Highlight lines $0 through $132 and copy the information (use 'Ctrl C'). Next, open 'Notepad' or your preferred text editor and paste the settings into a new file. Save the file as 'GRLB_Settings_Baseline.txt'.
We are interested in settings $110, $111 & $112. Note, those show above are my final settings. The initial GRBL feed rate values were significantly lower.
X Axis Max Speed
1. Review the value in $110
2. Add about 100 to the value and send the new setting by typing $110='new value' (Note, just enter a number without the ''.) For example, my first iteration was $110=200.000
3. Next jog the machine to the far left of the allowable travel. This gives us as much room as possible to test our new speed setting. Use the keyboard or jog buttons under the 'Machine Control' tab.
4. Next select the Command tab.
5. Type the following gcode command 'G00 X4' This will tell the machine to move 4 inches in the positive X direction at the maximum feed rate.
CAUTION – Be sure your machine has at least 4 inches of travel in the X axis. If not, then adjust the command in step 5 and reduce the travel by using a number that is slightly smaller than the allowable travel of your machine in the the X direction.
6. Press enter then watch and listen to your machine as it moves.
7. Does the machine run smoothly? If so, you can go back to step 2 and repeat the process. This will help you sneak up on the upper speed limits of your hardware setup. Does the machine struggle and sound like it's tearing itself apart? That means you have found the upper limit of the speed. Move onto step 8. Also, if the machine moves as fast as your are comfortable with then move on to step 8.
8. Take the last setting you entered into the machine and multiply by .9, this is your final speed setting value for the X axis. Enter this final value in the $110 setting variable by typing $110='final value' in the Command box under the command tab.
9. Do one last check using this new value. Jog the machine as far in the negative X direction as possible. Then under the Command Tab type 'G00 X4' The machine should move smoothly without any grinding. If that is the case, move on to set the Y axis feed rate.
Y Axis Max Speed
1. Adjust the max speed in the Y direction by starting with the value you found for the X axis. Enter that by typing $111='value'
2. Jog the machine to the forward most position of the allowable travel using the keyboard or jog buttons under the 'Machine Control' tab. This gives us as much room as possible to test our new speed setting.
3. In the Command box under the Command tab Type the following gcode 'G00 Y3' This will tell the machine to move 3 inches in the Y direction. (Note, I used 3 inches because of the travel limits on my machine. If you have a larger machine, you may want to use more of the available travel. If you have a smaller machine, be sure to use a smaller value.)
4. Press enter then watch and listen to your machine as it moves.
5. Does the machine run smoothly? If so, you can go back to step 1 and add 100 to the value then repeat the process. This will help you sneak up on the GRBL feed rate upper limit of your hardware setup. Does the machine struggle and sound like it's tearing itself apart? That means you have found the GRBL feed rate upper limit. Move onto step 6.
6. Take the last setting you entered into the machine and multiply by .9, this is your final speed setting value for the Y axis. Enter this final value in the $111 setting variable by typing $111='final value' in the Command box under the command tab. In my case, I found 800.000 to be the GRBL feed rate upper limit for my machine.
7. Do one last check using this new value. Jog the machine as far in the negative Y direction as possible. Then under the Command Tab type 'G00 Y3' The machine should move smoothly without any grinding. If that is the case, move to the Z axis.
Z Axis Max Speed
1. Review the value in $112
2. Add about 50 to the value and send the new setting by typing $112='new value' (Note, just enter a number without the ''.) For example, my first iteration was $112=200.000
3. Jog the machine to the lowest Z axis position using the keyboard or jog buttons under the 'Machine Control' tab. This gives us as much room as possible to test our new speed setting.
4. Using the Command box under the Command tab Type the following gcode command 'G00 Z4' This will tell the machine to move 4 inches in the positive Z direction (up). (Note, here we want to move the Z axis up against gravity. This way we know that the max speed will work in both the Z positive (up) and Z negative (down) directions.)
5. Press enter then watch and listen to your machine as it moves.
6. Does the machine run smoothly? If so, you can go back to step 2 and repeat the process. This will help you sneak up on the upper speed limits of your hardware setup. Does the machine struggle and sound like it's tearing itself apart? That means you have found the upper limit of the speed. Move onto step 7.
7. Take the last setting you entered into the machine and multiply by .9, this is your final speed setting value for the Z axis. Enter this final value in the $112 setting variable by typing $112='final value' in the Command box under the command tab.
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Conclusion
A few simple tweaks can really make life easier in the long run. By maximizing your GRBL feed rate settings, you will save time with every part you make. Saving a few seconds in your machining operations might not seem like much initially, but over time they really add up. I haven't seen any problems with my gShield with my higher GRBL feed rate settings . I encourage you to try tweaking some of your settings. What do you have to lose? If it doesn't work just go back to the last setting that did work.
The process outlined above is a guide to find the maximum GRLB feed rate settings that your physical hardware will allow. If you are just starting out, you may want to consider using 25% of these maximum values to start. As you grow more comfortable with your machine, you can increase the GRBL feed rate settings until you are back up to the maximum values found above.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at Tim@DIYMachining.com
Thanks for reading. Until next time… Tim
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