46 lines
2.2 KiB
ReStructuredText
46 lines
2.2 KiB
ReStructuredText
Basics
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Source Files
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Supported source files are:
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* **Gerber**: Typically define copper layers in a circuit board.
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* **Excellon**: (drill file): Contain drill specifications, size and coordinates.
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* **G-Code**: CNC machine instructions for cutting and/or drilling.
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These source files can be loaded by selecting File→Open Gerber…, File→Open Excellon… or File→Open G-Code… respectively. The objects created from source files are automatically added to the current project when loaded.
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Objects and Tasks
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-----------------
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Data in FlatCAM is in the form of 4 different kinds of objects: Gerber, Excellon, Geometry and CNC Job. Gerber, Excellon and CNC Jos objects are directly created by reading files in Gerber, Excellon and G-Code formats. Geometry objects are an intermediate step available to manipulate data. The diagram bellow illustrates the relationship between files and objects. The arrows connecting objects represent a sub-set of the tasks that can be performed in FlatCAM.
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.. image:: objects_flow.png
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:align: center
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Creating, Saving and Loading Projects
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-------------------------------------
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A project is everything that you have loaded, created and set inside the program. A new project is created every time you load the program or run File→New.
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By running File→Save Project, File→Save Project As… or File→Save a Project Copy… you are saving everything currently in the environment including project options. File→Open Project… lets you load a saved project.
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Navigating Plots
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Plots for open objects (Gerber, drills, g-code, etc…) are automatically shown on screen. A plot for a given can be updated by clicking “Update Plot” in the “Selected” tab, in case any parameters that would have changed the plot have been modified.
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Zooming plots in and out is accomplished by clicking on the plot and using the mouse **scroll wheel** or hitting one of the following keys:
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* ``1``: Fits all graphics to the available plotting area.
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* ``2``: Zooms out
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* ``3``: Zooms in
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When zooming in or out, the point under the cursor stays at the same location.
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To scroll left-right or up-down, hold the ``shift`` or ``control`` key respectively while turning the mouse **scroll wheel**. |