Tux Plot V4.5

Tux Plot Has been designed with a small business in mind. Efficient production of jobs with cost andtime spent being very important factors. Tux Plot will drive not only many brands and models of

cutting devices but even completely different types of devices like vinyl cutters, cnc mills, plasmatables, pen plotters, routers etc.

Minor adjustments for more unique devices usually at no charge!Limited editing functions are included for the most used tasks like rotate, size, move, copy etc. It is

assumed that your most important edits have been preformed by your design application before yourjob arrives in Tux Plot.

Tux Plot will process any .svg .ps .pdf .eps .plt vector file for a local design application such asInkscape Coreldraw Illustrator or from a networked computer running Linux Windows Or a Mac. Any

of the valid file types mentioned found in “hpgl-hot-folder” in your home folder will trigger Tux Plot topop open or if already open add the job to the first empty job folder (four simultaneous jobs are

supported).Tux Plot has a very extensive tool tip pop up system that conveys helpful information on how to use thefunction your mouse is hovering over. I recommend to read the tool tips until you are very familiar with

how Tux Plot works, tool tips can be disabled in the tools drop down list. An information bar foundalong the bottom of the Tux Plot window also informs you of errors, confirmation of task completion,

and other important warnings.

Technical support is always available via email at no charge. A snap-shot function is provided in the“Tools” menu drop down for taking a picture of the Tux Plot window to include with your email.

Please make sure your relevant panel is displayed such as “profile panel” before taking snap-shot.The snap-shot is saved to your desktop for easy retrieval.

If your producing a complex plot job involving a lot of functions like multiple passes with the colorsubsystem to avoid tedious setup for a second plot job “save job” is provided which will save all your

settings and even a customized optional memo tagged to that job. Recall job retrieves your job, restoresall settings to a state when job was saved. One click backup in tools drop down allows for backing up

of your profiles, saved jobs, and custom media types.

It is strongly recommended to install your cutter as a “cups printer” using add printer for your operatingsystem. In your Tux Plot profile then select plot to printer and select your newly created printer. Print

direct to port is also available but some cutters such as the Silhouette series of cutters MUST be used asa cups printer! The opposite is true for any Tux Cutter or Smoothie cnc device, they have their own

installation procedure that does all the needed edits so Tux Plot can use them properly.The benefit of using cups is it’s very good buffering capabilities and also more importantly, if you

unplug and replug your usb cutter it may be assigned a different port in Linux each time therefore the“print to port” in Tux Plot is pointing to the wrong port!

Cups does not care what port is assigned and finds the printer in it’s own way regardless of the usbassigned port.

FUNCTIONS

When closing Tux Plot by default your profile settings are updated to what ever they are at closingtime. You can also manually save them with either of the two Save Profile buttons provided. Last used

profile is auto loaded when opening Tux Plot.If using the VERY handy media type presets as your profile settings will be saved each time you close

Tux Plot, these updates may be unwanted so a profile “write protect” feature is available in your profilesettings to freeze your profile and block any attempts to update it.

Tux Plot supports many varying devices so for example XY speeds on a Graphtec range from 1-38 with38 being 600mm/sec and some manufacturers use actual mm/sec values so it’s impossible to provide xy

speed values specific to your cutter. Read your device manual and know the maximum range for xyspeed and blade pressure. Most cutters will simply use the fastest speed if a value is given more than

it’s built in maximum.

JOB DESIGN

I will use Inkscape as my example design application.

You will notice for the text I removed the fill and assigned a black outline/stroke but any color can beused. The surrounding image has a black stroke/outline with color fills (fills optional, only if needed

such as in engraving).I then do a “save as” and save it as a supported Tux Plot file type .svg .pdf .ps .eps and point to the

hpgl-hot-folder in your home folder.Tux Plot will process the file.

Any outline/stroke color is needed for Tux Plot to display your job!Remember white is a fill also even though it blends with the white background Tux Plot sees it as a fill.Use “X” in Inkscape color bar to remove fills if vinyl cutting, right click a color in the color bar and set

stroke color.

As you can see the fills are represented by lines that can be adjusted for both angle and density.

Media Box toggled on showing image info in tool tip.Media box must be on and orientation and size correct for Silhouette plot jobs!

Having the media box toggled on is handy for visual placement of the cut job on your media. Somefunctions in Tux Plot will auto toggle on/off media box as needed. Media size is inherited from youroriginal job from Inkscape etc so it’s easier to set image size in your design application, however TuxPlot can change the media size to preset media sizes with “Media Size” button or custom media sizes.When ready to plot click the “SEND” or “PLOT!” buttons. Send keeps the job intact in your job folder

while plot! Clears the folder after plotting.

JOB PLACEMENT AND DOCUMENT SIZE

In this example I opened an svgfile in Inkscape with no

bounding box (media box) so theactual image min/max becomes

the media box size.

Of course I could change thatusing Inkscape document

properties or in Tux Plot “MediaSize” function.

This image would be plotted inthe extreme lower left corner of

my media.

In this example I have editedInkscape document properties

and used a size representing mymedia of paper, vinyl, metal etc.

The image is still in the extremelower left quadrant so that’s

where it will be plotted in TuxPlot also.

Tux Plot will inherit the mediasize I have used,

Portrait/Landscape may need tobe clicked in Tux Plot dependingon your Inkscape job orientation.

In this example I have changedthe Inkscape document size tomatch my “Table Size” in Tux

Plot which is the largest possiblesize media I could ever load in

my particular cutter. This gives agood visual of where the job will

be cut on the cutter.I then moved the image towards

the center of the document sonow it is not at the extreme lower

left quadrant anymore.Now when it’s plotted the first

thing your cutter will do is movefrom lower left with tool up to

the start cut of the image.This precise placement is

sometimes needed for certaintypes of jobs especially in

engraving and cnc mill jobs.

In the Tux Plot snapshot you willsee I have removed the fills and

toggled on the “Media Box”. It isrepresented by the magenta color

box around the image. Thisexample is the second example

picture above and Tux Plotinherited the document size fromInkscape. If your not concerned

where the job will be cut on yourmedia then the “Media Box” isnot important at all and can beignored or not even toggled on,but some cutters such as as the

Silhouette series of cuttersrequire having the media box on

and oriented properly beforecutting a job.

Of course the image can bemoved around on your mediawith the Tux Plot “Advanced

Edits” panel options.

Notes:If your cutter has built in offset or over cut ability disable these options in Tux Plot. These features are

for cutters without the built in functions and rely on software to provide them.

Optional “Weed” function is available with adjustable space between image and weed box.

When creating a profile you will be asked your device maximum “X” and “Y” size it can load. This isthe value of the largest possible media your cutter can load (even if you never use that size), have these

values handy in mm’s (25.4mm = 1 inch)

For roll media use the something like 1500mm for the long side. (X)

Try to design in Landscape mode in your design application as when you load your media it’s actuallyloaded in Landscape not Portrait. Remember where the lower left corner is in Landscape mode and

then when loaded in your cutter it’s where the head/blade is. Some cutters auto compensate for this andsome don’t so experiment with your cutter to find the correct design orientation for your cutter device.

Y axisin your design

application

Changing Your “Table Size” Values

When you created your profile for your cutter it asked for the XYZ table size (the largest possible sizemedia it can load, even if you never use that size.

Click one of the XY or Z buttons above the table size lcd readout valuesthe above window will allow updating your Table size values.

All values must be filled in (25.4mm = 1inch)If using a 2D device like a vinyl cutter or pen plotter use “0” for Z axis.

If using roll media use something like 1500mm for the long axis (usually X axis)

Using Media Type Presets

A drop down list of presets for various types of media is available to auto adjust your xy speed, bladepressure, repeat cuts, offset, over cut to approximate values. These values can be “Updated” (using thepresent values in Tux Plot) to your match your cutter or create your own media type entries. When you

fine tune the presets and add new media types to the list one click allows instant adjustments of theimportant Tux Plot settings for fast job setup. These custom media types are also backed up when you

use the “Tools” backup feature in Tux Plot.

Creating Custom Media Sizes

If you use a special media size frequently you can enter “Custom Media Size” for one time use or add itpermanently to the “Media Size” list for easy future use.

From the “Media Size” drop down select custom media and the above window will pop up. Enter yourcustom media size.

Tux Plot will try to auto adjust the new media size to your present media orientation but if neededadjust the portrait/landscape mode with the Tux Plot icon. At this time you will be prompted to add it to

your media size list permanently. Any custom media sizes created are backed up when using the TuxPlot Tools “Backup” feature.

Jog Controls

Slide jog distance slider to desired jog distance (you can also use mouse wheel) and click the xyzdirection arrow to jog. You must have a job loaded and media box toggled on to jog.

Micro jog moves are enabled by clicking the xyz button found at start of each jog slider.

^

Activate Keyboard Input

Keyboard Shortcut Keys (If Activated)

Jog Adjusted Slider AmountX positive direction = Right Keyboard ArrowX negative direction = Left Keyboard Arrow

Y positive direction =Up Keyboard ArrowY negative direction = Down Keyboard Arrow

Move To Marks (Print and Cut Only)Move to mark 1 = 1 On The KeyboardMove to mark 2 = 2 On The KeyboardMove to mark 3 = 3 On The Keyboard

Set Marks After Alignment (Print and Cut Only)Use the S on the keyboard to set mark

Move To HomeUse the Home Button On Keyboard

Move Blade/Pen Down (Print and Cut And CNC)Use the D Button On Keyboard

CNC (Smoothie Tux Cutter)Same arrow keys for direction

Same Home button for move to home“D” key moves Z axis down

“U” key moves Z axis up

Depending on your choice of “Post Processors” in your profile settings (vinyl cutter or cnc) somekeyboard keys will be used for your device in different ways , see above.

NOTES:For print and cut alignment an ink pen or something with a clearly visible point would be better

mounted than a blade for alignment and switch tool back to blade when ready to plot.

Set new origin is for HPGL compatible cutters only and ones with a sophisticated firmware. You canrelocate the cut start point to any location much like most vinyl cutters do, this feature is mainly used

for engravers and cnc mills.

If your using a Smoothie/Tux Cutter cnc controller you will be reminded to “Home” it when Tux Plotstarts up. Always a good habit to have!

Z axis always homes first then X then Y.

Use specific help for each important panel by clicking on the green question mark found in the top rightcorner of each panel.

With Tux Plot version 4.5 the Tux Plot window is fully zoom-able up and down to accommodate veryhigh resolution displays or low resolution displays.

The zoom factor is applied to all sub windows Tux Plot generates and the helpful pop up “Tool Tips”.

Inkscape Contour Fill Extension

Shown here is the red contours with Inside Contours and black Outside Contours

The contour extension is rather fussy and needs some prep-work before applying the contour fill or itwon’t apply the contour.

1) Convert object/stroke to path2) Break apart/ungroup and remove one of the outlines

3) Remove fills and set stroke color3) Extensions > modify path > flatten beziers (use .1)

4)Apply Tux Plot contour extension (live preview is helpful)

NOTE:When sending an image to Tux Plot it will process everything from Inkscape without any preparation

except you must give the stroke a line color, any color.

CNC With Smoothie Or Tux Cutter

Tux Plot is a 2D or 2.5D designed for production of parts cut from sheet media (metal, wood, fabric,leather etc) it is NOT a 3D application but a saved 3D job can be plotted if found on the sd card of the

Smoothie/Tux Cutter. Tux Plot has a unique way of using the Z axis that is more like an easy to useengraver so most of your 3D saved jobs will not use the Z axis correctly, in this case create a custom

config file on the sd card that corresponds with your saved plot job and reboot the Tux Cutter/Smoothie(remember to backup the original config file!).

The Smoothie/Tux Cutter cnc controllers are the only devices that Tux Plot address directly over thenetwork. Other devices such as vinyl cutters maybe networked but must be configured as a cups

network generic/raw printer and your Tux Plot profile pointing to that cups printer. Smoothie/TuxCutter devices can not be configured as a cups printer, install them via the provided “Install TuxCutter/Smoothie” button in the Tux Plot settings panel. When adding a new Tux Cutter/Smoothie

profile the install script is automatically used.

I find I forget to check if the spindle is on when I use the cnc device (broken many end mills) so thereis a handy feature in your list of profile options called “Spindle/Cut Mat Warning” This feature if

checked, will pop up a warning when you send a plot job asking if your spindle settings are correct, ifnot cancel job adjust spindle and resend job. This feature double duties with a similar warning for theCameo3 vinyl cutter so it mentions the cutting mat in the name. The pop up warning will differ for the

Smoothie/Tux Cutter and Cameo3.

See also Help (green ?) in the “Tool Settings” and “Probe For Media Surface” panels, as with all TuxPlot panels help is more specific from a particular panel.

It is strongly recommended to plot to your Smoothie/Tux Cutter via the network and NOT the usb port!

Screen Shots Of CNC Related Panels

Probe For Media Surface Exclusive To CNC

Tool Settings Panel Shared With Other Cutter Types

See specific Help ? In each panel.

Tux Plot Or New Origin Mode?

Tux Plot mode is the default XYZ origin mode used for CNC work in Tux Plot. The Z axis is at“Home” which is the maximum positive value Z can be (in this example I’ll use 60mm). The distance

to the surface of the media is adjusted using the “Distance To Media” slider in the main Tux Plotwindow, the depth to cut into the media is adjusted by the “Cut” slider in the Tux Cutter/Smoothie toolssection in the main window. XY axis are at home position at extreme lower left of media. Movement to

cut location is dependant on your design and the placement of the design on your page in Inkscape,CorelDraw etc. If the media size is the same size as the image in Inkscape then your cut will be exactly

at XY Home (0,0) with no move to new cut location before cut starts.

New Origin mode (Touch Off) is more along the lines of traditional CNC axis placement where thespindle is jogged to the desired XYZ location over your media (usually at the lower left corner) and the

In New Origin (Touch Off) mode when new desired location is located presseither XYZ origin button (Big Green Finger) or Z Only (Small Green Finger)this becomes the new Home position or start point for your cut for the XYZ orZ Only axis. In your design app such as Inkscape if your media is the same sizeas your image cutting will take place at the new origin without moving to a new

cut position before starting cut.

Note: These buttons have different functions for non-CNC devices and display different icons/text forHPGL based engravers.

Your CNC job will cut the same either way so it’s really up to you to use the mode your mostcomfortable with. Keep in mind even when using New Origin (touch off) mode the Z axis is still

different from industry standard Z axis movement. If you want a totally industry standard 3D XYZ axisformat (0 is media surface and negative values for below media surface) create a custom sd card with acustom config file for your Tux Cutter/Smoothie and reboot from the custom config file (save the Tux

Plot version).

Various slider controls are available for Tux Cutter/Smoothie devices.

Scale is for stretching one or more axis by a chosen percentage.Cut is how deep to cut into media from the media surface.

Rapid is how fast to move the spindle when relocating to a new cutlocation.

Passes is how many slices or passes to make to achieve the desired cutdepth into media. This is dependant on the stregth of your CNC device

and how much it can handle.DPI is very rarely used and should stay at 1016.

XY Offset lets you specify manually a new start location for your cutjob. This is usefull if your using a jig with a known coordinate location.

Note: If your not using a CNC devices these controls remain disabled until a profile is loaded using aTux Cutter/Smoothie.

Tux Plot is a large demanding application that needs a fairly fast cpu to operate effectively.

At the least a single core 3.4 gz Intel/Amd cpu with 4 gig of ram.A more comfortable range would be dual core 3 gz and higher!

Any modern (14.04 and newer) debian based operating system such as Mint, Ubuntu, Debian. Tux Plotv4.5 is only tested on LTS versions (long term support).

Email: securetech@eastlink.caWebsite: www.securetech-ns.ca