How to create GCode with CorelDraw CNC Plugin (example)
Updated: Oct 31, 2021
After installation of the CorelDraw CNC and Cutting plugin you can directly create GCode of your drawings. When gCode Generator is started for the first time, the standard postprocessor "Default_XYZ" is automatically loaded to profile 1. "Default_XYZ" is a standard postprocessor for flat machining. It's good for CNC machines with only X, Y and Z axis.
The workflow of G-Code generation is always from up to down of the addon. You have the choose to open a new CorelDraw document or open a already exists document. Also you can simply select a profile and type in workpiece dimensions. The application then creates a new CorelDraw document, if no document is open.
(1) Select profile
The first thing to do is select the profile. Then the application loads the settings from the postprocessor file.
(2) Setting up workpiece data
Enter the workpiece data. For example the dimension or X- and Y-Zeropoint. You can align the zero point to one of the corner or in the center of the workpiece.
(3) Add your drawing objects or import a CorelDraw drawing
(4) Add tool paths operations in menu "TOOLPATHS"
First select the drawing object for which you want generate G-Code. You can also select several drawing objects. Then click on a operation type. For example "Contour milling". A new window will open in which you can define the machine operation.
Enter a name you want for the maching operation. Select a tool from the tool library or add a new one.
Now you can set the contour adjustment. The tool path can be in the center of your selected drawing object. Also it can be inside or outside the selected contour.
In this example we choose inside. After clicking, the application will create the contour which is inside of the selected objects.
In this example we leave the other parameters and values of the operation at the default values. Further explanations can be found in the manual of CorelDraw GCode Plugin.
Click "OK". Now gCode Generator create and save the machining operation.
(5) Create G-Code in the CorelDraw CNC / Cutting plugin
Now everything is ready to create G-Code. Go to the "CREATE AND SAVE" menu of the docker/addon. Click on "G1/G2" and the CorelDraw G-Code Plugin will generate G-Code of the saved operation.
After completion of the generation, the G-Code is rendered / visualized in three dimensions. This makes it very easy to control the G-Code. You can also save/export and open the G-Code here.
