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manual
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basics.rst

basics.rst 2.2 KB
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  1. Basics
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  2. ======
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  4. Source Files
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  5. ------------
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  7. Supported source files are:
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  9. * **Gerber**: Typically define copper layers in a circuit board.
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  10. * **Excellon**: (drill file): Contain drill specifications, size and coordinates.
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  11. * **G-Code**: CNC machine instructions for cutting and/or drilling.
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  13. 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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  16. Objects and Tasks
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  17. -----------------
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  19. 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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  21. .. image:: objects_flow.png
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  22.     :align: center
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  25. Creating, Saving and Loading Projects
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  26. -------------------------------------
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  28. 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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  30. 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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  33. Navigating Plots
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  34. ----------------
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  36. 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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  38. 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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  40. * ``1``: Fits all graphics to the available plotting area.
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  41. * ``2``: Zooms out
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  42. * ``3``: Zooms in
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  44. When zooming in or out, the point under the cursor stays at the same location.
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  46. To scroll left-right or up-down, hold the ``shift`` or ``control`` key respectively while turning the mouse **scroll wheel**.
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