Our software is all being done in python script language.
We are using skeinforge as the main slicer engine and standard REPRAP GCode to control the electronics. We will be adding some custom GCode commands to control some aspects of the projector, like turning it on/off and switch input lines.
The electronics are also largely based on the REPRAP RAMPS 1.2 board (essentially using an Arduino Mega and a Pololu driver), and uses a standard RAMPS firmware.
We are currently using the Sprinter ramps firmware (old carukilp firmware), which has being re-written from the ground up especially to take advantage of the pololu driver capability. This new ramps firmware also allows much faster axis movement with much less noise than any other reprap firmware available.
The UI is all done in QT, a well known and very reliable multi-platform UI library developed by Nokia.
OpenGL is also used for the realtime preview of the model to be printed, and also during the print itself, since OpenGL is extremely efficient to deal with double-buffered page flipping and Vertical Synchronization, minimizing possible glitches in the curing process during slice switch.
One of the main goals of the software is to be multi-platform from day one, hence the choices of using OpenGL, Python and QT. It’s being constantly tested on OSX, Windows and Linux, as it’s being developed and, so far, no big issues!
7:11 pm, May 26, 2011mzungu /
Is it possible to write this code using Blender as the “development environment”? Blender will provide much of what you’d need – python scripting, Ogl 3D visualization, geometry I/O handling, runs on all major platforms, is GPL OSS, is actively developed and has a huge userbase following… among other things! Sounds as if you’re already well along, but thot I’d throw this out there as a possibility. Your portion could be merely a python script, and let users download blender on their own to run things. Thots?
9:41 pm, May 26, 2011hradec /
I thought about that, but my problem is that I’m a Maya user… Never touched Blender in my life!! LOL
I would have to learn Blender first, then the API so I can only THEN develop something…
I choose to go the standalone route so I get something simple, light and oriented to what we need.
BUT, my idea has always being to later, as soon as its finished (or at least fully working), I was going to implement a Maya plugin, so one can model something in Maya and launch it STRAIGHT from inside maya UI, and get the model directly from Maya.
Nothing prevents us from doing the same in blender… Just model in blender, hit a button and launch the host software straight from it, automatically transferring whatever you have selected.
7:14 pm, May 26, 2011mzungu /
Another ongoing CAD/CNC effort that you might find interesting/helpful is HeeksCNC. Dan Heeks is the initiator of this OSS effort based on OpenCASCADE and he appears to be garnering a lot of help with it also. Just FYI!
-Cheers, and keep up the great work!
9:36 pm, May 26, 2011hradec /
Cool!! thanks for the tip!! Didn’t known about that one… I’ll definitely check it out!!!
-H
10:26 am, May 30, 2011Dominique Stockner /
Thank u a great deal of dude for sharing a wonderful encounters with all of us