How to render the path of a machine tool

Question

0.00/5 (No votes)

See more:

I create 2D graphics in C# using the Microsoft Graphics Class (System.Drawing) that consist entirely of straight lines and circular arcs. These graphics represent the path that a machine tool (e.g., a laser machine) travels when cutting out a part.

Until now, these graphics have been purely static, i.e., the entire contour is completely rendered in a single operation.

I would now like to show how the contour builds up in time, i.e., you should see how the machine moves (with adjustable speed).

If I see this correctly, there are no suitable functions for this in the Microsoft libraries.

What software could be used for such a task?

What I have tried:

I took a look at Unity. But this package seems to be oversized for my requirements.

Posted 19-Aug-23 10:54am

Member 13566383

Updated 14-Sep-23 8:22am

Deeksha Shenoy

v5

Add a Solution

Comments

Rick York 19-Aug-23 21:09pm

Have you tried searching for animation? https://www.codeproject.com/search.aspx?q=animation&x=7&y=1&sbo=kw

Ralf Meier 21-Aug-23 4:29am

could you give an example how the moving-path of your machine-part looks like ?
I think there is a way with customized controls and using more parts of the graphics-unit - but for this I need more infomation ...

Member 13566383 21-Aug-23 5:32am

I have got a screenshot of a typical path but I don't know how to upload it.

Member 13566383 21-Aug-23 10:20am

Here is a link to the screenshot:
https://www.file-upload.net/download-15180065/Screenshot2023-08-21112041.png.html

3 solutions

Add a Solution

Add your solution here

Treat my content as plain text, not as HTML

Preview 0

…

Existing Members

Sign in to your account

...or Join us

Download, Vote, Comment, Publish.

Your Email
Password
Forgot your password?

Your Email
This email is in use. Do you need your password?
Optional Password

I have read and agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Please subscribe me to the CodeProject newsletters

When answering a question please:

Read the question carefully.
Understand that English isn't everyone's first language so be lenient of bad spelling and grammar.
If a question is poorly phrased then either ask for clarification, ignore it, or edit the question and fix the problem. Insults are not welcome.
Don't tell someone to read the manual. Chances are they have and don't get it. Provide an answer or move on to the next question.

Let's work to help developers, not make them feel stupid.

This content, along with any associated source code and files, is licensed under The Code Project Open License (CPOL)

Patrice T · Accepted Answer · 2023-08-19T20:24:00

Quote:
I would now like to show how the contour builds up in time, i.e. you should see how the machine moves (with adjustable speed).

More or less, you want to render your drawing in slow motion.
Your needs look rather specialized, this imply a lot research to find a readily library for your needs.

Or you can create your own library.
- you need to master the mathematics of scaling in size and in time.
- You need to recreate tools for the drawing 1 pixel at the time.
- You need to master the usage of timer draw each steps in a timely fashion.
- You may also want to simulate the move of the laser head between cuts.
- You may also want to show the laser head with a sprite.

A lot of work, but a nice learning curve too.

Graeme_Grant · Accepted Answer · 2023-08-19T21:34:00

Solution 3

There is no simple solution.

WPF has a great 2D and 3D rendering engine that can use Direct X and supports animation. This will be a new system to learn as it is very different to WinForms.

Examples, from here on CodeProject:
* Beginner's WPF Animation Tutorial[^]
* Advanced Animations in WPF[^]
* WPF 3D Primer[^]
* WPF: A 3D screensaver written in WPF[^]

If you do some research via Google, you can find many examples for WPF.

Posted 19-Aug-23 21:34pm

Graeme_Grant

Comments

Member 13566383 20-Aug-23 4:05am

Yes I already have seen that WPF may have a solution for my problem. Looks like a completely new world to me, where learning how to draw a line or circle in slow motion will be the smallest problem to be mastered.

Graeme_Grant 20-Aug-23 6:24am

there are tonnes of articles out there on WPF around animation, 2D & 3D rendering. Work each part and you should get there.

Dave Kreskowiak · Accepted Answer · 2023-08-19T18:24:00

You're not going to find anything that renders this for you in the .NET Framework or .NET.

You're basically talking about rendering an animation, frame-by-frame, over time. You can render the first part of the path, increment the path taken by the tool over the next, say, 0.1 seconds, then draw everything up to that point, and repeat until the end of the path is reached.

If you find a library to do this for you, great, but don't get your hopes up. What you're talking about is a very vertical, niche market, so the chances of finding a library are going to be small.

How to render the path of a machine tool

3 solutions

Solution 2

Solution 3

Solution 1

Add your solution here

Preview 0