When it comes to 3D-Printing the slicer writes the G-Code for you. But when it comes to more complex things, you typically won’t do this sort of low-level coding by hand. You could write this G-Code in any editor of your choice. If you want a more complete list of G-Code commands there is a table on Wikipedia. Switching coolant on/off is an example of an M command. Commands prefixed with M (miscellaneous) transmit other instructions to the machine. The commands go, in the truest sense of the word, from A (absolute or incremental position around the X-axis turning around X) to Z (absolute or incrementing in the direction of the Z-axis). This letter is used to transmit travel or path commands to the machine. The name comes from the fact that many instructions in this code begin with the letter G. Different countries have different standards for this language. Since then, various organizations have developed versions of this programming language. This language was developed at MIT in the 1950s. G-Code is also known as the G programming language. The most widespread language for programming CAM machines is G-Code. Computer Aided Manufacturing ( CAM), which has been widespread in the manufacturing industry, is now also taking place at home. All these machines have one thing in common – they are computer-controlled. You can purchase such machines relatively cheaply as a kit or already assembled. You don’t have to design or build these machines yourself. There are also CNC milling machines, plotters, laser engravers, cutters and and even machines that you can build yourself. This trend hasn’t stopped with 3D printers. Mechanical engineering as a hobby is finding more and more adopters.

The publication of the source code for RepRap 3D printers for self-construction and the availability of electronic components, such as Arduino or Raspberry Pi are probably some of the causes for this boom. The construction of machines for the hobby sector is booming. G-Code, in turn, is useful for programming machines such as plotters and laser engravers. This first article of the series will show how Inkscape’s G-Code Tools extension can be used to produce G-Code.

This series will show you some things you can do besides graphics with Inkscape. Inkscape can also do a lot more than just graphics. With vector graphics (in our case SVG) a lot more can be done. Inkscape, the most used and loved tool of Fedora’s Design Team, is not just a program for doing nice vector graphics.

Inkscape tutorial 2021