probe-basic 0.0.6

Probe Basic - A QtPyVCP based Virtual Control Panel for LinuxCNC

Probe Basic Development Installation Guide

1- Install Linuxcnc

http://www.linuxcnc.org/testing-stretch-rtpreempt/

Select the "linuxcnc-stretch-uspace-amd64-r13.iso" option. you will need to make a bootable dvd or USB thumb drive depending on how you plan to install. The below software is extremely easy and works flawlessly with linux debian OS images. Below is the link for it. I recommend using 2-4gb USB drive for quicker flashing.

https://www.balena.io/etcher/?ref=etcher_update

Once you have created your flash stick for linuxcnc proceed to install and boot the system. (note: It is advised to have an ethernet cable internet connection during install). Select the graphical installation option. Follow the steps on screen to complete installation.

After installation, copy the following in the main terminal one line at a time and hit enter, select Y for yes if asked at any point during installation.

sudo apt update

sudo apt upgrade

2- Upgrade to LinuxCNC version 2.8

Copy the following in the main terminal one line at a time and hit enter, select Y for yes if asked at any point during installation.

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get dist-upgrade

sudo apt-get install dirmngr

sudo apt-get install software-properties-common

sudo apt-key adv --keyserver hkp://keys.gnupg.net --recv-key E0EE663E

sudo add-apt-repository "deb http://buildbot.linuxcnc.org/ stretch 2.8-rtpreempt"

sudo apt update

sudo apt upgrade

sudo apt dist-upgrade

3- Start Linuxcnc first time

Now linuxcnc needs to be started for the first time for it to create its directory folders. This can be done by the drop down menu and selecting CNC and then LinuxCNC. After the program has started, you can shut it down and continue below.

4- Install qtpyvcp dependencies

Copy the following in the main terminal it is all one line, hit enter, select Y for yes f asked at any point during installation.

sudo apt install python-pyqt5 python-pyqt5.qtquick python-dbus.mainloop.pyqt5 python-pyqt5.qtopengl python-pyqt5.qsci python-pyqt5.qtmultimedia qml-module-qtquick-controls gstreamer1.0-plugins-bad libqt5multimedia5-plugins pyqt5-dev-tools python-dev python-setuptools python-pip git:


sudo apt install qttools5.dev qttools5-dev-tools python-pip

5- Install qtpyvcp

Copy the following in the main terminal, hit enter, select Y for yes if asked at any point during installation.

git clone https://github.com/kcjengr/qtpyvcp qtpyvcp

cd qtpyvcp

pip install --editable .

cd

cd ~/qtpyvcp/pyqt5designer/Qt5.7.1-64bit/

sudo ./install.sh

cp ~/qtpyvcp/scripts/.xsessionrc ~/

IMPORTANT: now Log Off of Linux, then Log In again for the previous installation to take effect, then continue with step 6 after in a main terminal!

6- Install probe_basic

Copy the following in the main terminal, hit enter.

cd

git clone https://github.com/kcjengr/probe_basic.git

7- Setup the probe_basic directory and install using pip.

From the main terminal paste the following and press enter after each, if asked, type Y and enter to continue install.

cd probe_basic

pip install -e .

cd

cp -r ~/probe_basic/probe_basic/fonts/ ~/.local/share/

cp -r ~/probe_basic/config/xyzab/ ~/linuxcnc/configs/

8- Copy probe_basic config files

Copy the probe_basic config files from the probe_basic folder to the linuxcnc/configs folder. This will make them available for selection when starting linuxcnc. A Desktop launcher icon can be created on the desktop by checking the box at the bottom of the screen prior to launching the probe_basic xyzab.ini sim. This will make it easier starting the sim going forward.

9- Edit probe_basic

To be able to edit the probe_basic gui, you will enter the following in the main terminal.

editvcp probe_basic

10- You are Finished with Installation!

This should complete the installation of QtPyVCP and the probe_basic GUI, you can now run the sim to get to know it, as well open and play with the GUI design. If you would like to make a Desktop Icon to launch the editor for probe_basic, follow the below instructions:

right click on the desktop and select "Create Launcher"

In the field entries you can put the following information:

NOTE: for the command line be sure to change the "YOUR_COMPUTER_NAME_HERE" for you actual computer name, for example /home/jacob/.local/bin/editvcp probe_basic or the launcher will give an error!

Name: QTDesigner

Comment: probe_basic gui editor

Command: /home/YOUR_COMPUTER_NAME_HERE/.local/bin/editvcp probe_basic

Working Directory:

Press the Save button once completed.

The first launch select Mark Executable when prompted.

11- Congratualtions you have made it through and should be ready to start having fun!

Documentation

See the documentation.

Resources

• Development
• Documentation
• Freenode IRC (#hazzy)
• The Matrix (#qtpyvcp:matrix.org)
• Gitter
• Discord
• Issue Tracker

Dependencies

• LinuxCNC
• Python 2.7
• PyQt5 or PySide2
• QtPyVCP

Probe Basic is developed and tested using the LinuxCNC Debian 9 x64 (stretch) Live ISO and Ubuntu 18.10 x64 SIM. It should run on any system that can have PyQt5 installed, but Debian 9 x64 is the only OS that is officially supported.

DISCLAIMER

THE AUTHORS OF THIS SOFTWARE ACCEPT ABSOLUTELY NO LIABILITY FOR ANY HARM OR LOSS RESULTING FROM ITS USE. IT IS EXTREMELY UNWISE TO RELY ON SOFTWARE ALONE FOR SAFETY. Any machinery capable of harming persons must have provisions for completely removing power from all motors, etc, before persons enter any danger area. All machinery must be designed to comply with local and national safety codes, and the authors of this software can not, and do not, take any responsibility for such compliance.

This software is released under the GPLv2.