Welcome

[ArtF]

Hello Everyone

Id like to welcome all our newest members from this summer. Its been unusually busy
this summer so theres quite a few of you who have just joined us all. Id like to also
take this opportunity to explain how development works with Gearotic.

  Normally, I take my summers off to work on other projects, those involved with Mach4's rollout
will have seen Darwin released as its new printer port driver and thats kept me a bit busy this summer.
During the spring however I found quite a bit of free time and developed a fair amount a code
for this seasons releases of Gearotic, so Im already a bit ahead of the curve for this year.

  This years development schedule will start soon, Ill be getting back to work around Oct 1st for a
season of rewrites and upgrades. We have many items on the wishlist, and the development schedule
for this years work is mainly on the CNC output options.

First, we'll be getting a new module named "CNC Workbench" which for 2.5D work will allow
multiple items to be machined in one GCode file, the ability to rotate and move/place objects to
be machined on a "workbench" type of surface which stays the way you left it in any saved
project. Its modeled after my own habit of laying bits and pieces over my workbench and using
them as I go during a project. You'll be able to just drag things around, leave gears and shapes on
the table, machine them if you wish, or just leave them for future consideration.

  The code for that section is about 80% complete so youll get it fairly soon , likely late in October.

The next stage of development will be a 4th axis simulation so we can see what we're cutting
as it cuts to verify it will be done correctly. After that, a 3D simulation will be done to allow
one to see the effect of cutting things on the workbench. This will then lead to the new
bevel cutting code which will be divided between the two. Bevels with less than 45 degrees of face
angle will be coded for 3d machining on its back as an engraving, while greater than 45 degrees
will be done with an engraving type of algorithm on 4th axis. ( We'll discuss why at the time..)

  Those items are pretty big asks.. and Ill be pleased if I can offer all of them in this years cycle.
When their done ,work will start on the CAD module. This is envisioned as a drawing table with a
difference, where what you draw will start to move immediately so you can experiment with interactions
between things you design. Draw a shape, set a center, declare it a gear and ask for its mate for example.
Or draw a lever, give it gravity and be guided through making a matching cam.. things like that.

  That last CAD module will be the end development train of Gearotic, its really an endless loop of
development to make all the widgets and helpers to increase the ability to use imagination in your
designs or play with shapes, motions and get interactive results. That last one is a huge ask, and Ive spent many
evenings pondering how that can be done. I have a game plan and look forward to trying it out. I'm thinking even
of some scenarios where you let the screen run for days while it tries to evolve a solution on its own.

  So thats the plan, eclectic stuff may show up along the way as did Celtic knots. We will evolve as we can,
and as we go your suggestions help guide us , but set in stone is a new cnc module as while the current ones
have worked well, they have also cost huge reams of time in proving or killing bugs in the code output, so I need
to have that automated if for nothing else but to save time and allow development to run faster.

  We're always here for bugs of course, we take customer service seriously, very seriously, and try to solve any issue
we're faced with. Not always possible, but I promise if I cant fix your problem Ill at least feel bad for you. :-)
Gearotic has been a great project and Ive enjoyed all thats been done, the projects Ive seen and the great suggestions
I get.

  So welcome to all the new, welcome back to all the old, we'll soon begin again..

Art

[Jerrywi]

Morning Art,

I'm excited about the up and coming additions to GT.
Thanks for all your work

Jerry