Simple GCode Importer for Blender

^{Lowest Poly The Thinker model by LXO on Printables.com}

About

Simple GCode Importer is a simple plug-in that translates printer GCode into Bezier curve paths in Blender. This results in a very performant representation of the object in a highly customizable format.

Installation

To install the plugin, add it to Blender from the Extension website or straight from Blender via Edit > Preferences > Get Extensions.

Usage

To import a GCode file to Blender, simply go to File > Import and select the GCode option. In the new file browser window, find and select the .gcode file you would ike to import, then click 'Import Gcode'

FAQ

How long do models take to import?
This depends heavily on the computer you are running on, but imports can take anywhere from just a couple seconds to several minutes depening on the size and complexity of the model that is being imported.

How do I give the imported paths thickness?
These options can be found in the Properties area (bottom right panel in the default layout) when a path is selected. Under the 'Object Data Properties' tab there is a 'Geometry' dropdown. Under this dropdown, the two most useful values are 'Extrusion' and 'Bevel'. Adjust these values until the desired look of the model has been reached.

Planned Features

• Add import options for things such as skipping layers, path resolution, or defining custom GCode parameters.
• Make it easier to edit all imported paths simultaneously
• Make it easier to animate paths
• Add the ability to import GCode as a point cloud

Troubleshooting

If you are experiencing issues with the plugin, feel free to open an issue and I'll respond when i can.

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