Difference between revisions of "Portal:Software"

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(OS CNC toolchain by Mário Saleiro)
(Addition of CNC software)
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*[[Open Office]] or [[Libre Office]] - writer, calc (spreadsheets), impress (presentations), draw, math and base
 
*[[Open Office]] or [[Libre Office]] - writer, calc (spreadsheets), impress (presentations), draw, math and base
  
Design:  
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== Design: ==
 +
  
*[[Blender]] - 3D design  
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*[https://www.blender.org/ Blender] - 3D design  
*[[Gimp]] - image drawing and manipulation  
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*[https://www.gimp.org/ Gimp] - image drawing and manipulation  
*[[Inkscape]] - vector drawing and manipulation
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*[https://inkscape.org Inkscape] - vector drawing and manipulation
  
CNC Tool Chain:
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== CNC Tool Chain: ==
  
see http://www.thebitbangtheory.com/2012/01/cnc-software-toolchain-linux/ by [http://en.gravatar.com/masaleiro Mário Saleiro] who suggests
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*[http://pycam.sourceforge.net/ PyCAM] - Create G-code 3D
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*[https://inkscape.org Inkscape] - Create G-code 2.5D
 
* http://heeks.net/ or http://www.freecadweb.org/ for CAD
 
* http://heeks.net/ or http://www.freecadweb.org/ for CAD
 
* http://heeks.net/ plugin HeeksCNC or (PCB only) http://sourceforge.net/apps/mediawiki/pcb2gcode/index.php?title=Main_Page for CAM
 
* http://heeks.net/ plugin HeeksCNC or (PCB only) http://sourceforge.net/apps/mediawiki/pcb2gcode/index.php?title=Main_Page for CAM
* http://www.linuxcnc.org/ for machine control
 
  
Electronics:
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==== Machine Control ====
  
*[[Eagle]] - electronics circuits design and layout
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* [http://www.linuxcnc.org/ LinuxCNC]
*[[Avrdude]] - software programming for Atmel processors
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* [https://github.com/vlachoudis/bCNC/wiki bCNC]
  
Programming  
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== Electronics: ==
 +
 
 +
*[http://kicad-pcb.org/ KiCAD] - electronics circuits design and layout
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*[https://cadsoft.io/ Eagle] - electronics circuits design and layout
 +
*Avrdude - software programming for Atmel processors
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*[https://www.arduino.cc/ IDE Arduino] - software programming for Arduino/Genuino
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 +
== Programming ==
  
 
*[[Scratch]] - a graphical a programming language
 
*[[Scratch]] - a graphical a programming language
  
Fab Labs Collaboration   
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== Fab Labs Collaboration  ==
  
 
*[[Multipoint Conference Unit (MCU)| Fab Labs Videoconferencing clients]]: Polycom V500, [[Tandberg Conference Me]] (windows only), Ekiga, Xmeeting. TightVNC for remote desktop.  
 
*[[Multipoint Conference Unit (MCU)| Fab Labs Videoconferencing clients]]: Polycom V500, [[Tandberg Conference Me]] (windows only), Ekiga, Xmeeting. TightVNC for remote desktop.  

Revision as of 22:02, 28 September 2016

The Software Portal
Software is the collection of programs and related data that instruct a computer. Generally, the software used in fab labs are design software - drawing or computation programs - and differ by lab. While professional or commercial software can be used with the machines, open source software and cross platform is the most shareable resource.

STARTER SETUP

If you're just starting out or outfitting a new computer, the preferred minimum setup is based on all freely available cross-platform software.  This means the greatest likelihood of direct design sharing and the largest population of people able to help out where there's a problem.


  • The open source operating system Ubuntu is preferred, though all software listed in this section are cross-platform.
  • Python - a programming language on which many of these programs are based. Is usually bundled with Ubuntu and MacOS
  • Fab Modules - an important piece of software that allows nearly any digital file to be sent to nearly any machine
  • Open Office or Libre Office - writer, calc (spreadsheets), impress (presentations), draw, math and base

Design:

  • Blender - 3D design
  • Gimp - image drawing and manipulation
  • Inkscape - vector drawing and manipulation

CNC Tool Chain:

Machine Control

Electronics:

  • KiCAD - electronics circuits design and layout
  • Eagle - electronics circuits design and layout
  • Avrdude - software programming for Atmel processors
  • IDE Arduino - software programming for Arduino/Genuino

Programming

  • Scratch - a graphical a programming language

Fab Labs Collaboration 




KEEPING YOUR LAB UP TO DATE

Software is continually updated.  Ubuntu's package manager will (usually) help you keep the operating system and installed programs up to date. You will also want to keep the operating system upgraded. A good lab-wide maintenance schedule is,  

  • every 3 months
 sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get clean
  • every 6 months
 sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get autoremove
sudo apt-get upgrade
sudo apt-get update
  • every 12 months

vacuum the fan / cooling vents of all computers and monitors



EXTENDED CAPABILITIES


  • Arduino - an open-source electronics prototyping platform
  • OpenSCAD -Solid 3D CAD Modeller
  • Upverter for pcb design (like Github, free as long as you keep you files publics)


In addition to the programs above, many labs use commercial or manufacturer proprietary programs for design or manufacturing. You might find collaborators who are using these programs.