Overview

PlanetCNC TNG software is designed to harness the full potential of the controller hardware while maintaining an easy-to-use interface. Even beginners can take advantage of its advanced CNC machining functions. The software provides a variety of configuration options, allowing for flexibility, seamless integration, and customization to suit specific needs.

A standout feature of the software is its powerful simulation capabilities, which allow for fast verification of NC programs. The simulation can run automatically, be controlled via keyboard or mouse, or executed line-by-line from the NC program. Users can zoom, pan, or rotate the simulation preview without interrupting the process.

The software also includes advanced G-code manipulation and transformation tools. Users can bookmark, copy, paste, and edit G-code, as well as shift, scale, mirror, and rotate it. It also supports G-code re-mapping for foam cutting applications.

In addition, TNG provides numerous features to simplify toolpath creation. A wide range of content can be directly imported or converted into an NC program, offering a comprehensive and intuitive interface for machine control.

PlanetCNC TNG software offers a comprehensive suite of features for controlling CNC machines. The well-structured menus provide intuitive access to powerful functionalities, facilitating tasks ranging from simple program loading to complex machining operations and machine management.

The main window acts as the central hub for all operations within PlanetCNC TNG. It's designed for intuitive access to features and functions related to:

• Machine control
• G-code program execution
• Machine and controller status display
• Jogging
• Program editing
• Other utilities

The main window is comprised of eleven sections, each with a specific purpose:

• Menu bar: Contains the main menus (File, View, Program, Machine, Help) providing access to various software features.
• Toolbars: Offers quick access to frequently used commands.
• Position panel: Displays current machine position.
• Speed panel: Shows and allows control of feed rate and spindle speed.
• State panel: Indicates the current state of the machine and controller.
• Jogging panel: Provides manual control of machine axes.
• 3D program visualization: Shows a graphical representation of the loaded G-code program and toolpath.
• G-Code panel: Displays the currently loaded G-code program.
• Utilities panel: Houses additional tools and functionalities.
• Manual data input (MDI): Allows direct input of G-code commands.
• Status bar: Provides system messages and status updates.

The File menu is the primary location for managing G-code programs and software settings:

• Opening, importing, and exporting machine programs: This menu facilitates loading programs for visualization, simulation, and toolpath generation in various formats like G-code, DXF, PLT, HPGL, SVG, Gerber, NC Drill, CSV, image, MIDI, and even Python scripts.
• Import features: Offer user dialogues to input parameters for specific import formats.
• Exporting G-code: Allows users to choose the best-suited export format for their needs.
• Settings: This crucial section enables configuring the machine's main parameters.

The View menu controls how the G-code program is visualized within the software:

• Visualization options: This menu offers various viewpoints (top, side, front, perspective), zooming capabilities (in, out, position, part, follow), centering, and options for displaying position, workspace, model, toolpath history, axes system (XYZ, ABC, UVW), and kinematics.
• Window management: It allows users to control panel layouts (left, 3D utilities, right) and provides options for window snapping and refreshing.

The Program menu provides tools for manipulating and navigating the loaded G-code program:

• G-code processing: This menu allows users to modify NC programs to suit their needs through functionalities like editing lines, navigating by lines, pages, or directions, finding specific elements (text, comments, tool changes, spindle commands), and enabling/disabling optional blocks.
• Program navigation and bookmarking: Users can easily move through the program, mark important sections, and utilize the MDI interface for direct G-code input.
• Transformations: Functions for shifting, translating, scaling, rotating, and mirroring programs or specific blocks are provided.
• Clipboard operations: Copy and paste functionalities for program lines or sections, as well as conversion between XYZ and UVW coordinate systems.

This menu is the central point for direct interaction with the connected CNC machine and its hardware:

• Emergency Stop: Provides a crucial safety feature to halt all machine operations immediately.
• Machine control: Start, stop, pause, and single-step execution of programs are controlled here.
• Overrides: Allows adjustments to speed and spindle override settings.
• Machine functions: Provides access to mist, flood, spindle, output, and external output controls.
• Motor, Limits, Probe: Offers functionalities for enabling/disabling motors, soft limits, hard limits, and probe triggering.
• Tools: Features for managing current tool, tool changes, tool tables, tool slots, and tool measurement.
• Movement and Positioning: Comprehensive options for moving the machine to various locations including zero positions, G28/G30 locations, specific lines, marks, and camera-defined points.
• Work and Coordinate systems: Management of work coordinate systems, offsets, tool offsets, and coordinate system editing.
• Homing and Cycles: Initiates homing routines and provides pre-defined milling and turning cycles for various operations.
• Measurement and Probe: Includes functions for probe calibration, edge finding, measuring various geometric features, and surface inspection.
• Points and User commands: Tools for managing points, loading and saving point data, user-defined commands, and controller interaction (reconnect, reset, firmware update).

This menu offers resources and support for using the PlanetCNC TNG software:

• Help: Links to online documentation and support resources.
• License Management: Handles software license activation and management.
• Updates and Logs: Features for checking for software updates and viewing system logs.
• About: Displays software version information.