Editing AxiDraw Layer Control
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− | == Overview == | + | === Overview === |
− | The AxiDraw layer-numbering syntax, as described in the user guide, shows you how to print only one layer (or a set of layers) in your document, by numbering your layer names. However, there are additional parameters that can be controlled through the layer name. You can use properly formatted codes to specify the pen-down height and the speed for printing that layer alone | + | The AxiDraw layer-numbering syntax, as described in the user guide, shows you how to print only one layer (or a set of layers) in your document, by numbering your layer names. However, there are additional parameters that can be controlled through the layer name. You can use properly formatted codes to specify the pen-down height and the speed for printing that layer alone. |
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+ | === Syntax === | ||
− | + | The basic syntax (again, as described in the user guide) requires only that the layer name begins with an integer in the range of 0 to 1000. Then, by printing from the "Layers" tab in AxiDraw Control, we can select which layer (or set of layers) to print. | |
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− | The basic syntax (again, as described in the user guide) requires only that the layer name begins with an integer in the range of 0 to 1000. Then, by printing from the "Layers" tab in AxiDraw Control | ||
We have extended this by detecting that layer-name integer, followed by a specific escape sequence, followed by another integer. When printing a document where one or more of the layers contain parameters like this, the layer-specified pen-down height or pen-down speed will override the defaults given in the extension, for that layer only. The escape sequences are not case sensitive. Escape sequences need to be given at the start of a layer or immediately following the layer number or other escape sequences. One exception to this is that whitespace-- one or more spaces at the start of a layer name -- will be ignored. If more than one valid parameter of a given type is found (say, more than one valid speed command for a given layer), only the last one detected will have an effect. | We have extended this by detecting that layer-name integer, followed by a specific escape sequence, followed by another integer. When printing a document where one or more of the layers contain parameters like this, the layer-specified pen-down height or pen-down speed will override the defaults given in the extension, for that layer only. The escape sequences are not case sensitive. Escape sequences need to be given at the start of a layer or immediately following the layer number or other escape sequences. One exception to this is that whitespace-- one or more spaces at the start of a layer name -- will be ignored. If more than one valid parameter of a given type is found (say, more than one valid speed command for a given layer), only the last one detected will have an effect. | ||
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− | * <code>+D</code>: Specify a delay in milliseconds before the given layer. The <code>+D</code> should be followed by an integer of at least 1, which gives the delay time. The delay will be executed when the AxiDraw begins to plot that layer, ''before any other elements of that layer are processed'' — including the pen-up move to the first location on the layer. That means that in a multi-layer plot, the delay will typically be executed with the pen | + | * <code>+D</code>: Specify a delay in milliseconds before the given layer. The <code>+D</code> should be followed by an integer of at least 1, which gives the delay time. The delay will be executed when the AxiDraw begins to plot that layer, ''before any other elements of that layer are processed'' — including the pen-up move to the first location on the layer. That means that in a multi-layer plot, the delay will typically be executed with the pen down, at the last XY position of the previous layer plotted. This can be used to (for example) allow a pen to bleed into the paper at the current location. You can also use this escape sequence in combination with the other escape sequences to create more complex behavior, for example if an empty layer with layer name <code>+H100</code> is plotted before a layer with a delay, it will result in a pen-up delay. The <code>+D</code> escape sequence can be used with an otherwise empty layer. (This feature was added in AxiDraw Control version 1.6.1.) |
In addition to these escape sequences, two special escape characters are defined as follows: | In addition to these escape sequences, two special escape characters are defined as follows: | ||
− | * <code>%</code>: If the first non-whitespace character of the layer name is the percentage sign (<code>%</code>), it specifies that the layer is a ''documentation layer'' and should not be plotted. This can be used for setup marks, instructions (including editable text and pictures), or other uses as needed. Documentation layers are skipped outright, so objects such as editable text and bitmap images (which would otherwise necessitate a warning) will simply be ignored if they occur on documentation layers | + | * <code>%</code>: If the first non-whitespace character of the layer name is the percentage sign (<code>%</code>), it specifies that the layer is a ''documentation layer'' and should not be plotted. This can be used for setup marks, instructions (including editable text and pictures), or other uses as needed. Documentation layers are skipped outright, so objects such as editable text and bitmap images (which would otherwise necessitate a warning) will simply be ignored if they occur on documentation layers. The Preview function (available in AxiDraw Control version 1.5 and newer) places its output on documentation layers so that they can be viewed, but will not plot. (This feature was added in AxiDraw Control version 1.3.0.) |
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+ | * <code>!</code>: If the first non-whitespace character of the layer name is an exclamation point (<code>!</code>), it forces a ''pause'' to occur before plotting the layer, just as though one had pressed the physical pause button. The pause operation raises the pen but does not return it to the home position. The plot can then be resumed from that point. This feature may be used to introduce a pause that requires a human's attention (e.g., paper swap, check ink levels) or various programmatic operations-- such as beginning a plot even when the full plot data is not yet available. (This feature was added in AxiDraw Control version 1.8.1.) | ||
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− | + | === Syntax === | |
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− | + | === Examples === | |
− | + | The following examples show a number of different possible layer names, and what the expected behavior would be. Let us assume that the default pen-down height is specified as 20 (in the "Basic Setup" tab of AxiDraw Control) and that the default pen-down speed is set at 30 (in the "Timing" tab of AxiDraw Control). | |
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− | The following examples show a number of different possible layer names, and what the expected behavior would be. Let us assume that the default pen-down height is specified as 20 ( | ||
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− | : <code>!+H50 Forest floor</code | + | : <code>!99+S25_+H50 Forest floor</code> |
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− | + | : The layer number is 99. It prints with the default pen-down height, but with a pen-down speed of 25. The height parameter is not valid, since it does not directly follow the other parameter but is interrupted by an underscore. The layer name is "_+H50 Forest floor". A pause will be forced when this layer begins plotted-- nothing on the layer will be plotted until one uses the Resume feature to continue plotting. |