ANC plotter toolkit & firmware

Esp32 Arduino firmware

Python utilities for generating and working with ACODE instructions for a differential-drive pen plotter. The tools convert CAD or raster inputs into ACODE, preview the resulting motion, and optionally stream the commands to an ESP32-based controller or a small Flask UI.

Installation

python -m venv .venv
source .venv/bin/activate
pip install -r requirements.txt

# Optional: dependencies for the Flask UI
pip install -r requirements-ui.txt

The scripts are standalone; install only the packages you need for the commands you plan to run (for example, ezdxf for DXF conversion or matplotlib for visualization).

Tools and quick starts

DXF → ACODE (acode.py)

• Converts DXF geometry to ACODE with one-shot arcs and LWPOLYLINE bulge support.
• Supports filtering by --layer, controlling feedrates (--feed-lin, --feed-turn, --feed-arc), and basic simplification (--flat-step, --epsilon).
• Example: python acode.py drawing.dxf --layer art -o drawing.acode

PNG → ACODE (acodepng.py)

• Builds horizontal scanlines from a bitmap using configurable spacing and sampling.
• Ordering can favor nearest paths or deterministic scanlines (--path-order + --scan-direction).
• Example: python acodepng.py input.png --img-width-mm 180 --path-order scanline -o input.acode

Art-focused PNG → ACODE (artacodepng.py)

• Higher-fidelity scanline converter with jitter, serpentine traversal, and multiple row-advance strategies.
• Useful flags: --line-spacing-mm, --x-mode (pixel vs step), --line-advance (soft, turn90, real90).
• Example: python artacodepng.py posterized.png --img-width-mm 200 --line-spacing-mm 0.7 -o posterized.acode

Visualize ACODE (acodeviz.py)

• Renders the pen-down path to PNG/SVG/PDF and reports stats like final pose and bounding box.
• Example: python acodeviz.py drawing.acode --equal --invert-y -o preview.png

Stream ACODE to the plotter (print.py)

• Sends ACODE over TCP to the ESP32 firmware, printing status per line.
• Configure the target with --host, --port, and motion parameters (--feed-to-sps, --min-sps, --max-sps, etc.).
• Example: python print.py drawing.acode --host 192.168.4.1 --port 3333

Web UI (ui_sender.py)

python3 ui_sender.py

• Flask app combining a sender, PNG→ACODE generator, and simulator overlay in one interface.
• Writes temporary files to _ui_work/ and calls artacodepng.py/acodeviz.py internally.
• Start with python ui_sender.py and open http://127.0.0.1:5000/.

Typical workflow

1. Prepare input artwork (DXF or PNG) and convert it to ACODE with acode.py, acodepng.py, or artacodepng.py.
2. Preview the motion and bounding box with acodeviz.py to confirm orientation and scale.
3. Stream the verified ACODE to the plotter using print.py or the web UI.

OR USE WEB UI