v1.4.1

• Fix for black screen on application startup in some situations
• Fix for jog buttons on UI not registering click events correctly on some operating systems
• Strip comments sent to controller to prevent buffer overflow and better support Shapeoko
• Fix issue with firmware tool not updating values correctly if settings limited by search bar
• Handle missing file name in recent files
• Updated EEPROM values for travel on multiple Sienci profiles
• Fixed issue with surfacing tool crashing in some situations
• Fixed several bugs with gamepad support

Thanks you @GibsT and @gsrunion for your contributions on the Shapeoko side of things.

v1.4.0

gSender 1.4.0 is now released, officially supporting grblHAL, rotary cutting and much much more!

The official theme for this update was fundamentals, which means improving and iterating on existing features to address any shortcomings, reliability issues, or add long requested functionalities.

As always, thank you to everyone involved in using, testing and giving feedback on Edge releases over the past 4 months. We've been working hard to address your feedback and are excited to bring these new features over to the general userbase!

Without further ado, let's get into this update!

A New Spin on Carving - Rotary Support

Turning to some positive news, we're finally bringing support for Rotary axes on both grbl and grblHAL based controllers into gSender! Whether you own the Sienci Vortex or some other rotary solution, gSender has you covered in everything you might want to do.

Once enabled in preferences, the user is able to control, probe, surface and carve using the A axis!

We've also updated the visualizer to better show the final result - so you can see your A-axis carving in all it's glory!

Pushing Your Buttons - Better Gamepad Functionality

We've expanded and changed how gamepad works to give the user a whole host of new options for controlling their machine.

Joysticks are now able to jog the machine along any axis with variable speeds based on how far you're moving the joystick.

We've added a new MPG mode which will let the user jog in a specific direction by rotating the joystick similar to physical MPG units.

There is also new alt modifiers for gamepad buttons, letting you map multiple functionalities to a specific button. Users are also able to assign a lockout button, preventing any gamepad buttons from firing until it is unlocked again.

Finally, we've altered the workflow for setting up a gamepad, letting the user map an action to a button instead of the opposite. We hope this lets users set up their new controllers quickly and easily and get back to cutting.

What did I just do? In-depth Job Stats and Maintenance Reminders

We've greatly expanded the job stats section to give you even more information about past jobs. Not only do we now track time run per com port, there is more in-depth tracking of individual jobs and any problems encountered.

We've also added maintenance reminders to keep you on track for keeping your machine in tip-top shape. Reminders are set up with expected run time before needing completion, and once you've approached that warning you'll start to get reminders. Maintenance reminders are entirely customizable - set up your own tasks to keep on top of anything personal to your workflow.

Some Old Favourites and New Favourites

We've brought back code blocks for tool change to much fanfare!

Remote mode has received a number of improvements, including workflow controls and unit selection on the remote interface on phone screen size and a QR code in-app for easier navigation on your handheld device.

We've also added an easier way to go to a specific location - clicking the Go To button will now let you select a incremental or absolute position to move your machine to.

Touch Wherever You Want - Multi-corner Probing

No longer a one-trick pony, gSender now supports probing off any corner of your workpiece using both standard and auto-zero touchplates!

Selecting which corner you want is as easy as clicking a button - simply press the corner selector and the probe routine will automatically update offsets to both run and set the zero correctly at the selected corner!

Technical Notes - 32 bit no longer supported

We are officially dropping support for 32bit versions of gSender. It was a hard decision but continuing to support 32bit was a security concern for several libraries we use and we can't be shackled long term to out of date libraries without alternatives. Version 1.2.2 should continue to work fine for the small subset of users (sub 1%) that we show as using 32 bit operating systems.

Firmware options - grblHAL Firmware Support

Our first non-grbl firmware officially supported is grblHAL - an up-and-coming solution that works on a wide variety of hardware.

Firmware flavour is selectable in the connection dropdown - by default most users will continue to use grbl, but swapping controller types is a simple click away.

We've updated the UI in a number of places to support all the new functionality available in grblHAL - including single axis probing, ethernet connectivity and more.

USB is no longer the only way to interact with your machine using grblHAL - so we've added a way to connect and run jobs using ethernet, which is more reliable overall.

grblHAL is also a bit more fluid when it comes to EEPROM options - so the firmware tool has been rebuilt to dynamically support all options are reported by the firmware itself and rebuild the table so you'll always be able to easily update your EEPROM configuration no matter which plugins you have installed.

This is just a taste of new updates we've added - for all the details and changes, full notes can be found below!

Release Notes

• Added Rotary Mode
  • gSender is now able to run 2+1 axis files on grbl and 4 axis files on grblHAL
  • Visualizer updated to support 4 axis rotations
  • A-axis DRO and jogging
  • Rotary probing
• Added grblHAL controller support
  • Connect to and run jobs as normal on any grblHAL device
  • Connect over ethernet where hardware is supported
  • New grblHAL specific firmware tool that is dynamically generated based on reported settings
  • New UI elements where appropriate to support new functionality such as single axis homing
• Gamepad improvements
  • Restructured logic and mapping of buttons to actions
  • Add secondary functionality to buttons
  • Added joystick MPG mode
  • Added lockout button to deactivate gamepad when needed
• Improved job time estimation
  • Significantly improved initial time estimation algorithm based on machine acceleration and max speeds
  • Mid-job estimation uses initial estimate per line for more accurate remaining duration
• Multi-corner probing - touch off any corner using both standard and auto-zero touchplates
• Added Go To UI button to quickly go to an absolute or relative workspace coordinate
• Clearer distinction on planned lines vs cut lines - planned lines show up as a (customizable) yellow instead of the default cut gray
• Remote mode improvements
  • Added QR code for easier navigation to remote address on phone
  • Added workflow controls and unit selection to remote mode UI
• Added preference to prompt on Zero to prevent accidentally resetting zero on any axis
• Code block toolchange again supported
• Firmware active modals now displayed in diagnostic tab
• PRB values available to use in macros
• Files are now parsed once per run time
• Fix for DRO precision in some situations
• Improved job stats area - now tracks jobs per com port, more information about each job run and the number of problems encountered
• Maintenance reminders - set up and customize maintenance reminders to prompt tasks after specific run time totals have occured
• Improved alarm and error recording

v1.3.10-EDGE

• Added option to enable/disable soft limits toggling rotary mode
• Removed length and width input in probe tab settings
• Updated rotary mode toggle, when not in rotary mode and are using grblHAL, you have access to all the tools in the rotary tab, including A-axis position reporting and jogging
• Fixed issue with spindle delay option not applying if S command came before M command on a line
• Several updates to job status UI and labels
• Fix for firmware tool crashing on HAL in some situations
• Tool change wizard no longer pops up when check mode is enabled
• Fix issue with jog commands sent twice when tapping on jog buttons on the UI when using a touchscreen device
• Fixed issue with the console not resizing properly in some situations
• Updated machine firmware profiles, adding several BlueCarve options
• Fixed issue with editing gamepad profile button labels not persisting
• Rapid corner position should check homing sets machine 0 to determine which corner to move to

v1.3.9-EDGE

• Improved initial job run estimation and during run time estimation
• M0 pause now allows probing
• Fixed issue with toolchange or M0 choking in some situations
• Fixed issue where macro keybinds weren't persisting
• Reduced timeout on ethernet connection from 20 seconds to 4 seconds
• Errors that don't occur during job runs no longer hold the controller
• Active modals displayed in diagnostics tool
• Can now hold motors in diagnostic tool
• Diagnostic report now sources errors/alarms from the correct new location
• Removed outline on some elements that should not be occuring
• Fixed issue with rotary jog movement being converted incorrectly when $13 enabled
• Firmware categories for HAL should no longer display as null in some situations
• Visualizer position should now always render final location frame when jogging or using go to buttons
• Fixed issue where attempting to unlock the e-stop while estop still engaged would error the controller
• Fixed issue with error occuring on HAL connection in some situations
• Various Gamepad and keyboard shortcut fixes

v1.3.8-EDGE

• Added flashing for SLB
• Added preliminary SLB profile
• Fixed Single-axis probe profile variable propogation
• Added category colours for HAL firmware tool
• Preferences migrations updates to make it more consistent across versions
• Sending will continue in cases where an OK wasn't returned back but no other error/alarm occured
• Fixed g-code error on HAL connection process
• Limited errors reported at job completion and cases where no errors returned status is now no longer an alarming red.
• Modals now displayed in diagnostics tab when connected
• Rotary mode now also disables soft limits when toggled on
• Home all button has now returned when single-axis homing enabled for HAL controllers
• Firmware tool search now includes HAL specific descriptions in search text

Gamepad:

• Improvements to dynamic jogging on joysticks
• Improved diagonal jogging on joysticks
• Fixed bug with gamepad buttons not executing set action
• Improvements to MPG mode
• Fixed dead zone setting interaction with joystick

v1.3.7-EDGE

General:

• Multi-corner probing - now use your Auto or Standard touchplate to set the workspace offset from any corner on your workpiece
• Files are parsed once and re-used for outline, start from line and other places to reduce processing power
• Fixed issue where file attributes weren’t always being returned on file parse
• Fixed probe tool selection getting cut off
• Preferences backup generated on new version for easy reversion
• Preferences improvements to prevent values from being overwritten
• Machine profile now included in metrics gathering for those who have opted-in

Gamepad Support

• Several bug fixes
• Several UI improvements
• Fix to joystick jogging not working in some instances
• Fix to creating gamepad profile dialog
• Fix to gamepad profile name disappearing
• Improvements to assigning actions to buttons
  -Adjusted lockout functionality, assigned button to it will now need to be held to utilize gamepad buttons and joysticks

HAL:

• Connection process improved to be a little faster
• Firmware tool categories are correctly used as parsed from the controller
• Fixed issue where connecting with eStop engaged would not allow a reset and the application would become unusable
• Fixed issue where connecting to an alarmed controller could prompt the user to home even if homing not enabled
• Alarm information parsed from controller and correctly used in alarm states
• Firmware tool no longer includes “N/A” options from format data when generating option controls
• Firmware values with spaces are correctly read from the controller
• Motors no longer held on job completion
• Axis mask returns the correct axes values as compiled in

v1.3.6-EDGE

• General
  • Connect over Ethernet using grblHAL controller/boards. IP address configurable within connection preferences
  • Fixed connection routing on HAL - should now be faster connecting
  • Fixed HAL pin states not reporting correctly
  • Unlock button now available on the UI at all times
  • Fixed HAL startup routine to correctly parse alarm code if in alarm state rather than assuming homing
  • Added better error logging to quickly address issues
  • Clearer distinction between planned lines and cut lines in visualizer - configurable in custom visualizer theme
  • Moved firmware selector in connection widget to bottom
  • Fixed issue with bitfield input in firmware tool
  • File parsing simplified to only need to parse the file once across several tools (outline, start from line)
  • Fixed edge case where Outline function would never return

• Gamepad
  • Restructure of gamepad logic
  • Actions are set based on buttons present on your gamepad
  • Button labels can be modified by hovering over them and typing in your desired label
  • New feature allows you to add a second action to a button which can be used by pressing and holding the set button to activate the secondary actions (similar to the modifier key on keyboards)
  • New feature: Lockout button. Used to activate/deactivate gamepad buttons when needed. To use this feature, you must assign it to a button of your choice, then press and hold the button for 4 seconds, then it will toggle between lock and unlock
  • Added section for adjusting joystick functionality. Can now map joystick directions to certain axis. Have the ability to reverse the direction of the axis movement as well by checking the box next to the option
  • Added MPG mode for joystick
  • Jogging using gamepad is now dynamic, speed of jog will depend on the amount of force put on the joystick itself, if you push it all the way to the end jogging will be at max speed
  • Added deadzone threshold option for joystick

v1.3.5-EDGE

grblHAL Firmware Tool

• EEPROM descriptions, details, and options are now retrieved from the grblHAL controller
• Firmware table for HAL connections is now dynamically generated based on parsed options to account for the myriad new settings available
• Changes to logic for handling specific field types based on fixed datafield types for new controller
• Look and feel alterations - more to come

Job Stats and Maintenance

• Job stats section has been greatly fleshed out, now showing start time, duration of individual files, and any complications running them.
• Jobs per com port (individual machine) are also recorded
• New Maintenance reminders - setup maintenance tasks that will remind you when due to perform routine CNC maintenance
• Task due time is based on the runtime from your jobs
• Let us know what else you want to know

General

• Fixed enabling rotary tab sometimes causing renderer to crash
• Improvements to alarm and error recording
• Fix for inline bracket comments that also have an inner bracket (similar to (this) in a comment)
• Added warning for large results in calibration that are likely incorrect inputs
• Fixed issue with laser offsets when swapping preferred UI units
• Relocated firmware selector

v1.3.4-EDGE

Rotary

• Fixed issues with inputs and g-code output not converting to imperial values correctly for rotary surfacing
• Macros for rotary are now dynamic to work correctly when $13 is enabled
• Styling updates to the new scrollable tab widget
• Fixes to A-axis jogging
• Firmware input values for rotary in preferences will always stay the same value when changing the preferred units
• Rotary surfacing g-code output will not go to the A-axis zero position near the end when “Enable Re-homing” is selected
• Go to location feature is now dynamic with rotary mode, The A-axis will appear when in rotary mode, Y-axis will be hidden when not
• Diagnol movements in UI now disabled when in rotary mode
• The button label for “Go to XY0” now dynamic for rotary mode, will show “Go to XA0” when necessary
• DRO zeros for the A-axis are now consistent with the other axes where when updating the input in preferences will format it correctly
• Fixed issue with the visualizer running surfacing code instead of the loaded file
• Fixed issue with visualizer not accounting for current a-axis position when a file is loaded
• Fixed issue with loading a new file after finishing or stopping a job offsets the y-axis permanently, the y-axis is now moved to the zero position and locked there when in rotary mode

v1.3.3-EDGE

General

• Fixed issue preventing feeder code with blank lines from running
• Fixed styling issue resulting in rapid position buttons getting cut off
• Console Copy button works again
• "Go to Location" relabelled "Go To"
• Job stat area changes - single feeds/spindles no longer display range, display condense
• New Tabbed widget component
• Prompt on Zero dialog altered
• Remote mode styling alterations

Rotary

• Added warning on router position for rotary unit setup tool
• Rotary surfacing decimals fixed on unit conversion
• Updated rotary surfacing code to output A-axis movements using correct imperial values
• Added area in preferences for configuring default firmware setting when exiting out of rotary mode
• Fixed jog control for A-axis when in imperial units