Text2Gcode

A lightweight tool to convert text into plotter / CNC friendly G-code with a live Qt preview.

Downloads

https://github.com/oe7set/Text2Gcode/releases/latest

Prebuilt single-file binaries (PyInstaller):

Platform	File	Download (latest)
Windows x64	Text2Gcode-windows-x64.exe	Download
Linux x64	Text2Gcode-linux-x64	Download

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Overview

Text2Gcode converts a single line of text into basic G-code moves (G0/G1) suitable for pen plotters, light engraving, or CNC simulation. It offers font selection, automatic size fitting, adjustable line width preview, and direct export.

Features

• System font selection (Qt QFontComboBox)
• Adjustable font size or automatic best fit via max width/height (binary search)
• Live vector preview with consistent on-screen line width scaling
• Configurable line width (visual only, not tool diameter compensation)
• Clipboard export
• Save as .g / .gcode
• Dimension display (mm) based on a fixed scale factor
• Simple, dependency-light codebase

How It Works

1. Text is converted to a QPainterPath
2. Path geometry is scaled (default: 0.1 units → mm)
3. Each path element is emitted as rapid (G0) or linear (G1) move
4. Pen up/down simulated via Z moves (safe_z / cut_z)
5. Output ends with M2

Requirements

• Python 3.8+
• PySide6
• (Optional) uv for fast, reproducible env management

Installation (Recommended: uv)

Install uv:

# Linux / macOS
curl -LsSf https://astral.sh/uv/install.sh | sh
# or Windows
powershell -ExecutionPolicy ByPass -c "irm https://astral.sh/uv/install.ps1 | iex"

Clone & sync & run:

git clone https://github.com/oe7set/Text2Gcode.git
cd Text2Gcode
uv venv
uv sync
uv run src/main.py

Usage

1. Enter text
2. Choose font family
3. Option A: Set font size
   Option B: Enable "Max Dimensions" and define width / height (mm)
4. Adjust preview line width
5. Click "Generate G-Code"
6. Copy or save

Configuration Notes

Parameter	Purpose
Scale (internal 0.1)	Converts font units to mm
Line width	Only affects preview stroke
Safe Z / Cut Z	Hardcoded in path_to_gcode (can be extended)
Feedrate	Single uniform feed (F500 default)

Safety Notice

Always dry-run or simulate G-code before sending it to real hardware.

Contributing

Pull Requests welcome:

1. Fork
2. Create feature branch
3. Commit clean changes
4. Open PR

License

MIT License - see LICENSE file for details.

Copyright © 2025.

Author

Erwin Spitaler (OE7SET)
📧 erwin.spitaler@outlook.com
📡 vy 73 de OE7SET

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Enjoy precise text-to-gcode conversion with a minimal, transparent codebase.