A Mac GUI for the AxiDraw Command Line Interface.
This app sends commands to AxiDraw through the AxiDraw CLI, so the CLI must be installed in order for the app to work.
The app expects the CLI to be installed at /usr/local/bin/.
One line install:
python -m pip install https://cdn.evilmadscientist.com/dl/ad/public/AxiDraw_API.zip
See the full installation instructions on AxiDraw.com.
Download the AxiControl.zip file from the Releases page.
Unzip and move the app to your Applications folder.
This app isn't currently being notarized by Apple. This means you'll get a security warning when trying to launch the app for the first time (more info here).
To launch the app, Control-click (or right-click) the app and choose Open. Choose Open again from the dialog.
In Sequoia this process is even more restrictive.
When you launch the app you'll see a dialog that says '"AxiControl" Not Opened', with no option to open it anyway.
Go to Settings > Privacy and Security and you should see a message that says "AxiControl" was blocked to protect your Mac'. Click Open Anyway, then choose Open Anyway from the dialog.
You can open the app normally by double-clicking after completing this process.
Drag an SVG onto the app window and choose Start plot to start plotting.
A temp file will be created to save plot progress. Pause the plot with the hardware button, and choose Resume to continue plotting where you left off.
You can also choose Save home when paused. This will move the carriage to the home position and save the move to the temp file. Choosing Resume after Save home will resume the plot from the home position.
Home moves the carriage to the home position.
Max X and Max Y moves the carriage to the maximum plot dimensions. This can be useful to ensure your paper is squarely aligned before beginning a plot.
Be sure you have your correct AxiDraw model selected. Otherwise you may damage your device by walking it outside the maximum range.
The Speed slider controls the speed limit for the XY carriage when the pen is down. This value is expressed as a percentage of maximum travel speed.
Specify a number which indicates which layer (or layers) will be plotted when plotting in layers mode. See the AxiDraw CLI docs for more info.
Note: Layers are not a native feature of SVG. You probably have to create your SVGs in Inkscape to create files with usable layer numbers.
See Adding layers outside of Inkscape on the EMS wiki.
Run a webhook when your plot completes. You can easily set up a webhook at IFTTT to send you a notification when your plot completes.
Click the gear to enter the URL for your webhook.
If you encounter a problem please file an issue.
This is a small personal project that is mostly unsupported.
This most likely means you haven't installed the AxiDraw CLI properly. Try sending a command from the terminal to verify the installation.
The app expects the CLI to be installed at /usr/local/bin/.
The CLI couldn't connect to your AxiDraw.
Make sure the USB cable is connected to the AxiDraw and your Mac.
This happens when a command tells the AxiDraw to move outside of its maximum plot area.
Make sure you have the correct AxiDraw model selected.
You may also run outside the maximum bounds by invoking Walk Max X or Y from an offset starting location.