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AxiDraw Software v2.5.3
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@oskay oskay released this 26 Jun 08:42
· 104 commits to master since this release
v2.5.3
a54701b

This update contains a significant number of changes from the previous major release. We recommend that all users download and read through the updated and expanded AxiDraw User Guide.

Notable enhancements include:

  • New layer-aware SVG reordering utility, written from scratch
  • Integration of reordering utility into AxiDraw Control
  • All-new version of Hershey Text, written from scratch
  • Online version check added (can be disabled in configuration file)
  • Support for assigning names to individual AxiDraw units over USB
  • Support for plotting to a specific AxiDraw unit
  • Support for plotting a document to multiple AxiDraw units
  • Paths now clipped gracefully at the boundaries of both artboard and machine travel
  • Updated to support, and now requires, Inkscape 0.92
  • User guide greatly expanded
  • New command-line interface
  • New python API

Notable bug fixes and reliability improvements include:

  • Uses supersampling to handle curves with absurdly high number of vertices
  • Support for SVG rectangles with rounded corners
  • Support for all possible SVG viewbox parameters
  • Hatch fill handles large collections of small bounded areas better
  • Extensive refactoring for use as a python library

Feedback and bug reports are highly welcome.

Installing this software:

Installer applications and instructions are maintained at https://axidraw.com/sw and summarized below.

Mac

Download the Mac install disk image, AxiDraw_v253_r2_Mac.dmg, linked in the assets below. This disk image contains XQuartz and a copy of Inkscape 0.92, modified to include the AxiDraw software. Run the XQuartz installer, and then copy the included copy of Inkscape to your Applications folder.

Manual install for Mac

If you are unable to use the disk image installer, you can also install the Inkscape extensions manually. Download and install XQuartz and Inkscape 0.92.2. Launch Inkscape to verify that it opens. Then, download and unzip axidraw_v253r3.zip, linked in the assets below. Copy the contents of that folder (20 files and two subfolders) into your Inkscape extensions folder, and then restart Inkscape.

Your Inkscape extensions folder is located at: /Applications/Inkscape.app/Contents/Resources/share/inkscape/extensions/
To open this folder, select "Go to Folder..." Go in the Finder, and paste the location of that folder.

Windows

First, download and install Inkscape 0.92.4.

Then, download and run the Windows installer program, AxiDraw_253_r4.exe, linked in the assets below.

Manual install for Windows

If you are unable to use the installer, you can also install the Inkscape extensions manually. Download and install Inkscape 0.92.4. Then, download and unzip axidraw_v253r3.zip, linked in the assets below. Copy the contents of that directory (20 files and one subdirectory) into your Inkscape extensions directory, and then restart Inkscape.

Typically, your extensions directory is located at:
C:\Program Files\Inkscape\share\extensions\ or
C:\Program Files (x86)\Inkscape\share\extensions\

Linux

Install and launch Inkscape 0.92. Then, download and unzip axidraw_v253r3.zip, linked in the assets below. Copy its contents into your Inkscape extensions directory and relaunch Inkscape.

To find your extensions directory within Inkscape, open Edit > Preferences from the menu, select the System entry. It should list the location of your User extensions directory.

You may also need to add your user name to the dialout group in order to access the USB port. Please see:
https://wiki.evilmadscientist.com/Installing_software#Linux

Firmware Update

A firmware update, to EBB firmware v 2.6.2 is recommended for all AxiDraw machines, if you have older firmware installed. You can check which version you have by using the "Config" tab ("Version" tab, in previous releases) in the software.

  • Mac users: Download Firmware_v262_Mac.zip, and run it with AxiDraw connected to your computer via USB.
  • Windows users: Download and run Firmware_v262_Win.zip, and run it with AxiDraw connected to your computer via USB.
  • Linux users: Please follow the directions here, using the attached file Firmware_v262_Raw.zip.
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