gcode

# G-code Provenance: maintained in [earthtojake/text-to-cad](https://github.com/earthtojake/text-to-cad). Use the installed local skill files as the runtime source of truth; the repository link is only for provenance and release review. Use this skill for plain `.gcode` generation from mesh files. It is printer-agnostic and never uploads, starts, or packages print jobs. ## Workflow 1. Confirm the input is a supported mesh: `.stl`, `.obj`, unsliced `.3mf`, `.ply`, `.glb`, or `.gltf`. 2. Require an explicit printer/profile wrapper JSON. Do not invent real-printer profiles. 3. Discover slicer backends when the backend is unknown: ```bash python scripts/gcode_tool.py discover ``` 4. Inspect the input: ```bash python scripts/gcode_tool.py inspect --input path/to/model.stl --json ``` 5. Dry-run the slicer command before executing: ```bash python scripts/gcode_tool.py slice \ --input path/to/model.stl \ --output /tmp/model.gcode \ --profile path/to/profile.json \ --backend auto \ --dry-run ``` 6. Execute only after the dry-run command and profile are appropriate: ```bash python scripts/gcode_tool.py slice \ --input path/to/model.stl \ --output /tmp/model.gcode \ --profile path/to/profile.json \ --backend auto \ --execute ``` 7. Validate the generated G-code: ```bash python scripts/gcode_tool.py validate \ --gcode /tmp/model.gcode \ --profile path/to/profile.json \ --json ``` ## Profile Contract Every slice requires a wrapper profile JSON with an absolute native slicer profile path: ```json { "backend": "orcaslicer", "native_config": "/absolute/path/to/native-slicer-profile", "machine": { "name": "Example Printer", "bed_size_mm": [180, 180], "z_height_mm": 180, "motion_bounds_mm": { "x": [0, 180], "y": [0, 180], "z": [0, 180] } }, "filament": { "type": "PLA", "nozzle_temp_c": 220, "bed_temp_c": 65 } } ``` The wrapper supplies validation bounds and backend selection. `machine.motion_bounds_mm` is optional; omit it for the default `0..bed_size` and `0..z_height` bounds, or set it from a native printer profile when start/end G-code intentionally uses safe wipe/purge positions outside the printable area. The native slicer profile remains the source of detailed process, printer, and filament behavior. For OrcaSlicer, use `native_settings` and `native_filaments` when the real profile is split across machine, process, and filament JSON files. Keep `native_config` as an absolute path to the primary native profile for compatibility: ```json { "backend": "orcaslicer", "native_config": "/absolute/path/to/machine-or-process.json", "native_settings": [ "/absolute/path/to/machine.json", "/absolute/path/to/process.json" ], "native_filaments": [ "/absolute/path/to/filament.json" ], "machine": { "name": "Example Printer", "bed_size_mm": [180, 180], "z_height_mm": 180 }, "filament": { "type": "PLA", "nozzle_temp_c": 220, "bed_temp_c": 65 } } ``` ## Backends And Inputs Preferred slicer backend order is `orcaslicer`, `prusa-slicer`, then `curaengine`. Prefer installing OrcaSlicer when no preferred backend is available; on macOS use `brew install --cask orcaslicer` and then rerun `discover`. The helper checks both `PATH` and the usual `/Applications/OrcaSlicer.app` cask location. Bambu Studio may be reported by discovery as available but is not preferred because its CLI export path has shown macOS instability. Pass `.stl`, `.obj`, and unsliced `.3mf` directly to the slicer. Convert `.ply`, `.glb`, and `.gltf` to temporary STL at execution time with optional `trimesh`; if `trimesh` is unavailable, ask the user to install it or provide `.stl`, `.obj`, or unsliced `.3mf`. Reject `.step`, `.stp`, `.dxf`, `.svg`, `.urdf`, and `.sdf` in v1. `inspect` and `slice` fail with a structured `remediation` object naming the skill and command that produce a sliceable mesh; use it instead of inferring a conversion workflow: - `.step`, `.stp`: boundary-representation CAD, not a mesh. Export an STL sidecar with `$cad` (`cadgen stl build <input.step> <output>.stl` — the door takes the STEP document; a model script is refused, run `python <model>.py` first), then slice the exported `.stl` here. - `.dxf`, `.svg`: 2D drawings with no 2D-to-mesh conversion in this toolchain. Model the 3D solid in `$cad` as a `@step` model script and export an STL sidecar, then slice that. If the part is a flat cut rather than a print, use `$sendcutsend` instead of this skill. - `.urdf`, `.sdf`: robot descriptions that reference per-link mesh files. Slice the referenced `.stl`/`.obj` meshes one at a time; regenerate stale or missing ones from the owning CAD source with `$cad` first. Use `$urdf` or `$sdf` for the robot description itself. Read `references/slicer-backends.md` when backend behavior, profile expectations, or source links matter. ## Validation Always validate generated G-code before handing it to printer-specific workflows. The validator checks for non-empty content, temperature commands, movement commands, extrusion moves, XYZ bounds, and unknown command warnings. Read `references/gcode-validation.md` when interpreting validation output or deciding whether a warning is acceptable. ## Bambu Boundary This skill generates plain `.gcode` only. It does not create Bambu `.gcode.3mf` archives and does not contact printers. For Bambu upload/start workflows, hand off the validated plain `.gcode` to `$bambu-labs`. Let `$bambu-labs` choose the printer-specific LAN handoff, such as an A1 Mini template project or an explicitly enabled bambox project package.