madelinegannon/axidraw

Controlling the AxiDraw Plotter

Processing to AxiDraw v3

Controlling the AxiDraw v3 Plotter with Processing 3

• Tested with Processing v3.5 on OSX 10.14, with Node.js 15.14.0 and npm 7.7.6.
• Based on project by Aaron Koblin: https://github.com/koblin/AxiDrawProcessing
• Uses CNCServer by @techninja: https://github.com/techninja/cncserver

Setup

Note: Instructions are for Mac OS

1. Install and Update Hombrew (detailed instructions here). Open Terminal and type:

ruby -e "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/master/install)"

2. Update Homebrew (this could take a while):

brew update

3. Install Node.js:

brew install node

4. Clone or Download CNCServer:

git clone https://github.com/techninja/cncserver.git

5. Install NPM (Node Package Manager):

cd cncserver
npm install

6. Install Processing

7. Plug in the AxiDraw to your computer

8. Start the Node CNCServer to open communications with your AxiDraw. You should hear the motors click on after running this command:

sudo node cncserver --botType=axidraw

9. Run AxiDraw_Mouse.pde

Tips & Tricks

If not working:

• Verify you can control your machine through AxiDraw's Inkscape plugin.
• Verify you are running the node cncserver with sudo:

sudo node cncserver --botType=axidraw

External Control & TouchOSC

This example shows you how to control the AxiDraw from external apps, phones, and tablets over OSC.

I control touch devices using TouchOSC. To use TouchOSC:

1. Download the app from your repsective app store.
2. Download the free TouchOSC Editor
3. In the editor, open the touchosc_xy_pad.touchosc file the Processing sketch's /data folder.
4. Sync from the Editor to your Device following these instructions.
5. Select the touchosc_xy_pad layout from your device's layout options.
6. Connect the Processing sketch to Touch OSC using these instructions.
   • The Processing sketch is listening on port 12000. Be sure your TouchOSC outgoing port is set correctly.