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Warning

MillMage is in active development and in a prerelease state. Many operations and functions are not feature complete. Please report any unexpected behavior by searching for and reporting the issue or question in the MillMage Beta User Forum. Please include screenshots and as much detail as possible.

Beta Users: Finding Help

Find help and download the latest release candidate of MillMage in the MillMage Beta User Forum.

Users new to MillMage should follow the Getting Started guide.

Warning

This documentation is in active development and in a prerelease state. These documents are not complete and may include missing pages, broken links, and placeholders. Content is being updated as feedback is reviewed. Your patience is appreciated.

Console Window

Quick Reference: Console Window

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    The Console Window displays messages from your CNC machine's controller.

The Console Window displays messages from your CNC machine's controller and commands sent to it by MillMage. You can also input direct commands to your CNC machine controller through this window.

The Console Window functions are only available when MillMage is directly connected to a GCode-based CNC machine.

Accessing the Console Window

If you have a GCode-based device profile selected, the Console Window will be located in top right-hand side of MillMage, docked behind the Operations Window, by default.

If you have closed the Console Window, select Window → Console to re-enable it. To restore it and all other windows to their default positions, go to Window → Reset to Default Layout.

Tip

The layout of MillMage is highly customizable. For more information on enabling and disabling windows and toolbars, or rearranging the default layout, see Customizing the MillMage Window.

Startup Message

When you first connect to your CNC machine you will see a response message in the Console Window, indicating that MillMage is successfully communicating with the controller.

Console Window tab next to other docked window tabs

The startup response message displays the type and specific version of firmware your CNC machine's controller is running. Most GCode-based CNC machines run GRBL firmware.

If you do not see a similar message from the controller when you start up and attempt to connect to your CNC machine, see Troubleshooting: Connection Problems.

Error Messages

Error Message from GRBL Controller

The Console Window will sometimes display alarm or error messages sent to MillMage by the CNC machine's controller, indicating that there was a problem with the machine's operation.

See Troubleshooting: GRBL Errors to find solutions to common alarms and errors.

Common GRBL Commands

Use the text box in the Console Window to directly enter commands to your CNC machine's controller. These commands are only valid for CNC machines running GRBL firmware.

GRBL Settings Request

Request Information

Use the following commands to prompt your CNC machine to return information on its settings or status.

  • $I: display the controller's firmware version.
  • $$: display GRBL settings. See the official GRBL documentation for more information on each setting.
  • $#: display stored offsets in the machine's coordinate systems.
  • ?: display status and current position.

Alter Settings and Status

Use the following commands to adjust firmware settings or change machine status.

  • $X: unlock machine if it has been locked due to an alarm or error.

  • $[setting]=[value]: adjust a specific GRBL setting by entering $, followed by the number of the setting to be adjusted, =, and the new value to assign to the setting.

    • Example command: $110=6000

Warning

Do not reset these settings unless directed by to do so by your machine's manufacturer, or MillMage support.

In most cases, resetting GRBL settings restores all values to those set by your machine's manufacturer, but can sometimes restore them to stock GRBL settings, which will necessitate significant reconfiguration in order to operate your CNC machine.

  • RST=#: reset all offsets stored in the machine's coordinate systems.
  • RST=$: restore all GRBL settings to "factory" default.
  • RST=*: reset all EEPROM data used by GRBL, including all offsets stored in the machine's coordinate systems and GRBL settings.

Show All

Enable the Show All switch to display all communications between MillMage and your controller. When Show All is disabled, the Console Window will display startup messages, simple commands, alarm or error messages, and all responses to status queries, but hide extensive commands such as those used to jog the tool head around the work area.

For more help using MillMage, please visit our forum to talk with MillMage staff and users, or email support.