Gcodetools included in extensions but does not show in dropdown

Which Inkscape version are you using? Gcodetools are included in Inkscape 0.92 and 0.91 (but don't work properly in 0.92 - we'll get to that when it becomes important...)

So, first:
Please check if you have the gcodetools in /usr/share/inkscape/extensions already.

Additionally:
Please look into your extension-errors.log in /home/username/.config/inkscape , and copy the contents.

And lastly, if you don't have gcodetools in your Inkscape installation, then please make sure that any gcodetools .inx files are saved in the main user extensions directory, and not in any subdirectories. If in doubt, please post the directory structure.

(Note: Email attachments are not supported, please use a file hoster if you want to share files or screenshots)

Thanks for the quick reply. Unfortunately I had not set up my email in Debain which I would need to send copy of log, however now done.

I have found that I have installed 0.92 and am attempting to remove it but finding the Debain file structure a bit difficult but will keep looking.

I have 0.91 on my Mint partition including the extensions and have tried copying it over however not sure how to start it.

I may be a bit simplistic but if I can remove the 0.92 and run the 0.91 that might resolve the position.

Very grateful for your help.

Regards

Hamish

________________________________
From: <email address hidden> <email address hidden> on behalf of Hachmann <email address hidden>
Sent: 02 February 2018 18:37
To: <email address hidden>
Subject: Re: [Question #663993]: Gcodetools included in extensions but does not show in dropdown

Your question #663993 on Inkscape changed:
https://answers.launchpad.net/inkscape/+question/663993
Question #663993 : Questions : Inkscape<https://answers.launchpad.net/inkscape/+question/663993>
answers.launchpad.net
Have downloaded and extracted the gcodetools extension into Inkscape Extension folder. When I activate Extensions Gtools does not show. I am on Linux Debian

    Status: Open => Needs information

Hachmann requested more information:
Which Inkscape version are you using? Gcodetools are included in
Inkscape 0.92 and 0.91 (but don't work properly in 0.92 - we'll get to
that when it becomes important...)

So, first:
Please check if you have the gcodetools in /usr/share/inkscape/extensions already.

Additionally:
Please look into your extension-errors.log in /home/username/.config/inkscape , and copy the contents.

And lastly, if you don't have gcodetools in your Inkscape installation,
then please make sure that any gcodetools .inx files are saved in the
main user extensions directory, and not in any subdirectories. If in
doubt, please post the directory structure.

(Note: Email attachments are not supported, please use a file hoster if
you want to share files or screenshots)

--
To answer this request for more information, you can either reply to
this email or enter your reply at the following page:
https://answers.launchpad.net/inkscape/+question/663993
Question #663993 : Questions : Inkscape<https://answers.launchpad.net/inkscape/+question/663993>
answers.launchpad.net
Have downloaded and extracted the gcodetools extension into Inkscape Extension folder. When I activate Extensions Gtools does not show. I am on Linux Debian

You received this question notification because you asked the question.

> Thanks for the quick reply. Unfortunately I had not set up my email in
> Debain which I would need to send copy of log, however now done.

- Email attachments do not work here, as mentioned above.

> I have found that I have installed 0.92 and am attempting to remove it
> but finding the Debain file structure a bit difficult but will keep looking.

- You don't need to remove it. There is a solution for the issue.

> I have 0.91 on my Mint partition including the extensions and have tried
> copying it over however not sure how to start it.

- Don't do that. It won't work.

> I may be a bit simplistic but if I can remove the 0.92
> and run the 0.91 that might resolve the position.

- No. Let us find out what the reason is why it doesn't work first.
Please answer the questions I asked above (see https://answers.launchpad.net/inkscape/+question/663993)

Oh, and which language are you using Inkscape in? Do you see them when you switch to English?

Sorry for delay but problems with password, on my behalf.

It is version 0.92

The GTools are not in the extensions. I have attempted to extract to the folder but does not work. I had copied and pasted from the Mint partition but removed.

I cant find the config folder which I was able to find in Mint but not located in Debian

Unable to find an error log as cant find config.

Inkscape is in english and I made no changes from download

Will have another look

Am I in the correct place for answers?

Hamish

Okay, thank you.

To find the config folder:
- Open Inkscape.
- Edit > Preferences > System: User config
Open the folder that is indicated here.
Find the extension-errors.log file.
Upload it here: https://framadrop.org
Share the link.

Please open a terminal and type:
lsb_release -a

What does this give? It will help to know your Debian version.

Also, please type:
inkscape --version

What does this output? We need the specific version, not just the series.

Then type:
less /usr/share/inkscape/extensions/gcodetools.py

Does this give a result, i.e. print out the contents of a python file?

And finally, how have you installed Inkscape? Are you using flatpak or snap, or something from backports, or...?

(you can leave the file viewer 'less' by typing q and hitting Enter)

To the best of my ability

To find the config folder: I did as suggested but and found Inkscape Preferences under File but could only get details under Misc but unable to get into config or locate the errorlog

Just tried this from Inkscape command line "shortcircuit@debian:~$ ~/.config/inkscape/preferences.xml;
bash: /home/shortcircuit/.config/inkscape/preferences.xml: Permission denied
shortcircuit@debian:~$"

lsb_release -a Debian 7.11(wheezy) Release 7.11

inkscape --version Inkscape G.48.3.1 r9886 (Dec29 2012)

less /usr/share/inkscape/extensions/gcodetools.py I tried this but as gcodetools are not in the extensions, nothing?

And finally, I think it was PPA

A lot of this is uncharted waters for me so please be patient. Hopefully others will learn from my attempts

Uhm... that's all very weird, I must admit.

So, you're using a rather old, but still supported Debian version. It won't get security updates from May 31st on.

Your Inkscape - the one that comes with it - is 0.48.3, not 0.92. 0.48.3, released in 2012, doesn't have Gcodetools, that's true. And I don't know if the current Gcodetools will still work with 0.48.3. I wouldn't think so.

There is also no other Inkscape version available via wheezy backports (the optional Debian repository that contains more recent software).

PPAs cannot be used on Debian. They are made for Ubuntu, and distros that derive from Ubuntu. There aren't even packages created for the version of Ubuntu that is based on Debian wheezy anymore. It cannot work.

The 'permission denied' error doesn't say much, except that the preference file exists. It's not executable, so just entering its name on the command line to execute it isn't allowed.
But can you please visit https://framadrop.org, then select the extension-errors.log file for uploading, and share the link to the extension log file in your next comment?

Now I wonder: how come you believe you're using 0.92? Where did you see that info? What does it say in 'Help > About'?

(Tbh. if you're open to it, I'd like to suggest you take a look at Linux Mint or Ubuntu, or even elementaryOS for your next distro. Debian /works/ for the less tech-savvy, but I wouldn't recommend it.)

So, if you want to use the gcodetools with the Inkscape version that you have, then you must look for a version from 2012. I don't know if/where one can be found.

If you want to use a recent Inkscape version, and possibly the latest one from a ppa, you need to switch your distro, to something that is based on Ubuntu. A new version will soon come out (in April), and what I would most recommend would be to wait for Linux Mint 19, if it's not urgent, else to switch to Linux Mint 18.3 now, and enjoy recent software. If you do the switch, don't use the KDE desktop, if you don't have to for some reason. If your computer is old, use Xfce.

So, lots of info, lots of suggestions. Let me know if you have a question about all of this.

Perhaps I should clarify why I am in this position.

I build and fly model radio controlled planes. Plans are available on the Internet for models made out of foam sheet. In Mint I can download and print out these plans on my plotter and using this the paper copy to trace out the foam for a hand cut. The next step is to use a CNC machine to cut the plans using a heath robinson type cutter that works very well (A reciprocating needle). For the first time today I was able to create a gcode file in Mint, copy to flash drive, open up Debian and use LinuxCNC to cut the foam, at least to get the demo running with next step is the hardware.

The logical way of doing this would be to install LinuxCNC in Mint however I have just tied my self in knots trying to do this. When I first loaded LinuxCNC it wiped my drive and Debian took over. I created two partitions and have Inkscape on Mint along with gcodetools, with LinuxCNC on Debian.

With my problems in loading LinuxCNC in Mint I appear to have created many copies of various dependencies etc that I think the system is cluttered. My thinking now is to totally wipe the drive, reformat(to clean out?) and then start again all based around Mint 18.3.

Wiping the hard drive is no problem as it is only being used for Inkscape and LinuxCNC. Should add I have Inkcut working in Mint allowing me to use plotter. Have copied out both Inkscape and Inkcut on Mint and would ask if that would be a simple copy back in?

Many thanks for your clear explanations and I would take any advise.

Thank you, that was helpful.

So, LinuxCNC is its own distro, that is based on Ubuntu, as far as I could read on Wikipedia.

The .iso file you tried cannot be 'loaded' in Mint, it is a complete and separate operating system.

So, if you need to use LinuxCNC, because your plotter won't work with anything else, or because you don't want to or cannot fiddle with the settings you'd need to make on a different operating system, then this is what I would do:

- Make a bootable USB flash drive with the live version of LinuxCNC, following their instructions on their website.
- Install latest Mint on your hard drive. Use the Inkscape 0.92.x ppa to (hopefully from tomorrow on, it's not fixed yet, but probably will be very soon) have a 0.92 series Inkscape version where the Gcodetools work.
- Create your Gcode in Linux Mint, with Inkscape 0.92.x, save on your disk, or on a separate flash drive.
- Boot the live system from the USB drive
- mount the disk/partition/flash drive where the Gcode is saved (you can make it try to automount)
- do your cutting
- turn computer off or reboot, but this time from hard disk, to get back to Linux Mint

The 'install on Ubuntu or Debian' option you read about is described in the section '7. Alternate Install Methods' at http://linuxcnc.org/docs/2.7/html/getting-started/getting-linuxcnc.html . It requires setting up a specific kernel, and knowing lots about your operating system. Currently, I wouldn't recommend you try that road, unless you got someone near you who can help with setup.

Many plotters can be 'talked to' from inside Inkscape, using various extensions. I don't know anything about specific plotters, but if you haven't yet, I'd suggest you look and ask and read in forums dedicated to plotting, to know if that would be an option, in the long run, to not need to switch systems between creating your pattern and cutting it out.

Thanks for this info.

My use of LinxCNC is the next stage of my project and not to run my plotter. I have been using Inkcut to plot from Inkscape however I have reconfigured my hard drive I have lost Inkcut. Your last para suggests that I may be able to drive my plotter, PCut straight from Inkscape so I will look there first.

I will create the bootabe disc for LinuxCNC and operate as you suggest. This is virtually what I was doing by opening Debain.

The methods of setting up on Ubunta or Debian were what I was following and I did not succeed as I do not have the knowledge to understand what I was doing.

I have altered my system and now only have Mint which does come with gcodetools, however when I tested it I got "Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "gcodetools.py", line 80, in <module>
    import numpy
ImportError: No module named numpy" so a bit of investigation required.
Now going to attempt to get plotter working and would be grateful if you can point me in the right direction

Can you post the output of 'which inkscape' and 'inkscape --version', please?

How did you install Inkscape on your Linux Mint?

Did you follow the instructions here to add the ppa:
https://launchpad.net/~inkscape.dev/+archive/ubuntu/stable-daily ?

When you have added the ppa, do:
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install inkscape

After that, you shouldn't be getting any of those errors with the gcodetools, but they might not work correctly yet for a day or two, until another update includes the fix.

Inkcut is still available for Inkscape, as well as other plotting extensions. There are multiple versions to be found online, and one extension (Export > Plot) is even included with 0.92.x.

On 03/02/18 21:52, Hachmann wrote:
> Your question #663993 on Inkscape changed:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/inkscape/+question/663993
>
> Hachmann posted a new comment:
> Can you post the output of 'which inkscape' and 'inkscape --version',
> please?
>
> How did you install Inkscape on your Linux Mint?
>
> Did you follow the instructions here to add the ppa:
> https://launchpad.net/~inkscape.dev/+archive/ubuntu/stable-daily ?
>
> When you have added the ppa, do:
> sudo apt-get update
> sudo apt-get install inkscape
>
> After that, you shouldn't be getting any of those errors with the
> gcodetools, but they might not work correctly yet for a day or two,
> until another update includes the fix.
>
> Inkcut is still available for Inkscape, as well as other plotting
> extensions. There are multiple versions to be found online, and one
> extension (Export > Plot) is even included with 0.92.x.
>
Not sure of "which Inkscape" but Version 0.92.2

Inkscape was installed at installation of Mint and subsequently
reinstalled following the direction given.
Still getting same errors when trying gcode
I had followed instructions as suggested to add the ppa
gcodetools errors still occurring.
I had some time ago tried the (Export>Plot) avenue and failed resulting
in the use of Inkcut.  The version of Inkcut within Inkscape did not
work and I was using the development version which I am attempting to
recover.

Can you please post the output of 'which inkscape' and 'inkscape --version'? This is on the command line.

Also please remove any gcodetools extensions that you may have put into your user extension directory at /home/username/.config/inkscape/extensions.

Lastly, please post the output of
cat /home/<username>/.config/inkscape/extension-errors.log

When we have this info, we might install additional software, but I really want to know what I'm dealing with first.

You do not need to recover any versions, you can just visit one of the various repositories for Inkcut, and try them out.
E.g. https://github.com/codelv/inkcut/ or the other versions you find by searching on github:
https://github.com/search?utf8=%E2%9C%93&q=inkcut&ref=simplesearch

If you need to get help from the developer of the Export > Plot extension, or general info about it, you can visit
http://timewasters-place.com/

I got so frustrated last night that I reinstalled Mint. I now have Inkscape 0.91 r13725.i When I run gcodetools I get
"Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "gcodetools.py", line 80, in <module>
    import numpy
ImportError: No module named numpy"
I tried importing numpy but made no difference

Error log here
Extension "DXF Output" failed to load because a dependency was not met.
Dependency:
  type: executable
  location: path
  string: pstoedit
  description: pstoedit must be installed to run; see http://www.pstoedit.net/pstoedit

Extension "LaTeX" failed to load because a dependency was not met.
Dependency:
  type: executable
  location: path
  string: latex

Extension "LaTeX" failed to load because a dependency was not met.
Dependency:
  type: executable
  location: path
  string: dvips

Extension "LaTeX" failed to load because a dependency was not met.
Dependency:
  type: executable
  location: path
  string: pstoedit

Extension "Win32 Vector Print" failed to load because the extension is designed for Windows only. This is caused by an improper .inx file for this extension. An improper .inx file could have been caused by a faulty installation of Inkscape.
Extension "Dia Input" failed to load because a dependency was not met.
Dependency:
  type: executable
  location: path
  string: dia
  description: In order to import Dia files, Dia itself must be installed. You can get Dia at http://live.gnome.org/Dia

Extension "XFIG Input" failed to load because a dependency was not met.
Dependency:
  type: executable
  location: path
  string: fig2dev

Extension "Sketch Input" failed to load because a dependency was not met.
Dependency:
  type: executable
  location: path
  string: skconvert

Looks like a few dependency's missing?

Thanks a lot , have now produce a g-code file.

 Now going to work on LinuxCNC as a standalone.

 Not sure about trying to get InkCut back running as that allowed me to print to my plotter. Are there alternative?

Many. Please google or use the gitlab search that I linked. I cannot give any recommendations due to lack of a plotter ;-)