Configuration

The configuration parameters are stored in a file read when bCNC first starts. If the configuration file does not exist, a default one is created in the $HOME directory as $HOME/.bCNC. Most of the parameters can be modified either in the File->Serial section or under the Tools->Config button, though not all.

Even in windows the .bCNC file is created in the user folder. You can reach it easily using the Environment variable %UserProfile% . Hit [Windows key + R], paste %UserProfile% in the Run prompt, then click OK. The user folder will open and there you'll find the .bCNC file. Right click and choose "open with" then select notepad.

The configuration file can also be viewed using the button in Tool --> Config --> User file.

The configuration file can be changed using any available text editor such as notepad on Windows or xed on Linux. Be careful changing the configuration file in a text editor while bCNC is open. When bCNC exits, it writes out any changes done in bCNC to the configuration file.

The configuration file uses a format similar to the MS Windows INI format (the Python ConfigParser class is used to read the configuration file). The configuration file consists of sections, led by a [section] header and followed by "name = value" entries. Configuration files may include comments, prefixed by # or ;. Comments may appear on their own in an otherwise empty line, or may be entered in lines holding values or section names. In the latter case, they need to be preceded by a whitespace character to be recognized as a comment. (For backwards compatibility, only ; starts an inline comment, while # does not.)

The sections that may need to be modified include:

[Connection]
(Connection section is also modifiable from File Tab in bCNC except for the pendant parameters)

port = /dev/ttyACM0 ; serial port used to communicate with the CNC controller
baud = 115200 ; speed to set the CNC controller serial port to (in baud)
openserial = 0/1 ; if set to 1 automatically open serial connection to grbl on startup
pendant = 0/1 ; if set to 1 automatically start the pendant web server. Pendant can also be started from the File -> Start button
pendantport = 8080 ; port where bCNC will listen for web browser connections

[CNC]
(CNC section is also modifiable from Tools Tab in bCNC under the Config button)

units = 0 ; 0=mm, 1=inches
Enable 6 Axis Displays ; False=No Changes, True=Enable 6 Axis DRO and Control Displays on the Control Page
acceleration_x = 25
acceleration_y = 25
acceleration_z = 50
; acceleration in units/s^2 for time calculation
feedmax_x = 3000
feedmax_y = 3000
feedmax_z = 2000
; maximum feed rates in units/min for time calculation
travel_x = 200
travel_y = 200
travel_z = 100
; maximum travel of your machine in the three axes
These values will define the WorkArea in the main canvas (enabled/disable from View-->WorkArea)
Be aware: for historical reasons values are always referenced from top/right corner even if your home switch position is in the bottom/left corner.
round = 4 ; rounding accuracy in decimal digits .dddd
accuracy = 0.1 ; accuracy of displaying arcs (maximum allowed sagita)
startup = G90 ; startup G-code to send to machine before executing any program
safe_z = 3 ; safe Z height on free moves
spindlemin = 0
spindlemax = 12000
; spindle maximum/minimum in rpm/min