Resources
The original list of resources and tools for plotter and drawing robot enthusiasts
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Commercial Plotters Plotters available for sale
Title | Description | URL | View |
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AxiDraw | Simple, modern, and precise pen plotters. Use Coupon "PENPLOT" to get 10% off any order. | https://axidraw.com/ | Go |
Makelangelo 5 | Makelangelo 5 is a beautiful picture drawing robot. The Makelangelo can draw up to A1 sized pictures on a window, whiteboard, or easel with Sharpie or dry-erase markers. | https://www.marginal... | Go |
Line-us | Line-us is an portable internet connected robot drawing arm. | https://www.line-us.... | Go |
Makeblock XY Plotter | XY Plotter Robot Kit is a drawing robot that can move a pen or other instrument to draw digital artwork on flat surface | https://www.makebloc... | Go |
Joto | Dry erase plotter | https://www.joto.roc... | Go |
DIY plotters and projects 3D printed, laser cut, or other home-made machines for drawing
Title | Description | URL | View |
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Open source turtle robot | Open source turtle robot made with 3D printed materials and some circuits | https://www.thingive... | Go |
ExtruDraw Extrusion-based Plotter | A plotter/drawing machine that uses 20x40mm and 20x20mm aluminium extrusion for both structure and linear guides. | https://www.thingive... | Go |
DIY Drawing Robot | 3D printed Drawing robot. It is powered by an Arduino Uno controller, uses a CNC Shield, and GRBL firmware. The approximate cost to build this drawing robot is $100. | https://www.thingive... | Go |
Unofficial archive of plotters | In this forum post you will find a roundup of plotters and drawing robots from around the world. | http://www.polargrap... | Go |
MidTBot | Very small DIY plotter that you can 3D print and put together. | https://github.com/b... | Go |
Community Where the party's at
Title | Description | URL | View |
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A huge list of resources | A list like this one (an inspiration) | https://github.com/b... | Go |
Subreddit For Plotter Art | Subreddit For Plotter Art | https://www.reddit.c... | Go |
DrawingBots Twitter | Twitter account for Plotter enthusiasts (coming soon) | https://twitter.com/... | Go |
DrawingBots Discord | A place to talk about drawing robots and challenges | https://discordapp.c... | Go |
DrawingBots Facebook | A place to chat about drawing robots, share designs, links, etc | https://www.facebook... | Go |
PlotterFiles | Hundreds of Free SVG files for plotters and other 2D CNC machines | https://plotterfiles... | Go |
My AxiDraw – 5 lessons learned | An article for people thinking about buying an AxiDraw. 5 dos and don'ts taken from author's experience | https://www.jakub-an... | Go |
GCode Generators SVG to GCode generators
Title | Description | URL | View |
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openjscam | TPLang (with modifications) -> G-Code in pure JavaScript | https://github.com/m... | Go |
Halftoner and Reactor | Two interesting free software packages (Windows only) | https://jasondorie.c... | Go |
3dwriter.io | Converts text to postcards and written gcode | 3dwriter.io | Go |
gcodeplot | Converter for SVG and HPGL to gcode for a 3-axis GCode machine | https://github.com/a... | Go |
HTML Canvas to gcode | Draw in canvas with javascript and export a gcode file | https://github.com/l... | Go |
SVG Generators Tools that produce SVG files
Title | Description | URL | View |
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Patternodes | A tool for creating graphical vector patterns, animations or illustrations using a node-based interface where you define a sequence of connected nodes that describe the design, each representing graphical elements, changes or repetitions. | https://www.lostmind... | Go |
Differential Growth Experiments | Series of visual experiments in JavaScript exploring the topic of differential growth as a method for generating interesting 2D forms | https://github.com/j... | Go |
WaveFormer | Turns audio recordings into a drawing | https://www.misha.st... | Go |
Letters with QuickDraw | SVGs and designs made with QuickDraw dataset | http://frauzufall.de... | Go |
TemplateMaker | Create designs for unique boxes, custom enclosures. Can be used with LaserCutting | https://templatemake... | Go |
InkRays | Circular designs generator | http://thoka.net/ink... | Go |
MakerJS | JavaScript library for creating and sharing modular line drawings for CNC | https://maker.js.org... | Go |
Medieval City Generator | Generates maps of imaginary medieval cities | https://watabou.itch... | Go |
Map path generator | Generates maps of the world | https://pixelmap.amc... | Go |
Mandala Generator | Creates Mandala designs | http://mandalacreato... | Go |
Spiral Generator | Generates Spirals with noise | https://www.openproc... | Go |
Moire Patterns | Some Moire patterns made with D3 | https://codepen.io/m... | Go |
SVGUrt | A few tools for creative image -> SVG conversion | https://svgurt.com | Go |
Curved Polygons | Generates Curved polygons | https://codepen.io/m... | Go |
Delaunay Triangulator | Image 2 Delaunay triangulation | https://snorpey.gith... | Go |
Ln (3D line art engine) | 3D Line Art Engine | https://github.com/f... | Go |
CanvasSketch | A framework for making generative artwork in JavaScript and the browser. | https://github.com/m... | Go |
SquiggleDraw | Processing app to create an SVG based on the brightness of an image transformed into sine waves. | https://github.com/g... | Go |
SquiggleCam | Browser tool for fast image -> squiggle drawing conversion | https://msurguy.gith... | Go |
StippleGen | Software that can create stipple drawings and “TSP art,” from image files | https://github.com/e... | Go |
PenKit | Tools for pen plotting in Python | https://github.com/p... | Go |
Image 2 Hilbert | Upload an image to generate a single line (Hilbert Curve) representation of it | https://shooshx.gith... | Go |
Vectorizer | A different kind of Spirograph | http://blackholedesi... | Go |
Spirograph | Spirograph made with Processing | https://github.com/r... | Go |
MazeGenerator | Creates SVGs of Mazes | http://www.mazegener... | Go |
Kolam Generator | Generates Kolam artworks | https://www.openproc... | Go |
AsciiArt | Image to ASCII generator | https://pixlab.io/ar... | Go |
SpiralRaster | Image to Spiral Raster generator | http://paperjs.org/e... | Go |
Generative Artworks | Some generative art generators made with Processing | https://github.com/d... | Go |
City Generator | Makes imaginary cities that look hand-drawn | https://www.openproc... | Go |
Turtletoy | Website where your can create SVG's using a minimalistic Turtle graphics API | https://turtletoy.ne... | Go |
Juicy GCode | Haskell tool for SVG 2 GCode conversion | https://github.com/d... | Go |
SVGPath Transforms | SVG Path Transformation library | https://github.com/f... | Go |
Scribble Generator | Drawbot_image_to_gcode_v2 | https://github.com/j... | Go |
Circuit generator in 35c3 style | Generative circuit generator in 35c3 style by Bleeptrack | https://35c3.bleeptr... | Go |
Flower Generator | Flower Generator from Bleeptrack | https://blptrck.uber... | Go |
Linedraw | Convert images to vectorized line drawings for plotters. | https://github.com/L... | Go |
Scribbleplot | Processing scripts to create different plottable versions of images | https://github.com/b... | Go |
DullBits Drawbot | Generates scribbly g-code from images | http://dullbits.com/... | Go |
LumberSharp | Stylized 3d scene to SVG conversion for plotting, inspired by Escher's woodcuts. | https://github.com/d... | Go |
StippleGen (OSX port) | A port of Evil Mad Scientist's StippleGen Processing app to full desktop Java | https://github.com/f... | Go |
Mandala-esque Generator | A Web Based tool for making of mandala-esque plotter pieces | https://jan.jarfalk.... | Go |
ttf2hershey | This tool converts the common True Type Font (.ttf) files to Hershey font format | https://github.com/L... | Go |
Halftoner and Reactor | Two interesting free software packages (Windows only) | https://jasondorie.c... | Go |
Processing Boilerplate | Processing Boilerplate with Gcode Export | https://sighack.com/... | Go |
Tinkersynth | Virtual machine to generate cool art and download SVGs. It lets you create unique generative art by making serendipitous discoveries through experimentation. | https://tinkersynth.... | Go |
WEIR | A System for Making Generative Systems from @inconvergent | https://github.com/i... | Go |
VPype | The Swiss Army knife of vector graphics for pen plotters | https://github.com/a... | Go |
fawkes | This package provides an R API to control the AxiDraw pen plotter | https://fawkes.data-... | Go |
Peak Map | Make a ridge line chart from any region on Earth | https://anvaka.githu... | Go |
Sandify | SVG and GCode generator for single line drawings | https://sandify.org/ | Go |
Components AI | Experimental computational design platform for exploring generative space | https://components.a... | Go |
DeepSVG | A Hierarchical Generative Network for Vector Graphics Animation. | https://blog.alexand... | Go |
Single Line text creator | Type text and export to single stroke SVG for your plotter! | https://www.template... | Go |
SVG Cropper | Browser based tool to crop SVGs using a rectangle, circle, polygon or custom shape. | https://msurguy.gith... | Go |
PlotterFiles | Hundreds of Free SVG files for plotters and other 2D CNC machines | https://plotterfiles... | Go |
Contour Map Creator | Create contour maps | https://contourmapcr... | Go |
Elixir SVG generator | Elixir SVG graphics library and art scripts to draw with a pen plotter. | https://github.com/s... | Go |
SVG Peck | Minimalist vector tool for pen plotter artists | https://github.com/S... | Go |
lineboi3000 | lineboi3000 is a way cool graphical interface for drawing, painting, adding EFX, and then sending your designs to a pen plotter or creating animations | https://github.com/l... | Go |
Single line fonts | Fonts suitable for plotters or for laser cutters / engravers and CNC milling. Perfect for creating plottable text! | https://www.singleli... | Go |
new STL Terrain Generator | Generates STL 3D file of area on the map. | https://touchterrain... | Go |
Algorithms R&D and innovations for drawing robots
Title | Description | URL | View |
---|---|---|---|
TSP Solver | TSP Solver algorithm for optimizing pen travel | https://bitaesthetic... | Go |
SVG2Gcode (Python) | Python tool for converting SVG to GCode | https://github.com/H... | Go |
SVG2Gcode (Python) | Another SVG2GCode conversion tool | https://github.com/S... | Go |
Centerline Tracing Tutorial | Tutorial on making line artworks | http://cleversomeday... | Go |
Penkit Optimizer | Command-line tool for optimizing and visualizing the drawing order of SVG graphics for pen plotting. | https://github.com/p... | Go |
SimplifyJS | JS script for simplification of SVG lines | http://mourner.githu... | Go |
PX2SVG | Converts raster images to SVG, using color-run optimization. | https://github.com/m... | Go |
FEngrave | F-Engrave is a text or image to g-code program | http://www.scorchwor... | Go |
Scribbleplot | Processing scripts to create different plottable versions of images | https://github.com/b... | Go |
DullBits Drawbot | Generates scribbly g-code from images | http://dullbits.com/... | Go |
Line Clipping Algorithm | The Cohen-Sutherland Line Clipping Algorithm | https://sighack.com/... | Go |
Medial (and Scale) Axis Transform library | Medial (and Scale) Axis Transform library - SVG focused | https://mat-demo.app... | Go |
Article about Generative art and plotters | On fine art and generative line drawings | https://www.tandfonl... | Go |
Algorithm for tiling of polygons | A technique for tiling the plane with regular polygons | https://observablehq... | Go |
Skeleton Tracing | A new algorithm for retrieving topological skeleton as a set of polylines from binary images | https://github.com/L... | Go |
Components AI | Experimental computational design platform for exploring generative space | https://components.a... | Go |
SVG Cropper | Browser based tool to crop SVGs using a rectangle, circle, polygon or custom shape. | https://msurguy.gith... | Go |
Supplies Pens, inks, papers
Title | Description | URL | View |
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Exact Vellum Bristol, 11" x 17", 67 lb/145 gsm, White | Exact Vellum Bristol, 11" x 17", 67 lb/145 gsm, White, 94 Brightness, 250 Sheets (80213) | https://amzn.to/2UM4... | Go |
Plotter Control Software Software Solutions for controlling drawing robots
Title | Description | URL | View |
---|---|---|---|
AxiDrawJS | "A complete solution for controlling AxiDraw via local server and browser application Comes with generators for a map, terrain and Lorenz attractor" | https://github.com/u... | Go |
Axi | Unofficial driver software for AxiDraw | https://github.com/f... | Go |
saxi | saxi is a tool for interacting with the AxiDraw drawing machine by Evil Mad Scientist. It comes with an easy-to-use interface, and is exactingly precise. | https://github.com/n... | Go |
Processing Boilerplate with Gcode Export | I had written up this Processing boilerplate for generating Gcode for my cheap chinese plotter based on GRBL. | https://sighack.com/... | Go |
Makelangelo Software | Makelangelo software that provides a beautiful, intuitive interface to drive your polargraph drawing robot | https://github.com/M... | Go |
Processing Boilerplate | Processing Boilerplate with Gcode Export | https://sighack.com/... | Go |
fawkes | This package provides an R API to control the AxiDraw pen plotter | https://fawkes.data-... | Go |
new AxiDraw Figma Plugin | Easily control an AxiDraw drawing machine from Figma. Prepare your vector art and send it to the plotter in one click. | https://www.figma.co... | Go |
Data for design generation Collections and repositories of designs or data that can be used for making designs for plotting
Title | Description | URL | View |
---|---|---|---|
TheDoodleLibrary | Some line drawings as SVGs | https://www.thedoodl... | Go |
Geometric artworks | 3D prints that could be converted to SVGs | https://www.thingive... | Go |
Circuit Board designs | Circuit board designs can be drawn with plotters | https://github.com/g... | Go |
Icons for maps | Various open source map icons | https://github.com/t... | Go |
TheNounProject | Millions of vector icons | https://thenounproje... | Go |
Single Line Fonts | Fonts that are working well for plotters, drawing robots and laser engraving | http://www.imajeenyu... | Go |
Some free DXF designs | Lots and lots of ready to plot vector designs | https://www.scan2cad... | Go |
Dimensions.Guide | Dimensions.Guide is a comprehensive reference database of dimensioned drawings documenting the standard measurements and sizes of the everyday objects and spaces that make up our world. | https://www.dimensio... | Go |
ttf2hershey | This tool converts the common True Type Font (.ttf) files to Hershey font format | https://github.com/L... | Go |
Contour Map Creator | Create contour maps | https://contourmapcr... | Go |
Single line fonts | Fonts suitable for plotters or for laser cutters / engravers and CNC milling. Perfect for creating plottable text! | https://www.singleli... | Go |
Articles Magazines, Writings and articles about pen plotters
Title | Description | URL | View |
---|---|---|---|
24 Plotter Comparison of 1994 | Article Comparing specs and prices of 24 plotters | https://bit.ly/2XMeZ... | Go |
From Lettering Guides to CNC Plotter | A Brief History of Technical Lettering Tools | https://www.typotheq... | Go |
My AxiDraw – 5 lessons learned | An article for people thinking about buying an AxiDraw. 5 dos and don'ts taken from author's experience | https://www.jakub-an... | Go |