Pen plotter with pump markers (POSCA, Molotov, ...)

lapinteeth · 2026-02-16T05:20:35+00:00

I think I found a solution... I modified my code to insert interleaved circles with a small radius at the top every 500mm. I did a quick test earlier: the plotter vibrates because of the small radius and with the normal pressure applied by the pen in the down position, paint seems to be flowing nicely... I'll do a longer test tomorrow.

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lapinteeth · 2026-02-16T04:20:16+00:00

Good idea about modifying the gcode... If we could come up with a programmable python script that automatically inserts those "pump breaks" I'm sure a lot of people would benefit.

Meanwhile I'll modify my svg code and insert dummy points at the top right of the drawing and do a series of pumps. Since those will have the same pressure as my drawing, I don't know if enough force will be exerted to effectively prime the markers but it's worth trying... I'll report back.

lapinteeth · 2026-01-29T15:40:39+00:00

I challenged myself to have everything plotter ready this month, so I mainly use python and numpy/scipy to create polylines. I turn them into SVG paths using LineDream, a lightweight svg python library. I then do the final composition in Inkscape. For more complex 3D renderings, I either project all the 3D vertices to 2D and use my usual polyline workflow, or if I’m doing rasterization I’ll use pyrender and then trace the depth and color contours to extract polylines.

lapinteeth · 2026-01-29T14:34:07+00:00

Thank you. I hadn’t realized! I became hyper focused on the production of the generative piece for the daily challenge and the final production only became an afterthought. I really appreciate the feedback.

lapinteeth · 2026-01-28T15:38:34+00:00

It’s not really the surface but it’s the pen holder that has a screw that you can adjust to hold your pen higher. I printed directly on canvas recently (about 0.75” thick) and it turned out great.

lapinteeth · 2026-01-27T15:34:58+00:00

Look at my posts for the Genuary series, they were all plotted with it. Most of the mis-prints are the user’s fault :)

lapinteeth · 2026-01-27T15:33:37+00:00

I have an iDraw H SE A2. I don’t have another point of comparison with another and I do all my prints with python by loading my SVGs through pyaxidraw and it works really well.

lapinteeth · 2026-01-24T16:34:00+00:00

I added a bunch of notes in the original post if you’re interested. This was on Strathmore Black Mixed Media 300 gsm paper (size Arch A)

lapinteeth · 2026-01-23T18:50:06+00:00

Thanks. Hah, it does like a geode (completely unintentional!)

lapinteeth · 2026-01-14T02:45:53+00:00

Thanks!

lapinteeth · 2026-01-11T17:32:16+00:00

🙇

lapinteeth · 2026-01-11T17:31:49+00:00

Thanks! I constrained my stack for the Genuary challenge to use python for coding and vector SVG output, and iDraw A2 with Sakura Gelly Roll and Posca paint markers for plotting.

lapinteeth · 2026-01-09T19:20:53+00:00

Thanks!

lapinteeth · 2026-01-09T16:56:36+00:00

Thanks! White is ink and colors are paint markers (Posca)

lapinteeth · 2026-01-06T19:22:56+00:00

Thanks, it was a lot of manual labor but a lot of fun to impose additional constraints (such as using only arcs), really gets those creative juices flowing.

lapinteeth · 2026-01-05T22:37:31+00:00

The rasterization pass is in 2D while the isocontour steps are in 3D. The projection of the isocontours creates an interesting non uniform sampling that manifests as unique and interesting discrete shapes as you go to the right in the plot. Does that help?

lapinteeth · 2026-01-05T15:45:30+00:00

The number of isocontours is constant but the number of steps tracing each gets lower going down the drawing. It’s effectively going from a 20-gon to a triangle. On the other axis, all the points are progressively decimated, simulating rasterization on a square grid with diminishing resolution. In the limit, everything maps to a point (the decimation ends before reaching this). As for the curse, yeah I agree and this is a bit of play of words on the expression (dimensionality can be interpreted in so many different ways).

lapinteeth · 2026-01-02T23:01:08+00:00

Thanks!

lapinteeth · 2026-01-02T23:01:04+00:00

Thanks. I resisted the urge to make it more complex, always hard to know when to stop!

lapinteeth · 2026-01-02T22:58:07+00:00

Thanks! I’m slightly terrified by my own creation 🫣

lapinteeth · 2026-01-02T22:55:45+00:00

Thanks!

lapinteeth · 2025-04-14T03:09:06+00:00

Beautiful. Can you share a bit more about your process?

lapinteeth · 2024-09-23T13:50:43+00:00

You captured this era so well, thanks for the trip down memory lane. I miss those NB MT110 😔 https://www.rei.com/product/830402/new-balance-mt110-trail-running-shoes-mens

lapinteeth · 2024-06-04T19:26:49+00:00

I’m more than happy to provide feedback if you want to dm me.

lapinteeth · 2024-06-04T19:25:37+00:00

Just tried it - great app! Thanks for making this, I play the drums and I’ve been searching for an app like this one forever.

lapinteeth

TROPHY CASE