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TB 294 Rev 5 – Configuring Notepad++
Overview Notepad++ is Centroid’s recommended text editor for viewing and editing
various CNC file types including cnc src plc mac txt et al This document covers
how to setup Notepad++ for viewing and editing these CNC files by using the PC Tuner
App and introduces the powerful NCneticNpp plugin “which integrates simulation and
visualization tools directly into Notepad++ ”
After downloading Notepad++ there are two methods for setting up Notepad++
1 Use the PC Tuner App to automatically configure the files
2 Configure the files manually
After either method there are additional configurations and optional configurations that
must be completed manually
Supporting Documents
TB309 Centroid CNC12 Windows 10/11 Configuration
https //www centroidcnc com/dealersupport/tech_bulletins/uploads/309 pdf
NCneticNpp G Code Plugin
https //ncnetic com/notepad gcode plugin
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TB 294 Rev 5 – Configuring Notepad++
Initial Notepad++ Setup
1 Download the latest version here https //notepad plus plus org/downloads/
Note Either the 64 or 32 bit version of Notepad++ may be used
Note The following steps may not apply to older versions of Notepad++
2 Install Notepad++ with default settings “Create desktop shortcut” may be selected if desired
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TB 294 Rev 5 – Configuring Notepad++
3 Follow the steps on the next page to run the PC Tuner App to configure files for Notepad++ or
configure the files manually
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TB 294 Rev 5 – Configuring Notepad++
CNC PC Tuner App for Configuring Notepad++
Centroid’s CNC PC Tuner App is designed to make setting up CNC12 and it’s associated applications
as easy as possible including Notepad++ The CNC PC Tuner App can be downloaded for free here
https //www centroidcnc com/centroid_diy/centroid_cnc_software_downloads html
More information about the PC Tuner App is detailed in TB309
If you haven’t run the PC Tuner yet or you wish to run all setup and PC checks again “Click to Run
All Windows Setups and PC Checks” will configure all Windows settings automatically including the
configuration for Notepad++ files
If you wish to only configure the files for Notepad++ click on the Notepad++ option on the left
“Configure Notepad++ for G&M code Editing and associate common G code program file extensions
with Notepad++ ” This will only run through the configuration steps pertaining to The NCnetic plugin
and Notepad++ file associations
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TB 294 Rev 5 – Configuring Notepad++
The PC Tuner first checks that Notepad++ is installed If it is not installed complete Steps 1 and 2
above The PC Tuner also provides a link to download Notepad++
Second the PC Tuner installs the NCneticNpp plugin for Notepad++ a helpful tool that “integrates
simulation and visualization tools directly into Notepad++ ” Using NCnetic your G code can be
previewed navigated through and simulated in a 3D environment without leaving Notepad++ Learn
more about NCnetic’s capabilities from their website https //ncnetic com/notepad gcode plugin
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TB 294 Rev 5 – Configuring Notepad++
Configuring Notepad++ Files Manually
If you wish to perform all of the configurations handled by the PC Tuner manually follow these steps
1 Install the NCnetic Gcode Plugin Optional
The NCnetic plugin is not necessary for using Notepad++ for CNC duties but the tools it provides are
helpful and free If you wish to forego installing the plugin now you can always install it at a later time
a Download the NCnetic Gcode Plugin here https //ncnetic com/notepad gcode plugin
b Extract the zip file to your desktop
c Inside the NCneticNpp folder on the desktop select the correct folder for the version of
Notepad++ you are using 32 or 64 bit Inside that folder copy the NCneticNpp subfolder and
paste it into the plugin folder
d Locate the plugin folder for Notepad++
i For 32 bit Notepad++ C \Program Files x86 \Notepad++\plugins
ii For 64 bit Notepad++ C \Program Files\Notepad++\plugins
e Paste the NCneticNpp folder into the plugin folder
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TB 294 Rev 5 – Configuring Notepad++
2 Associate the CNC related file extensions in Notepad++
a Open Notepad++ and select Settings → Preferences
b In the File Association tab on the left select “customize ”
c In the text box type the file extensions you wish to associate with Notepad++
i The extensions must be entered one at a time pressing the → button after each one to submit it
ii Recommended file extensions to associate cnc cam nc plc src icn mac dig
tap cdg
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TB 294 Rev 5 – Configuring Notepad++
Additional Notepad++ Configurations
1 Click on the following link to download the zip file containing Centroid PLC and CNC configuration
files notepad++files zip
2 Extract the downloaded folder to a location of your choice; it is recommended to use a new folder
on your desktop for easy access
3 For Acorn/AcornSix/Hickory systems or if you do not plan on compiling the PLC with Notepad++
then skip to Step 12
For MPU11 AllinOneDC OAK systems put the compile mill txt file into the C \cncm directory if using
a mill router or plasma machine or place the compile lathe txt file into the C \cncm directory if using
a lathe Rename this file compile cmd; it is required for Notepad++ to properly compile your PLC
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TB 294 Rev 5 – Configuring Notepad++
4 Open Notepad++ as Administrator
5 Add the NppExec plugin by selecting Plugins → Plugin Admin Check the box next to “NppExec ”
then click “Install”
6 Add the command to compile the PLC program to NppExec by selecting Plugins → NppExec →
Execute NppExec Script or press F6 and paste the following line into the Execute window
“$ CURRENT_DIRECTORY \compile cmd” “$ FILE_NAME ”
Note Be sure to include the quotation marks
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TB 294 Rev 5 – Configuring Notepad++
7 Click “OK” not “Save”
8 Configure syntax highlighting for error messages by selecting Plugins → NppExec → Console
Output Filters then selecting the Highlights tab Check the first box and type on the first line
Error Line %LINE% *
followed by selecting the color to red by clicking the box to the right Then check the box labeled “B”
to the right so that the message will be bold
9 Check the second box and type on the second line
Warning * on line %LINE%
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TB 294 Rev 5 – Configuring Notepad++
followed by selecting the color to yellow by clicking the box to the right Then check the box labeled
“B” to the right so that the message will be bold
10 After both rows are filled out press “OK” to complete the output Filters
11 To compile the PLC program load a source file from your c \cncm or c \cnct directory into
Notepad++ and press the F6 key to open the “Execute NppExec Script” window Ensure that the line
from Step 6 is in the “Command s ” box and press “OK”
Note The compile F6 script in Notepad++ will only function properly when editing files in the c \cncm
or c \cnct directories The compiling of the source file outside of those directories requires manually
compiling the src file as described in the Centroid CNC12 PLC Programming Manual
12 To install the Centroid PLC and CNC Configuration files select Language → User Defined
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TB 294 Rev 5 – Configuring Notepad++
Language → Define your Language Then click “Import” and import both the cnc xml and plc xml file
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TB 294 Rev 5 – Configuring Notepad++
Optional Notepad++ Configuration
13 Setup Auto Completion that may help you while editing logic within the PLC Select Settings →
Preferences → Auto Completion Check “Enable auto completion on each input” and select “Word
completion ” Then change “From 1” to “From 3” using the slider
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TB 294 Rev 5 – Configuring Notepad++
Document History
Rev5 updated with minor formatting adjustments on 2024 03 19 by 490
Rev4 updated with PC tuner and Ncnetic plugin on 2023 12 07 by 490
Rev3 updated with current Notepad V8 3 3+ on 2022 04 20 by 432
Rev2 updated hyper links on 2020 01 10 by 423
Created on 2015 05 28 by 277
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