🇬🇧 EN | 🇮🇹 IT
costycnc
what I do · and what you need (if you have my machine)
⎯ two worlds, no confusion

I do two different things. Most of what you see around (GitHub, blog, extensions) is didactic: for people who want to learn AVR assembly from zero.

Then there is the hot wire CNC machine I sell on Amazon. To make it work you need only 3 tools. The rest (didactic) you can ignore.

📖 1 · didactic for those who want to learn AVR assembly
⚡ AVR1 — lab for absolute beginners

No installation. Just USB. I teach how a microcontroller (ATmega328) works through the "drawers and switches" metaphor. LED on in 10 seconds.

👉 costycnc.it/avr1

🔧 Inkscape plugin (didactic version)

Examples and tutorials on how to write Python extensions for Inkscape. Not needed for the CNC machine (for that I use a specific version).

📦 GitHub · hello-world

📝 Blog · code fragments

Scattered notes on AVR, gcode, extensions. Didactic stuff, not updated, but there for those who want to dig.

📖 costycnc1.blogspot.com

🛠️ 2 · production for those who have my hot wire CNC (or want to understand it)

If you bought my machine on Amazon, these are the only 3 tools you need. The rest (didactic) ignore it.

📐 Inkscape plugin · costycnc (CNC version)

Converts vector image to GCode for hot wire cutting. Install in Inkscape extensions folder.

⬇️ Download from GitHub

💻 costycnc.it/cm8 · GCode generator + USB sender

Does two things together: converts image to GCode AND sends it directly to the machine via USB. No UGS. No file saving. Connect USB, load image or paste GCode, press "Send".

🚀 costycnc.it/cm8

⚙️ Firmware for MKS-DLC32 (ESP32)

Derived from cm8. The board I use in my machines. If you have my CNC, it's already preinstalled. If you want to modify or understand it, it's on GitHub.

🔧 Firmware on GitHub

📸 the shortcut almost nobody knows

You can go from any image on your screen to a cut path in 3 seconds. No exporting. No saving files. No Inkscape.

  1. Press PrtSc (full screen) or Win+Shift+S (selection) on Windows / Cmd+Shift+4 on Mac
  2. Go to costycnc.it/cm8
  3. Paste directly (Ctrl+V / Cmd+V) — the screenshot appears instantly
  4. Click "Generate GCode" → the image becomes a cutting path
  5. Click "Send to machine" → your CNC cuts

⚡ That's it. From any image on your screen (a drawing, a photo, a scanned signature, a PDF screenshot) to cut foam. No file management. No intermediate steps.

💡 Try it now: take a screenshot of any black-and-white drawing, paste it into costycnc.it/cm8, and see the path appear. The machine cuts exactly what you captured.

⎯ questions you might have
❓ "Why do I see didactic stuff (AVR1) if I bought the machine?"

Because I'm the same person. I do both things. The didactic part is for those who want to learn assembly from scratch. It is not needed for your machine. Follow only the "production" section.

❓ "Do I need to use UGS or save files?"

No. costycnc.it/cm8 is also a GCode sender. Connect USB, load image or paste GCode, press "Send". Done. UGS is not needed.

❓ "Is the Inkscape plugin mandatory?"

No. You can draw anywhere, export as PNG or SVG, and upload directly to costycnc.it/cm8. The plugin is only if you want to generate GCode without leaving Inkscape.

❓ "Are all those GitHub repositories necessary?"

No. Most are didactic or experimental. The only ones needed for the machine are the Inkscape plugin (CNC version) and the MKS-DLC32 firmware. The rest is there for those who are curious or want to learn.

🔁 Summary — if you have my CNC, you only need:

📖 If you want to learn AVR assembly from zero: go to costycnc.it/avr1

🛒 If you want to see the CNC: Amazon Italy · Amazon France (manufacturer: Boboaca Costel)

costycnc · Boboaca Costel · GitHub · Privacy