Plot with AxiDraw
A web page can’t drive the USB plotter, so this uses AxiDraw’s own command-line tool, axicli . Save the plotter SVG into the folder you will run it from.
1. Install (once)
Needs Python 3.8 to 3.12. On a Mac the command is python3, not python. If it ends with a warning that a folder “is not on PATH”, ignore it: the commands below don’t need it.
python3 -m pip install https://cdn.evilmadscientist.com/dl/ad/public/AxiDraw_API.zip
Copy install command
2. Your machine
Model
V2, V3 or SE/A4 V3/A3 or SE/A3 V3 XLX
MiniKit SE/A1 SE/A2 V3/B6
Run it as python3 -m axicli (Mac, Linux) python -m axicli (Windows) axicli (only if it is on your PATH)
Pen-down speed
Pen height, down
Leave the heights blank to use the software defaults (down 40, up 60).
3. Commands
Run these one at a time , in order: some steps need you to move the carriage by hand before the next one.
Layers are numbered 1, 2, 3 so axicli can plot one pen at a time: run a step, swap pens, run the next. To plot everything in one go with one pen, run the same command on the file with no --mode layers options. If you see “command not found: axicli”, choose the python3 -m axicli form above. Leave --hiding off: this file has no fills and the hidden lines are already removed. Using Inkscape instead? Open the SVG, then AxiDraw Control, Layers tab.
Docs: AxiCLI installation · AxiCLI options
Or connect directly
Direct control needs Chrome’s Web Serial, which this hosted preview blocks. Open the standalone copy of this page (machinami-plotter.html , shared in the chat) in Chrome, and this section will work.
Experimental. This drives the AxiDraw’s controller board directly, without AxiDraw’s own software, and its author could not test it on a real machine. Stay next to the plotter. Try it with the pen up first, then on scrap paper. Stop halts it immediately. The axicli commands above remain the dependable route.
Not connected.
1. Connect AxiDraw All ports… Disconnect
2. Check directions and scale
Switch the AxiDraw on, release the motors, and slide the pen to the middle of the paper. Each test moves 10 mm out and back: watch which way it goes first. Page X should run to the right, page Y toward you, 10 mm each.
Test X Test Y
Steps per mm
80 steps per mm is AxiDraw’s 2032 steps per inch. Change it only if a 10 mm test measures differently. Settings are remembered.
3. Pen
Uses the pen heights above (defaults 60 up, 40 down).
Pen up Pen down
4. Home
Release the motors, slide the carriage to the home corner (top-left of the page), then press Home is here .
Release motors Home is here
5. Plot
Trace frame (pen up)
Layer
Plot layer Pause Stop