gSender 1.6.0 Edge-4 is now out, bringing a solid round of improvements, fixes, and general polish.

We’re officially in the part of the Edge cycle where the focus shifts away from big new features and toward testing, optimization, and cleanup. A lot of this release is about making things faster, smoother, and more reliable based on feedback from everyone testing Edge so far.

If you’ve been waiting to try Edge, this is a really good time to jump in. As always, reports from early testers are extremely valuable.

---

Visualizer parsing improvements

This release includes a major rewrite of the file parsing and visualization worker used when loading G-code files.

Performance gains:

• ~55% faster visualization time for most files
• ~75% faster visualization for rotary files
• ~35% less memory usage for typical files
• ~86% less memory usage for rotary files

What this means in practice:

• Bigger files load faster
• Less RAM usage while previewing
• Much better handling of large jobs

For reference, we successfully loaded an 85 MB / 5.5 million line file, which wasn’t possible in previous versions.

If you want the full breakdown of what changed:

https://brash-elf-7d6.notion.site/gSender-Edge-4-Visualizer-Parsing-Improvements-30979195bff08056abcaf978c3db5cee

---

Connection and Alarm handling flow improvements

• Connection process is generally smoother and more reliable
• Better handling of reconnect scenarios
• No resets in the connection workflow
• Should reduce Alarm 14 and error 1s on connection and clearing alarms
• We no longer assume ethernet is always grblHAL, so fluidNC/non-vanilla grbl users connecting over ethernet should properly fallback to grbl if configured as such

Responsiveness

• Better support for smaller screens
• Wide-but-short resolutions (like ~13xx × 7xx) should no longer cut off UI elements
• Fixed some Remote Mode responsiveness regressions
• Cleaner spacing in the top bar on smaller displays

Packaging

• Fixed slow startup on AppImage builds caused by ASAR compression
• Continued build pipeline cleanup
• Smaller installs overall
  • Example: Mac .app size reduced from ~550 MB → <400 MB

ATC – status updates and other

• Probed, unprobed, and off-rack/manual states are now separate statuses
• You can always see both offset status and manual/off-rack state when applicable
• Tool Timeline received a visual refresh for better clarity and information layout
• Tool nicknames are now included anywhere a tool number is shown in the UI
• Config and Templates moves into Accessory Installation Wizard
• Extremely professional placeholder images added to ATC Installation wizard while we wait for marketing

New machine profiles & grblHAL Core support

• Updated AltMill 4×8 machine profile
• Added support for new/remapped firmware values and keys for grblHAL Core
• Config automatically adapts based on firmware version
• Affects EEPROM-related areas including:
  • Restore Defaults
  • Config Tool

Outline improvements

• Outline process improved – should be faster, should work better for all types of files. Travel direction is always consistent.
• Added new option – Rapidless Square – which computes a bounding box of only the cutting movements (G1/G2/G3) and ignores G0.
• Can now configure outline to use custom feed rates and G1 rather than G0 (Thanks, kieraneglin)
• Inner islands no longer considered when generating hulls for details outline – so file outline should be more consistent overall

Config updates

• Various logic changes to config area to improve performance
• You should notice the population of entries and search to be more performative
• No delay when connecting on the config page

Various improvements & fixes

• Selecting the current jog preset now resets values back to configured defaults
• Config imports are validated before being applied
• Diagnostic PDF now clearly shows when disconnected data isn’t available
• Improved Run Check on Load workflow:
  • Prompts before enabling check mode and running the file
  • Probe corner can now be changed directly in the Run Probe dialog
• Warning shown when using a non-default corner (no more probing the wrong spot)
• Improved grblHAL flashing UX
• Spindle selection now updates correctly when configurations change
• Fixed connection widget interaction issues when dropdown menus are open
• Alarm descriptions now pulled directly from grblHAL firmware
• Various Dark Mode polish improvements
• Fixed diameter parsing for DeskProto rotary files (for real this time). This must be toggled on inside the config section under “Rotary Diameter offset”
• grbl Rotary – can now pass A through natively rather than always hijack Y when rotary mode switched off. This is mostly for compatibility with fluidNC/non-standard grbl variations that natively support A axis commands.
• Camera cube added to visualizer in surfacing and rotary surfacing tools
• No longer show the special animation for spindle/coolant when disconnected and spindle/coolant state is indeterminate

---

Download

gSender Edge is beta software, so expect the occasional rough edge. You can safely install gSender and gSender Edge side-by-side.

Huge thanks to everyone testing Edge and sending feedback — it directly helps shape the final 1.6.0 release.

You can find our Edge releases on GitHub:

https://github.com/Sienci-Labs/gsender/releases/tag/v1.6.0-Edge-4

gSender 1.6.0-Edge-3

gSender 1.6.0-Edge-3 is rolling out with a solid set of improvements and long requested fixes.

We are approaching the feature freeze for 1.6.0, so most remaining work before the March release will focus on stability, polish, and small behaviour adjustments. It’s likely we have one more Edge release that’ll prioritize various bugs and remaining improvements. If you have been waiting to try Edge, this is a good moment to jump in. As always, reports from early testers are extremely valuable.

This update includes several notable enhancements, including major gains in load time and improvements to remote mode.

Faster load and install times

Significant changes to the packing system and build process have produced much faster startup across all tested devices.

A load time of roughly 25 seconds or longer has been reduced to about 4. Similar improvements appear on every device, including gControl.

This has been one of the most common complaints about gSender, so we are pleased with the progress and expect further gains.

Check out the load time comparisons below:

1.5.7 on PC (~25 seconds)

Edge on PC (~5 seconds)

Edge on gControl (~7 seconds)

Installation is also noticeably faster.

Silicon Mac builds, Mac Signing, and new Electron version

We’ve updated the Electron version for packaging to the latest release, which means dropping support for earlier macOS versions. The minimum OS requirements are now as follows:

• macOS: Monterey (v12, released 2021) and up
• Windows: Windows 10
• Linux:
  • Ubuntu 18.04 and newer
  • Fedora 32 and newer
  • Debian 10 and newer
• We are building and providing both an Intel (universal) build and now a Silicon (ARM64) version of gSender for macOS. Silicon users should notice a performance improvement.
• We are now also signing our macOS builds, so hooray! Coming soon to an app store near you!

Better portrait mode

We continue refining layout behaviour to make better use of space across different display configurations.

• Larger, clearer buttons in portrait mode and elsewhere
• Improved spacing and alignment
• More adjustments planned throughout the Edge cycle
  

ATC installation tool / Accessory Installation Tool

A new guided installation tool walks users through setting up supported CNC accessories.

• First supported workflow is ATC setup
• Future plans include spindle, laser, and first time CNC setup guides

ATC configuration

The ATC configuration tool has been streamlined.

• Combined and reorganized options
• Improved flow and clarity
• Updated interface for a smoother configuration experience

ATC Visualization and Tool Table

• Updated colours to a designated set of 12 for better toolpath distinction. It’s now funky fresh
• Tool table tool nicknames are now selectable from a database of common bits, which includes search and still the ability to type in a custom note for a specific T command.

SD and FTP support

• FTP support added, allowing uploads over Ethernet instead of USB only
• Simplified workflow with a single refresh/list button
• Automatic SD mount attempts when the tool opens
• Dark mode and portrait mode updates
• Progress bar improvements
• Safety checks to disable the tool when connected to grbl or grblHAL devices without Ymodem or FTP support

EEPROM and configuration improvements

• Added support for new settings in the upcoming grblCore release
• EEPROM tool now handles all reported EEPROM settings, not only those surfaced in Config

Rotary time estimation

Time estimation for rotary jobs is now more accurate. Travel distance calculations now correctly account for A axis rotation, bringing estimates closer to real world results. Accuracy is approaching within 10 percent, with more refinement planned.

Visualization for rotary files has also improved. DeskProto typically sets Z to the surface and stores workpiece diameter in comments. gSender now uses that information to produce correct visualizations. Most gcode viewers cannot do this without explicit diameter data, so this is a meaningful improvement.

Remote mode

• Updated look and feel
• Settings now sync between desktop and remote clients, ensuring consistent preferences such as jog speeds, probe type, and units

Gamepad Updates

• Fixes to certain shortcuts on gamepad firing twice, specifically the park button and probe popup
• Added a new feature to disable dynamic speed and use a fixed value for thumbstick jogging
• All these changes were done by a community member. Thank you for your contribution Kesmit13!

Various fixes and improvements

• ATC functionality updates
• Fixed issues where tool offset was being incorrectly zeroed out on board reset
• $SpindleESH now sent correctly on spindle select for core firmware
• Gamepad jogging improvements, including fixed speed jogging
• TLO probe offsets captured mid toolpath to keep UI elements current
• Error and Alarm descriptions populated by grblHAL firmware
• Helper accessible across all gSender tools, not only the carve page
• Optional prompt on program close to prevent accidental exits
• AltMill 4X8 machine profile added
• Now using grblHAL error and alarm descriptions throughout the application
• AltMill ZxY plus Spindle configurations removed
• Added probe profile for BitZero 2 probe block (thanks Krudoy)

Download

gSender Edge is beta software, so expect occasional instability. You can install both gSender and gSender Edge side by side.

Thank you to everyone testing Edge and sending feedback. Your reports help shape the final 1.6.0 release.

You can find our Edge releases on GitHub:

https://github.com/Sienci-Labs/gsender/releases/tag/v1.6.0-Edge-3

We’re excited to announce the release of gSender v1.5.7, a version focused on refining performance, fixing long-standing quirks, and adding new functionality to make your CNC workflow smoother than ever.

Check below for a full list of changes. Updates are available via Github or follow the update prompts in-app on gSender startup.

v1.5.7 Changelog

• Fixed issue with start job shortcut not firing in some situations.
• Park shortcut now persists between sessions.
• Unlock button now has same logic as large Alarm unlock button for Alarm 10 and 17 where it will reset and unlock for you.
• Corner selection hidden for Z-only probe type.
• Squaring tool calculations for custom distances are now correct.
• Added support for Teensy boards in recognized devices.
• Error line reporting mismatch fixed.
• Stopping on start event codes should now correctly clear the planner and reset the board.
• Added cut depth validation to Surfacing tool.
• Auto-reconnect should work for Ethernet again.
• Added import/export functionality for gamepad profiles.
• Homing location now shows correctly on stats page.
• Fixed issue with terminal history order.
• Added new config option to run check on a file when it’s loaded in.
• Fixed issue with rapid position shortcuts not memoizing positions.
• GRBL spindle max/min again correctly updates the eeprom on change.
• Config search behaviour updates to be more consistent with modified flag enabled.
• Probe shortcut no longer causes an error 2 due to stale distance modal.
• Rapid position shortcut no longer has a stale homing location value.

Download

gSender v1.5.7 can be downloaded from Github:

https://github.com/Sienci-Labs/gsender/releases/tag/v1.5.7