: Display live axis coordinates, feed rates, or spindle speeds.
The Mach3 Screenset Editor (Screen4.exe or the newer MachScreen) is a WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) design tool included with your Mach3 installation. It allows you to modify .set and .lset files—the blueprint files that tell Mach3 where to draw buttons, DROs, LEDs, and labels on your monitor.
Several screen editors exist for Mach3, each with its own strengths and limitations:
Development stopped years ago; requires running in compatibility mode on Windows 10 and 11. mach3 screenset editor
Select your newly edited .set file to test your custom layout. Best Practices for Interface Design
Customizing your screen involves editing the visual elements and their underlying functions. Here is a practical workflow:
The Ultimate Guide to Mach3 Screenset Editors: How to Customize Your CNC Interface : Display live axis coordinates, feed rates, or
If you encounter a glitch where MachScreen only shows the properties window, hold down the at startup. This will reset all settings to default and resolve the issue.
The Mach3 Screenset Editor is more than a cosmetic tool; it is a workflow enhancer. By allowing the operator to dictate how they interact with their machine, it transforms a generic software package into a bespoke control system. For any CNC enthusiast looking to move beyond the "out-of-the-box" experience, mastering the screenset editor is the definitive next step. Are you looking to an existing layout, or are you trying to build a functional control for a specific tool like a probe or tool changer?
Make an LED light up when spindle is on: Several screen editors exist for Mach3, each with
Trigger standard Mach3 OEM codes (like Cycle Start or Feed Hold) or execute custom VB scripts (macros).
Open Screen4 and load your working copy of 1024.set .
: The exact pixel coordinates of the element.
Buttons can be configured in two ways. For standard Mach3 functions, assign the appropriate OEM button code directly in the screen editor. For custom operations — such as auto tool zeroing or probing routines — set the button to "VBScript function edited in Mach" in its properties. Once saved and loaded in Mach3, you can right-click the button and select "Edit Button Script" from the Operator menu to write or paste your VB script.
| Control | Function | Key Properties | |---------|----------|----------------| | | Triggers action | Caption, OEM Code (e.g., 1000 for Cycle Start), LED association | | DRO (Digital Readout) | Displays numeric values (position, feedrate, etc.) | Var # (e.g., 2000 for X DRO), Decimal places, Units | | LED | Indicates status (on/off) | Var # (OEM LED code), On/Off bitmaps | | Label | Static text | Text, Font, Color | | User LED | Programmable indicator | Bound to a specific OEM LED code | | Bitmap Button | Button with image | Bitmap files for up/down/disabled states |