# Manual operation

**URL:** <https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/manual-operation/14575>\
**Category:** Uncategorized\
**Created:** [August 7, 2022, 10:15pm UTC](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/manual-operation/14575 "2022-08-07T22:15:43Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 7

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**Author:** ![349iq2345](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/3/bb73d2/32.png) [@349iq2345](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/u/349iq2345)\
**Post date:** [May 3, 2024, 12:14pm UTC](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/manual-operation/14575/7 "2024-05-03T12:14:07Z")

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Hey Brian,

> [@Brian.Lamore](#):
>
> I will be teaching a HS class that involves a CNC running students’ gcode scripts, which they will probably write as a text file in word processing app, like Google Docs. So rather than one manual gcode command at a time, can the OF import a text file and run a sequence of gcode commands?

the Onefinity CNC machines are stand-alone machines, which means, all you need is a USB stick with your g-code file on it. You stick it into the machine, open the file, and let the machine execute the g-code toolpath.

Unfortunately since the underlying operating system on the Onefinity is outdated and does not have [exFAT](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File_Allocation_Table#exFAT) filesystem support installed, which is usually the formatting of new USB sticks greater 32 GB nowadays, usually you need to reformat your USB stick with [NTFS](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NTFS) or [FAT32](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File_Allocation_Table#FAT32) or use a smaller one that comes with FAT32 formatted. USB sticks formatted with [ext2/ext3/ext4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ext4) are also supported.

exFat would be supported natively with Linux kernel 5.4 but I have no idea if or when Onefinity will switch to a newer version of the underlying OS.

Although there exist g-code editors, you only need a plain text editor to write g-code. After saving the file, you rename the file extension from .txt to .ngc, and the machine will recognize and accept the file.

In ancient times all g-code was written by hand. Nowadays you usually use CAD/CAM program to export a toolpath as g-code file.

- [How to choose your Vector graphics / CAD / CAM Software](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/advice-from-experienced-or-learning-software-users/20313/7)
- [Choosing Vector graphics, CAD, and CAM software](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/clock-dials-numbers-in-carveco-maker/19754/17#choosing-vector-graphics-cad-and-cam-software-1)

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