Is there a way to tell Carbide create (free version) to contour the entire work area except what was selected? I was able to create a path around the outside and inside, but I could not find a way to contour the entire material. I did find a workaround by creating a bunch of offset vectors but that took a bit of effort time.
Hopefully this image demonstrates what I’m trying to do. I want all the material removed except the ridge. Also, it would be helpful to know if this is a feature in the paid version. Thanks in advance for your help.
It sounds like you just want to use the Pocket toolpath (available in CC free). If you select two vectors, one inside the other, then the pocket will remove everything in between the two vectors.
So create two vectors, one to be the outside edge of the material to be removed, one the inner, select both and then use the Pocket toolpath.
Post your file here if you’d like more assistance, it really is easier to work with the file.
I created a new toolpath group, with the pocket operation. The entire job can be done with a single Pocket toolpath. Dice Box Lid.c2d (72 KB)
I added 1 extra rectangle, to be the outside limit of the pocket. It’s slightly bigger than the stock so that no material is left behind in the corners.
It’s a new topic I suppose but could I ask for help with one more mhotchin? Now if I want to go around the outside edge with a vbit to add a chamfer, how do I do that? I’m selecting the vector on the edge and it just keeps telling me empty tool path. Could you explain what I may be doing wrong?
I should add, I’m using the vcarve function. Should I just use pocket?
Please disregard and thanks again for your help. I used the vector outside of the box and I’ve done what I want to accomplish with the vcarce function.
That works! Typically a chamfer is done with a contour toolpath with no offset.
I offset the vector a little bit, say 0.1, then follow that vector at a depth of 0.1 + my chamfer depth.
That way I’m not cutting with the tip of the tool.
You can build vectors to drive the tool anywhere you want. I build my own surfacing paths as I don’t like the pocket path with the stepovers and only going inside-out.
Typically a chamfer is done with a contour toolpath with no offset.