Cutting elements at different levels

[WillAdams (William Adams (Carbide 3D))]

as requested on support…

Given a file:

How does one (for example) cut the text “Always” at one level, and the other design elements at a second level?

This is pretty easily done by Ungrouping the text:

Selecting the text which crosses over:

and assuming one wants to do an Advanced V carving for both levels (for the best possible detailing) we draw things up in profile so that we know how much to offset things.

Assuming a 60 degree V endmill and cutting 1/8" deep for each layer:

We see that we need to offset by 0.0722" for each piece of geometry

So we select everything which we want on the upper level:

Offset to the outside:

Apply

Add the lower level to the selection:

and Boolean Union:

and group.

We then draw in geometry for the outside:

Select it and the upper geometry:

Set up an Advanced V carving toolpath:

which previews as:

We then go back to the Design tab and inset the surrounding geometry:

and cut it and the lower level geometry as an Advanced V carving which starts at the bottom of the previous pocket:

which previews as:

[WillAdams (William Adams (Carbide 3D))]

Alternately, if one wants the moon and cat at the highest level:

Draw in geometry which defines the outer area:

and select that and the moon and cut it to a reasonable depth:

Select the geometry which crosses the moon boundary:

and the moon:

and duplicate them in place, then use the Trim Vectors tool:

to delete what is not wanted (we are trying to isolate the geometry w/in both boundaries:

until one arrives at:

OK

OK

Then use the Join Vectors command to close things:

Yes

Cut as a pocket down to the previous pocket depth:

which previews as:

Then select the balance of the design to be cut at the lower level:

and cut as a pocket down to the desired depth:

Where geometry doesn’t cut adequately, and there is tool clearance, a smaller tool may be used (with REST machining if one has Pro):

which then previews as: