Hi Vickie,
Cutout automatically applies an extra, adjacent contour cut to avoid slotting (where the cut is the width of the bit/end mill) putting less load on the cutting tool. This is important because it reduces the chances of the cutter being pulled out of the collet, loss of steps, and burn.
Yes - you could just use Contour toolpaths to cutout your workpiece, but you might run into the issues mentioned above. You may have to have a more conservative feed rate with Contour toolpaths (you should be able to feed faster with Cutout), but set at the same feed rates, Cutout would take more time.
Cutout and Contour toolpaths set with the same endmill and feeds/speeds.
Cutout Toolpath
Contour Toolpath
Breakthrough is different than Max Depth. Where Breakthrough, found in Cutout, is “how much would you like to cut past your workpiece”. The point of reference is at the theoretical bottom; a positive value entered translates to how much you cut past the bottom.
Entering a positive value in the Breakthrough field.
The cut past the bottom of stock.
Max Depth, found in Contour, is “how much do you want to cut into your workpiece”. The point of reference is at the theoretical top of your work piece; a positive value is how deep you cut into your stock. *You can get the same result as Breakthrough if you add the value of your stock thickness and the value of which you want to cut past the bottom. Example: Stock is 1" and desired cut through is 0.010", so Max Depth would be set to 1.010".
Setting up a Contour Max Depth with a 1" stock thickness.
Contour cutting with a Max Depth of stock thickness plus 0.010".
Which version of CC are you using? Would you be able to share the file or screen shots of the Job Setup and Cutout Toolpath windows?
Changes for beta builds:
Carbide Create Beta Downloads | Carbide 3D
Thread to reference:
New Cutout toolpath in CC v8 Beta Build 853 - Software / Carbide Create - Carbide 3D Community Site