I have been looking through the posts and could not find the sam issue.
I have a S4XXL and when tool change is required, the cutter only lifts in the postition that was the last working position and stops. It is difficult to change the tool, as I have quite a high piece of material and there is no room for tool change underneath. I have no bit setter or anything. The z zeroing is not an issue. I would just like the machine to come forward ( off off the stock material ).
OK. Because it stops, lifts up, and says tool change and rpm change required … Then the only option is to get a bit setter . ( It could also move to a predefined position and i could change the tool ).
Your solution is to write a separate file for each tool path. The reason is without a BitSetter you have to change the tool on each tool path and set Z zero. So if you have 3 tool paths create all your tool paths. Then disable the 2nd and 3rd tool paths and save the file as _toolpath_1.c2d. Set your zeros and run that file. When it completes go back to CC and disable the first tool path and enable the 2nd tool path and save the file _toolpath_2.c2d. In the CM interface do a change tool and then set the Z zero. Run the file. X and Y were previously set on the 1st tool path. When that completes repeat for each subsequent tool path.
The BitSetter is a great asset for a Shapeoko. Plus you cannot do advanced vcarve without a BitSetter. The advanced vcarve was a great innovation from C3D. I would highly recommend buying a BitSetter. The BitSetter makes your life much easier.
Without the bitsetter it’s just a manual process. Output a file for each tool separately. (there can be multiple operations that use the same tool in the file).
Setup your stock & set your zero point using the first tool. Load the first file & run it. If/when it stops for a toolchange, just hit Continue or Start. After the first file, jog the machine forward to change the tool, load the 2nd file, and again if it asks for a toolchange just continue.