Toolpath simulation, and real world result differs from 3D Model

[zaphs (Keith)]

I’ve created a 3d model inside Carbide Create, the “Show 3D” option as shown in the screen shot looks great.

However after creating tool paths, both rough and finish, I have these ugly steps at the top of my gradient in the show simulation section.

Here’s a closeup of the cliff and ledge at the top of each toe.

I had hoped this was just a weird rendering quirk but when I cut out a test, the same ugliness showed up in the actual carve.

Dog Paw Print 2D and 3D v1.c2d (3.4 MB)
I’ve attached my carbide file with the hopes that someone will point out my glaring error somewhere… I’m using build 815

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

You are selecting limiting geometry:

Instead, select the outer geometry:

and change the vectors associated with the toolpaths to that geometry:

The reason for the ledge is that the top of the model does not match up with the Stock Thickness:

[zaphs (Keith)]

Thank you, that worked, but I’m not sure I understand why. I get that the model was set to be slightly thinner than the stock, and setting it to the correct height brought the overall object to the surface. But I don’t understand why selecting the outside of the 3D shape vs the individual sections changed the way it cut. Is there any documentation on how that sort of thing works that I can refer to?

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

If the model is thinner than the stock thickness, then there is material above the model which needs to be removed — the 3D toolpaths only interact with the 3D model.

We have:

https://carbide3d.com/hub/courses/create-pro/

and I wrote up:

3D Modeling from 2D Geometry | Design into 3D

If the stock was the same thickness:

then the cut is as expected:

since there is no uncut material above the model to be removed.