Trying to make a buffalo

[Tbiertzer (Tim Biertzer)]

buffalo.c2d (484 KB)

I having a difficult time with this cnc project of a buffalo. Don’t know if my tool path is bad. I’m trying to do a contour with a 102 bit. I’ve been practicing on 1/2" plywood, and it looks like garbage. Any suggestions?

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

This is a quite detailed design:

For intricate designs it is usually best to use V carving or Advanced V carving — since this design has large open areas, Advanced V carving would be better, but if done with the design as it is:

If you offset the perimeter to the outside:

(which will require ungrouping)

Offset to the outside:

Change the geometry for this toolpath to include this:

which gives us a more reasonable appearance:

It is then possible to cut things out with a suitable endmill:

Offset to the outside:

and then set up a toolpath to cut down to tab height:

and then add tabs to the perimeter geometry:

and then create an Outside Contour to finish:

Attached as a v7 file:

buffalo_v7.c2d (1.2 MB)

If you want a different appearance you may need a different geometry to start.