Help me out here. (sorry to be posting so many questions, I’m busy climbing the learning curve.
Here are two files made from identical artwork. In the second I’ve separated out multiple layers, with the intention of doing several rounds of vcarve inlay with different kinds of wood. In the first I combined all the layers into one so I could do a one step test to see whether everything fit without doing all of the tool changes the first would have required.
In the second case with the multiple tool path groups everything looks fine and the simulation produces the expected picture. In the first, many of the same shapes aren’t cut at all or are much smaller than expected. Can anyone see what I’m doing wrong in the first case?
Here are the CC files that generated these tool paths.
When you select multiple adjacent elements, the algorithm for the toolpath treats them as a single combined element and may be confused by adjacent/overlapping things.
The discrete selections to arrive at what is desired is the correct approach.
Thanks. That works just fine, albeit with lots of tool changes.
Now when I try to make the plug side using the same file (with multiple tool path groups), adding a bounding rectangle to one layer, the tool path for the bounding rectangle obliterates all of the plug pieces for the other tool path groups, independent of what order I cut them in. How do I preserve all of the required plug side elements? ie, how can I make the tool path that reduces the general background of the plug piece aware of all the tool path groups that it needs to leave behind?
I’m wanting to just do a test fit to make sure that everything is going to work prior to the multi-day process of inlaying one wood color at a time.
I used the same two tools on each, 1/8 end mill and 60 degree V. It had me change tools for each group, doing the end mill pocketing first and then the V. I’ve just ordered some 1/8" end mills with quarter inch shanks so I don’t have to swap collets each time as well.
