(transferring this from accidentally posting it in the gallery)
I just want a workflow to export an STL from Solidworks to Cut3D, and have it cut out a simple profile, without unnecessarily routing out huge sections as pockets.
Basically as a simplified example, imagine I have a square piece of plywood on the router, and I just want to cut out a big, round disc out of it. I just want the router to follow a circular shape, and cut out the single 1/8" kerf. I know you can do that in VCarve, but I'm hoping for a workflow outside of VCarve. When I do it in Cut3D, it won't just cut out the circle as a profile, it cuts out by routing all aaaall of the un-wanted plywood as a pocket, which is super inefficient.
So, I want to end up with a circle, and a square with a hole in the middle. I don't want a circle, and a huge pile of sawdust that used to be the rest of the wood. I know g-code can do a circle, but what if I wan to do more complicated shapes from my STL file?
Is that possible? I know there's the "cutout toolpath" function, but it hasn't done the trick for me so far, especially for non-rectangular designs.
(I have a classroom full of high schoolers savvy in Solidworks, so I'm trying to stay in the Solidworks>export workflow...not go from 3D back to 2D in VCarve)
Rookie: just want to cut out a profile
- Adrian
- Vectric Archimage
- Posts: 14684
- Joined: Thu Nov 23, 2006 2:19 pm
- Model of CNC Machine: ShopBot PRS Alpha 96x48
- Location: Surrey, UK
Re: Rookie: just want to cut out a profile
Basically you're using the wrong tool for the job. Cut3D machines 3D shapes not 2D profiles.
Export DXF or EPS files and import those into VCarve.
Export DXF or EPS files and import those into VCarve.