Cannot create Form tool ?

[hooby]

I am trying to create a new form tool - it is a 1/2" round nose bit. I have created and selected the vector for its profile, added a new tool in the tool database and selected its type as Form Tool. This is exactly what the instructions in the help file say.

However, it refuses to believe I have the profile vector selected - so will not create it. What am I doing wrong? (using Vcarve Desktop 10.018)

I have attached the profile - if anyone wants to see if they can use it successfully.

Thanks

[mtylerfl]

Hi,

Just set up a 1/2” Ballnose. No need to use the custom profile for that.

(BTW, your profile drawing is "defective"...the arc at the bottom of your profile is duplicated on top of itself)

[hooby]

Ok thanks for that simple suggestion!

But I an still curious why I cannot create a custom form tool as per instructions. Either I am doing something wrong, or the instructions are incorrect or there’s a bug? Any thoughts?

Ahh just saw your edited reply.... I wondered if the profile vector was at fault ... I checked it but did not see what you found... thanks

[mtylerfl]

Ha! The “bug” is your vector...as shown in the screenshot I attached.

If you delete that extra arc, you could certainly use the Form Tool (although there is absolutely no need to do so - it’s just a simple Ballnose Bit)

[mtylerfl]

Ahh just saw your edited reply.... I wondered if the profile vector was at fault ... I checked it but did not see what you found... thanks

Glad you saw that! Sometimes it’s the easy stuff that throws a monkey wrench at us!

[hooby]

Well I think the error message was misleading.... I had vector(s) selected so that confused me. Perhaps an error message like “malformed or duplicate vector” would have enabled me to figure out myself what I did wrong....

Thanks

[mtylerfl]

Well I think the error message was misleading.... I had vector(s) selected so that confused me. Perhaps an error message like “malformed or duplicate vector” would have enabled me to figure out myself what I did wrong....

Thanks

You can actually tell there is an underlying vector by looking at the selected vector. When you select a vector, you see the pink dashed line. Observe that the dashed line is bolder where that sneaky vector was. I could even see that from your original screenshot.

Also, if you use the Vector Validator, it will display 86 overlaps and 199 intersections. Not exactly a "simple error message", but it is yet another alert that there is something wrong with the vector. At that point, just go into Node Editing and fix (delete) that extra arc.

[TReischl]

With something that simple I would have deleted it, and tried redrawing it.

Well, actually not, I would have just spec'd a ball nose tool.

[mtylerfl]

Agreed, Ted. But, this was a good learning opportunity anyway.