two rail sweep problem

[Monte55]

I am making a shape using the two rail sweep. It is an airfoil shape. I see the shape in the 3D window but I can't get it to the machining stage. When I tell it to calculate....It says I have open vectors and I cant go any further. I'm using trial. HELP!!

[Tony Mac]

Hi Nick,

You need to select at least 3 vectors (using the Shift key to make multiple selections)
for the 2 Rail Sweep to work.

1st = Drive curve
2nd = Drive curve
3rd = Cross-section to extrude between the 2 drive curves

If you can post the file file we'll take a look.

Tony

[Monte55]

I have selected the top rail and then bottom rail and then the cross section. I get the 3D image. It says though I don't have a component selected. It is on my shop computer which has no internet connection. I have a laptop here also to get internet. I don't know how to put a file up for you. I have the shape I want but just can't get to the toolpath stage
to get a preview. Nick

[Tony Mac]

OK - understand now.

Sounds like you still have the drive vectors selected in the 2D view
Aspire tries to machine inside the selected vectors - if any are selected
Click on the white material background or press Exc to deselect the vectors

You should then be able to calculate the toolpath

I hope this helps,

Tony

[Monte55]

Maybe I'm not saying it correctly. Here's what I did.
Using the polyline I made two lines 48" long 6" apart parallel to each other.
Then made an elipse ..node edited the bottom half out leaving only the top part.
I then selected the top line, then the bottom line, then the elipse top half.
I then select Two rail sweep and a window comes up saying selected vectors are valid.
I click on the ADD button and 2D turns green and the 3D image shows below. I am tiled in horz mode. All seems OK so far.
Then I click on "make component" . The Component Name window pops up and I hit OK. The lower green bar looks like it calculated something.
To the right under Material setup I adjust material position and hit OK.
Then I select Rough Machining Toolpath ..3D raster...along X...then hit calculate.
A window pops up saying "Ignoring Unsuitable Vectors"....three open vectors....0 duplicate vectors...0 vectors remaining. I hit the OK button.
I can't get past this.....I'm lost..........................Nick

[Turtle49]

When you select the "rough toolpath" Do you still have the vectors selected?


I would try moving or deleting the construction vectors.

Tim

[Tony Mac]

You still have the 3 vectors used for the 2 Rail Sweep selected in the 2D view

Open 2D view
Press Escape key - this deselects the vectors

You should now be able to calculate the 3D toopath?

Tony

[Monte55]

That worked. On the left under Two Rail Sweep it would say Invalid Selection whenever I deselected the vectors and I thought that was wrong. I guess that is for designing only and has to be deselected to do a toolpath. Is that correct? I really appreciate your support guys. This is the reason at this time I will only consider your software. I have V Carve Pro now and do this as a hobby but would like to make it pay for itself in the future if I can. The upgrade of $900 is a bit tuff to handle now but if Aspire is like V Carve Pro I'm sure it' worth every penny and more. Being that economy isn't that great now and many would love to have Aspire if they could swing the
bucks..........is there a chance the Dec 31,2008 deadline would be extended? That date and Christmas time makes it a little rough.

Another question........If a person had a machine and your software and had to get out, can they sell it to someone and get support if the registration was changed to the buyer?
You've been most helpful.........Thanks again.............Nick