Custom bit icon?

[Toni CM]

Hi guys.
Is it possible to upload to VCarve a customized bit icon to be displayed on the bit selection dialog box? (see screenshot) Either a pic of the actual bit or even a drawing with measurements. There are so many different bit out there that I believe it would be helpful.
Thanks in advance.

[Adrian]

Only by creating form tools.

Personally I don't see the need as the description field has some very powerful naming features and that's what I use and look at when selecting a tool.

It's best to email change requests to Vectric so they can keep track of them and if enough people want the same thing it might make it's way into a future version.

[Leo]

Toni,

In FORM TOOLS you can create shapes. You would use the drawing tools and create the shape of the cutter with the dimensions of the cutter.

I do it with shapes like an ogee router bit or some unique roundover bits.

You cannot create a shape like a dovetail bit - bigger at bottom - smaller at top.

You can create shape like a roundover bit - smaller at bottom - bigger at top.

I save the vector file and add to or update as needed
These are some of my tool forms
The icon does show the shape.

[SteveNelson46]

Most bit manufacturers will provide a dxf profile of their bits. Amana, Magnate.net, etc. Magnate.net provides a complete (almost) sheet drawing of all of their bits. When I use one I just open it in Aspire and use the editing tools to split one of the profiles at the center and use the right half to create the bit. This is a great feature as sometimes it is much easier to create a bit, even if it doesn't actually exist, and use it instead of modeling the profile. Then I can use the toolpath preview to create a component (Aspire only).

[Adrian]

I initially took the question to be about changing the picture itself rather than creating a custom tool.

Here's a tutorial on creating form tools if that is what you're after. If you want to change the picture so a 1" 120 degree v-bit looks like that rather than a 1/2" 90 degree then that would be a change to the software without creating form tools.

https://youtu.be/42v6KC4UPAg

[adze_cnc]

I initially took the question to be about changing the picture itself rather than creating a custom tool.

Upon re-reading the OP I’d say that you are correct that it is about replacing that icon on the tool editing dialog and not about creating a form tool. There was mention of replacing it with an image the includes dimensions.

[Leo]

I agree.

Toni is asking about the icon, but not sure if he is aware of how the form tool works with the icon.

[Toni CM]

Many thanks to all of you. I think I may have not expressed myself well.

What I wanted to achieve for instance is to see an schematic representation of the bit. Not necessarily a graphic representation but rather something like the sketch I am including here, where one can see the diameter of the bit, the shank diameter and the flutes length, and obviously the shape of the bit which you already told me to use the Forms Tools.

[Adrian]

You can't do that in the software currently.

Have you looked at the full features of the name format in the database? There is a big list of variables that you can include in the automatic naming all the tools you create.

As I said in my previous post that's what I do and I find it more useful than an icon would be as you can see all the details in the tree rather than having to open each one to see the icon.

[Leo]

Toni, The straight tool is OK, but not the tool with a shank. The top cannot be smaller than the bottom.

Form tools will not help in your example.
Just use END MILL for what you show there
Unfortunately, no dimensions and no view of flute length.

The description of the tool is all you can do as Adrian has said.

BUT - BUT.

There is a notes field in each tool dialog box.
In there, I usually add a more detailed description.
Tool order number - mfg - flute length

I also find that I will have a roughing tool vs a finishing tool
Speed and feed are different
Stepover is different
Plunge rate - DOC is different

I use tool groups for different tools
It might all be hard wood - but I will have a group of roughing and a group of finishing tools.

[adze_cnc]

 
This...
 

 
...or at the very least this...
 

 
...is what is wanted. I wish that Adrian had never mentioned "form tool" because it's not about creating a form tool. A form tool really wouldn't help either because the resulting icon is even less visually representative than the existing icon and it has no measurements.
 

 
Really, sending a feature request to: support@vectric.com is what is wanted. Having said that I doubt if it would ever get implemented. There has to be enough people needing/wanting this to justify the manpower to implement it. I'd expect a searching of 16 plus years of forum posts to come up with less than a handful of similar requests.

[Leo]

I prioritize things into groups


Things I NEED to have
Things I WANT to have
Things I do NOT need to have

I like that a LOT.
It is a thing I WANT to have.

Need comes before want.

That one is a really really nice WANT.

I do use the NOTES field a LOT - wonder if we can stuff a PIC into the notes field

[sharkcutup]

Interesting Thread???

Here is another Variable I will throw into the works here --- UPCUT versus DOWNCUT

Where in the visual aid would this be shown???

Just a Thought!

Sharkcutup

[RickW3DS]

I don't know how to post finger gestures, custom icons would be fun

[Leo]

Interesting Thread???

Here is another Variable I will throw into the works here --- UPCUT versus DOWNCUT

Where in the visual aid would this be shown???

Just a Thought!

Sharkcutup

So true - so true

How about 1 flute - 2 flute - oh we could go on.