Creating a toolpath for one of three components

[tjimholte]

I have an issue that I know how to work around but it seems like it should not work as it does. The attached screen shots show that all 3 components are checked in the modeling tab and visible in the 2 and 3 D views. When I select only one of the components and try to create a toolpath, it creates a toolpath for all 3 components. I assume because I selected "model boundary" so it took all 3 visable components as the model??? If I uncheck the other 2 components I can then get a tool path for the one I want but why doesn't the simple act of selecting the one I want create a toolpath for that selected one?

I know I could also create another vector around what I want a toolpath for but am I crazy here? Would this be a bug or just the way it works?

Love to hear other opinions.

TJ

[TReischl]

It acts the way I would expect it to act. Not sure I would describe what you are doing as a workaround.

Guess it is all in how you look at it or possibly experience with some other software and how it works?

[SteveNelson46]

When generating a toolpath using the model boundary the program will use all visible components. Uncheck the visibility of a component and it will not be included. Usually, the better way is to create a boundary around each component (Model menu) and use the selected vector to create a toolpath. Then you can modify the vector, if necessary, to control the toolpath.

[tjimholte]

Thanks Steve,

I eventually figured that out but I don't do a ton of 3D and don't usually have the modeling tab open when creating toolpaths so it just didn't seem right to me to see that I had the component I wanted to make a toolpath for highlighted and then was surprised to see that it grabbed all visible components even though the screen clearly showed on both the 2d and 3d views that only one component was selected. To me that is conflicting information, so now I know better.

[adze_cnc]

Instead of using "Model Boundary" would using "Selected Level" be a better option? You'd need to create a Level 2 and Level 3 and move the Sambas 2 & 3 to their respective levels.

That to me would would make more sense as the individual components aren't really making a composite model but rather are behaving as if they are elements that could be put in "layers".

Steven

[tjimholte]

Yep that works too, good idea.

I still just think it’s not as intuitive as it could be.