reverse drive rail issue with moulding tool

[2C3D4U]

Hello, clicking on my drive rail to reverse direction (i.e. flip outside to inside relative to profile) does not function in my V.11. The pathing stubbornly stays outside the chosen rectangular frame. What am I doing wrong? Yes, I've viewed the tutorial.

[mtylerfl]

Are you using an Open Vector as your drive rail? (This allows the cross-section to flip to the opposite side of your rail.)

If you are using a Closed Vector, the cross-section ALWAYS runs on the outside of the rail.

[Adrian]

From the Help:

Note: On a closed vector shape the cross section profile will always be hung on the outside of the shape, it is not possible to change this to the inside so your drive rail vector should always represent the inside edge of the border/frame shape you are creating a toolpath for. Clicking the Reverse Rail option on a closed vector drive rail will change the direction that the toolpath is created in.

[dealguy11]

If you want it to run on the inside of the frame, cut the rail vector in the middle of a straight section (NOT a corner) so that it isn't closed, and change the direction of the rail. You may experience problems with some corners. Or not. I've had it go both ways. If you do, it isn't a bug, as it wasn't intended to run on the inside of the frame in the first place.

[2C3D4U]

Thank you all. I neglected to remember about closed vector dictates, but will try cutting along a straight length as suggested, for the exercise of it.

[mtylerfl]

Thank you all. I neglected to remember about closed vector dictates, but will try cutting along a straight length as suggested, for the exercise of it.

An alternative is to Offset (inward) the outside closed vector by the width amount of your cross-section. Then you can use that new closed vector to hang the cross-section around its outside.

Example:
- Draw a 10” square
- Draw a 1” wide cross-section
- Offset the 10” square vector to the inside by 1” (yields a new 8” square vector)
- Create your Moulding Toolpath using the new 8” square closed vector as the rail

[SteveNelson46]

Here's a tip. If you are creating an object with round corners, create the inner vector first and offset outward. If you offset inward the radius of the corner is lost or diminished to zero.

[Onetrack]

Sorry, but I don't follow Michael. Please can you post a CRV example?

An alternative is to Offset (inward) the outside closed vector by the width amount of your cross-section. Then you can use that new closed vector to hang the cross-section around its outside.

Example:
- Draw a 10” square
- Draw a 1” wide cross-section
- Offset the 10” square vector to the inside by 1” (yields a new 8” square vector)
- Create your Moulding Toolpath using the new 8” square closed vector as the rail

[SteveNelson46]

I think this is what Michael was trying to say.

[Onetrack]

Superb! Thank you (both) very much.

I think this is what Michael was trying to say.