3d Profile cutting of "AIR"

[randyb]

I'm new to the Aspire program and I have a project I'm working on that I need to shorten the run time on.
The easiest way to describe it would be a rectangular shaped object 2 inches thick that has a half inch wide perimeter section that is raised about half inch from the middle area.
I cut a pocket into the middle section to create a relief.
I now need to 3d profile the outer edge, the original 3d pattern was for the entire surface of the model including the pocket, it was much faster to select the inner edge of the raised perimeter and just pocket it out, however now the 3d profile wants to run across the area that used to be there and is in essence cutting "AIR" and the run time is coming up around 14 hours.
How can I tell Aspire to only cut the 3d profile on the outer perimeter edge and skip everything in the middle.
Hope this makes sense.
Thanks
Randy

[mike1966]

you could make a vector boundary around the area you want to cut, when you select the boundary vectors it will only make the toolpath inside the vectors

[randyb]

Thats what I thought, but in essence I want to create both an external and Internal boundary, Can I select two boundry vectors?

[mike1966]

I'm not sur if you can make 2 with the doundry vector tool, but you can draw one of the boundries with the create rctangle or poly line

[randyb]

Looks like I just answered my own question, just tried selecting both the outer and inner vector and it does indeed only cut the area in between.
Thanks
Randy

[randyb]

Well now I'm having exactly the same problem I had last time I had to make one of these.
When I generate the boundary it creates a nice smooth arc, but the 3d pattern is made up of may jagged edges which don't completely fill in the gap between the boundary and the 3d model.
This results in the bit trying to plunge down where it things there is no surface pattern and dimples the cut.
I have included a couple of pictures of what the result is as well as a screen shot of the boundary vector and the pattern so you can see what I'm talking about. Any ideas on how to fill in the voids would be appreciated.
Thanks
Randy

[mike1966]

I think the vectors need to be offset the distance of the diameter of the bit, not positive thou so check the preview before cutting