Trouble closing vectors

[luckyjsw]

I cannot find the answer to my problem after searching forum and watching all available tutorial videos.

When I am designing a project, and have some open vectors, oftentimes when I try to use the "Join Open Vectors" tool (or select 2 nodes that I want to try to join together to close a vector, no matter which option I choose, (straight line, smooth curve or common endpoint) the software tries to join my node to another (unwanted) node in another part of the drawing.

In other words, instead of hooking right to the node I want, which is only a few mm away, a long line is formed, hooking my node up to a random node somewhere far removed from the area I am working. This has been a problem for me since I started using VCarve, and I have been unable to determine why it happens and how to avoid it,

I selected both nodes.

Right clicked and chose "close vector with a straight line.

And this is the result...

[BillK]

Vectors can only be joined end to end. So you can’t join the end of one to somewhere in the middle of another. You’ll have to trim the lower one, select both vectors with the mouse and the shift key pressed. Then you can select join. The program is closing the vector, which is what you need to happen to be able to carve the feature, or create a model component.

[Bob Reda]

Pull that node all the ways through the line you want to intersect and use the clip to cut it off.

Bob

[Adrian]

You can also use the Extend Vectors tool.

[tcoplin]

I am just learning VCarve. How do you route a straight line? Can one join/close a straight line vector without joining the two end nodes?
What is the difference between "join" and "close"?

[gkas]

I am just learning VCarve. How do you route a straight line? Can one join/close a straight line vector without joining the two end nodes?
What is the difference between "join" and "close"?

I suggest that you start with some of the training videos.

https://www.vectric.com/support/tutoria ... ingStarted

[SteveNelson46]

I am just learning VCarve. How do you route a straight line? Can one join/close a straight line vector without joining the two end nodes?
What is the difference between "join" and "close"?

Draw a line using the polyline tool or any other vector tool (Square, Rectangle, Circle, etc). It doesn't have to be a straight line or closed. Then. using a Profile toolpath, assign a tool and a depth of cut. As Gkas suggested, you really should watch the videos. They are very good and will help you tremendously.

A closed vector, like a circle, has no end points. An open vector has two endpoints. Joining is for connecting two open vectors.

[garylmast]

More times then not, you have two vectors sitting on top of each other but connected somewhere. You can play around different ways to find it, but one of the easier ways is draw a few parallel lines though them and cut between the lines to separate them. Then select duplicate vectors.

Gary

[FixitMike]

Help-Help Contents will almost always provide the answer when you need information about how a tool behaves.

Joining consists of connecting 2 vector ends together. If they are the two ends of a single vector, the result is a closed vectors. Closing vectors turns 1 or more vectors into a closed vector.

A closed vector does not have any unconnected ends. A line is an open vector. A circle is a closed vector.

A vector cannot be connected to itself or another to make a T intersection. If you were using it to cut a profile, the program would not know which way to go when the tool came to the intersection.

VCarve and Pocket toolpaths both require Closed vectors. There can be problems if the vector loops or folds back over itself.

[tcoplin]

Thanks all. I am working my way through the videos and the help documentation. Sometimes however it is still difficult to tease out small roadblocks.

[sharkcutup]

We would all love for it to be cut and dry but unfortunately that is not the case.

There a so many factors involved! Just imagine what the programmers have had to deal with in creating and overcoming many obstacles that has already been accomplished within Vectric's Software.

Just some of the various obstacles that can impede vectors from becoming "joined vectors:

Vectors in a Group
Overlapping vectors
Very tiny Stray Vectors within vicinity of vectors that a user may be trying to join
and so on etc....

Sharkcutup

[sharkcutup]

When I come across a vector that is tending to be a problem. I accept it as a challenge! It keeps the ole brain at top notch!

When a user begins to add layers and vector groups to the equation that is when things really become interesting and even more Challenging! Not to mention the differences in toolpaths when using vectors!!!

ARE YOU UP TO THE CHALLENGE?

Sharkcutup