In this Topic Show
This topic explains the Parameters available when the Edit Tool Axis Command Mode, which gives you the option to modify the tool orientation vector for a the selected toolpath elements, is used. As explained in the Edit Toolpath Dialog topic, most of the Edit Toolpath dialog remains the same, no matter which Command Mode is being used. It is the Parameters of the Edit Tool Axis Command Mode this topic focuses on, although, the Command Mode group, Selected Toolpath Elements group and the Animation group can still be revisited in this topic by expanding the drop down hot spots of the same name.
To work through an example utilizing this function, see the Edit Toolpath Example - Edit Tool Axis.
Show Tool Axis - enables the display of the current
tool axis vectors for the selected toolpath entities.
Show Tool Axis - does not show the current tool axis vectors.
NOTE: This is a separate display from the Command Mode Preview. If the Show Tool Axis checkbox is selected, it will show, both, the current tool axis vectors, and the tool axis vectors as the will be, should the Action be Executed.
Fixed Direction - allows you to
modify the currently selected toolpath vectors to a fixed vector direction,
by entering a vector value or by selecting a line.
X - sets the X vector direction.
Y - sets the Y vector direction.
Z
- sets the Z vector direction.
Pick
A Line - places you into selection mode to allow you
to pick an entity to pull the vector direction from. This
option, will allow you lines, arcs, splines, and surface edges.
Arc and spline entities will use the end points of the entity
to create a line.
Reverse
- inverts the selected vector direction in order
to tilt the tool in the opposite direction.
Direction Interpolation - allows
you to modify a chain of entities to smooth the vectors between the beginning
entities tool axis vector and the end of the chains tool axis vector.
TIP: When using
Fixed Direction, keep in mind,
if the tool axis of a toolpath elements is altered, it will begin with
the tool axis of the last elements and end at the new tool axis. As such,
to adjust an element along its entire length, the toolpath element that
comes before will need to be altered with the same tool axis.
When using Direction Interpolation,
at least three elements will
need to be selected, as the function is designed to create a smooth shift
between the tool axis of the first and last toolpath element. It is, therefore,
not the first, or last toolpath elements being adjusted, but rather, all
the tool path elements in between.
Edit Toolpath Modify Attributes