Part 4 – 5 CAD Design

The menu contains help and marking functions for tasks using the CAD menus.

Reverse the last modification in the CAD or in the text input. Undo can be carried out 5 times.

Rescind the last modification through Undo.

All tracks and sections are marked in the ActLayer. This function also marks non-visible information such as, for example, tool data within calculated milling paths. With this, milling paths can be marked without destroying the logical coherency of the data.

All marking is again removed.

Mark a path (point, track or section) in the ActLayer. This function seeks the nearest vector to the cursor. All tracks are marked with a frame and lie completely inside. With simultaneous pressing of the  key the previous marking is retained. To remove a marking a free part of the graphic is clicked–on.

With simultaneous pressing of the  key a path is sought in all layers and in all text lines. the layer with the path nearest to the Actlayer and the path is marked. The insertion using  and the marking in the rectangle is not possible here. If a text line is found then the program switches into text input (edit line). In the text module, using this tool, only text lines (at their reference point) are marked.

Note: because marked paths are tied to the end of the data following removal of the marking, the data sequence can be determined in the ActLayer through consecutive clicking-on the paths.

Marking function such as mark, however, searching is not for vector separations (line separations), but rather for vector end points.

Demark a path (track or section). Using a frame all tracks are demarked which lie completely inside the rectangle. For repeated demarking the  key must be pressed.

A path (track or section) is sought in all layers. The layer with which the nearest path is switched as ActLayer and the path is marked. The search with simultaneously pressed  key has the same effect.

The marked contours and sections are inverted in the direction of rotation. Note: in the milling correction the mathematically positive rotating contours are calculated outwards and negative (clockwise) are calculated inwards.

Display vector information on the marked paths. Displayed for individual paths are the path designations, for several paths the number of contours and sections as well as the number of polygon points, the elongation and the centre of data. Under Path(s) in the material [mm] the pure 2D path (length of the marked section (s)/contour(s) are displayed.

Exchange marked path via the (program) buffer.

All marked tracks or sections are deleted. Marked data can also be deleted using  or .If nothing is marked then a contour or section can be selected which can be deleted immediately. The immediate deletion does not change the order of the (milling) data.

Grouping is only sensible in combination with the functions in ReliefVTR. This function cannot be applied for tasks in the CAD/CAM area.

The functions available in your program are dependent on your program configuration and can deviate from this description. Current information on the operation of the functions can always be obtained using the program help.

 Before carrying out a function in this menu the paths (points, sections and contours) must be marked. the marking takes place using the Marking tool in the list of aids. Using the Marking toolyou can select the individual points, sections or contours in the current layer (ActLayer) through clicking-on or in a rectangle.

To select an individual section the cursor cross must be led as close as possible to a line of the section to be sought and marked using . Several sections to be selected are framed using a rectangle. Sections must lie completely in the rectangle. For input, set the cursor on a corner of the rectangle, press the key , pull the rectangle diagonally over the section to be marked and then release the key.

Before a renewed selection the old markings are deleted. If several contours are to be marked one after another then press the key  simultaneously with the marking . Another type of marking is available using mark TrackPosn and mark all. The selected paths are marked in red. With concurrent pressing of the  key a path (section or contour) is sought in all layers. The layer with the nearest path is activated and is now the ActLayer and the path is marked. Here it is not possible to insert using  or search in the rectangle.

In functions in which an input using the cursor takes place, depending on the number of vectors either the tracks themselves or with the exceeding of a limit, a rectangle is also drawn. Following the adoption of the tracks the rectangle is deleted and the tracks displayed.

Attention: The marking and the functions in the Operat Menu may not be applied on calculated milling data (with tool data), because then milling information and the logical coherency of the data are lost.

If paths are already marked then convert can be opened using  or . Using the input the position, size, scaling, the rotation and slope angle of marked objects are altered. The input convert displays the horizontal and vertical coordinates of the object.

The marked paths are displaced relatively or absolutely, freely in X/Y, horizontally only (x) or vertically (y) only. For the displacement at the cursor. If the input parameter Capture grid is set to a value > 0, then the basis point can be captured. With Capture grid = -1 capture with this is on support points of the marked sections and with Capture grid >= 0 on support points of the graphic layer defined using Capture layer .

The functions of the duplicate/displace selection:

The marked tracks and sections are scaled.

The functions of the height (dimensions) selection:

The marked paths are sloped (inclined) retaining their original height.

The marked tracks and sections are rotated. The paths can be freely rotated, directly 90° about their middle point (input +90 / -90) or following input of a basic point and the angle of rotation (input rotate)..

1) = mirror axis

The marked paths are mirrored to an X/Y axis or to a freely input axis.

The marked tracks and sections are centred in X/Y to a graphic object to be selected. With simultaneous pressing of the key  capture centre to .. on the next object which is sought in all layers.

The marked paths are arranged in series.

Linear series linear:

The marked sections can be copied several times. If copies in the horizontal and vertical direction are to be generated, then the function Tile is to be employed.

Polar series:

The marked tracks sections are arranged several times in the circle. For this, first the middle point of the arrangement is to be entered or selected using the cursor. All data can be edited in the following input.

Tile:

The marked paths are copied several times by columns and by lines. If series are created which do not run horizontally or vertically then the function Series is to be employed.

The elongation of the graphic is always proposed by the program as separation. The function is cancelled if the number X = 1 and Y = 1 or both separation values = 0 are input.

Create a tangential connection at a contour. Possible are tangents from one point on a contour or tangential connections between 2 contours. The contours must be closed and free of error. Tangents can be created on almost any desired contour or polygon. At the tangent contact the contour is interrupted. Limitation: the tangent start points may not lie in the contour.

The marked paths cut each other and separated at the interfaces. After this the sections to be removed are marked and deleted. The vectors within a contour string do not cross each other.

If contours are demanded then the paths must be combined with each other after the cutting and editing (e.g. using Prepare . Combine tracks or Edit . Posn. combine).

Procedure for example graphic: 1) Mark paths and cut. 2) Mark redundant sections and delete. 3) Using Prepare . Combine tracks create a section.

The path to be trimmed is crossed with another path. Subsequently the overlying paths can be deleted.

Select paths.

Select one after the other the path to be trimmed and the path with which the trimming is to be done. Paths can be single vectors, sections and closed contours.

Select path to be trimmed! (Path1).

The path which is to be trimmed (path which is to be modified), is to be selected first. Trim with..(Path2): select path with which trimming is to be done (path remains unchanged).

Dependent on how the path to be trimmed (Path1) has been selected, various results are possible:

Marking in Path1.

Path1 is simply crossed with Path2.

Marking on first or last vector.

Path1 is crossed with Path2. If the extension of the first/last vector results in an interface with Path2, then the vector is extended.

Marking of a single vector.

The vector (Path1) is crossed with Path2. If the extension of the vector results in an interface with Path2, then the vector is extended in the corresponding direction.

For merging, 2 contour blocks must be selected one after the other, which are to be merged together or combined. A contour block can consist of one or more contours or combined contours. Open sections are allowed for stamping out only. The contour blocks are to be selected using the cursor. The respective selection is ended using  or . The first contour block is marked green, the second blue.

2 contours

Merged with summation

The marked paths (tracks, sections) are converted into contours (double line) with the specified separation. The minimum vector length is 0.001mm, all shorter vectors (e.g. in rounding offs) are removed.

Track creation from overlapping sections and contours. Margin top: 0; margin bottom: 0″>1) Specification: sections which overlap each other. 2) Result according to Section > Contour and 2D correction outwards.

Calculate parallel contour(s) to the marked contour(s).

Calculate parallel path to the marked lines/sections. Contours can be better calculated using Displace contour.

Import vector data (LG1, H2R) as macro. After import, the macros are marked and can be placed immediately or matched with the functions in the menu Operat. So long as a marking is not removed for imported macros the reference points in the functions duplicate and displace are already known and must not be implicitly input.

The marked paths are saved in a macro file together with a reference point. Macros are always reoccurring graphics (2D = H2R or 3D = LG1), which are input once and saved in a library. They can then be easily loaded and matched using Operat . Import macro.

For reference point input with Input parameter . Cursor capture grid > 0 and the setting Capture layer (draw): = -1 : on the marked point, 0..: capture on the point in the respective layer.

Polylines are required for surface relief runs, projections etc. They may have no re-entrant angle. Frames are employed as work limits for automatic clearances (in CAM . MillTr2D and in Auto correction), if Layout . Frame is switched to YES. A frame must consist of closed contours and may have no overlapping (not even with milling corrected paths). The frame must be suitable for hatching or milling correction.