Carveco Tutorial: Node Editing Vectors

The node editing tools provides you with a deeper level of control over you vectors, whether created or imported. This versatile and useful tool will become your best friend in the creation of your designs and when using the vector doctor. It will also aid you in creatine sweeping rails when you begin to develop your 3D modelling skills. Node editing allows you to refine and reshape your vectors with full control. Whether you're adjusting curves, aligning endpoints, or breaking spans—node editing is essential for precision vector work in Carveco.

🔹 Step 1: Enter Node Editing Mode

• Select a vector (e.g., a rectangle).
• Click Node Editing from the top toolbar or press N on your keyboard.
• You’ll see small black squares (nodes) on the vector, and a green node showing the start point.

🔹 Step 2: Moving and Selecting Nodes

• Click and drag a node to move it.
• Draw a box around multiple nodes to select and move them together.
• Hold Ctrl and click to select additional nodes.

🔹 Step 3: Right-Click Options

• Delete Node – Removes the node (D shortcut).
• Insert Node – Right-click anywhere on a span to insert a node.
• Insert Midpoint Node – Adds a node exactly halfway along a span.
• Display Virtual Midpoints – Shows draggable midpoints that become nodes when moved.

🔹 Step 4: Straight vs. Smooth Nodes

• Black nodes are straight (linear).
• Right-click a node and choose Make Smooth to curve it.
• Use the handles (Bezier curves) to adjust curvature and flow.

🔹 Step 5: Maintain Smooth Curves

• Toggle Maintain Smooth Curves to keep flowing transitions.
• This helps avoid loops or sharp kinks in curves, especially important for machining.

🔹 Step 6: Removing or Cutting Spans

• Remove Span – Right-click on a segment and delete it entirely.
• Cut Vector – Right-click at a point and select Cut Vector to split it into separate segments.

🔹 Step 7: Changing the Start Point

• Right-click a node and choose Make Start Point.
• Or right-click on any point and select Insert Start Node.
• This affects where the tool enters when machining.

🔹 Step 8: Aligning Nodes (X or Y)

• Select two or more nodes in a row.
• Hover over the node you want to align to.
• Press X to align horizontally or Y for vertical alignment.
• The first node you select becomes the reference position.

Node editing gives you pixel-level control over your vector shapes — ideal for cleanup, fine-tuning, and designing with absolute precision.