Toolpaths and Machining: Transforming and Projecting Toolpaths

Carveco Tutorial: Transforming Toolpaths

In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to move, rotate, mirror, and project toolpaths in Carveco Maker Plus without editing your original vectors. This is especially useful for reusing toolpaths after vector deletion or for projecting 2D toolpaths onto complex reliefs.

🔹 Moving and Rotating Toolpaths

• Use the Transform Toolpaths icon in the Toolpaths panel.
• Select the toolpath you want to move or rotate.
• Input X/Y values to shift the toolpath, or use rotation degrees (e.g., 90°, 180°).
• This works without affecting the original vectors or requiring regeneration.

🔹 Mirroring Toolpaths

• Within the Transform Toolpaths panel, use the Mirror options.
• Flip toolpaths horizontally or vertically for left/right or top/bottom symmetry.

🔹 Projecting Toolpaths Onto Reliefs

• Create a 2D toolpath (like Area Clearance) over a relief.
• Use Transform Toolpaths > Project to Relief to conform the toolpath to the 3D surface.
• Drop Tool mode aligns the edge of the tool to the surface.
• Project All mode aligns the center of the tool to the surface.

🔹 Tips for Projecting

• Always save your model before projecting—projection is irreversible.
• Use simulation to preview how the toolpath follows the relief contours.
• Ensure safe Z heights and clearance are set appropriately for the relief geometry.