Editing the Toolpath

Please note that these options are only available in the milling and turning environment
Several commands allow you to edit the toolpath itself. These can be selected from Toolpath (Edit menu):
Section- Changes a toolpath section.
Split- Breaks up a toolpath.
Delete- Deletes a toolpath section.
Note that once a toolpath has been edited using one of these commands, it is no longer a normal machining
instruction and cannot be edited or regenerated.
Toolpaths that have been edited will be shown with an appropriate comment after the command name in
the instruction list.

EdgeCAM User Guide

Editing the
Deleting
a Section
Toolpath
of a Toolpath
The command Toolpath Delete (Edit menu) lets you remove part of a toolpath between two selected
points.
thenoptions
createsare
a linear
tool moveintothe
link
the two
of the
toolpath.
PleaseThe
notesystem
that these
only available
milling
andparts
turning
environment
Link Control (Milling only) Specifies how the link moves are to be created. Select Shortest to create a
single linear move. Select Retract to create a vertical move to the Retract plane (defined below) before
Several commands allow you to edit the toolpath itself. These can be selected from Toolpath (Edit menu):
adding a link move.
Section- Changes a toolpath section.
Depth Parameters (Milling only) Specifies the Clearance and Retract depth levels used by the system to
Split- Breaks
up amoves.
toolpath.
generate
the link
Delete- Deletes
a toolpath
Screen
Snap Check
this section.
box to select a toolpath from the screen rather than a command from the
instruction list.
Note that once a toolpath has been edited using one of these commands, it is no longer a normal machining
instruction and cannot be edited or regenerated.
Toolpaths that have been edited will be shown with an appropriate comment after the command name in
the instruction list.

EdgeCAM User Guide

Editing a
the
Section
Toolpath
of a Toolpath
The command Toolpath Section (Edit menu) lets you change part of a toolpath between two selected
points.
Please note that these options are only available in the milling and turning environment
Location Check this box to move a node on the toolpath. If you reposition an arc move, it will change into
a linear move.
Several commands allow you to edit the toolpath itself. These can be selected from Toolpath (Edit menu):
Feedrate Specify the tool feedrate in the workplane for the selected part of the toolpath.
Section- Changes a toolpath section.
Plunge Feed (Milling only) Specify the vertical tool feedrate (into and out of the workplane) for the
Split- Breaks up a toolpath.
selected part of the toolpath.
Delete- Deletes a toolpath section.
Speed Specify the spindle speed to be used during the selected part of the toolpath.
Rapid Check this box to change the selected part of the toolpath to all rapid moves.
Note that once a toolpath has been edited using one of these commands, it is no longer a normal machining
instruction
andcannot
regenerated.
Screen
Snap
Check be
thisedited
box toorselect
the toolpath from the screen rather than from the instruction list.
Toolpaths that have been edited will be shown with an appropriate comment after the command name in
the instruction list.

EdgeCAM User Guide

Editing the
Splitting
a Toolpath
Toolpath

The command Toolpath Split (Edit menu) lets you break a toolpath at a selected point to produce two
separate
toolpaths.
Thisoptions
lets you
insert
commands
between
theturning
two toolpaths.
Please note
that these
are
onlynew
available
in the milling
and
environment
Screen Snap Check this box to select a toolpath from the screen rather than a command from the
instruction list. The toolpath will then be broken at the point nearest to the digitised point on the screen.
Several commands allow you to edit the toolpath itself. These can be selected from Toolpath (Edit menu):
Section- Changes a toolpath section.
Split- Breaks up a toolpath.
Delete- Deletes a toolpath section.
Note that once a toolpath has been edited using one of these commands, it is no longer a normal machining
instruction and cannot be edited or regenerated.
Toolpaths that have been edited will be shown with an appropriate comment after the command name in
the instruction list.

EdgeCAM User Guide

Editing the Toolpath

Transforming
the Toolpaths
Several commands are available to copy or alter one or more machining operations from the instruction list.
Note
that
onlythat
thethese
toolpaths
areare
altered
these commands
there
is no alteration
of the original design
Please
note
options
only by
available
in the milling
and turning
environment
geometry.
These commands copy and transform the calculated toolpath. They do not regenerate the path in its new
Several commands allow you to edit the toolpath itself. These can be selected from Toolpath (Edit menu):
position. This means that fixed points such as home or toolchange positions and moves to Z clearance may
Section
Changes
toolpath
section.
not
give -the
desiredaoutput.
Such
moves should not be included in the instructions to be transformed.
Subroutines used for repeating the hole cycle positions may also be invalidated as they will no longer have
Split- Breaks up a toolpath.
unique identifying numbers.
Delete- Deletes a toolpath section.
These are the Edit menu commands (in Manufacture Mode):
Note that once a toolpath has been edited using one of these commands, it is no longer a normal machining
Transform Mirror (Milling and Wire only) Check to reverse the order of the sequence and the direction of
instruction and cannot be edited or regenerated.
the tool along the toolpath on the mirrored instructions.
Note that this literally reverses the direction and
Toolpaths
that
edited willdirection.
be shown
with an appropriate
comment
afterthe
theReverse
command
name in will
that
the tool
willhave
cut inbeen
the opposite
If multiple
passes have
been made,
command
the instruction
list. to be cut first.
cause
the last pass
On simple toolpaths the Reverse command will allow the climb/upcut conditions to be maintained on a
mirrored toolpath.

Transform Repeat (Milling only) Copies the toolpath at successive depths. Do not set the Finish At
parameter to Clearance or Retract for any cycles transformed by this command. Otherwise Z moves will be
output into the subroutine which may invalidate the toolpath. For similar reasons, there should not be any
other Z moves between a cycle and its associated repeat machining instructions. Note that repeats are
calculated from the current Z height of the tool when the repeat machining instruction is actioned.

Transform Rotate (Milling and Wire only) Rotates or copies a series of operations one or more times
about a selected point. This is used where the same feature appears several times about a central point.

EdgeCAM User Guide

Editing the Toolpath

Please note that these options are only available in the milling and turning environment
Several commands allow you to edit the toolpath itself. These can be selected from Toolpath (Edit menu):
Section- Changes a toolpath section.
Split- Breaks up a toolpath.
Delete- Deletes a toolpath section.
Note that once a toolpath has been edited using one of these commands, it is no longer a normal machining
instruction and cannot be edited or regenerated.
Toolpaths that have been edited will be shown with an appropriate comment after the command name in
the instruction list.
Transform Translate Moves or copies a series of operations one or more times. This is used where the
same feature appears more than once in a component.
Changes have been made in EdgeCAM 7.00 to the way in which the Translate command works,
particularly for controller subroutines. These changes result in a better correlation between the moves
shown by EdgeCAM graphics and the toolpath on the machine tool. See Notes on Translate Command.

In Wire Erosion, you may only translate the toolpath in the X and Y directions.

EdgeCAM User Guide

Editingon
Notes
the
Translate
ToolpathCommand
Changes have been made in EdgeCAM 7.00 to the way in which the Translate command works, particularly
for
controller
subroutines.
Theseare
changes
result ininathe
better
correlation
between
the moves shown by
Please
note that
these options
only available
milling
and turning
environment
EdgeCAM graphics and the toolpath on the machine tool.
Translated moves
Several commands allow you to edit the toolpath itself. These can be selected from Toolpath (Edit menu):
EdgeCAM translates the toolpath as represented by move end points within the designated labels. From a
Section- Changes a toolpath section.
machine tool point of view the "Start" of a sub-routine is, therefore, the End of the move leading to that first
Split- Breaks
up adifferent
toolpath.results will be seen depending on the type of move. A direct rapid or feed move
endpoint.
Slightly
will result in its end point being the subroutine start and the move will effectively be "lost" in repeats of the
Delete- Deletes a toolpath section.
subroutine. A 2D rapid, doglegged, move (e.g. XY and then Z) will give the dogleg point as subroutine start
and only the first segment of the move will be lost.
Note that once a toolpath has been edited using one of these commands, it is no longer a normal machining
Note that the graphics often show an apparent dogleg when resolved rapids are not used. This intermediate
instruction and cannot be edited or regenerated.
point does not exist on the NC data - it is purely for visualisation purposes - and will not be used as a start
Toolpaths that have been edited will be shown with an appropriate comment after the command name in
point.
the instruction list.
Some previous changes in this area have been removed from EdgeCAM. This means that in some cases
the graphical representation will change, compared to previous versions, to more closely represent what
happens on the machine tool.
Good practice
For safety reasons, subroutines should always start and finish at a safe clearance height. If this practice is
followed then the link moves between subroutines can be expected to also be at the safe height. The
subroutine should always include the liftout move at the end of a cut.
A specific move to a point near to the required start of the subroutine before defining the subroutine is
recommended. This is generally preferable to making a move direct from, say, toolchange and relying on
the 2D rapid's dogleg to be the start point. If the machine tool movements are not exactly as represented on
screen then this will minimise the discrepancy.
Code Generators
Some additional system variables have been added to the Code Generator to pass the subroutine start
point.
In macros TRANSLATE and RESET, the variables XEND, YEND, ZEND now represent the end of
any approach move and thus the start of the subroutine.
In macros SUBSTART and SUBCALL, the existing variables NEXTXMOVE, NEXTYMOVE,
NEXTZMOVE can be used.
The TRANSLATE Macro (No. 32) should now use XEND etc. as subroutine start point instead of
XSUB etc. Rapid approach moves to this point should be output.
The SUBSTART Macro (No. 55 ) should use NEXTXMOVE etc. as a "HOLD" point for calculation of
incremental moves.
The SUBCALL Macro (No. ) should include a rapid approach move to NEXTXMOVE etc.
Existing code generator files will continue to work as before since no existing variables have been changed.
It may be, however, that their actions are not correctly represented on screen by EdgeCAM graphics.
The Code Wizard templates for milling and turning have been updated to match the graphics. Template
based code generators should be updated to the version 7.00 templates to take advantage of these
changes.
The templates have also been updated to make the switch between incremental and absolute subroutines
easier. The logic within the template will now determine whether to use the Rapid or Translate code
constructors and G90/91 blocks will only be output by subroutine start and end if they are required. This last
change is within the default sequence of the code constructors. It will not be applied automatically to
updated CGD files but will be available for newly created files.
It should always be remembered that the exact action of a machine tool when using controller cycles is
beyond the control of EdgeCAM. It is the user's responsibility to ensure that his code generators are

EdgeCAM User Guide

correctly configured and that the on-screen representation closely matches the actions of his controllers.

Editing the Toolpath

Please note that these options are only available in the milling and turning environment
Several commands allow you to edit the toolpath itself. These can be selected from Toolpath (Edit menu):
Section- Changes a toolpath section.
Split- Breaks up a toolpath.
Delete- Deletes a toolpath section.
Note that once a toolpath has been edited using one of these commands, it is no longer a normal machining
instruction and cannot be edited or regenerated.
Toolpaths that have been edited will be shown with an appropriate comment after the command name in
the instruction list.

EdgeCAM User Guide

EditingMatrix
Using
the Toolpath
Mode

Please
Only
available
note that
in these
the milling
options
environment
are only available in the milling and turning environment
Matrix Mode lets you repeat an operation or series of operations at regular intervals, specifying the number
Several
of
rows and
commands
columnsallow
you need
you toinedit
your
the
grid
toolpath
or matrix.
itself. These can be selected from Toolpath (Edit menu):
EdgeCAM
Section
- Changes
always displays
a toolpath
thesection.
selected geometry in the bottom left hand corner of the Matrix. The various
elements of the matrix are machined starting from the bottom left hand corner by default. However, when
Split- Breaks up a toolpath.
you select a tool, the Quadrant list box lets you start from the other corners of the Matrix. (Note that the
Delete- Deletes
Quadrant
parameter
a toolpath
must have
section.
been enabled in your code generator for this to work.)
Matrix Mode Start (Edit menu) is used before the sequence of machining commands that are to be
Note that once a toolpath has been edited using one of these commands, it is no longer a normal machining
matrixed.
instruction and cannot be edited or regenerated.
You now perform a normal sequence of toolchanges and machining cycles on the geometry as a
Toolpaths
single
part.
that have been edited will be shown with an appropriate comment after the command name in
the instruction list.
Matrix Mode Finish (Edit menu) is used after you have finished entering the sequence of commands that
are to be matrixed.
EachMatrix Mode Start must be completed with a Matrix Mode Finish command.
Note that the Mode (View menu) command contains a Matrix check box that allows you to display or hide
the Matrixed toolpath.
In this example, a Lacing area clearance toolpath has been created after a Matrix Mode Start.
On selecting the Matrix Mode Finish command, the Lacing toolpath is repeated in a grid according to the
parameters specified in the Matrix Mode Start command.
Repeats Specify the number of cells in the matrix in the X and Y direction.
Fret Specify the number of Border widths (Double or Single) separating each cell in the matrix.
Border Specify the border spacing in part units in X and Y.
Length Specify the distance between each cell in the matrix in X and Y.
Dead Zones Allows you to specify areas that can be used by clamps or fixturing. Define the dead zones
by nominating two sides of the matrix rectangle and a distance in from the edge.
This example has X Repeats=5 and Y Repeats=4, and a Dead Zone along the bottom right of the matrix:
Direction Specifies which cell is to be machined after the first cell. Select between Row or Column.
Column forces the tool to move to a cell in the Y direction and Row (the default) forces the tool to move to a
cell in the X direction.
Lace Cut Deselect to move the tool in the same direction along each row or column. The default setting of
the checked box moves the tool to the next cell with the shortest possible movement.
Subroutines Select Pathtrace to avoid using subroutines when generating CNC code from this matrixed
toolpath. The default setting of Controller will use subroutines where available.
Define Layout Select to ignore the Direction modifier and specify exactly in which order the individual
cells are to be machined. The system displays a diagram of the cells in the matrix. Select each cell in the
order you want the cells machined in. As each cell is selected, it is given a number to show its position in
the sequence.

EdgeCAM User Guide

Editing the Toolpath

Copyright

10

(C)1988-2005 Pathtrace Engineering Systems. All rights reserved.

Please note
that these Systems
options are
available inresellers
the milling
and turning environment
Pathtrace
Engineering
andonly
its registered
or sub-resellers
shall have no liability or
responsibility to the licensee or any other person or entity with respect to any liability, loss or damage
caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by this product, including but not limited to any
Several commands allow you to edit the toolpath itself. These can be selected from Toolpath (Edit menu):
interruption of service, loss of business or anticipatory profits or consequent damages resulting from the use
Section
- Changes
toolpath section.
or
operation
of this asoftware.
Split- Breaks up a toolpath.
Microsoft, Windows and Windows NT are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
Delete- Deletes
toolpath section.
MemoHASP
is aaregistered
trademark of Aladdin Knowledge Systems Ltd.
NetSentinel is a trademark of Rainbow Technologies, Inc.
OpenGL(r) and Optimizer are trademarks of Silicon Graphics Inc.
Note that once a toolpath has been edited using one of these commands, it is no longer a normal machining
Parasolid is a trademark of Unigraphics Solutions Inc.
instruction and cannot be edited or regenerated.
Autodesk Inventor (tm) is a trademark of Autodesk Inc.
Toolpaths that
been edited
will be
with an
appropriate comment after the command name in
SolidWorks
is ahave
registered
trademark
of shown
SolidWorks
Corporation.
the instruction
Solid
Edge is alist.
registered trademark of EDS Inc.
PTC, Pro/DESKTOP, Pro/ENGINEER(r), GRANITE (tm) One, are trademarks or registered trademarks of
Parametric Technology Corporation or its subsidiaries in the U.S. and in other countries.
AutoCAD and DXF are registered trademarks of Autodesk Inc.
MicroStation is a trademark of Bentley Systems Inc., an affiliate of Intergraph Corporation.
IGDS is a trademark of Intergraph Corporation.
EdgeCAM Simulator and EdgeCAM Verify use technology developed by Lightworks Designs Ltd.
ACIS is a trademark of Spatial Technology, Inc., and was developed in co-operation with Three-Space, Ltd.,
Cambridge, England, and Applied Geometry Corporation, Seattle, Washington.
Other brands and product names are trademarks of their respective owners.
The information contained within this document is subject to change without notice and does not represent
a commitment on the part of the vendor. The software described in this document is furnished under a
licence agreement and may only be used or copied only in accordance with the terms of the agreement.

Pathtrace Engineering Systems

45 Boulton Road Reading Berkshire England RG2 0NH
Telephone +44 (0)118 975 6084 Facsimile +44 (0)118 975 6143
http://www.edgecam.com

EdgeCAM User Guide