Transforming toolpaths

You can transform a calculated 2D or 3D toolpath in any of the following ways:

• rotate around a specified rotation centre;
• move to an absolute position;
• toggle the display of all moves behind and below the surface of the composite relief, as seen in the 3D view;
• project directly onto the surface of the composite relief; and
• move and rotate a 2D toolpath using its toolpath preview shown in the 2D view.

Note: You cannot undo a transform on a toolpath made using the options available on the Toolpath Transform panel. However, you can undo a transform on a 2D toolpath if it is made from the 2D view using its toolpath preview.

To transform a calculated toolpath:

1. In the Toolpath Operations area of the Toolpaths panel, click the Toolpath Transform button to display the Toolpath Transform panel.

   A list of calculated toolpaths is displayed at the top of the panel.

2. From the list, select the toolpath or toolpath group you want to transform.
3. The X and Y boxes of the Rotation Centre area show the current coordinates of the transform origin. To specify the origin about which you want to transform the selected toolpath, use one of the following methods:
   • Select an option on the square diagram to change the origin to one of five preset positions. The coordinates of the selected position are displayed in the X and Y boxes
   • In the X and Y boxes, enter the coordinates of the origin.

   In the 2D view, a blue cross marks the origin.

4. If you want to move the selected toolpath:
   1. In the Step box, enter the distance by which you want to move the selected toolpath.
   2. In the Positioning area, use the direction icons on the diagram to move the selected toolpath by the increment specified in the Step box: Click:
      to move the selected toolpath up the Z-axis.

      Note: You cannot move 2D toolpaths in the Z direction.

      Note: If any part of the selected toolpath exceeds the Safe Z level specified when calculating the toolpath, a message asks if you want to continue. Click Yes to move the selected toolpath along the Z-axis by the increment specified in the Step box, or click No to cancel the transform move.

      to move the toolpath down the Z-axis.

      to move the toolpath up the Y-axis.

      to move the toolpath down the Y-axis.

      to move the toolpath left along the X-axis.

      to move the toolpath right along the X-axis.

   Tip: In the 2D view, you can move the toolpath by dragging the bounding box which surrounds the toolpath preview when selected. Release the mouse button to set the new position of the toolpath. Hold down Ctrl when you drag the bounding box to make a copy of the selected 2D toolpath.
5. If you want to rotate the selected toolpath, enter the increment by which you want to rotate the toolpath in the Angle box, and click:

   to rotate the toolpath clockwise.

   to rotate the toolpath counter-clockwise.

   Tip: In the 2D view, you can rotate the toolpath by dragging the rotation handle in the centre of the bounding box that surrounds the toolpath preview when selected. Release the mouse button to set the new position of the toolpath. Hold down Ctrl when you rotate the toolpath to make a copy of it.
6. If you want to view only those areas of the toolpath in the 3D view within the boundary of the composite relief, ensure that Clip Toolpaths is selected.
7. If you want to position the toolpath at a specified location:
   1. Click the Absolute Coordinates control bar to display the X, Y, and Z boxes.
   2. In the X, Y, and Z boxes, enter the coordinates of the origin.
8. If you want to mirror the toolpath:
   • Click Mirror X to mirror the selected toolpath about the X value of the centre of its bounding box.
   • Click Mirror Y to mirror the selected toolpath about the Y value of the centre of its bounding box.
   Note: To display the Mirror settings, click the Mirror control bar to expand the Mirror area.
9. To adjust the selected toolpaths relative to the composite relief, use one of the following methods:
   • To adjust the selected toolpath by the distance between the tip of the tool and the surface of the composite relief, at the point where the tool would first make contact, select Drop Tool. Any depth below the top of the material block is preserved; meaning that the tool may move below the surface of the composite relief.
   • To adjust the selected toolpath vertically by the difference between the highest point in the composite relief and the top of the material block, select the Project Tool. When no material block is specified, ArtCAM adjusts the toolpath by the absolute height of the composite relief.

   Click Project On Relief to adjust the selected toolpath relative to the surface of the composite relief using your chosen method.

10. Close the panel.