Use the Toolpath Section Output area to select how the toolpath is calculated. Many lasers need to be refocused after travelling a certain distance in Z. To make this process easier, you can divide up the toolpath into a number of sections, each having the same thickness in Z. These can then be output as separate toolpaths.
- Separate profile and raster toolpaths — Select to create separate profile and raster toolpaths. In the Project Tree, raster toolpaths are called Hatch, and profile toolpaths are called Profile.
- Single Section — Select this option to laser machine the whole composite relief as one section. If Separate profile and raster toolpaths is selected, then two toolpaths, Hatch_0 and Profile_0, are created in the Laser toolpath group. If Separate profile and raster toolpaths is deselected, only one toolpath, Section 1, is created in the Laser toolpath group.
- Multiple Sections — Select this option to split the laser machine toolpath into sections. Enter the thickness for each section in the Section Thickness box. If Separate profile and raster toolpaths is selected, each section is split into a raster toolpath and a profile toolpath. If Separate profile and raster toolpaths is deselected, each section contains both raster and profile toolpaths.
- Individual Slices — Select this option to split the laser machine toolpath into slices. The number of toolpath sections created is determined by the number of slices in the Z Slices area. If Separate profile and raster toolpaths is selected, each slice is split into a raster toolpath and a profile toolpath. If Separate profile and raster toolpaths is deselected, each slice contains both raster and profile toolpaths.