Changing the start position

The start position in a profile pass determines the place at which the cutting tool enters the material block when you are machining a model. The green node indicates the current start position in the profile pass.

To change the start position relative to a defined reference point:

1. Display the Profile Options panel for the toolpath you want to edit.
2. In the Tool Settings: Profile Options panel, if the Start Point options are not displayed, click the Start Point control bar.
3. In the Reference Point area, select the option by which you want to set the position of the start point in the selected profile pass:
   • Centre of Gravity — This option sets the reference point in the main mass of the vector artwork from which the selected toolpath was created.

     If you select this option, four options are available in the Position area. These indicate the positions available for the start point in the selected profile pass relative to the reference point.

     You can set the start point above, below, left or right of its current position, depending on the cutting direction of the selected profile pass.

   • Centre of Bounding Box — This option sets the reference point in the centre of the bounding box that surrounds the selected profile pass.

     If you select this option, four options are available in the Position area. These indicate the positions available for the start point in the selected profile pass relative to the reference point.

     You can set the start point above, below, left or right of its current position, depending on the cutting direction of the selected profile pass.

   • Highest or lowest x or y value — This option sets the reference point as the position in the selected profile pass with the highest or lowest X or Y value; depending on its cutting direction.

     If you select this option, in the Position area, four options are available. These indicate the positions available for the start point in the selected profile pass relative to the reference point.

     You can set the start point above, below, left or right of its current position, depending on the cutting direction of the selected profile pass.

   • Closest to corners or mid of bounding box — This option allows you to set the start point as close as possible to one of the four corners or mid points along the sides of the bounding box that surrounds the selected profile pass.

     If you select this option, in the Position area, nine options are available. These indicate the positions available for the start point in the selected profile pass.

     You can set the start point above, below, left or right of its current position, depending on the cutting direction of the selected profile pass.

4. Use either of the following methods to set the position of the start point in the selected profile pass:
   • In the Position area, select the option by which you want to use.
   • Click the start point in the selected profile pass, and then drag it into position.
5. Click the Apply button to set the new position of the start point.
Tip: You can set any node in a selected vector as the start point. This controls the start point position in a new toolpath.