Creating a variable chamfer

The Variable option is available when you click Apply to create a chamfer. If you have selected the path, but not created the chamfer, select the Advanced button to create a variable distance chamfer. If you select this option, you can edit the distance along the last chamfer created.

1. Create a chamfer and click Apply.
2. Select Variable. The route of the chamfer is displayed:

   

3. Click Advanced to display the Variable Distance Chamfer dialog:

   

4. Select one of the following options from the second drop-down list to determine where to input new lines along the chamfer:
   • ABS — A new line is inserted along the chamfer at a distance from the first line.
   • REL — A line is inserted along the chamfer at a distance from the selected line in the first drop-down list box.
   • PAR — A new line is input at a parametric distance between two existing lines. For example, a parametric distance of 3.5 inserts a line half way between lines 3 and 4.

   

   Note: If you hold the intelligent cursor over the chamfer route, a distance is displayed. The option selected in the second drop-down list box determines the effect of the value. For example, if ABS is selected, the value is the absolute distance along the chamfer route.
5. Enter a distance in the text box and press Enter to specify the new line. Alternatively, click a position on the chamfer route to enter a new line using the Distance value specified in the Chamfer dialog.
6. Select each line from the Current Line drop-down list, and specify a Line distance. This determines how the width of the chamfer varies from one line to another:

   

7. Click Delete to delete the selected line.
   Note: End lines cannot be deleted.
8. Select an option from the Law drop-down list to specify the variation of the distance at the current line position. The variation methods are as follows:
   • Free — The distance varies freely from the line and then takes on the conditions of the neighbouring line.

     

   • Horizontal — The distance remains constant for a short distance from the line and then takes on the conditions of the neighbouring line.

     

   • Sharp — The distance changes size as soon as it leaves the line and then takes on the conditions of the neighbouring line.

     

   The Law option uses a combination of the distance methods to define nine options. The first word specifies how the distance varies as it enters a line; the second word specifies how the distance varies as it leaves a line:

   • — Free Free
   • — Free Horizontal
   • — Free Sharp
   • — Horizontal Horizontal
   • — Horizontal Free
   • — Horizontal Sharp
   • — Sharp Sharp
   • — Sharp Free
   • — Sharp Horizontal
9. Click OK to create the variable distance chamfer and return to the Chamfer dialog.