Simulate an additive toolpath

  1. Ensure that you have an additive setup with an FFF, MPBF, or DED additive machine selected.

  2. Ensure that the additive toolpath is generated.

  3. On the Manufacture workspace toolbar, click Additive > Actions > Simulate Additive Toolpath simulate additive toolpath icon.

    The Simulate Additive Toolpath dialog opens, and simulation player controls appear at the bottom of the canvas.

    simulation player controls

  4. Choose a Mode option to show all layers, or only the current layer, during the simulation.

  5. Choose a Layers option to include all layers in the simulation, or to speed up the simulation by skipping every second, fifth, tenth, or 100th layer.

    Note: This option is available only when you select a machine with additive MPBF capabilities.
  6. Choose an Animation option to simulate all layers in sequence, or the current layer on a loop.

  7. Choose a Display Type option to determine if the color legend on the canvas is based on the toolpath type or print speed.

    Toolpath type lets you compare, for example, supports in contrast to infills.

    Note: This option is available only when you select a machine with additive FFF capabilities.
  8. On the canvas, on the simulation player controls, click Start the Simulation start icon or press Ctrl+Space.

    The additive build starts to simulate.

    simulation example

    As the simulation progresses, statistics about the build update in the dialog. Statistics include the total number of layers in the entire build, the height from the build platform to the current layer being simulated, the time needed to build the current layer, and the number of the current layer.

    Tip: Use the other simulation player controls to skip forwards and backward and to change the speed of the simulation. Click and drag the black marker on the green timeline slice progress icon to advance the simulation.
  9. (Optional) To post process the additive toolpath to an NC file, click Post Process.

    Note: This option is available only when you select a machine with additive FFF or DED capabilities.
  10. Click Close.

Note: This feature is available only when you select an additive machine with FFF, MPBF, or DED capabilities.