[dwneumann]

I am having a heck of a time with clipping planes.
My stock model goes from Z Top=0 to Z Bottom=-2.625 (attached thumbnail #1).
I want to mill just the top half of my part so I set the top clipping plane to Z=0 and the bottom clipping plane to (Z=-1.3125) but both clipping planes appear offset by -0.1875" (attached thumbnail #2).
Why is this?? If I drag the top clipping plane up to where it should be at Z=0 then the clipping plane dialog box shows it at +0.1875" (attached thumbnail #3). The same thing happens if I type in a value instead of dragging.

The top of the stock really is at Z=0.
Why is there a discrepancy between where the top of the stock shows Z=0 and where the clipping plane shows up when I set it to Z=0?
Why the offset from where I want them?

Thanks...
Dean

[zcnc4u]

I pretty much gave up on using a clipping planes, it's easy to do without them: just draw a surface at the bottom of your desired depth of cut and select a model together with that surface - works every time for me

[dwneumann]

just draw a surface at the bottom of your desired depth of cut and select a model together with that surface

thanks zcnc4u.
I am having a lot of trouble with clipping planes so I would ike to try your method. But I'm not clear... I select the model then shift-click to also select the "clipping" surface... then how do I tell MadCam that it should stop cutting at the "clipping" surface?

[svenakela]

I don't get it. I'm using Clipping planes all the time with no problem at all. I'm curious and could have a look at it if you send me the model. If you send me a PM where I can download the model, or PM your e-mail I'll respond with mine so you can send the file directly to me.
I promise, will not copy your dolphin.

[dwneumann]

thanks svenakela. PM sent.
-dean

[svenakela]

You probably don't wanna read this but... ...my Clipping planes act like they should.

What happens if you create a new (blank) file and copy paste the model into it?

[zcnc4u]

thanks zcnc4u.
I am having a lot of trouble with clipping planes so I would ike to try your method. But I'm not clear... I select the model then shift-click to also select the "clipping" surface... then how do I tell MadCam that it should stop cutting at the "clipping" surface?

your surface (I call them "limit surface") should be a little bigger than your model and then you choose the model for madcam - choose it together with the limit surface. the one very big advantage of this method: your clipping plane does not limited to only straight surface i.e. :

[svenakela]

If you dig into this clip you'll find variable clipping planes the way zcnc4u makes them.
MADCAMCNC: Old but nice vid, rear wing model

[zcnc4u]

If you dig into this clip you'll find variable clipping planes the way zcnc4u makes them.
MADCAMCNC: Old but nice vid, rear wing model

exactly svenakela, that's one of the ways to use them.
madcam is such an ingenious cam program and it's so easy to use since you start to dig it... sometimes i wonder how is it possible for one man to create such a program which surpass a number of more expensive ones...

many thanks to Joakim for creating such a wonderful tool for us

[dwneumann]

thanks fellas. The limiting surface method works great...