[2C3D4U]

I work a great deal with open geometries, lines that describe paths for cutting shallow peripheral grooves in 6-10mm thick acrylic.
Can I assign orientation and direction to these geometries? Put simply, can I draw an open line and tell the tool bit to cut to the left or right of that line, and not just center? Can I then select that toolpath to offset it a small distance reversing it's direction on second pass? I don't see how where this is done. I have previously worked for decades with Alpha CAM, where this is very straightforward.

[cncmakers001]

I work a great deal with open geometries, lines that describe paths for cutting shallow peripheral grooves in 6-10mm thick acrylic.
Can I assign orientation and direction to these geometries? Put simply, can I draw an open line and tell the tool bit to cut to the left or right of that line, and not just center? Can I then select that toolpath to offset it a small distance reversing it's direction on second pass? I don't see how where this is done. I have previously worked for decades with Alpha CAM, where this is very straightforward.

You mentioned you were on AlphaCAM before, but didn’t say what you’re currently using
Because the interface and options are very different across CAM software.

[williamsmotower]

Yes you can cut on, or left or right of curves. And offset. But I believe offset input also will add or subtract to depth too.

2d profiling icon is where you would do this in Madcam

[2C3D4U]

Please clarify the intent of your response. My question regards something quite specific to MadCAM. If I didn't make that clear, kindly point out why you interpreted otherwise.

[2C3D4U]

Thank you, but for the life of me, I don't specifically see where this is selected for. I draw a rectangle, call it my material, assign some arbitrary thickness, then draw an open curve........ok, how do I tell my tool to use my open curve as a guide line on the RIGHT side of that curve, or the left side of the curve. I don't see it. Offsetting would be great as well, with path return in the reverse direction.

[RaderSidetrack]

My question regards something quite specific to MadCAM. If I didn't make that clear, kindly point out why you interpreted otherwise.

I think the comment arose because none of the text in your original post mentioned MadCAM. Yes, this thread is in the MadCAM subforum, but that is not necessarily a reliable indicator of content. Threads often get created in a less-than-optimal subforum.

I edited the thread title to include "MadCAM".