[carvemylog]

Just registered MeshCAM so am running into what are probably dumb questions. Here's my 1st of those:

As an example if I'm trying to route a channel in a 2x4 (and only the channel)and then use the trial version of Cutviewer to see the toolpaths, it does route the channel I've created in the stl file, but then the G code sends the tool all over the top surface of the board as if it is surfacing it What if I just want to cut the channel?

I tried to attach example stl files and the G code file, but the website said they were invalid file types.
Thanks

Mike

[ger21]

MeshCAM was designed to cut the entire surface of 3D objects, and has no way of determining features such as pockets. You may be able to cheat a couple ways. One, define the stock size as slightly lower, and MeshCAM shouldn't touch it. Another way is an undocumented feature called check surfaces. I've never tried it, but see the May24th post here.
http://www.grzsoftware.com/news/page/3/

[rowbare]

Try something like d2nc http://www.d2nc.com/ for doing simple 2.5 d stuff.

[carvemylog]

I played with Meshcam some more and changed from cutting X and Y to waterline and it cut only the pocket.

Thanks for the replies