Applying Transformations to a Portion of a Tool Path

You can apply transformations to a tool path.

This task shows you how to:

Translate a Tool Path

You can apply a translations to a tool path.

  1. Start the tool path editor as explained in Editing Tool Paths.
  2. Click Translation .
    The tool path is displayed on the part.
  3. Right-click the word Distance and choose the translation axis from the context menu.
    • X axis
    • Y axis
    • Z axis
    • Tool axis.
  4. Click on the line and pull the tool path.

    You can also double-click Distance and enter a value in the Distance dialog box.

  5. Double-click anywhere in the work area to validate and revert to the main dialog box.

    You can also translate the tool path by selecting it in the work area, clicking either on the approach or the retract and dragging.

Rotate a Tool Path

You can apply a rotation to a tool path.

  1. Start the tool path editor as explained in Editing Tool Paths.
  2. Click Rotation .
    The tool path is displayed on the part.
  3. Define the rotation you want with respect to:
    • A point; this defines the origin for the rotation
    • An edge; this defines the rotation axis
    • A plane; the normal to the plane defines the rotation axis
    • A face; the normal to the face defines the rotation axis.

    As you move the mouse over the tool path, the elements that is used for the rotation are highlighted in red. Pick an element to select it.

    By default, The rotation is effected around the tool axis.

  4. Edit the angle:
    • Double-click Angle in the work area and key-in a value in the dialog box is displayed.
    • or drag the direction arrow in the work area.
  5. Double-click anywhere in the work area to validate and revert to the main dialog box.

Mirror a Tool Path

You can apply a mirror transformation to a tool path.

  1. Start the tool path editor as explained in Editing Tool Paths.
  2. Click Mirror .
    The tool path is displayed on the part.
  3. Choose a plane or a face to be the mirror plane.

    You can also translate the tool path by selecting it in the work area, clicking either on the approach or the retract and dragging.

  4. Double-click anywhere in the work area to validate and revert to the main dialog box.

Reversing a Tool Path

You can reverse a tool path.

  1. Start the tool path editor as explained in Editing Tool Paths.
  2. Click Reverse .
    • A message confirms the tool path has been reversed
    • The tool path is reversed but not displayed
    • If you revert to the Machining Operation where you have created the tool path and click Display or Simulate, you see that the tool approach and retract points have been switched.

Connecting Tool Paths

You can connect a tool path.

  1. Start the tool path editor as explained in Editing Tool Paths.
  2. Click Connection .
    The tool path and a dialog box are displayed.
  3. Select the points to connect using the Selection icons.
    See Editing Points of a Tool Path for icons.
  4. Select a connection mode:
    Direct Connection: connects points directly.
    Connection through a plane: connects points through a plane.
    Connection through safety plane: connects points through the safety plane of the Machining Operation.
  5. Click OK.
  6. To check the tool path, revert to the Machining Operation that you used to create it and click Display or Simulate.
    The gap in the tool path is now closed.