Creating an Operation

Each tile in the Process list will be applied to the selected geometry. A Process tile is created by dragging a Function tile from the Machining palette and a Tool tile from the Tool list to the same location in the Process list. They can be dragged in any order. When a Process tile is complete, a Process dialog specific to the chosen machining function will appear. This dialog contains detailed information about the way the operation's toolpath will be created.

Once the Process dialog is complete, a cut shape must be defined. The cut shape is the geometry the process will be applied to. Roughing operations require that at least one closed shape be selected for pocketing or the stock shape be selected for face milling. Drilling and thread milling operations require that points or circles be created at the location of the holes to be drilled or threaded. For contouring operations (if a single shape is being machined), the cut shape must be defined with Machining Markers; if engraving, multiple shapes can be selected for the cut shape.

The Do It button applies the processes defined in the list to all selected geometry, creating as many operations as needed. A pocket might contain an entry hole process followed by roughing, finishing and possibly back boring in one process group. Operation tiles will be created and placed in the Operations list. If any completed Operation tiles are highlighted, the Do It button will become the Redo button. If any changes are made to the information in the Process list, the Redo button will replace the operations in the list with the changes. Therefore, it is necessary to deselect the Operations so they do not become changed. Selecting an empty tile location or an insertion point between locations will deselect any Operation tiles.

The Process list can then be set up to create a new set of operations. Process tiles that were used to create previous operations can either be thrown away or modified. Whenever the Do It or Redo button is clicked, ALL the Process tiles in the Process list are used to create operations, even if operations have already been created using those tiles. To be safe, it's a good idea to throw away the Process tiles once the operations have been created and deselected. This way, no duplicate operations will be created because Process tiles were left in the Process list.

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