PixelCNC v1.84b
This is a little bit of a hotfix update, but we do have some newness included as well! This was an in-progress v1.84b update that was decided to go out per a tool library import bug that could cause PixelCNC to fail at importing tools from a PTL tool library file under certain conditions.
There have also been a few other changes and fixes, mostly involving the user interface. Detailed below are the most prominent changes included with v1.84b.
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Fillet Carving Operation
We've been working on a new operation type for a number of weeks now and this first iteration is ready to go live. This operation allows creating a fillet around 2D contour input - either a waterline contour from a canvas layer group, or a paths-layer. The Fillet Carving operation can be found under the Specialty Cuts operation type category when choosing an operation type from the dialog.
The operation's Min Depth parameter indicates the top of the fillet radius while the Max Depth parameter specifies where the fillet's arc ends. In effect the difference between the Min/Max Depth parameters is how the radius of the fillet is actually specified for the operation's cutpaths.
Users should note that the Max Depth parameter does not actually indicate where the maximum depth of the cutter's position will be, as it will need to travel down farther to properly cut a fillet with a radius equal to the Max Depth minus the Min Depth. Projects where it is desired that the fillet be as large as possible will want to set the Max Depth equal to the project's canvas Z size minus the radius of the ballnose cutter being used - as the extra margin will be required in order for the cutter to properly form where the fillet extends down into the vertical sides of a 3D shape. Fillet Carving cuts will, however, be restricted to the bottom of the canvas - which may be premature for the desired fillet radius if the canvas is not deep enough to accommodate a ballnose cutter's radius.
We may change how this operation's parameters are entered in the future to help prevent any confusion that may result from the current convention, as it deviates from how things work with other operation types, somewhat. We tend to include automatic "fixing-up" of parameters from older project files whenever such changes are made, so users will not have to worry about remembering to update parameters for their existing projects.
2D Milling Confine Cuts
The Confine Cuts option is now no longer disabled on the 2D Trochoidal/Offset milling operations, so that users can disable it to have their cutpaths reach the edges of the canvas. As with other options, the Offset parameter only affects cutpath distance from the contour input (waterline canvas contour or paths-layer) and not the edges of the canvas.
Previously the Confine Cuts option was permanently enabled on 2D milling operations, which would result in these distracting corner "pillars" when viewing operations in the simulation mode. Now that the option is available users can disable it so that these can be prevented. Just remember that disabling Confine Cuts means that your cutter will be removing material outside around the edges of your project's canvas!
Measure Tool Improvements
The recently-added measurement tool now allows the Snap-to-Grid option to affect where the start/end points being measured are placed. This will make it easier to make specific measurements for the depths of things between two horizontally chosen points.
The measurement tool now renders with a line and crosshair that span vertically between a measurement point that's being placed and the project's grid plane (which is where the machine Z zero is set for the project's canvas). This should help make it clear where a measurement point is relative to the horizontal plane as things can quickly become confusing within the 3D view. This also makes it clear where a measurement point is being snapped to on the grid now that the grid-snapping option affects measurement endpoint placement with this update.
We've also changed the measurement tool to not hog the camera control input so much. If the cursor is off of the canvas surface the left-mouse button can be used as per usual, and will only set a measurement point when clicked while the cursor is over the canvas.
What's Next?
We're working on several new operations, and a number of other changes and fixes too. Our new video tutorials should be published any day now so if you're not subscribed to our YouTube channel, be sure to visit over there and hit the subscribe and notifications to be informed when our new videos go live!
Happy CNCing! :]