[solved] Toolpath Start Point

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desertskis
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Posts: 3
Joined: Sat Nov 04, 2023 11:42 am

[solved] Toolpath Start Point

Post by desertskis » Sat Nov 04, 2023 11:51 am

Hello,

I have tried searching for an issue like mine and have been unable to find the same problem. My apologies if this has been answered elsewhere...

I am having trouble getting a Profile Toolpath to start at the "Startpoint" of a polyline. Every time I create a toolpath from an closed (or open) polyline, the start point of the toolpath is always the point closest to origin in the drawing.

I have reviewed the QCAD/CAM tutorial and documentation and am trying to follow the steps to relocate the start point to a long straight edge, but I can't seem to make it work correctly.

I've attached a screenshot as an example.

I quite like using QCAD and have found the forums quite helpful in my learning over the last 2 years.

Thanks for your help in advance. :)
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Screenshot 2023-11-04 at 21.48.36.png
Screenshot 2023-11-04 at 21.48.36.png (16.93 KiB) Viewed 4435 times
Last edited by desertskis on Sun Nov 05, 2023 10:46 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Husky
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Re: Toolpath Start Point

Post by Husky » Sat Nov 04, 2023 5:01 pm

Hi,
you can modify the start point for a polyline with "Relocate Start Point".
Menu: Draw > Polyline > Relocate Start Point.

Reference manual:
https://qcad.org/doc/qcad/latest/refere ... nt_en.html
Work smart, not hard: QCad Pro
Win10/64, QcadPro, QcadCam version: Current.
If a thread is considered as "solved" please change the title of the first post to "[solved] Title..."

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Grafpaper
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Location: Minnesota USA

Re: Toolpath Start Point

Post by Grafpaper » Sat Nov 04, 2023 5:53 pm

I had the same problem where my toolpath had extended from my desired cut. I noticed in the Profile Toolpath window the Lead parameters, I zeroed the lead in, lead out and overcut parameters to remove the extensions from the toolpath.
QCADCAM version 3.28.2 on Windows 11

desertskis
Newbie Member
Posts: 3
Joined: Sat Nov 04, 2023 11:42 am

Re: Toolpath Start Point

Post by desertskis » Sun Nov 05, 2023 3:02 am

Husky wrote:
Sat Nov 04, 2023 5:01 pm
Hi,
you can modify the start point for a polyline with "Relocate Start Point".
Menu: Draw > Polyline > Relocate Start Point.

Reference manual:
https://qcad.org/doc/qcad/latest/refere ... nt_en.html
Husky, thanks for the quick reply, however I have tried to relocate the start point (seen by Red node in screenshot) to the middle of the long line on the bottom. This doesn't change the toolpath start point though. It still always starts at the bottom left node (closest to the origin point).

I've tried relocating to the midpoint of each of the edges with the same result and the toolpath is always generated at the lower left node.
Grafpaper wrote:
Sat Nov 04, 2023 5:53 pm
I had the same problem where my toolpath had extended from my desired cut. I noticed in the Profile Toolpath window the Lead parameters, I zeroed the lead in, lead out and overcut parameters to remove the extensions from the toolpath.
Thanks Grafpapaper, but I'm not worried about the lead in/out and overcut parameters, primarily I'm trying to get the toolpath to start at the polyline start node (Red)

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Husky
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Re: Toolpath Start Point

Post by Husky » Sun Nov 05, 2023 5:11 am

desertskis wrote:
Sun Nov 05, 2023 3:02 am
I've tried relocating to the midpoint of each of the edges with the same result and the toolpath is always generated at the lower left
1. Is the option "use always startpoint" activated below the tool settings?
2. did you "regenerate the toolpath" afterward the startpoint modification?
Work smart, not hard: QCad Pro
Win10/64, QcadPro, QcadCam version: Current.
If a thread is considered as "solved" please change the title of the first post to "[solved] Title..."

desertskis
Newbie Member
Posts: 3
Joined: Sat Nov 04, 2023 11:42 am

Re: Toolpath Start Point

Post by desertskis » Sun Nov 05, 2023 5:22 am

Oh man...That's the answer.

I will say that it was late last night when I was having this problem....However, even with my fresh eyes this AM I was still stumped. :shock:

Funny the obvious things you overlook!

Thanks for your help with my simple question, that'll get me back on track :)

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