FS#2507 - Add Toolpath from Layer
I’ve been able to make this work as proof of concept very easily, but many of the functions are inaccessible/difficult to override from post-processors.
Desired functionality:
1) Enable “Add Profile Toolpath” UI elements all the time (remove setRequiresSelection)
2) CAM Profile Toolpath Dialog: Drop-down menu of available Layers. First option “By Selection Only” 3) “By Selection Only” continues to pass EntityIds of selected objects (existing functionality)
4) Choosing an active Layer will use the Layer as source of EntityIds
5) Any changes to Entities on a Layer will result in those new/removed/changed objects being re-generated without having to manually select and update the tool paths. Either do not recover list of EntityIds from the ToolpathBlock, and instead use “live” each time it’s regenerated, or additional functionality to determine if a LayerId is associated with the Toolpath, and then lookup EntityIds.
I assume the persistence of the Layer selection would be available within the Toolpath, so that it will automatically update EntityIds every time a Toolpath is regenerated, without having to select Entities and updating the toolpath manually.
For large projects, being able to force select objects based upon layer dramatically reduces mistakes and speeds up the workflow.
Thanks
Not convinced of 1)
As an additionally new tool, yes, probably.
The reason why I don't vote as it is presented here.
4) Misconception:
The active or current layer in the layer list is the one intended for new entities.
You choose that in the Layer List and that has nothing to do with CAM.
You probably mean 'Choosing a Layer will use ...'
5) That would alter your 'Profile Toolpath from layer' tool in an entity event based tool what would run each time a single entity is added, altered or removed.
For example cutting a entity in two would initiate the toolpath re-generation 3 times.
For removing the original entity, then adding a new entity and then adding the second piece.
How can we end or suspend the event based relationship?
How are we going to add a Profile Toolpath based on selection or a Drill ToolPath or a yet unsupported Pocketing Toolpath?
IMHO 'Profile Toolpath from layer' should be initiated the same as for other toolpaths.
Simply pre-processing geometry to CamEntities intended for a CAM export.
Re-generation initiated upon CAM export or manually could of course regenerate the toolpaths based on entities on a dedicated layer.
Event based ... Probably too far fetched and/or too custom oriented.
Remark that QCAD/CAM is basically a CAD application with a CAM addon.
You should be able to simply design things without CAM interfering constantly.
An electric diagram or the addition to your home for example.
Regards,
CVH