Window CAM-Offset
The window opens with the tool CAM offset and stays open until the path is created or the command is cancelled. It can be moved by its title bar.
Distance
Offset of the path in millimetres (default 5.00, afterwards the last used value). As long as the preview runs live, the mouse writes the distance into the field; a typed value takes precedence and pauses the live preview. Double-click into the field hands the lead back to the mouse. The value is shown with two decimals.
📏 Measure distance
Pick the distance in the drawing: click two points — after clicking the button the program expects two points in the drawing (with object snap); their distance is adopted into the field and the preview paused. A distance of zero is discarded (CAM offset: measured distance is zero).
Radii at outer corners
Checkbox (default on): outer corners of the contour are travelled with an arc of the radius of the distance — the way a cutter runs around a corner. Without the checkbox the shifted elements meet sharply. Inner corners are intersected in both cases.
Select geometry manually
Checkbox (default off): Do not follow the contour automatically — click each element yourself. With the checkbox only what you click joins the chain; a second click on an element removes it again. Without the checkbox the program follows the contour over shared endpoints and asks at junctions.
Smooth curves as spline
Check box (factory off): if the contour contains ellipses, elliptical arcs or splines, every connected smooth run of the path is stored as one spline instead of a fine polyline. Corners and places where the inner offset clips the curve stay lines in both cases; the offset of a full circle is always a circle. The check box can still be switched after the contour has been chosen — the preview follows immediately. The choice is remembered for the next call. Details: Circles, ellipses and splines.
State of the contour
The grey line below the checkboxes shows what the program currently expects or has: Click an element before the first click, 6 elements · closed for a closed chain, 6 elements · enter the distance or create, Junction: click the continuation or Measure distance: click two points.
Create, Cancel, ×
Create puts the path into the drawing (the same as a right-click in the drawing area) and ends the command. Cancel and the × in the title bar discard everything — like Esc — and switch to Select. Esc always closes the window as well, even while the preview is hanging at the mouse.
Related topics
- CAM offset — procedure, junctions, messages