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Path Rules feedback

Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2017 4:02 pm
by jeffery71
Hi Les,

I started using the Path Rules a couple weeks ago and I find I do like them for certain things that I cut..

One problem I see though is that the path rules are not saved with the Part file. I tend to cut a lot of repeat parts and one thing I've always liked with Sheetcam is the ease with which I can save parts and then later load them up on a new sheet.

Having to manual go in and set the path rule for the part each time is a bit more of an annoyance to use them. Especially if I just finished nesting 50 parts in a sheet and realized path rules weren't applied to the first part that I copied from! It would be much nicer if Path Rules were saved with the Part file then they would be applied once and not have to do them later.

Just a little feedback for you.

Thanks

Jeff Tice

Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2017 4:12 pm
by Les Newell
Hi Jeff,

Thanks for the feedback. The issue is that path rules are global. They are not specific to particular parts. I could save the path rules with the part but it chould get very messy if you load parts with conflicting rules.

The development version of SheetCam has extra buttons in the path rules editor that allow you to save and load rule sets. Another alternative would be to use job templates (file->save job as template). Templates contain everything in a job apart from the drawings. You could then load a template containing the rules before you start loading parts. If you use the quick load plugin it has an option to automatically use a job template file.

Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2017 7:07 pm
by jeffery71
Hi Les,

I tried what you suggested using a Job template. But it still requires going into Cutting Operation and applying a Path Rule to the part that I load.

Just thinking out loud here. It would almost be nice if path rules were handled similar to tools. I'm speaking from a user perspective and have no clue as to the issues involved in the coding of Sheetcam.

I could see a "Path Rules Toolset" that is saved and loaded just like the actual Toolset. When you save a part it saves the Path Rule Tool# used like it does the actual Tool. If you changed a path rule tool or deleted a path rule tool it would cause a conflict but it would be the same as it does now if you change or delete an actual Tool that the part uses.

Something to think about.

Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2017 7:41 pm
by jeffery71
Actually it just occurred to me that a lot of what I am wanting to do could be done using layers and Tools with different feed rates and code snipits. Without even using Path Rules.

Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2017 1:05 pm
by Les Newell
I need to think on this one. I understand the problem but I'm not sure of the west way to get around it.

Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2017 10:59 pm
by SeanP
I wouldn't be able to get anywhere near what's possible with rules just using code snippets.
Using layers for holes etc works great with rules, you can do all sorts with them.
Little slowdowns in certain areas works great, likes of 12mm I used to get problems with a tag at the end holding the part in, 3mm from end (include lead out unticked) slow down to 40% feed rate, stops that problem.
The more you use them the more you will find that you can do.

I too thought it was a pain not having the ruleset save with a part, but have got used to checking now and I don't really find it a problem.