Processing > Processing with Hints

Geometry used as input for Processing may contain Hints, which may be used to specify for example the Tool Type, bevel angle, kerf offset direction, depth to drill to etc. These hints are largely invisible, however they can be seen by getting the properties on geometric entities in the Geometry editor. A Hints button appears under the path properties if the path or any of the path's subentities contain hints. Hints can also be deleted from here.

Geometry Hints override options chosen in the processing options dialog, for example even if you ask for Kerf left on a path via these options, if the processed geometry has a No Kerf hint, No Kerf will be applied.

Hints are automatically created in the following scenarios:

Common Line Cutting Wizard

No Kerf Hints are applied to the common lines.

Spine Bridging Wizard

A Kerf Left hint is applied to the resultant open spine bridge path.

Create Bevel Geometry Wizard

Kerf Left hints, Bevel Angle Hints, and possibly Geometry Defines Top Path hints are applied to the resultant paths.

Import from .NC1 files

Kerf Left hints, Bevel Angle Hints, Geometry Defines Top Path hints, Machine to Depth hints (for drilling) and spindle point operation hints are applied to the imported geometry to aid in automatic processing. See also DSTV (NC1) Part Import.

Import from STEP files

Kerf Left hints, Bevel Angle Hints, Geometry Defines Top Path hints, Machine to Depth hints (for drilling) are applied to the imported geometry to aid in automatic processing. See also Part Processing and Importing a Solid STEP File.

Smart Cluster

Various Kerf and leadin hints are applied.

Pad Milling from 3D STEP Import

Various hints including Tool, ZRef, Kerf are applied.

Color Mapping to Tools

Tool hints are applied based on Geometry Color