Path Workbench: Difference between revisions

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== This page is currently reworked. It may contain unordered, missing, obsolete or wrong information ==

== Introduction == <!--T:1-->

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The Path workbench is used to produce machine instructions for [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CNC_router CNC machines] from a FreeCAD model. This can be used to produce real-world 3D objects on machines like mills, lathes, lasercutters or alike. Usually these instructions are some kind of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G-code GCode] dialect.
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[[Image:pathwb.png]]
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The FreeCAD process to create these machine instructions is as follows:
* You create a 3D model of your object, probably using one ore several of [[Part Design Workbench|Part Design], [[Part Workbench|Part]] or [[Draft Workbench|Draft]] workbench
* You create a [[Job]] in Path Workbench, the job uses a certain [[set of tools]].
* You create milling paths using e.g. [[Contour]] and [[Pocket]] operations. These [[Path objects]] use a slightly abstract G-Code represention which is independent from the machine
* Finally, since each type of machine often speaks a different G-Code dialect, you use a machine dependent post processor to create G-Code which. This translates the FreeCAD G-Code into the particular flavor recognized by your machine. There are several postprocessors included which you can use directly or use as a template for creating your own.

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== A walkthrough for the impatient ==
Here we will show how to get from a simple FreeCAD object to the machine's G-Code
=== The model ===
Let's start with a simple FreeCAD model: a cube with a rectangular pocket.

[[File:Path-SquarePocketModel.png]]

It is modeled straightforward in the [[Part Design Workbench]] using a Body, a Box and a Pocket based on a Sketch. The sketch is oriented in the XY plane.

=== The Job ===
In the Path workbench we create a [[Image:Path-Job.png|32px]] [[Path_Job|Job]]

In the job creation dialog we select the Body as the Base Model and confirm with OK.

[[File:Path-JobCreationDialog.png]]

The model in the 3D view is now surrounded by a wireframe cube and the job configuration dialog opens. We start with the configuration of the output, which is the finally generated G-Code file.

=== ===

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The bracket for the various path elements is the Job. You can think of it as a job you have to do at a real mill:
The mill has a certain set of control codes (usually G-Code), you use a certain set of tools, you have some stock material, and you start to mill by using the different tools. You can use the same tool for different paths, e.g. milling different pockets.

== GUI tools == <!--T:10-->

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{{Path_Tools}}

== Scripting == <!--T:12-->

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The Path workbench offers a broad [[Path scripting|python scripting API]]. With it, you can create and modify paths from python scripts, or extend the available functionality of the workbench.


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[[Category:User Documentation]]
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Latest revision as of 19:43, 17 March 2024

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