MAX, GMAX & VIZ

Splines

4Axis Machining

CNC Toolkit

Multiaxis CNC / CAM extension for 3DS MAX, GMAX and Autodesk VIZ

The CNC Toolkit is a plugin/script to create, edit and export full 5-Axis 3D contouring toolpaths for use with multiaxis CNC equipment.

Although primarily developed and tested under 3DS MAX, the CNC Toolkit also works with Autodesk's VIZ and GMAX, which share the same core code.
GMAX is a free, limited version of MAX, but it can still use most of the CNC functions. The primary limitation of GMAX is no file export, although you can manually copy and paste the G-Code commands from the program's script listener to an external file approx. 10,000 characters at a time. Download GMAX here.

The CNC Toolkit is available for download from the files section of
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CNC_Toolkit
(You'll need to join Yahoo groups if you're not already a member)
Also download some more tutorials and files from the same site.

See SUPPORT for tutorials

Please support the continued development of the CNC Toolkit by purchasing it or some of the other CAD/CAM/CNC Software that we sell.

Installation

Overview

Basic method of operation is:
1. Start with a Spline shape
2. Convert this to a Toolpath
3. Export the Toolpath

1. Start with a Spline
The Spline shapes are Bezier Curves which can be created from scratch or imported from DXF, AI, HPGL, GCode and Roland CNC.
These splines can be edited at the vertex level and have a number of modifiers applied to them.

2. Convert the Spline to a Toolpath
To create the toolpath (red) , the splines are subdivided into a large number of small incremental moves and each point has associated a yellow vector which determines the tool angle.
Rapid tool moves between individual splines are show in blue.

3. Export the Toolpath
The toolpath can then be exported to GCode, DXF, AI, HPGL or Roland CNC
Each vertex point on the toolpath becomes a move and each vector translates to the angle that the point is machined at.

Waterline Splines

Creates splines by slicing through a mesh

Right: Waterline Splines in Red from surface of Blue hemisphere

( Not available in GMAX version)

Parallel Splines

Creates 'Parallel' splines, Right:
X and Y in Green
Spiral in Blue
Radial in Brown
Helix in Purple

Use these splines as is to create toolpaths or project them onto a mesh surface.

Project Spline

Projects the currently selected spline onto a surface.
The resulting spline can be offset into or away from the surface.

Right: A Helix has been projected around the X axis onto the surface of a cylinder that has had a noise modifier applied

Toolpath from Spline

Generates a toolpath from the currently selected spline

Right: Toolpath in Red
Movements between Toolpath sections in Blue
( Tool Clearance determines Distance )
Toolpath Vector angles in Yellow

Vector Calculations

Options for calculating the toolpath vectors.

Right: Toolpath using a Reference Mesh in Green to calculate the tool angle vectors in Yellow

Spline Subdivision

Options for calculating how a spline is subdivided prior to creating a toolpath or having a distort type modifier applied.

Right:: Before subdivision in Red
Subdivided in White

Spline from Surface

Creates a spline from the currently selected object using either the Vertex, Edge or Face data of the Mesh Object.

Toolpath Export

Exports the currently selected toolpath to a G-Code file.
Uses the animation facility to create a keyframe for each point of the toolpath. Play or scrub through the animation to view tool movement.

Right: Helix Toolpath in Red, Tool in Blue

Mini Tutorial

Here's a quick run-through of how to engrave text around a ring, etc.

Disclaimer