The five pocket strategies#
A strategy is the pattern the bit follows to clear an area. Here's the same heart cleared five ways:
| Auto | Raster | Contour | Morph | Adaptive |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Strategy | How | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Auto | Mixes the others per area | Almost everything. Start here |
| Raster | Straight back-and-forth lines | Simple open pockets |
| Contour | Rings following the edge inward | Tracing walls and islands |
| Morph | One unbroken spiral | Smooth shapes, fewest lifts |
| Adaptive | Keeps the bit's bite constant | Hard material, deep pockets |
Contour vs Morph#
They look alike. Contour is separate rings with a lift between each. Morph is one continuous spiral with no lifts. That's why Morph can't do every shape.
When a strategy declines#
Some shapes don't suit Morph (or others). Instead of making a bad path, the app uses Auto and tells you. Alt-click Generate to force it anyway.
Clean-up is automatic#
Every strategy leaves a little behind in tight corners. A rest-clearing pass always runs to take that off lightly before the final wall pass.
Stepover#
How far apart the passes are, as a % of the bit's width. Smaller = cleaner floor, longer job. On Adaptive it's called Engagement.
How-to: Clear a pocket