SHS Waterline question - roll tool

[neurosis]

I usually use Surface Finish Contour for everything that I would use Waterline on. Mostly because Waterline has been a pain in the butt for me to get working properly in some situations where SFC works pretty much every time with expected results. 

Is there an option in SHS Waterline similar to 'Only between surfaces' that keeps the path from rolling over ever surface edge unless contained by a boundary? 

I'm starting to like the new lead functionality but I still seem to get better results with SFC. 

[Guest]

41 minutes ago, neurosis said:

I usually use Surface Finish Contour for everything that I would use Waterline on. Mostly because Waterline has been a pain in the butt for me to get working properly in some situations where SFC works pretty much every time with expected results. 

Is there an option in SHS Waterline similar to 'Only between surfaces' that keeps the path from rolling over ever surface edge unless contained by a boundary? 

I'm starting to like the new lead functionality but I still seem to get better results with SFC. 

You need the boundary, AFAIK.

[crazy^millman]

1 hour ago, [email protected] said:

You need the boundary, AFAIK.

Yep, but you can use the Include Silhouette Boundary sometimes without needing to grab solid edges to make one.

However the best method I have found for both toolpath is using a boundary. I was just teaching SFC to someone this week and once it was all said and done I showed him 3D contour with a lower edge and it was the winner. He was using Flowline and getting the jackhammer effect in his code and once I showed him how clean the cut and code was with 3D contour he ran it was almost mirror finish results on the part he was cutting. It is humbling to teach someone and see them embrace it. We cut 5 days of run time from his part. They need 160 a year for the next 10 years. So yes I help the company save 8000 days over the next 10 years in manufacturing time on one part or using a $100 shop rate $9.6 million.

[Guest]

26 minutes ago, crazy^millman said:

Yep, but you can use the Include Silhouette Boundary sometimes without needing to grab solid edges to make one.

does that generate wireframe?

[crazy^millman]

2 hours ago, [email protected] said:

does that generate wireframe?

No, but it does project the edges in the background to the C-Plane of the toolpath and goes from there. Then with Tool Tip or Contact you have a good source of controlling the toolpath in ways a regular boundary sometimes is hard to make happen.