Splines to lines/arcs

[Mic6]

Is there a way to convert a surface spline, a simple 2d shape, to 2D arcs and lines?

[[email protected]]

If I'm thinking right, you can do it with "Simplify" under the trim menu

[LaszloK]

I am usually not happy with the simplify results and end up creating new arcs and lines from points placed along the splines.

[Pete Rimkus from CNC Software Inc.]

'Simplify' will only work when the spline 'looks like' a line or arc. It's goal is to convert the spline into one entity of either type.

Use Edit/BreakManyPieces to convert a more complicated spline into a series of lines or arcs. Use the options in the ribbon bar which appears to control how you want them to be created.

[Colin Gilchrist]

'Break Many Pieces' will only try to create Lines Or Arcs. It will not take a spline and give you a series of trimmed, tangent, lines and arcs.

 

Can you post up a picture of a spline or two you are working with?

 

The technique I use to create good geometry is to do a Contour toolpath on the spline, turn on the "Filter" and make sure it is set to output arcs in the XY plane. Set your compensation to "Off" and use no lead in/out.

 

Set your Retract, Feed plane, and depth to "0.0" and "Incremental".

 

Then Backplot the toolpath and use the "Save as Geometry" function to create the geometry as trimmed lines and arcs...

 

HTH,

[Mic6]

I was able to get the part cutting, but I'd like to figure this out in case of the next time. I created a solid of a skeleton key, when I could have easily just used 2D geometry, but trying to get all fancy just bit me in the a$$. I'll post up a pic on Monday. Thanks for the suggestions.

[MotorCityMinion]

Maybe... copy the spline to a new level. Xform project. Close the spline without intersecting it. Extrude the spline. Create curves and see if that Geo is useful. You may get lucky and be able to simplify it now as well.

[Thad]

I have an operation in my ops library that does exactly what Colin suggested. I can turn a spline into good lines and arcs in about 10 seconds. Works every time.

 

Thad

[Colin Gilchrist]

Yes!!! Thanks Thad. Having it in the operations library is a good idea. I always just create a new op on the fly. I'll have to add that one.

 

Once you get used to using it, there is no better solution in Mastercam to turn a complex spline into a chain of tangent, trimmed, lines and arcs.

[Mic6]

Colin, Thad. "Save as geometry" worked liked a charm! Learn somethin new everyday

[Thermoform Guy]

Yes thanks Colin and Thad you got me

out of a tight spot today.

[Mickey@acceltool]

Sorry if I missed it.. So how do you turn a spline into lines and arcs? I need to know this...LOL

[Guest]

Sorry if I missed it.. So how do you turn a spline into lines and arcs? I need to know this...LOL

 

If it is straight lines and simple arcs

 

Edit >> Simplify

 

 

If more complex, Break >> Many Pieces, using the available settings on the menu bar

[Colin Gilchrist]

The 5th post in this thread explains how to turn a spline into a "fitted" set of lines and arcs.

[Scott Lundin Shopware Inc.]

Some readers may be wondering why you would want to have tangent lines and arcs rather that splines. One reason is that the "wireframe 2D swept" tool path does not allow the use of splines. What else are you guys using this type of geometry for?

[Micromoldmaker]

If "Simplify" doesn't do it, then I usually try a "3 point arc" snapping into end, middle and other end. If I still need to refine the curvature I then break the spline in two and repeat the previous step for both curves. That's usually satisfactory for what I work with. I very rarely need to break splines beyond that.