Chaining question

[Bill H]

To chain a contour toolpath in wireframe mode, I need to select all circles of the same size on the same plane. What's the best way to do this? I've been trying to use Chain Feature, but this selects two circles for every hole (at the top and bottom of the hole).

[Cannon]

Change to side view, window select so that you only get the top arcs of your holes, press alt+ e to hide everything else that is not selected. now get back to your original view and use chain feature.

[Smrk]

or download add-on "sort circles" from mastercam.com. This addon can sort circles of same diameter to one level. Then select by window.

[NOTW Programmer]

To chain a contour toolpath in wireframe mode, I need to select all circles of the same size on the same plane. What's the best way to do this? I've been trying to use Chain Feature, but this selects two circles for every hole (at the top and bottom of the hole).

You can also use the C-plane option in the chaining window, or you can go in the Chain Feature Options ! and Activate Attribute Matchind-->Level or View. Done !

[Bill H]

Cannon and NOTW: I must be doing something wrong. I've tried both of your suggestions, but neither works. I'm still ending up with the circles representing both the top and bottom of each hole. I didn't mention in my original post that the model I'm working with was brought in from Solidworks as a solid with edge curves. Any other ideas for me?

[Rotary Ninja]

I don't see how you are getting a chain to select both the top and bottom chain of a hole?? Maybe try selecting single entities? In the chaining dialog box select the one that looks like a line. It will be "Single Entity"

[gcode]

try using the combine command to make one circle out of each pair of arcs

you should be able to window select them all at once

[gcode]

you can also delete one arc from each pair , then use the close arc command to turn the semicircles into circles

[Jayson Kramer]

If the top of the holes are at the same depth set to 2D and set the depth for the top of the hole/ use window at the chaining option and set for C-plane and it will grab all the holes at that depth only.