Surface finish flowline question

[jlw™]

Gentlemen,

 

Is there any way to see what the flowline path "sees" when you click on "flow" without having to actually create a path?

 

I'd like to see the lines on a surface before creating a toolpath.

 

TIA

[crazy^millman]

create/curves/flowline curve I use this a lot for creating drive geometry for some toolpaths.

[Mick]

create/curves/flowline curve I use this a lot for creating drive geometry for some toolpaths.

 

Likewise That is a handy tool. Mike Rosa taught me that many many moons ago.

[jlw™]

create/curves/flowline curve I use this a lot for creating drive geometry for some toolpaths.

Nice! Thanks Ron

[So not a Guru]

create/curves/flowline curve I use this a lot for creating drive geometry for some toolpaths.

Oh man, this should be in the "Tips & Tricks" sticky!

[DCOPE17]

So, I read through the forums here just to learn things... Is the point of this just to see how a flowline surfacing path will look before actually creating the toolpath? I have some toolpaths that weird out and have to use a different surfacing toolpath. 

Or do you actually write a toolpath from the created geometry? 

[jlw™]

I usually make my flowline surface to suit the desired result. It will also "wierd out" if you have multiple surfaces that don't agree. You can tweak some by analyze and surface normals.

 

I find that blend usually does the trick when flowline will not.

[Matthew Hajicek - Singularity]

I'd just make the toolpath at a loose tolerance and wide stepover, then if I like what I see tighten it up.

[Newbeeee™]

I'd just make the toolpath at a loose tolerance and wide stepover, then if I like what I see tighten it up.

+1

I think this is good practice for most surfacing toolpaths of any size/complexity

[Goldorak]

simply show the solid/surfaces in wireframe, this is what flowline use for the machining direction