GeneFC wrote:I use the Draft Clone function for placing objects in the correct orientation for the desired Path operation. I have made a complex part with about 10 different clones to perform drilling and milling on the 6 rectangular faces as well as some angled faces. Not only successfully designed in FreeCAD but successfully machined in metal on my simple three-axis mill.
It would be a nice extension to the Path module if it would allow selecting the working orientation, but I suspect that might be a challenge. In the interim the clone function works fine. I have even been able to go back to the original body object and make small changes successfully.
Gene
I also use the Draft clone and have thought about kind of formalizing that workflow. Here's what I'm thinking about:
As I mentioned in another thread, the 'project' is going to go away and be replaced with a 'job' The job will absorb the important properties from the Machine object which will also go away. It'll be a lot easier to configure a job than it is to configure a project now. Unlike a project, you'll be able to have any number of jobs in a FreeCAD document. I don't use Fusion 360 but from what I understand, this is similar to a 'setup' object.
The job will also have properties to identify the base object. I envision a drop-down list of the objects in the current document. The user can select an object and, optionally, create a clone of that object. In the near-term, Path wouldn't do anything to orient the clone, but I could see helper tools added down the road to do that - perhaps pick an edge from the solid which should be parallel to the Z axis of the machine. As you add operations, you'll select sub-objects just like you do now, but all selections will have to be sub-objects of the base object set in the Job.
The job will also (eventually) have properties for configuring the stock and material so these can be used to suggest defaults for feed/speed and better defaults for operations start/finish depths and size.
The only things underneath a job will be Tool controllers and operations. Right now, the order of tool controllers and operations is controlled inside the Project node (double click to edit) and it'll be similar with a job. However, I think I'll make the selection of tool controller for the operation be explicit. In other words, you open the dialog for the operation and pick the tool controller you want instead of relying on the job order.
Overall, I think the workflow will be faster and more intuitive but I'm curious if anyone has thoughts along these lines.
