Operation Reference

Overview

EasyShape assigns operations per shape. Select one or more shapes in the scene tree or on the canvas, drop them into an operation bucket, set parameters, and generate geometry. Operations are independent and fully undoable. All shapes must be closed paths - open paths trigger a warning. Every parameter named here is documented on the Parameter Reference.

Profile Cut Stable

Cuts along a shape's contour. Cut side chooses outside (part stays full size), inside (cut within the boundary), or on-path (tool centered on the line). Each shape produces a single offset pass; holding tabs can leave bridges so parts don't break free on the last depth pass.

Use it for: cutting parts out, interior windows, and centerline scoring.

Key parameters: cut side; detect nested holes; tabs (count, width, height); depth and entry settings on the strategy stage.

Pocket Clearing Stable

Clears the entire interior of a shape to a set depth using concentric inward offsets spaced by step-over. Shapes nested inside the boundary are treated as islands (holes) and left standing. A raster/zig-zag strategy is planned but not yet implemented.

Use it for: recesses, inlay cavities, and surfacing bounded regions.

Key parameters: step-over; clearing strategy (concentric offsets); optional finishing pass + finish step-over; depth and entry settings.

Drilling Stable

Treats circles and obround slots as holes and selects peck/plunge or circular milling automatically, depending on hole size versus tool. Uses the same engine as EasyTrace; the only difference is that shapes arrive one at a time rather than as a batch file.

Use it for: mounting holes, dowel holes, and slots.

Key parameters: mill oversize holes + mill step-over; canned cycle, peck depth, dwell, retract height; optional spot drill (+ spot depth).

Planned Operations In Development

These operations are part of the roadmap. Parameters are present in the interface, but the handlers are not yet active.

Engraving Planned

Follow-the-path cutting at a fixed shallow depth. Path mode will offer on-path (centerline) or tool-compensated inside/outside, with an optional multi-pass at the same depth for hard materials.

Pattern Generator Planned

Repeats a shape across a layout: rectangular grid, hexagonal, radial array (with optional rotate-to-face-outward), or linear array, with mirroring options. A geometry-only operation - it multiplies shapes before the cutting operations run.

V-Carve Planned

Variable-depth carving with a V-bit, where cut width tracks the bit's included angle and the medial axis of each shape. Wide flats beyond the bit's reach can be roughed with a separate flat end mill before the V-bit finishes the edges.

Of the planned operations this is the furthest along - its full parameter set (bit angle, max/start depth, flat-area depth, clearing tool) already exists in the interface.

3D Relief Planned

Height-driven 3D machining: a grayscale height-map or an imported STL drives Z depth across the surface. This is the earliest-stage operation - it depends on the STL parser and a 3D preview system that aren't finished yet, so no parameters are exposed.