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EasyTrace5000 Parameter Guide
Every field, its range, its default, and what it changes
Reading This Page
Parameters are grouped by the step they appear in, then by the section heading they sit under in the panel. That is the order you meet them in the app: Source Geometry before you generate offsets, Z Strategy before the preview, Feeds & Toolpaths before the toolpaths.
Four columns are worth explaining:
- Values
- The range the field accepts, or the options in the dropdown. Out-of-range entries are rejected by the form rather than clamped silently.
- Default
- What a fresh operation starts with. Tool-derived fields have no default - they are seeded from the tool you pick.
- Applies to
- Which operations show the field. A field you cannot find is usually one that belongs to a different operation type.
- Shown when
- Several fields are conditional and only appear once another setting is on, or set to a particular value. If a parameter is documented here but missing from your panel, this is why.
The machine filters the form too
Some parameters only exist on one kind of machine. A field marked with a machine does not appear on the others - the laser fill settings never show up on a router operation, and depth and feed never show up on a laser one. Where nothing is marked, the field is a router one.
The same text is in the app
Every description below is the tooltip text for that field - hover the ? beside any label to get it in place. This page and the app read from the same string pack, so they cannot drift apart.
For what each operation does, see the Operation Guide. For how the stages fit together, see How a Job Works.
Machine settings are not on this page
Post-processor, safe and travel Z, rapid feed, units, PCB thickness, line numbers, tool length compensation and laser spot size are job-wide rather than per-operation. They are covered in the Machine Settings Reference.
Machine Settings
These apply to every operation. The defaults are the app's: a post-processor's setup can start a field at its own value, or lock it while it is selected. A post-processor's own fields, such as its start and end blocks, appear under it.
Post-Processor
| Setting | Values | Default | What it does |
|---|---|---|---|
| Post-Processor Machine class: router | Grbl, Makera (Carvera), grblHAL, UCCNC, Marlin, Mach3, LinuxCNC, Roland (RML), Fanuc, WinPC-NC | Grbl | Selects the setup for your CNC controller: the G-code it writes and the values these settings start from. A setup can also lock some of them. |
| G-code Units Shown when the post-processor supports it Machine class: router | Millimeters (G21) / Inches (G20) | Millimeters (G21) | Sets the units for the exported G-code file (G21 for mm, G20 for inches). |
| Line Numbers (N) Shown when the post-processor supports it Machine class: router | on / off | off | Prefix G-code blocks with line numbers (N10, N20…). Shown only when the post-processor's control accepts them. |
| Line Number Step Shown when Line Numbers (N) is on Shown when the post-processor supports it Machine class: router | 1 - 1000 | 10 | Increment gap between consecutive line numbers (N words). A step of 10 outputs N10, N20, N30… leaving space to insert manual blocks at the machine controller. |
| Tool Length Offset Machine class: router | None / Controller tool table (G43 Hn) / Controller tool table, H from T (Tn M06 G43) / Measured at change time (controller macro) (as the post-processor offers) | set by the post-processor | Where the controller gets the new tool's Z length after a change. 'Controller tool table' assumes you have measured each tool into the control's offset table. 'H from T': the control takes the offset register from the T word. 'Measured at change time' means a controller macro probes the tool and owns Z, so no G43 is emitted. 'None' emits nothing and you re-zero Z on the new bit yourself. |
Stock
| Setting | Values | Default | What it does |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stock Thickness | ≥ 0.1 mm | 1.8 | The total thickness of your stock material. Used for cutout depth calculations. |
Heights & Feeds
| Setting | Values | Default | What it does |
|---|---|---|---|
| Safe Z Machine class: router | — | 5 | Maximum safe height for rapid moves and tool changes (G0). Must clear all clamps and fixtures. |
| Travel Z Machine class: router | — | 2 | Height above the board (Z=0) where the tool travels between cutting paths. |
| Rapid Feed Machine class: router | — | 1000 | The feed rate (mm/min) for G0 rapid movements (travel and safe Z moves). |
| Coolant Shown when the post-processor supports it Machine class: router | None / Mist / Flood | None | Coolant the program switches on at its start and off at its end: mist or flood, in the post's own codes (M7/M8 and M9 on most posts). None leaves coolant to the operator. |
| Vacuum Shown when the post-processor supports it Machine class: router | on / off | off | Switches the vacuum or dust extraction on at the start of the program and off at its end, in the post's own codes (M10/M11 on most posts, M331/M332 on Makera, an auxiliary output on WinPC-NC). |
4th Axis
| Setting | Values | Default | What it does |
|---|---|---|---|
| Machine Rotary Axis Machine class: router | A - along workspace X / B - along workspace Y | A - along workspace X | Which machine axis the rotary turns about: X gives an A word, Y a B word. It is how the rotary is mounted, so every 4th-axis operation uses it, and changing it marks them for regeneration. Only words the post-processor declares can be exported. |
| Chuck Side Machine class: router | Low end (toward -X / -Y) / High end (toward +X / +Y) | Low end (toward -X / -Y) | Which end of the rotary axis the chuck holds. Each operation's chuck-end boundary settings apply at that end, and its tail-end ones at the other. |
| 4th-Axis Route Machine class: router | Rotary word (A/B in degrees) / Rotary word (A/B in arc mm) / Axis replacement (Y carries arc length) (as the post-processor offers) | set by the post-processor | How the 4th axis reaches the machine. 'Rotary word' sends A or B and drops Y - the CAM does the wrapping - in degrees, or in millimeters of arc for a rotary calibrated in linear units. 'Axis replacement' keeps Y carrying millimeters of arc at the reference radius, for a rotary wired to the Y driver with steps/mm calibrated. Only routes your post-processor declares are offered. |
| Index Settle Dwell Machine class: router | 0 - 5 s | 0 | Pause after each index rotation, before the tool re-enters the material, so a belt-driven rotary can settle. Starts at the post-processor's value; servo or geared rotaries generally need none. |
Laser Output
| Setting | Values | Default | What it does |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laser Software Machine class: laser | Generic, LaserGRBL, xTool Studio, LightBurn, RDWorks / Ruida | xTool Studio | The program you will open the exported file in. It decides how layers are grouped, whether colors encode passes, and which palette is used. |
| Laser Spot Size Machine class: laser | 0.01 - 1 mm | 0.02 | The effective cut width of your laser beam. Manufacturer should list it in the specification sheet. Typical values: UV laser 0.02-0.08mm, Fiber laser 0.03-0.15mm. |
| Export Format Machine class: laser | SVG - Vector / PNG - Raster Image | SVG - Vector | SVG exports vector paths that laser software (LightBurn, RDWorks) interprets with its own power/speed settings per color layer. PNG exports a raster image at the specified DPI - useful for direct image engraving modes. |
| Export DPI Shown when Export Format is PNG - Raster Image Machine class: laser | 100 - 4000 DPI | 1000 | Resolution of the exported PNG image. Higher DPI gives finer detail but larger file size. 1000 DPI is suitable for most PCB work. Match this to your laser software's engraving resolution setting. |
XY Geometry
Stencil Settings
| Parameter | Values | Default | Applies to | What it does |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stencil Output Machine class: router, knife | CNC Milling (G-code) / Vinyl / CO2 Laser (SVG) | CNC Milling (G-code) | Solder Stencil | What the stencil is cut on. Router mills the apertures and exports G-code; Knife cuts on the line with a cutter offset and exports a vector file. Changing this changes which parameters and stages the operation has. |
| Aperture Offset Machine class: router, laser, knife | -1 - 1 mm | -0.05 | Solder Stencil | Shrinks (negative) or expands (positive) the stencil apertures. -0.05mm is a common default to prevent solder bridging. |
| Ignore Regions Machine class: router, laser, knife | on / off | on | Solder Stencil | If checked, ignores large copper pours and traces, only generating apertures for actual component pads (flashes). |
| Exclude Drill Pads Machine class: router, laser, knife | on / off | on | Solder Stencil | Automatically removes stencil apertures that sit directly over through-holes to prevent solder paste from falling into the holes. |
| Registration Holes Machine class: router, laser, knife | on / off | off | Solder Stencil | Generates 4 circular alignment holes outside the board boundaries to help pin the stencil in place during manual application. |
| Registration Hole Diameter Shown when Registration Holes is on Machine class: router, laser, knife | 0.5 - 10 mm | 3 | Solder Stencil | The physical diameter of the registration pins/dowels you plan to use. |
| Registration Margin Shown when Registration Holes is on Machine class: router, laser, knife | 1 - 25 mm | 5 | Solder Stencil | How far outside the calculated board boundary to place the registration holes. |
| Aperture Corner Radius Machine class: knife | 0 - 2 mm | 0 | Solder Stencil | Rounds each aperture corner so a drag knife or vinyl cutter can follow it. A radius smaller than the cutter compensation comes out square, because a round cutter cannot cut a corner tighter than itself. |
Tool Selection
| Parameter | Values | Default | Applies to | What it does |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Multi-Tool Drilling | on / off | off | Drilling | Assigns a strategy, a cutter and a tool number per row of the drill table. Each hole size and each slot size gets its own row. |
| Tool Shown when Multi-Tool Drilling is off | tool library | — | Isolation Routing, Copper Clearing, Board Cutout, Drilling, Solder Stencil | Select a tool from your library. The tool's diameter will be used for calculations. |
| Tool Number Shown when Multi-Tool Drilling is off | 1 - 99 | 1 | Isolation Routing, Copper Clearing, Board Cutout, Drilling, Solder Stencil | The magazine slot, carousel pocket or collet this operation's tool sits in - the T word your controller will receive. If your machine has no tool changer, leaving 1 on every operation is safe. |
| Tool Diameter Shown when Multi-Tool Drilling is off | 0.01 - 10 mm | — | Isolation Routing, Copper Clearing, Board Cutout, Drilling, Solder Stencil | The tool's cutting diameter - the widest circle it cuts. On copper isolation and engraving this is seeded with the V-bit's effective width at required depth, because that is what the offset has to use. |
Cut Settings
| Parameter | Values | Default | Applies to | What it does |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Passes | 1 - 30 | 3 | Isolation Routing | Number of offset passes to create. More passes clear more copper but take longer. |
| Step Over | 10 - 99 % | 50 | Isolation Routing, Copper Clearing | Percentage of the tool diameter to overlap on each pass. 50% is a good default. |
| Combine Offset Paths | on / off | on | Isolation Routing | Merge all offset passes into a single geometry. Reduces G-code complexity but loses individual pass control. |
Isolation
| Parameter | Values | Default | Applies to | What it does |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Isolation Width Machine class: laser | 0.05 - 2.5 mm | 0.3 | Isolation Routing | Total width of copper to ablate around traces, measured from the trace edge outward. The number of laser passes is automatically calculated from this value, the spot size, and the step-over percentage. |
| Clearing Padding Machine class: laser | 0 - 10 mm | 1 | Copper Clearing | Extra margin ablated around a copper region, beyond its own outline. Gives the beam room at the edges of a pour. |
Clearing Strategy
| Parameter | Values | Default | Applies to | What it does |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clearing Strategy Machine class: laser | Filled Polygon - Laser software controls fill / Offset Paths - Concentric, streak-proof / Hatch Fill - Directional line coverage | Filled Polygon - Laser software controls fill | Isolation Routing, Copper Clearing | How the laser fills areas that need copper removal. • Filled Polygon: Exports solid shapes - your laser software handles the fill pattern. SVG only. • Offset Paths: Concentric paths shrinking inward. Most reliable for streak prevention. • Parallel Hatch: Straight lines at a fixed angle. Fast but single-direction. • Hatch: Perpendicular sets of lines. More passes shift the angle between each other. |
| Laser Spot Size Shown when Clearing Strategy is Offset Paths - Concentric, streak-proof or Hatch Fill - Directional line coverage Machine class: laser | 0.01 - 1 mm | — | Isolation Routing, Copper Clearing | Read-only reminder of the spot size set in Machine Settings, where it is changed. Offset and hatch strategies space their passes from it. |
| Pass Spacing Mode Shown when Clearing Strategy is Offset Paths - Concentric, streak-proof or Hatch Fill - Directional line coverage Machine class: laser | Step Over % / Lines per cm / Lines per inch | Step Over % | Isolation Routing, Copper Clearing | Choose how to define the distance between consecutive laser passes. Step Over uses a percentage of spot size. Lines/cm and LPI set the density directly. |
| Step Over Shown when Clearing Strategy is Offset Paths - Concentric, streak-proof or Hatch Fill - Directional line coverage and Pass Spacing Mode is Step Over % Machine class: laser | 10 - 99 % | 50 | Isolation Routing, Copper Clearing | Percentage of the spot diameter that adjacent paths overlap. Lower values (more overlap) give better copper removal but increase processing time. 50% is a good starting point; reduce to 30% if streaks appear. |
| Lines per cm Shown when Clearing Strategy is Offset Paths - Concentric, streak-proof or Hatch Fill - Directional line coverage and Pass Spacing Mode is Lines per cm Machine class: laser | 1 - 1000 lines/cm | 200 | Isolation Routing, Copper Clearing | Number of laser passes per centimetre. Higher values produce denser coverage. |
| Lines per Inch Shown when Clearing Strategy is Offset Paths - Concentric, streak-proof or Hatch Fill - Directional line coverage and Pass Spacing Mode is Lines per inch Machine class: laser | 5 - 2540 lines/inch | 508 | Isolation Routing, Copper Clearing | Number of laser passes per inch. Higher values produce denser coverage. |
| Hatch Passes Shown when Clearing Strategy is Hatch Fill - Directional line coverage Machine class: laser | 1 - 8 | 2 | Isolation Routing, Copper Clearing | How many hatch passes to run. Each additional pass is rotated from the base angle, so coverage evens out instead of streaking along one direction. |
| Hatch Angle Shown when Clearing Strategy is Hatch Fill - Directional line coverage Machine class: laser | 0 - 180 ° | 45 | Isolation Routing, Copper Clearing | Angle of the hatch lines in degrees. For parallel hatch, lines run at this angle. For cross-hatch, the second set runs perpendicular (angle + 90°). 45° is a good default - it crosses both horizontal and vertical traces. |
Cut Settings
| Parameter | Values | Default | Applies to | What it does |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cut Side Machine class: laser | Outside (Kerf outward) / Inside (Kerf inward) / On Line (No compensation) | Outside (Kerf outward) | Board Cutout, Drilling | Where the laser kerf falls relative to the board outline. • Outside: Laser cuts outside the line (board stays full size). • Inside: Laser cuts inside the line (board shrinks by kerf). • On Line: Laser follows the exact line (board shrinks by half the kerf on each side). |
Cutout Settings
| Parameter | Values | Default | Applies to | What it does |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cut Side | Outside / Inside / On Path (Centerline) | Outside | Board Cutout | Where the tool sits relative to the polygon outline. Outside clears material around the shape. Inside clears within. On Path centers the tool on the line. |
Drill Strategy
| Parameter | Values | Default | Applies to | What it does |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mill Holes Shown when Multi-Tool Drilling is off | on / off | on | Drilling | If checked, generates circular milling paths inside any drill holes larger than the tool. If unchecked, generates a simple peck/drill at the center. |
| Step Over Shown when Multi-Tool Drilling is off and Mill Holes is on | 10 - 90 % | 50 | Drilling | Percentage of the tool diameter to overlap on each concentric milling ring inside oversize holes. |
Z Strategy
Cutting Strategy
| Parameter | Values | Default | Applies to | What it does |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry Type | Plunge (Vertical) | Plunge (Vertical) | Isolation Routing, Copper Clearing, Board Cutout, Solder Stencil | How the tool enters the material. Plunge: straight down. Ramp: diagonal. Helix: spiral down. |
Depth & Passes
| Parameter | Values | Default | Applies to | What it does |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cut Depth | -10 - 0 mm | -0.1 | Isolation Routing, Copper Clearing, Board Cutout, Drilling, Solder Stencil | Final target depth for all cuts, relative to the material surface (Z=0). Should be a negative value (e.g., -0.05mm). |
| Multi-depth Cutting | on / off | on | Isolation Routing, Copper Clearing, Board Cutout, Solder Stencil | Enable multiple passes at different depths for deep cuts. Reduces tool stress. |
| Depth per Pass Shown when Multi-depth Cutting is on | 0.001 - 5 mm | 0.1 | Isolation Routing, Copper Clearing, Board Cutout, Solder Stencil | Incremental depth of each pass when using multi-depth cutting. Smaller = gentler on tool. |
| Multi-depth Milling Shown when Mill Holes is on | on / off | on | Drilling | Mill oversize holes in several Z levels instead of one full-depth pass. Easier on small cutters. |
| Depth per Pass Shown when Mill Holes is on and Multi-depth Milling is on | 0.01 - 10 mm | 0.5 | Drilling | Material removed per Z level while milling an oversize hole. |
| Entry Method Shown when Mill Holes is on | Helix (Spiral entry) / Plunge (Vertical) | Helix (Spiral entry) | Drilling | How the cutter enters an oversize hole. Helix spirals down and loads the tool gently; Plunge drops straight in and needs a center-cutting bit. |
Cutout Settings
| Parameter | Values | Default | Applies to | What it does |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Tabs | 0 - 12 | 0 | Board Cutout | Number of small tabs to leave uncut, holding the board in place. |
| Tab Width | 0.1 - 10 mm | 0.5 | Board Cutout | The length of each holding tab in mm. |
| Tab Height | 0.1 - 5 mm | 0.5 | Board Cutout | The thickness of the tab. A value of -0.5mm on a -1.8mm cut will leave a 0.5mm thick tab. |
Drill Strategy
| Parameter | Values | Default | Applies to | What it does |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peck Depth | 0 - 5 mm | 0 | Drilling | Depth of each peck before the bit retracts to clear chips. With canned cycles it is the Q word of G83 and G73; on a post without them EasyCAM writes the peck loop itself. 0, or Canned Cycle None, drills in one plunge. A Drill Tooling row can set its own. |
| Dwell Time | 0 - 10 s | 0 | Drilling | Pause duration at bottom of hole (seconds). Allows chips to clear and reduces burrs. |
| Retract Height | 0 - 10 mm | 0.5 | Drilling | Height to retract to between holes. Should clear board but minimize travel time. |
| Canned Cycle | None (G0 + G1) / G81 - Simple Drill / G82 - Dwell / G83 - Peck (Full Retract) / G73 - Peck (Chip Break) | None (G0 + G1) | Drilling | Pre-programmed drill cycle. G83 (peck drilling) retracts periodically to clear chips. |
Feeds & Toolpaths
Feeds & Speeds
| Parameter | Values | Default | Applies to | What it does |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feed Rate | 1 - 5000 mm/min | — | all operations | Speed at which the tool moves while cutting (mm/min or in/min). |
| Plunge Rate | 1 - 2000 mm/min | — | all operations | Speed at which the tool descends into material (mm/min or in/min). Usually slower than feed rate. |
| Spindle Speed | 100 - 30000 RPM | 10000 | all operations | Rotation speed of the spindle (RPM). Higher speeds for smaller tools. |
| Spindle Dwell | 0 - 60 s | 1 | all operations | Time in seconds to wait. Essential for high inertia spindles that need extra time to come up to speed. |
Toolpath Options
| Parameter | Values | Default | Applies to | What it does |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Optimize Toolpaths Machine class: router | on / off | on | all operations | Reorder and simplify the finished toolpath to cut travel time. Turn it off to keep the paths in exactly the order they were generated. |