Click on the versions below to find out what new features have been added

Picture Editing & Cropping

With the ability import bitmaps into the software, you can further edit imported images using the edit picture tool, this allows you to adjust the visual properties of a selected bitmap, enabling you to adjust the contrast, brightness and gamma of any selected image.

Borders of different sizes and radii can also be added to bitmaps for aesthetic purposes. Bitmaps can also be made black and white. The software also has the ability to crop images to any given vector allowing you to remove parts of the image you are not interested in.

In-place text editing and transforms

See live feedback of the text that you create and edit. Text maintains formatting, allowing you to easily make edits after the text has been created.

3D Helical Arcs In Ramping

Output helical arcs in a way that your machine understands. Makes for smoother cuts and smaller file sizes.

Helical arcs are like regular arcs when viewed in 2D but where the start z and the end z differ. They are typically found in toolpaths where ramping occurs.

Two-sided Machining

This adds the ability to create double-sided projects in the same session. It avoids the need to have 2 sessions, one for each side.

Job & Material Setup

In the Job Setup dialog, you can pick whether you want to create a single-sided or a double-sided job. You can change that, retrospectively.

Define how you want to flip the material for double-sided projects from the Job Setup dialog. This influences the positioning of the vectors and models so that geometry on each side is created in the appropriate positions relative to the opposite side.

Multi-Sided View

You can view the opposite side’s geometry using the keyboard shortcut ‘=’, or through the ‘View’ menu.

In the 2D view, you will see the opposite side’s vectors as if you were looking at them through the material block.

In the 3D view, you will see the entire merged model as if it was simulated.

Importing STL Model

When importing an STL model (with the ‘Import both Sides’ option enabled) into a double-sided project, each side of the model will go onto a side.

You can import the entire model on each side by sliding the slicing plane all the way to the bottom. This is useful when importing models which contain non-convex surfaces, such as, a plate.

Smart Cursor

This allows you to snap to lines and extensions, which don’t necessarily exist as geometry. It reduces the need to create construction geometry, and would be helpful in aligning vectors or nodes.

Quick Keys

This allows you to add more precision to your shape creation and editing process more easily by allowing typed values while creating geometry. This is supported for creation of circles, ellipses, rectangles, polygons, stars, polylines and when in editing nodes or transforming vectors.

For example, while dragging to create a circle, you could type ‘3R’ to create the circle with a radius of 3. Or, also while dragging, you could type ‘3D’ to create one with a diameter of 3.

Job Setup Sheet Editor

The Create Setup Job Sheet command allows you to create a summary sheet that details all the important information you will need at your CNC machine when you come to run the toolpaths. This can be used as a reference to ensure you have the setup correct, have loaded the correct tool etc. It can also be used to archive with an old job as a quick reference file to see what the job the looked like and the machining that was involved for that project.

You can also edit this to change the logo to an image of your own choice, adjust the header, footer and border colors and even customize which sections of information to include.

Video Tutorials

Cut2D Desktop includes over 35 hours of video tutorials and all the data files you need to work through the examples. These are split into sections beginning with Getting Started projects to let you see the process to produce a complete part and start to understand the general workflow. Then there are videos to cover each area of use within the program.

The videos are designed to take you step by step through different types of projects to explain the key methods you will use in the software and to demonstrate these on real-world examples. You can just watch and absorb the contents or follow along pausing where necessary to complete a task. In addition to learning how to use the program the videos include tips and tricks for better use of the software. The result of each project (along with the Clip Art) provides a library of parts which can be machined to create sample files to improve your CNC skills or help you to demonstrate your capabilities to potential customers.

New Snapping Options

Improved interactive snapping to more accurately find the significant features of your design and add new drawing elements to it.

Vector Boundary

The Vector Boundary form allows you to create boundaries around selected vectors.

You can offset the boundary outwards and optionally create convex or ‘Rubber band’ boundaries.

Ability to import SketchUp Files

SketchUp files with a .SKP extension (see www.sketchup.com) can be imported as 2D data suitable for machining.

Drilling Toolpath Enhancements

New peck drilling form options to reduce drill wear & tear

Pocket Toolpath Enhancements                                                                                                           

Automatic slot & groove identification during pocketing

Dimensions:

This tool allows you to add a variety of dimensioning annotations to your vector drawing.

Extend Vectors:

This tool allows you to extend two vector lines to their common point of intersection

Virtual Mid Points for Line Spans:

When in Node Editing mode, all line spans now show a small grey handle at their midpoint. By simply clicking and dragging any of these points, the line span will automatically divide into two new spans.

Material Setup Summary:

This includes all the salient information you may need when working with your toolpaths – material dimensions, datum positions, rapid gaps and home settings all in one place at the top of your toolpaths tab.

Toolpath Preview Enhancements:

The Preview Toolpaths form includes a speed control slider under the toolpath playback tools. This allows the speed of the toolpath preview playback to be dynamically adjusted in order to follow individual tool moves in detail.