ShopBot PartsWorks 3D, finishing toolpath question

[DeanR]

Is there a way to confine Finishing-toolpath to carving surfaces only and not including the top surface?

First Picture of model-in from .stl file:

Second Picture of Roughing toolpath confined to carving into rectangular block:

Third Picture of Finishing toolpath with unwanted top surface cuts:

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Perhaps please recommend a simple, cheap alternative to PartsWorks3D with more control over toolpaths??:p

[srwtlc]

Vcarve Pro would be the next most reasonable step. It will allow you to import stl's and apply a vector boundary for limiting the toolpath. As with most stl's, they have that zero plane attached. With some finagling, you can cut that away when importing into VCP/Aspire (do it often).

In your case, the best I think you can do is to change the front/back machining margins.

[DeanR]

Thank you Scott! I have only used the ShopBot edition of VCarvePro for 2D work and must explore the possibility of 3D - perhaps use slices.

I will try your front/back machining margins ideas.

Dean

[srwtlc]

What version of the SB edition do you have?