I’m working on an coaster in Estlcam 12 and trying to create pocket holes for letters. One of the letters won’t draw a hole within the shape itself, it only draws around the top part. It happens even if I use the manual shape tool to define the shape - it’s a stylized letter A and only cuts out the top part:
Anyone know if there’s a way to accomplish getting just the A as the pocket hole correctly?
The way this would usually be done in ESTLcam is to use the hole tool on the outer part of the A., and the part tool on the inner part of the A, and then invoke ESTLcam’s island feature, which one makes the inside part of the A an island. If you go to YouTube and search for ESTLcam island, there are videos on how to use this feature.
Bear in mind that if the space inside the A is about equal to, or smaller than, the diameter of your cutting tool, then ESTLcam won’t create a cut where the tool can’t fit. How wide is the opening on the slender parts and what is the diameter of your tool in comparison to that?
What path and tool type are you using? I’m thinking the only way to cut that is with a Carve path and a pointy Engraving tool (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQw0z3NS5lY&t=3430s).
I just notice this in your screen shot, that indicates what the issue is:
I skipped that part because the ultimate issue appears to be an inappropriate path/tool type combination. I was able to reproduce that message with a Hole/Engraving combination, but my path ended up out of bounds (instead of shifted inwards).
There are some great videos on YouTube about use of ESTLcam, many of them by the guy who makes the software. It’s great software.
Would you want to take a screen capture video of what you are doing and how? Or share more details and screen shots?
