Suggestion: SVG top down export of cut outlines

[awildeep]

Problem

Some tools, such as the Shaper Origin (https://www.shapertools.com/) do not except GCODE. However it would be possible to use this software with the tool by rendering SVG images as a top-down 2 dimensional orthographic render from the perspective of the cutter.

Background

Tools like Shaper Origin are generally more user friendly than CNC milling machines, especially to new or younger makers. Shaper Origin is used in class rooms for young children, and given the intuitive feature set and a price point near that of entry level gantry CNCs it could be a tool that this project could help push forward.

Potential Solution

Given that you already have a 3 dimensional isometric view, a 2 dimensional render from the perspective of the sliding direction of just the areas that need to have material removed from the original stock would be the essential work to be done. Each depth of cut would ideally be exported as it's own shape. The cut type encoding document (linked in references below) could be used to setup pocketing, inside, outside cuts, or even guides like text to indicate the depth of cut.

Other uses

This feature could also allow designs to be exported from tsugite into other design tools. Importing into CoralDraw, SketchUp, or more complex tooling for testing loads or design tolerances digitally.

In addition laser cutters could be used with SVG files to make pattern making templates. (Here is an example of a the process: https://www.woodsmith.com/article/making-using-router-templates/)

Potential gotchas

Milling angled parts could be difficult but certainly not impossible. This has been done on the shaper, as can be seen in the "Tangent plant stand" design linked below on ShaperHub. This could be mitigated but the use of angled work holding jigs (something that is used in the Shaper community a lot).

Shaper Origin is limited in things like depth of cut, and cutter size. Max depth of cut is typically 1.511 inches, and cutters are limited to shank sizes of 1/4 inch, 1/8 inch, 3 millimeter, 6 millimeter, and 8 millimeter. This is not really an issue if cuts are limited to 1.5 inches in thickness, and could most likely manually accounted for.

References

Shaper design introduction video:
https://support.shapertools.com/hc/en-us/articles/360052463953-Introduction-to-Designing-for-Origin-Video-

Shaper SVG cut type encoding reference:
https://support.shapertools.com/hc/en-us/articles/115002721473-Cut-Type-Encoding

Tangent plant stand:
https://hub.shapertools.com/creators/5fbc41ffe7369a000fdb5058/shares/62705a0cbb1777d9ce102d72

[awildeep]

BTW, thank you for your work on this project. It is VERY cool to see.