Toolpath simulation shows the path your machine will take before you carve, so you can spot problems and plan where to put your clamps.
Running a simulation
1. Simulate
Click Simulate at the bottom of the 3D preview. Easel builds the toolpaths and the simulation controls appear.
2. Progress slider
Drag the slider to move forward or back through the carve, even while it's playing.
3. Bit key
Shows the color of each bit's toolpaths: Rough (your main bit), Detail, Drill and Outline. You'll only see the bits your project uses.
4. Playback controls
Play and pause the animation, skip back or forward, and change the playback speed.
5. Time
Shows how far into the carve the animation is and the total carve time. Click × to close the simulation.
6. More options
Show or hide parts of the 3D preview. See Showing and hiding parts of the preview below.
Reading the toolpaths
Each bit's toolpaths are drawn in the color shown in the key. Thin lines in a different color show the bit moving above the material between cuts:
- Red: rough bit moves
- Green: detail bit moves
- Purple: drill bit moves
- Teal: outline bit moves
Areas shaded red on your design are too small for your bit to reach, so they won't be carved. See Uncut Areas.
Viewing one bit at a time
If your project uses more than one bit, click a bit in the key (1) to simulate only that bit's toolpaths. The time updates to show how long that bit will take. Click Show all toolpaths (2) to see every bit again.
Showing and hiding parts of the preview
Click the ⋮ menu (1) next to the controls to open Show / Hide (2). Check or uncheck Product Preview, Wasteboard, Material or Toolpaths.
| Helpful Tip: Uncheck Material to see the toolpaths more clearly. You can rotate, zoom and pan the 3D preview while the animation plays. |
Watching the animation shows the order your design will carve in and where the bit will travel, which helps you place clamps where the bit won't hit them.
See also Time Estimates and Toolpaths.