Other views of programs being verified with NCPlot

Turning center G code program: Left side of screen shows the CNC program. The right side of the screen shows the viewport.

Machining center G code program orthographic view: This provides you with a 3D view of the tool path.

Entity information: Whenever you click an entity in the viewport (we've clicked the top line), you'll see information about the entity. While it is not shown here, the corresponding command in the CNC program will be highlighted.

Measure function: Click two entities (while holding the shift key) to highlight them both (we've clicked the two vertical lines) and then select Measure from the Calc menu. You'll be shown the distances between the entities. This is helpful if you question whether the workpiece will be machined to the correct size.

Get offset data: After importing a .DXF file from your computer aided design (CAD) system, this feature is helpful in creating a tool path based upon the cutter's actual size. It is also helpful in creating roughing passes from a finished contour pass. After selecting the entities you wish to offset (we've selected the milled contour), select Offset from the Calc menu. You'll be asked the amount by which you want to offset (the cutter's radius). See next image for what happens next.

Get offset data (continued): NCPlot will create a new set of geometry and will allow you to create the G code to move through the modified tool path. See next image for what comes next.

Get offset data (continued): Click the Convert Selected to G Code selection from the Tools menu to create the G code to machine the selected entities. You'll be asked to fill in some information, including Z axis positions and feedrates. Note that you can even have NCPlot generate multiple Z passes!