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Common operation parameters

Operation properties are grouped by what they control. A group appears only when it applies to the selected operation, so use the operation’s own page for kind-specific settings and strategies.

The expanded operation properties dialog for a pocket, with Identity, What it cuts, Tool, Depth, Speeds and feeds, Strategy, Entry and retract, Corners and Output shown as separate groups
Expanding the properties shows every parameter group at once. Which groups appear depends on the operation.

Identity

Section titled “Identity”
Setting Use
Name Identifies the operation in the list, preview, and exports.
Description Stores a note about the intended cut or setup.
Kind Names the machining method. It controls which targets and settings are available.
Pass Identifies a rough or finish pass where the operation supports that split.
Enabled Includes or excludes the operation from toolpath generation and export.

What it cuts

Section titled “What it cuts”
Setting Use
Target Shows the feature or stock target for the operation.
Target source Distinguishes feature targets from a stock target.
Use current selection Replaces the target with a compatible current selection.

Regions can also be part of a target as filters. They restrict the area a compatible operation may cut; see Regions.

Tool

Section titled “Tool”
Setting Use
Tool Chooses the cutter. Its saved defaults seed a new operation’s speeds, feeds, stepdown, and stepover.

Depth

Section titled “Depth”
Setting Use
Stepdown Limits how far the tool descends between levels.
Max cut depth Limits the depth for operations that expose it.
Retract height Sets the Z height used for retract moves where the operation exposes it.

Speeds and feeds

Section titled “Speeds and feeds”
Setting Use
Feed Sets the cutting feed rate.
Plunge feed Sets the feed rate used while entering material.
RPM Sets spindle speed.
Feed reduction Chooses whether the operation reduces feed for fully engaged cuts or according to cutter engagement.

Strategy

Section titled “Strategy”
Setting Use
Pattern Chooses the clearing or finishing pattern when the operation offers one.
Cut direction Chooses conventional or climb milling where applicable.
Machining order Chooses Feature First or Level First for an operation that supports both.
Stepover ratio Sets lateral spacing as a fraction of the selected tool diameter.

Advanced overrides

Section titled “Advanced overrides”

This group holds controls that only apply to a selected strategy, such as a trochoidal cut width and advance. A 3D finish operation can also place its advanced finishing controls here.

Entry and retract

Section titled “Entry and retract”
Setting Use
Entry strategy Chooses a plunge, helix, or ramp for operations that support a controlled entry.
XY approach & exit Adds an approach and exit where the operation can safely carry them.
Retract height Sets the drilling retract height.

Corners

Section titled “Corners”

The Corners group appears for compatible clearing and edge-route operations. It can expose corner rounding, rounded ring links, wall-corner cleanup, and corner relief; their availability also depends on the selected pattern and pass.

Drilling

Section titled “Drilling”

Only Drill shows this group. It contains Drill type and the settings required by the chosen cycle, such as Peck depth, Dwell time, or Countersink diameter.

Output

Section titled “Output”

Arc fitting controls whether compatible paths are emitted with arc commands. Its effect also depends on the selected machine’s post-processor.

Section titled “Related pages”