PathTrace Lesson Four: Name Plate V-Groove

This lesson shows how to put a V-Groove around a name plate, or make a V-Groove follow a different shape.

Design a #906 Rectangle Key, 2 layers with .25” Reveal.

Click Key.

Change the Key reveal to .5”. This reveal will be a part of the V-Groove.

Adjust the Key Distance under Params if the key is now too close to the object.

Click on the Openings Tab.

Click Add V-Groove.

Click OK and resize it as desired.

Move the V-Groove so that it is around the object, and goes through the center of the Name Plate.

Save as Path.

Open path in PathTrace.

Click on Prep Design Tab.

Click Break Intersection.

Click on the V-Groove.

Click on the outer rectangle of the name plate. The intersection is now broken.

Click Delete Object.

Click on the horizontal line that runs through the name plate to delete it.

The line is deleted.

Click Join Segments.

Click on the top half of the name plate, then the bottom half of it.

Right-click to join it.

There is no need to connect to the rest of the V-Groove, it will be traced as a separate V-Groove.

NOTE: V-Grooves do not have to be closed objects.

Click Set Bevels tab.

Click Normal Bevel.

Move cursor to the lower left corner of the inside object and click to trace it.

Select Layer 2.

Click V-Groove.

Click the outer line of the name plate to trace it as a V-Groove.

Move the reference point so that it is on the rest of the V-Groove and click to trace it.

Click Normal Bevel.

Click the lower left corner of the top object to trace it.

Because this design contains no arcs, there is no need to tangify it or convert into arcs.

Trace, save and cut the mat.