was wondering if LS has more options like the Straight cut feature in the works? like a circle cut feature or rectangle? or basic geometry like a hexagon or octagon? i would use the crap out of it. the steps involved for making a rectangle in fusion (or cad), then creating the tool path then posting it, then getting it to the laptop, etc… would be quicker to get out the grinder and skinny wheel to cut a basic shape out. i know its no the best use for a cnc machine but it would be damn handy at times…
Learn Inkscape or Solid Edge 2D and get SheetCam. Time from geometry to cut is minutes and there will be no swear words…
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This topic reminded me that I had come up with a ‘StraightCut’ feature for CrossFires with Mach 3. I thought of it the other night and just tried it. It’s embarrassingly simple.
On your CrossFire:
- Move your Torch to where you want the END of the cut to be. Set the torch height.
- Zero both X & Y Axis.
- Move the torch to where you want the START of the cut to be (It can be a diagonal).
- Using MDI command, type in Fxxx where xxx is the cut speed you want. DON’T FORGET TO DO THIS!!!
- Run the attached code. The torch will fire at the current position and then cut until it gets to 0,0…
It couldn’t be simpler…
Enjoy.
StraightCut.tap (495 Bytes)
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I’ve always just moved the head to where I wanted St start a cut, hit the F5 (torch on) and then jogged the head across the piece until I reached the end of the cut I wanted and then hit F5 again. I used to do that in most projects to square off the leftover piece.
When I fired up FireControl I saw the new line function before I noticed the manual torch control button and was surprised they’d put that in but not have a way just to fire & move the torch. I like that it uses the IHS & THC but otherwise not sure how much I’ll use it since I’d have to pull out a tape measure and figure out the distance. 
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If you have THC enabled, you can actually program longer than needed cut length and just let it run off the end of the plate. Once the arc extinguishes you’ll get an arc error and motion will stop.
Conversely, you can use manual torch fire in FireControl and manually jog it with the arrow keys. Just like you used to in Mach3.
Yeah, right over the water table and blow water everywhere 
Yeah, it was that ‘distance’ thing that I kept tripping up on. I had individual snippets of code that cut a certain distance and rate, but, with this method, one piece of code does all. Just position to the two endpoints, set the speed using MDI command and press start. Of course it helps if you have a laser positioner on your torch 
Last I heard… oh wait, I haven’t heard how to get this on my CrossFire 2x2…
Just jabbing at ya, I know you’re busy!