GPath CNC
Last updated Sep 11, 2026, 4:26 PM
1. Create a pocket toolpath
Open the Toolpaths tab and click New Pocket/Area Clearance Toolpath, or right-click selected shapes and choose New pocket toolpath from selection….
Select one or more closed shapes that define the area to clear. Assign a tool, set depths, and save the toolpath.
2. Clearing strategy
Pocket toolpaths clear an area with Zigzag (Raster) — parallel back-and-forth passes, then a boundary pass when a finishing allowance is set.
| Option | Behaviour |
|---|---|
| Zigzag | Left-to-right passes (default) |
| Vertical zigzag (90°) | Switch — scan up and down instead of left and right. Better for tall letters and thin stems. Off by default |
The panel shows a diagram of the zigzag pattern.
3. Nested shapes
Enable Subtract nested shapes when shapes sit inside one another. The pocket toolpath avoids the inner shape:
GPath CNC treats the outer shape as the pocket boundary and alternates which nested levels are cut away or left solid by depth.
For raised (relief) lettering — pocket the background around nested text — see Raised text.
4. Manual selection
Manual selection sits above Applied to / Vector Selection. Turn on Enable manual selection, then click closed regions on the canvas.
| Action | Result |
|---|---|
| Click an empty region | Adds that area to the pocket |
| Click a region that is already pocketed | Removes it from the pocket |
| Click the same region again | Undoes the last click |
Clicks can add closed vectors that are not yet on this toolpath — for example one letter of a word. Included regions still clear with zigzag, including Vertical zigzag (90°) when that switch is on.
5. Finishing pass
A finishing pass cleans the pocket boundary after clearing. The finishing pass value sets how much material to leave on the boundary, this is then removed as a final finishing pass at full depth.
Set a Finishing pass allowance (stock left on the wall before the final contour). The allowance is capped by the tool step-over.
Text-only pocket selections skip finishing controls in the panel.
6. Depth and entry
Set Start Depth and Finish Depth as for profiles. Multiple passes use the tool step-down.
Entry Ramping offers two choices for each depth pass:
| Mode | Behaviour |
|---|---|
| Vertical Plunge | Tool drops straight to depth at the pocket entry |
| Ramp | Tool descends while moving along the pocket path, spreading the plunge over XY travel |
See Entry ramping for more information about ramping.
7. Milling direction
Pocket clearing always mills as an inside cut. The panel shows the effective climb/conventional direction for reference.
Start-point selection does not apply to pockets — entry follows the generated clearing path.