Recommended test
Start with one simple open line chain so the associative relationship is easy to inspect.
- In CAD, draw two or three lines joined endpoint to endpoint.
- Select any segment. Confirm the compact Path status reports Open, its segment count, and total length without showing a CAM button.
- Switch to CAM → Operations, choose Add contour, and click any segment. Confirm the complete chain enters setup.
- Cancel setup. No operation or unused geometry item should remain.
- Repeat the selection and create an On-line contour. Return to CAD and change one endpoint while keeping the chain connected; the stored operation should update.
- Disconnect one stored segment. The CAM operation should become invalid rather than silently following a smaller chain.
- Undo the disconnection. The operation should become valid again because its expected segments and topology are restored.
- Add a third line at an interior endpoint to form a T branch. Add Contour should retain the tool, highlight the ambiguous component, and explain the branch.
- Also test a circle and a standalone spline. Their setup should open directly without an intermediate source card.
- Delete the contour operation, then undo and redo. Its internal geometry reference and validation state should follow the operation.
01 · CAM SELECTION
Select the boundary where it will be machined
In CAM choose Add contour, then click a line, circular arc, circle, eligible spline, connected component, or supported rectangle boundary. Cadivari follows the component and opens the relevant Open or Closed Contour controls. Branches and self-crossings remain selected with a clear diagnostic instead of entering setup.
The boundary is provisional during setup. Create commits the associative reference and operation together in one undoable job update; Cancel stores nothing. Selecting geometry already used by a contour focuses that operation rather than duplicating it.
02 · LINKED GEOMETRY
Measurements are derived rather than copied
The stored record keeps a stable starting reference, the expected open or closed state, and the expected segment identities. Length and ordered geometry are recalculated from the current CAD document, so moving points or resizing a referenced rectangle edge updates the source without breaking the relationship.
03 · FAIL CLEARLY
Topology changes require review
An invalid operation remains visible in Operations with its settings intact. It is never silently replaced with a smaller or different path.
CURRENT SCOPE
Associative records stay internal
- CAD shows drawing topology only for noteworthy multi-segment, mirrored, branched, or self-crossing paths
- Open Contour v1.15 can use one semantic rectangle edge or an unambiguous open line/arc chain through depth, motion, inspection, G-code review, and local export
- Closed Contour v1.1 can use an exact circle, mirror-derived loop, standalone closed spline, or unambiguous closed line/arc/spline combination for compensated machining
- Any open chain made entirely from lines and exact circular arcs supports validated Left/On-line/Right machining
- One standalone unmirrored open spline supports adaptive On-line sampling, stored depth motion, 3D inspection, animation, bounded G1 review, preflight, and local export
- Line-line, line-circle, and circle-circle joins are solved pairwise before the complete retained chain is checked
- Mixed open paths preserve exact line and circular motion; general closed mixed contours currently use guarded linearized compensation
- Rectangle Outside Contour keeps its existing editable pre-creation workflow
- Open and closed mixed boundaries are accepted; branches and self-crossings are blocked
- Internal topology references are saved with the project but are not exposed as separate user-managed CAM objects