Expert Machinist > Tool Path Display and Output > The PLAY PATH Dialog Box
  
The PLAY PATH Dialog Box
Whenever you display tool motion for a tool path or an operation, the system opens the PLAY PATH dialog box.
The collapsible upper portion of this dialog box lists the cutter location (CL) data for the tool path or operation, as it would be output to a CL data file through Output > Create CL File. You can save this CL data in a CL file or an MCD file directly from the PLAY PATH dialog box, by clicking the appropriate option in the File menu.
The lower portion contains the following buttons:
Button
Name
Description
Play Back
Display the tool motion going back from the current position of the tool.
Stop
Stop displaying the tool path.
Play Forward
Display the tool motion going forward from the current position of the tool.
Go To Previous CL Record
Go to the previous CL record in the file.
Rewind
Rewind to the start of the tool path.
Fast Forward
Fast forward to the end of the tool path.
Go To Next CL Record
Go to the next CL record in the file.
The Tool Clearance button lets you access the Measure functionality, to compute tool interference, and clearance. If a solid tool model is used, its geometry can be selected for measuring. If the tool is defined by parameters, it will be temporarily converted into a "dummy" part, with geometry based on the appropriate tool parameters.
The Position Cutting Tool button lets you select a point on the tool path to position the cutting tool. To position the cutting tool at a certain CL data line, click NCL File > Position Tool.
At the bottom of the dialog box, there is a slider to adjust the display speed. Moving the slider to the right makes the display faster; moving it to the left slows the display.
The Close button closes the PLAY PATH dialog box.