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Preview
Quick Reference: Preview
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The Preview window shows what MillMage will send to the CNC machine.
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Location
Main Toolbar
Window → Preview
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Keyboard Shortcuts
Alt/Option+P
The Preview window simulates movements and machining operations before sending a project to the machine. Use it to:
- See the order in which operations will be completed
- Check that your CNC machine will do what you expect
- Estimate how long a job will take based on the information in the Additional Settings tab of Device Settings
Using the Preview Window¶
The Preview window is an accurate representation of what MillMage will send to your machine.
The left-hand side of the Preview window shows a representation of your project as it will be carved in your workpiece, while the right-hand side shows a wireframe representation of the toolpaths only.
Always use the workpiece and toolpath previews to view upcoming operations before they are executed, preventing costly mistakes and damage to your equipment, material, or self. Each preview will show the planned operations using:
| Light Mode | Dark Mode | Represents | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black lines | Light grey lines | X and Y axis cutting moves | |
| Maroon lines | Blue lines | X and Y axis travel moves | |
| Magenta | Purple | Project shape as top layer | |
| Blue | Turquoise | Individual shapes as top layer | |
| Bright red lines | Z axis moves down into the workpiece | ||
| Dark red lines | Z axis ramping moves down into the workpiece | ||
| Dark green lines | Z axis ramping moves up out of the workpiece | ||
| Light green lines | Z axis moves up out of the workpiece | ||
| Red cross | Location of tool |
Accessing the Preview Window¶
To open the Preview window, use one of the following methods:
- Go to Window → Preview
- Click the Preview icon
in the Main Toolbar - Press Alt/Option+P
- Right-click in your Workspace and select Preview from the context menu
- Click the Preview button in the Operations Window
Click any option in the image below to jump directly to the relevant section for that option, or scroll down for a list of options and descriptions.
Workpiece Preview¶
The workpiece Preview panel shows a rendering of the cuts that will be made to the workpiece stock. The Workpiece Preview panel can also show the operation outputs by enabling Paths in Sim.
Double click to hide excess material
Double click on disconnected pieces of material in the Preview window to remove scrap material from the preview. Close and reopen the Preview window to restore cleared items.
Toolpath Preview¶
The toolpath Preview window is a wireframe representation of the toolpaths that MillMage will send to the CNC machine.
Prevent Costly Mishaps
Review the upcoming operations in the Preview window before starting any job to make sure the simulated output matches your expectations and to identify any problems before it's too late.
Zooming and Panning¶
Zoom in and out using your mouse's scroll wheel, two-finger dragging if you're using a trackpad, or by pressing the + or - keys on your keyboard. Pan by holding your middle mouse button and dragging, or by pressing Alt, left-clicking, holding, and dragging.
You can check the placement of your artwork relative to your workpiece by zooming out. The outer edge of your material stock is shown as a green border in the left-hand side of the Preview window.
| Interaction | Result |
|---|---|
| Left-click and drag | Rotate view point |
| Alt + left-click and drag | Pan across view point |
| Middle-click | Pan across view point |
| Scroll wheel | Zoom in and out |
| Two-finger scroll | Zoom in and out |
| Double left-click on workpiece preview | Removes isolated material |
| Double left-click on wireframe preview | Reset wireframe zoom level |
Time Slider¶
The Time Slider allows you to slide quickly through the project and see the cut order.
Job Time Statistics¶
Below the Time Slider are statistics about the job and the estimated run time. The Additional Settings tab in Device Settings can help you get more accurate time estimates – see the video below for help.
- Cut distance shows the distance of the cutting tool's path and the estimated time it will take to complete those movements in parentheses.
- Rapid moves shows the distance of non-cutting movements and the estimated time it will take the CNC machine to complete those movements in parentheses.
- Total estimated time shows the combined time it will take the CNC machine to complete all cutting and rapid moves.
Video: Accurate Preview Times
LightBurn Video
This video features our sister software, LightBurn. While there may be slight differences in appearance and layout, the demonstrated processes are similar in MillMage.
Preview Settings¶
The settings here only affect the Preview window – they don't change anything about MillMage's output to the CNC machine.
Playback Speed¶
Sets the speed of playback with the Play button – ranges from 1/10 of actual speed to 40 times the actual speed.
Paths In Sim¶
Select an option from the Paths In Sim dropdown menu to overlay the toolpath simulation onto the workpiece simulation — this will show the same paths on right side of the Preview window as the left.
You can choose to show no paths (None), All paths, or the last 5000, 2000, 1000, or 500 paths.
Colors¶
When enabled, Paths In Sim will show:
| Light Mode | Dark Mode | Represents | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black lines | Light grey lines | X and Y axis cutting moves | |
| Maroon lines | Blue lines | X and Y axis travel moves | |
| Magenta | Purple | Project Shape | |
| Blue | Turquoise | Individual Shapes | |
| Bright red lines | Z axis moves down into the workpiece | ||
| Dark red lines | Z axis ramping moves down into the workpiece | ||
| Dark green lines | Z axis ramping moves up out of the workpiece | ||
| Light green lines | Z axis moves up out of the workpiece | ||
| Red cross | Location of tool |
Show Project Shapes¶
If enabled, adds the object shape as a new top layer to the toolpath preview.
Show Paint Colors¶
If enabled, colors in the result of each Operation with that Operation's assigned paint color, in the workpiece preview.
See Operations Window and Operation Settings Editor for more information.
View¶
Change the workpiece and toolpath Preview viewpoints.
Both Front and Side views are helpful to view the locations of the initial and ending Z axis travel moves into and out of the workpiece. The first Z axis plunging move is marked by a larger red line, and the final location marked with a red plus sign.
Elapsed Time¶
The time displayed will match the Time Slider location. This elapsed time is an estimate based on the enabled operations and the speed/acceleration values found in Device Settings → Additional Settings
Textures¶
Choose between multiple sample material textures included in MillMage by default.
Wood
Painted Wood
Metal
Color
Miscellaneous
Rendering Detail¶
MillMage users with slower or older computers may experience faster Preview update rates by adjusting the rendering quality from Normal to Low when cutting very large, very complex items.
| Quality | Samples per mm | Memory Footprint |
|---|---|---|
| Low Detail | 3 per mm | 2.4 Mb per square foot |
| Normal Detail | 5 per mm | 6.1 Mb per square foot |
| High Detail | 8 per mm | 17.3 Mb per square foot |
| Fine Detail | 12 per mm | 38.9 Mb per square foot |
Play¶
Animates the simulation to show the job from start to finish at the speed set in Playback Speed.
Ok¶
Closes the Preview window.
Troubleshooting¶
- If the time estimates are inaccurate, update the Simulation Settings in Device Settings — Additional Settings.
- If the output of the CNC machine doesn't match the Preview, refer to your manufacturer recommendations for ensuring that workholding is sound, that the tooling has been installed properly, that each axis moves with smoothly, that you are using the tooling/CNC manufacturer speeds and feeds, and that the tooling assigned to each operation matches the installed tool.
- Missing shapes or features? Consider using a smaller tool. The tooling assigned to each operation needs to be small enough to fit within the areas being pocketed, or in between shapes if assigned to profile operations.
- Need sharper internal corners? The tooling assigned to a Pocket operation will leave an internal corner with a radius of ½ of the tool diameter. Use Rest Pocket operations with smaller diameter tooling to create internal corners with smaller radii.
Related Topics¶
For more help using MillMage, please visit our forum to talk with MillMage staff and users, or email support.