Follow

Follow creates a Geometry object along the centre line of the Gerber traces and paths. The toolpath cuts through the middle of each trace. Use it to mill the centre of a trace with one tool. The Gerber object is not changed.

Where to find it

• Plugins menu: select Follow (shortcut Alt+Y).
• The plugin panel opens in a new tab of the side panel. The tab shows the plugin name. Select a Gerber object in the Project tab, or choose it in the Source Object combo box.

Screenshot placeholder: images/Follow-1.png - the whole Follow panel in Advanced Mode, with the apertures list, the Parameters and the Selection sections visible.

Quick start

1. Select the Gerber object in the Source Object combo box. Select several Gerber objects in the Project tab to follow each of them.
2. Keep Tool Diameter on Mill default for one tool.
3. Keep Area on All to follow the whole object.
4. Click Preview. The lines that would be created appear on the canvas.
5. Click Generate Geometry. A new Geometry object appears in the Project tab.
6. Mill the result with Milling.

Screenshot placeholder: images/Follow-2.png - the Preview lines on the canvas, following the centre of the traces.

Parameters

Source Object

Parameter	Description	Default
Source Object (combo box)	The Gerber object to follow. When Gerber objects are selected in the Project tab, every selected object is followed, each into its own new Geometry object. Otherwise the object in the combo box is followed.	-
Apertures (list)	Follow only the paths drawn with the selected apertures. Each row shows the aperture code, the type and the size. Select several rows to follow several apertures. No selection means all the apertures. Used only when one Gerber object is followed.	No selection (all)

Parameters

These values apply to the whole Geometry object.

Parameter	Description	Default
Tool Diameter (radio)	Mill default: one tool, with the diameter from the Milling preferences. Aperture size: one tool for each aperture size. The paths of apertures with the same size are in the same tool. The regions use the Mill default diameter.	Mill default (tools_follow_dia_mode = default)
Simplify (checkbox)	When checked, the paths are simplified with the Tolerance given. The vertices that deviate less than the tolerance from the line are removed. The output has fewer points per path.	Off (tools_follow_simplification)
Tolerance (field)	The tolerance of the simplification (mm, or inch in an inch project). Used only when Simplify is checked.	0.01 (tools_follow_tolerance)
Union (checkbox)	When checked, the paths that cross each other are cut at the crossing points. A junction becomes a node where the paths meet. The paths are not run twice.	Off (tools_follow_union)
Merge (checkbox)	When checked, the paths that touch end to end are joined into one longer path. The output has fewer, longer paths and fewer tool lifts. Paths are joined only where exactly two of them meet.	On (tools_follow_merge)

The order of the operations is: Union, then Merge, then Simplify.

Selection

Parameter	Description	Default
Area (radio)	All: the whole object is followed after the click on Generate Geometry. Area Selection: after the click on Generate Geometry, draw one or more zones on the canvas. Left click adds the corners. Right click finishes. Escape cancels. Only the parts of the paths inside the zones are followed.	All (tools_follow_select = all)
Shape (radio, for Area Selection)	The shape of the selection zone: Square or Polygon.	Square (tools_follow_area_shape)

Buttons

Parameter	Description	Default
Preview	Draws the lines that would be created for the source object on the canvas. Nothing is created. The area selection is not used by the preview.	-
Generate Geometry	Creates the Geometry object that follows the traces.	-
Reset Tool	Resets the tool parameters.	-

Advanced

Tool Diameter modes

• Mill default gives one Geometry tool. Its diameter comes from the Milling preferences. Use it for a single trace width or a single cutter.
• Aperture size gives one tool for each aperture size. Use it when the traces have different widths and each width needs its own tool.

Union and Merge

• Union cuts the paths at their crossing points, so no segment is run twice. Use it on a Gerber with crossing traces.
• Merge joins the paths that meet end to end. It reduces the number of tool lifts.

Beginner Mode

Beginner Mode hides the Parameters section, the Selection section and the Apertures list. Only Source Object, Preview, Generate Geometry and Reset Tool remain. The level button is at the top of the panel, and the permanent setting is in Preferences.

Tcl

The Tcl command is follow. It takes the name of the Gerber object to follow. See Tcl Command Reference.

Limits

• The Apertures list is used only for one Gerber object. With several selected objects, all apertures are followed.
• The regions (filled polygons) use the Mill default diameter, also in Aperture size mode.

See also

• Isolation Routing - cuts the isolation around the traces.
• Non-Copper Clearing - clears the copper outside the traces.
• Paint - paints the copper pattern.
• Cutout - cuts out the PCB outline.
• Gerber Object - the input object.
• Geometry Object - the output object.
• Milling - turns the Geometry into G-Code.
• Preprocessors - the G-Code formats for the machine.
• Keyboard Shortcuts