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Inspect Path

In one sentence: Display the raw internal G-code representation of a selected operation to debug unexpected toolpath behaviour.

Overview

Workbench: CAM
Menu: CAM → Inspect Path
Command: CAM_Inspect
Shortcut: none

Displays the intermediate canonical G-code for the selected operation — FreeCAD's internal representation before post-processing. This is always in metric (mm) and uses absolute coordinates, regardless of the post-processor settings.

Intuition

When an operation produces an unexpected toolpath, the first diagnostic step is to read the raw path commands. Inspect Path shows the exact G-code moves that FreeCAD computed, which is separate from (and independent of) what the post-processor will output.

If the canonical G-code looks correct but the post-processed output is wrong, the issue is in the post-processor. If the canonical G-code looks wrong, the issue is in the operation parameters.

When to use it

  • Debugging an operation that produces unexpected tool moves.
  • Checking that a dress-up modified the path as expected.
  • Verifying feed rate and spindle speed commands in the path.

Step-by-step

  1. Select an operation (or dress-up) in the Job's operation list.
  2. Choose CAM → Inspect Path.
  3. A text panel shows the raw G-code moves for that operation.

Common mistakes and pitfalls

Canonical G-code is always metric and absolute

The output of Inspect Path uses mm and absolute G90/G21 — it does not reflect the post-processor's unit or coordinate mode settings.

See also