Pocket Shape¶

In one sentence: Clear the interior of one or more closed boundaries in Z-level passes, stepping down until the final depth is reached.

Overview¶

Workbench: CAM
Menu: CAM → Pocket Shape
Command: CAM_Pocket_Shape
Shortcut: none

Generates a 2.5D pocket clearing toolpath. The pocket interior is cleared in passes at each Z level, working downward by Step Down until reaching Final Depth.

Intuition¶

Pocket Shape is used whenever you need to remove all material inside a closed boundary to a given depth — like machining a rectangular or contoured pocket in a block. The tool zigzags, offsets, or follows another clearing pattern inside the boundary, stepping down to the final depth.

When to use it¶

Machining pockets in a block (rectangular, circular, or arbitrary profile).
Removing material inside a closed face boundary.
Roughing a pocket before a Profile finish pass.

Key parameters¶

Parameter	Description
Pattern	Clearing pattern: ZigZag, Offset, ZigZagOffset, Line, Grid, Triangle
Angle	Direction of ZigZag lines (degrees from X axis)
Step Over Percent	Tool engagement as a percentage of tool diameter
Use Outline	If True, add a finishing pass around the pocket wall
Minimum Travel	Merge passes shorter than this distance

See Common Parameters for depth and height parameters.

Common mistakes and pitfalls¶

Pocket leaves material in corners

A standard end mill cannot cut a true right-angle inside corner — it leaves a radius of material. Apply Dressup — Dogbone to add corner reliefs, or use a smaller tool for a finish pass.

Step Down too large

An aggressive Step Down can break end mills. A safe starting value is 50% of the tool diameter in soft materials.