Continuous Raster Pass for 3D Carves
3D finishing passes now have a Raster Order setting. Choose Sections to keep the machine cutting with as few lifts as possible, or Continuous to sweep each raster line across the whole model before starting the next.
Sections is the order Easel has always used, and it stays the default. It carves whatever stretch of surface is in front of the bit, comes back for the rest later, and keeps travel short. On models with pockets, holes, or a cutout around the edge, that means the surface gets finished in patches — and where two patches meet at different times, the seam can catch the light.
Continuous trades a little time for a cleaner surface. Every line is carved in full, left to right, then right to left on the way back, so the tool marks all run the same way across the entire model and there is nothing to see where sweeps meet.
How it Works
- Select your 3D workpiece and scroll to Finishing Toolpaths in the properties panel.
- Under Raster Order, pick Sections or Continuous.
- Generate toolpaths. Your choice is saved with the workpiece, so it carries over the next time you open the project.
Raster Order works alongside the raster angle above it. Set the angle to run with the grain and the order to Continuous, and the finishing pass will comb the whole surface in one direction.
When to Use Each
Sections is the right choice most of the time, and especially on deep models, pockets, and cutouts where the bit would otherwise have to lift and cross open air on every pass.
Continuous is worth the extra time on flat-ish reliefs and signs — anything where the finished surface is the point and a visible seam would show. Watch the estimated carve time when you switch: on models with a lot of full-depth waste to cross, Continuous can add real time to the finishing pass.
Reach Out
Carve something with it and let us know how the surface came out. We'd love to see it.