'Nother question about two sided design

[Don Butler]

I'm confused. Not that that isn't the usual thing! But I think I've been ambushed by my brain state and the visual appearance of the design software.

I'm trying to make a design in which the two sides of the board have mirror images so they line up when they're cut out.

So I flip to the back side and (because the software seems to do it this way when I use the rotate tool) I put it upside down and backwards. So when I use the rotate tool it shows me the backside the way I expect to see it.

But when I carved it out, - SURPRISE!!! The backside IS upside down and backwards. (sigh)

So I was blindsided between the way the rotate tool works and the way the F and R buttons work.

So my question is, and please say it slow so this confused old geezer can get it, how do I actually do what I want to do?

d

[DocWheeler]

Don,

Which way did you "flip" the board, end-for-end or top-to-bottom?

[Don Butler]

Top to bottom.


d

[Amonaug]

You should always flip the board just like designer does when you use the F/R icons. The side closest to the keypad gets flipped so it's the furthest from the keypad.

When you design the board the backside needs to be upside down but not necessarily backwards. So something like

[DocWheeler]

Don,

I was concerned since I saw a post yesterday stating to always keep the top to the keypad side. I believe that you are doing it correctly.

To resolve your problem, do a cut-out path on the first side and look at it on the back - then place the object in that cut-out. Is that the way you thought it should have been?

I personally have not had good results from two-sided carvings, they always seem to be about a 16th of an inch off. I can live with that, but find it easier to just make two mpcs.

[Don Butler]

Ken,

How do you make sure that the two mpcs line up to each other?

d

[Kenm810]

If I may, I drilled a couple of index holes and lined them up on the front and back.
If you want, you can delete them before you load it up for carvimng

[Audie]

I use the same technique as Ken and works great each time

Audie

[Amonaug]

Another way is on the front for example attach the pattern to the top edge and left edge of the board. Note the measurements, let's say 1 inch from the TOP and 2 inches from the left. Now click R to flip the board, top becomes the bottom and left remains left. Now put your pattern and flip it vertically then attach 1 inch to the BOTTOM and 2 inches to the left and they should line up perfectly.

[mtylerfl]

Another way is on the front for example attach the pattern to the top edge and left edge of the board. Note the measurements, let's say 1 inch from the TOP and 2 inches from the left. Now click R to flip the board, top becomes the bottom and left remains left. Now put your pattern and flip it vertically then attach 1 inch to the BOTTOM and 2 inches to the left and they should line up perfectly.

Kevin's method is the best way - very exacting.