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FASTCUBE Shopfloor AssistantNC EditorMulti-Line Selection

Multi-Line Selection

Multi-line selection allows operators to edit multiple NC points at once — whether adjusting a small segment or transforming entire toolpath blocks. Shopfloor Assistant provides a flexible selection system that supports both simple range selection and advanced additive selection, all synchronized with the 3D Viewer.

Once multiple lines are selected, the Manipulator appears at the first selected point, and all other points are highlighted in the 3D Viewer. Selection works bi**-**directionally: choosing lines in the NC Editor highlights points in the 3D Viewer, and selecting points in the 3D Viewer highlights the corresponding lines in the NC Editor.

📘 How the Multi-Selection works

  • Step 1: Use keyboard shortcuts to select lines - Shopfloor Assistant supports three main keyboard-based selection methods

  • SHIFT – Range selection - select a continuous range of lines, similar to selection in Windows Explorer.

Used for selecting a continuous block of lines.

  • Select all lines between the last range anchor and the newly clicked line.
  • Automatically deselects any lines outside the range.
  • If the new selected line is a regshape or approach point, the entire pattern block is selected.

Ideal for: adjusting an entire machining segment, arc block, or grouped trajectory.

  • CTRL – Additive selection - used for selecting or deselecting individual lines.

  • Adds or removes a single motion/regshape line to the current selection without clearing already selected eligible lines.

  • If the new selected line is a regshape, the full regshape block is added.

  • If the new selected line is non**-motion,** the previous selection is preserved, and the range anchor is updated

Ideal for: assembling a custom group of specific points.

  • CTRL + SHIFT – Additive Range selection - used for selecting multiple separate ranges.

  • Adds a continuous block of lines to the existing selection.

  • Does not clear previously selected ranges.

  • Fully respects pattern-recognition logic (approach + geometry + retract).

Ideal for: editing multiple non-adjacent regions of the toolpath.

  • Step 2: Use the NC Editor panel buttons - The NC Editor includes dedicated buttons that mirror keyboard behavior:

  • Additive selection - Mirrors CTRL — adds individual lines or blocks without removing existing selections.

  • Range selection - Mirrors SHIFT — selects a continuous block based on the current range anchor.

  • Additive and Range selection - Mirrors CTRL + SHIFT — selecting multiple separate ranges.

  • Select All - selects:

  • all lines in the NC Editor,

  • all regshape blocks,

  • all motion lines.

Useful for global adjustments, such as shifting the entire program by an offset.

Unselect All - you can clear the selection by:

  • clicking outside the toolpath in the NC Editor, selecting an empty area in the 3D Viewer, or performing a single selection (without CTRL/SHIFT) on any line.

  • Step 3: Visual Confirmation in the 3D Viewer

After multi-selection:

  • Manipulator placement

  • Positioned on the first selected motion line (or the regshape start point if selecting a regshape block).

  • This point becomes the pivot for all transformations (unless Base Frame is selected).

  • Highlighted points - all selected points appear highlighted in the 3D Viewer, giving an immediate visual overview of:

  • the affected toolpath region,

  • the pivot location,

  • the spatial relationship between points.

  • Bi**-**directional logic remains active:

  • selecting in the NC Editor updates the 3D Viewer,

  • selecting in 3D Viewer updates the NC Editor.

🎯 Operator insights

  • Selection behavior adapts intelligently depending on CTRL, SHIFT, or both — the system follows structured logic to avoid accidental partial selections.

  • Pattern recognition keeps operations safe: selecting any regshape or approach line automatically expands selection to the full logical block.

  • The manipulator always appears on the first selected motion point, ensuring predictable transformation behavior.

  • Use the 3D Viewer as a visual checklist — verify that only the intended points are selected before applying translations or rotations.

  • CTRL + SHIFT is extremely powerful for multi-region edits — ideal for patching several toolpath segments in one operation.

  • If you see unexpected deselection, it’s usually because a non-motion line was clicked before a motion line (your flowchart logic) — the system safeguards consistent selection blocks.

  • Reference system matters:

  • If TCP is active → manipulator visible and editable

  • If Base Frame is active → manipulator hidden, but transformations still apply correctly

  • The Manipulator automatically appears on the first selected point, serving as the pivot for all transformations.

  • Remaining selected points are highlighted in the 3D Viewer, giving a clear visual representation of the multi-line selection. This provides instant visual confirmation of the selection, making it easier to verify which points will be affected before applying transformations.

  • Use the 3D Viewer to verify that all intended points are correctly selected before applying any transformations.

  • Any selection made in the NC Editor is reflected in the 3D Viewer, and any selection made in the 3D Viewer updates the selection in NC Editor, maintaining bi-directional synchronization.

  • Panel buttons are convenient for repetitive or structured selection tasks.

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