This time, we have all three axes moving to our x, y, and z axes while cutting material. The next type of toolpath is a 3D toolpath. We have a 2D pass, the tool steps up or down in zed, and then that same 2D path is repeated.

The reason why they’re called 2.5D and not 3D is because the tool is still only ever moving in two axes. 2.5D toolpaths are when we take a 2D pass and add multiple depths to it. The next step up from 2D toolpaths are 2.5D toolpaths. What are 2.5D Toolpaths? A 2.5D toolpath in action. You can see the tool does come down on the z-axis, but when the actual cutting pass begins, the tool only moves on the flat x y plane. If we look at our machine in the video above, we can see a 2D toolpath in action.

As its name suggests, 2D toolpaths only ever move in two dimensions, or two of the machine’s axes, while cutting. But what do these terms mean? In this article, we’ll explain exactly that, along with how we can program these toolpaths inside of Fusion 360. You’ve probably heard toolpaths being spoken about in terms of 2D, 3D, and full 5-axis simultaneous.

Tutorials for fusion 360