Skip to Content
FASTCUBE Shopfloor AssistantNC EditorManipulator & Coordinates Panel

Manipulator and Manipulator Coordinates Panel

The Manipulator is a visual control element displayed in the 3D Viewer when a motion point is selected in the NC Editor or directly in the 3D scene.

It represents the exact position and orientation of the selected toolpath point and acts as the pivot reference for Rototranslation operations.

Manipulator displayed on a selected toolpath point

The manipulator provides immediate visual feedback, allowing the operator to clearly understand:

  • the current toolpath position
  • the tool orientation
  • the pivot point used for transformations

Manipulator Coordinates Panel

The Manipulator Coordinates Panel is located at the bottom of the NC Editor panel.

It becomes active as soon as one or more points, or an entire Regshape block, are selected either in the NC Editor or in the 3D Viewer.

Manipulator coordinates panel in the NC Editor

The panel allows the operator to precisely adjust the manipulator position and orientation before applying any transformation.

Manipulator coordinates controls

All translations and rotations defined in this panel are relative to the manipulator’s initial position.

Relationship with the Rototranslation Panel

The Manipulator works together with the Rototranslation Panel.

When the reference system is set to TCP (Tool Center Point):

  • the manipulator is visible in the 3D Viewer
  • all offsets and rotations are visually applied through it

If the reference system is switched to another frame, for example:

  • Base Frame
  • G93 frame

the Manipulator and its panel are hidden, because transformations are applied relative to that frame instead of the tool.

How to Use the Manipulator

Step 1 — Select a point or Regshape

Select a motion point or a Regshape block in either:

  • the NC Editor
  • the 3D Viewer
Selecting a point in the toolpath

Step 2 — The manipulator appears in the 3D Viewer

Once the point is selected, the Manipulator appears automatically at the exact location of the selected toolpath point.

This indicates the pivot point that will be used for transformations.

Step 3 — Adjust the Manipulator Coordinates

Use the Manipulator Coordinates Panel to define the pivot position and orientation.

Manipulator coordinate controls

You can:

  • Translate the manipulator to a new position
  • Rotate the manipulator to adjust the orientation

All changes are displayed immediately in the 3D Viewer.

Step 4 — Observe the changes in the 3D Viewer

As the manipulator values change, the 3D scene updates in real time, allowing the operator to verify:

  • tool orientation
  • position adjustments
  • reachability
Manipulator adjustments reflected in the 3D Viewer

Step 5 — Apply the transformation

To apply the transformation, use the Rototranslation Panel.

The reference must be set to TCP (Tool Center Point) for the manipulator to act as the pivot.

Rototranslation panel with TCP reference

Notes for Operators

  • The Manipulator updates instantly when a different point is selected.
  • To reset the Manipulator Panel values, simply select another point in the NC Editor or the 3D Viewer.
  • After a Rototranslation is applied, the manipulator automatically moves to the new position and the panel values are reset.
  • The manipulator is especially useful for analyzing difficult tool positions, adjusting orientation, and validating the trajectory directly in the 3D environment.
Was this page helpful?
Frame DefinitionsRototranslation Panel