Action

Every component has basic geometry—width, height, and position—and one setting that matters most: Action.

• Component = what it is (the shape)
• Action = what it does (how it changes the final part)

Actions are the “instructions” that tell GCrafter how to combine your shape with the part. Some actions remove material, some add material, some create pockets, and others modify the part by keeping only overlapping regions or excluding regions entirely.

We’re going to focus on what each action means:

Subtract

Removes material from the part wherever the component overlaps it.
Use this for cutouts, holes, slots, and negative space.

Add (Unite)

Adds/merges the component into the part, increasing the part’s outline where they overlap.
Use this to build tabs, bumps, extensions, or extra material features.

Intersect

Keeps only the area where the component and the part overlap.
Use this when the component should act like a “mask” that trims the part down to a specific region.

Exclude

Removes the overlapping region from both shapes, leaving only the non-overlapping portions.
Use this when you want a separation or a split effect where the overlap becomes a gap.

Pocket

Creates a recessed cut instead of a through cut.
Use this for CNC pocketing (and for laser engraving-style workflows), where you want depth without cutting all the way through.

Pocket Action (Depth, Face, and Advanced Options)

When Pocket is enabled, the component creates a recessed cut instead of a through-cut.

You’ll control two main settings:

• Pocket Depth: how deep the pocket is.
• Face (Front / Back): which face the pocket appears on in the 3D view.

Additional Settings

1. Router Bit Diameter The cutter size used for this shape. It inherits from the part, and the part inherits from the project item (unless you override it). This matters for accurate CNC toolpaths and corner behavior.

2. Add Dogbones
   Automatically adds dogbones to the shape based on the router bit diameter, helping square inside corners fit when cutting with a round bit.
   Not needed for laser engraving, and typically not needed for CNC V-carve style operations.

3. Apply Post Intersection
   If the part has Apply PartLab Shapes / Apply Components to Intersection enabled, this controls when the component is applied:

• On: apply the component after intersections are calculated (post-intersection).
• Off: apply the component during intersection calculations.

This is useful when you want intersections to be computed using the simpler part shape, then apply detailed PartLab geometry afterward.