The Probe Circle feature simplifies locating and aligning circular objects by mapping a digital workspace to your workpiece. It automatically generates a shape around the probed circle and gives you the option to place a grid at its center.
This makes it easy to align your design precisely within or around a circular object, such as dowels, circular signs, holes, or cutting boards.
What the Probe Circle Feature Does
- Uses three probe points to define the circle’s perimeter and determine its center
- Automatically generates a shape along the circle’s perimeter
- Optionally creates a grid at the center of the circle
How to Use the Probe Circle Feature
Follow these steps to locate a circle and set up an optional grid:
Step 1: Start Probing the Circle
- Select Probe Circle from the Extensions menu:
- Begin probing by selecting any point on the circle’s perimeter:
- By default, the probe will assume the Outside
of the Probe, like when defining a dowel - Tapping the Edge button will toggle to reference the Inside
of the Probe, as for defining a hole - Tapping Edge again will reference the Center
of the Probe, perfect for mapping to a drawn circle. Tapping again will revert it back to the Outside position where it started
Step 2: Complete the Three Probe Points
- Move to another location on the circle’s edge and probe your second point
- Finish by probing a third point along the circle’s boundary:
- These three points allow the tool to calculate the circle’s perimeter and center accurately
Step 3: Create the Circle's Cut Path
Once all three probe points are set, the circle’s perimeter automatically becomes a cuttable shape, set at first to Guide. You can change the Cut Type in the Cut Menu.
Working with Grids
Probe Circle can also create a grid to simplify alignment at the center of a circle.
- Automatic Grid Placement: If no Grid exists, one can be created at the center of the circle by default. This can be toggled On
or Off 
. - Overriding an Existing Grid: If there is already a Grid, the tool won’t place a new one unless you manually tap “Grid” during the probing process.
- Grid Precision: The new center Grid ensures accurate alignment for placing additional designs or cuts on or around the circle. The 0,0 point of the Grid will be centered on the workpiece.