2-D and 3-D...Oil and water ?

[Mr. LocoMartin]

Let me explain what I am trying to do and then I will ask my question.

I am trying to cut from bar stock a spoked rail road driver wheel. The wheel is 5 1/2" in diameter and 1 1/4" thick at the thickest. There are nine spokes with a center hub for the axle and a crank pin hub and a counter balance weight area opposite the crank pin hub.
I generated the intire geometry in 3-D and ran various "spiral" and "radial slice" toolpaths to clear out the material from in between the spokes.
Using the same 3-d geometry I tried to run a program that would clean up the area in between the spokes, like cutting a pocket. But the system "V22 with recent update" would not do what I wanted. I tried a variety of different ways but no luck.
So what I ended up doing was re-creating all new geometry in 2-D only and then tell the bugger to cut a pocket. For some strange reason it did all the areas but two.
I am pretty sure that there is something that I am not doing right (has been proven in this forum on previous occasions) and that's o.k. as long as I learn what it is.
So, as always, any insight is greatly appreciated and welcome.

Now, here is my question, Can I run 2-D programs from 3-D geometry or do the two different worlds not mix well together ?

Thanks,
Martin

[moldmker]

A good way to check if there's something wrong with pocket geometry is to offset inward by the amount of the cutter radius (offset islands outward). If it intersects itself anywhere then it won't pocket correctly. Going to a smaller cutter might help.
Also, there are still issues with the latest build that affects Pocket Offset In or Out. Try Lace Zigzag with Profile Cleanup After.

I mix 3D and 2D quite a bit. Extract Edges and then Project to a temporary surface above the part. Alter as needed then make a Contour.
Put them on a separate layer so they can be blanked when not needed.

Good luck
moldmker