Machining program editing assist apparatus

A machine program editing assist apparatus for a machining tool, comprising:

• a memory to store a machine program, a path, and to-be-removed shapes, a tool of the machine tool being configured to move along the path to remove the to-be-removed shapes from a shape of a workpiece according to processes defined by the machine program, respectively;
• a display to display the to-be-removed shapes and the path such that the to-be-removed shapes are visually differentiated from the path;
• an operation circuit via which a first position on the display is input;
• and
• a control circuit configured to
• specify a first portion and a second portion of the path, a first distance between the first portion and the first position on the display being equal to or smaller than a first threshold distance, a second distance between the second portion and the first position on the display being equal to or smaller than the first threshold distance,
• specify a first to-be-removed shape and a second to-be-removed shape of the to-be-removed shapes, the first to-be-removed shape corresponding to the first portion, the second to-be-removed shape corresponding to the second portion,
• control the display to display the first portion and the first to-be-removed shape such that the first to-be-removed shape is visually differentiated from the path,
• determine whether a third distance between the first position and a second position is equal to or smaller than a second threshold distance if the second position on the display is input via the operation circuit while the first to-be-removed shape is displayed, and
• control the display to display the second portion and the second to-be-removed shape such that the second to-be-removed shape is visually differentiated from the path if it is determined that the third distance is equal to or smaller than the second threshold distance.