MasterCAM for SolidWorks

[CNC programming questions]

How does MasterCAM for SolidWorks compare to MastercCAM 2022 as far as programming toolpaths? I currently run both of them independently. I use SolidWorks for my part/fixture models and MasterCAM for programming the toolpaths. Is it worth exploring the SolidWorks version? I do all CAD modeling in SolidWorks so it seems very convenient but I also am quick/comfortable with MasterCAM as a separate program. Curious to hear thoughts before I reach out to the reseller.

[SN_MCam_User]

Wellll....your decision might already have been made for you.  Can't really comment on your question directly however, it looks like Mastercam for Solidworks is in "sunset" status starting w the 2024 release.  Meaning v2024 is slated to be Standalone only.  This is information I received from my Reseller recently.

Personally, on a "lesser" computer than I have today...and older versions...running Mastercam for Solidworks was not a "solid" experience for me.  And we're not doing anything terribly complex.  My workflow is pretty much how you describe - parts and fixtures in SW...and paths in Mastercam.  I usually get fouled up when trying to merge new revisions when I'm working on the Standalone version - but that's a "me" issue I think more than Mastercam.  I wouldn't say it's a bulletproof system [Standalone]...but for me its been significantly more stable than within SW and not bad compared to other software I use.  I'm looking at you Hexagon...

[CNC programming questions]

Thanks for the insight. The main reason I was asking is that we frequently have minor rev changes on parts or fixtures that I overlooked during the initial design process and merging different models without redoing toolpaths would be fantastic. I tend to get crashes often in MasterCAM the more I merge new models. I highly doubt its a computer issue since I just got a new one 2 years ago thats decked out for MasterCAM and Solidworks. Perhaps there is an easier way to accomplish this in MasterCAM that I am unaware of. Definitely not going to look into it any further and relearn a new method of programming for 2 years.

[SN_MCam_User]

About the only thing I can add to that is...if I'm merging...I'm saving immediately after i merge whatever I'm merging...

There is an option for "Change Recognition" that attempts to re-match toolpaths...I've only attempted it a few times...but it's always been less error-prone to march through and re-select geometry for me.

[FROZEN]

Have you guys ever looking into TopSolid???