Mastercam X problems

[Ken Do It]

Is anyone else having major transition problems with X from 9?

[heeler]

Major is an understatement. Let see, can't put config file on server to keep it common with everyone. Can't create generic toolpaths and then post to a specific machine. Can't edit a fillet(arc) and make it tangent to 2 lines. It is cool that you can delete it and recreate a new one and the toolpath will recreate using it, but it messes up the solid. The new editor sucks for me. If I had a program that I commented as I was running it, I can't just do a control arrow key to the new program.

 

So far I am not impressed. I know that it was a big change, but can't see how this is bigger, better, and faster. Hope that with more work and training that I will become more impressed.

 

Glenn

 

P.S. Maybe this is my lack of knowledge of X, or that it is just hard to teach an old dog new tricks. But I'll keep trying (for awhile).

[Jeremy Grigsby Excelsior Marking]

I'm starting to get the new interface, I had a little work with the machine definition though. I noticed doing the things ive learned faster than i did them in 9 though. Still have other work to do and were still waiting on a chook we use alot before we can try to go full transition. Were also getting new computers so thats kind of when we expect to install x permanently.

[Jimmy Wakeford from Barefoot CNC]

Blasphemy!

 

Have you gone over the transition guide yet? I have not had a customer to try to put the configs on a network, put should be possible with X. Check your paths.

 

I cant find the command line switches(its prolly sitting next to what's left of my mind which I also seem to have recently lost.) Do any of you guys have it? There is/was a way of launching mc for different users there also.

[heeler]

Yes, I walked thru the transition guide. We created a shortcut icon that we put on all the mastercam seats that we have here with V9. It had the path to the config file after the .exe I tried it on X and it doesn't work. On page 61 in the intro to mastercam book it says that "Note: the .CONFIG file type and a fixed "save as" laocation (Mastercam Config directory) are required and cannot be changed". I have called mastercam about this. They have no answer for me yet. I know that there is still tons to learn. I am just not that impressed with all the bells and whistles. I believe in the old kiss rule(keep it simple stupid).

 

Glenn

[Müřlıń®]

9 to X is not like 8 to 9.

 

Take it slow and in the mean time you are still getting work done using ver 9,.....

 

 

Murlin teh be careful what you wish for.....you may get it....

[Roger Martin from CNC Software]

You can launch X specifying a CONFIG file on the command line.

In the X shortcut target line like this ->

c:mcamxmastercam.exe user-1.config

[Jimmy Wakeford from Barefoot CNC]

closest I can get to what you want is setting custom toolbar on start exit.

[heeler]

This is what I have in that line

 

C:mcamxmastercam.exe x:CollaborationCNCDataTemplates_NCPMCAMconfigCNC MILLS.config

 

with x: being a mapped server drive. This is how we have 9 set up and it works great. With X, it just uses the config on the computer, not the server.

 

This way we have everyone using the same set up. Saves me lots of headaches.

 

Glenn

[gcode]

quote:

---

x:CollaborationCNCDataTemplates_NCPMCAMconfigCNC MILLS.config

---

Maybe the folder named config in the PATH is

causing the problem??? Perhaps the shortcut is reading that as the filename extension and stoping there???

It can't find a config file so it defualts back to the C drive??

 

Just a thought

[Pete Rimkus from CNC Software Inc.]

I run Mastercam X like this...

 

"C:mcamxmastercam.exe" "P-rimkus-xpinstallsmcamx.config"

 

... and it finds the CONFIG file on that network node.

 

Don't forget the quotes if the path (or the file itself) has spaces!

[heeler]

Pete,

 

Adding the "'s seem to work.

Thanks.

 

Can you help with this as well

_______________________________________

 

Can't edit a fillet(arc) and make it tangent to 2 lines. It is cool that you can delete it and recreate a new one and the toolpath will recreate using it, but it messes up the solid.

_______________________________________

 

Thanks

Glenn

[Richard Thomas - Mastercam UK]

heeler,

 

I guess that you want the lines to change length/angle to automatically remain tangent with the arc the you edited? If that's the case then I'm afraid it's not possible. It works the same way as V9 in this respect, i.e. once the fillet is created, it's just considered an arc, and two lines happen to meet it at the endpoints.

 

I'd love to be corrected if I'm wrong though!

[heeler]

Rich,

 

In V9 if I created a fillet, say .25 between 2 lines. Used them in creating or triming a solid and in a toolpath. Then found out that I made a mistake and the the fillet should have been .125. You could go in and analyze the fillet, select the redifine button, then use the fillet function again to redefine the fillet to a .125, if you had it set to trim it would trim your lines. Then you just had to go to solids manager and regen the solid, and toolpath manager and regen the toolpaths. This would work probably 95% of the time. Sometimes you would have a little problems if it affected several faces of the solid. Generally it would work really well, and very quickly would fix your mistake. You can very easily redefine any entity in the analyze function in V9. doesn't seem anywhere near as easy in X.

 

HTH

 

Glenn

[Kelly Burns]

We have been crying for two days and feel about like monkeys humping a football, but finally I think were starting to get more familiar with it.

Hang in there and keep working with it it gets easier. I think...

[Richard Thomas - Mastercam UK]

heeler.

 

I see what you're getting at... it does look like we are missing that feature now. I think the best thing would be to contact the support desk at CNC or your local reseller, or see if a reply is forthcoming here.

[heeler]

I have contacted CNC software. We will also still get training from our reseller. I am just trying to get/test things so that our switch will go as smoothly as possible.

 

Thanks

 

Glenn

[Rekd™]

Glenn, just a thought, but what if you tried creating a new fillet on that corner? In 9 it would prompt you about filletting existing fillets, but I'm not sure the result to the solid.

 

Might be worth a shot.

[Richard Thomas - Mastercam UK]

Rekd,

 

I think the main thing about using "redefine" in V9 is that it changed the entity, but kept the same ID# in the files' database. This is what allows solids just to be regenned, rather than re-chained.

 

Doesn't look like it's there in X at the moment. I tried refilleting (is that a word??) but it actually creates a brand new arc rather than changing the old one, and so breaks the chain.

[heeler]

Rekd,

My work around for now is to create a new correct arc/fillet, then create a center point, delete the arc, analyze the old arc, change the radius/dia. pick the change position icon, set on point and pick the center point I created from the new arc. Pain in the arse. but it does work. The old way was a lot easier.

 

Glenn

[Guest CNC Apps Guy 1]

Hey, I've got an idea... Don't fillet the geometry, fillet the SOLID. That works 100% of the time NO MATTER WHAT VERSION, V7.2c, V8, V9, X

 

James teh draws geometry sharp when/if at all possible.

[heeler]

James,

 

I have many times had to put the fillet in the chain rather than the solid. If I tried to do it in the solid, it would apply it to other faces close to the faces I needed the fillet. I just happened to find this lacking feature when doing a fillet. The way that we could analyze and correct errors with V9 (by just redefine, retrim, ect and regenerate) was in MHO was alot better in V9. I am sure that I will get better with X as I go, but this is one area I feel that they misssed the boat.

 

Glenn

[Guest CNC Apps Guy 1]

In my past experiences with drawing the fillets, instead of creating them in Solids, I ran into tangency issues and/or being unable to create the feature. I'd try the draw sharp method first, then if that does not work, go the old route.

 

JM2C

[pip]

I go with James on this. Should always, where possible, create sharp solids and use fillet feature. This is what I was taught, and it seems to make sense. Just a solids thing not a Mastercam thing.

[Lee.]

+1 to James.

 

The rreason for this is that the fillet you created with geometry still has the same characteristics as a fillet, except you can't suppress it or change it's position in the tree. Then when you want to create a larger fillet in the same area, bingo, your in the ****.

 

Solids Rule When filleting.

 

Biggest to smallest in that order.

 

HTH