multi line useless

[PeterM]

I am forwarding this complaint from our lathe programmer. The x version of mluti line seems to be essentially useless. I know from my own prior experience as a lathe programmer in earlier versions of mastercam that create-line-multi was by far the fastest way to create a profile. It was never as useful a tool in mill, so I haven't used it very much for years now, But I played with it a little and I have to agree with his acessment. Any comments or tips would be welcome. Peter

[Roger Martin from CNC Software]

Peter,

 

?

What specifically is lacking the the Create Multi-Line in X compared to v9.1 ?

[PeterM]

In ver 9 and prior, create line multi then start typing. The coordinates of your last entry were by default the start of your next line. Now I know that multi line in x is on the surface similar, however since it is so tied to the mouse, you end up with just a sketching tool. I tried using the spacebar to bypass the mouse, and it seemed very unnatural, (plus I locked up my function hitting Esc one time) The coordinate spaces are three axis fields even though you are only using two axies in D+Z so they are even worse than using the spacebar. Peter

[Mike Mattera - TFM]

It doesent sound like you picked the Multi-Line icon on thr Ribbon bar. If you did it works the same way (last point = next start pt.) As for entering the coordinate... hitting the space bar and then X,Y is really not That much different.

 

Make sure you've selected the "zig zag" looking icon on the ribbon bar.

 

Mike Mattera

[PeterM]

I don't think YOU have really tried the multi line function, I did indeed engage the little multi line icon. You have to type in both values of the next leg of the target, or the leg that you didn't specify will go to where ever the cursor happens to be. This represents twice the effort. Peter

[3rdstring]

I just tried it & It worked for me.

 

Set plane to DZ

Engaged multiline

space D,Z enter

space D,Z enter

etc.

Took a few tries to get used to hitting the space bar before entering the point tho.

 

JM2C

[gcode]

Works fine for me

Click line, then the multiline symbol

then start entering numbers in 0,0 enter

1,0 enter 1,-2.5 enter etc etc

[Nick_AFRL]

Works for me..

[PeterM]

My point exactly! twice the typing. In earlier versions one might for example type in d0z0 ent d1. ent z-.25 ent d1.25 ent etc. etc. etc. But hey this is no big deal to me I'll just tell my lathe guy to get used to it. I'm curious what other lathe programmers think about this, perhaps it really is no big deal. Peter

[3rdstring]

Now I see what you mean. If, after you've entered the initial point, you just type in one dim, it doesn;t seem to operate corectly. From playin withit, if you give it a D the Z will stay static (like it should), but when you give it just a Z move it appears to treat the previous D value as an X value. It does look like it works right it the XZ plane. You might want to ask QC@Mastercam, that kinda looks like a bug.

[dwsz71]

Maybe having the "Fast Point" dialog be "pin-able" would be a reasonable option. I normally prefer the Fast Point dialog over the XYZ/DZY fields on the Auto Cursor toolbar for everything any how.

[PeterM]

My most humble apologies folks. I finally figured it out and it ain't so bad after all. P.S. has anyone found my bottle of prozak?

[PeterM]

Heck, maybe this thing is a little erratic after all. because it works fine in top view and in front view but not in d+z I'll check it out in some other views and post back Peter

[gcode]

quote:

---

My most humble apologies folks. I finally figured it out

---

Don't feel bad Peter. About half these X threads

could be summed up with

 

" doesn't work right in X"

 

"Yes it does, you're not doing right"

 

"No its broke, X suxs"

 

"Works fine"

" X suxs"

"Works fine"

"Oh I get it... cool stuff!!"

etc etc

 

Sometimes it really is broke and that's how bugs get found and killed

[PeterM]

So far it only screws up in d+z Peter

[PeterM]

P.S. it seems all of the lathe diameter views make for bad times, Lathe radius views work fine.

Peter

[gcode]

Peter, write it up and email it to

[email protected].

MR2 is in beta right now, maybe they can get it fixed in time for MR2's release

[dwsz71]

From what I can tell, when only a Z value is entered in the Fast Point dialog the line will end up at the proper Z coordinate and double the D coordinate.

 

A multi-line starting at D0. Z0. going to D1. will create a vertical line to D1. Z0., then going to Z-1 will end up at D2.0 Z-1. in a Lathe Diameter C-Plane.

 

Is this what you are seeing as well?

[PeterM]

That is in fact exactly what I am seeing Dave.

I will send this off at gcodes suggestion. Thanks all and have a great weekend, Peter

[tryon]

There was a post a couple of weeks previous that mentioned the same problem. I didnt even know about Multi-line before reading about it. I tried it out in 9 and its a big timesaver for drawing lathe parts. I think X should work the same way.