Ai Solutions Freehand Contour chook

[Thad]

Takashi,

 

I'm having a problem with some config settings getting altered after running your contour chook and using the contour option. In Settings-Configuration-Toolpaths I have Repaint Toolpath unchecked. In other words, if I'm not backplotting, I don't want to see the toolpath. After running your chook, that box gets checked. Open the config and you'll see. Now I have to use Alt+T to turn them off every time I run your chook.

 

That setting seems to be attached to the contour operation that is used with your chook. If I use your chook, but then select No at the Contour toolpath? option, then use the resulting geometry to create my own contour toolpath (like the original chook), my toolpath display settings do not get changed. That's why I think it's connected to the contour operation that is accessed through your chook.

 

What do you think?

 

Thad

[Takashi Sato from Ai Solutions.]

Hi Thad,

 

I looked at this issue. but I cant figure out the cause so far. so I just run the FT command "Mastercam OnHideToolpath"...

 

 

extern DllImpExp MC_BOOL display_toolpath; ///< TRUE if the toolpath is to be displayed

 

 

I think this is the variable for the toolpath display settings, but I didn't touch it in freehand contour chook.

 

anyway, temporary fix will work as you wish.

http://ai-sols.sytes.net/download/Ai_Freehand_Contour.zip

[Piglet Trespassers William]

Takashi !

 

You`ve done the excelent job !

Thank you very much !

[Thad]

Can someone else try this to see if they get the same thing?

 

Open a new session of MC. Go in Settings-Config-Toolpaths and uncheck Repaint Toolpath. Save config. Launch the Freehand chook. Draw some lines and hit Esc. When prompted to use Contour toolpath, select NO. Now create a contour toolpath on that geometry. After generating the toolpath, you should see it on the screen. Now zoom or rotate the part and the toolpath will disappear. Go in Settings-Config-Toolpaths and see that Repaint Toolpath is still not checked. So far, all is good.

 

Now, Launch the Freehand chook again. Draw some lines and hit Esc. When prompted to use Contour toolpath, select YES. After generating the toolpath, you should see it on the screen. Now zoom or rotate the part and the toolpath will stay on the screen. Go in Settings-Config-Toolpaths and you'll see that Repaint Toolpath is now checked.

 

The only difference between those 2 examples are selecting Yes or No for using a contour toolpath.

 

Thad

[peon]

Thad, I didn't get that problem on my tube

[Thad]

Thanks for trying Matt.

 

When did you download Takashi's chook?

 

Thad

[peon]

No problem Thad. I downloaded it today. Thanks Takashi! That will work great!

[Thad]

quote:

---

I downloaded it today.

---

Then maybe you got the "fixed" version. It alters my config file on 5 different seats here.

 

Would you try it with an older version if I email it to you? If so, send me an email and I'll reply to it. Your email is hidden.

 

Thad

[Roger Martin from CNC Software]

Takashi does not 'version' his DLLs ;(

So all you can do is go by the date on the DLL.

 

Running AI_Freehand.dll (dated 6-16-2007) with X2-MR1 results in NO "config" changes that I could see.

 

Thad,

What setting are changing for you?

[Thad]

quote:

---

Takashi does not 'version' his DLLs ;(

So all you can do is go by the date on the DLL.

---

Roger, that's why I saved all versions. I put the one that's giving me problems on the FTP called "Ai_Freehand_Contour (Thad).zip. This is the first version that had the contour toolpath implemented with it.

 

quote:

---

What setting are changing for you?

---

Roger, follow my step by step instructions in my second post in this thread and see what you get. It's the Repaint Toolpath checkbox that gets checked after running the chook ONLY after selecting YES to the built-in contour toolpath option.

 

I'm off for the weekend so I don't have access to MC, but I will continue to read the forum and reply the best I can.

 

Thad

[Takashi Sato from Ai Solutions.]

Hello,

 

quote:

---

Takashi does not 'version' his DLLs ;(

So all you can do is go by the date on the DLL.

 

Roger, that's why I saved all versions.

---

Sorry, I'm lazy..

I have changed the version number.(version 1, 0, 0, 2, dated:06-22-2007).

 

and I have found/added this variable, and it is not in the chook sdk headers..

code:

---

extern DllImpExp MC_BOOL repaint_toolpath;

---

then, I looked for where repaint_toolpath was changed,

 

code:

---

 

//repaint_toolpath == FALSE

chain_manager_info cmi;

 

memset (&cmi, 0, sizeof (chain_manager_info));

cmi.op_idn = op.op_idn;

cmi.mode = CHNMGR_ADD;

cmi.chns=chains;

chain_manager (&cmi, TP_CHN_ALL, &succf);

//repaint_toolpath == TRUE; wh?????

---

when I called the chain_manager function, the variable repaint_toolpath was changed to TRUE.

so I changed it back.

 

 

 

version 1,0,0,2..

http://ai-sols.sytes.net/download/Ai_Freehand_Contour.zip

[Thee Rickster ™]

Takashi,

 

Does this work for all versions of X2, X2 MR1

and so on.

 

I am on X2 SP1 and the other latest seems to work

well.

 

Excellent job I might add,

Keep it up and CNC might have to pay you

maintenance.

 

Thanks again

Rick

[Takashi Sato from Ai Solutions.]

Hi Rick,

 

Yes, it will work for XMR1,X2,X2MR1,X2MR2..

 

Please tell me if you have problems/requests ragarding this chook.

[cobra95kev]

Thanks Takashi, for another excellent tool.

I just tried it, it works with XMR2 also.

 

Later Gents,

 

Kevin C.

[Thee Rickster ™]

No problems here, smooth sailing.

 

(Now that have a 'freehand'

I might get a 2nd mouse.)

 

Rick

[peon]

Thad, I deleted my older versions of Mcam. I only have X2MR1 SP1

[Thad]

quote:

---

Thad, I deleted my older versions of Mcam.

---

Matt, I meant older versions of the chook.

 

It looks like V1.0.0.2 will work for me. I'll test it on monday.

 

Thad

[Thad]

Takashi,

 

The latest version doesn't change the Repaint Toolpath setting in the config any more, but now the Draw Tool box gets unchecked.

 

Anyway, I can live with that.

 

Now... how about a custom icon? I'm sure Colin could come up with something nice if you're busy.

 

Thad

[Thad]

One more request...

 

How about the toolpath being generated automatically after using the contour option? As it is right now, you have to click regenerate after filling out the toolpath parameters.

 

Thad

[Colin Gilchrist]

Thad,

 

You've got mail.

[Colin Gilchrist]

Thad,

 

You've got mail.

[Thee Rickster ™]

Colin,

 

If you have a cool icon for freehand, could you

shlide it my way too.

 

Thanks

Rick

[Colin Gilchrist]

Thad,

 

Could you start an icons folder on the FTP and put those bitmaps in there? I can't upload to the FTP from work (firewall). I'll shoot you the rest of the icon bitmaps too.

 

Rick, your email isn't listed under your profile. I'm asking Thad to create a folder for everyone who wants to access the bitmap file.

 

P.S., I'm no artist, so no complaints Plus, you could always make your own with Microsoft Paint. Just remember, you need two icons, one that is 16x16 pixels, and one that is 24x24 pixels. Now I'm off to make my Chewbacca button!

 

Thanks,

[Takashi Sato from Ai Solutions.]

Thad,

 

I will try your requests after I'm back from Tokyo.(This weekend..)

 

[Thad]

quote:

---

Could you start an icons folder on the FTP and put those bitmaps in there?

---

I created a subfolder in the "All pictures..." folder called "chook icons." There is one missing for the Hole Table chook, but I'll stick it in there when I get it.

 

Thad