Mastercam In SolidWorks Questions

[NeilJ]

Last I knew Mastercam in SolidWorks wasn't expected to have much 2 1/2 axis mill capabilities. Has this changed?

 

How does the quality of Chaining in Mastercam In SolidWorks compare to stand alone Mastercam? Are Chains easier to see?

 

Is the Tool Library user interface the same as stand alone Mastercam?

 

Can you Regenerate a toolpath directly from a Machining Operations dialog box without having to close it?

 

Can you Backplot or Verify directly from a Machining Operations dialog box without having to close it?

 

Can you create Chains directly from a Machining Operations dialog box without having to close it? Can you modify or add Chains directly from a Machining Operations dialog box without having to close it?

 

Can you create or modify WCS's without having to close a Machining Operations dialog box?

 

[ 10-18-2008, 01:39 PM: Message edited by: NeilJ ]

[Jayson Kramer]

This can only be answered by CNC at this time.

As there are not many answers to be found here JUST yet.

Testing has not started yet.

[Guest]

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Testing has not started yet.

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:COUGH:

 

[iowajim62]

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:COUGH:

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showoff

[Guest]

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showoff

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Whaaaa????

 

I didn't say nuttin/

 

 

 

[PFABC]

Don't you think CNC should get X working properly first.

[NeilJ]

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Don't you think CNC should get X working properly first.

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PFABC (People For A Better CAM), perhaps it's much easier to learn from your old mistakes rather than try to fix them?

 

If all the current Mastercam user interface gets ported over to Mastercam In SolidWorks I won't see this as a good sign.

 

It would be fair to say I'm very disappointed with X3 and I'm going to wait to upgrade from X2MR2 SP1.

 

[ 10-18-2008, 10:31 PM: Message edited by: NeilJ ]

[PFABC]

NeilJ,

 

In all honesty I really did not want to bag on CNC, I just don't think that they have their finger on the pulse. I have used Mastercam for years in a high end Toolroom. Mastercam has never been a shinning star here (we may be a bit snobbish), not to say that it hasn't gotten better in some areas. I have also works as a dealer/support person for the product knowing all the while there must be a better way....well there is for most people that are willing to open there eyes and see that Mastercam is a not even in the top ten anymore.

 

It's a bitter pill to swallow for everyone that has invested money, time and effort into Mastercam as I have over the years. I disagree with anyone that says that they have invested too much into Mastercam to now switch. There can be a varying substantial ROI on switching to something that you are not continually fighting with. It is not as much a shift to another software as much as it is a shift in philosophies. Not all CAM software and their developer are created equal. as I have found. That is my personal and business experience.

[PFABC]

I have to be careful as Ive been banned from the forum for less.

 

I make this reply brief and to the point.

 

There is no one CAM system that will be right for everyone and application. What I have found in my search into CAM systems that a progressive sytem isn't as much to do with the software as it is into the orginization, development and people behind the software. Mastercam has proven itself over the years to be on the progressive side of the line not as much for its development but by the people that use it.

 

The people theat use software typically drive its development. Progressive industries, progressive solutions, progressive peolple. WE are living in a intresting time that is continually challenging how we view, process and act as a result. CNC Software doesn't seem equipped to keep up. Just because Mastercam has been around for as long as it has and has offered solutions to manufacturing problems doesn't mean that it will continue to offer the better way.

 

At times a designer / programmer needs to step back and a fresh look at the job in front of him and decide whether it is best to carry one with the legacy work that has developed a life of it's own or to start fresh with new tools that are more effiecient and that will foster a new way of working.

 

Software for all its 0's and 1's is a tool and will always be progression. Mastercam and alot of it's primary feature, tools and ways of doing things have been around for along time. This in some cases can be good even with a large user base...in the beginning not much to choose from...used it in school...

 

The reality is that is not age of the software or how long the software has matured. It's not wine. The older some software/developers get the more locked in it is to repeat the same line of thinking and philosophies. Bound by its own framework.

 

If we collectively were to develop CAM software today how would it be like and would we be bound by the same rules as a CAM software that maintains a legacy framework?

 

BTW I'm not knew to the forum at all. I've recently removed for my views. I've never trashed on Mastercam nor will I, I just think that putting the blinders on and ignoring all else promotes complacence and missing out on the next best thing.

[NeilJ]

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BTW I'm not knew to the forum at all. I've recently removed for my views. I've never trashed on Mastercam nor will I, I just think that putting the blinders on and ignoring all else promotes complacence and missing out on the next best thing.

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Start a blog and state what you feel needs to be stated about Mastercam. I know of one blog that now has close to 10,0000 hits. People searching on Google for info on Mastercam are reading this blog everyday.

 

Post in the Enhancement section that e-Mastercam granted us and support the ideas for improvements in Mastercam that you like.

 

Be honest and recognize / state that while newer products have some very good ideas and do some things very, very well they still don't have the vast array of tools that Mastercam has such as Change At Point, Edit Common Parameters, Transform Toolpath, etc.

 

Finally, I've worked very hard to build a working relationship with our VAR and with others on this forum and not compromise my views on CADCAM. This is as important or perhaps more important than the product itself. I think a user would be very hard pressed to find this kind of support with these newer products.

 

[ 10-19-2008, 11:40 AM: Message edited by: NeilJ ]

[PFABC]

Thanks for the advise and I could agree with you more regarding product support and the relationship devoloped with your support network. Thanks for the Blog Idea as I really don't want to to that on this forum out of respect for other users and In-House Solutions.

[NeilJ]

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Thanks for the Blog Idea...

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Do it.

 

Do it today.

 

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... as I really don't want to to that on this forum out of respect for other users and In-House Solutions.

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In House Solutions current and past management (Dave Thomson) deserves this respect.

[YoDoug®]

Sometimes I also talk to myself, however I rarely answer or carry on a conversation.

[gcode]

I too am disappointed in X3 but I won't air

my complaints on public forum provided by a

Mastercam reseller.

[NeilJ]

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I too am disappointed in X3 but I won't air

my complaints on public forum provided by a Mastercam reseller.

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Where does that leave those who wish to read your comments on Mastercam X3?

 

IMO, the most effective thing a Mastercam user who is unhappy with Mastercam X3 and who wants change can do is start a blog, create You Tube videos documenting the problems, etc.

[gcode]

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Where does that leave those who wish to read your comments on Mastercam X3?

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in the past, I've seen my comments, taken out

of context and used to discredit Mastercam

elswhere on the net..

I've learned my lesson and keep my comments

between myself and my Mastercam dealer.

[NeilJ]

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in the past, I've seen my comments, taken out of context and used to discredit Mastercam

elsewhere on the net..

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In today's world that's bound to happen. I stopped caring about it and look for those who can think for themselves. It's a much smaller audience.

 

Maybe it's really all about reaching people who are intelligent enough to see past those out of context quotes that you mentioned. Maybe it's finding an audience that is able to respect and relate to your Mastercam comments and let them stand on their own rather than for example being influenced by say your political posts in an off topic forum.

 

IMO by keeping your opinions on Mastercam X3 between you and your VAR you lose the opportunity to have a more direct impact on CNC Software. A more direct impact on CNC Software is what seems to get CNC Software's attention. IOW, other programs having FBM is IMO why we now have FBM in Mastercam even if most posters to this forum seem to want the basics fixed first / other things besides FBM.

 

You seem to have a lot of passion for politics. Perhaps some this passion could be channeled into finding ways besides telling your VAR what needs to be fixed in Mastercam so you can get the changes you feel are needed in Mastercam.

 

[ 10-19-2008, 01:39 PM: Message edited by: NeilJ ]

[PFABC]

Well put.

[PFABC]

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I too am disappointed in X3 but I won't air

my complaints on public forum provided by a

Mastercam reseller.

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gcode,

 

As far as I am concerned comments, opinions and criticisms can be both helpful and constructive. Do you really want your voice to be heard? If In-House or CNC software really would like to limit poster on the forum or at least what is seen by potential customers they would close the forum to registered Mastercam users. Problem one is there goes 3/4 of the forum population. Problem two it could be misconstrued that they have something to hide. Instead it is much easier to edit content/users out that is not in their best interest and to allow all pirated users to participate as they are so numerous and still contribute in a positive way to further sales.

 

This is not an impartial forum. it is a well constructed sales and support tool that In-House Solutions in their great wisdom created to assist them in supporting their present and future customers. It has grown and developed its own personality since.

 

To air issues, problems, or questions regarding the development and repair of the software regardless of what is said as long as it is constructive should always be a loud. Not to just the VAR. I'm sure that your VAR appreciates it.

 

I'm a big fan regardless of product or services, is that everything must first stand on its own two feet against the competition. That is only fair. Too much in the world today doesn't, instead it is over marketed to in essence pull the wool over the consumers/end users eyes. I'm going to really open myself up here but my way of thinking is that If I am wrong I want to know so that I can correct my line of thinking or how I am approaching the challenges at hand.

[gcode]

PFBC..

I do not hold my tounge because this is a

In-House sponsored site..

I do so because people who have an axe to grind

take my words and use them elsewhere to mean something I didn't say..

The only way I can prevent that is to keep my mouth shut.

 

and...

nobody has ever been banned from this fourm

for being critical of mastercam.

The usual causes are profanity, personal attacks

and sock puppet debates with anonymous loggin acounts.

 

You say you've been banned from here before..

Your writting style seems familiar, but I just can't place you

[PFABC]

Point taken.

 

Removed I was. Because I am now representing hyperMILL and HSMWorks. Note I am still a user of Mastercam as a contractor (not my seat, the companies that I do work for).

 

Keith @ Solid Code Solutions

[NeilJ]

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This is not an impartial forum.

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In House Solutions doesn't pretend to offer this.

 

In addition, this forum is a heck of a lot better than say CNC Advertising Zone where all that really counts there is advertising revenue for the owner who pretends that his bogus discussion forums are something they aren’t.

 

You want uncensored and unmoderated you have alt.machines.cnc on Usenet.

[NeilJ]

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Point taken.

 

Removed I was. Because I am now representing hyperMILL and HSMWorks. Note I am still a user of Mastercam as a contractor (not my seat, the companies that I do work for).

 

Keith @ Solid Code Solutions

 

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People for a Better CAM

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Why did you have to post this? You're ruining some posters "reality" of who you might have been. This could have gone on for weeks on end with the usual suspects piling on.

 

Now start that blog before you get banned again!

[PFABC]

NeilJ,

 

I've never tried to hide anything, as I see no value in it. I'm sure in part why I was removed to begin with.

 

I don't like the fact that most anyone can say anything on a forum or the like without association to themselves. My new login was something off the top of my head. I would really like the powers that be to re-instate my past profile and to take my email address off of the black list...I'm sure whom ever made that decision will end up reading this.

 

NeilJ,

 

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In addition, this forum is a heck of a lot better than say CNC Advertising Zone where all that really counts there is advertising revenue for the owner who pretends that his bogus forums are something they aren’t.

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I do agree with you. I don't like the Zone, I don't like the idea of such forums. Its a cheap, un-proffesional was of hosting a forum no matter how helpful it may be to its members. I would always opted for prescribed content as opposed to unsolicitaed content. How can you tell I'm not much for commercials....I avoid them at all cost. The emastercam forum speaks volumes for the people on it and their respective industries. No smoke blown here. The In-House crew I have a lot of respect for in particular Ed House and I am not attempting th tarnish that. In the End I guess I must Blog on!

[PFABC]

NielJ,

 

Are you ready to come clean?