Importing solidworks mcx toolpaths in mcx6

[N.Lemmel]

Did a search but could not find anything on the subject. Currently testing out mcx app in solidworks but cant import toolpath created in solidworks in mastercam (tried x5 and x6) any help or idea would be greatly appreciated.

 

Nick

[gcode]

There is a check box in the options menu when you choose SW files in the file type dropdown

 

you will also have to have SW installed on the machine.

 

When you hit open. SW will launch and the models, chained geometry, toolpaths and tool planes will be

 

brought into your Mastercam session

[N.Lemmel]

I had that checked but still no luck... and yes I have x5 x6 and solidworks 2011 on my pc.

[N.Lemmel]

would the patch/translator for solidworks help at all?

[gcode]

try it with SolidWorks open but no file loaded

 

then opening the sldprt file in Mastercam

 

do these files have different SW configurations

 

If they have mulltiple configs you have to open the config that contains the toolpaths

 

if you can put one of the files on the fpt I can try it for you

[Pete Rimkus from CNC Software Inc.]

First of all, as GCode says, you do need to have the "import MCX toolpaths from SolidWorks file" checkbox checked in the File/Open "Options" dialog.

 

What also might be getting in your way is having the part file open in SolidWorks at the same time.

Due to technical limitations related to file locking, Mastercam is not able to access the data stream in the SLDPRT which contains the Mastercam data while the SLDPRT is open.

Close the part in SW and then you will be able to bring in the toolpaths when you open it in Mastercam with the "import MCX toolpaths from SolidWorks file" checkbox checked in the File/Open "Options" dialog.

 

Note: to bring in the Mastercam toolpaths, you do not have to have SolidWorks installed on that computer. That is true of trying to import the Solids History (that's a different checkbox option).

[gcode]

to bring in the Mastercam toolpaths, you do not have to have SolidWorks installed on that computer. That is true of trying to import the Solids History (that's a different checkbox option).

 

Thanks for clearing that up Pete, since I have SW and Mastercam installed on all my computers, its difficult to test stuff like that.

 

Nick.. if you're still having problems put a file up on the ftp and I'll give it a shot.

[mokeane]

Gcode,

 

Thanks for your input. Nick and I work together, I am having the same issue on my machine too.

 

We are making some progress, but still are not able to get the toolpaths to open in stand alone MasterCam. The furthest we get is having the underlying geometry used in the creation of toolpaths but nothing more. Importing the solids history from Solidworks is working fine.

 

Where is the FTP site to upload a test file to you? (forgive the newbie question, this is my first eMastercam post!)

 

Thanks

[gcode]

Its the thread directly above this one labeled FTP Link

[mokeane]

Hello again,

 

3x files we cannot get to open correctly are publicly available here, all *.SLDPRT files.

 

Thanks

[mokeane]

or zipped here

3x_files_we_cannot_open.zip

[gcode]

I don't know the protocols for what should work or not work with educational versions of SolidWorks.

 

I downloaded your files and opened one in SW2012SP2 x64 and got an educational version warning.

 

the file opened OK, but there were no Mastercam toolpaths in it.

 

I could be wrong, but I don't think you are going to be able to do this in an educational version of SolidWorks.

 

Is your seat of Mastercam and industrial version or the Home Learning Edition??

[gcode]

The people who run this forum, InHouse Solutions are your Mastercam dealer.

 

They may be able to help you with this.

[mokeane]

That may very well be the problem, thanks. Our MasterCam seats are the industrial version, but our SolidWorks seats are indeed the educational version.

 

It would have been handy for the guys in our machine shop to open the same file either with a stand alone MC seat OR a MC4SW inside SolidWorks depending on the preference of the user concerned.

 

Thanks again

[gcode]

Well that would make InHouse your dealer, but I don't think they can get you an industrial version of SolidWorks..

 

Maybe you could call your SolidWorks dealer and beg after all, it is for a good cause

[mokeane]

Correction: our Mastercam seats are also an educational version, maybe some functionality is missing there too? I will check with InHouse

[gcode]

I've referred this thread to In House.. they may chime in at any minute..

 

but with both SW and MC being educational versions, I think you're out of luck

[mokeane]

Maybe I'll write Santa a letter, I've got more chance of getting an industrial version of SolidWorks from him

[gcode]

In 2001 I was in your situation.. the school bookstore was out of SolidWorks Educational Version

and I was 2 weeks behind in my Solidworks homework .. I said screw it.. and bought a real seat

using my wifes kitchen remodeling money

It has turned out to be one of the better decisions I've made.....

[mokeane]

That's funny!

 

Our situation is slightly different, we are a machine shop in a large university Physics department. We don't have the $$$ to afford full versions of SolidWorks, the educational one is what we have to use. We'll find a work around, though, we always do....

[gcode]

good luck and welcome to the forum

[N.Lemmel]

Thanks for the help gcode, at least now we know the direction we need to take. It's true we are very resourceful. We never fail

[gcode]

It's true we are very resourceful. We never fail

 

 

then you aren't aiming high enough

[Lindsay W @ In-House Solutions]

After working with mokeane we realized that educational evaluation sims are actually demo versions of the program and the files will therefore not open in Mastercam. They are only meant to test out the product.

 

Thanks