Closest line conundrum

[romer]

If I try to create a line between two arcs where one lies within the other using the closest feature, I get some rather weird results.

 

For instance, if I create a 1.5" arc somewhere in space. I then create another arc, say .5" somewhere within the first. I then create a line using closest between the two and I can never predict where the line will be, but it certainly is not the shortest path.

 

I'm sure it has to do with the way Mastercam reads entities but can someone explain how that is?

 

Thanks,

Romer

[Fig sign]

Romer !

 

Try screen->next menu->comb.views

 

Quote from help

quote:

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Choosing the Comb view option from the Screen menu combines all parallel views into a single view and moves arcs from the parallel views to the single view. Parallel views are those Cplanes that exist in the same two-dimensional plane (XY, XZ, or YZ) but differ by rotation or position. This option is useful when you translate files from other applications and want to reduce the number of different views in order to make editing the geometry easier.

 

1. Choose Main Menu, Screen, Next menu, Comb views. Mastercam combines parallel views and, in the prompt area, displays the number of arcs moved to a new view.

 

2. Press [Enter] to clear the prompt area and continue.

 

Note: Mastercam designates the view with the lowest number as the combined view. For example, if you have arcs on view 4 (bottom view) and view 1 (top view), Mastercam moves all arcs to view 1. View 4 becomes an empty view, which is not saved with the file.

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HTH

[ProductDevelopmentGuy]

That sounds an awful lot like something we fixed in V9.1Sp2. It specifically corrected the case where one circle is inside the other.

Are you up to SP2 yet?

 

PDG

[romer]

Iskander,

 

thanks for the reply, but this can be done with just two circles and a default top view. Nothing complicated.

 

PDG,

 

We are using V9.1sp1. Our dealer told us that sp2 just had fixes and updates for surfacing which we don't do, and not to bother with sp2.

Apparently he must be misinformed. Should we ask him for a CD or will the update file from Mastercam's website really install seamlessly with no problems.

I ask because it seems there were a number of posts in regards to problems with sp2 needing a fresh install instead of just updating with a patch file.

 

Thanks,

romer

[Smit]

From my experience, go with the fresh install. I used the patch for a short while and it had some minor issues. I've had no problems at all with the complete installation.

[ProductDevelopmentGuy]

I agree with 'Smit'. Getting the CD is the safe route.

PDG