Correct. Demo-HLE is no longer a separate install and separate program. You now need a software license programmed for the DemoHLE user type when running Mastercam. And we are still fine-tuning that license generation process.

Yeah it is currently used only for uploading/downloading machine profiles. There used to be functionality to upload/download tools and cutting data. But I removed it because nobody used it. I will later replace it with a full database backup and sync.

Another solution would be to create a line drawn at the same diameter as the tool then that becomes your 1st machine profile. So instead of the 1st op being a drill cycle it is just a turn profile. You can then use the same tool and same offsets

We've had customers for commercial parts come in and think that was pretty much how the process works. Upload a model to the machine. Machine makes part. They couldn't figure out why we had NRE's factored in to the quote.

Here is what I am referring to. Off for the rest of the day to spend time with the family. 5th Axis Answer with Flowline

I agree 100% with you.

I read it's released as part of official release, however it requires a specific licence to run it but It seems CNC needs extra work to generate those licences.

On this I disagree. When I buy something for the business, be it a machine, software, or anything else, appearances are really low on the priority list. Capability, speed, and efficiency are what matter. It can be ugly as heck and have a steep learning curve, but if it's 10% faster once I'm up and running and in practice with it, that's the win. We're in this to make money, not to put on a show. Clicking icons, in ribbons or in right click menus, can never be as fast as touch-typing through dropdown menus. It's not possible. If they just let me set the access keys back to something that made sense, I'd be a happy camper.

You're on the right track, but there are some significant differences. The MP Language was written by John Summers, and he loosely based the language on Standard C. However, the language was designed as a 'scripting language', so although there are similarities between Standard C and the MP Language, there are differences. The asterisk character is used to 'Force variable output regardless of modality'. When MP was invented, there was simply an ordered list of 'predefined variables'. These variable names were reserved for use, and you would get a 'duplicate initialization' error, if you happened to create a variable name that was already a predefined variable. The situation was like this for many years (maybe 15?), from at least Version 6, through V9.2. When Mastercam X was released, the MP Language went through a significant overhaul. In addition, the Code Expert Editor was released. Coinciding with the release of the editor, predefined variables were updated to include a dollar sign at the end of the variable. This is true for all predefined variables, regardless of if they are a String or a Numeric Variable. In addition, you will get an error if you try and include a $ with a User Defined Variable. So predefined variables all end in the dollar sign character, while user defined variables do not. I think of MP as cross between Standard C and VBScript. It is a homegrown programming language, built to take NCI Input, and convert it to NC Code Output. It opens the NCI file, and every pair of NCI Lines calls one, and only one, Entry Post Block. This is the 'entry point' into the instruction list. All the instructions in the Entry Post Block get read, line by line, from the start of the Post Block, to the end of the block. (Note that you can always call another Post Block from within the Entry block (like a Subroutine). These 'post block calls' can actually be nested up to 25 levels deep. Once the instructions in the 'called block' have been processed, MP returns back to where the call originated, and MP keeps processing the Post Lines, until it reaches the end of the entry block. MP is a 'column dependent' language. The 'first column' holds special significance. Any variable, formula, or Post Block Name that starts in the 1st column, indicates that is the 'definition' of that thing. For a Post Block, all the Post Lines underneath must have at least one space character in front of the line (6 space characters is the standard 'indent' for all Post Lines). This indicates that the line is a continuation of the active block. The next '1st column character' that is detected, is what actually 'ends' the block above.

Active levels and naming option.

Did you know that if all you have is a solid and you want to offset an edge , you do not have to create a curve first. just click the edge of the solid select the direction and it will create a line for you.

Not going to happen, at least for us old guys My first computer was pre DOS with no mouse. It was all keyboard all the time, complete with cardboard templates that fit over the keyboard. Once you got the keyboard shortcuts dialed in, you could fly. The interfaces today are built for kids who've grown up on MS interfaces which I hate with a burning passion. This is as it should be. Trying to force 2 generations of MS kids to use a 1990's interface would be a very poor business decision. The Serenity Prayer applies here. You must have the wisdom to accept the things you cannot change....and move on. Moving on could be learning to use the current Mastercam interface, switching to different software, or running X9 till the end of days However, I don't think there is a CAM package left that has an interface you would find acceptable

My sales guy always asks why we don't just hold the part/ print up to the monitor and hit CTRL-P and have the machine make it. Now THAT would be progress...