Wow, thanks so very much. That is exactly the type of information I was looking for. (I think you turned me on with that write up....., um, sorry if thats too much for this forum) Dam, too much work. That sounds exactly like what I've thought was missing from Mastercam. I often feel secluded in my little router world, good to see there's some more people out there who aren't mill-heads, no offense guys. Thanks Tyler Kilback PS: That reply just gave me a ten hour day tomorrow.

I just finished an hour long session on google and Mastercam's web site looking for info on ATP. There's not much. Aside from a number of write ups, (possibly by salesmen) there's no real information that I can find. Ok, so its automatic toolpathing...... what does that mean? Is there a tutorial? How does it work? layers/levels? Colors? or........ Has anyone used this? Do you still use it? Or do you know where to get some info on it? Unfortunally I don't have time at work to just install it and play with it till I figure it out, so, basically, is it worth it? PS: I import geometry from autocad, nest them, then cut them on a flat table CNC. Cabinet stuff, ya know....... PPS: Sorry if this sounds straggled, but I don't do well on forums....... Thanks in advance to any and all who respond.

I have programmed a window moulding for a round window. Due to the size I had to do it in two half circles. Using the swept 2d toolpath and a corebox bit I was off to the races. It looked great in backplot and verify, and the code posted looks good but I ran into problems when I machined it. It goes like so... At the ends of the arc, the contour (across profile) is beautiful, but it looks almost like the arcs compared to the x incrimental moves don't jive. By mid point on the arc the step is all wacky, I think too big a step. However the x moves compared to the arc differeces are good. I've never used swept-2d toolpath before but from readings and trial and error I'm sure its set right. Any advice, solutions or ideas are greatly thanked in advance.

I went through the same ordeal (raster to vector for my company's logo) and in the end I ended up sticking the bitmap into a cad program and tracing it. It only took 1/2 an hour and I had a flawless iges file. From there 1/2 hour with engraving in MCam and voila. I think that the raster to vector is designed for very simple line art. If your logo is any bit complex, ie. shaded, highlighted, or shadows, you may have a hell of a time with the raster to vector converter in Mastercam.

Is it available elsewhere, (like not through the MCam updater)? I looked but couldn't find it on CNC's website.

I can't seem to find a way to get the verify to display a wood texture. First, is it possible?? Second, I know its a little low on the priority list for this forum. And third, is it possible? Sorry if this is just a time waster, but I got a fancy new video card that I gotta hurt.

What if I don't have internet on my programming PC? (direct link to my router and managment is sketchy about viruses and blah blah blah...) Is it available on the website?? Also, I'm a little confused about the availlability date. I heard Sept 22, Oct 15 and Mid Sept. Hmmm, so confused...

I tried the converter to get the post workin in X and I just can't seem to get it. All seems well until I try to find the posted nc file. It doesn't create one. (I searched every path possible and even a full system search fro the exact file name I posted, but it doesn't exist.) I am eager to try to get it working, but have not been able to find the time to tweak all the control/machine def. settings. A nudge in the right direction would be helpful, but I can also be patient and wait for the one from IHS. Thanks

Thanks for the speedy reply Marc, tried it but no lovin'. Think I've found the culprit though, there is no LPT port listed in my device manager, dam PC. I'll fix that soon enough, I'll fix it real good...where is my hammer....

Quick follow up... Ran the Simswap utillity, 9.1 and X hasp utillity and they all say Hasp not found.

I just tried installing both Mcam 9.1 and X on my home system but on trying to run them I get a Hasp not found error. Been running them at work for a year or so with several installs done with no problems whatsoever. At work I can run 9.1 and X just fine. Friday before leaving work I updated my hasp with another year of maintenance but... don't know what the problem is. Problem with hasp, problem with my PC or just someone saying 'Don't work at home'. Advice or solutions gratefully thanked in advance. TK

The more I use X the more I like it. Miss a few keyboard strokes though. Unfortunatly I'm still waiting for my post to be finished. I guess the X translator can't handle it. I think its just as productive as V9, just in a different way. Sorta the same way a brand new mustang is better than a 1960's muscle car. Instead of POWER, you get efficiency...

Finally got it today, hate the mouse pad, love the box....oh yeah, softwares in there somewhere, but the box.......so shiny..... Also was able to use MC-X as a bargaining chip for a new system. From a P4 @ 1.8ghz to 2(two) 3ghz Xeons with 2ghz ram and much more. I'm just a little excited.

Just a quick reply, Ouch.

Ya, email codes today, eager eager beaver.... Talked to IHS this moring and was told the best ETA they could give me was a couple of days. Hm, thinkin (hoping) Monday. And for Camguy: .... Seventh day god created man.... and on the Eighth day, man created Mastercam... Also I think if they released MC X in Canada first, then the Americans would've invaded us.