At times it's very helpful. Other times it is incredibly annoying. Can it be disabled, preferably permanently?

Copy and past the old config files into the X4 directory renaming them if needed so as not to overwrite existing files. Then merge them into a new configuration. See the third icon from the left at the bottom of the system config window.

quote: Its a X4 bug it has been submitted alreadyThanks to all. I always check the forum before sending bug reports to QC. Despite the perpetual train wreck that is the Off Topic Forum, this place is indeed very useful.

Was the fix for the calculable field errors on some 64 bit platforms disabling them in some parts of X4? The place where I use them the most, calculating speeds and feeds on the parameter page when defining tools in the tool manager doesn't work. Anyone else see this? Addendum before firing off this post after one more check to make sure I'm not totally insane (I'm already half way there!); In pre X4 hitting "Enter" in a calculable field completed the calculation. Always. On the define tool param page hitting the Tab key completes it and moves to the next field. Fields on other pages work as always. That ain't right. Is it a bug or is it not a bug? That is the question.

The main advantage and intended use of GPG, which is an open source software derivative of PGP (*), is the technology of private and public key cryptography for data encryption. Methinks using it (GPG) to merely password protect files is way overkill since zip files can be password protected, even with the default zip file capability built into Windows. (*) http://www.pgp.com And, ur welcome.

I suggest using the GPGee (Explorer extension) program, it'll decrypt the file for you prompting for the password. I'm familiar with GPG integrated into email programs and have never used GPGee, but it looks pretty straight forward according to the web site.

I've gotten the Art error quite a few times yet it has never been a show stopper, just an annoyance. Was able to click through the error messages, finish what I was doing, save the work, and exit / relaunch Mastercam. The difference between an annoyance and a royal pain in the arse varies from person to person however, so YMMV of course.

http://www.gnupg.org/related_software/frontends.en.html#win http://www.gnupg.org

Eric, are you 100% sure you set the file permissions correctly on the Mastercam root folder AND ALL the sub folders under it? To do that; On the security tab, you need to goto advanced settings and uncheck "Allow inheritable permissions...." and "copy" when prompted to remove or copy, then check "Replace permission entries on all child objects...". Then Apply and OK. Back in the main security settings set the user (add the user name or group if needed) to full control, then Apply and OK. It still sounds to me like you've got file permission issues, not registry issues. HTH

Eric, I can only give advise based on my experience. I've been setting up and running Mastercam on systems locked down tighter than a gnats sphincter for many years now and don't recall ever having registry permissions problem. Sorry about that.

Actually, being able to take ownership of and set permissions on files which for example full control gives you isn't necessary for Mastercam to function properly. However, it is the simplest thing to do for someone not very familiar with Windows security settings.

Create a new group for Mastercam users and put only the users to be using Mastercam in that group. Set the file permissions on the Mastercam file hierarchy to full control for that group alone and you should be good to go unless something else is malfunctioning on the system. Doing that leaves the Mastercam hierarchy open to corruption by its users but the rest of the system will be as safe as the Windows defaults which on XP and newer systems isn't too bad.

quote: If its a pin, like leader pins...Thompson shaft works just fine. The original poster may want to be a wee bit more specific about what this "pin" is for.

If you're not going to purchase a pin and it doesn't have to be hardened to over RC 45ish, suggest either Viscount 44 or DH2F. They're both pre-hardened H13 type steels and the nod goes to DH2F for machinability. Edit: I've also seen some shops use Nak 55 but it's neither as hard or tough as the aforementioned materials.

Care to deposit that $5K in my PayPal account so I can spend it as I wish?

Thread bumped after a search. Did this ever get addressed in X3? I've been having the same problem when trying to save a STL file except the error is a bit different in that it also says try again with a reduced image quality. I've tried that and the resulting STL file is often unusable because it is not a close (accurate) enough representation of the machined stock. Sometimes exiting and re-lauching Mastercam helps. Other times re-booting the computer helps. But not always.

Smoothing will occasionally add funky loops to get from one path to the next. This isn't a problem as much as it's the 'nature of the beast'. Changing the cut angle or gap motion type until a satisfactory toolpath is achieved is standard operating procedure in situations like this.

A reverse spiral tool will help prevent sucking up.

This thread is giving me a severe case of the hee-bee-gee-bees. It's the thought of running Microsoft on either of my two new iMacs. Strikes me as rather sacreligious dontchaknow!

The pattern and mold shops I've worked in have been doing it for more than 20 years. It would be impossible to be competitive if they didn't. Before Mastercam was a twinkle in anyones eye, I was doing the programming with Olmsted Engineering's Acu-Carv.

Why not use a containment boundry?

quote: But DO NOT attempt to transform trimmed toolpaths thoughIf breaking associativity is acceptable, write an nci file of the trimmed toolpath, import it, then transform the imported operation. Personaly, I trim toolpaths only as a last resort when all else fails. I've been using Mastercam since v3.21 in 1992 and have seen more weird things happen with trimmed paths than any other type of operation. It's a confidence thing (lack of) more than anything else. My biggest problem with air cutting has always been when cutting cores as opposed to pockets / cavities. (standard surface paths) Despite turning off "machine boundry" when it isn't needed, sometimes it won't, sometimes it will. The high speed surface core roughing does a pretty good job of keeping air time to a minimum. Is not so hot for older machines with not so fast controls however.

quote: I would look to advent for a inserted tool holder that is a Cat40 or Cat 50 body holder and everything all in one. Like This one ...For 1/8-27 NPT?

If you have a weldor with a clue, have him add extensions to standard taps. If not, find one. Jokisch tapping paste is as good as Moly-Dee if not better. I machine a lot of tough pre-hardened alloys like P20, DH2F, Viscount 44, 4140HT, etc and would never consider using water soluble coolant for tapping them. That'd be just asking for headaches of migraine proportions.

OSG HY-PRO Taps and Moly-Dee tapping oil. Peck tapping will indeed help. Can't say how to do it on a Mazak though.