Point Cloud ----------- A few packages exist as C-Hooks for Mastercam. Have your Mastercam dealer give you a hand evaluating these by supplying them with your point cloud. Revsurf - http://www.camaix.com/ Verisurf - http://www.verisurf.com/ (Verisurf helps with point collect when used in conjunction with a probe.) HALODECK - http://www.reverse-it.com/ [4D Engineering's Surface Master seems to be off the market.] Stand-alone: Geomagic Wrap / Shape - http://www.geomagic.com/ Paraform - http://www.paraform.com/ On the high end: Imageware Surfacer - http://www.sdrc.com/nav/software-services/imageware/ Others exist and others are under development. More to follow in the next few months. [This message has been edited by Dave Thomson (edited 06-11-2000).]

STL Machining ------------- Download Stlmch72 from the [Almost] Definitive C-Hooks List page on this site: http://www.emastercam.com/tools/chooks/list.html Stlmch72.dll -> Mill72Chooks Stlmch72.txt -> Mill72Chooks Stlmch72.mc7 -> Mill72Mc7 Stlmch72.stl -> Mill72Stl You need to have at least one base surface in Mastercam to run the C-Hook. The base surface sets the toolpath extents. The rest of the toolpath is driven from the STL file itself. 1. Load the Stlmch72.mc7 sample file 2. Run the Stlmch72.dll Chook using [Alt+C] 3. Select toolpath style (Rgh/Fin Parallel, Rgh/Pocket, Fin/Ctour only) 4. Select base surface 5. Select parameters and click OK 6. Select Stlmch72.stl from list To see what geometry drove the toolpath, you can import the STL file (as lines only), keeping the current part. This is found under Toolpaths-Converters-STL. To develop a base surface, a stock definition, and a shifted toolplane origin (using [Alt+O] under Tplane), you can import the STL file first, using the lines as reference geometry. You will still have to use the C-Hook and select the actual STL file during processing. [This message has been edited by Dave Thomson (edited 05-31-2000).]

Sent you an email with a few posts I was able to dig up. No promises on the suitability of the posts.