Hey Gang, When I try to generate a tool list using Setup X+ on my most recent MCX file, it crashes Mastercam and the error log shows: Mastercam Crash Reporting Version 12.1.2.22 TLIST.DLL caused an Access Violation (0xc0000005) in module TLIST.DLL at 001b:0caf2a6f. Version 2.0.0.135 Debug strings >> App= TList Entry= m_main Then I get an unhandled exception error and Mastercam terminates. Now here's the weird part...I was able to print the tool list last night but not today. Even last nights backup of this file crashes MC *BUT* all my other MCX files work! Any suggestions? Already deleted everything non-essential and did RAM saver...no luck. Thanks, John Mastercam X3 MU1

FIXED IT!!!! There were 2 different versions of mcview.dll on my system... C:Windowssystem32mcview.dll -> v11.2.3.28 C:Program FilesCommonMastercammcview.dll -> v12.0.4.20 I copied the newer version to C:Windowssystem32 and then re-registered both using the Mastercam utility in Control Panel. Happy-Happy-Joy-Joy! John

Hey Gang, The other day while working in X3MU1, I went to my Desktop and Right-Clicked on an MCX file to look at its properties and for some unknown reason, Mastercam X3 Install starts. I cancel out (sometimes twice!) and the properties are eventually displayed. This now happens on all MCX files. Nothing was installed or updated just prior to this issue and I've already tried the Install/Repair option with no luck. Also, per JP's suggestion, I also tried deleting the CNC Software key in the registry...no luck there either. Anyone else have this happening? Anyone have a FIX? I REALLY don't want to have to uninstall & reinstall if at all possible! Thanks, John [ 01-22-2009, 04:37 PM: Message edited by: John Hill @ Poplar Hill Machine ]

Hey Gang, In X2 I was able to open both the Analyze Distance & Note Properties dialogs simultaneously and copy values from Distance into the Note text. Now it appears these dialogs are modal and don't allow this. Is this by design or is it a bug? I really miss the copy/paste - it eliminated any possibility of a miztipe!!! Have a safe and Happy New Year!!! John

Yah, you're probably right John...sorry folks! Didn't mean to stir up a hornets nest...just looking for others in the same boat! Happy Holidays!!! John

Pete, You're right...our customer has confirmed that they add the features as you state above. Hope Solidworks fixes this soon! Thanks, John

Happy Holidays Everyone! And Happy Festivus for the rest of us! Now down to it... When opening a Solidworks assembly, SLDASM file, features created at the top level are missing. Opening a Parasolid, X_T file, of the same assembly shows all features. I know this was an issue with X2...anyone else having this issue with X3? Thanks, John

Hey Gang, FYI for those having issues with XP SP3... There are 3 different SP3 downloads available and depending on which you use, you may have all kinds of issues: 1 - Using MS Update. This gives you only what MS *THINKS* you need...not a good choice. 2 - A self extracting download of about 324 Meg. Better but still incomplete. 3 - A 558 Meg ISO download which is the COMPLETE SP3. I highly recommend getting the 558 Meg ISO and install SP3 from CD. I did a bit of research prior to installing SP3 and ended up using the ISO on all of our PC's and have had no issues. Here's the URL for the ISO: www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=2fcde6ce-b5fb-4488-8c50-fe22559d164e&DisplayLang=en Regards, John

Hey Gang, Don't have X3 yet so forgive me if these have already been addressed... A couple of things that always get me and that I'd like to see *OPTIONS* for: 1 - An option to *DISABLE* X-Mouse style window activation! Simply put; you would need to click on a window (ops manager or graphics window) to activate it and it would then *REMAIN* active until deselected - regardless of the mouse pointers position! ...and possibly a small hi-lite border around currently active window (op manager & graphics window) to indicate *which* has focus. 2 - Option to ALWAYS start with user defined op defaults or last used.

So far... Nothing Blanked or Hidden Display Only Associative Geometry -> *LOTS* of geo (exactly what I want to delete) goes away! Thanks, John

Hey Gang, I have a customers MCX file with 3 of the same part on the front of a tombstone...Top, Center, Bottom. Each part was programmed in its own toolpath group. I deleted 2 of the 3 groups, turned on all levels, selected everything, hit the delete key and selected non-associative only, ran Ram Saver then saved the file. My problem: there is still a *LOT* of geometry left that is *NOT* associated with anything however when I try to delete it, I still get the associative warning. I've deleted some of the geometry I know is junk manually, ignoring the associative warning, and not had any of the remaining ops affected. What do I need to do to get *ALL* non-associative geometry to delete? Thanks, John

Hey Everyone, Tried using this today and had the same issue...wouldn't close. Tries ESC and that didn't work. Right-Clicked in the Radius field and it crashed. John X2 MR2 SP1 Dell Precision T3400 XP Pro Nvidia FX1700

Thanks for the offer...*IF* I get caught up I'll contact you. John

OK strabe! I'm now in an undocked state and liking it! Thanks, John

Hey Everyone, I've run into this before but couldn't figure out exactly what caused it until today. It's caused me major headaches in the past because I've "lost" ops and couldn't figure out why. Please see if you can duplicate: 1 - Create some wireframe geometry. 2 - Create an operation that uses some of the geometry...drill a hole maybe. 3 - Make sure the new op is selected. 4 - Select a piece of geometry not used by the op. 5 - Move the mouse pointer back over the op manager. 6 - Hit the delete key. 7 - The op is deleted but not the geometry. 8 - Now, repeat but for step 3 deselect all ops. 9 - Hitting the delete key selects the op. 10 - Hitting it again deletes the op. This is especially frustrating because even though the mouse pointer may appear to be in the graphics window, if it's too close to the op manager separator and changes to an arrow, the delete key deletes the op, not the geometry. Is there a setting to require a mouse click to move focus? Thanks, John

I've done that but depending on my Stepdown, the tool still starts way higher than it needs to. I'm also seeing that the Rest Roughing is milling areas that don't need it. We upgraded to Mill 3 specifically for these types of parts and so far its not working well at all. I'm going back to wireframe and manual selection to get the job done. Thanks, John

Hello Everyone, Anybody know how Stepdown & XY stepover *really* affect tool path in Surface High Speed Toolpath operations? I understand what they are and how they're *suppose* to work but...I'm using it on a complex pocket and I'm getting some weird things happening: When I change the Stepdown, the starting height above each surface changes. Increasing Stepdown increases the start height and decreasing it lowers the start height. XY stepover, if too big, skips some areas that the tool could machine. There also seems to be a range that causes helix's that completely disregard the shape of the features being machined and gouge/collide with the part. Then again...maybe it's just OE! Thanks, John

Thanks Everyone!!!

Ok...I give up...could you please give me step by step...I can't get it to work. Thanks, John

Tried that but couldn't get it to work...can you? Thanks, John

I'm trying the side select now however some of the steps are only .025 and when zooming in enough to see the separation, the part goes off screen on the ends. Thanks, John

Hey John, Exactly what I'm trying to do with "select at a specif Z depth". There's a ton of wireframe, very close together, on multiple Z levels, which makes it very difficult to see and separate. Thanks, John

Hey Everyone, I have a fairly complicated microwave part that has a large number of pockets at multiple depth...some intersect or are inside others. Anyone know if there's a c-hook that will select all wireframe at a given Z depth? Thanks, John

I use UltraEdit. Customized syntax hilighting, code folding (folds up all code under a tool) and functions (left pane) that when double-clicked, jump to that section in gcode. It also has macro programming. John

Hey John, Did as you suggested. But still, when selecting the Operation Defaults in the left pane, then clicking on the + next to Files in the right pane under Properties, the Operation Library still shows "Mill_Inch.OPERATIONS", not "PHM Inch.OPERATIONS". This is the only one that doesn't match the Files section...which shows the correct "PHM Inch.OPERATIONS". Any ideas? Thanks, John