James has the new 6300, and has posted times in the benchmark folder, 8:15 I beleive. James which display did you get, the true life? If so do you like it?

James, I'm very interested to see which dell you have as well as the benchmark times. I'm looking at new dell laptops as we "speak". later,

O.K. I'm getting a new laptop, which is good. The not so good part is wading through everything and all the options. Dell has two laptops I'm interested in: The M4300 15.4" display NVIDIA Quadro FX 360M 512mb TurboCache memory(256mb dedicated) The M6300 17" display NVIDIA Quadro FX 1600M with 512mb TurboCache "3" Memory (256mb dedicated) I don't really need the 17" display, as I typically use a monitor, although it would be nice on occasion. Getting the 17" display jacks the price up around $600 or more, and it makes the laptopo larger. If the 17" one came with a 10 key I'd probably go for it without thinking about it, but it doesn't. So, my question is what is the "big" difference between these two graphics cards? Will it make any real or perceived difference with Mastercam? Dual monitors? I've been looking at the specs and some limited info I found on the internet. But I wanted to see if anyone here had some info they wouldn't mind sharing. On NVIDIA's website the only real # that sticks out as a difference between the two is the graphics memory bandwith, is is several times larger on the quadro fx 1600M, what does this mean? Thank you for any info!

New question, has anyone tried one of the fancy schmancy flash memory hard drives? I see they are an option on dells workstation replacement laptops. Does it or should it make it difference?

Have you tried using the group comment? For the most part it does everything I need it to. HTH

Until X3 is out this is what I've been doing... I create a dummy 2d contour using the plane mask at the desired Z depth. Then use the "Only display associative geometry" button in the ops manager. HTH

All those fancy lead in and lead out moves add a lot orf code, if your machine can't handle it use a surface finish parallel. In either case use the toolpath filter, even if you do not want arcs, or are not cutting in G18, or G19 it will still reduce your code. I'm sure A training class with your reseller would clear up a LOT of questions. HTH

Mastercam users get the Metacut Utilities Light which will backplot Gcode. But again will not check to see if you set your machine up correctly, entered the correct offset, etc... Metacut Utilities

right click on the arc "quick mask" icon and it set the only mask. HTH

The peel mill toolpath is NOT a pocketing routine. It will peel mill between two chains, or if you pick one chain you must enter a slot width (your chain defines the centerline of the slot). HTH

you can setup cimcoedit5 that comes with X2mr2 to show file size in feet. HTH

move_ang$ It's been years since I've used this variable, and never for what you want. I do not remember how it reacts to arcs either, but I'm sure a couple of simple tests could determine this. But it will give you the angle for the next move and you can trig out your values from there. Or you can buffer out the entire file and parse it from there. HTH & good luck! HTH

A couple of things with holder gouge detection: 1. the clearance is an X/Y clearance only. Not Z clearance. 2. Gouge detection checks the holder against selected geometry (surfaces or solid). So if core roughing is leaving .050" on top of an island it is possible to get a gouge. Does the gouge show up on the part, or does it also show in backplot and verify?

looks like your missing a bracket to close out a few if statements.

toolpath editor, delete pass is your answer.

It's pretty easy to keep all your files up to date with the import directory function. The only problem was updating a bunch of .ge3 files. But, bulliness made a vb script for V9 to update folders and subfolders of .ge3 files to .mc9 files all at once. That vbscript used to be on ftp site. If not let me know I still have it. HTH

thad is correct. but if you insist on NOT using pre-selection (some people just prefer not to) a double click on the screen will "end selection". Personally, I have a 5 button mouse with the thumb button mapped to enter. HTH

disable duplicate tool checking when doing the import.

create - drafting - multi-edit, select "All" - "entities tab" - "drafting", hit enter and then change your properties.

Both the Metacut utilities and Cimco edit 5 will verify/backplot milling files, but only backplot turning files. If you want to verify turning files you will need something more. I have been using metacut for quite a few years and really like it, it has a lot of nice features for editing your nc files as well as verifying and backpoting them. While I have used cimco edit 5's verification I do not know enough about it, I do know people who like. I beleive you can get trial versions of both right from their websites. good luck

What type of work? Mill, lathe, mill turn, 4 axis, 5 axis?

Art textures has the ability to random patterns. You can use a default "stone" texture or create your own "custom" texture and randomize it. Look under textures and play around. HTH

where originalfile = original path + progname and newfile = new path + progname. result = fclose(originalfile) result = rename(originalfile, newfile) I think this is what you want, but I do not have time to test it. This would need to be put in ppost$ posblock. HTH

I didn't look at your file but it appears you are using a tangential extension, don't and you should be fine. If you need to extend it you will need to modify, extend, or create new surfaces to get the extension. HTH

The graphical interface setup sheet has provisions for printing out toolpath motion along with the part geometry.