pip/Colin, re: QuickMask File Utiities for X3 I see that the emastercam Forum FTP site is STILL down! I can email you the ZIP package containing all the QMF stuff for X3 I just need an email address that can accept a ZIP attachment. You can click on the 'email icon' at the top of this posting to send me the email address you wish to use. zDog

pip & Colin I have the updated Quick Mask File Manager / Quick Mask File / Mask File Linker utilities running on X3. But the Forum FTP is still off-line. If I cannot get the ZIP containing this 'Mask File Power Pack' uploaded by mid-day tomorrow, I'll contact you to see about emailing it directly to you.

pip, Which file are you looking for? If an 'X3' version, you'll not find since I've not updated it (as I mentioned in my previous post). quote: The chook wont work on my X3 install.. Very frustrated. So the X2 version doesn't work for X3? Lat me take a look and see what it will take to update the Quick Mask File & Quick Mask File Manager utilities.

pip, You're the only one that's brought up the subject for X3. I am bit surprised by that, as it sounded to Colin was a big fan. Topic: Quick Mask - using mask files Anyway, I assumed that everyone had migrated over to the new QuickMask capability in Mastercam. Of course QMF gave you the ability to (more easily) use MASK Files. If there is enough demand, it’s possible I could be persuaded. Say… A pre-paid trip to Switzerland? quote: I used the C-Hook from X2 and it seems to be working.It is possible that it might.

Colin, Just for you! On the forum FTP site in -- X3_Add_Ons is the package for X3. It contains updated versions of-> *QuickMask Manager *QuickMaskFile *MaskFileLinker A few notes.... 1> You can copy over your MaskLinked .DLL & .FT files from X2 over into the X3CHooks folder and the add-on will handle this "old" .MASK files. *Of course the actual .MASK files being "run" must still be in the X2commonmasks folder. (Recall the "Mask Linked" items have a hard-coded path to the .MASK file) 2> The (X2) limitation of having to restart Mastercam after adding a quick mask item to a toolbar - has been eliminated. 3> Right click (Only) mode now works, even if the quick mask item is placed on the right-mouse (RMB) menu. *I have no idea this version of the add-on will work with X2-MR2 -> I assume that it will not, but I did not have time to test that. If was getting late and this old dog needs his sleep If anyone wishes to try it using X2-MR2, do not be surprised if it does not work, or even *crashes* Mastercam. You have been warned! Colin, If this works and makes you (and your group) massively more productive, you can show your appreciation by sending a BBJ (you know what that is! think...think... ) my way. My needs are small, any configuration will do just fine! I anyone has any feedback and/or suggestions, I'll be happy to listen, but just an FYI - I will not be able to look at (or respond) to any inquires for a least several weeks. [ 05-05-2008, 02:18 PM: Message edited by: Zerren Gedeon ]

A new Mastercam X2 utility from zDog. zDog Utilities presents the Delete Control Definitions Utility Available now on the Forum FTP site the in the X2_Add_Ons folder. This utility was prompted from this plea that was placed in the thread for the wildly successful MD_CD_PST Path Assignment Utility Steve Biehl – “Could the utility also be setup to allow deleting of 'extra' posts listed in Control?” *If you don’t know why you would need this , that means this utility is probably not for you. Note that the ‘extra’ posts Steve refers to are actually ”Control Definitions”. Listen closely grasshopper and I’ll tell you a story... The term ”Control Definition” can be confusing. What is it ‘physically’? A .CONTROL file is not really a Control Definition, but a file that “contains” (one or more) Control Definition(s). Got it ? A Control Definition in a .CONTROL file is identified by... It’s Type and the (full) PathName of the PST file assigned to it. (Type being one of these; Mill, Router, Lathe, Wire, Mill-Turn) So even if your .CONTROL file contains only one Control Definition, calling that file your ”Control Definition”, while not really true, in this case is close enough that you don’t care! But a .CONTROL file can more than one Control Definition. And if you wish to get rid of unused Control Definitions in a .CONTROL file, while that certainly can be done, the method to do that is a bit of a pain. That’s the reason for the Delete Control Definitions Utility (and the other zDog utilities) - to hopefully lessen some of that pain. Please be sure to read the Delete Control Definitions Utility.doc!

Don't you just hate it when that happens! On the forum FTP in the X2_Add_Ons folder is a new build -> MD_CD_PST Path Utility (X2-MR2).zip It comes up OK for me using X2-MR2, but I've no time to check it out any further right now. (Hopefully nothing else has changed). zDog

I believe that last build of the path utility is available on Forum FTP in X2_Add_Ons folder -> MD_CD_PST Path Utility.ZIP Does it not work with X2-MR2? If not, was does not work?

"the default of backing up and writing the log file is not on by default" Really...? I'll look into that. "Can this utility be used to alter paths of the files also?" NO This does not replace the MD_CD_PST Path Assignment Utility. "Seems it can only rename the files" YES That's what is does!

To all interested parties... The MD_CD_PST Rename Utility is now available on the forum FTP site in the X2_Add_Ons folder. Please read the DOC file before using. *Even though the utility makes a Backup File, it would still be a good idea to have backups of the file(s) you are having this utility alter! Always better to be safe, then sorry! If you find an bugs and/or have any enhancements requests, please post them here in this thread.

I’m back!!! I know that there were some requests that the well received MD_CD_PST Path Utility also allow for renaming of the MD/CD/PST files. I actually gave this a shot, but the result was so hideous, it never got out of the doghouse. Anyway... “Someone” dangled some dog treats in front of your truly and... Look what’s coming to a Mastercam (X2-MR2) system near you -> The MD_CD_PST Rename Utility ! This purpose of this utility is to simplify the process of altering the “names” of the (.CONTROL & .PST files) files referenced in a Mastercam Machine Definition, as well as the name of the Machine Definition file itself. It also renames any .PSB files that match the name of any PST file that is renamed. It also updates the Post Text reference [CTRL_LATHE|GENERIC FANUC 2X LATHE] in any PST that is renamed. It should be available after the first of the year, after some more testing has been completed. Happy Holidays! zDog

Almost a year ago I did a BoltCircle CHook for X2. It was basically a replication of the BoltCircle (NETHook) that ships with Mastercam. Seeing your plea for a "No Points" option, here you go... In the Forum FTP site in the X2_Add_Ons folder is the updated Chook -> BoltCircle (CHook for X).ZIP Note that you cannot replace the 'BoltCircle' command in the main menu to call this CHook, you'll need to run it as a CHook. There is an FT file to allow for adding its icon to a toolbar and/or keystroke (Its icon will be found the the 'Geometry' category in the Settings-Customize dialog) Enjoy... zDog

Colin, You're a bit too quick on the praise. I realized last night that I'd missed setting a switch properly, so... There is a new version of utility on the ftp site. The original one always assumed that X2-MR2 was loaded in C:Mcamx2-MR2 This brings to light a topic for possible enhancement -> Currently the full path/name of the .MASK file is stored in the DLL that is created. This means if X2-MR2 on your system is on C: and a co-worker's is on D:, you cannot just share the DLL & FT files created by MaskeFileLinker. But, this setup would be desirable in this case -> If you place the .MASK files in a common location on your network so that all your team can share the same .MASK files, now you do want the this full (static) path. I was thinking of adding a "Relative Path" option checkbox. If checked, the DLL that gets built would always look the .MASK file "relative" the the 'base' folder of the active X2-MR2 session. Any opinions? zDog

All, We had enough #$&^#@! weather recently that allowed for more computer time. I don't know if that's a "good" thing or not! The result is... MaskFileLinker ! Notes: #1> This only works with X2-MR2 (So you non-Beta users are going to have to wait awhile longer ). #2> The MaskFileLinker.dll requires that the QuickMaskFile.dll exists in the CHooks folder. (The QuickMaskFile.dll is the file that actually ‘reads’ the .Mask file). The QuickMaskFile.dll (if you don’t have it) is available as part of the original QuickMaskFile.zip in the X2_add_ons folder of the forum FTP site, which is where you'll find the MaskFileLinker.ZIP that contains this new MaskFileLinker utility. (A single DLL that goes into the CHook folder). 3> If the TipString is left blank’, the TipString (what you see when you hover over a toolbar icon) will be defaulted to the full pathname of the .MASK file that was “linked”. Enjoy... All feedback is appreciated. No guarantee that I’ll be able to act on any suggestions, but I will listen.

Thanks for the feedback. I just got a 'proof of concept' NEThook project working that "creates" a (NETHook) DLL that executes a specified MASK file in ALL or (right mouse click)ONLY mode. So we're half way there. Still lots of work to do hooking it up with an interface and tying into the original QMF Manager. BTW, The original QuickMaskFile will also be reworked using this new API functionality (detect right mouse click activation) to eliminate the need of having the QuickMaskFile icon on a toolbar prior to starting Mastercam. I'll be back once I have something for you...