Hello Leon82, Thank you, kind sir! As you know, this worked! I can now select what I need to. I don't remember switching to 2D, but nonetheless ... Thanks. Regards, Paul

Hello - I am running Mastercam 2018. I imported a model, it was an iges file. I could not select on any edges when I went to Analyze Distance mode, so I selected the entire model and used Curve All Edges. That flattened out all the wireframe geometry (which was weird - see attachment), and I was still unable to select anything on the model when in the "Analyze Distance" mode. When not in any mode, I can select surfaces on the model, but not edges or centerlines of holes, or anything else. Did I accidentally activate something I shouldn't have? This flat wireframe geometry thing after Curve All Edges has happened on all my models as of late. And to make things more confusing, I was still able to select on the edges after I did Curve All Edges every time the wireframe geometry was flattened out, like in the attached image, before now. Any help is appreciated. Thanks. Regards, Paul

Thanks for the replies! I turned off the Use Group and Result color in Xform in Configuration/Colors and that worked. Thanks again.

Hello - The weirdest thing is happening when I move (translate) a model of a part: After the move and after I clear colors, the model color changes to the color of what my Solid color selection is (I don't want it to change colors at all). This was an .iges file. Then I merged another model (the machine table) into this one. I then changed the color of the table. Now when I move the part, either via the translate command or moving it using the Dynamic Xform method, the part color changes to the color I changed the table to after the move. The model had all the machined surfaces a different color than the casting surfaces, which I want to keep, but instead, the entire model color is changed as mentioned above. Why would this be happening and more importantly, is there anything I can do to keep the models colors intact? If not, then I have to individually change the color of each surface, which I would be willing to do, however, when I try to select an individual surface to do these color changes, it will only select the entire model, it won't just select an individual surface. This is odd to me as well, since normally when I import an .iges file I have no problem selecting individual surfaces. Is there a way I can select and change the color of an individual surface in this instance? Thanks for any help.

Hello - When I made solid models and say I have to add a chamfer, there is always a line showing the original geometry I used to create the original entity. It makes the models look like crap, I think, because you have this extra line where you don't want anything to be anymore. Hopefully someone out here knows what I'm talking about. Is there a way to delete this without destroying your model? Or a way to hide them? When I go to delete them, a window pops up that says, " Some of the geometry selected is associated with a Toolpath, Solid or a Named View. Deleting this geometry will permanently alter those operations". Then gives me the option do "Delete all selected entities" (which messes-up the model - can't regenerate), or "Delete only non-associative entities", which, does nothing (that I see). Anyway to around this or is this just the way it is? Thanks for any help.

Hello and thanks for the replies. So what I ended up with for this (with some help), was: Oxxxx (Start of program) T1M6 #3001=0 (Initialize continuous millisecond timer) xxx (Runs the tool) xxx T2M6 #601=#3001 (Stores total time from M6 to M6, essentially, for T1) #606=#606+#3001 (Starts accumulated total time) #3001=0(resets timer) xxx (Runs tool) xxx T3M6 #602=#3001 (Stores total time from M6 to M6, this time T2) #606=#606+#3001(Accumulated total) #3001=0 etc. till the end of the program, then: #605=#3001 (Stores time for T5) #606=#606+#3001 (Accumulated) (Now, execute a DO Loop to move all the cycle times up one non-volatile variable at a time , then putting the most recent cycle time at the bottom) #1=1 WHILE [#1 LT 10] DO1 #[#607 + #1] = #[#607 + [#1+1]] #1 = #1+1 END1 #617=#606(Enters entire cycle time in #617 #606=0 #3001=0 M99 (Note: I wanted to skip a couple places for separation on the screen) If you wanted to, you could put the time it takes to load, unload a part by doing a #3001=#619 before the first tool change.

Hello - I know this is a Mastercam forum (& I use mastercam) but I know there are some smart folks here so I pose this question: I am trying to figure out how to write some macros in my g-code program that does the following regarding cycle times: 1 - Stores cycle time for each tool every time they are ran. But only keeps one record, the last one. 2 - Stores entire program cycle time. 3 - Stores the last ten program cycle times so they can be easily reviewed. Here is what I have figured-out thus far: The program has five tools and my machine has permanent common variables up to #699 so I thought it could go like this: #601 is for T1's cycle time #602 is for T2's cycle time #603 is for T3's cycle time #604 is for T4's cycle time #605 is for T5's cycle time #606 is for accumulative cycle time #607 thru #616 would store the last 10 cycle times. (This is on a Mazak Horizontal Machining Center with M-32 control) So to get and store cycle times for each tool and to get and record the entire cycle time, I would just do this: (First tool runs...) M6 (Dont' know if I should put the following before or after the tool change) #602=#3001 (using millisecond counter for getting the cycle time for this tool) #606=#606+#3001(Accumulated time) #3001=0 (Next tool runs) #603=#3001 #606=#606+#3001 #3001=0 (Last tool runs) << Same thing with the macro but #3001= happens before the shuttle, not after an M6>> (Part shuttles out, is changed, and cycle start is hit) M6 (beginning of program) #600=#3001 (tells you how long it took to switch parts and start up machine" #607=#606+#3001 (Stores entire cycle time in #607) #606=0 #3001=0 So I'm thinking I will have to do a conditional statement somewhere in the macro, with a counter, etc in order to get and store the next nine cycle times in variables #608-#616, but I can't figure out exactly how to write that. Can someone help me out with this? I'm pretty green when it comes to macro programming but I think it's awesome and want to learn more and more ways to do stuff with it. I'll continue working on it as I wait for a reply. Also had another quick question: Does the millisecond timer start over after like 60 seconds? I've hear that but then I heard that it goes on till power off or for 77.7 years... Any help is appreciated ... thanks.

Thanks everybody for the info. Chris, so the "new" tool manager is for X7? Not available for X6?

Is there a way to import specific tooling into your tool libraries for the milling side of things? Like in the turning area, you have specific tools from manufacturers that are in that library. For the milling, all I have are generic tools like 4.0" face mill, 1.0" end mill, etc. (I don't see any button mills, which is what I'm looking for at the moment.) I'm using X6 right now, I will be downloading X7 as soon as I get a new computer which is hopefully in the next week or so. I'll start here and see if anyone can help me. Thanks.

Hello, I have made a quick solid model and now I want to make a drawing from it. When I select either "Dimmed Wireframe" or "No Hidden Wireframe", they don't work. The drawing just displays the "Wireframe" version, which will not work for the drawing. Is this normal? Or how do I get these to work? Thanks for any help.

Here's what I did: I just did all the drilling at one B-axis position, then started another cycle with the same drill and rotated the T/C plane to where I was machining at the other B-axis position and this looks like it worked. I'm sure there are countless other (probably better) ways to do this, if anyone would like to share I would appreciate it. Thanks!

Ok, Roger, I used what you suggested and it worked great for changing the Z-depths to different values for holes that go to different depths with the same diameter drill. Thanks. However, I still cant get it to use different R-planes for different holes. The R-planes AND the final Z-depths are different for each hole. I tried to select on each hole individually with Top of stock with Absolute selected and it just uses the last one I selected.... ALSO, I have another problem, I don't know if I should start another post for it, but it's kind of related. I am drilling on a horizontal machining center and using this same drill, I have to rotate the B-axis to B90 and drill a hole there. How on earth do I get the orientation correct to drill that hole at that angle along with drilling the other holes at B0? Thanks again for any help.

Hello, How do you change drilling depths for certain holes in a drilling cycle in Mastercam? I know this is basic stuff, but I've been trying to figure it out long enough so I come here for help. I have a drill/counterbore cycle. I selected the holes to be drilled by "entities". Some drilled holes have different R-planes and final Z's. On my "linking parameters" screen, there is the Retract... Top of stock.. and Depth... I can enter, but what if they are different hole-to-hole? Thanks for any help.

So you're saying Mastercam will never post an arc using G19 in Y & Z if moving in the X-axis simultaneously? I would have never thunk it. I figured it would be something like helical interpolation. Well, since I couldn't get Mastercam to post it, I programmed it manually and this is some of the code that worked (cut geometry correctly/no arc error alarms): N15960 G0G90G54X-11.6440Y6.4000S495M3 N15970 W-2.0000 N15980 G43Z2.0060H129 N15990 G19 N16000 G1X-11.6440Y2.8365F30.0 N16010 G2X-11.0862Y1.4899Z2.2434J0.0000K3.9370F15.0 N16020 G1X-10.6180Y.3608Z2.6544 N16030 G3X-10.0602Y-.9858Z2.8918J-1.3466K-3.6996 N16040 G1X-9.8000Y-1.4000Z2.9000 N16050 G0Z5.0000 And yeah, I'm sure I have some things setup goofy, I don't have much experience with Mastercam. We've had it for over a year but I've probably worked on it a total of a week or two. I'm planning on working on it much more in the near future.... Anyway, thanks for the info.

nobody interested in this one anymore? or do you need more info? Or ?? thanks for any help

Ok, sorry for the rookie question, but I went to xform scale, how do I divide by anything? It comes up with a window, and there is an option of either "Uniform" or "XYZ". It defaults to uniform. Then under "Uniform", you get a choice of "Factor" and "Percentage". I don't know what this all means.

lol! But anyway, thanks!

This is what is posted ... (I put notes in the program explaining what I want to happen vs what's really happening) : O6986 N100 G20 N102 G0 G17 G40 G49 G80 G90 ( 2.5" END MILL - MOVED X9.3000 ) N104 T317 M6 (NOTE: THIS PASS IS NOT MOVING IN X-AXIS SIMULTANEOUSLY ) ( WHILE ARCING IN Y & Z AND POSTS HOW I WANT IT TO POST) ( WITH G2'S AND G3'S ) N106 G0 G90 G54 X8.5921 Y14.5478 S1528 M3 N108 G43 H317 Z.25 N110 Z.2 N112 G1 Z0. F24.45 N114 Y7.496 N116 G19 G2 Y6.1495 Z.2374 J0. K3.937 N118 G1 Y5.0204 Z.6484 N120 G3 Y3.6738 Z.8858 J-1.3466 K-3.6996 N122 G1 Y-1.6834 N124 Z1.0858 N126 G0 Z1.1358 N128 X4.3868 Y13.7113 N130 G17 N132 Z.25 N134 Z.2 N136 G1 Z0. ( NOTE: THIS PASS IS MOVING IN X-AXIS SIMULTANEOUSLY ) ( TO ARCING IN Y & Z ) ( I WANT THIS PORTION OF THE PROGRAM TO USE G2'S AND G3'S ) ( LIKE THE ARCING DONE ABOVE ... BUT WHEN MOVING ) ( IN THE X-AXIS ALONG WITH ARCING IN Y & Z - THESE POINTS ) ( ARE POSTED INSTEAD ) N138 X7.0854 Y7.1963 N140 X7.1605 Y7.015 Z.0049 N142 X7.2354 Y6.8342 Z.0196 N144 X7.31 Y6.6542 Z.044 N146 X7.384 Y6.4756 Z.0781 N148 X7.4572 Y6.2988 Z.1217 N150 X7.5295 Y6.1242 Z.1749 N152 X7.6007 Y5.9523 Z.2374 N154 X8.0328 Y4.9091 Z.6484 N156 X8.104 Y4.7372 Z.7109 N158 X8.1764 Y4.5626 Z.7641 N160 X8.2496 Y4.3858 Z.8078 N162 X8.3236 Y4.2072 Z.8419 N164 X8.3981 Y4.0272 Z.8663 N166 X8.473 Y3.8464 Z.8809 N168 X8.5481 Y3.6651 Z.8858 N170 X10.5982 Y-1.2843 N172 G0 Z1.1358 N174 M5 N176 G91 G28 Z0. N178 G28 X0. Y0. N180 M30 Some other info: 1.) The machine definition I'm using is MILL DEFAULT (I hope that's what you're looking for). 2.) The machine control settings for arcs are: Supports arcs in XY plane, XZ plane & YZ plane. Arc center type is set to Delta start to center. Arc break options: Don't break arcs. I am only allowing 360 degree arcs in XY plane. Don't know what else you'd like to know. 3.) I've attached the actual file I'm working with. 4.) Mill contour is the type of toolpath I selected. Thanks! YZ ARC WITH X-AXIS MOVING.zip

Ok, I've only looked for a minute but how do you go about uploading a file here?

I need to re-visit this.... I did what Colin instructed me to do and with the geometry I had at that time, it worked by just turning on the toolpath filter. However, that was just practice, and I was doing it with a straight line, going up and down. In reality, I need to rotate the toolpath 22.5 degrees, then do the same thing (so it will be arcing in Y & Z and moving over in X simultaneously). I figured this would be something like helical interpolating, using X & Y to arc and Z moving linearly, and it would post using G19 with J's and K's for the Y's and Z's, with X moving accordingly. That is not what happened when I posted. We are back to it plotting a bunch of points for each axis, which is not what I want. Anyway to get it to do what I'm looking for? Thanks for any help.

Thank you, I found it and it worked! Cool.

Hello, I have to do some G19, YZ circular interpolation, on a horizontal boring mill. So, the end point of the arc is defined by the Y word and Z word, and the distance from the start of the arc to the center point of the arc parallel to the Y-axis is defined by the J word, Z-axis by the K word. I am using Mastercam X6, the latest and greatest version, mill-1. We usually only program 3-axis linear work (X,Y,Z) using G17 for circular interpolation, with the B-axis only for positioning. I have no problem programming this way in mastercam. Anyway, if I was standing and look straight ahead at the part, starting at the top, the geometry I'm trying to mill arcs 100mm radius towards you (Z+) and down (Y-), then is supposed to mill at a 20 degree angle for a bit (Z+Y-), then arc a 100mm radius the opposite way, using Z+Y- again, until it is flat and just moving straight down in the Y-axis. I hope I've explained that good enough. So, I draw up this funky little radii feature and program a cutter on it. First of all, when I watch it in back plot, the mill does not follow the line like I want it to. Remember, it's milling from the front with the Z-axis moving out and the Y moving down. So the center of the cutter is on the line which means my "depth", or Y-axis, is down too low because I really want the front of the cutter to be following this line. That's the first problem. Secondly, when I post, I get all kinds of errors. Stuff like this: UPDATEPOST Version 14. was used to modify this file. 01 Feb 2013 03:36:18 AM - <2> - The file was modified by this product on 22 Jan 09 12:52:44 01 Feb 2013 03:36:18 AM - <2> - The post was written to run with Mastercam Version 14. 01 Feb 2013 03:36:18 AM - <2> - The post product type is Mill. 01 Feb 2013 03:36:18 AM - <2> - Initialization of pre-defined post variables, strings, postblocks was successful. 01 Feb 2013 03:36:18 AM - <2> - Search for defined post variables, strings, postblocks was successful. 01 Feb 2013 03:36:18 AM - <2> - CONTROL DEFINITION - Post variable 'ltol$' was re-initialized from 0.0005 to 0.002 01 Feb 2013 03:36:18 AM - <2> - CONTROL DEFINITION - Post variable 'atol$' was re-initialized from 0.5 to 0.01 01 Feb 2013 03:36:18 AM - <2> - CONTROL DEFINITION - Post variable 'err_file$' was re-initialized from 0. to 1. And so on... I can choose to look at the code it created and instead of giving me arcs with J's and K's, I get points. A bunch of small increment Y-axis and Z-axis moves. I do not want this, either. Do I need an option (or a higher version than mill-1) to mill this path and have it post correctly? Or is there some way to get this to post using G19? (And also, how do I get the front of the cutter to follow the line I created?). I know this is a long one, hopefully someone has read it till the end and can help. Thank you.

Oh, just seen the post from the moderator ... yeah, I couldn't find anything, either. I just wanted to make sure before I go back to the boss with that info. I will let him know that Mastercam cannot be used in that way... Thank you!

I know how to get it on CIMCO edit. Just wanted to know if there was a way to get that same info from Mastercams editor, or anywhere within Mastercam. Thanks.

Just to be clear ... I'm looking for something that allows me to analyze a G-code program, not necessarily a program that was created in Mastercam. So, I want to be able to call up a program, any already-made G-code program, in a program like Mastercam Editor, and analyze cutting statistics (cut time, etc). I can do this in a program I already have (CIMCO editor), but my boss wants me to see if this can be done in Mastercam. The only backplot I am aware of in Mastercam is the one in the operations manager, which is not what I'm looking for. Thanks again for any help.