I might consider it. It would be quite a change for me though, and might be more of a hastle. With the multiple tasks i am responsible for, i am generally in and out of different softwares many times in a day, often switching back and forth while i am in the middle of something. Thats why i keep multiple windows open at once....it may make more sense to have 2 computers. I do have the space in my work area so that wouldnt be a problem. I'll have to see what the boss thinks.....

Absolutely no experience with partitioning drives. i know just enough to be dangerous....(and its kind of fun that way). Our system is setup with our individual programs on our work stations, but all of our files are on a server, and i am not sure how this would affect that, cause we have all other work stations running XP right now. My pc is the only one that can run mcam though. I am letting our computer guy know what advice i am getting from here though, so he can digest this and see what he thinks. thanks much!

jeffl, i want your computer, it takes me a minute and a half just to get mcam5 open:(

Yep, the more i think about it, i am considering keeping the old station, setup side by side with the new...using the old when i gotta access the softwares that cant run on the new. We have already checked on the manufacturing software and theres no way it'll run on 7. We do have to upgrade that software as well, but thats close a 40k investment, and we need to do alot of research before we switch. I am gonna suggest getting a new station for just my mcam. You guys should hear this poor dinasour today, it wont stop growling, cant even hear myself think anymore:( Happy Friday the 13th everyone!!!!

No, but i will take a look. one of the reasons we are upgrading this computer, is that my internet is spoty at best, and my computer has been kicking me out alot lately. Hence, i havent been able to get on this sight and review much of anything.....i am using another computer in teh office right now to keep tabs on this sight for advice i will try to review that thread when i get some time today....

Hey everyone. I am looking for opinions and advice on a good system to upgrade to. It is finally time to get the dinasour replaced, and i know that all of you experts have the best ideas when it comes to what i should and shouldnt be looking at for a new computer. I have taken a look at the "system requirements" section of the Mcam 5 installation guide, but i know at times, mcam may play better with certain video cards etc,. We do have to stay with windows XP (due to other softwares that wont work with 7). My computer is also used for the DNC machine communications software, and is always on, 24/7. I am the type of person who generally has 5-6, if not more, windows/softwares open at a time, including our manufacturing software, the DNC software, and probably at least one other big database software at a time, so i need some power to work all of these at once. Can you give me some advice?

Most of my programs here are relatively simple, turning and HMC work, but with production, every little move (or lack thereof) is critical to cycle times etc. I have never sent a program out to a machine without double checking what each tool is doing, all the moves (No matter what version i am using). We use Predator for our CNC communications, and i actually like their editor much better than Mastercam's to verify the Gcode. Am i understanding correctly, that you guys actually send programs right from mastercam directly to the machines, without proofing them first? without knowing exactly what your post is doing, that would be a pretty scary thing in my mind!

Having never used V9, i can only say each of the X versions has gotten better than the last. I have only been using X5 for a few days (i always wait a few months after receiving the new version before i install, to learn from others what the bugs are:) i actually came from the quality lab, and learned this the hard way with PCDMIS. I still have X4 loaded, and use it to open old stuff, cause it does seem that converting to X5 from X4 has its issues as well. I had a file with toolpaths from X4, and i added new toolpaths in X5.....had some issues getting it post all toolpaths, but my tech support at the reseller is excellent, and i was up and going very shortly. But i am using X5 for any thing new, and so far, have not seen any major issues.

My system configuration, backplot tab has all info the same from x4 to x5. Is there another place i can go to change other backplot settings, that i can go to check them out and see if they are the same? i am heading home now, i may check over the weekend, i may not. Hope you all have a great weekend!

Dell dimension 4700 with pentium 4, windows xp pro, nvidia Geforce 9500. My computer does like to make alot of noise when i ask it to do something difficult. I did used to have issues with x4, but only with really large programs, when i was trying to run the whole program with all tool paths. This is a relaively small program, only a few simple standard tools and tool paths. Whether i step thru the moves, or run it thru all at once, the tool (only graphically) is skipping a few moves. The Gcode does come out ok though.

I just installed x5, was really hoping i could just load it and start using it, but i do have some issues with the graphics. Programs i wrote in x4 i have opened in x5, and when i run the toolpath, the graphics arent correct, the tool is skipping moves. The G-code appears to be outputting correctly, but visually the tool isnt doing what its supposed to. Do i need something bigger and better (video card, or computer) to be able to run x5, or does anyone have any ideas on why my graphics arent working correctly?