cnc_now, No one's asking you to spend more $$. The simple fact is that the Demo software is not license controlled. CNC Software is protecting their intellectual property by restricting certain functions from being used in the Demo. The book is clearly wrong in stating that those are the only limitations to the Demo. Those who purchase the tutorial books you are referring to often have already licensed the use of the full-blown software product and can utilize the c-hooks from their "seat". The demo allows someone to become familiar with the main functionality of the software without having to invest in the fully functional product. The C-hooks could be utilized separately by anyone who understands "C" application language and had an inclination to "pirate" said functionality for their own use. The demo is designed to provide understanding while maintaining the license structure and making sure those who have worked hard to develop an excellent software product are still able to feed their families. If you made a product that was in high demand wouldn't you like to get paid for it? Nothing in this world is "free". Someone somewhere has paid for it in one way or another. Welcome to the forum. Most of us are generally here to help. Ask questions. Don't blame those who develop the software for limitations that are fully within their rights. They didn't need to make a demo. Be grateful that they have and it doesn't shut off in 30 days like almost every other form of software developed today. HTH

moghost, Welcome to the forum. There are many who still use V9 productively although I tend to agree with James and others who have spoken here. Learn the software at the latest technology level. That way you're ahead of the game. You may be able to contact someone who is willing to teach older versions of the software however. Contact your reseller and see if they know anyone who could do this. I actually did this for a few weekends on Saturdays for a client before they invested in the latest for Mastercam. I was allowed to make a little extra for myself without compromising my employers position. The customer I instructed at is still our client and did update their software through us when they were ready. It's not always like that. For the most part, you'd have better luck finding someone in the field who is willing to take on the task of instructing someone else on how to use older software. Resellers usually have the most contacts and a pretty good idea of who is still using V9 or older software. HTH

kunfuzed, Solids all the way. Surfaces and wireframe are useful sometimes but mostly for "boundary" geometry and not the main toolpath "drive" geometry. Solids are much cleaner and easier to visualize. JMHO

Sorry John, I guess that's what I get for sticking my head into a conversation that wasn't part of the forum topic asked. As Michael, the worst manager in history from "The Office" said in one episode: "It's all good!"

John, quote: See Kannon What?!! Head number is only if you have more than one spindle on the machine. Michael.Su Slepydremr is right on the money with his reply. It sucks to go that deep in the Configuration but that's where it is. Beyond that, update to X and it's much easier to access and change.

McamNut, The Surface-Rough-Restmill toolpath actually has a page with a section for machining these little corner areas. The term that is used on this page to describe these areas is "cusps". See pic below. This shows the page in Rough-Restmill from X2. HTH

randymcdermott, ROFLMAO You're cool. I would seriously start looking at a Spaceball or Space Pilot. I saw a couple models of both at a recent conference and they look fantastic. Definitely get a second opinion from another doctor. The first one just sounds like he's not interested in treating you at all. You should ask him "what about your hypocratic oath?" HTH

edmBosto, quote: Sam Adams October Fest +100 My favorite time of the year!

bcoop, There is another Catia converter available from Moldplus. This one tends to work better than the one developed by Mastercam. Moldplus is actually associated with a reseller of Mastercam in Europe. Here's the link to their page: Moldplus Catia page HTH

JNO, quote: Hey Pete, How about sending Frank or Steve over to load that reseller copy? I'm not the one to tell Steve or Frank what they can or cannot do. That's their decision. They might stop by if you promise to give them something in return. gms1, I wouldn't mind the drive if you were footin' the bill and providing the beer (Sam Adams ) at the end of the drive but that might ruffle some feathers with your reseller. Contact them if you want to find out more about X2.

To All, Relax everyone. edmBosto is our customer. I beleive Steve or Frank may have been to visit them recently and probably decided it would be OK to install our reseller copy of X2 on their computer since they will be receiving the X2 package shortly. quote: Me thinks a reseller is about to get spanked No one is going to get "spanked".

Chris Rizzo and All, Applying toolpath to solid geometry is possible without licensing the Solids module for Mastercam. It has been possible since V8. There is only one toolpath in Mill that requires the Solids module and that is the Solid Drill toolpath. Also to be able to Xform any solid part you would need to have the Solids license. If you import a solid part from SolidWorks or any other CAD system and it is not oriented the way you need to machine it, having the Solids license in Mastercam would allow you to move it to a proper machining position. Without the Solids license however, the WCS could be set to use whatever face of the part you wanted on the solid to be the Top working plane and still apply regular toolpath to it. HTH There is one exception to the toolpath rule. That is the Lathe product can use Solid geometry for applying toolpath but it requires having the Solids license to "extract" a curve profile from the solid part. One could always create "slice" curves from a solid part and then apply toolpath using that generated wireframe. Overall, I prefer to use solid geometry for programming in Mcam about 90% of the time. [ 10-17-2006, 08:59 AM: Message edited by: Peter Scott ]

I'm kind of curious about something else when this occurs. How many of you who have experienced this also had Macafee (sp?) virus scan active during installation? Maybe I'll set up a poll asking this question. As all who use computers should know, any virus scan software should be temporarily disabled when installing new software. No matter what the software being installed is. HTH

Jay, quote: oopps Let the cat out of the bag again? It was great to finally meet you at the RC. Were you up late on Wednesday/Thursday like others I'd heard about? Man, I hate when I miss the party. But I had a wonderful Lasagna waiting for me when I got home.

chris m, quote: Where's Dan Powers when you need him.....? ROFLMAO You're not too far off with that suggestion.

Joe, Call or e-mail me and I'll be glad to help figure out what file type to convert it from. I know a couple of our current Mastercam users who are familiar enough with Esprit that we can find out what the best file type would be. Also, welcome to the forum. HTH

Guy, quote: What does +1 mean? Simply put it means: "What he/she/they said". Add your post in agreement with the previous post or if there's a name ("+1 Dan") add your comment to the same as that person made moments ago.

Jimic, After selecting the first arc to match the diameter, one must then select all the other possible geometry for drilling. This is so Mastercam can compare all the other sized arcs to the first one selected and properly choose the same size for drilling. The easiest way to do this is just click on the "All" button in the General Selection ribbon bar and select all the remaining arcs on the screen. After this, the prompt will ask you to select more or press "Enter" if you're done selecting your geometry. The green circle "End Selection" button in the General Selection ribbon bar can also be clicked instead of pressing the "Enter" key on the keyboard. See pics below. HTH "D'Oh!" Too Slow. Desire for including images for "WOW" presentation killed response time. Todd Tracey also mentioned another great way to select the remaining arcs to be compared to. Use window instead of All Arcs if you prefer.

SP, Mastercam automatically filters the tool library to only show you tools that are appropriate for use in the particular toolpath you've started. It makes sense to me, why show a drill for a Contour or Pocket toolpath? You could always select tools before you start any operations. That way you'd never have to choose a tool from the "Select from Library" button. Select a tool list from the Tool Manager in either the Toolpaths menu or from within the operation by right-clicking in the white area on the toolpath parameters page. HTH

Kannon, ROFLMFAO!! It's "Blazing Bunghole" pasta day in the Bobby household. quote: maybe he lives in the basement John13, I think you're right. Don't all Trolls live in dark, wet, underground hideaways? He probably resembles the "cave troll" from "The Lord of the Rings". Where my wife said "look at how small they are" when referring to its "junk" when we saw the troll model at the "Lord of the Rings" traveling exhibit.

Irongate, Mastercam will not run on a MAC. It is a Windows only application. Someday maybe but not anytime soon.

The best way I've found to overcome this issue is to generate an STL file from a previous Verify (say the Top side of a program when Verifying the Bottom side) or use the Solid stock definition so you can actually use a Solid body to show the part as it should look when finished. HTH

edmBosto, Is this more frequent with Drafting entities than others? Do you have any issues with this occurring during Backplot or Verify? Does this happen with more than one file? Can you send a file to us here at SFA so we can try it out on another computer? With a little more information we can narrow this down and find a way to prevent it. Call us if you have questions. HTH

dprovost71, Follow the suggestions that McamNut linked to. Beyond those, send me the file and I'll see if I can get it to print on our machine in the office. Or you could call and I can start a remote support session over the internet with you. How has everyone been. I haven't heard from you in a while. HTH

Steve Zirtzman, You weren't supposed to say anything. You don't want to "let the cat out of the bag" before CNC releases X2. Hope the Beta Police don't read this topic.