First of all, shoudn't size5=rbuf(5,0) to get the size of the buffer file. Why not just skip the first line in the buffer file and start reading from the second line: add rc5 = rc5+1

A few others that come in handy are the DXFRescuer and my favorite SilhouetteBoundary. DXFRescuer: some DXF files just don't come in and this permits the reading of a problem DXF file. SilhouetteBoundary: excellent tool to obtain a closed chain around a 3D multi-surface and/or solid part projected to the active C-Plane.

In Cimco Edit, there is a feature called Math Functions. With this you can select a section of G-Code and do simple math on it, like taking all X values and multiplying by 0.5 Here's a description of the Math Function in Cimco Edit: "Math functions including basic math, rotate, mirror, tool compensation, and translate."

It would be easier if you provided the part. When projecting in my example, Project onto the Solid part and NOT to a plane, this will generate the intersecting geometry at a fixed Z level. You could also use the Filter option to get a better result. Simplify would also "pre-treat" the entities to get arcs and lines. All different scenario's depending on the shape of the part.

Did you try creating an intersecting profile of the form to be cut. Go to the Front Plane, create a horizontal line that goes across the part and Project this line onto the Solid. Voilà!

Have you tried a Transform Translate toolpath using the Tool Plane Method?

Pre-select surface by clicking on it ... it will become yellow as a selected item. RIGHT click on the color to select the Change color option. Choose the new color. Regards,

With the arrow positioned at the bottom of all operations in tha machine group, if you go and copy and operation somewhere up in the list, the insert arrow will no longer be at the end but positioned 1 up, since you've added another operation. I agree that if would could activate an option that would allow the insert arrow to ALWAYS remain at the end of ALL operations, this would help retain a bit opf the V9 way of doing things.

Just bought a USB external hard drive with 60Gb of memory space yesterday - works great! Just plugged it into my laptop's USB port and it was ready for use. Perfect to keep large files and pictures/music files which take up a lot of space. Very conveniant for transporting to another PC.

Thanks Rob - cool site! I need to go from GEO (or 3DP) to DXF to MC9

My customer has switched from EZ-Mill to Mastercam about a year ago and they have about 5 years of work in GEO and 3DP file formats from EZ-Cam. Well, they needed a file recently and the SIM for EZ-Cam doesn't work anymore. He tried to get customer support from EZ-Cam but with no luck unless he upgrades. Does anyone know if we can convert these file formats WITHOUT having an EZ-Cam software installed on the PC into MC( or at least DXF files. Thanks!

Actually, a customer of mine uses it from time to time but always ends up loosing the information. At least now it is stored on this forum also, so if ever I throw away my old e-mails I'll have a backup. I beleive I got this from Dave Thompson 5 or 6 years ago ... still working good! Luc

Here is the process that I've picked up from a good source: -Create/Curve/Const param/Options/Entities/Surface curves (only) -Create/Curve/All edges/all surfaces -untrim the surfaces -flatsurf.dll to flatten -use map.dll to map surface curves between the wrapped and flat surfaces -con2spl to make splines from surface curves -trim the flat surfaces to the new spline boundaries Hope this helps!

Have you tried the MAP C-Hook ? Luc

Si tu as besoin de support technique, n'hésite pas à contacter ton revendeur au Québec. Tu trouveras nos coordonnées à: http://www.simtech.qc.ca Luc

You might be in need of ProjectManager from Camaix. Take a look at it and see if this is what you need! http://www.camaix.com/English/indexeng.htm Luc

Matthew, maybe this can help you out ... When using File -> Get you can right click in the white area and choose Recent Files from the drop down menu. You will then find the most recent projects you've worked on. Hope this helps! Luc

Hi somename75, We are a Mastercam reseller and at the office we use Toshiba laptops for our field technicians and representitives. We go with the Satellite Pro range of machines and the video card is a GeForce 4 420 and we don't have any problems running it with Windows XP Pro. Luc

MATSS envolved a lot of development using the new Machine and Control definition that we will see in Mastercam X. I think, like Dave was saying, that it was just not feasible getting MATSS to run inside V9 when all the foundation was being built in the X project. Hopefully, we can expect a release of MATSS not so far after ther release of X and I do expect it to come out in 2004. We have a few customers that are waiting for the MATSS to come out and when this happens, we will be head over heels in post issues. I for one have a customer with this exact same type of machine and discussed with them the implementation of Mastercam over the year. They have many different types of machines, controls and configurations that we decided to implement in stages: Milling basic, turning basic, milling multi-axis, turning multi-axis (Integrex) and finally turning synchro. We will probably reach the turning synchro portion at the same time it will be release by Mastercam - we are pretty much counting on it. Keep us informed on the progress you make with this new machine and the programming software! Luc

Here's the technical info: Tolerance Class: 10h Number of teeth: 22 Module: 1.0 Pressure Angle: 30 deg. Base Diameter: 19.053 REF Pitch diameter: 22.000 REF Major Diameter: 23.8 h11 Form Diameter: 21.94/23.86 Minor diameter: 21.6 h14 Circular tooth thickness: - Max Effective: 2.090 - min. Actual: 2.135 Measurement over 2 pins: 26.502/26.571 Pin diameter: 2.250 REF Fillet radius: 0.16 min.

Thanks James, I was thinking in this direction but then I starting looking on the web for a shareware that would output the DXF file or some other type of file. What would be really slick is to be able to tie in a dialog box with the FPLOT function ... imagine just punching in the numbers and voila, out comes the resulting geometry. I've got the basic formulas from the Machinery's Handbook but for now just looking at possible different "read cheap" solutions. Thanks! Luc

To all! A customer of mine is looking for a way to rapidely create external and internal involute splines according to the standard DIN 5480. Does anyone know if this is available? Thanks! Luc

Happy Birthday to all who makes it work - great job Dave and all the crew at In-House. Luc

If it is an embossed form, you might consider using the Toolpath-Rough-Pocket toolpath. Luc

Charles, Sold a few copies of your book up here in Quebec to a teacher. He has all the others (Lin & Shue, In-House, Mastercam Tutorials). He mentioned to us today that your books are by far the best that's available on the market, even though he is not perfectly bilingual. Congrats on your book! Luc