We have a Cimco Post, when updating MCX ( currently x8) we are usually sent 4 files .PST .CP6 .CONTROL-8 .MMD-8 I am not sure the exact way these files are used - but obviously its a bit more complicated than just a post file - so I assume they are interlinked. Could anyone explain the relationship between these file types and how they work together. For example - if we had a new machine, would I just need a .pst file for it - or a .CP6 file also - or all 4? Is there anyway a x8 post file could be used with an older version of MCX - or are all files dedicated to that version of MCX, this isnt causing me problems - I just would like to understand how files work with machine and control definitions - as we are likely to get new machines shortly - thanks

Also a good site ( re- Harveys) is http://www.guhring.com/Tech/ThreadMillCNC/CNCGenerator/ - obviously the code is not needed with Mastercam - but still an excellent tool for speeds/ feeds etc. Using Mastercam (X8) to create code - I used a lead in/ out - I wanted to go 7mm deep - but it didnt reach this depth until the end of lead out - I wanted it to go to that depth before the lead out - is there an easy way to do this ?

Having used multi tooth now - i think the benefits outweigh the single tooth ( that is all i had used previously)

Using multi tooth on heat treated steel - so pretty tough stuff , did full depth - 3 multipass type cuts and 2 spring cuts - done 5 so far - working really well (so far) - thanks

I have to thread mill a small external dia. (10 x 32 UNF -0.27'' deep) - I have done only limited thread milling before , I am going to mill full depth in one pass (i.e. 360 degrees with Z-.0312'' (pitch) ) should i go straight to finish size, with a couple of spring cuts or work in (i.e. multipass ) from a larger diameter, I will be ok with Mastercam side of things - its just strategy I am not sure of - any advice appreciated

For me (aerospace work) - as a general rule, I always make a new WCS to suit where the model is - it can cause problems moving the model if you have to re-import it later. However, there have been many occasions where similar models have been imported into an existing fixture, clamps etc set-up, where the models have been imported at vastly different locations and planes etc, in this instance it is either move the model to suit existing clamps and fixture - or move the clamps and fixture to match where the model is, in this instance- I would choose to move the model to match the existing fixture WCS as moving all the clamps etc is a lot more work, so for me its both - but as a general rule I always move WCS to where component is.

Latest update - auto cursor fine - looks like it doesnt happen on x9 - but havent migrated yet - have to live with it till then

see attached pic. in left picture - I have straight horizontal line tab on - i have snapped to a point on right side of component - no problem, I then want to snap to a point on the left side of component - although the mouse snaps to the point - no line is actually drawn. What i have to do is go past the point into space - snap there - then trim line back to component. (shown in rh picture) It doesnt matter if i snap to a model edge or geometry - if straight line tab is on (horizontal or vertical) it will not 'snap' to the second point, If tab is off then no problem - but I use this function a lot, I have been drawing ok in mastercam for years with no problems, this only started when we moved from x7 to x8 - any ideas??

THANKS - tried this and worked - I had looked in config - but not in cad settings section - sorted now

I have made surfaces - which need to be different colours - the colours are shown This causes me problems - any idea how to change surface colours so they show different colours on both sides ( obviously I have tried usual way- i.e. right click and try to change the surface colour - but nothing changes ??

that would be ideal - thanks

I have somebody who is learning MCX - we only have one seat- so my PC is tied up- ideally he could learn on another PC with HLE - does anyone know if i could load existing MCX files into the HLE - I realise he may not be able to edit or post - would just be useful as a viewer - so he could view the MCX file that has been programmed and that is running on his machine - is this possible on HLE - or can you only use files that you create on it ?

thanks

CURRENTLY RUNNING X8 - I WANT TO GIVE X9 BETA A TRY - CAN I RUN THIS AS A 'STAND ALONE' TO TEST - WITHOUT IT AFFECTING MY X8 SET UP?

This is the answer to my original question - a simple solution - just wasn't looking for it - as not in x7 - thanks

Just tried that - not convinced

OH WELL- AT LEAST ITS NOT JUST ME !

Just migrated to x8 - when trying to trim geometry with solid on screen - it is not easy to select the geometry for trimming, it may select the linear edge of model - or spline edge - easy if i turn level with model off to trim - but this is not good - as lots of trimming - and adds lots of time - any way of adjusting settings so it wont select off the model ?( no problem in x7 previously - as would only ever select geometry - not sure if its a settings issue - or new feature in x8)- in pic - I am trying to select green geometry to trim - i dont want to select dotted line edge - which it has selected in this instance - isometric view for easy viewing - but normally i am trimming in top view - hence problem

STARTED DOING IT WITH SETTING ON PORTRAIT NOW AS WELL !

thanks - i did try that - but it didnt restore status bar

i forgot to mention- i can get status bar to reappear - but only by closing mcx and then reloading

running x8 - if i go to print preview - then print - when i close print window and return to mcx graphics screen - the bottom status bar has disappeared. I have found by trial and error that if I have the print settings in mcx to portrait - the problem does not happen (so far) - but if setting is landscape - which is what i want - as monitor screens are landscape - then it happens approx 1 out of 3 times ( i.e. the status bar disappears) I can work around problem by leaving it set in portrait - any ideas on permanent fix ??

DELETED THAT - NO CHANGE, but, there is another config file (mcamxm) - deleted that & dropdown menu is fixed - but i had to reload my default workspace etc, what are the 2 config files doing ??

What file exactly am i deleting (presumably from the CONFIG folder in x8) ?

Yes the machine defs are all there - they just wont show in dropdown menu - i even tried changing the directory to the x7 one - but still nothing shows ? No problems with this dropdown menu in x7 - just x8