Thank you! I did not realize this.

Just an update on this. My license type changed so I uninstalled all of the previous MasterCAM programs and deleted/renamed folders so as to not hinder the new install. All I have now is MasterCAM2018. That said, all the previous file extensions are functioning as the should, populating the recent file list on the taskbar shortcut. The only file extension that does not work is the MCAM extension. Also, I thought this was the official forum.

No hotkey set up. odd behavior though, new window popping up like that.

Is there a hotkey for "Manual Entry"? Reason I ask is occasionally when I am typing in the manual entry a second manual entry will pop-up which I have to delete. Just wondering if my gorilla fingers are dragging on the keyboard initiating something this behavior. If there is, how can I disable it?

I keep my Mastercam shortcuts on my taskbar so I can "pin" certain files. When I right click my recent files show up and update for 2017 fine but not for 2018. Anybody else experience this?

Thanks Chris! That fixed it. Benz

Nothing set there.

Yes, just now. It did not help.

When I launch Mastercam 2017 or 2018 my windows scheme changes. The task bar changes colors, etc. When I close it it reverts back. Very annoying. Is this fixable?

Hello, All our posts date back to X3 and my reseller advised that we should update them using the latest MP-Master. I ran across something I haven't seen in a post yet. In the following line from the MP-Master the ascii code for space is used. Why is it used in this manner and why would I want to use it in this manner? The reason I ask is that it usage does not seem to be consistent through out the post. #scomm_str, 32, *smonth, "- ", *day$, "- ", *year$, 32,32, *hour, ":", *min, [if time$ < 12, " AM"], [if time$ >= 12, " PM"], scomm_end, e$ Thanks Benz

No. I have discovered the xtooltable function which is new for 2017/2018. I have started a new thread on that. It seems to work much better and easier to implement.

Has anybody been implementing the new xtooltable (new for 2017/2018) features?

All our posts at one point added the cutter comp type to the tool call out in the tool table. It still outputs the table but the comp is no more. This is what is in our posts and has been, to the best of my knowledge, since X6. I'm not entirely sure when this broke. My suspicion is the prmcode 15346 may not be valid any more. My post reference manuals are for X9 and it shows valid in there so did something perhaps change in 2017? # -------------------------------------------------------------------------- # Tool Comment / Manual Entry Section # -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ptoolcomment #Comment for tool tnote = t$, toffnote = tloffno$, tlngnote = tlngno$ if tool_info = 1 | tool_info = 3, "(", pstrtool, ")", e$ ptooltable #Tooltable output "(", t$, "-", pstrtool, [if ccomp_type > 0 & ccomp_type < 4, "-", *scomp_type], ")", e$ & # -------------------------------------------------------------------------- # Tooltable Output # -------------------------------------------------------------------------- pwrtt$ #Pre-read NCI file if tool_info > 1 & t$ > 0 & gcode$ <> 1003, ptooltable pwrttparam$ #Pre-read parameter data #"pwrttparam", ~prmcode$, ~sparameter$, e$ if prmcode$ = 15346, ccomp_type = rpar(sparameter$, 1) #Cutter compensation type - 0=computer, 1=control, 2=wear, 3=reverse wear, 4=off

We've been using wire-frame/letters to define our engraving geometry. This works well enough to get the job done. However, if I want to edit the engraving text down the road I have to start over. This is not very efficient. Is there another way to accomplish this that I may not be aware of?

Hello, What is the method you use to create an arbor holder for saws and side cutters? How do you define the screw/nut at the bottom as a non-cutting portion of the tool assembly? Everything seems to be shank based in Mastercam.

When copying operations from one machine group to another I set up my tools list to use the default tools for the new machine. When I do this Mcam asks if I want to use the existing tool in the new machine group, which I say yes to. Opening the operations in the new machine group the tool numbers all appear to be correct however when I code it the tool numbers from the old machine group get coded. I have to go in and select a different tool, regenerate, select the correct tool and regenerate again before it will code correctly. As far as I am aware it has done it since at least version X9 and still does it 2017. I am suspecting this is a bug that needs to be addressed.....or I am doing something wrong? Thanks Benz

Now that you mention it, it usually is after a merge. Hadn't thought of that. It's more tedious than anything else. Thanks for the responses. Always nice to know I'm not alone in my frustrations.

When I hit the "save" button in the quick access menu it has a tendency to behave more like a "save as" command (asking me if I want to over wright the original) even though I am currently working on this file. This behavior seems odd to me as it should just save without asking me any thing else. At first I thought I was hitting the wrong button so I removed the "save as" button. Any body else see this issue?

Thank you!

Is there a way to prevent the part disappearing after the cut-off tool when simulating a lathe job? Thanks Benz

How do I associate a specific default file to a machine so whenever I load that machine it uses the same default file? I would think that if I open this file in the control definition it would always use it however it reverts to mill inch every time. Thanks Benz

nevermind, found my answer

Where can I find the rotate plane command in 2017? Thanks

How does one specify which spindle a live tool should be on? There is a left/right spindle option for the turning tools but I see nothing for the live tools. TIA!

The way our machine is set up a C360 command when at C0 will do nothing. I have to give it an incremental move of H360. Because I can't reset the C from tool to tool. There is no option in the Fanuc and no option in Mcam to unwind it (that I am aware of). It keeps winding up and up from tool to tool so that when I started at C0 I'm now wound up a few turns and its difficult to know where I am with out backing the moves out mathematically. Idealistically, being able to switch the C axis only to incremental would be my favored route. I did look at those setting in the MD file but I'd rather not make it global. Would much prefer to have these control options in the Rotary Axis Control dialog in the operations panels.