I apologize for the elementary question, but appreciate the feedback. I understand the comments. I put a file in the FTP (testev.mc9). I accidently forgot to put it in a folder, so you should see it upon opening. This is just a simple job I had been working on while milling (contour lead in/out) slots with a 1" E.M. Thanks Again,

I have a very fussy question that if someone can answer will make our machinists happy. Our countour milling programs have not been coding to the machinists wants. When we add a lead in/out to our toolpath the line codes in segments along with picking the tool up to the retract plane between each cut. I know this can be fixed by adding extra geometry, but I would like to get away from this if possible. I told the operators not to run in single block, but they have a hard time with this. This is a sample of a 54" part and a 1" lead in/out which the x coordinate is set in the center of part: T28 ( 1" ISCAR FACE MILL H-Offset 81 , SECONDARY MILLING ) M6 G54 X0. Y0. G43 H81 S1500 Z1. M3 M8 X28. Y12.9664 Z.1 G1 Z-.085 F8. X27. ( stops on this line ) X-27. ( stops on this line ) X-28. Z.1 ( we would like to keep tool down ) G0 Y12.6475 G1 Z-.085 X-27. X27. X28. Z.1 G0 Z1. M9 T99 M06 M30 % Thanks for your help. Scot

I have a 2001 Chevy Astro van with 34,000 miles, which has been nothing but a headache since the day I drove it off the lot. Too many "factory adjustments". I bought a Honda Accord with 220,00 miles for a backup with the Chevy being in the shop over 12 times, and the Honda blew a head gasket after I put 100 miles on it. What Luck!! Needless to say, I took up biking this past summer. Scot

Thanks to all those that responded to my question. I will go with HardMill's method which worked great for my applications. Thanks again for the help and different points of view. Thank You, Scot

If a WCS is already set and programs finished, is there any way to open a part and change the existing WCS without having to make a new one? At times operators will set up the part opposite my program. Without set-up sheet, this will happen. I currently make a WCS in the view manager by selecting create, select menu, etc. At times I have difficulty getting my coordinates to point in the correct directions no matter what I pick. Any suggestions?

Thanks for the helpful replies. It is amazing at what I need to learn yet as a first-year user. Thank You,

HELLO, I am trying to set up my stock piece in job setup to fit multiple angled surfaces. Is there any method of doing this? For examle: I work with parts that have compound angles that are milled manually, which I do not program to take off the extra stock in verify. When the stock is still there, I can't get a good view of the holes and contours that I program on the angled surfaces. Thank You,

Thanks for responding. I will make note to pass along for future revisions. Scot

Does anyone know if there is a way to modify the text within the group name. I would like to change colors of text or size just in the group name to make it easier to pick out groups. Thanks, Scot

Helpful tips, Thanks to all. Scot

As a new user myself, I have to agree with Rekd. All respect to those on the forum along with the software that puts food on our table. I have learned more each day about MasterCam, and I will let anyone know that it starts to make sense as time goes. I have also been used to running outdated software in the past, and the continuous tips and support from the forum is appreciated. Scot

I will try some of these ideas. I have uploaded a file in the Mc9 folder as eng.mc9. This file contains an example of the type of problem I am having. This particular example is a simple engraving fixture and accountability tags that I made for a volunteer fire service as a government project. Thanks

I should be more specific. I am changing colors and levels according to the arc sizes. These drawings are converted from Pro-e to IGES. I can study up on the EA manager, but does this only pertain to Cad within the MasterCam software. Scot

Are there any available c-hooks that can be used to speed up the process of changing arcs to different colors and levels? I am currently using 9.1, and use the method of; screen, chg colors, window, set mask, pick arc diameter, o.k, and window part. Then I follow a similar route to change the newly changed arcs to a different level. Can anyone help to speed things up for me? Thanks, Scot

Our company does an extreme amount of text engraving. The engraving is done with an 1/8 ball with .003 depth. The concern that I have with the our current process using MasterCam 9.1 is the method it uses to machine the engraving. When engraving the text, the tool keeps jumping from one partially finished letter to another. This jumping around causes time issues with the process. I am hoping there is a chaining method that can improve this process. Can anyone help with this minor yet irritating concern? Thanks, Scot

I appreciate all the responses. Your tips helped me learn more about the tool operations. The method that worked for me, was to delete the operation and create a new operation while saving it back out to the library. The fact that I remembered we switched tool libraries to a revised addition, the old operations might have still been somehow attached to the old tool library. This has worked for me. Weird!! MasterCam sure has much to offer, I just have to get myself up to speed. Thanks for the patience and help. Scot

After looking at this, I noticed that it was already checked. Are there any other options that I don't know about? Thanks, Scot

This may be a stupid question, but is the mc.9 file (pattern) that your bringing in saved as a red color? Scot

Hello, I am a new user and running 9.1. I am having problems when I get operations from my library. I set up the tool parameters in the library just the way I need them, but when I bring them into the current job some of the parameters are changing. For example: A tool can be set up in the operations library with coolant at flood and a dwell, but when I bring it in, the parameters change. These are common tools that I use for most every job, and it is becoming frustrating having to remember what to change back on each tool. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Scot

Does anyone have any ideas on how to sort tools before or after posting, other than what MasterCam offers inside the operations manager. Are there any techniques that can help? I would like to sort tools drills first, spot next, taps last etc. I am currently either sorting in the operations manager or editor by moving individual tools which can be time consuming. Thanks, Scot

Having the capability to undo multiple times in both geometry and toolpaths would be beneficial. Also being able to window unwanted points in toolpath geometry. There has to be a quicker way of deleting unwanted points. Finally a faster method of sorting tools in the operations manager, like all drills and all taps sorted seperately without having to change tool numbers. My sort by type option does nothing. Thanks, Scot

I'm with Jim, Thanks to all for the feedback. Much appreciated. Thanks, Scot

Constant overlap does seem to work better. What method are you using to pick the start point of the toolpath? Thanks, Scot

Thanks for the reply Dan. The bottom of my pockets are flat. When I try using surface, rough, pocket milling, it does not highlight the check surface option. How do you pick the checksurfaces? The toolpath that I am getting is turning out better each response from everyone, but all I need to do now is prevent the toolpath from milling out the islands. Thanks, Scot

Thanks Dan, I am currently running level 3. I rid the warning with picking the containment boundary around the top edge of the pocket. Now I am running into problems with the islands. The toolpath disregards the islands, although I don't believe I am picking them as nested containment boundaries correctly. What is recommended to making MasterCam aware of these islands. How is nesting approached properly. Thanks, Scot