Lets try and finish this topic off, shall we. 1.I understand that they are a source of revenue for some people, and that it should be respected. It was only an opinion, and we all know that opinions are like A**Eholes, everyone has one! 2. A suggestion for this site. Perhaps others will agree, is that maybe some advanced techniques(from the Mastercam Black-Belts) are made available online. Looking through some of the questions on the forum will tell you that people need good reference material, be it from a book or online.Although I doubt we will see anything online,as it will eliminate any revenue in the Future, its an idea. 3 I would just like to point out that I am not a Black Belt! in Mastercam!!!!! Peace everyone!!!!

sorry dogfartz, I thought a forum was fo open discussion,well it used to be,at least back in the Roman days,what kills a forum is the Lack of Discussion. Im glad that you had something usefull to add at least.

Not True I got my copys from In-House this year,and i dont live the US or CANADA. But i would like to stress again, they are not worth the money.

I think my Irish comrade will find the books are not value for money $182 US, including shipping to Ireland,come on. [This message has been edited by 3D Generator (edited 06-04-2001).]

No offence at all,Im very thick skinned!!! Im a software engineer, with emphasis on cad/cam/cae in Ireland. Another point of interest concerns the next generation of CADCAM.At the moment a lot of it is Lab based, due to costs,but everyone knows it will change,The likes of UG,Catia and co. will be better prepared to accept incoming VR technology currently being developed. In the future it wont be possible to drill pre-planned ideas into people,they will need to understand why,in order to develop and progress.Mastercam doesnt do itself any favors with its timid approach to manuals and learning.

to cadcam,yes a machinist! Perhaps My initial point wasn't made 2 clearly. I wasn't starting a UG versus Mastercam topic,it was more to do with the learning resources that are available to us. I also use Powermill/Powershape,Edgecam and Surfcam, and yes Mastercam probably just shades the last two I mentioned, but only( in my opinion!! ) because a child could learn how to use it, and this is reflected in the learning materials made available to users. To Micheal Reynolds-- What book do you refer to when you say (like the lin shu books). Where do you get them from?

Listen, a rat will learn the correct path through a maze after a number of attempts, when it finally does, it hasn't suddenly become intelligent, it has achieved the task by the use of mindless repitition. Thats what the Mastercam tutorial books aim to do. Pummel strategys into the users head. Dont get me wrong, yes Mastercam is good, but its creators probably underestimate the intelligence of its users by not providing in-depth learning material.

1. They dont tell you why you are doing something. To achieve an easier understanding of something a person needs to realize why they are doing a particuklar task. Is there an alternate MAstercam learning material? Has anyone noticed the difference between Mastercams Tutorials, and Unigraphics CAST? The difference is I will hardly ever use Mastercam again!!! Check it out.

Ill write you a Post, in exchange for a copy of 5 Axis Manual.Email me.

Yuo're right. I have all the c-hooks,full versions, from Camaix, and they are pretty handy utilitys. Well worth a look at the trial versions, at least!!.

MAstercam C-Hooks are written in the C programming language.

Does anybody have these manuals/training books which they would like to exchange/sell for something related. Feel free to email me at