I tried to open a drawing (MC8 converted from a DXF) and I got the error "Warning - Drafting Entity Contains Forward Pointer - Associativity Removed". Does anyone know what this means? Thanks -Al

How do I set the default color in the graphical setup sheet? The default color is #7 and we would like to change it to #15. Thanks in advance. Craig

I was considering using the registry but since we have multiple users who can use ten different machines each time a user stepped up to a machine he's never used before the software would have to go through it's routine. Not that I am trying to take business away from your software but since it only took me about 2 hours to write it I don't feel the need to get paid for it. I also see many people here asking about a user level config file option and figured people might like to use it. Have you played with C# yet? I've been thinking about my next revision being in that. Just an idea. -al

Yup, but this one is open source under the GPL. I don't believe little software tools should cost money. *shrug* I.E. If it doesn't work you, you have the source code to fix it. -al

Ok, here's a link to the file. I hope that link works with FTP. [ 04-02-2002, 12:47 PM: Message edited by: Albion ]

Where can I put it? I'd rather not toss my FTP site out there for the public to see, I suppose I could throw it on our web site. Let me know if you have someplace to put it first otherwise I'll do that. -al

It's too bad most MasterCAM reps don't make this a point before they sell their product to the customer. We had the same problem with an Intel 820 (I think) video card. As soon as we went to Nvidia cards we had no more problems. It's not only their fault though. If people wouldn't be so cheap when purchasing computers they wouldn't have all the problems. Spend the extra $700 on the true OpenGL card or at least $300 on the Nvidia card and you'll be fine. When it comes to computers you get what you pay for. -al

I've written a little VB program which copies a users personal MasterCAM config file from their private drive to the MasterCAM directory then moves it back when that user exits out of MasterCAM. The program is VERY beta. I would suggest that you know a bit about VB so you can make changes to fit your company's needs. It does work great for our needs. If anyone is interested let me know, I'll post the source and Windows 2000 binaries somewhere. -al

My guys are using WordStar right now to do all their text editing because they can assign ctrl and alt macros; like CTRL-A = "O1 (***Whatever***)" Is there a way to set a bunch of these in Mastercam's text editor? I did see something about key mappings but that only allows you to choose from predefined functions. Thanks -al

Does anyone know if there is a list of all the mill8.exe command line options? I know about /1, /3, and /S, are there any others? -al

I've thought of the login script thing, the only problem is that if they make a change it doesn't automatically copy it back. Maybe this is something mastercam can work on in their next version. A default config file property. Craig

We are having problems with different users changing options in the config files on our mastercam stations. The problem is that a user will make a change on one machine but when he goes to another machine the change isn't there. So he makes the change on the other machine also. Then a new user comes in and not realizing the change has been made post out an improper post. I would like to move the default location of mill8.cfg to each users personal driver letter on the network. That way no matter where they log in it reads their personal config file. Is it possible to do this? Thanks Craig

Yeah, and it's taking forever. We have a hot job in which we could use it. I was hoping that someone might have one that might work. -al

Does anyone have a post that works with a Bridgeport DX/32 control with the 4th C-axis? I saw that Master 4-axis post on this site but I didn't see what controls it worked with. So I'm not sure it will work. -al

I figured this would be a good place to ask this question because of the quantity of shop environment people here. We would like to add a central printer for our mastercam workstation on our shop floor. We want a color printer for reason that would take to much time to type so a laser is out of the question. I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestons on a heavy duty/high quantity inkjet printer that will stand up in a shop environment. Thanks -al

quote: Not if you do it in file security. With Windows 2K (and NT) you can define which users have access to specific functions (read, delete, change) for any given file. Right click on the .cfg file and go to File-Properties-Security and change the settings. This only works if your win2k stations are NTFS. For security purposes all my Win2k machines are FAT32. Why, because we have software that requires all users to be Power Users. Power Users can change permissions on some software when NTFS is installed. This can be a problem at times. I have tried mapping a driver letter, no luck, it errors out. Seems that mastercam wants that config file to be in the root directory of the software. I'll figure something out I guess. For those of you who like to reminisce http://www.blinkenlights.com/pc.shtml . I had my first computer in 1978, those were the days. -al

quote: Make the file a "read-only" file and they won't be able to change it. Go to explorer right click on file _open properties and apply. You may have known this, but I don't know what you know. You know??? But, any user can change the read only setting. -al

quote: I find most crashes (especially BSOD's) are not from software or hardware, but drivers. And what essentially are drivers? You guessed it, software. I do agree with you, drivers can be a big problem. Especially like I said before, when a manufacturer makes a driver for a hardware device that isn't in the HCL. You may think, "Their driver has to work, it says 'For windows ME'." Well, unless it's certified with Microsoft and the driver is found on the OS CD or on www.microsoft.com it might not. Just like other software on a computer, you may think that by uninstalling a driver you are getting rid of the entire driver, but in a lot of cases that's not true, something seems to always be left behind. I tend to like to leave drivers alone from the stock install; it saves from quite a few problems in the future. This is why I always cringe when someone says, "Have you tried the latest driver." This is why Norton Ghost is your friend. -al

We have 10 machines (mostly Win2k) with MasterCAM installed. All machines are connected to our NT 4 server. All users, because of security, must log on with their own user name and password. The problem we have is that each individual machine has it's own post and config file. We would like to make one location on the network for a locked config file and post so users can't make changes on one machine that would cause problems in the future. I have tried putting the config file on the network and changing the path to it in Configure but I get an error. If I put the file on say, F:millfoo.cfg and change the path to that, when changing to that config file in configure I get the error, "File not found "C:mcam8foo.cfg". I have also tried making a shortcut to a config file on the network and that didn't work either. Is it possible to put the configuration file on the network and if not how can I lock C:mcam8mill8.cfg on a FAT/FAT32 file system? Thanks for all the help. -cm

Ways to solve system crashes. Rule #1: The more complex a system the more the probability of failure. In other words, the more software you install the better chance there is of a crash. And, don't think just because you "uninstalled" the software that remnants of it aren't still there. Rule #2: See rule #1 On my network I lock down machines. I don't allow users to install anything beyond what I put on them. I also lock out screen savers, background images, color changes, etc.. It may be hard to believe but changing a screensaver, background, font can remove needed resources from the system and required software. This also stops your users from installing illegal software and shareware. Shareware is usually the worst culprit of crashes. You install it, don't like it, think you uninstall it and all of a sudden you're running a ghost to rebuild the system. Windows 2000 and Windows NT are both VERY stable operating systems. The problem comes when you start trying to run things not designed for those operating systems, find out it doesn't work, then fail to uninstall them properly. After 10 or 20 different installs the registry can get bunched up or the actual DOS can get messed. So if you want to keep a stable OS, build the machine, install only the software that is required and lock the machine down. Another problem is the complexity of hardware. As I am finding with my Verify problem; when you start mixing hardware you need to refer to rule #1. This is why I always tell people to only buy machines that have a proven track record. HP, Dell, Compaq, IBM spend millions of dollars on each model to make sure every hardware component works 99% with the rest. When you go to grandpa Joe's computers on the corner of 3rd and Main they may say the test/burn in the machines, but 2 hours of letting a machine run doesn't show that it's going to work properly under high stress. You need to make sure you get well tested hardware including; motherboards, IO cards, video cards, memory, processors, hard drives, CDroms, etc... If anyone of those devices is crappy or cheap it can throw the whole machine out of whack. All in all what I am trying to say is that 99 times out of 100 it isn't the operating systems which cause crashes but a combination of hardware and software solutions run on that Operating system. BTW, how many of you actually check the NT or 2000 HCL before you add a piece of hardware to your machine? How many of you actually know what the HCL is much less why it exists? The HCL (Hardware Compatiability List) is a list of hardware which Microsoft certifies will work with it's OS. If your hardware is not in that list, then maybe it's the hardware that's causing the problems. And, don't think just because the Hardware Manufacturer makes a driver for the OS, that Microsoft will certify that it works 100% with their OS. Good luck. -cm [This message has been edited by Albion (edited 06-20-2001).] [This message has been edited by Albion (edited 06-20-2001).]

quote: When the patch fails, does it ever mention which file cannot be found? The patch is being run from Mastercam's root dir, right? It never mentions the file and yes I ran it from both the root dir and C: both time with the same error. My solution to the problem was to get the Full 8.1.1 CD from our vendor. This asked if I wanted to upgrade when it detected the older version. Everything is fine now. Thanks alot for the help. -cm [This message has been edited by Albion (edited 06-20-2001).]

System: Mastercam Mill v8.1 Windows 2000 sp1 PIII 933's with 128meg of RAM Enough disk space. HP Vectra VL400 with Intel 815 onboard video card (Soon to change I hope.) I reciently downloaded the 8.1.1 patch and tried to install it. When it gets to about 40% it dies with a "File not found" error. Has anyone seen this problem? Is there a fix? Second question, has anyone seen any problems with Mastercam 8.1 or 8.1.1 and Windows 2000 SP2? Thanks. -cm

I understand what most people are saying about video cards. We should have purchased the higher end Kayak machines from HP. But at the time the purchase of the Software and 6 machines to go with it sort of cut into our budget. At the time I guess I figured , "It has an extra AGP slot, if the built in card doesn't work we can always populate it with another card." I am going to check out the Nvidia cards for right now. We run ELSA Gloria, Gloria II and Synergy II cards on some of our higher end CAM (UG/ProE) workstations and they work great but at this time I don't have the cash flow to spend $800 to $1200 each on 6 video cards. I appreciate all the quick responces to this problem and hope to continue to use this forum for advice in the future. Thanks Again. Craig Manske

I apologise for the duplicate topic, the responces to my first post were answered quite well. I thank everyone for their timely responces. Craig [This message has been edited by Albion (edited 06-18-2001).]

quote: In fact there was one on 6-11-01 by Yannick?? Isn't the intel card integrated? If it is I would think that is your culprit. Yeah the card is integrated. but why would that be a problem? Is there some hard coding in the integrated card which the non-integrated version doesn't have? Luckly the VL400 has an extra AGP slot for non-integrated cards along with it's integrated Intel 815 video card. Thanks.