There's an old tech tip...http://www.emastercam.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=000019 Not sure if it still works but worth a try.

It seems like I'm downloading XP patches almost daily and my computer is getting slower and slower. Plus my applications often end up "NOT RESPONDING" : . Also when I right click on a post to open it the computer just sits there for a couple of minutes going duh... Is it just me or has any body else seen problems like this. I feel like rolling XP back to its initial configuration.

Allan, Your Welcome and "Thanks" for the giggle!!!

One thing you can do now that you've generated an nci file from your apt source is to backplot it and save it as geometry. Don't know if that will help or not as its just the centerline of the tool but I used to use nci2apt and apt2nci and backplot onto my surface models.

In version 8 look for the c-hook eps.dll

If your talking about Adobe Illustrator files then you were on the right track with Rast2Vec. Go Files,Convert, Next Menu, then under rast2vec is eps. Pick EPS and it will convert *.ai files

Running Mill Level 3 Verzion 8.1? Upgrade to Version 8.1.1 I believe I also remember a problem with 3 axis contours at one time and there being a patch for that. Check the Patches section of this website!!!

RLEZ I tried e-mailing you concerning your post issues and got an "undeliverable" reply. If you would like to contact Mastercam's Educational office I would be more than happy to help you.

RLEZ

Look for rot_ccw_pos : 1 #Axis signed dir, 0 = CW positive, 1 = CCW positive in you post and switch it

They could always contact Mastercam's Educational office for said post. I've got it!

Slick, Isn't that the g-code for inverse time feedrates. I only have the user manual and it doesn't have a list of standard g-codes just macro g&m codes. If it is for inverse times you won't need it in your code for 3 axis toolpaths. P.S. Do you still want my os/2 operating system software?

One thing that might help is to 'Analyze chain' then you can find where the break in the pocket chain is. [ 03-24-2003, 09:12 PM: Message edited by: Will Slota, CNC Sortware, Education ]

I have seen a router that needed a post like this. Z zero is set at the top of the stock and to move down into the material was a z+ move. What machine is this?

Often times when you change settings in the mastercam configuration this messes up quickparts ability to function properly as it was designed to work "straight out of the box". A classic example of this is setting up your contours with wear and left comp and leadin/out and saving it in the config will make the engraving be incorrect. If you want a special configuration while using mill v8.1.1 thenyou need to save it as something other than mill8.cfg and then load it when you start Mill8. When you run QP3DV8 you need the mill8.cfg to be set to the standard default installation settings.

I had one of the first Haas vf-0's off the factory floor YEARS ago. I have always used G54 for measuring tool offsets and then all work offsets (g55,g56...)refer to g54 values. I have a file thats called zero.doc that explains tool offset and work offset ty ins. I have NEVER crashed on a HAAS using this set of rules. If more than five people want this file I'll place it on the FTP site.

The very first NC program I ever wrote was in Smartcam. My boss said I was going to learn how to program. He sat me down at a computer and said here's Smartcam. No instruction just the manuals. 5 days later I'm getting my first article off the mill. I thought I was going to lose my job!!! Then he sits me down at his computer and says here's Mastercam. By the end of the day I made my first part. Boss asks me which I like better nad of course I said "Mastercam all the way!! Please don't make me use that Smartcam stuff!!! Now I know this is a Question about old Surfcam users but this was 14 years ago and I 've never left Mastercam since. I've even turned down jobs because I didn't want to switch!!! I also don't think I'm blindly biased as I have demoed other software packages and never found any to really compare to Mastercam. There is a real simple reason why Mastercam keeps beating out all the other cam packages according to CIMDATA. EXTREMELY powerful package thats easy to use. Just my hunble two cents.. [ 03-06-2003, 07:41 PM: Message edited by: 5ax ]

I was able to get this setup for v8.1.1 but not for v9.0sp1 I did everything the same and even set the properties compatibility for both icons to run as win2000 (I'm running xp pro). Any suggestions.

If your doing 5 axis toolpaths and don't own a stand alone toolpath verification package then the 5 axis verification add-on is A MUST HAVE!!! Even if I had a Stand alone App. like Vericut I'd get the Verification add-on. I've been using it for a while now and yes it enables the true solids part so I can rotate my veiw while verifying. I'm not sure but it also seems like it reads my stl models better as well?!?

If you are a student the school you attend should have a post for any machine that they have. If not you should contact Mastercam's Educational Division or the educational reseller for your area. www.mastercamedu.com

It's not to late

Who's Playing?????

"Incorrect H"?? Sounds to me like the "T" and "H" codes need to be of the same value i.e. tool 7 has height offset 7..T7&H7. Some older machine controls would have seperate offsets for H and D offsets which is why you still have the ability to set them to different values in the tool definition. For example the first 30 offsets are used for the "H" offsets and the next 30 are used for the "D" values such that T5 corresponds with H5 and D35. This can all be setup using the job set up. Set your tool offset registers to length 0 Diameter 0 and make sure "ADD" is checked. I'd think that if your numeric code calls out "T5" and then "H19" your going to get an error like this. Now I may be off base here because everyone elses replies refer to file length stuff but I just thought I'd put that out there to consider. [ 01-24-2003, 05:54 PM: Message edited by: 5ax ]

When I launch Mill9sp1 my geometry area goes white. When I hit "f3" the graphics background goes back to black. Is this a video card driver update issue?

If you contact Frank Gregorio @ Technical Education Solutions He should be able to tell you which community colleges in Massachusetts teaches Mastercam. His number is 1(800)362-4394. Good Luck!!