Thanks for the quick response. I am pathed correctly but I wonder if I would have imported my ops from X2 would it have not included FBM as it really didn't exist in X2 in that form? I am not sure what I did with importing the ops..I know slightly more now than I did when I loaded X3 but still only enough to waste too much of my time! The toolpath still worked...although not at all the way I thought..but I then saved it to the ops and now I don't get the message. I don't see myself using this feature much anyway..but it's nice to have the option. Thanks again!

So...I just tried FBM drill and that has brought me here. When I click on FBM drill I get a lovely window that reads ""FBMDRILL" not found in operation defaults file" then shows the path it is looking to....I'm running X3MU1. The path appears correct. I just started using X3 from X2MR2. Did I fudge up something in the importing of my files?? Any ideas??

I do a part very similar to this also. I use a face groove tool and my pocket is 1.65 deep and my small diameter is 1.27 my large is 2" I agree with the above post and you can clear the stock out in depth cuts.

Check carefully that your tool is defined exactly as you are using it. Then make sure you define your stock acurately. Your stock definitiion greatly affects the way your tool will rapid in and out of the part. You probably know all this but it is something I overlooked when I started using lathe and I scratched my head quite a bit until I figured it out. Bare

As far as I know, there is no way to make it work with V9. I have had the weirdest things happen by leaving that thing hooked up with V9. I never need it in 9 anyway because my left hand is keying away being much more productive than in X. My opinion anyway. BUT X(2) does have some sexy features just really miss those hot keys.

The button is actually labeled "split model". Off keeps only the side you specify. On keeps both sides of the surface but splits them.

I don't know how relevant this is, but to avoid nested boundry problems I make an inside and an outside boundry then make a line intersecting both then offset copy that line by .001", break and trim outside and inside to those lines to make 1 continous boundry. It works every time but I don't use it real often. Barry

Thanks guys.

I did a search and didn't find anything more recent than 2005 which basically stated that AMD runs hotter. I would like to know how AMD processors fair in todays market with mastercam and possiby solidworks if anyone has thoughts on that. Thank you, Barry

I think I had that problem too. I never knew why, but in my case I left the radius at 0 because in my situation it doesn't matter. I never cut to size where the corner would be tangent to anything.

was that 5 or 55 people. I'll bite large here!

I would like to know the answer also. It seems to me to be quite alot of lead. I may have time this week to research this.

Thank you!

I want to load X3 demo disc on a spare computer that I also have X2 on. I want my new apprentice to be able to mess with X3 without having to use my key. Will loading the demo disc mess with my x2 install in any way? Bare

I am not using X3 yet, but do you have "ignore duplicates" off in the import and "tool numbers sequentially" off in tool settings? Just a thought. Bare

I feel that James is right there with his comments I dont have much personal experience with most of them but the only two i would consider for cam other than mastercam are WorkNC and Powermill. Easily the only two comparible with MasterCam. Barry James you pulled a couple out of the weeds there. Almost forgot they once were alive!

Sorry I took so long to get back, i didnt have a chance to try it till today. Micheal, that didnt work for me. But Luc your solution did the trick..I thought about trying that before, but i guess i thought maybe it could be worded differnt to get same affect. I also wasnt sure if it was tied to staging in a way that it would screw that up. But in the end it works great. Once again thanks for the responses!! Barry

James...im only 1099 posts away from you...look out!!!

Hey Bill, I just got going on solids a few months ago. I started out going through the book and then drew some stuff around the office then a couple of small jobs. I just completed a pretty complex valve, I would rate myself as above average at best as a mastercam user in general. I dont think you need the classes, as the others have said. I turned here for help and got it! We are here for ya man!! I took james advice and did well, and found that you cant always complete a job in solids, surfaces are still our freinds..jump in and go for it. My guess is you will find it easier than you thought. Barry

I'm here....just watchin everything...taking it all in..Dad always told me, "if you aint got nothin intelligent to say...shut up!" so up im shut just learning. Thank all of you for the huge response...do i get a member status bump up for creating a lengthy discussion? This is a great BB Barry

I am pretty green at altering posts. I have done pretty well though so far. The problem I am having, and I dont run in to this often, but I have found that if I have a program with only one tool in it, the post does not include an M6 at the beginning. If there is more than one tool it is fine. This becomes a huge problem if I need to trim something that i overlooked. My operator does not always read my mind in those situations...the nerve!!! Barry

I'm wondering if there are any thoughts, comments, or experiences with XP. I am a big fan of Win2000, i guess XP is alot like it structurally. I can't see a reason to change from 2000 except to get the latest pizaz....which I really dont need. Or do I, are there any changes that might affect stability or performance..for real. Thanks for any input! Barry

I'd like to think I'm a veteran user of MasterCam, I've been using it since dos (v3.4 i think?). I've seen MC's response to our problems, Ive seen them step up to the plate against the pioneers of solids. I've been very happy along the way. Now that I have gone out on my own, I bought MasterCam...could have bought surfcam...tried it for free, didnt like it! I have found that when you dont have a good product, you have to give it away! Just my 2 cents! Barry

how about specifying a max z depth?

thanks to everyone for your help. Most of the things mentioned I have tried in one form or another. There seems to be far less "escape routes" with solids than with surfaces. I guess that was touched on by a few of you guys. This is not a surrender mind you. I will continue to fight! Thanks again to everyone. I think you will see more of me on here in the future...I mean see me on here more..that sounds alittle better. Barry Hansen Brillion Pattern & Machine CAD/CAM peace, harmony and high speed machining to you all!