No, just surfaces which have been translated thru 2 or 3 different softwares. I am not concerned with trimming the surfaces, this can be done in MC if needed. It's creating a curve or edge in the correct location along the surface that I need to be able to do. Yes I do have some MoldPlus.

I have mentioned before that there is certian modeling that I have to do in more advanced CAD softwares. Well I thought I would give everyone here a chance to figure out a way to do this modeling in MCX. This modeling is for a check fixture, so it has to be accurate. The problem: I have 3D surfaces, tool surfaces, part and runoff. The check fixture needs tolerance bands along the trim edge of the part. For this part they are +- 3MM from the trim edge. They need to be along the surface from the trim edge. Currently the only way to do this accuratly is to creat a tube along the trim edge, the tube radius being the 3MM tolerance, intersect this tube with the part and runoff surfaces. This cannot be done in MC. Anyone have any other ideas. Note: Curves projected to a plane, offset, then projected back to the surfaces will not work. I have uploaded a file to the FTP site. (TOLERANCE_BND-HLP_010407.MCX) This file has the tubes that I created in IDEAS software. Don't be concerned with the quality of the tubes, the intersection curves are smothed out latter. The trim curves are taken off the punches, they do not match the edges on the surfaces, not a problem, use the curves. This is nothing I need to know right away. Don't waste time you don't have on it. Spare time project. I look forward to hearing new ideas.

NO! Never, could not stand V9 interface.

That was good John, I needed the laugh.

I guse I should have read what Tony said a little more closely.

As for the first program I changed it to morph between 2 surfaces, and picked the rads and it worked fine. Pattern = Morph between 2 surfaces

The stepover is actually the same all the way thru on the second program. Within tenths anyway. I am getting about .045" first to last step.

See ya! Good luck.

Is it done yet! Is it done yet! Is it done yet!

New computer = pulling teeth from Trex I think my problem might be quality + quantity. The file I am working on now while not as big as the last is much slower. Original data from Catia, not sure if it was translated thru UG or Powershape. Powershape translations make very bad data. Powershape modeling s@#ks, this being only my opinion. We have 4 seats of Powershape/Powermill. They can do a good job on their own, but when they give me models to machine it's always a headach. Catia translator for MasterCam = taking a nap in Trex's mouth. Although I am pushing for it. Maybe in another year or two.

It slows down my menues when toolpathing. I like to keep them under 150 megs, to keep things moveing smoothly.

Roger Yes it works. It gives me what I want. But I guse my file that I tried is just to big. My file is over 25 megs before I make 1 toolpath. I have been splitting the file in half, size wise, and still end up with 2) 100 meg files. (I do certian toolpaths in 1 file then I do a, save as, and wipe all toolpaths, and finish my toolpaths in the other) If I don't do this my files are just too slow.

Wildcat99 Sorry didn't mean to sound like pr!@k. Everyone keeps saying you can do it this way, but it's all backwards. (pick the operation, view geometry) Roger I never thought of that. just tried it. Did you ever backplot 150 operations? I think I will have to stick with the way I am doing it for now. Thanks for the imput, to everyone.

Wildcat99 I don't think anyone understands what I want. 150 operations visable on the screen, you see one that dose not look right. How do you determine which operation, in the ops. manager is the one you want to change? Currently I have to turn off all toolpaths. Highlight 10 at a time and turn them on, until the one I am looking for turns on. Then I have to sort thru the 10 operations to find the one I want. There should be an easier way. If anyone knows please explain. So far I have not heard anything useful.

John ----------------------------------------------- Have you tried right click on the OP manager Display options. Operation comments, if you add comments they will show in the op manager. ----------------------------------------------- I am not following. I would like to be able to pick an operation on the screen and have the operation on the ops. manager highlight.

Yes, some way to identify an operation from the grafics screen. Would help a great deal when you have 150 + operations. (Toolpath labels) or (Select toolpath = highlight operation)

How about a way to activate the levels without closeing the level manager. So you can see if it's the right one before you close the manager.

Don't use work offsets. Hardwired into posts. All 3 axis posts are G54. All 5-axis posts are G55.

Don S. You can mirrow toolpaths.

Welcome

Never used it. Always use the stuff at the bottom. Work with mostly custom planes, and WCS's.

No

Right under your machine group, in your operations manager.

I have been told you must do a save some first. Save some the levels you wish to IGS, then open that file and save as IGS.