WhatsnewX2

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Whats New in Mastercam X2Significant new functionality has been added through Maintenance releases since the initial release of Mastercam Xuly 2005. Maintenance customers gained access to two complete products (Wire in MR1 and Art in MR2), depend

on their licenses. The AutoCursor and General Selection interaction continued to evolve to be much easier to use anmore intuitive as we responded to input from Mastercam X customers. We introduced and then added to an entirelynew suite of high speed toolpaths (HST). Advanced Multiaxis toolpaths greatly expanded Mastercams capabilities hat application. We made it simpler to manage and move machine and control definitions by implementing Setdirsunctionality as the new Project Manager. We continued to deliver videos to help our customers understand how the

new features could help them in their businesses.

This Whats New document briefly describes the features added or changed in each of the Maintenance releases sinhe initial Mastercam X release. All of these features have been incorporated in Mastercam X2, along with importan

new features such as additional high speed, multisurface, and multiaxis toolpaths; new file open dialogs; new changecognition and tracking functions; Art enhancements; totally redesigned Automatic Toolpathing (ATP); and much

more.Note: Bug fixes are listed only for the Mastercam X2 release.

Mastercam X2

.NET Upgrade Hardware Requirements Adobe Flash Player or Viewer Required Adobe Reader Required Monitor Resolution and Screen Area Installing Mastercam X2 Converting Files to Mastercam X2 New File Open, Open-External, and Save

As Dialogs More Microsoft Windows Standard Mastercam-Specific Functionality Related Configuration Options

Change Recognition and File Tracking Tracking File Changes Change Recognition Change Recognition example

Support for XP-style Themes Support for CAD Applications FastPoint Mode Machine and Control Definition Managers

Xform Stretch Offset Contour

Break 2 Pieces Verify Stock Setup 2D Mill/ Router

Lead in/Lead out Support for Tab CutoffOperations

2D Offset and Keep Tool DownImprovements

New Engrave Tool Type Router

New Tool Types Totally Redesigned ATP Rotating Block Drill Operations in

Toolpath Nesting 3D Mill

High Speed Toolpaths (HST) Multisurface Toolpaths


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Configuration Ribbon Bar Modality

Mouse Focus for Vertical Dialog Boxes General Selection

Left/Right Click Support for SelectionMethods

Double-Click to End Selection

All and Only Availability Quick Masks

AutoCursor Relative Along Solids

Modeless Chain Manager

Multiaxis Toolpaths New Advanced Multiaxis Tutorial Check holder C-Hook

Wire Change at Point Point Selection

Art Celtic Weave/Knot

Pattern on Contour Randomized Textures Custom Textures Art Presets Art Toolpaths

CATIA Translators Zip2Go File Extract

New bug Fixes in X2 Design Mill Lathe Router Wire Art

NET Upgrade

Prior to running Mastercam X2, you must upgrade your version of the .NET framework to 2.0. The Mastercam X2nstallation program checks for the presence of the .NET 2.0 framework and lets you install it if it is not present.

Mastercam Resellers can also download the required installation files from www.mastercamextranet.com.

Hardware Requirements

Dual Monitors are supported in that you can move any dialog box to any screen you want and they wcontinue to appear there.

Multiprocessors are supported in that if your O/S supports it, you can run a copy of Mastercam on eaone. We do not support multi-threading.

Monitor Resolution and Screen Area

Optimum resolution for Mastercam X2 is 96 dpi (Normal). Using the large font Windows 2000 display setting (lahan 96 dpi) can cause some Mastercam X2 dialogs and icons to display incorrectly. If you are using Windows XP, hould be able to set the fonts independently of the dpi. At 1280 x 1024 pixels with higher dpi, the ribbon bars migh

not fit. Do not use a screen resolution (area) 800 x 600 pixels.

Adobe Flash Player or other Flash viewer required

You must install a Flash player to view the new videos that accompany X2. The videos can be installed from theecond System CD. To download the Adobe Flash Player, go to the Adobe Web site at

http://www.adobe.com/products/flashplayer/
http://www.mastercamextranet.com/http://www.adobe.com/products/flashplayer/http://www.adobe.com/products/flashplayer/http://www.adobe.com/products/flashplayer/http://www.mastercamextranet.com/


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Adobe Reader required

You must install the Adobe Reader (version 4.0 or higher) to view the PDF format documentation that accompaniesMastercam X. To download the Reader, go to the Adobe Web site, www.adobe.com, and choose the Get AdobeReader button on the left side of the page.

nstalling Mastercam X2

CNC Software recommends that you install Mastercam X2 in the /mcamx directory, replacing your current MastercX installation. However, Mastercam X2 can be installed in a separate folder (McamX2) and can coexist with a previMastercam X version on a single computer.

f you are upgrading from Mastercam X MR2 and you choose to do this, the installation program will give you theopportunity to preserve settings you have customized by running a migration utility that copies customizable files (fxample, configuration files, machine and control definitions, post processors, etc.) to the new installation folder. It

does not copy part files. This applies only to upgrading from Mastercam X MR2. If you are upgrading from a previelease of Mastercam X or earlier Mastercam releases, this utility will not be available. You must copy and convert

our files as described in theMastercam X2 Transition Guide, which is installed in your /Documentation folder.

The Mastercam X2 migration utility copies all user-created customizable files as well as CNC Software-provided fihat have changed(that is, files that have a modify date different from the creation date). It also backs up newlynstalled customizable files. To do this, the utility creates afilename.bak in the same folder before replacing thenstalled file with the customized file of the same name. This assures that you will have access to both customized fnd the newly installed versions. See theMastercam X2 Transition Guide for complete information on the Masterca

X2 migration utility.

Converting Files to Mastercam X2

Refer to theMastercam X2 Transition Guide for information and procedures about converting files to Mastercam X

New File Open, Open-External, and Save As Dialogs

The new File dialogs provide both more Windows-standard features and Mastercam-specific features.
http://www.adobe.com/http://www.adobe.com/


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Note: To use these new style dialogs, the following Registry Key setting must be set. (This setting is the defaultMastercam X2setting.)

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\CNC Software, Inc.\Mastercam X2\File Get\StateStyle = 1

Microsoft Windows-Standard Features

The dialogs are resizable.

The File name drop-down list displays recently accessed files. It also provides auto-complete options while typing

The new dialogs support standard Windows drag and drop in and out of the dialog file list.

Mastercam-Specific Features

The Recent Folders drop-down list displays recently accessed folders.

The Options button performs the same function as in previous versions.

When you save a file as an MCX file, you can output the MCX (geometry only) in either X2 format (2) or pre-X2ormat (1).


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Note: All toolpath data is stripped from the file when saving files to older Mastercam versions.

The Preview and Descriptor panes provide additional functionality. The Descriptor identifies the Mastercam versionhat originated the file (10 = Mastercam X, 11=Mastercam X2), as well as provides additional information. Check

boxes allow you to suppress display of this information to speed display.

Related Configuration OptionsYou can set default behavior for the new File dialogs in System Configuration Files properties page:

Include bitmap in file when saving Prompt for file descriptor when saving


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Change Recognition and File Tracking

Mastercam X2 adds new functions for tracking and comparing changes in files. The new functionsChangeRecognition and Trackingare accessible from the File menu, as shown in the following picture. Note the Trackingubmenu, which includes the commands Check Current File, Check All Tracked Files, and Tracking Options.

Tracking File Changes

Mastercam X2 can track the changes to files and notify you if a new version of your current file is available. You caook for changes in a single file, or you can create a list of files to track.


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Tracking, Check Current File tells Mastercam to search for a newer version of the currently loaded file. When yoelect this function, the File Tracking Options dialog box displays, where you set the search options:

Search subfolders tells Mastercam to search the current folder and any folders inside the current folder.

File name must be exact match tells Mastercam to search only for files that have the same file name (not including

he file extension). If this option is off, Mastercam searches for any files that begin with the same file name. Forxample, if the currently tracked file is named Part.mcx, Mastercam finds files with names like Part_new.mcx andPart_revised.sld.

File extension must be exact match tells Mastercam to search only for files with the same file extension.

Don't ask again prevents the File Tracking Options dialog box from appearing again during the current session.

f Mastercam finds no newer files, it reports with this message:

f Mastercam does find a newer file, you get a message like this:

f you click Yes, Mastercam launches the Change Recognition function for the two files. (See the Change Recognitiection later in this document.)

Tracking multiple files


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The File, Tracking, Tracking Options command leads to the File Tracking dialog box, where you can create a list ofiles to track, as well as set various tracking options. When you have a tracking list set up, you can check every file he list via the File, Tracking, Check All Tracked Files command.

Use this dialog box to manage the files that Mastercam tracks, as well as to customize how Mastercam searches fornewer versions of tracked files.

Tracking turns on the tracking function. When this option is off, Mastercam ignores all tracking options.

Check now checks for new versions of the files displayed in the file list.

Search subfolders tells Mastercam to search the current folder and any folders inside the current folder.

File name must be exact match tells Mastercam to search only for files that have the same file name (not includinghe file extension). If this option is off, Mastercam searches for any files that begin with the same file name. Forxample, if the currently tracked file is named Part.mcx, Mastercam finds files with names like Part_new.mcx and

Part_revised.sld.

File extension must be exact match tells Mastercam to search only for files with the same file extension.

Automatic tracking tells Mastercam to add automatically files to the tracking list when the files are opened.

Check current file at File-Open tells Mastercam to check for a newer version of the current file as soon as the file opened.

Check all files at Startup tells Mastercam to check for new versions of any files in the list when Mastercam starts.

Check all files at File-New tells Mastercam to check files when you choose File, New.


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Change Recognition

The new Change Recognition function examines two files and reports on their differences in various ways. You cano this function through the Tracking function (when Mastercam finds a newer file) or by selecting File, Change

Recognition. In either case, Mastercam compares the currently loaded file (called the original file) with another filecalled the incoming file), and displays the Change Recognition dialog box. From this dialog box, you can view anddit geometry. You can view geometry in these ways:

The features of the original file The features of the incoming file Features the two files have in common Features unique to the original file Features unique to the incoming file Both files combined Toolpath geometry

Use this dialog box to view and manipulate changes between the currently open file and a specified incoming file.

The operation drop-down menu contains a list of operations for the part. Select the operation to analyze or update.

The icon to the left of the drop-down menu shows the status of the current operation. The status can be affected, dirtor clean.

The text box below the operation drop-down menu displays the tool used in the operation.

The slider control provides an alternative way to select operations. The colors in the slider's channel reflect the statuach operation.

The First, Previous, Next, and Last buttons manipulate the slider's location.

The Draw selected operation option displays the toolpath for the current operation.

The Ignore up-to-date operations option filters out operations that are unaffected by changes in the incoming file.That is, only affected operations will be available for selection.

The Geometry display drop-down list controls the geometry that appears in Mastercam's graphics window.

The Edit geometry button opens the appropriate dialog box for modifying the geometry associated with the selecteoperation.

The Regenerate button regenerates the toolpaths for the selected operation.

The View summary report button displays an operation-by-operation text summary of geometric entities in theoriginal and incoming files.


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The Select geometry to move from Original to Incoming button lets you select geometry to keep in the file.

The Select toolpath display colors button displays the Change Recognition colors dialog box. Use this dialog box thoose colors for the selected operation, as well as for the original and incoming geometry.

Change Recognition example

n this example, the original part is a rectangle containing a circle. A contour toolpath is associated with the rectangnd a pocketing toolpath is associated with the circle:

The incoming part is the same, except it adds four points with a drill toolpath:

Setting Change Recognition to use the contour toolpath operation and to display features unique to the original yieldhe following part display. No geometry displays because the original part contains nothing that is not in the incomiile:


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Setting Change Recognition to display features unique to the incoming file yields the following. The point entities aonly in to the incoming file:

Setting Change Recognition to display geometry common to both files yields the following. The rectangle and circleppear in both files:

Setting Change Recognition to display geometry associated with the toolpath (still set to the contour operation) yielhe following:

Keeping Change Recognition set to display geometry associated with the toolpath, but switching to the pocketingoolpath, gives the following:


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Support for XP-style Themes

We are in the process of standardizing and converting all user interface elements to support Windows XP themes. Twill work ONLY on Windows XP because Windows 2000 does not support these themes. If you enable Themes, yomay notice several changes in the overall look of the Mastercam interface, including the background, colors, buttondisplay, windows, mouse pointers, and sounds.

Support for CAD Applications

We now support: Solid Edge V19 AutoCAD 2007 SolidWorks 2007*

With the release of SolidWorks 2007, SolidWorks no longer supports Windows 2000. Mastercam uses a .DLLSWDocumentMgr.DLL) that SolidWorks provides to open their SLDPRT files. We will maintain two versions of tileone to be installed on Windows 2000 computers and one to be installed on Windows XP computers. The versi

we install on the Windows 2000 computers will be an older version that only supports up to SolidWorks 2006. Theversion we install on the Windows XP computers will support SolidWorks 2007.

FastPoint Mode

Unit conversions are now supported with the FastPoint mode dialog, so if you are working in inches, you can type in27mm as a value and it will be calculated to the correct length in inches. This is also supported in every dialog boxnput field.

Machine and Control Defini tion ManagersThese options have been moved from the Machine Type drop-down menu to the Settings drop-down menu.


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Configuration

The configuration dialog boxes have been updated and reorganized to accommodate new options and controls.

Colors You can control the background colors of the AutoCursor and General Selection ribbon bars. Tdefault setting is the same used for the Ribbon Bar background color.

Communications This now has its own page. The option to override the Control Definition settings anuse the Config settings is included.

Default Machines This page is where you specify what the default machine definition for each produc Dimensions and Notes This heading now contains all sub-pages associated with dimensioning and not

and can be minimized. Files AutoSave and Backup settings are now a separate page under Files. Screen

Grid settings have been moved off to their own sub-page. The number of entities for dynamic rotation has been changed so that if you enter 0 (zero), all

entities will be rotated. All of the MRU options have been organized into a group. The MRU toolbar is now controlled by the number. If you do not want it on the screen, enter 0

(zero) as the number of functions. A reverse mouse wheel option has been added to the Middle Button/Wheel Use group. This allow

you to make Mastercams Mouse Wheel Zoom direction match your preference. Levels options have been gathered into a single group. A new option has been added to have Mastercam only highlight faces of solids rather than the en

solid during selection and pre-selection. This option is on by default.

Enable Dialog Modality see Ribbon Bar Modality. You can now set the delay for the display of tool tips on the ribbon bars. This allows no delay to b

set to help make it easier to know what a button is without having to wait for a tool tip to appear. Start/Exit This page no longer has a default machine option. It has been replaced by a Startup

product. You can choose Design, Mill, Lathe, Wire, or Router. Then the Default Machine is used asdefined on the previous new page.

Toolpaths An option to Enable Change at Point during creation has been added. Verify More options are now available.


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Ribbon Bar Modality

This new option can significantly reduce the number of keystrokes in a Mastercam session. When the option is enabMastercam remembers the button states of each ribbon bar so the next time that function is called, the buttons will bhe same settings as the last time it was accessed. Think of how many times you have used Trim/Break to dividentities and have had to reset it each time you enter the function.

The option also remembers cases where you have hard-locked specific values in a ribbon bar and will restore the stalong with the values. How many times have you created a specific size circle and had to reset those values severalimes because you had to use other functions during the process?

f you prefer to have ribbon bars work like previous Mastercam X versions, you can turn the option off on the Screeproperties page in System Configuration.

Mouse Focus for Vertical Dialog Boxes

You no longer have to click in the graphics window after working inside a vertical dialog box to be able to use themouse wheel to change the zoom. The focus automatically tracks with the mouse for this capability.

General Selection

Several modifications to General Selection make use easier, faster, and more intuitive.

Left/Right Click Support for Selection Methods

You will notice that if you use the drop-down list to set a specific selection type, it will work using the same rules ashe AutoCursor. If you choose a selection type with the left mouse button, that type will be used for a single selectiond then revert back to the standard selection mode. If you right-click on an option, it will stay locked in that mode

until you reset it by selecting the standard selection button.

Double-Click to End Selection

This enhancement allows you to keep your hand on the mouse more often and reduce the number of times you havepress [Enter]. Start a function like Xform Translate without doing pre-selection, window the entities you want anddouble-click when you define the second window. Your selection is completed and the Xform dialog is displayed. Ouse a function like Join Entities where you can select multiple entities and have to press [Enter] to end the function.

Now you can just double-click on the last entity and the join is completed. If you forgot to double-click on the lastntity you selected, you can just double-click in an empty area of the screen and the system treats it like an endelection.

All and Only Availabi li ty

We have made the All and Only masking options available in more functions. You will notice this especially inunctions that prompt for single entities like the creation of curves on a surface edge. Now you can use masking toestrict the surface types.


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Quick Masks

This new set of functions is a real timesaver. Basically, they are shortcuts that allow you to select entities by type wiingle pick without having to open the All or Only dialog boxes.

The Quick Mask options are found in the General Selection category in Customize and Key mappingand can be added to toolbars, the right-click menu, or mapped to specific keys. A Quick Mask toolbar is loaded by default under the MRU toolbar. Click on Quick Mask Points and all of the points are immediately selected. You can continue to selec

entity types one at a time with the Quick Mask buttons. If you click on a button, select entities, and then click on the button again, all of the previously select

entities of that type are unselected. Left-click on one of the options and the entities are immediately selected as if you used the All option Right-click on one of the options and it sets an Only mask that will be used for future General Select The All and Only dialogs are still necessary because they allow you to create specific multiple attribu

masks like All, Green, Lines, longer than 1. There is a Quick Mask function for the following: Points, Lines, Arcs, Splines, Surfaces, Solids,

Drafting, All Wireframe, Surface Curves, Color, Level, Xform Group, and Xform Results.

AutoCursor Relative Along

This option is already part of the standard AutoCursor Relative functionality, but because it requires extra keystrokectivate it this way, it has been broken out as a standalone functionAutoCursor Along.

SolidsUndo and Redo of Solids Creation Any solid created through a solids creation method or using Xform can now be undone. Modifications to solids man the Solids Manager cannot be undone. Like toolpaths, you will still have to edit the solid operation directly.

Modeless Chain Manager

You can now manipulate the screen to get a better view of the geometry associated with the solids in question.


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f you press [Esc], then the new extended surface is created using the offset value specified in the combo box.However, if you click a second edge position, the function verifies that the two selections are on the same loop ofdges, and then creates the extension surface on the portion of the edge between the two selection points. If the surfareated is not the one desired, you can click the Flip button and obtain the complement surface. The surface entity ilive so the offset value may by modified, creating a new surface.

After the extension surface has been created, you may select another surface (or the same surface) and are promptedgain to select the edge to extend. Once you click the Apply icon, you are then prompted to select another surface.

Note: If the base surface being extended is not a NURBS, it will be converted to a NURBS prior to extending. The

esult of this operation is always a trimmed NURB surface or a trimmed offset of a NURBS (in case it was an offset

urface).

mportant Note: The actual distance that the edge is offset is not exactly the distance specified in the combo box. Th

xtension surface will be at least that wide, but most likely will be wider than the amount specified in some areas. It

not an exact constant offset. It is an approximation. Surfaces which are long and narrow will exhibit this behavior

more than those which have a lower aspect ratio.

Xform

Stretch

A new function called Stretch has been created to address usability issues with using the stretch option in Xform,Translate. The Stretch function works very similarly to Translate with the exception that it automatically assumes thuse ofIn+Intersect for General Selection.


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Offset Contour

We added the options for Infinite look ahead, Tolerance, and Max depth back into the dialog box.

Break 2 Pieces

This commonly used option in Trim/Break has been separated into its own function.

Verify

With the increasing use of STL models as stock for Verify, we have modified the part file to store the last STL file ats path. Now when MCX files that contain different stock models for verify are loaded, the wrong stock wont beoaded.

Stock Setup

Four new options have been added to the Stock Setup page in the Machine Definition. In many ways they are similo the Quick Masks.


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Options for All Surfaces, All Solids, All Entities, and Unselect All have been added to speed and simplify the proceof defining stock for 3D models.

2D Mil l/ Router

Lead in/Lead out Support for Tab Cutoff Operations

We will now apply the lead in and lead out specified in the parent operation for each individual tab cutoff. With thinew feature, we also retained the ability to adjust the lead in/lead out parameters in the tab cutoff to something otherhan what was specified in the original operation through the Separate operation option.


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2D Offset and Keep Tool Down Improvements

Extensive rework of the keep tool down algorithms provides marked improvement in several areas. We have alsomproved the Pocket multi-boundary calculations of our 2D offsetter.

New Engrave Tool Type

We have added a new engrave tool to make tool selection more intuitive. Previously, you would select a Chamfer mor V-Bit for engraving toolpaths.


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The brad-point bit can be added to a drill block. If a brad-point drill is identified in your block drill definition,dditional checks are performed to differentiate between blind and through holes. Brad-point bits are used in place otandard drills by our tool sorting algorithm where a blind hole matching the diameter of the brad-point tool is detecn order to make full use of this feature, it is necessary to define your stock model prior to creating the block drillingoolpath.

Totally Redesigned ATP

f you install the new Automatic Toolpathing (ATP), you will find two new toolbar icons available under the NETH

ategory.

The first button highlighted above will launch the new streamlined ATP dialog (shown below). Clicking on the firstbutton will bring up the Configuration dialog the first time you run ATP.


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Once you select a configuration, the main dialog displays with the active configuration set as shown below. The actionfiguration can be changed at any time simply by clicking on a new selection in the drop down list in the lowerection of the main ATP dialog.

Once a valid cutlist is selected, a grid displays showing all of the parts specified in the cutlist sorted by material.


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n addition to the improved layout of the nested grid, the new ATP supports setting a different cut direction for eachmaterial. Another major advancement is the new Strategy Explorer. The embedded buttons in the strategy grid allowyou to easily update an existing operation.


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Rotating Block Drill Operations in Toolpath Nesting

When parts containing block drilling operations are brought into Nesting and allowed to rotate to a new orientation he sheet, the software will spawn a single block drilling operation for the entire sheet so that the rotated operations

be regenerated. If a nest containing two sheets of material has block drilling operations on both sheets, the spawnedoperations will look like this in the Operation Manager. Note that the block drill operations will always be placedbefore the nesting result.


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Unlike the 2D Pocket trochoidal motion, the motion in this toolpath is automatically controlled by the software forrochoidal loop radius and spacing. When a condition is encountered, like a pinched location between features, therochoidal looping automatically gets smaller to fit in the tighter location.

Rest Material (added to all HST Toolpaths except Horizontal Area)Since the addition of the Rest Roughing toolpath to HST in X MR2, we have received several positive comments abhe functionality. Because of this, we have added the Rest Material page to all the finishing toolpaths (except

Horizontal Area). A check box located at the top of the Rest Material page enables the use of the Rest Material optiComputing the remaining stock can be derived from a roughing tool, another operation, all operations, or from an STile. This allows the rest material functionality to be calculated with many different toolpath strategies, not just Core

Roughing type motion.


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Warning Message (optional)A warning message that displayed in a surface toolpath when the stock to leave on check surfaces was identical to thtock to leave on drive surfaces has been enhanced to allow you to suppress the warning message in the future.


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Multiaxis Toolpaths

5 Axis SwarfThe 5 Axis Swarf toolpath has been enhanced to support compensation surfaces when using a tapered cutter.

Also, 4-axis Angle Limits have been added to the Swarf5ax Parameters page that allow you to control the 4 axis outCurrently, swarf 4-axis output is accomplished by moving the top of the tool at any given tool vector along the uppeail until the value of the selected fourth axis is equivalent to the value at the tip of the tool. This produces satisfactoesults in most cases, but when the two rails are off in the fourth axis, the top of the tool may have to run along the

upper rail a long way until it reaches the desired value. This can cause the tool to tilt way over relative to the previouvectors, causing unwanted tool motion and poor cutting results. The new 4-axis Angle Limits allow you to select animits to control those areas of the toolpath where you would like the system to comply with the fourth axis selection

nd provides you with feedback as to whether this new toolpath is satisfactory or not.

Max Angle from 5-axis limits how far the tool will lean from the original 5-axis position to find anacceptable 4-axis orientation.

Max Angle Difference controls how much of a difference in tool angle will be acceptable from oneposition to the next.A dialog is displayed to show the results of the additional controls. If any vectors deviate too much, you will be ableee them.


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Check Holder C-Hook

This C-Hook allows you to check an operation's tool holder for interference with the part. It calculates areas wherehere is interference between the holder and the part, and tells you the minimum tool length required to avoid it.

Mastercam gives you several options for configuring the test: Set the holder dimensions. ClickHolder to read the holder dimensions from the source operation, or

manually enter the holder dimensions. Choose an option for minimum tool length. You can either have Mastercam calculate the minimum

required tool length, or enter a minimum value yourself to test. The minimum value that you enter hewill be the lower bound for multiple tests.

Set the tolerance and resolution to balance calculation speed against test precision and accuracy. Entelarger values for a faster and coarser test.

Enter a Holder clearance to define a minimum distance the holder is to maintain from the part.New Advanced Multiaxis Tutorial

This new tutorial introduces the new advanced multiaxis toolpath strategies. Two detailed tutorial examples providetep-by-step introduction to key features and concepts. A series of application examples illustrate how to apply thetrategies to specific parts and machining situations and includes sample parts. The tutorial is published in PDF form

only and is installed in the Mastercam X2 \Documentation folder.

Wire

Change at Point Point Selection

Multi-point selection has been added and the interface interaction has been enhanced in Wire X2. The ability to stephrough multiple chains and/or select multiple points for applying Change at Point items is available at two times:

During wirepath creation. You can enable or disable this function using a Configuration option. Afteran operation has been created by clicking on the Geometry icon in the Toolpath Manager. This

opens the Chain Manager.nterface Interaction

During wirepath creation, when you exit the Wirepath Contour parameters, the Chain Manager dialog displays. Youan then use the standard Chain Manager dialog functionality to select which chain you wish to manipulate and then

use the Change at Point right-click menu item to select the specific point(s) desired on that chain.

After an operation has been created, the interaction is similar to the pre-X2 interaction, exceptfor the Multi-Select aReset Chain options on the revised right-click menu in the Chain Manager.


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f the Multi-Select option isnot selected, the interaction will be similar to the pre-X2 interaction. When you select point, the Change at Point dialog immediately displays. An entity selection prompt displays:

You have the option of aborting the Change at Point operation before the Change at Point dialog is displayed bypressing [Esc] before selecting a point on the chain orafterthe Change at Point dialog is displayed clicking the Canbutton on that dialog. Either way, you return to the Chain Manager dialog.

f the Multi-Select mode is selected and you select the Change at Point menu item, you can select as many points ohe currently active chain as you want. An entity selection prompt displays:

Press [Esc] to designate the end of point selection, and proceed onto the Change at Point dialog.

The Multi-Select mode option setting is stored in the Registry so that its state is recalled between sessions. Thedefault setting upon installation will be unselected.

Reset ChainThe Reset Chain option removes all the Change at Point data on the selected chain.

Configuration Option


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Pattern on Contour

This function allows you to select a pattern from the Art Surface Library and have it applied to a contour with equalpacing between patterns. It can also fit the elements to the end of the contour, or round up or down.

Options include: No rotation the top example shows elements without relative rotation. Relative rotation illustrated in the center graphic with each placement conforming to the curve. Pearling - scales the each consecutive element by a factor. You can scale to the center and back like

pearl necklace or scale from one end to the other. This is illustrated in the bottom graphic.

Randomized Textures

This function uses an ellipse as a base element and automatically arrays it to make many new and interesting textureThe ellipses can be stretched, overlapped, randomized, and offset to achieve these new textures. And once you get wyou like, you can save it to presets to use over and over. These textures can be applied inside and outside of a chain well as between nested chains.

Variables include XYZ control of the base ellipse element, spacing between elements, randomization of ellipse sizeXY, and a random seed generator.


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The first graphic looks like stones. This is the default and includes randomization of an ellipse on the X and Y axes.The second graphic is a regular pattern of square, which is caused by turning off randomization. The third graphichows a rough carving pattern, which was achieved by setting the application style to Sub.

The first graphic in this row looks like dots. It uses an ellipse with equal XY parameters, creating a dome with thepacing set so there is no overlap of the elements. The second graphic elongates an ellipse in the Y axis and extends

Y axis spacing. The third pattern is made through further manipulation of the variables.

Custom Textures

The Custom Textures function is different from Randomized Textures in that it allows you to select any base patternrom the Art Surface Library and have it automatically tiled to make unique textures. This is a very powerful andlexible function that includes many variables, allowing you to make unlimited new textures. And once you get wh

you like, you can save it to the Preset list so it can be recreated with one click. These textures can be applied inside aoutside of a chain as well as between nested chains. They may also be applied on top of each other and blendedogether.


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The first texture in the row (bubbles) was created from one base element of random domes, and then tiled. The secoexture was created by bringing in a geometry element from the Classic Design Library, puffing it up, and then copy

t to the Art Surface library. It was then selected as the base element, spacing was adjusted so there was a slightoverlap, and the elements were rotated 45 degrees. The last texture was created like the previous one, but a leaf waselected along with the Randomize parameter set to 1, which placed the base patterns in a random pattern. Entering

different Randomize value would lay down a different pattern of leaves.

The first texture in this row was created with the base element Fan from the Paste Surface Library and rotated 45degrees. The second texture is the same as the first except the XY spacing between elements was reduced, whichreated more overlap of the base element. The third texture was created using the previous parameters plus the XYpacing was reduced and the rotation changed. One base pattern was used and by simply adjusting the spacing, twodditional textures were created.

Art Presets

Presets can now be retrieved and shared. In most Art dialogs, you can save your dialog settings to Presets to be usedater. With the introduction of Randomized and Custom Textures, you may want to share Presets. Previously, Preset

were saved to the registry. Presets are now saved as files in C:\McamX2\Art\Presets\. Your Preset will automaticallytored in a subdirectory under the name of the dialog you created it in. If you created a preset in the Organic dialog,hen you will find it in the Organic subdirectory.

Art Toolpaths

The Cylinder Milling toolpath has been improved to add a True Spiral option. This option will cut a continuous sppath on a wrapped toolpath.


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Mastercam X MR2

The following links list the new functionality in the MR2 Maintenance release of Mastercam X.

AutoCursor FastPoint Mode Power Keys AutoCursor Locking Limitations

Zoom Previous Masking Undo/Redo MCX Backup Files Setdirs Functionality for X Display Level Descriptor Screen Endpoints Modify Spline STL Export 3 Surface Blend Improved Selection of Multiple Solids for 3D

Machining Improvements to the Solid to 2D Profile function 2D Offset Improvements System Configuration

Chaining Screen Backplot Wire Backplot

Toolpath Manager Display Options Only display selected toolpaths Only display associative geometry Both options together

User Defined Feeds and Speeds Verify

Scan toolpath file for stock STL Compare Reset Tolerance and Stock to

Leave Browse for External Communications NC File Naming Change

2D Mill Compensation in Control Compensation Activated Above the

Part

3D Mill High Speed Toolpaths Rest

Roughing Stock to Leave on Floors and Walls HST Scallop Inside to Outside Changes to Transitions Page Axis Combinations

4 and 5 Axis Mill CAD File for Compensation Surfaces Advanced Multiaxis Toolpaths

Router

Speed improvements in Nesting Nesting Reports Block Drill Drilling Depth Sorting and Tool

Selection Multi-head Validation

Wire Changes to Wire Parameters Lead in/out dialog Wirepath Editor

Mastercam X Art Art Toolbar Art Manager Help and Documentation New Dialogs and Functions Toolpaths Core Improvements New Platforms for Art


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AutoCursor

n an effort to improve efficiency, we have made some AutoCursor modifications that emulate more of what users wused to in previous versions of Mastercam.

FastPoint Mode

Some users have requested that FastPoint Mode be the default. This change will allow you to set it and use it exactlyhe way you want. Since both modes have their advantages, you must have easy access to both. One of the commonomplaints with releases before Mastercam X was that you had to press the space bar to put the system into FastPoi

mode.

AutoCursor now has two distinct modes for input XYZ mode and FastPoint mode. Rather than forcyou to manually switch from the XYZ mode with the spacebar or FastPoint button, you can now forcthe system into FastPoint mode as the default. The Default to FastPoint mode option in the AutoCursSettings dialog box controls this state.

Each mode will have a different effect on the interface in the AutoCursor and in ribbon bars that use keys 1, 2, or 3 to manipulate AutoCursor positions of some entities.

XYZ mode

This is how the standard X interface works. This includes the AutoCursor and ribbon bar actions. This is the activemode when the Default to FastPoint mode option is unselected.

FastPoint modeFastPoint mode will be activated any time you type X, Y, Z, D, or any number on the keyboard. When set as the defmode, the XYZ keys normally reserved to put focus in the X, Y, Z, or D fields of the AutoCursor ribbon bar or actihe 1, 2, 3 options on the ribbon bar will open the FastPoint mode, just like in Version 9.

While FastPoint mode is the default, you will still be able to use the mouse to access the X, Y, Z, or D fields of theAutoCursor ribbon bar and type anything in those fields without activating the FastPoint mode. While in FastPointmode, you will only be able to access the 1, 2, 3, buttons in the ribbon bar by using the mouse. These buttons are usn some functions to redefine the geometry by prompting to select a new position.


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Power Keys

This adjustment changes the way AutoCursor positions are accessed, making them available via single keystrokes. Ywill be able to turn this on or off. Basically, this option allows you to use E for endpoints, O for origin, C for Centernd so on, just like the override modes in prior versions of Mastercam, without forcing you to use an [Alt] or [Ctrl] ombination.

The AutoCursor Settings dialog box now has a switch to use this option. The AutoCursor dialog box and the drop-down list will show the hot keys with an underlined charact

Windows 2000 or XP will not show the underlined character in a dialog box unless you first hit the [Akey, or turn off your computers Hide underlined letters for keyboard navigation until I press the Alt option (can be accessed by going to the Windows Control Panel and selecting Display, Appearance tEffects button).

The hot keys will not be user-customizable, but they are translatable.

When the AutoCursor Power Keys are active, Mastercam X will interpret user input differently when the system isprompting for an AutoCursor position.

The keystroke will be first run through the AutoCursor power keys to see if it matches one of thosesettings.

If a power key match is found, the AutoCursor will then be in Override mode, just as if you clicked iwith the mouse.

If no match is found, the keystroke will be passed down to the ribbon bar to see if it activates any of tcontrols.

If no match is found in either place, the keystroke will be treated as it is now.There may be cases where ribbon bar controls will not work when Power Keys are enabled. In those cases, you willorced to use the mouse to access those options.

The options on the right side of the Settings dialog box will not have hot keys. Angular, Tangent, Perpendicular,Nearest, and Horizontal/Vertical are all new to X and are all relative positions, not discrete snap positions.

The Relative option, which is not in the Settings dialog box but is in the drop-down override list, will not have a hotkey even though it had one in Version 9.


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When in an override mode, the rubber band cursor does not appear on the screen or is removed from the screen. Thonsistent with Version 9 override behavior. To address this will require more design work for the AutoCursor in auture version.

AutoCursor Locking

Users have been requesting the ability to lock an AutoCursor mode without having to open the Settings dialog box.This change will allow you to choose between setting a single event override or setting a locked mode for multiple

vents without having to open the AutoCursor Settings dialog. This change will be subtle, utilizing the same right-cursor indication we are currently using for the Status Bar. As you bring the mouse to the override drop-down box,

will see a visual cue that there is an alternate option when the cursor changes.

When you activate the drop-down box to select an override, you will see the new cursor that indicates there is anlternate right-click behavior.

Left-click on an option and the system will work in thesingle-event override mode.

Right-click on an option and the system will lock that modeso it can be used continually without having to be reset.

The override button will be depressed as an indicator that aspecific mode is active.

Locking the AutoCursor mode will not have any effect on the AutoCursor Settings dialog box. You are also able tossign and lock the AutoCursor overrides in the right-mouse menu with the same interaction that is found with the

AutoCursor ribbon bar.


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Screen Endpoints

Even though this functionality exists in the Create, Point, Endpoints function, enough users struggled with it so that e-created this as Screen, Display Entity Endpoints. This function differs from previous versions of Mastercam in t does not have options to save the endpoints. It displays them until the screen is refreshed. It does require you to beble to run with Hardware acceleration enabled.

Modify Spline

n the process of creating Mastercam X, we lost the ability to move the nodes of parametric splines. In Version 9, thwas done with Analyze. MR2 adds this functionality back into the software as a part of the renamed Modify NURBunction.

The ribbon bar appears only when a parametric spline is selected.To maintain tangency conditions, select the Tangency buttons.

STL Export

Writing out STL models with regard to the active WCS is now done automatically when the file is written. This wilhelp when using STL models for stock in Verify.

3 Surface Blend

We reworked the interaction of this function to make it easier to modify the results.

mproved Selection of Multiple Solids for 3D Machining

You can now use all of the following selection methods to select solids for machining: All, Surfaces and Solids Window or Polygon selection

Select only Surface or Solids Select specific solid faces using the Solids selection activation option

mprovements to the Solid to 2D Profile function

Several improvements have been made to this function. These improvements have addressed multiple defects that hbeen logged in our database. Most importantly, improvements have been made to recognizing ID features. Please tryhis function out and let us know what you think.

2D Offset Improvements

We have incorporated a new 2D offset algorithm to improve reliability in several areas of the software. The newlgorithm is used in virtually all 2D toolpaths (Mill, Lathe, Router and Wire). Other areas that will be affected by th

hange include: Stock boundaries in Lathe Analyze Contour Cross Hatching Offset Contour Solids Nesting


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These same settings are available for adjustment at any time while in Wire Backplot.

Toolpath Manager Display Options

Users with many operations find it takes too many keystrokes to match which operation goes to what toolpath. Theyhave to turn off the display of all operations, highlight one, press [T] to see it, and then press [T] again to turn it off.


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You will be able to work in Mastercam using all of the functions while you are in this mode.User-Defined Feeds and Speeds

Users have been asking for an option that will allow them to manually set feeds and speeds and never have themutomatically reset because they changed tools, material, or default files. The dialog box below shows a new optiondded to the Machine Group Properties, Tool Settings page.

This option includes entry fields for Feed rate, Spindle speed, Plunge rate, and Retract rate. The value in the entry fields will be the default Feeds and Speeds used for every operation created when this

option is selected. Once the operation has been created, there is no longer any associativity between this setting and the operati

You could change these values and they would not affect existing operations. If you start with one option and switch to User Defined, the feeds and speeds of existing operations will not

changed and it will allow for you to make future manual changes in each operation. If you change tools, materials, or defaults, the feeds and speeds values will not change.

Verify

Scan toolpath file for stock

n previous versions when stock was generated from the toolpath data, we set the top of the stock at the feed height.

Then when Verify runs, it often shows it as a gouge because the tool is making contact with the stock at a rapid feedate. Instead of using the feed height value, we are now using the top of stock.

STL Compare Reset Tolerance and Stock to Leave

We have added a simple way to reset the interface to adjust the values based on the machining tolerance and the stoo leave from the selected operations.


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Browse for External Communications

Starting with MR2, Mastercam will allow you to browse for an external communications package the same way youan browse for a third-party editor in previous versions. This allows you to seamlessly integrate virtually any third-

party communications package with Mastercam. The new Mastercam External communications product is stillvailable without browsing. If you want to select a different package, you can select Other in the drop-down list anhis will launch the standard file open dialog so you can make your selection.


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NC File Naming Change

n Mastercam Version 9.1, the user could name the individual .NC files using several different methods. WithMastercam X, the current MD group name is applied to all operations and the user can not rename individual .NC fi

We added a page to the System Configuration dialog box calledToolpath Manager. This page will provide you wihe ability to name the Machine Group, Toolpath Group and the .NC file.

The Machine Group section will control the name output as the Machine Group name in the ToolpathManager.

o If the Prompt check box is selected, you will be prompted to name the Machine Group when eacMachine Group is created.

o If the User defined option is selected, the edit field below will be enabled and at least one characmust be specified in that field.

o IfMachine name is selected, the Machine Definition file name will be used.o The default values for these fields will be as shown so that the result will be similar to X.o The Append Values fields will always be active and the three settings shown above are the defau

settings, so the result in a default state would be Machine Group 1 and increment by one for esubsequent group.o If you specify an illegal value as a delimiter, an error message (like what is used in Windows

Explorer, as shown) will be displayed and the entry will not be accepted.


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Compensation Activated Above the Part

An option has been added to the Control Definition section of the Machine Group properties to allow the post to

ctivate compensation above the part when the toolpath is set to Compensation in Control. Please note that this setts only read by the post processor.

3D Mill (High Speed Toolpaths)

Changes have been made that should increase the performance of the High Speed toolpaths running in a NetHASPnvironment.

Rest Roughing

A new Rest Roughing toolpath has been added to the HST toolpaths. With Rest Roughing, you can select a previouoperation, all previous operations, a CAD file (including STL), or a roughing tool. This toolpath provides the toolsMastercam users were familiar with in Version 9 but applied to the highly desirable HST model.


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The Rest Passes option has been removed from the Core Roughing and Area Clearance passes because of the inclusof Rest Roughing.

Stock to Leave on Floors and Walls

Based on user feedback, we have expanded the use of separate stock to leave controls for floors and walls to all theHST toolpaths. Now you can set different values for stock to leave on vertical and horizontal areas.

When does a floor become a wall with separate values for stock to leave?

f you machine a part with an HST/Raster path with a small tool and zero stock to leave, there will be no stock on thpart (save for small cusps between passes). If you change the path to have 1mm stock to leave on the floors and 2mtock to leave on the walls, then the result will have 1mm to leave on the flat floors, 2mm stock to leave on the verti

wall, and interpolated amounts of stock to leave on the large fillet surfaces.

HST Scallop Inside to Outside

When using the HST Scallop toolpath with a cutting method set to One Way orOther Way, an option is provided tontrol whether the scallop is calculated from inside out or from outside in.

Changes to Transit ions Page

These changes address the lack of control over when a toolpath gets trimmed out during the linking phase ofprocessing. There are times when a user knows that the tool will fit into the area, but because of the default settings inking, the area is skipped. A user should have control over this and the methodology to do this is to add an additioontrol. While we were in this area of the product, the page was also re-worked to make things more logical.


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go all the way through the material. The brad point drills create a high degree of tear-out in the back side of the panwhen used to bore thru holes where as V-style drills are much better suited for through holes.

In order to determine whether a hole is considered to be a through hole, we require you to define stock inMastercam. The selected geometry must lie in 3D space. Flat 2D geometry files will not be considered for thoptimization. If the software detects arcs on Z depths other than 0 (zero), then depth sorting will be activatedArcs higher than bottom of stock and lower than top are considered blind holes and arcs at bottom of stock olower would be considered through holes.

All holes regardless of depth will be considered at the same time in order to satisfy the sort method and avoid

making multiple passes to get all holes.We cannot add a new tool type to Mastercam until a major release, so we have decided to use a surrogate tool ty

in place of the brad point bit. A Ctr Drill tool type is the closest thing to a brad point bit in our database sowe will be using that until a dedicated tool type can be added to our library.

If a block drill component contains one or more brad point drills (or its surrogate Ctr Drill tool type), thesetools will be given preference for drilling the blind holes even if another tool type is of the same diameter.However, if no brad point drills are available that match the diameter of a blind hole, a standard drill may used. Keep in mind that in MR2, brad point drills with the same diameter as a through hole will not be used drill through holes even if no matching standard drill is found.

Multi-head Validation

We will now issue a warning if the selected heads dont lie in a collinear array along either along the X or Y axis. Ifhis condition exists, we will present the following dialog and give the option to continue OR take you back into the

head selection dialog. An example that might present this message would be if a machine definition contains multipheads with piggy-backs. If you select one or more of the main heads with a piggy-back, the software will warnyou that the selected heads dont line up.

Wire

Changes to Wire Parameters

We added new dialogs for WCS/Tool plane and Start Position. The Origins/WCS button has been replaced with twonew buttons. This brings Wire in line with the other products for a more consistent interface.

MR1

MR2

Start Pos =


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First row of buttons: Regenerate - Regenerates the Art tree. Hide Geometry - Hides all geometry. Hide Art Model - Hides the Art model. Art Model Single Viewport - Activates when multiple viewports

are chosen and allows geometry and art model to be in differentviewports.

Change Art ModelViewport - Moves the art model to the nextviewport.

Analyze - Displays a dynamic coordinate readout as the cursormoves over the surface.

Statistics - Art Base Surface extents. Help - Art Help

Second row of buttons: Undo/Redo - for Art operations; this includes lists. Change Resolution - Change the Art Model resolution with readout.

This also can take floating point values, such as 100.5 and or .5. Theability to go less than 1 allows faster processing when working withvary large Art Base Surfaces.

Art Surface Grid Density - Add or subtract display lines in thesurface display grid.

Unload Art Model - Unload the Art Model from RAM, can reloadas well.

At the bottom of the Art Manager is a display that tells you how high yourmodel is currently. If you set a Z limit for your model, it will tell you howmuch space is remaining.

Help and DocumentationMastercam X Art includes the following documentation materials:

Full context-sensitive online helpExtensive Art Tutorial in PDF formatArt introductory video

New Dialogs and Functions

Create Art Base Surface from Image (previously Import BMP) - works like all other Art surfaces in that it will shup in the Art Manager with adjustable parameters and dynamic resolution. It will now also take graphic files other thBMP.

mport STL will have the same live functionality as Create Art Base Surface from Image.


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Flattening - you now can pick a chain and flatten all elements inside or outside the chain down to the base surfaceloor.


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Smoothing - this dialog has adjusted defaults to make your first try successful, as well as new icons to help clearlyxplain the options.


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Translate - This dialog translates the Art base surface.

New Art Base Surface (previously New Relief) - This has much the same functionality as the previous version andeorganized for ease of use. New capabilities include automatic creation of geometry boundaries and creation of Art

Base Surface with origin at lower left or center.


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New Art Base Surface Unwrapped Cylinder - This function allows you to specify a cylinder or ring size. Art willutomatically calculate and display the unwrapped flat surface geometry as well as creating the surface. You may th

reate a surface and know that when you wrap it up for 4th axis machining, it will fit exactly on the specified cylindeThis function also supplies the radius to the graphic wrap functions so the surface wraps perfectly.

The Ring Size option allows you to select a standard ring size for your cylinder. Coordinates will default to metricvalues since this is a standard in the jewelry industry - deselect the Metric option to see coordinates in inches.


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Blend Edge (previously Add-Cut-Trim-Blend) - This Application Style has been renamed, and now will blend a shaouter edge back towards the center of the chained element.


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n the first example graphic below, a pattern weave was created in a chained circle with the height set to .0625. Notihe sharp vertical wall on the edge. We would like to smoothly blend the edge down to the Art Base surface, as in thecond graphic below. To accomplish this, we would select Organic, and re-chain the same circle, select Parabola

Convex, and set the width to .25 and the height to .0625. This will cause the blending to start .25 inches from the edof the circle at a height of .0625 and end with the surface being blended down to the surface floor.

This function works in any Art Surface Operation type where it shows up in the Application Style list.

Toolpaths

Cylinder Milling Spiral - Creates a rotary toolpath at an angle so there is no seam where the toolpath meets. Therelso an option to overlap the seam. For this toolpath to function correctly, the Rotary Axis option must be selected.

Roughing and Finishing - Includes a roughing and finishing option for appropriate toolpaths. The roughing optionllows stock to leave and finishing does not. Some toolpath are just for roughing or just for finishing. In these casesoughing and finishing options are disabled.

Core Improvements

Art surface generation speed improvement - the creation and regeneration of Art surfaces is faster. Art Surface quality improvement - on some complex organic surfaces, small lines would develop that wer

correctable by smoothing. This has now been fixed so they are not generated at all. Large file processing - Art would sometimes have problems with large file processing. Art can now manage

much larger files. There are still limits. Art surface display improvement just by being in the X environment. Moved Art Base Surface off Origin - For an Art Base Surface created from a BMP file. Previously, when y

moved the lower left corner off of the origin, it would not be saved to the file. When you reopened the file innew session, the surface lower left corner would be back at the origin.

Art Chaining can accept more chains in a single operation. Using WCS - surfaces can now be generated in a rotated WCS. Art Resource DLL has been developed for easier translation into other languages.

New Platforms for Art

Art LT

Art design functionality can be added on top of Mastercam Design, no toolpaths are included.

Art + Entry

Full Art added to Entry level products. This includes Art design and toolpath functionality.


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WhatsnewX2

Documents