SmartCAM Advanced Fabrication
November 1996 Version 9.2 for Microsoft® Windows™ NTS1001206
What’s New input field and other new topics. Refer to page 6 for an overview. Release SmartCAM® version 9.2 includes the new Notes features described below. Refer to the User Guide These release notes application Help for complete instructions The new SmartCAM Advanced provide information on using these functions. Fabrication User Guide provides detailed If you use Windows about new product New Snap Function information that supplements the 3.x or Windows for features and known application Help system. Refer to page 7 limitations that are The Snap switch in the read-out line has Workgroups 3.x, for information about the User Guide. specific to SmartCAM been replaced with a set of icons that Review the Advanced Fabrication™ enable a variety of snap settings. The JOS variables information on version 9.2. They also provide information not improved Snap function provides an easier A complete list of the product JOS data page 3 before included in other and more flexible method for using tags is included in appendix C of the installing documents or in Help. information from existing elements to SmartCAM Customization Manual. SmartCAM version create new geometry. Refer to page 5 for New Hot Key Assignments 9.2. an overview of Snap. Additions to the hot keys are as follows: Group F9 for View—Get View—Top A new grouping tool provides a faster, more convenient method to select an F10 for View—Get View—Front active group of elements for editing. Refer F11 for View—Get View—Right to page 6 for an overview of Group. F12 for View—Get View—ISO Increment CTRL+F9 for CAM Connection Import Settings in the Utility—Increment dialog box have been changed to accommodate CTRL+F10 for CAM Connection Export the new Snap and Group functionality. Changes to existing hot keys are: Edit Filtering Removed F3 from Workplane—Plane The new Edit Filter tool enables you to limit Data the type of elements that can be selected F6 (formerly F9) jumps to Utility—Status when you use Snap, Group, or Element Data. For example, you can set the Edit F3 (formerly F11) toggles single/multiple Contents Filter to permit selection of polyline coordinate input What’s New / 1 elements only. Refer to page 6 for an The Quick Reference Card is updated to overview of Edit Filter. include the new changes. Installation Notes / 2 Overviews of New Tool Graphics Programming the Mouse for the Features / 5 The tool graphic on the Process Step Tool Group Pop-up Menu SmartCAM Visual tab shows the shape of the tool as defined A minor change in the smartcam.ini file CTK / 7 in the custom tool graphics (CTG) file or in enables you to right-click the mouse and Setting Measurement the step. If you are not using a CTG file, the open the Group pop-up menu. If you have Units / 7 tool graphic changes as you change a 3 button mouse, this change causes the Using CTG Files / 7 information about the tool. center button to act as the Accept Tool Library / 7 User Commands command. See page 6. Material Library / 8 Machine Events functions, such as bolt- SmartCAM CAM Connection Online Manuals / 8 hole-circle (BHC), line-at-angle (LAA), and Update SmartCAM CAM Connection / 8 grid-hole-pattern (Grid), are now displayed CAM Connection® includes a new data in the list view by name rather than as translator that converts IGES™ files to CAM Connection Limitations / 10 UsrCmd. SmartCAM process model files and back. General Improved Help System Refer to page 8 for details. Limitations / 12 The application Help system has been CAD files will also translate from within the E-Mail Address for improved to include descriptions of each SmartCAM application by clicking the new Technical Support / 12
1750 Willow Creek Circle ■ Eugene, Oregon 97402 ■ (541) 344-4470 ■ FAX (541) 342-8277 ■ Toll Free 1-800-394-5300 icon buttons located on the Icon Bar for the sample file or icon bar file as a template to CAM Connection Import and Export build your own custom file, be sure to save dialogs. See page 9. it with a different name to avoid losing your Visual Customization ToolKit custom file when you install an update. (Visual CTK) Update Edit Plus™ sample files are also over- SmartCAM Visual CTK version 9.2, has a written during installation. If you customize Windows-based user interface and a sample file, save it with a different file provides the ability to author directly in the name to prevent it from being overwritten. PCB format. See page 7 for details. Communicate Configuration Files The sample EIA table, Machine, and Tape communications configuration files (.sc) Installation Notes are overwritten during installation. Note You can reuse the current version To install SmartCAM, follow the If you use one of the sample files to build instructions in the Installation Guide for All your own file, be sure to save it with a 9.0 license strings SmartCAM Products. different filename to prevent the file from when you install the version 9.2 It is strongly recommended that you install being overwritten. applications. SmartCAM in the default configuration. Do If, after installation, you do not see your not install SmartCAM version 9.0 or later custom file in the list of EIA tables, products in the same directory as previous Machine or Tape configuration files, follow SmartCAM versions. the steps below to add it. Upgrading an Existing Installation 1. Load the comm.ini file into an ASCII When you install an update to your text editor, such as Edit Plus or Notepad. SmartCAM application, the installation 2. Find the appropriate section for the type routine usually preserves the existing of configuration file: system files that contain the defaults and • For an EIA Table find the custom configuration information. [EIADesc] section. However, there are certain file types that the installation routine may overwrite. • For a Tape reader configuration file find the [TapeDesc] section. Before installing an update, make a complete backup of your SmartCAM run • For a Machine configuration file find area and the configuration files location, the [MachDesc] section. including the \windows directory. Follow- 3. Add a new .ini entry in the appropriate ing is information about the support files: section. The format is: Files that are updated
SmartCAM Advanced Fabrication Version 9.2 2 for Microsoft® Windows™ Examples: If you encounter a problem during testing, [EIADesc] or after installing SmartCAM, you have the EIATable=”Sample EIA following options: Table”,d:\sm9\shared\eia\sample.tbl Use Windows 95 or Windows NT [TapeDesc] Neither of these operating systems require Tape=”Sample Tape Win32s; while both offer a more stable File”,d:\sm9\shared\tape\sample.sc working environment, better memory [MachineDesc] management, and a measurable overall Machine=”Sample Machine system speed increase. The minimum File”,d:\sm9\shared\machine\sample.sc hardware requirements to run the SmartCAM applications are sufficient to Running on Windows 3.x / run Windows 95. The SmartCAM Windows For Workgroups 3.x FreeForm Machining™ minimum To run SmartCAM Visual CTK and CAM requirements are sufficient to run Connection on Windows 3.x or Windows Windows NT. Refer to the hardware and for Workgroups 3.x, you must also run the operating system requirements on page 3. Microsoft Win32s™ extension. This Use Win32s Version 1.25 enables the faster 32-bit applications to If you do not use Visual CTK or CAM run on the 16-bit Windows platform. Connection, run Win32s version 1.25. Unfortunately, the current version of If you have installed Win32s version 1.30 Microsoft Win32s has compatibility and are experiencing problems follow the problems with some computers. When instructions below to remove Win32s and using Win32s 1.30, these computers install version 1.25. cannot run any Win32s-based application; 1. Use a text editor to open the including the FreeCell test program that is system.ini file (in the c:\windows installed with Win32s. Errors may occur directory), find the [386Enh] section, when the application starts up, or disk and remove the following line: access errors may occur while running an application. device=c:\windows\system\win32s\w32s.386 With the emphasis on Windows® 95 and Windows NT™, Microsoft will not be 2. Delete the following files from the updating Win32s. c:\windows\system\ directory: If you have already installed SmartCAM win32s.ini and Win32s version 1.30, and applications w32sys.dll run without generating “Unexpected DOS win32s16.dll error 21,” you do not need to be concerned winmm16.dll about the problem. 3. Delete the files from the If you have not installed SmartCAM or any windows\system\win32s version of Win32s, install and test Win32s subdirectory, and then remove the before installing SmartCAM. The directory. SmartCAM Release CD-ROM contains 4. Restart Windows both version 1.30 and version 1.25 of 5. To install Win32s version 1.25 from the Win32s. The directories are: SmartCAM Release CD-ROM, run: \win32s Win32s version 1.30
for Microsoft® Windows™ 3 SmartCAM Advanced Fabrication Version 9.2 Operating Minimum: Microsoft Windows 3.1 running in 386 Model Type Free Temporary Disk Space (MB) System enhanced mode with MS-DOS 5.0 or later; Typical Large Very Large Recommended: Windows 95 or Windows NT (Minimum) (Recommended) Processor 32-bit Intel-based PC with math coprocessor CAD Temp CAD Temp CAD Temp Minimum: 386DX Recommended: Pentium Wireframe 0.5225513 Physical Production Applications Surface 8 2012301538 RAM Minimum: 8MB Recommended: 16MB Solid 0.52 15383075 Advanced Applications Minimum: 16MB Recommended: 32MB Windows Temporary Directory SmartCAM FreeForm Machining/CAMAX Modeler Before running your applications, verify Bundle that your Windows temporary files Minimum: 32MB directory has read/write permissions for Recommended: 64MB the user running the SmartCAM applications. SmartCAM uses this Swap Minimum: 24MB directory to create temporary files. Refer to Space Recommended: 48MB of permanent swap space your Windows documentation for directions to create a temporary directory Hard Disk 25MB for installation, plus 0.5–5MB for each process and set directory read/write permissions. Space model or other data file you expect to use (for example, a pm4, IGES or ACIS file). Adobe Acrobat Reader During installation, SmartCAM will attempt Video Minimum: SVGA, 800x600 resolution × to locate the Adobe™ Acrobat™ Reader. If Display Recommended: SVGA,1024 768 resolution, 256 colors Reader is installed, the Windows Registry Mouse Any Windows-supported mouse driver entry that is created by the Acrobat installation may be missing. An error Printer Any Windows-supported printer or plotter, configured message will result if Reader is not found through the Windows printer setup. and icons for the online manuals will not be created. Ports A Centronics-compatible LPT port is required for the SmartCAM Hardware lock option Also, if you download a copy of Reader from Adobe’s Web site, the Registry entry Other Windows-supported CD-ROM drive will not be created. Devices A digitizer must be configured as a mouse To create icons for the online manuals, use the following procedure: If you are not sure whether your system 1. Create an icon in the program group or configuration meets the requirements, pull-right menu. please contact your SmartCAM reseller. 2. In the Description field, enter the manual Directory for Temporary Files names for your applications: Enter the path to store temporary files for • Advanced Fabrication Manuals CAM Connection v9.2 Import process in • CAM Connection v7.x Manual the SmartCAM Setup dialog “Modifying AUTOEXEC.BAT File”. Use this directory • CAM Connection v9.x Manual exclusively for storing temporary files as Note If you install SmartCAM using the CAM Connection periodically deletes all Typical or Custom option and load CAM files in the directory. The drive location for Connections, add an icon for the CAM this directory should have enough disk Connections v7.x documentation. All of space to store 2.5 times the largest CAD the version 7.x products are included in file that you intend to import or export. one manual. 3. Locate the path of the installed Reader and the destination location for the SmartCAM applications (the directory
SmartCAM Advanced Fabrication Version 9.2 4 for Microsoft® Windows™ established in the installation routine for previously saved job plan files (.jsf) and storing the applications). model files (.sh3) in different directories, 4. In the Command Line field, enter the SmartCAM will not find the .jsf file when direction lines per the following format: you load an existing process model. Use File—Load Job File to locate and open the
for Microsoft® Windows™ 5 SmartCAM Advanced Fabrication Version 9.2 Group Reprogramming the Mouse for the The new grouping functions provide faster, Group Pop-up Menu more efficient ways to develop an active If you have a three button mouse, click the group for editing. In this version of center button to open the Group pop-up SmartCAM, the new grouping tools are menu. To access the Group pop-up menu provided in addition to the existing Group with a two button mouse, you must edit the toolbox. However, the two functions do not smartcam.ini file. interact, and the old Group toolbox will be 1. Open the .ini file and look for the removed from future versions. following line in the [defaults] There are three ways to access Group section: features: SwapMidRightMouse = 0. Click the arrow icon in the Read-out Line 2. Change the value from 0 to 1. below the graphic view to activate the Note If you make this change, you can no Group function. When the icon is on, an longer use the right mouse button to arrow appears on the screen and can be accept entries. On a three button mouse, moved with the mouse. Left-click on the the center mouse button will now Accept model to add elements. Hold the Control and right mouse button will open the key and left-click the mouse to remove Group pop-up menu. elements. See the How To topic for Group Arrow Tool in Help to view all of the new Edit Filter options. Use the Edit Filter to limit the types of elements that are available for picking Select the palette icon in the Read-out when you use snap mode to enter Line to open the Group tool palette. The coordinate values, select an active group, palette contains an icon for each of the or view element data. You can set the filter Group options (see figure 1). to one, several, or all element types, and Click the middle button of a three-button limit the picking by layer, step, or work mouse to open the Group pop-up menu. plane. The menu provides access to the Group To open the Edit Filter dialog box, pick the options (see figure 1). Edit Filter icon from the Read-out Line Group Group below the graphic view. tool palette pop-up menu You can easily turn the Edit Filter on and off, using the icon in the Read-out Line. When the Edit Filter is on, the system uses the specified filter for picking. When Edit Filter is off, the system ignores the filter.
Figure 1
For more information about using Group, For more information about using the Edit see the application Help. Filter, see the application Help. The exercises in Getting Started with Turn off the Edit Filter when working SmartCAM Advanced Fabrication refer to through the exercises in Getting Started the old Group toolbox. You can use either with SmartCAM Advanced Fabrication. the new grouping functions or the old Improved Help System Group toolbox to develop a group when The Help system for all SmartCAM instructed to do so. applications has been enhanced to
SmartCAM Advanced Fabrication Version 9.2 6 for Microsoft® Windows™ provide you with more complete When you open an existing process model information. Each dialog box and control file or load a job file, the measurement panel in the system has an overview topic defaults are set to match the setting in the that provides general information about file. When you use File—New to start a the panel. new process model, the measurement You can access an overview topic by using defaults are set to inch, until you change the units setting in the Job Information SHIFT+F1 to activate context sensitive Help or use the Help Contents to locate the dialog box. desired topic. Changing the measurement units in an Most overview topics contain a button that existing process model changes the opens a topic containing descriptions of defaults but does not convert existing input fields and selections on the panel. steps or geometry in the file. Doing so may Many overview topics also contain a button cause problems. that links to one or more “how to” topics For more information about setting the that provide step by step instructions for measurement units, refer to the Job how to use the panel. Information Help topic or the online New User Guides reference manual. A new SmartCAM Advanced Fabrication Changing the Default Units For New User Guide is included with the online Files manuals. The user guide contains detailed If you work primarily in metric units, you information, illustrations, and short can change the default units for all new exercises to help you integrate SmartCAM files. To change the default units: into your workplace. 1. Use a text editor to open the file Select Help—Online Manuals and double- fjpage.def located in the click the manual title. subdirectory \sm9\fab\josdef\. 2. Change the value of the Units setting in the header section of the file. Set the SmartCAM Visual CTK value to “0” for inch defaults or “1” for metric defaults. Do not change any other Drag and Drop Functionality settings in this file. The new display adds a drag and drop 3. Save your changes and close the file. functionality to this product. Build panels and dialogs using a mouse to place and size items in the workspace. Using CTG Files Active PCB File Authoring If tool information is You can use custom tool graphics (CTG) Capability not found in the CTG files with an .sh3 extension to provide tool You can author a file directly to the PCB graphics for tool path simulations. CTG file, SmartCAM uses source file so it can be integrated into files for some of the more common tools the tool information SmartCAM. in the Planner to are included with your SmartCAM create the insert Read and Convert PCS Data software. Inch CTG files are located in the The Visual CTK Save As function saves sm9\fab\afctg subdirectory and metric shape for tool path files in both .pcs and .pcb formats. This CTG files are located in the verification. enables you to open existing .pcb files and sm9\fab\afctg_m subdirectory. All CTG save them in .pcs format. files for a job must be in the same subdirectory. If you work with both inch and metric files, Setting Measurement always verify that the path to the CTG files Units is correct when you change jobs. Use the Filter SmartCAM now uses the Units setting in the Job Information dialog box to set the function in the default measurement units to inch or Tool Library Choose Tool dialog metric. You can use the Tool List in the Planner to to limit the list of build a tool library. Enter the parameters tools. for all of the tools that you use or a set of
for Microsoft® Windows™ 7 SmartCAM Advanced Fabrication Version 9.2 tools for a specific type of job. Use File— Save Job File to save the job file as a tool Material Library library. You can use a material library file to To use station numbers on the machine as provide process parameters for the tool numbers in the job operations setup Planner. Instructions for building a material for each job, make sure that the tool library are contained in the SmartCAM numbers in the tool library begin at a Material Library release notes. number higher than the highest station Speed and Feed Calculator number on a machine. If you use a material library, the Planner Creating a Sample Tool Library will automatically calculate process The sample job operations setup file, parameters, such as feeds and speeds, \sm9\fab\afdata\computer.jof based on the available material contains many commonly used punch information. tools. Use this file to create a sample tool Use the Choose Material dialog box to library. specify the material for the job, and then 1. Use File—Load Job File to open the use the Calculate button on the Operation file. tab in the Edit Process Step dialog box to 2. Set the Insert property to On Layer. calculate process parameters. 3. Open the Job Operation Planner and Note The sample material library files use the Remove All Steps function. provided are examples only. The speed This leaves only the tools in the file. (For and feed calculations that they produce information about using the Planner are not valid. functions, refer to Help or the online reference manual.) 4. Save the file as toollib.jof. Online Manuals To use the tool library, open the file, and You can view most SmartCAM manuals then use the Planner to add process steps. online using Adobe Acrobat Reader. Install Use the Choose Tool dialog box to select Reader from the SmartCAM CD-ROM tools from the library. before you install SmartCAM. Automatically Loading the Tool Library To view the instructions for using Reader, You can create a macro to automatically select Help—Contents—Online Manuals. load the tool library file when you open When the contents page for the online SmartCAM with the following procedure. manuals opens, select the information button at the bottom of the page. 1. Use File—New to initiate a new process model. Printing Manuals 2. Select Macro—Record and name the You can print any part or all of the online macro ldtools.mcl. manuals from your printer using the File— Print command in Reader. 3. Use File—Load Job File to load toollib.jof. 4. Select Macro—Stop to end the SmartCAM CAM recording of the macro. 5. Close SmartCAM, and then use the Connection Windows File—Properties command Capabilities of v9.2 IGES modules to add a call to the macro at the end of ■ IGES to SmartCAM wireframe the command line for SmartCAM. For conversion example: ■ SmartCAM to IGES wireframe -mdrive:\path\ldtools.mcl conversion In this example -m is a command to run ■ Preserves layers, entity names, and a macro, drive:\path represents the work planes drive letter and path where the macro is ■ stored, and ldtools.mcl is the name Supports a robust set of wireframe entity of the macro. conversions
SmartCAM Advanced Fabrication Version 9.2 8 for Microsoft® Windows™ ■ Filter by Process Step for export from CAM Connection Utility Macro SmartCAM Commands ■ IGES Validation module (user- New SmartCAM macros enable you to: controlled check and fix for geometric ■ Run an external CAD translator program accuracy and entity structure) (run5.mcl). ■ SmartCAM Validation module ■ Translate a batch of models (automatically checks and fixes (batchie.mcl). geometric accuracy and entity structure) ■ Run an external STEP, IGES, or VDA Improvements in v9.2 DXF/DWG translator (translat.mcl). Modules Note The external translator contact is ■ You can now read .dwg files from International TechneGroup, Inc., in AutoDesk’s Mechanical Desktop (Defect Milford, Ohio, (513) 576-3900. #9560, #10347). Select Macro—Execute to start these ■ The element name problem in machine utilities, or create an icon to initiate the code output is resolved, eliminating the macro. You can use File—Keep Defaults to need to run macro cc9clean.mcl save your entries and options in the macro (Defect #9631, 9639). dialog boxes. ■ Automatically deletes zero-length or For more information about the macros, very small-length lines and/or correct refer to appendix A in the SmartCAM their associated composite curve Customization Manual. endpoints, using the SmartCAM Note These utilities do not have technical Validation module (Defect #9802). support. They are untested and ■ Corrected the arc ending angle undocumented. problems by adding the SmartCAM Validation module (Defect #8717). Long File Names Supported in Windows 95 and Windows NT ■ The lathe plane problems are resolved. CAM Connection supports long file names This includes previous problems with and file names that include blank space tool plane, work plane, and the views for characters. Use these types of file names the Coordinates on Workplane— in user interface file selections and in the Convert to Lathe option in the Edit PM4 CAM Connection command line. In the Output dialog box (Defect #10136, command line, enclose long file names in 10525, 10698). double quotes. However, do not use ■ The problem with arcs in polylines with quotation marks around file names in any thickness converting to roughly CAM Connection dialog boxes. approximated polylines is corrected by CAM Connection Installation Notes changing a user interface default value. If you choose the Typical option when Select Edit—Conversions and under the installing a SmartCAM application, all Convert to Polyline Representation wireframe CAM Connections are loaded group, clear the Composite Curve automatically. Follow the procedure option (Defect #10034). outlined in the Installation Guide for All Application Integration of CAM SmartCAM Products. Connections Choose the Custom option to load the You can import and export CAD files from CAM Connection products individually. within the SmartCAM application. New Repeat the installation procedure for each icons located on the icon bar will open the CAM Connection. dialog boxes for CAM Connection Import and Export. Import provides the ability to CAM Connection V9.x select and translate a file to merge into This translator is one program that imports SmartCAM. Export translates SmartCAM and exports many wireframe model geometry to another file type. formats. See the Known Limitations section, below, CAM Connections V7.x for instructions to access Help for CAM There are three single format V7.x CAM Connections Import and Export. Connections that have the capability to
for Microsoft® Windows™ 9 SmartCAM Advanced Fabrication Version 9.2 import and export wireframe models and for the new file. Select Open. The perform the following functions unavailable Export dialog box returns to the screen in the V9.x program. displaying the desired path in the To File ■ Additional conversions, such as DXF input field. Erase the existing file name export or CAMCAD import and export. and type in the new file name. Select Accept to save the new file. ■ Automatic sorting of standard geometry ■ into SmartCAM profiles while importing Follow the steps above but change the a file. Settings to Open dialog and Accept. Then open the CAM Connection main ■ Capability to connect mesh and specify dialog and edit the file name (Defect mesh via a stepover distance. #10776, 10796). Note For V7.x CAM Connections, you CATIA Drafting Entities (IGES) must still use the R13strip.exe program The 2D drafting entities in CATIA models ® to read AutoCAD R13 .dxf files. See the exported to IGES are lost. To work around file \sm9\shared\R13strip.txt for this, use the CADMOD utility or options in more information. your CATIA IGES translator to explode the CAM Connection V7.x programs include: views, which removes view associations and isolates the entities. See Tech Note ■ IGES CAM Connection #099 for details (Defect #10300). ■ DXF CAM Connection PolyFace Mesh (DWG) ■ CAMCAD Standard CAM Connection The PolyFace Mesh entity type does not Sample Files translate from a .dwg file into SmartCAM. Sample DXF, DWG, IGES and SmartCAM Export a .dxf file from your CAD process model files are included with CAM application to work around this if you need Connection software. If you used the to use these entities (Defect #8895). recommended installation, the location for Hidden Geometry (DXF, DWG) these files is \sm9\camcon\samples. Any geometry that is off in AutoCAD will not convert in SmartCAM. The option Convert Frozen Geometry in the Edit— CAM Connection Input Options dialog box only controls Limitations frozen geometry, not geometry that is off. To export all geometry, highlight the hidden CAM Connection Import and Export geometry in AutoCAD before exporting Help Icon your model to .dxf or before translating Your application will terminate if the Help the .dwg file into the SmartCAM PM4 icon for CAM Connection Import and format. Modules affected include: DXF or Export is accessed while either dialog box DWG to PM4 (Defect #10565). for these functions is open. Huge Circles (DWG) To view the Help file for CAM Connection Very small partial circular arcs convert as Import and Export, close any open extremely large full circles. Large-radius, function dialog boxes. Click the Help icon. small-length fillets and profile segments Close the Help file when you are finished are particularly vulnerable to such and reopen either function (Defect conversion. Avoid this by selecting the #10826). Edit—Conversions dialog and under Writing a New File Name in Export Convert to Polyline Representation The CAM Connection Export dialog box section, select the Arcs option (Defect displays an error message if you attempt to #10646, 10650). type a new file name in the File Name input Iso-lines on Cones (IGES) field on the Open dialog box from File Isoparametric lines may be incorrect or Select. missing on some cone shaped surfaces To save a file with a new file name, use one that are represented as IGES Surface of of the two procedures outlined below: Revolution or B-Splines. To work around the problem, use one of the following ■ Select File Select. Choose an existing methods: file with the directory and desired path
SmartCAM Advanced Fabrication Version 9.2 10 for Microsoft® Windows™ ■ Turn off the validation by setting the model) from an AutoCAD .dwg or .dxf Checking Level to None in the Edit input model into a SmartCAM output Validation Options dialog box. model. ■ Set the Iso-line Curves option to None To convert these entities use File—Save or Trim to Base Surface Edges in the As—AutoCAD R12 to save the file in Edit PM4 Conversions dialog box. AutoCAD. The faces from the surfaces and ■ Set the Number of U Curves and the solids will convert into a wireframe Number of V Curves to 0 in the Edit PM4 representation on all edges of the faces Conversions dialog box. (for example., lines, polylines, arcs). CAM Connection will then import the wireframe ■ Use the SmartCAM Edit Filter to filter geometry. (Defect #10935). out the offending entity. Out of Memory Defects (Defect #10655). Some combinations of geometric data Iso-line Generation content, erroneous geometric data, and Iso-line generation on some surfaces model size can cause CAM Connection to causes the translator to stop or drop run out of memory. If this occurs, the surfaces. To avoid this problem, change translation may fail or take a long time to the Iso-line trimming option to something complete. other than Inner + Outer, or filter out the The following are possible solutions to out offending entity (Defect #10231, 10325, of memory defects: 10567). • use filters to convert the model in Iso-line Settings stages, which reduces model size The value for number of iso-lines may • select reduced checking and fix options appear to give unpredictable results. Given on the Validation dialog the example of a simple rectangular shaped surface, it behaves in the following • change CAM Connection options to manner for each value for either the reduce the complexity number of U or V curves (Defect #10655). • upgrade your operating system 0 - Two Iso-lines, one over each trimming • increase the RAM and/or disk-based boundary edge. virtual memory (Defect #10584) 1 - Three Iso-lines, one over each trimming Slow Response on Stop boundary edge, and one in the center of CAM Connection is sometimes slow to the surface. respond when you select the Stop button or press the ESC key to stop the translation 2 - Same result as value 0. (Defect #8678). 3 - Same result as value 1. Temporary File Space Non-Uniformly Scaled Inserts (DXF) If the application runs out of disk space for A non-uniformly scaled Block or Insert in a temporary files, it may behave erratically CAD model may transform the elements to without providing an error message. If you an incorrect work plane or 3D location observe strange behavior in the when it is converted into the SmartCAM application, such as dialog boxes that application. won’t display or action buttons that do not perform actions, delete the files in the To disregard the geometry, cancel the temporary directory and check for Expand Inserts option in the Edit—Input sufficient free disk space. Refer to the Options dialog box. Hardware and Operating System To preserve the geometry in the Requirements on page 3, the Directory for SmartCAM application, explode non- Temporary Files on page 4, or the uniformly scaled inserts before exporting Installation Guide for All SmartCAM the model from the CAD system (Defect Products for further information. #10560, 10578-79, 10581). Unsupported Conversions AutoCAD Surfaces and Solids Conversions between two formats where (DXF, DWG) neither the input or output model is a It is not possible to directly convert surface SmartCAM format, for example, IGES to and solid entities (stored in the ACIS DXF, or IGES to IGES, are not fully
for Microsoft® Windows™ 11 SmartCAM Advanced Fabrication Version 9.2 supported. These conversions have not been thoroughly tested and the results are not guaranteed to be usable. Window Arrow Buttons Become Transparent with Windows 3.1 The Arrow buttons at the top of your Windows application become transparent when you start Help. This is unavoidable with some software/hardware configurations. The buttons function properly but have a different appearance. Select a different video driver, update your video driver, or update your operating system to fix this problem (Defect #8575).
General Limitations Running SmartCAM in a Small Window If you shrink the size of the SmartCAM window, the step descriptions that appear in the Read-out Line may overwrite the icons for Snap and Group functions. If this occurs, use the maximize button to increase the size of the window and display the icons. Visual CTK - Save As Will Not Update File Extensions The Save As feature will not update a file extension. It is important that you manually update an extension so that other applications will recognize the file. If an existing file name is used but the extension is not changed, Visual CTK will overwrite to the original file.
E-Mail Address for Technical Support If you have a valid Technical Support contract, you can contact CAMAX Technical Support via e-mail at [email protected].
Copyright © 1996 SDRC Operations, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage or retrieval system without permission in writing from SDRC Operations, Inc. SmartCAM and CAM Connection are registered trademarks of Point control Co., a subsidiary of SDRC Operations, Inc.; SmartCAM Advanced 3-D Machining, SmartCAM Advanced Fabrication, SmartCAM Advanced Turning, SmartCAM Advanced Wire EDM, SmartCAM Customization Toolkit, SmartCAM FreeForm Machining, SmartCAM Production Milling, SmartCAM Production Turning, AutoCAD SmartCAM Connection, CNC Process Model and Edit Plus are trademarks of Point Control Co., a subsidiary of SDRC Operations, Inc. All other trademarks or registered trademarks belong to their respective companies.
SmartCAM Advanced Fabrication Version 9.2 12 for Microsoft® Windows™