Introduction to EdgeCAM

EdgeCAM User GuideCopyright© 1988 - 2005

Pathtrace Engineering Systems

All Rights Reserved



All Rights Reserved

Using EdgeCAM's Online Help

The complete set of EdgeCAM documentation is provided online, in the form of several electronic userguides, dialog-level context sensitive help and tutorials to help you get started with EdgeCAM.

Tooltips and Feedback

If you experiment with EdgeCAM, you may noticethat if you rest the cursor on a button, a small tag isdisplayed which tells you the name of that commandbutton.

Also look at the Status Bar on the bottom left of thescreen which gives a brief explanation of thecommand.

Context sensitive help

Once you have selected a command, you may wonder what a particular control, or parameter, can do. Clickon the Help button at the bottom right of the dialog. This button displays a help window describing thedialog’s controls. If the dialog is tabbed, the help will provide a separate page for each dialog tab. Click onthe appropriate button in the help window to find out about the associated tab of the dialog. The See Alsobutton provides a link to related topics in the main online user guide.

Help Menu

From the EdgeCAM application window, if you want to knowabout an EdgeCAM feature, you can open this main EdgeCAMUser Guide by clicking the Help menu, then Contents andIndex; see Online User Guide Overview.

There are several other options in the Help menu; for obtainingTechnical Support, for example.



All Rights Reserved

EdgeCAM Online User Guide Overview

The EdgeCAM online user guide uses Microsoft HTML Help technology and provides a highly navigableinformation system. The help window consists of the toolbar, the navigation pane, and the topic pane.

The toolbar, which is located below the help window title bar, enables you to Hide/Show the Navigationpane, go back and forward through the topics displayed within a session, and print help topics.

The topic pane is located on the right side of the help window. It displays the help content and hypertextlinks to help you find information related to the displayed topic.

The navigation pane, located on the left side of the help window, has three tabs: the Contents tab, theIndex tab, and the Search tab. The Contents tab displays an arrangement of topics that is similar to thetable of contents in a book. The Index tab displays keywords on which you can search to find related topics,much like the index of a book. The Search tab provides access to a full-text search. This differs from akeyword search in that it will search across every word in the help file - literally thousands of topics ofinformation - to help you find just what you are looking for. Also see Using Left-hand Tabs.



All Rights Reserved

Using Left-hand Tabs

The EdgeCAM online user guide includes the following left-hand tabs:

Contents: The Contents tab displays books and pages that represent the categories of information in theonline help system. When you click the Plus sign next to a closed book, the book opens to display itscontent (sub-books and pages). Click the Minus sign to close an open book. When you click pages, youselect topics to view in the right-hand pane of the HTML Help viewer.

Index: The Index tab displays a multi-level list of keywords and keyword phrases. These terms areassociated with topics in the help system and they are intended to direct you to specific topics according toyour way of working. Keywords are cross-referenced with synonyms to provide multiple ways to locateinformation. To open a topic in the right-hand pane associated with a keyword, select the keyword and thenclick Display. If the keyword is used with more than one topic, a Topics Found dialog opens so you canselect a specific topic to view.

Search: The Search tab enables you to search for words in the help system and locate topics containingthose words. Full-text searching looks through every word in the online help to find matches. There are alsooptions to search previous results, find similar words and search only topic titles. When the search iscompleted, a list of topics is displayed so you can select a specific topic to view.



All Rights Reserved

Using Full-text Search

A basic search consists of the word or phrase you want to find. You can use similar word matches, aprevious results list, or topic titles to further define your search.

To use full-text search

Click the Search tab, and type the word or phrase you want to find.1.

To Do this

Search only topic titles Select Search titles only.

Find words similar to your search term. Select Match similar words.

Narrow your search by only usingpreviously found topics for the next search.This allows you to narrow down yoursearch by adding keywords.

Select Search previous results.

Highlight all instances of search terms thatare found in topic files.

Click Options and select SearchHighlight On.

Click List Topics, select the topic you want, and then click Display.2.

Basic rules for full-text searches

The basic rules for formulating queries are:

Searches are not case-sensitive, so you can type your search in uppercase or lowercase characters.

You may search for any combination of letters (a-z) and numbers (0-9).

Punctuation marks such as the period, colon, semicolon, comma, and hyphen are ignored during asearch.

Group the elements of your search using double quotes or parentheses to set apart each element.You cannot search for quotation marks.

When using full-text search in EdgeCAM's online user guide, you can use advanced searching techniquesto narrow your searches for more precise results. See Using Advanced Search Techniques.



All Rights Reserved

Using Advanced Search Techniques

When using the full-text search feature in EdgeCAM's online user guide, the following techniques can helpyou narrow your searches for more precise results.

You can search for words using wildcard expressions. For example, searching for the single word cut* willfind all topics containing the terms "cut", "cuts" "cutter" , and "cutting" and so on.

Searching for a phrase in quotation marks ("tool holder" ) will find all topics that contain the literal phrase"tool holder". Without the quotation marks, the query is equivalent to specifying tool AND holder, which willfind topics containing both of the individual words, instead of the phrase.

The Boolean operators AND, OR, NOT, and NEAR (within eight words) enable you to precisely define yoursearch by creating a relationship between search terms. If no operator is specified, AND is used. Forexample, the query tool holder graphic is equivalent to searching for all topics containing the terms toolAND holder AND graphic.

Nested expressions allow you to create complex searches for information. For example, the search formilling AND ((cycle OR operation) NEAR surface) finds topics containing the word "milling" along with thewords "cycle" and "surface" close together, or containing "milling" along with the words "operation" and"surface" close together.



All Rights Reserved

Using the EdgeCAM Tutorials

EdgeCAM has a series of online tutorials designed to get you started using EdgeCAM. Each tutorial usesan example part to show you various important aspects of Design and Manufacture. You work through aseries of step by step instructions and compare these to screen illustrations and video examples.

From EdgeCAM’s Help menu, click Tutorials. You can also start the tutorials from an icon in the EdgeCAMfolder. This takes you to the tutorials contents screen, where you can choose the tutorial that you want totry.

Click the name of the tutorial to start it running. The tutorial screen will stay on top of all applications while itis active, so that you can read the instructions while operating EdgeCAM.



All Rights Reserved

Getting Technical Support

Contact your local supplier/distributor for:

Software Updates

Customised Application Software

Hotline Support

Alternatively use the Help menu options:

EdgeCAM Support Web Page

Takes you to a continually updated web page of supportinformation. Available to registered users only.

EdgeCAM Support Session

You use this to join a two-way interactive support session with aCustomer Support Engineer.

In the session, EdgeCAM may be demonstrated to you, forexample. You can also demonstrate what you are doing on yourmachine to the support engineer.

To join the session you first need to contact your Reseller, whocan set it up and issue you with a session number.

Selecting the 'EdgeCAM Support Session' option will start yourInternet Explorer and display a log in page where you will enteryour session number and name.

Alternatively, look on our web site at www.edgecam.com for details of new downloads and other supportinformation.

UK Customer Support

Email: [email protected]: +44 (0) 118 975 6084Fax: +44 (0) 118 975 6143

US Customer Support

Email: [email protected]: +1 248 356 8800Fax: +1 248 356 8811

To check the version and build number of your EdgeCAM installation use the About EdgeCAM (HelpMenu) command.



All Rights Reserved

About EdgeCAM

EdgeCAM is a complete manufacturing solution to meet all your programming needs, including Surface,Rotary and Multiplane Machining, 2 and 4 Axis Wire EDM, 2, 4 and C & Y Axis Turning. With its standardMicrosoft Windows interface, EdgeCAM frees you from learning about and maintaining several differentsystems, maximising your efficiency in producing CNC code.

Before you use the EdgeCAM system and related documentation, you should be familiar with CAD/CAMsystems, equipment, methods and terminology. You also need to have some experience of the MS-DOSoperating system and the appropriate Microsoft Windows graphical user environment.

The complete EdgeCAM system provides:

2D/3D Design and Modelling

2½ to 3 Axis Machining

5 Axis Trimming and Deflashing

2 to 4 Axis (C and Y) Multi-Axis Turning

2 to 4 Axis Wire Erosion

Tools, PCIs and PDIs

Editor

Code Wizard

Edge Communications

For the information on EdgeCAM’s features in the latest release, see What’s New.



All Rights Reserved

Key Features of EdgeCAM

Easily creates rendered, 3D wire-frame and surface geometry.

Milling, Wire EDM, Turning and Surface machining disciplines supported.

Dynamically simulates tool motions.

Supports advanced machine tool capabilities such as thread milling, rotary and multiplane, C & Yaxis.

Imports industry standard formats IGES, SAT, DWG, DXF and VDA.

Operational Programming simplifies the programming task and minimises user input.

EdgeCAM’s Sequence Window lets you delete, edit or re-order machining instructions simply andquickly, using a tree-view interface.

Customisable interface.

EdgeCAM Solid Machinist provides the ability to directly load and machine solid files without the needfor translation. Solid Machinist supports both prismatic and surface milling including multi-plane.



All Rights Reserved

EdgeCAM Design and Modelling

EdgeCAM provides a comprehensive set of commands for constructing 2D or 3D parts. Alternatively, youcan import data from all major third-party CAD systems. EdgeCAM supports most surface types as truemathematical models.

You can switch between wire-frame models and rendered views of the part to clarify the aesthetic content ofthe design and highlight any surface imperfections.



All Rights Reserved

2 Axis Turning

All machine cycles are supported. Optional canned cycle output makes full use of the CNC control’sfeatures.

When calculating the toolpath, EdgeCAM takes the full insert geometry into account, which avoids potentialgouging of the part.



All Rights Reserved

EdgeCAM Part Modeler

EdgeCAM Part Modeler is an entry-level procedural solids modelling program.

EdgeCAM Part Modeler provides you with an easy-to-use and cost-effective solid modeler for bothparts and assemblies.

EdgeCAM Part Modeler incorporates features for many manufacturing-specific tasks, such asdesigning moulds and dies or generating electrodes.

EdgeCAM Part Modeler integrates seamlessly with EdgeCAM Solid Machinist, providing a completesystem for creating and machining true solids-based parts with Automatic Feature Recognition andfull part-to-tooplath associativity.

Parts created in EdgeCAM Part Modeler can be loaded directly into EdgeCAM using the LaunchEdgeCAM icon.



All Rights Reserved

4 Axis Turning

Balanced and mirrored cycles improve machining conditions and form an important part of EdgeCAM’sfunctionality.Dynamic billeting takes into account material removed by previous cycles, and so improves the efficiencyof each new machining cycle.Full ‘real time’ simulation depicts the actions of both turrets, so you can see and avoid any potential tooland machine damage.

Other features include:

Turret synchronisation as required (no subsequent manual intervention)

Two turrets on one slide (allows standardised tooling set-ups)



All Rights Reserved

C & Y Axis Turning

Full C & Y axis machining support allows you to exploit the full capability of your machine tools.

EdgeCAM simplifies axial milling design and visualisation by wrapping 2D geometry round a cylinder tocreate radial geometry. Subsequent modifications can be carried out in the 2D view.

C or Y axis movements can be programmed for both axial and radial machining, using the complete rangeof EdgeCAM milling and hole cycle commands.



All Rights Reserved

Milling

EdgeCAM allows 2.5 and 3 axis milling.

Each operation is recorded separately, which eases re-ordering and editing.

Toolpaths can be copied, rotated and mirrored, thereby reducing the number of programming steps.

Island support for area clearance cycles minimises tool movements.



All Rights Reserved

Rotary and Multiplane Machining

By allowing you to load components onto cube or tombstone fixtures, EdgeCAM fully supports machineshop practice. Support for table-based rotary devices lets you use the most widely used form of rotary/indexaxes.

Being able to machine holes and pockets around cylindrical parts in EdgeCAM exploits the full functionalityof the machine and reduces lead times.



All Rights Reserved

Complex Surfaces

EdgeCAM provides a full choice of cycles, surface finish controls, flowline and waterline machining. Thisflexibility means that you machine the way you want. Full gouge protection prevents scrap parts.

All tool types are supported, providing maximum flexibility with your current tool types.

Uncut material detection reduces machining cycle times, and machining by region minimises aircutting and reduces tool travel.

EdgeCAM also supports true 5-axis simultaneous machining, and the ability to lace cut and machineslots in surfaces.



All Rights Reserved

Wire EDM

Ideal for the mould, press-tool or extrusion-die manufacturer, Wire EDM makes programming even the mostcomplex shapes easy.

You can develop 3D models from 2D shapes, building complex models from basic information.

ISO and progressive radii are supported, and Wire EDM supports fully utilises machine controlfeatures.

Sectioning, support tags and area-destruct cycles are supported, and reduce the risk of machinedamage and wire breakage.



All Rights Reserved

ToolStore

EdgeCAM’s ToolStore has been designed as an easy-to-use tooling database, available duringmanufacture and from within operations. Tools can be added, removed, edited and finally selected for usewithin EdgeCAM.

The ToolStore uses an open database format, so you can view and edit the MDB data file using third-partyproducts such as Microsoft Access.

A database has been installed, tstore.mdb containing example tools. The supplied database contains alarge number of records and extra functionality is available for you to perform your own data management.



All Rights Reserved

ToolKit Assistant

EdgeCAM's ToolKit Assistant enables you to manage your ToolStore database more effectively and tostreamline the process of preparing to write an NC file. Together with the Job Manager, the ToolKitAssistant allows you to create a job record on the database with outline details of the program to begenerated. A tool list can then be created for the job using similar techniques to those in TechnologyAssistant to create links with job-specific information.

All of this can be accomplished off-line without the need for EdgeCAM to be running. The data created canthen be used within EdgeCAM to guide you in the creation of the NC program.

The intranet-based Job Manager Reports allow all information stored with a job to be viewed and printed onany PC with an internet browser, thus removing the need for storing job information on paper. The reportscan be shared by other users without the need for an EdgeCAM application.

In addition, EdgeCAM provides the easy creation of job report images which are captured when using thejob in EdgeCAM and placed in the HTML pages of the Job reports.



All Rights Reserved

Technology Assistant

EdgeCAM's Technology Assistant allows automated calculation of feeds and speeds for tools to be usedwithin EdgeCAM.

The Technology Assistant uses industry standards and allows you to select and link material and insertinformation which will then be used by the ToolStore to generate feeds and speeds to be used formachining.



All Rights Reserved

EdgeCAM Simulator

Available in GLview only

EdgeCAM Simulator helps you reduce the possibility of costly tool, machine or part damage. You can proveout your program off-line, reducing set up times and getting into production faster, for increased productivity.

EdgeCAM Simulator will eventually replace the EdgeCAM Verify product once all the key areas offunctionality currently offered by Verify have been implemented.

The EdgeCAM Simulator has two modes that you can start from the Main toolbar:

Rapid Result

Rapid Result is designed for use with mould and die parts and surface parts. Rapid Result will give youalmost instant toolpath verification with visual component comparison.

Note that Rapid Result is not recommended for production machining and does not support the simulationof indexing, rotary machining or turning.

Simulate Machining

Simulate Machining is used for milling, multiplane milling, 2 axis, 4 axis and C & Y axis turning. In each casethe tool, tool holder and fixtures are all included in the simulation. The simulation gives a very realisticrepresentation of the process. The simulation speed can be controlled and the view dynamically rotated,zoomed and panned. For the simulation of turning operations, the part can be shown as a ¾ view enablinginternal operations to be viewed clearly.

Please note that this mode is not recommended for surface parts with very complex toolpaths as thesimulation of these parts could be very slow.



All Rights Reserved

EdgeCAM Strategy Manager

EdgeCAM Strategy Manager offers a solution to a problem experienced by many CAM programmers - howto capture information about a machining job and apply some or all of it to subsequent jobs. StrategyManager offers you an interactive, graphical method to define and capture the way in which parts are to becut. The strategies created can then be re-applied to other EdgeCAM parts to automate the programmingprocess.

EdgeCAM Strategy Manager combines logic and flow chart methodology to capture working practices anddefine a strategy, combining ease of use with power, sophistication and flexibility. It also helps keepmethods consistent and thus reduces process variables on the shop floor. This will help you to increasereliability and reduce part programming time whilst not increasing cycle time.

EdgeCAM Strategy Manager is a separate licensed application. Please contact your EdgeCAM reseller forfurther information on Strategy Manager.

Strategy Manager can only be used in conjunction with Solid Machinist.



All Rights Reserved

PCI and PDI Extensibility

PDIs can be used to customise EdgeCAM, allowing geometry and machining commands to be embeddedin the menu structure.

The PCI macro-based language allows programmers to generate routines; for example, to group standard machiningroutines or automate repetitive tasks.

For more information see Customising with PCIs and PDIs.



All Rights Reserved

Editor

Designed specifically for use as a CNC file editor, EdgeCAM’s Editor is a stand-alone product, packed withessential editing, comparison and formatting features.



All Rights Reserved

Code Wizard

Tailor your code generators (also known as post processors) to suit your own machine tools and preferredworking methods. EdgeCAM’s Code Wizard provides the ideal environment in which to create codegenerators, with templates provided for most popular makes of machine tool.



All Rights Reserved

Edge Communications

Increase your control and productivity with Edge Communications. Using the Comms Wizard, you can setup new communication links quickly and efficiently on the Windows desktop. You are then free to transmitand receive files between PCs and machine tools over your local area network.



All Rights Reserved

How to Start EdgeCAM

To run EdgeCAM

Make sure you are logged on to the machine as an Administrator or Power User.1.

Select the Start button from the task bar.2.

Select the Programs option.3.

Select the EdgeCAM group.4.

Select the EdgeCAM item to load EdgeCAM.5.

Alternatively, you can click on the shortcut icon on your desktop.



All Rights Reserved

Using the Mouse in EdgeCAM

The functions of the mouse in EdgeCAM are:

FUNCTION ACTION MOUSE

BUTTON

Make a view active inGLview mode

Single click in the view. When multiple views are shown, thecaption for the active view is displayed in the default colour for theactive window. The other views are displayed in the default colourof the inactive window.

Left

To select an entity When a command prompts for the selection of an entity, move thecursor over the entity and select the left-hand mouse button.

Left

To select an entity to edit Double click when the pointer is over an entity. The dialog for theentity will be displayed, allowing you to view and/or edit the entityproperties.

Notes

1 .The entity is highlighted momentarily.

2. Double clicking an entity when a command is active will chain alllinked entities.

Left

To rotate the model There are two ways of rotating the model using the mouse:

1. Click the appropriate icon from the Display toolbar, hold downthe left-hand mouse button and move it to rotate the model.

2. Simply hold down the right-hand mouse button and move themouse to rotate the model.

The rotation will occur about the centre of the model.

To rotate the model about a point, position the cursor on thedesired spot on the model and select this point as centre of rotationwith a right-hand mouse click while holding down the Ctrl key. Theselected point is moved to the screen centre. You can then useeither method described above to rotate the model about theselected point.

The Zoom Extents command will reset the centre back to themiddle of the model.

Left

Right

To spin the model Click the appropriate icon from the Display toolbar, hold down theleft-hand mouse button, move it and release to spin the model.

Left

To stop the modelspinning

Single click in the view where the model is spinning. Left

To select an icon Click the left-hand mouse button to finish a command. Left

To move a toolbar Select the double bar at the left-hand end of a toolbar, and holdingdown the button move the toolbar.

Left

To resize a toolbar Select a corner of the Toolbar and move the mouse. Left

To change the activeview's properties

Hold mouse button down over the view caption and select a newview orientation or ‘Properties’ from the list.

Left or Right

To finish a command Click the right hand mouse button to finish a command. Right

To finish a command withdefault for all options

Double click the right hand mouse button to finish a commandaccepting default options.

Right



All Rights Reserved

To display the shortcutmenu

Hold right hand button down in any view and select an option fromthe list.

Right

To zoom in and out Move the wheel forward to Zoom In and backward to Zoom Out inthe active view, at the centre of the screen.

To zoom relative to the current cursor position, pick a point on themodel and move the wheel while holding down the Ctrl key. Thecursor position will be moved to the centre of the screen andzooming will occur at that point.

IntellimouseWheel*

To zoom extents Double-click the mouse wheel to display the complete model withinthe active view. (To disable this functionality, create a new PCIVariable !checkMDoubleClick=0 and restart EdgeCAM in GLview).

IntellimouseWheel

To pan Hold down the wheel and move the mouse to Pan. IntellimouseWheel

Mouse Wheel Sensitivity

Adjust the mouse wheel sensitivity (on the General tab of the Options, Preferences dialog) by entering avalue which will act as the zoom factor applied on each ‘click’ of the wheel. If ‘2’ (the default value) is usedthe magnification will be multiplied by that amount when the mouse wheel is moved forwards and divided bythat amount when the mouse wheel is moved backwards. A value of 1.5 will make the mouse wheel moresensitive.

Note: Using a value of 0.5 has the effect of reversing the zoom direction, i.e. moving the wheel backwardswill zoom in and moving the wheel forwards will zoom out. The maximum value allowed is 100 but it isrecommended to use values in the range of 0-10.



All Rights Reserved

Setting Modality

The purpose of EdgeCAM’s command modality is to store and retrieve the status or value for commonlyused options. This saves having to enter the value for an option each time the command is used. We haveset the modal state for all commands but they can be changed using this mechanism to suit your ownrequirements.

If an option is set modal, the value specified by the user will be retained and displayed the next time thecommand is used. The value can be changed at any time and the new value will then be used until changedagain.

If an option is set non-modal, the value last specified for the option will not be recalled and the entry field onthe dialog will be blank the next time the command is used.

To change the modal settings for a command

Select the ‘Customise Mode’ option in the Modality tab of the Preferences (Options menu)command.

1.

Note that you can only set the modality for a command when the dialog for the command is displayed, it istherefore recommended that the commands are activated from the Menu bar (rather than from a toolbar,when the dialog might not be displayed).

Select a command and its dialog will be displayed.2.

Click OK.3.

A second dialog will be displayed.

Note that each entry field displays the options modal or non-modal, and some options may also include aPCI variable name.

Change the modality for the required options and then click OK.4.

Repeat the process for all commands that you want to alter.5.

When you have completed all of the changes switch the ‘Customise Mode’ option off, and / or exitEdgeCAM to save the changes.

6.

Note: If you change the value of a modal option when editing an instruction the value will only apply to thatinstruction. All other instructions that use the option will still use the original value.

To reset the modal settings to the installed defaults

The default modal settings for the whole of EdgeCAM can be recalled by selecting the ‘’Reset Defaults’option in the Modality tab of the Preferences (Options menu) command.



All Rights Reserved

3D Motion Controllers

EdgeCAM offers support for 3D motion controllers. A 3D motion controller is a three-dimensional inputdevice such as the Space Mouse, that provides the user control of X, Y, and Z translations and X, Y, and Zrotations of a 3D model. This provides full 3D control of graphical images on the screen.

There are two types of 3D motion controller:

SpaceBall - spherical input control handle

SpaceMouse - cylindrical input control handle

In EdgeCAM, both types are supported and will work with the same driver. The driver is supplied by3Dconnexion (Logitech), and must be installed for the device to work with EdgeCAM. For the device to workcorrectly with EdgeCAM, please ensure that the latest driver is installed. The EdgeCAM driver for all 3Dmotion controllers can be downloaded from the software downloads page on www.3Dconnexion.com.

Supported devices

Any 3D motion controllers (SpaceBall/ SpaceMouse family) from 3Dconnexion using the latest driver(3DxWare) are supported.

You may experience a time delay when working with EdgeCAM or EdgeCAM Simulator when the inputdevice is disconnected. This happens because the driver is looking for the input device and the applicationmay appear to be hung during this period. When the driver cannot find the motion controller indicated in theregistry a dialog box is displayed, giving you the option to have the driver search all ports for all devices, orquit. This dialog is useful as it may point out problems with the input device or its connection. The dialogalso allows you to choose what the future action should be.

Choose from the following options:

"Continue to warn the user" (the default and suggested setting).1.

"Always terminate the driver immediately if incorrect settings are found." This is useful for machinesthat at times may not have the 3D input device attached (for example, laptops that are taken out ofthe office without the 3D input device). It prevents an application that is looking for the device fromwaiting for several minutes while the driver searches all ports for all devices (it can appear that theapplication is hung during this period.) No further warning dialog box is ever displayed to the user. Ifthe wrong device or no device is found, the driver simply terminates immediately.

2.

"Always search for devices." This is useful if the machine is often used with different types of 3D inputdevices. In this case, the driver will not warn the user but will automatically search for any devicesthat may be attached. This could take several minutes. Some applications may appear to be hungduring this period.

3.

See Also

Input Control with 3D Motion Controllers



All Rights Reserved

Input Control with 3D Motion Controllers

When working with 3D motion controllers input control is via a handle with the following behaviour (seeillustration below for axis directions):

Push forwards to zoom out

Pull backwards to zoom in

Push left to pan left

Push right to pan right

Push down to pan down

Pull upwards to pan up

Rotate forwards /backwards to rotate the model about the X Axis

Rotate towards left/right to rotate the model about the Z Axis

Rotate clockwise/anticlockwise to rotate the model about the Y Axis

Rotation direction is consistent between handle rotation and model rotation, i.e. rotate the handle clockwiseand the model will rotate clockwise. The co-ordinate system for the device is static and does not relate tothe model CPL.

Further input control is available via a number of buttons on the device that may be mapped to frequentlyused EdgeCAM functions. You can drag any of the following keyboard macros onto the button of yourchoice.

Zoom Extents

Design

Manufacture

Escape



All Rights Reserved

Hot Key Assignments

The following table lists the EdgeCAM hot key (shortcut key) assignments that cannot be re-assigned. Allassignments are applicable to EdgeCAM and the Tool Store unless otherwise stated.

Also see Using Keyboard Controls in the Browser and Assigning Shortcut keys (for keys that can be re-assigned).

Function Action Hot Key

Display sum of values in modifierbox (this only applies where yousee [~Level] in pre-Version 9.0style operations).

Hold down Ctrl key and press '='key Ctrl+ '='

Activate Free Digitize mode Hold down Shift key while selecting the lefthand mouse button

Shift+ left mouse button

Activate Entity Digitize mode Hold down the Ctrl key while selecting theleft hand mouse button

Ctrl+ left mouse button

Activate Grid Digitize mode Hold down the Ctrl and Shift keys whileselecting the left hand mouse button

Shift+Ctrl+ left mouse button

Select all valid, visible entities incurrent view

Hold down Ctrl key and press ‘A’ key Ctrl+’A’

Deselect entities and if in acommand return to dialog

Select the Escape key Escape

Zoom In Roll top of mouse wheel away from you.

Zoom Out Roll top of mouse wheel towards you

Toggle the display of theSimulation toolbar

Hold down Ctrl and Shift keys and press ‘S’key.

Shift + Ctrl + ‘S’

Toggle the display of the Layerswindow

Hold down Ctrl and Shift keys and press ‘L’key.

Shift + Ctrl + ‘L’

Toggle the display of theFeatures window

Hold down Ctrl and Shift keys and press ‘A’key.

Shift + Ctrl + ‘A’

Toggle the display of theFeedback window

Hold down Ctrl and Shift keys and press ‘K’key.

Shift + Ctrl + ‘K’

Toggle the display of the Layerswindow

Hold down Ctrl and Shift keys and press ‘L’key.


Toggle the display of theProperties window

Hold down Ctrl and Shift keys and press ‘P’key.

Shift + Ctrl + ‘P’

Toggle the display of theSequence window

Hold down Ctrl and Shift keys and press ‘B’key.

Shift + Ctrl + ‘B’

Toggle the display of theTimeline window

Hold down Ctrl and Shift keys and press ‘I’key.

Shift + Ctrl + ‘I’

Toggle the display of theTracking window

Hold down Ctrl and Shift keys and press ‘C’key.

Shift + Ctrl + ‘C’

Toggle the display of theSimulation window

Hold down Ctrl and Shift keys and press ‘S’key.




All Rights Reserved

Toggle the display of the Statuswindow

Hold down Ctrl and Shift keys and press ‘T’key.

Shift + Ctrl + ‘T’

Rotate model up in active view Hold down Ctrl key and select Up arrow key.Or right-click and drag.

Ctrl+ Up arrow

Rotate model down in active view Hold down Ctrl key and select Down arrowkey. Or right-click and drag.

Ctrl+ Down arrow

Rotate model left in active view Hold down Ctrl key and select Left arrow key Ctrl+ Left arrow

Rotate model right in active view Hold down Ctrl key and select Right arrowkey

Ctrl+ Right arrow

Pan model in active view Click and drag using mouse wheel.

Pan model up in active view - XZClip Plane (Analysis model)

Hold down Shift key and select Up arrow key Shift+ Up arrow

Pan model down in active view -XZ Clip Plane (Analysis model)

Hold down Shift key and select Down arrowkey

Shift+ Down arrow

Pan model left in active view - XZClip Plane (Analysis model)

Hold down Shift key and select Left arrowkey

Shift+ Left arrow

Pan model right in active view -XZ Clip Plane (Analysis model)

Hold down Shift key and select Right arrowkey

Shift+ Right arrow

Toggle between selected entities(EdgeCAM only, not available in

ToolStore)

Toggle between entities in Intellisnapselection area

Tab key (forward)

Shift+ Tab key (backward)

Rotate locking X axis Select the X key and rotate X

Rotate locking Y axis Select the Y key and rotate Y

Rotate locking Z axis Select the Z key and rotate Z

To copy an instruction using thebrowser

Select the instruction(s), hold down the Ctrlkey and drag to a new location in thesequence.

Ctrl+ hold down left mouse button



All Rights Reserved

The EdgeCAM Window

In the illustration of a typical EdgeCAM window below, click on a red caption for more information.

Title Bar Menu Bar Mode Buttons A toolbar (Standard) A View(in the Graphics Area) A View

(in the Graphics Area) A Window (docked) A Window (docked) A Window (undocked) CPL Marker ViewCaption Status Bar



All Rights Reserved

Toolbars

Toolbars are arrays of buttons.

There are standard toolbars, such as the Mill toolbar which you can use to start creating milling cycles.

You can also create your own toolbars.

You can show or hide a toolbar.

You can 'dock' a toolbar at the edge of the Graphics Area, or you can 'undock' it, when it freely floatsin the Graphics Area. (An exception to this is the Menu bar, which is displayed, and always docked atthe top of the EdgeCAM window.)

You can move a toolbar.

You can add and remove buttons.

You can ensure all the toolbar's buttons appear as text or text and image (disabling the 'Image only'setting for the buttons).

You can reset toolbars to 'factory settings'.



All Rights Reserved

Commands

A command performs a specific action in EdgeCAM.

Commands appear on toolbars and in menus as buttons.

You use a command by clicking on its button or by clicking it within a shortcut menu. You can alsouse the command's shortcut key (combination), if there is one.

You can assign shortcut keys to commands.

Re-set shortcut key assignments.

You can create commands.

Commands are in categories. When you are adding the button for a command to a toolbar, you selectthe category the command is in. In general, categories correspond to menus, so the Geometrycategory commands will appear in the Geometry menu.

You can see a short summary of the purpose of a command, and the command's button icon:

Right-click on any toolbar.1.

In the subsequent shortcut menu click Customise to open the Customise dialog.2.

Click on the Commands tab title to switch to the tab.3.

In the Categories list click the command's category, or try All Commands if you are not sure what thisis.

4.

In the Commands list, scroll to the command. The All Categories listing is in list is in alpha-numericorder.

5.

Note the icon next to the command in the list. Click on the command and note the summary in theDescription box.

6.



All Rights Reserved

Status Bar

The Status bar of the EdgeCAM Window shows:

The Description of a button, as you rest the cursor on it.

Prompts for your next action. For example when creating a cycle you might see the prompt 'DigitiseLevel for this command'.

At the right-hand end:

Shown Means

mm millimetre units are active (click on 'mm' for information on setting units)

in inch units are active (click on 'in' for information on setting units)

XY XY is the current environment (click to replace with 'ZX')

ZX ZX is the current environment (click to replace with 'XY')

DIA Diametral input mode is currently active in the ZX environment (click to replace with 'RAD')

RAD Radial input mode is currently active in the ZX environment (click to replace with 'DIA')

GRIDClick this when digitising to snap to grid points (only available when the grid is displayed(View menu Grid).

ENTITYClick this when digitising to make an ENTITY digitise. See General Principles of Digitisingfor more information. (Not always available.)

FREEClick this when digitising to make a FREE digitise. See General Principles of Digitising formore information. (Not always available.)



All Rights Reserved

Buttons

There are buttons for commands and for menus. You click on a button to perform or activate the command,or to expand the menu to show the items within it.

Some buttons are combined command and menu buttons.

Buttons can appear in toolbars and in menus.

Some buttons have a lasting effect. For example you start the Polyline command by clicking its button, andthe command stays active until you de-activate it (by right-clicking for example). While the button is active,this is indicated by its appearance; by an orange background, for example.

You can:

create new buttons.

Opt for tooltips to be displayed when you rest the cursor on a button, showing the button's name.

Opt for the shortcut key of the button's command to be shown in the tooltip.

Opt for larger versions of buttons' images.

You can change the appearance of a button in these ways:

Display the button as text (the name of the command or menu), or an image, or both.

Customise the image. You can change to one of a pre-defined set of images, or create an imageyourself.

Reset to the default image.



All Rights Reserved

Menus

A menu is a special type of button; it is an expandable lists of further buttons.

As an example of using a menu, you could click on the File menu to expand it and show its buttons. Youcould then click on the Open button to open a new part.

You can:

Change the way menus expand when you click on them.

Opt for drop shadows to appear around expanded menus.



All Rights Reserved

Graphics Area Shortcut Menu

Shortcut menus are lists of commands that appear when you right-click.

If you right-click in the Graphics Area you see the Graphics Area Shortcut Menu.

If you are performing an action; for example creating a line:

There is a short delay before the menu appears. If you release the mouse button before this, theaction terminates.

The command you select typically affects your action. For example, you can switch between Freedigitises and Entity digitises.

So that you can quickly repeat a command, there is a 'recently used' list of commands at the bottom of theGraphics Area Shortcut menu.

You can customise the Graphics Area Shortcut menu to:

Set the delay before the menu appears.

Set the maximum size of the recently used commands list.



All Rights Reserved

Menu Bar

The Menu bar is a special toolbar. As a toolbar, you can dock and undock it, and customise it (for exampleyou could remove a menu or add a new menu).

Unlike the other toolbars however:

You cannot hide the Menu bar.

For menu buttons within the Menu bar there is more limited customisation available than for othermenu buttons; you can only change the button's text.

It is re-set using a different method to other toolbars.



All Rights Reserved

View Caption

In the View Caption there is an indication of the view orientation ('Top', 'Left' and so on), and of the zoommagnification factor.

You can right-click on the View Caption to display shortcut menu options for working with the view; you canchange its orientation and other properties for example.



All Rights Reserved

Windows

Windows are sub-areas within the EdgeCAM window dedicated to a particular area of functionality.

Examples are:

The Features window which you use to work with found features.

The Sequences window, in which you work with your machining instructions.

You can:

Show and hide windows.

Auto-hide windows (this means the window collapses to a small marker at its docking point when youmove the cursor out of the window; you expand the window back to full size by moving the cursor overthe marker).

Move, dock and undock windows. Multiple windows can be docked to the same edge of the Graphicswindow. In this case:

The edge can be divided up into an area for each window.

Alternatively multiple windows can grouped into the same area, with tabs for switching betweenthem.

You choose between these alternatives by how you dock the window. If tabbed windows are auto-hidden, there is a small marker for each of the tabs.

Change the font. This is a Windows setting; refer to your Windows documentation for details.



All Rights Reserved

Features Window

The Features Window is a central area for working with the loaded solids, and any features found in thesolids.

The window shows a tree view:

A solid

A CPL under which has been found features in the solid

A feature in the solid found under the CPL

....any other features....

...any other CPLs....

....any other solids.....

Click to close a branch; click to open a branch.

You can, for example:

Rest the cursor over a solid or feature to highlight that solid or feature in the Graphics Area.

Right-click on a solid or feature to display a menu of commands; there are commands for editing(including renaming) and deleting, for example. (Note that you cannot delete a feature if its layer(which one of the feature's properties) is not displayed.)

Click on a feature to select it and display its properties in the Properties Window.

Please note:

The labels for the solids are taken from their original file name (plus the number if the file containedmultiple bodies).

A 'tapped hole' feature with a '?' against its name is not 'fully defined'; one or more or theseparameters is not set: Thread Units, Tap Diameter, Drill Size, Pitch/TPI, and Depth.

After a reload a feature may be highlighted in bold with the indication 'New', 'Changed', 'Orphaned', or'Best Match'. After reviewing the feature you can clear this: click on the feature to select it, right-clickand click the Accept shortcut command.

You can use Accept on multiple selected features, or on solids or CPLs (accepts all their features).

You cannot use Accept on orphaned features, but they will be accepted automatically once they havebeen re-defined by coordinate input.

If any modified features have not been accepted when you enter manufacture mode, a warningmessage will be displayed, and you will be prompted to complete the review process.

Features are listed by their entity number, which equates to their order of creation.



All Rights Reserved

Sequence Window

The Sequence Window shows sequences of machining instructions. It uses a 'tree' style similar toWindows Explorer.

The instruction labels feature a sequence number and the type of the instruction (for example 'PocketOperation'). Toolchange instructions may also feature a Sort Priority number.

You can:

Right-click on an instruction to open a shortcut menu of commands to operate on that instruction,such as the Edit command.

Right-click on the window background to open a shortcut menu of commands relating to theinstructions as a whole, such as Search, which searches all the instructions for text.

Re-arrange, edit and delete instructions.

Arrange instructions into various groupings.

Show or hide the layer showing a tool's toolpaths.

Opt for an instruction's toolpath to be highlighted when you rest the cursor on the instruction; use theOptions menu > Preferences > Toolpaths tab > Highlight Instructions option.

Side-by-Side mode

In Side-by-Side mode there is a separate tab for each sequence.

You can right-click on the tab title to display a shortcut list of menu options; for example you can chooseNew to create a new sequence.

Click on a tab title to bring it to the front. Double-click on a tab title to select it as the active sequence(becomes marked with a '*'.

To switch to Side-by-Side mode right-click in the window and click to check Side by Side. Check the SingleScroll Bar option to scroll both window panes at the same time.

Twin Turrets

In the turning environment you can use the 'Side by Side' option for viewing instructions for twin turrets.Each turret appears as a separately titled sequence in one tab.

Click on a title to select it. Double-click to select the turret as the active turret (becomes marked with a '*').

The synchronisation commands are displayed in the window in both turrets.

On each turret, the Spindle column shows the currently active spindle (main or sub), with the greenbackground indicating spindle priority.

A driven tool icon is displayed in the instruction list next to the tool change icon. This helps you todifferentiate between driven and fixed tool mode.



All Rights Reserved

Grouping Instructions

Folders can appear in the Sequence Window that contain instructions; these are 'instruction groups':

Group Closed Group Open

You work with groups in the same way as you work with individual instructions; for example you can deletea group, which deletes all the instructions within it. In this respect groups are similar to Windows Explorerfolders and their files. They are similar in many other respects; for example you can rename groups, openand close them, and move and copy them.

The sequence and the instructions within a folder are not affected by being in the folder. For example youcan insert into the folder's sequence in the normal way.

You can work with a group by right-clicking on it and selecting a command from the shortcut menu.

To group instructions, right-click in the Sequence Window and in the shortcut menu click the appropriateGroup command. For example Group Group by Tool .

You can also 'Group by Index ' and 'Group by Synchronisation'. Only one grouping can apply at any onetime, so for example using Group by Tool will undo the Group by Index.

Note:

Do not confuse this way of grouping with the groupings you create with the Instructions Operationcommand.

The groupings group together instructions between events in the sequence, so 'Group by Tool' ismore accurately described as 'Group by Toolchange' (the toolchange instruction is always the first inthe group).

Grouped instructions are displayed in the Time Line in the same way as Operations.



All Rights Reserved

Showing and Hiding Toolchange Layers

You can show or hide the layer containing the toolpaths associated with a toolchange instruction.

In the Sequence Window right-click on the toolchange instruction.

If the instruction is in a 'group by tool' instruction group, you can right-click on the group (folder).

1.

In the subsequent shortcut menu click Display Layer to show the layer, click Display Layer to hidethe layer.

2.

Note that the Layers window shows the effects of your change.



All Rights Reserved

Sequence Validation

Operations and cycles are validity checked to make sure they could be re-generated correctly. If they failthe check they are 'invalid'. A cycle could be invalidated by the deletion of some of the geometry on which itis based, for example.

Validation checks are triggered by various events. For example on entering Machining Mode, or if a changeto the loaded solid is detected (the change being made in an external CAD package).

Here, 'Profiling' is indicated as being invalid:

You see a warning message of invalid instructions when CNC code is generated, so you can investigateand fix them.

Rest the cursor on the invalid item to see a ScreenTip with information on the problem.

Note that you can also perform the validation checks manually, on a feature-by-feature basis.



All Rights Reserved

Searching for Text in the Sequence Window

You can search for any text that appears in the Sequence window; in the names of tools, cycles andoperations, for example:

Click anywhere in the Sequence window and press Ctrl-f. Alternatively right-click in the window and inthe shortcut menu click Search.

1.

Use the subsequent Find dialog to search for your text.2.

As a shortcut way to search, you can press F3. This either opens the Find dialog so you can specify yoursearch text, or it finds the next instance of your text if it is already specified.

If you use 'Mark' to highlight the found text, you can clear this as follows:

Click to select an instruction in the Sequence window and in the shortcut menu click Highlight Remove all or Highlight Remove selected.



All Rights Reserved

Feedback Window

The Feedback Window is a general messaging area. It displays information on, for example:

Various Verify commands (it opens automatically when a Verify command is used).

The Strategy Manager log file

Solid model tolerance

The results of a feature find.

Right click in the Feedback window to display the Shortcut menu commands:

Copy - Highlight the required text to copy.

Clear - Clears all text from the window.

Allow Docking - When checked the widow can be docked.

Hide - Closes the window (same as clicking on the close button when undocked).

You can opt for feedback to be displayed in a dialog (as in pre-version 7.50 releases), rather than theFeedback Window (the text from this cannot be copied):



All Rights Reserved

Properties Window

The Properties Windows shows the properties of the selected feature or machining instruction (selected inthe Features or Sequence Window). Some properties can be edited in the window; features' colour can beedited for example, but instruction properties cannot.

Click to confirm edit, once made (see '*')

Click tocancel edit

Can sort byPropertycategoryor name

Properties

Propertycategory

Click to contractcategory (click +

to expand it)

Click tochoose fromdrop-down menu

* Click toedit properties(enables canceland confirmbuttons above)

Information onselected property

Note that:

There may be other ways to edit properties that are not editable in the this window. To edit the Depthof a feature for example, right-click on the feature in the Features window and from the shortcut menuselect Edit.

There are more details on features' Level, Depth, Bottom and Top properties.

You can use the left and right arrow keys to step through the properties.

Where a property has drop-down setting options, you can use the space bar to step through them.

You can make multiple edits then confirm or cancel them all with a single click of the confirm or cancelbutton.



All Rights Reserved

Time Line Window

The Time Line window shows your machining instructions positioned in time, so that you can validate andoptimise them. You can use it to help visualise the interaction between turrets and spindles, and ensuresynchronisation positions are correctly placed, for example.

Please note:

You can see the screenTip for an instruction by resting the cursor over it (see 'Rough Turning' above).The screenTip includes the total toolpath length.

You can choose an option for an instruction, such as 'Edit' or 'Simulate', by right-clicking on theinstruction.

You can control spindle docking ( ) and un-docking ( ) icons by right-clicking on the whitebackground and clicking Show Status Icons Off, Show Status Icons Full Size or ShowStatus Icons Compact.

You can opt to show or hide the time scale by right-clicking on the white background and clickingShow Ruler.

You can change the time scale using the mouse wheel.

You can drag the window to you preferred position, or dock it in a number of positions.

Colours differentiate between milling and turning instructions.

You can fit the length of the line to the available window width by double-clicking on the whitebackground.

Spindle inactivity is displayed as grey space.

The time line display is based on EdgeCAM cycle times and this limitation should be considered whenviewing the time line window.



All Rights Reserved

Tracking Window

Displays the current position of the cursor in the co-ordinates of thecurrently selected co-ordinate system.

You can switch between CPL (Construction Plane), World and Machineco-ordinate systems using their buttons.

You only see live CPL coordinates when you are digitising (specifyingthe start point of a line for example).



All Rights Reserved

About the GLview

GLview is the default style of view in EdgeCAM.

You can have one or more GLviews open in the Graphics Area. Each view provides a particular viewpoint,such as 'Top' or 'Isometric', onto the part.

A GLview appears like this:

In the centre of the view you can see the CPL marker, which shows the world origin of the current CPLalong with its associated axes: red for X, green for Y and blue for Z; see this illustration.

The appearance of the marker changes according to the selected viewpoint. The illustration shows the TopCPL, as seen from the Top standard view. From the Front standard view the Z axis of the CPL markerwould be vertical.

At the bottom left, in the status bar, is the name of the view. Just above this is another CPL marker; thisone only showing the relative orientations of the view and the CPL.

In the Turn Machining mode this marker appears in a slightly different form. It has a ring which is dividedtop (Upper turret) and bottom (Lower turret) and left (Main spindle) and right (Sub-spindle). The yellowquadrant shows which spindle the selected turret is working on, whilst the grey quadrant shows whichspindle the non-selected turret is working on.

In this example the Lower turret is selected and is working on the Main spindle, whilst the grey quadrantshows the Upper turret is also working on the Main spindle:

The number after the view name is displayed to help you see how far you have zoomed into or out of theview.

An EdgeCAM part model can be viewed from several directions at the same time by displaying multipleviews:



All Rights Reserved

See Also

Creating New Views by Splitting

Tabbed Views

Changing Views

Relationship Between Views and the CPL



All Rights Reserved

Relationship Between Views and the CPL

Each view is usually associated with a construction plane (CPL). When a CPL is selected, the outline of itsassociated view port is highlighted. In the example above, view 1, is highlighted because CPL TOP is thecurrent CPL.

The diagram below shows the relationship between all the EdgeCAM standard views and their associatedCPLs for the XY environment:

The following parameters on the General tab of the View Properties dialog control the alignment of theview port in relation to a CPL.

Track CPL – When checked the view port will automatically align itself with the current CPL.

Align to CPL – The view port is aligned to the selected CPL. The Rotate function is disabled until thisoption is turned off.



All Rights Reserved

Switching and Configuring Views

To change views right-click on the View Caption and select the new viewfrom the shortcut menu.

To configure the view click Properties and use the Configure View dialogthat appears. For details click the dialog's Help button.

For a quick method of changing between alternate view properties within a single view see Tabbed Views.



All Rights Reserved

Tabbed Views

This functionality provides a quick method of changing between alternate view properties within a singleview by creating a tabbed view, with each tab representing a user defined set of view properties.

See Also

Creating a New TabEditing and Deleting TabsLayer Control and Tabbed Views



All Rights Reserved

Creating a New Tab

A mouse click while the cursor is over the view caption will activate this menu:

Select New View to call up the dialog. Type in a name for the new tab and modify the view propertiesaccording to your requirements.

Select OK.

A new, unique tab will be created.

As soon as the first user defined tab is created another tab labelled ‘Default’ will be created. This stores theinitial view configuration so you can easily switch from the user defined tab to the default tab.



All Rights Reserved

As new user defined tabs are created their names are added to the Name field on the dialog.

If you select a name from the list a duplicate tab will be created. If you then modify some of the propertiesthe original tab remains unchanged.

If a new view is created by splitting the current view it will inherit an identical set of tabs. Once split, the tabsof the two views can be changed independently.



All Rights Reserved

Editing and Deleting Tabs

A mouse click while the cursor is over the view caption will activate the caption menu which includes themenu entries Update and Delete:

Select these options to update the tab’s properties from the current configuration or remove the tabrespectively.

The Properties option allows you to edit the view by making selections in the dialog.



All Rights Reserved

Layer Control and Tabbed Views

The Layers tab of the Properties dialog contains a duplicate of the layer list in the Layers Window althoughthe visibility status of layers may differ. By default, the Layers Window takes precedence over the viewproperties. Check the Override box to override the settings in the Layers Window.

You can use this to assign different layer options to each of the tabs. See Assigning Different Layer Optionsto Tabbed Views.

The Select to hide option allows you to select an entity on the layer you wish to hide. Check the Select tohide box and press OK. You will then be prompted to digitize entities on the layer to exclude.



All Rights Reserved

Assigning Different Layer Options to Tabbed Views

The following example shows how you can use the Layers Window in conjunction with tabbed views.

Create several layers containing different types of entities, i.e. geometry, stock and roughing cycle.1.

Then create a tabbed view, assigning different layer options to each tab.2.

You will now be able to switch between different views (each containing different layer options by simplyselecting the appropriate tab).



All Rights Reserved



All Rights Reserved



All Rights Reserved

Standard Views

There are two sets of standard views in EdgeCAM; one for each environment. They are shown in thefollowing table:

XY Environment ZX Environment

Top Turn

Front Inverse Turn

Right Radial

Left Axial

Bottom Isometric Turn

Back Unwrap

Isometric Wrap



All Rights Reserved

Creating New Views by Splitting

Splitting the screen by using icons

At the bottom right-hand side of a view you can find a set of icons which allow you to split the screenhorizontally or vertically and set up each of the views as you wish. The cross allows you to undo the split.

Splitting the screen by using the shortcut menu

Right-click in a view to display the shortcut menu.

Note the two options Horizontal Split and Vertical Split. Selecting either of these splits the originalwindow into two new windows with the same properties. You can then set up each of the views as you wish.

To move the split line, drag the line to its new position with the mouse.

See Also

Changing Views

Tabbed Views



All Rights Reserved

Rotating and Spinning Views

There are two options for rotating the view:

In the Display toolbar click Rotate to activate it. Then in the Graphics Area hold down the leftmouse button and drag around to rotate the view. Right-click or click Rotate again to de-activatethe rotation.

Alternatively hold down the right-hand mouse button and drag (note how Rotate in the Displaytoolbar indicates that it is active while the button is held down).

Use Spin in the same way as Rotate (except you cannot right-button drag). Spin is similar toRotate, but the speed of rotation on releasing the mouse button is maintained. Release the buttonwhile the mouse is still moving for an indefinite rotation (while Spin is active).

As standard, the Spin command is not present in the User Interface; you will need to add it to atoolbar or menu.The command is in the GL View category.

The rotation will occur about the centre of the model.

To rotate the model about a point, position the cursor on the desired spot on the model and select thispoint as centre of rotation with a right-hand mouse click while holding down the Ctrl key. The selected pointis moved to the screen centre. You can then use either method described above to rotate the model aboutthe selected point.

The Zoom Extents command will reset the centre back to the middle of the model.



All Rights Reserved

Deleting Views

Right click in a view window to display the shortcut menu.1.

Select the Close Window option to delete the currently active view.2.



All Rights Reserved

Panning Views

From the Display toolbar, this button lets you drag the view around:

Note that the cursor changes to the same shape to show that dynamic panning is active.

If your mouse has a wheel you can also pan by holding down the wheel and moving the mouse.



All Rights Reserved

Zooming Views

From the Display toolbar, the following buttons allow you to zoom in and out of the active view. Please notethat the zoom factor on the view’s status bar changes as you click one of these buttons.

Zoom in to the view.

Zoom out from the view.

If your mouse has a wheel it can be used for zooming in the active view . Move the wheel forward to zoomin and backward to zoom out, at the centre of the screen.

To zoom relative to the current cursor position, pick a point on the model and move the wheel while holdingdown the Ctrl key. The cursor position will be moved to the centre of the screen and zooming will occur atthat point.

Zoom to a window

Select the Zoom Window icon and in the active view hold down the left-hand mouse button. Drag the cursorto cover the area that you want to zoom and release the left-hand mouse button. The part of the modelcovered by the window will fill the extents of the view.

Zoom the model extents

Select the Zoom extents icon and the complete model will be displayed within the active view.

Double-clicking the mouse wheel will display the complete model within the active view. To disable thisfunctionality, create a new PCI Variable !checkMDoubleClick=0 and restart EdgeCAM in GLview.

Mouse Wheel Sensitivity

Adjust the mouse wheel sensitivity (on the General tab of the Options, Preferences dialog) by entering avalue which will act as the zoom factor applied on each ‘click’ of the wheel. If ‘2’ (the default value) is usedthe magnification will be multiplied by that amount when the mouse wheel is moved forwards and divided bythat amount when the mouse wheel is moved backwards. A value of 1.5 will make the mouse wheel moresensitive.Note: Using a value of 0.5 has the effect of reversing the zoom direction, i.e. moving the wheel backwardswill zoom in and moving the wheel forwards will zoom out. The maximum value allowed is 100 but it isrecommended to use values in the range of 0 -10.



All Rights Reserved

Clipping Views

Clipping allows you to restrict the display of entities to a specified level. This is particularly useful whenworking with complex 3D wireframe models, in a multiplane milling environment and in solid turning.

Clipping planes will be generated relative to the current CPL.

When multiple views are displayed, it is possible to apply different clipping parameters to each view.

To use clipping in GLview

A mouse click while the cursor is over the view caption at the bottom of the screen will activate a drop-down menu:

1.

Select the Properties... option to open the Configure View dialog.1.

Go to the Clipping tab.2.

Specify the level at which the clipping is done.3.

X/Y/Z Level - Specifies the plane(s) to cut through. Choose between the following options:

None - No clipping.

Digitise - You will be prompted to pick the level for the cut plane.

Value - Type in an absolute value at which the cutting plane will be generated.

Specify which section of the display is clipped away by checking the appropriate button.5.

Positive - Removes the display in the positive direction along the selected axis, from the cuttingplane, relative to the current CPL.

Negative - Removes the display in the negative direction along the selected axis, from the cuttingplane, relative to the current CPL.

Clipping and Track CPL

It is possible to have the display configured to automatically track the current CPL by checking the TrackCPL option on the General Tab of the View Properties dialog. This is generally used when working in amultiplane milling environment.

If Track CPL is enabled, the clipping follows the CPL, so if you index to a new CPL, the current CPLchanges, and so does the clipping.



All Rights Reserved

Customising EdgeCAM

There are many ways you can customise EdgeCAM so that it best supports the way you want to work. Forexample you can hide toolbars that you seldom use, to simplify the EdgeCAM Window.

All the information in this help on customising EdgeCAM is grouped into the ‘Customising EdgeCAM’ bookin the table of contents.

Note: When customising EdgeCAM your changes only apply under certain conditions; that is you should beaware of what the active Profile is. Profiles are how EdgeCAM can adapt itself to different situations;whether you are milling or turning for example. See Profiles and Configurations for more information.

Preferences

To make settings such as the units for the part and the tolerances, use Options menu Preferences.

You make the setting in the Preferences dialog that opens. For full details click the dialog's Help button, orclick here.



All Rights Reserved

Defining Colours in EdgeCAM

You can define what you want to use as EdgeCAM’s highlight and background colours. These colours willbe saved as part of your personal defaults and also with the current part.

Select the Colours (Options menu) command to display the colour configuration dialog. The dialog offersthe following parameters:

Background, Highlight – Select the colours for the Graphics Area background and highlighting colours.

Graduation – Check to activate graduation of background colour to colour specified here. To use a single

colour uncheck the graduated option and only the background colour selected will be used.*Flyover – As the cursor moves over the graphics area when the Intellisnap option is activated, entities willbe highlighted in the flyover colour as they come into picking range and revert back to their original colouras the cursor leaves them.

Port Border, Surface, Rapids & Normals, High Feed and Leads – Select the appropriate colours forthese parameters.

Windows background – Check to use the same colour scheme as your other Windows applications.

Open with part colour configuration – Check to ensure that all part files (.ppf) are to be loaded using thecolour configuration saved with those parts.

Clicking on either of the Define buttons displays the standard Windows colour definition dialog:

* EdgeCAM background colour can affect entity colour list

When a graduated background is used this may affect the entity colours in EdgeCAM. This is due to thegraduation using up the entire available palette of the selected colour. It is more likely to happen when using16bit or 24bit (Display Properties, Settings), when the Desktop colour (Display Properties, Appearance) orthe selected background image is using colours within the graduation range. If this effect occurs on your PCyou should change one or more of the settings mentioned.



All Rights Reserved

Profiles and Configurations

You can change the configuration of EdgeCAM to suit the way you work; you can hide toolbars that youseldom use for example.

EdgeCAM configurations are stored so you don't need to re-configure for each work session. There are anumber of stored configurations, in these files:

default.config This is installed with EdgeCAM to provide a 'get you started' configuration.

user.config This automatically saves your configuration (changes) for future EdgeCAM sessions.

your_name.config You can save a useful configuration under a name of your choice. You can thenmake further configuration changes as circumstances change, knowing that you canreturn to your saved configuration by restoring it. You can save any number ofconfigurations to suit different situations.

There are several sets of these configs, each set is contained in a 'Profile'....

Automatic configuration selection - Profiles

Profiles are how the EdgeCAM configuration changes to suit the environment (for example the Mill or Turnenvironment).

There is a profile for each environment, and each profile contains a user.config and a default.config.

When the environment changes, such as when you are in turning and you open a mill part, the profile forthe new environment automatically becomes the 'active' profile, and its user.config is restored.

EdgeCAM is now adapted to the new environment and the newly-restored user.config is where yourconfiguration changes are saved.

Manual configuration selection

If the automatically restored configuration is not suitable, you can restore another configuration from anyother profile. You could restore a default.config if you wanted to get back to a basic starting point, or restoreone of your own saved configurations, for example.

Restoring a configuration activates its profile, and this profile remains active until the environment changes(as described above), or you restore a configuration from another profile.

Suppressing automatic selections - Generic profile

If you don't want the configuration to change on switching environments, you can restore one of theconfigurations from the Generic profile.

The Generic profile remains active until you restore a configuration from another profile; it doesn't de-activate on environment changes.

You can save your own configurations into the Generic profile.

Design and Manufacture Mode configuration

Each configuration is split into Design mode and Manufacture mode parts, so you see different toolbars inthe two modes for example.

This does mean however that you might need to repeat your configuration change in each mode. Forexample if you change a shortcut key assignment, you will need to make the assignment again on switchingmodes.

Files of .dft type

Note that you should not confuse '.config' files with '.dft' files, which store 'system' type settings such astolerances and units.



All Rights Reserved

Configuration File Notes

Permissions

If non-Administrators are to use an EdgeCAM installation, we recommend that:

After installation, the Administrator does not start EdgeCAM until a non-Adminstrator has used it.

Or that the user.config files are deleted before the Administrator logs off.

This is because if user.config files are created under an Administrator account, they are locked out to non-Adminstrators, so configuration changes would not automatically be saved.

(User.config files are not installed; they are created by copying from default.config whenever EdgeCAMstarts and finds them not present.)

Licencing

If you frequently change licences we recommend that you save a configuration file for each licence, andrestore this with the licence.

This is because the User Interface facilities lost when you remove a licence are remembered in the'user.config' files, so they are not automatically restored when you restore the licence.

Multiple users

When the same installation is to be used by multiple users, we recommend that:

All the users have the same permissions.

All users save their configuration under a unique name. Each user can then restore and work withintheir own independent configuration.



All Rights Reserved

Saving and Restoring Defaults

Two sets of defaults are delivered with EdgeCAM – one for imperial measurements, the other for metric.However, these default sets include a lot more information than the units to be used, such as the port setupand display and system tolerances.

You can select a set of defaults to use and create new defaults using the commands in the Options menu.You can update these default sets or create new default sets.

Creating New Defaults

The New Defaults command opens the usual Select File dialog box in which you can select a name or typein a new file name.

Name - Specifies the default file name.

Please note that default files (.dft) are always saved to the \cam\support directory in your EdgeCAMinstallation.

Selecting Existing Defaults

The Select Defaults (Options menu) command allows you to select an existing default file. This dialog boxis displayed:

Load on entry – This parameter allows you to choose how a specified default file is loaded for the part.Choose from:

No change – The default file specified under Name is loaded, although this will not change the defaultsloaded with the part when you next load the part.

Selected File – This uses the file specified under Name.

None – No default file is loaded with the part.



All Rights Reserved

Retaining Input Values

EdgeCAM also uses several modal defaults concerned with system variables.

These variables, such as file names, always offer the last value you used as the default value the next timeyou perform the same operation. These values are saved when you finish using EdgeCAM and reloaded forthe next session. They are independent of parts and are not part of the defaults explained under Saving andRestoring Defaults.

Other modal defaults simply reflect your preferences, such as the colour, style and layer. These are notsaved with the part, nor do they form part of the default files, but they are reloaded each time you startEdgeCAM.



All Rights Reserved

Showing and Hiding Windows

If you cannot see a window:

The window may be auto-hidden; find the window's labelled marker at an edge of the EdgeCAMwindow and rest the cursor on it. The window will appear.

If you cannot see a marker or the window, you need to open the window:

Right-click on the title bar at the top of any window, or right-click on any toolbar.1.

In the subsequent shortcut menu rest the cursor on Windows .2.

In the subsequent list of windows click on an un-checked window to open and show it, click on achecked window to hide it.

Note that in this list of windows there is a shortcut key combination displayed against each window.You can use the shortcut keys to quickly switch the window on or off, without needing the aboveprocedure.

3.



All Rights Reserved

Auto-hiding Windows

When a window is auto-hidden it collapses to a small marker at its docking point when you move the cursorout of the window; to expand the window to full size you move the cursor back over the marker.

To switch between auto-hide enabled and auto-hide disabled for a window:

Make sure the window is docked (you can only auto-hide docked windows).1.

Click the 'pin' symbol ( ) at the top-right of the window.2.

See a demonstration video.

To switch between auto-hide enabled and auto-hide disabled for a window, along with all the other windowsdocked at the same edge of the Graphics Area:

CTRL-click the 'pin' symbol ( ) at the top-right of the window.



All Rights Reserved

Moving, Docking and Undocking Windows

Make sure that the window is not auto-hidden.1.

Start to drag the window around the Graphics Area, around the edges and in the middle:

For non-tabbed windows drag the window by its title area at the top.

For tabbed windows you can drag a window by its title area to move all the tabbed grouping atonce. Alternatively you can drag a window by its tab title (at the bottom) if you want to move thatwindow independently.

2.

As soon as you start to drag, handles appear for the positions where you can dock (though you canleave the window(s) undocked if you wish).

Hover the cursor over a handle and drop to dock at the handle's position. To show you this position,an overlaid colour appears as you hover over the handle.

3.

Away from other windows, there is a handle for each side (left, right,top, bottom) of the overall EdgeCAM window.

The outer handles are duplicates of the inner ones.

Towards an existing window the handles change.

The outer handles position at the left, right, top or bottom of the existingwindow.

The inner handles do the same, but split the available space into two,one half for each window (the existing one and the one you dock).

The central handle positions at the same place as the existing window,with tabs to switch.



All Rights Reserved

Feedback in a Dialog

You can display information in a dialog, rather than the Feedback Window.

This would be useful if, for example, you were verifying several entities in one operation. In a dialog youwould see information on one entity, clicking the OK button moves on to the next entity.

To display information in a dialog:

Click the Preferences (Options menu) command to display the Preferences dialog.1.

Switch to the General tab and click Feedback Dialog to check it.2.



All Rights Reserved

Adding and Removing Buttons

(Note that as an alternative to adding and removing buttons, you can show and hide buttons.)

To add or remove buttons, first:



Then to remove a button:

If necessary, expand the menu containing the button.1.

Start to drag the button from its toolbar or menu. As soon as an 'x' symbol appears you can drop thebutton to remove it. (Note this does not involve the Customise dialog, which only needs to be open).

2.

Or to add a button:

In the Customise dialog switch to the Commands tab.

Now use the tab to add a command button or a menu button. Here is the tab's help, for information:



All Rights Reserved

Customising Buttons' Appearance



Right-click on the button you want to change and in the subsequent shortcut menu click ButtonAppearance.

(Note this is not in the dialog, right-click on the actual button.)

3.

Use the Button Appearance dialog to make your required changes. You can:

Set whether the button appears as an image, text or both. (If the 'Image' option is not available,the toolbar has 'Show text labels' enabled.)

Change the text of the button.

Change the image to one of the supplied alternative images, or to your own customised image.

Re-set to 'Use Default Image'.

4.

Note that you can't change the button's Description.



All Rights Reserved

Changing a Button's Image

When changing a button's appearance, you can change the button's image.

After opening the Button Appearance dialog:

Click Select User-defined Image.

You can now optionally:

Open an editor for creating a new image by clicking New.

Edit an existing image in the editor by clicking the image and clicking Edit.

Once you have completed the editing, click the editor's OK button. The image then becomesone of the images that you can use for the button.

1.

Click on the image you want to use and click OK.2.

Note that the changes only apply to a particular size of button. For example if you changed the image withMedium selected as the menu button size (see Changing The Button Size), you would not see the newimage on switching to the Large size. You need to repeat the changes in each button size.



All Rights Reserved

Showing and Hiding Buttons

You can show or hide a button within its toolbar, as an alternative to adding or removing the button.

For the toolbar in which the button appears, click on the ' ' or ' ' symbol. This is in the title area ofundocked toolbars, or in the bar at the right-hand end of docked toolbars.

1.

Rest the cursor on Add or Remove Buttons, that appears.2.

In the list of toolbars that appears, rest the cursor on the toolbar containing the button. This listcontains all the toolbars docked at the same edge of the Graphics Area as the toolbar you areworking on (or just the toolbar you are working on if it is undocked).

3.

In the list of buttons that appears, click on a checked button to uncheck and hide it, click on anunchecked button to check it and show it.

4.



All Rights Reserved

Moving Buttons

You can move buttons from one toolbar to another:



Click on the menu containing the button to expand it.3.

From the menu drag the button; drag it over a toolbar or a menu and a bar indicates where the buttonwill be moved to (menus expand automatically).

4.

Drop the button when it is in the correct position.5.



All Rights Reserved

Copying a Button's Image

You can copy the image of a button to the clipboard as a bitmap. You could then, for example, paste thebitmap into an image editor (including the in-built button image editor) as the basis for a new button image,that you can paste back into the image editor.



Right-click on the button and in the subsequent shortcut menu click Copy Button Image.3.



All Rights Reserved

Showing Button ScreenTips

You can choose whether or not the text (name) of a button is displayed as a screentip when you rest thecursor on it:



Switch to the Options tab.3.

Now use the tab to show screentips. Here is the tab's help, for information:



All Rights Reserved

Adding and Removing Menus

Menus are a type of button, so you add and remove them using the procedure detailed in Adding andRemoving Buttons.

When you do this you can add a button for a new menu (which also creates the menu), using the 'NewMenu' item.



All Rights Reserved

Changing the Button Size

You can change the size of buttons in the toolbars and in the menus. The changes are independent; youcan change one or the other or both.



Switch to the Appearance tab.3.

You can now use the tab to change the button size. Here is the tab's help, for information:



All Rights Reserved

Showing Shortcut Keys in ScreenTips

If you have opted to show screentips for buttons, you can opt for the shortcut key for the button's commandto be included in the screentip:



Switch to the Options tab.3.

Now use the tab to show shortcut keys in screentips. Here is the tab's help, for information:



All Rights Reserved

Using Menu Animations

You can change the way menus expand when you click on their button (the expanded menu can 'fade in' forexample):



Switch to the Menus tab.3.

You can now use the tab to change the animation. Here is the tab's help, for information:



All Rights Reserved

Using Menu Drop Shadows

You can opt for expanded menus to appear with a drop shadow around them:



Switch to the Menu tab.3.

You can now use the tab to add drop shadows. Here is the tab's help, for information:



All Rights Reserved

Showing and Hiding Toolbars


In the subsequent shortcut menu rest the cursor on Toolbars .2.

In the subsequent list of toolbars click on an un-checked toolbar to show it, click on a checked toolbarto hide it.

3.

Alternatively:



Click on the Toolbars tab title.3.

You can now use the tab to show and hide toolbars. Here is the tab's help, for information:



All Rights Reserved

Resetting Toolbars

(Note that resetting toolbars does not reset the menu bar; you need to follow the procedure in Resetting theMenu Bar.)

To reset toolbars:



Switch to the Toolbars tab.3.

You can now use the tab to reset toolbars. Here is the tab's help, for information:



All Rights Reserved

Moving, Docking and Undocking Toolbars

Start to drag the toolbar around the Graphics Screen, in the middle and towards the edges.

If the toolbar is undocked, drag it by its title area at the top.

If the toolbar is docked, use its dotted bar at the left hand side or top - .

1.

As you move through the various positions where you could drop the toolbar, an outline box showsyou how the toolbar would appear in that position (docked or undocked). When you are happy withthis position, drop the toolbar.

2.



All Rights Reserved

Changing the Shape of a Toolbar

You can change the shape of toolbars so that their buttons are arranged, for example, in a horizontal line orin a square block:

Rest the cursor over an edge of the toolbar; it changes to ' '.1.

Click and drag the edge of the toolbar. You can:

drag the left and right edges horizontally to change the width, with the height automaticallychanging.

drag the to and bottom edges vertically to change the height, with the width automaticallychanging.

Note that the shape only changes when you have moved the cursor beyond the new edge position; sofor large toolbars, you may have to move the cursor quite a long way.

2.

When the cursor is in the required shape, drop the toolbar edge.3.



All Rights Reserved

Resetting the Menu Bar

To reset the Menu bar:



Click on the Menu tab title.3.

You can now use the tab to reset the Menu bar. Here is the tab's help, for information:



All Rights Reserved

Showing Buttons as Text

You can ensure that all a toolbar's buttons appear with text (Note that this disables the 'Image' onlyappearance setting that you can set for the individual buttons.)



Switch to the Toolbars tab.3.

You can now use the tab to show buttons' text. Here is the tab's help, for information:



All Rights Reserved

Changing the Appearance of Toolbars

You can change the style of toolbars, in terms of their colour and border for example:



Switch to the Appearance tab.3.

You can now use the tab to show toolbars' style. Here is the tab's help, for information:



All Rights Reserved

Creating Toolbars

You can create your own toolbars. As soon as you create the toolbar, it appears undocked within theGraphics Area. You can then work with the toolbar as normal; you can dock it and add buttons to it, forexample.

To create a toolbar:



Click on the Toolbars tab title.3.

You can now use the tab to create toolbars. Here is the tab's help, for information:



All Rights Reserved

Assigning Shortcut keys

To assign shortcut keys to a command:



Switch to the Keyboard tab.3.

Now use the tab to assign shortcut keys. Here is the tab's help, for information:



All Rights Reserved

Creating Commands

To create a command:



Switch to the Tools tab.3.

Now use the tab to create a command. Here is the tab's help, for information:



All Rights Reserved

Resetting Shortcut Keys

You can reset shortcut keys assignments back to the 'factory' installation settings (to restore theassignments in the configuration, re-select the configuration):



Switch to the Keyboard tab.3.

Click the Reset All button.4.



All Rights Reserved

Setting Graphics Area Shortcut Menu options

To set the options for the Graphics Area Shortcut menu:

Click the Options menu and click Shortcut to open the Shortcut dialog.1.

Use the slider to set the Shortcut Delay (how long you have to hold the right mouse key down beforethe menu appears, whilst carrying out an action such as drawing a line).

2.

Click in the History box limit box and set a value. This is how many of the recently used shortcutmenu commands are remembered and placed at the end of the shortcut menu.

3.



All Rights Reserved

Creating a New Part

When you open EdgeCAM, you can start a new drawing straight away.

If you have been working on a drawing and saved it, select New (File menu) to clearthe drawing area and begin a new drawing.

If the active part has not been saved since changes were made, then you are prompted to save or discardthose changes.



All Rights Reserved

Working with Configurations

At any time you can restore a configuration from any profile.


In the subsequent shortcut menu click Profiles a profile a configuration. For example clickProfiles Mill user.config.

Note that your restored configuration remains in place until there is an environment switch (such aswhen you are in milling and open a turn part) when the user.config is automatically restored from thenew environment's profile. (That is unless your restored configuration is from the Generic profile; thisremains in place until you manually restore a configuration from another profile.)

The 'active profile' is the profile from which a configuration was last restored, this is indicated by acheck mark in the Profiles list.

2.

Alternatively, you can work with configurations (including saving and restoring) in the Customise dialog:


In the subsequent shortcut menu click Customise.2.

In the Customise dialog that opens, click the Configurations tab title to switch to it.3.

You can now work with the configurations in the tab. Here is the tab's help, for information:



All Rights Reserved

Saving Parts

The commands in the File menu that save an EdgeCAM drawing are:

Save – Use this command when you are saving a drawing for the first time, or if you want to savemodifications to a drawing under the same name.

Save As – Use this command only if you want to give the drawing a different name and keep the last savedversion under the old name.

Save Limited – This works in the same way as Save As but you can specify what you want to save fromthe current part. You are prompted to digitise a new origin for the limited save and to digitise the entities thatyou want to save.

Drawings are saved as .ppf (Pathtrace Part Files). See File Extensions Used in EdgeCAM for a list of othercommon file types. Both commands open the standard Windows dialog box for saving files. Saving adrawing also saves the dimensions, units and so on with the drawing.

See Also

Autosave

Saving Notes for a Part



All Rights Reserved

Autosave

EdgeCAM provides an automatic save capability.

Use the Preferences (Options menu) command to enter the number of commands after which anautomatic save will take place. The default is 5. To disable Autosave, set a value of zero.

Only commands that affect the model are counted – display commands are not taken into account. EachAutosave overwrites the previous save.

Autosave is part of your defaults – whether Autosave is on or off, and the number of commands betweenAutosaves is stored.

To load the Autosaved part, select the Open Autosave (File menu) command.



All Rights Reserved

Saving Notes for a Part

At any time during your EdgeCAM session, you can make notes that will be saved with the part.

Use the Notes (View menu) command to display this dialog:

Add, edit and delete text as necessary. You are limited to using 500 characters, however.



All Rights Reserved

Exporting Data

Parts can be saved in a number of formats for use in other CAD systems. The following file types aresupported:

.ppf (EdgeCAM default file type)

.dxf (AutoCAD)

.igs (IGES format ASCII file)

Select the correct file extension when using the Save (File menu) or Save As (File menu)commands. For more information about importing and exporting data, see CAD Interface File Formats.



All Rights Reserved

File Extensions used in EdgeCAM

$$$ – Temporary files.

2XT CXT 4XT MXTWXT – Code Generator text files.

BMP – Bitmap produced by the Render command in EdgeCAM.

CLC – Compiled task file.

DBF – Database file used in Tool Library.

DFT – Default settings for EdgeCAM.

DOC – Document file produced when a Code Generator is compiled.

EXE – Executable file, for example a PDI file.

FNT – Text font definition files.

ICP – Compiled Code Generator file.

IXP – Code Generator text (source) file.

LAN – Compiled language files.

LC – Task file.

LOG – Manreadable report file.

MAC – Code Generator appended text file.

MCP – Compiled Code Generator file.

MDV – Machine communications definition file.

MDX – Cross reference file used in Tool Library.

MNU – Menu files for Code Generators & main system.

NC – Text file containing NC code.

PCI – Command Macro file produced by an EdgeCAM command save.

PLT – Plot control files.

PPF – Pathtrace Part File. Contains all design and manufacture information on an EdgeCAM part.

SYS – EdgeCAM model record file.

TCP – Compiled Code Generator file.

WCP – Compiled Code Generator file.



All Rights Reserved

Opening Parts

To open a part:

In the File menu or Standard toolbar, click Open1.

Use the standard Open dialog to navigate to your part file and open it.

For EdgeCAM part files (.ppf), and certain other file types, you see a thumbnail preview of theselected part in the list. For large numbers of files this can cause a delay, so you can click ShowPreview do disable the preview. (These are the same thumbnails you see when viewing thumbnails inWindows Explorer).

To limit the list to certain file types, click in the Files of type box and select the type from the list.

2.

Please Note:

The .ppf file type thumbnail is generated from the EdgeCAM view active when you save the part. Anywindows overlaying the part, such as the Simulator window, may cause the image to be captured fromthat window.

Pre-version 7.50 EdgeCAM parts must be re-saved for the thumbnail image to be created.

You can also insert a part into another drawing.

You can also open Autosaved parts.More information is available on opening solid model files.



All Rights Reserved

Inserting EdgeCAM Parts

Use the Insert, Part (File menu) command to load a part into the current drawing. You can insert partsdrawn in different units to the one you are inserting it into – EdgeCAM automatically converts the units tothose you are currently working on. No machining sequences are inserted along with the part.

Select the Insert, Part (File menu) command to display this dialog:

Name – Enter or Browse for the name of the .ppf part file you want to insert. Note that you get a previewthumbnail of parts as you browse through them, as you do when opening a part.

Origin – Check this box to specify the location at which the origin of the part is to be inserted into thecurrent EdgeCAM part.

Scale – Specify the scale at which the part is to be inserted into the current EdgeCAM part. For example, avalue of 2 results in the part being inserted at twice its original scale into the active part.

X, Y, Z Rotation – Specify any X, Y and Z rotations of the part before it is inserted into the currentEdgeCAM part.

Layer – Specify the layer onto which the part is to be inserted.



All Rights Reserved

Inserting a Part as a Component

Requires the Advanced Milling Licence

You may want to insert an existing part into the current drawing. You can use this command to insertgeometric entities and, optionally machining sequences. You have control over how much of the named partyou want to insert, and how you want to insert it.

Select the Insert, Component (File menu) command. The dialog offers the following parameters:

Segregate Layers – Check this option if you want each component's entities to remain on their separatelayers. The layers will be renamed, with the name consisting of the inserted part name prefix followed by theoriginal layer and a number representing the instance of insertion of that part (1,2,3 etc.).

If this box has not been checked, prefix and incremental numbering will not be used and all entities from aparticular layer in the source part will be placed on the same layer in the target part.

Insert Sequences – Check this option if you want to insert all machining sequences from the source part. Ifthis box is not checked only geometric entities will be inserted. Please note that the Undo functionality is notsupported when inserting components with sequences.

Name – Enter or Browse for the name of the .ppf part file to be inserted.

CPL Source – Nominate the CPL in the named part. This determines how the geometry is to be insertedinto the current part. Select from Named List or Digitise a user-defined CPL.

CPL Target – Nominate the CPL onto which to insert the component. Select from Digitise or a list ofavailable CPLs in the current environment. If you choose Digitise, you are prompted to digitise theappropriate CPL marker.

Name Prefix - Allows you to specify a prefix to be used to identify CPLs, Layers and Sequences comingfrom a particular inserted file. If used, the name prefix precedes the existing layer, CPL or sequence name.Duplicates will continue to be distinguished by the addition of '.1', '.2' etc.

Rotation – Enter any required rotation about the Z axis of the target CPL. Centre of rotation will be that ofthe target part not that of the source part(s).

Toolchange and Home positions are defined relative to the sequence Initial CPL.

Also see Combining Components and Sequences.



All Rights Reserved

Inserting a Symbol

The Insert, Symbol (File menu) command allows you to insert an EdgeCAM .ppf part as a symbol in thecurrent part. The symbol can only be manipulated as a single entity and may not be machined. An activelink is maintained between the current part and the part used as the symbol. If this symbol file is moved ordeleted, the current part may be corrupted.

You may use the Explode (Edit menu) command to break up the symbol into individual entities. Thisbreaks the link with the symbol file and increases the size of the current part to accommodate the newentities.

Typical uses include drawing frames and company logos for drawings. These are standard objects that donot change from part to part.

The parameters for this command are very similar to those in the Insert, Part (File menu) command.



All Rights Reserved

Inserting Tool Graphics

The Insert, Tooling Graphics (File menu) command is available in Manufacture mode (and also in Designmode if a mill/turn licence is available).

To load a tool graphics file, enter the Tooling Database by clicking on the Browse button. Select theappropriate database record to return to the Insert, Tool Graphics dialog. The Image field will be filled in.Click on OK to insert the graphics file for the selected record.



All Rights Reserved

Inserting PMS Geometry

You may want to insert an existing PMS geometry co-ordinate file into the current drawing.

This is a two-stage process:

First, you must use the Jobname Conversion option in the Utilities program in the EdgeCAM program group.This only converts PMS geometry co-ordinate files within a PMS Jobname. All files are given a .geoextension.

For example, the PMS geometry co-ordinate file bracket would be converted to bracket.geo and could nowbe inserted into your EdgeCAM part.

Second, from within EdgeCAM, select the Insert, Geometry (File menu) command to display this dialog:

Name – Specify the geometry filename to insert. Select the Browse... button to search from the appropriatefile. The List file of type option is set to “Geometry file (*.geo)”.

Origin – Check this box to specify the location at which the origin of the geometry file is to be inserted intothe EdgeCAM part

Continuous – Check this box to replace line and arc entities in the inserted geometry with continuousentities. Points are inserted as group entities.

Level – Specify the level (relative to the active CPL level) at which you want to insert the geometry. Forexample, if the active CPL level is 10, and you set Level to -25 is specified for this modifier, the geometrywould be inserted at a level of -15.

Scale – Specify the scale at which the geometry is to be inserted in to the EdgeCAM part. For example, avalue of 2 results in the geometry being inserted at twice its original scale into the active part.

The active Colour, Layer, and Style as displayed on the Standard toolbar are used for the insertedgeometry.



All Rights Reserved

Creating Job Images

EdgeCAM provides the easy creation of job report images which are captured when using the job inEdgeCAM and placed in the HTML pages of the Job reports.

If you have specified a job for the machining sequence, select the Job Images (File menu) command tosave the desired screen image(s) together with the job.

Please note that this requires at least 24-bit colour. If you experience problems please check the Displaysettings of your PC. Depending on your graphics card, the valid options may include 24-bit, 32-bit, 16 millioncolours or True Colour.

The Reports Images command in the Job Manager allows you to control the display of these images.



All Rights Reserved

Printing

Select the Print (File menu) command to display a standard Windows Print dialog box. See Also

Setting up the Printer Setup



All Rights Reserved

Setting up the Printer Options

Select the Printer Setup (File menu) command to display a standard Windows Print Setup dialog box,which controls which printer you currently output to:



All Rights Reserved

Plotting

Classic EdgeCAM View only

Note that, for the drawing to be plotted in 1:1 scale on the paper, you must prepare the part by:

Using the Drawing, Configure (View menu) command to set the paper X Size and Y Size,and

1.

Using the Port, Configure (View menu) command to set the Scale of the appropriate port(s)to 1.

2.

To plot a drawing

Select the Plot (File menu) command. The dialog box for the command is displayed.1.

Set the parameters for the command.2.

On the Options tab you can specify the following options.3.

Click OK to dismiss the dialog box.4.

The plot frame appears, and you can now move the plot frame around the drawing using the mouse.

Digitise to select the plot frame position.5.

The command now saves the contents of the plot frame to the named plot file.



All Rights Reserved

Copyright

(C)1988-2005 Pathtrace Engineering Systems. All rights reserved.

Pathtrace Engineering Systems and its registered resellers or sub-resellers shall have no liability orresponsibility to the licensee or any other person or entity with respect to any liability, loss or damagecaused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by this product, including but not limited to anyinterruption of service, loss of business or anticipatory profits or consequent damages resulting from the useor operation of this software. Microsoft, Windows and Windows NT are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.MemoHASP is a registered trademark of Aladdin Knowledge Systems Ltd.NetSentinel is a trademark of Rainbow Technologies, Inc.OpenGL(r) and Optimizer are trademarks of Silicon Graphics Inc.Parasolid is a trademark of Unigraphics Solutions Inc.Autodesk Inventor (tm) is a trademark of Autodesk Inc.SolidWorks is a registered trademark of SolidWorks Corporation.Solid Edge is a registered trademark of EDS Inc.PTC, Pro/DESKTOP, Pro/ENGINEER(r), GRANITE (tm) One, are trademarks or registered trademarks ofParametric Technology Corporation or its subsidiaries in the U.S. and in other countries.AutoCAD and DXF are registered trademarks of Autodesk Inc.MicroStation is a trademark of Bentley Systems Inc., an affiliate of Intergraph Corporation.IGDS is a trademark of Intergraph Corporation.EdgeCAM Simulator and EdgeCAM Verify use technology developed by Lightworks Designs Ltd.ACIS is a trademark of Spatial Technology, Inc., and was developed in co-operation with Three-Space, Ltd.,Cambridge, England, and Applied Geometry Corporation, Seattle, Washington.

Other brands and product names are trademarks of their respective owners.

The information contained within this document is subject to change without notice and does not representa commitment on the part of the vendor. The software described in this document is furnished under alicence agreement and may only be used or copied only in accordance with the terms of the agreement.


45 Boulton Road · Reading · Berkshire · England · RG2 0NH

Telephone +44 (0)118 975 6084 · Facsimile +44 (0)118 975 6143

http://www.edgecam.com

http://www.edgecam.com

Documents

Introduction to EdgeCAM