V9 to X5 Transition Guide
Mastercam V9 to X5 Transition Guide October 2010
Be sure you have the latest information! Information might have been changed or added since this document was published. The latest version of this document can be obtained from your local Reseller. The ReadMe file (ReadMe.htm) includes the latest information about Mastercam features and enhancements.
II • MASTERCAM V9 TO X5 TRANSITION GUIDE
Mastercam® X5 Mastercam V9 to X5 Transition Guide Date: October 2010 Copyright © 2010 CNC Software, Inc.— All rights reserved. Software: Mastercam X5 Part Number: X5-PDF-V9toX5
TERMS OF USE
Use of this document is subject to the Mastercam End User License Agreement. A copy of the Mastercam End User License Agreement is included with the Mastercam product package of which this document is part. The Mastercam End User License Agreement can also be found at:
www.mastercam.com/legal/licenseagreement/
III
Contents Introduction ......................................................................................... 1 Before You Begin .................................................................................. 1 System Requirements ......................................................................... 2 If You Need More Help ......................................................................... 3 Additional Documentation ................................................................... 4 Mastercam Customer Feedback Program ......................................... 4
Mastercam’s Folder Structure .................................................... 7 The User and Shared folders ............................................................... 7
Converting Files ................................................................................ 15 Update Folder...................................................................................... 15
Convert Files and Libraries ............................................................... 15 System Configuration: Set default libraries....................................... 20
Update Posts....................................................................................... 22
Convert Posts................................................................................... 23 Convert Setup Sheets (.SET) ............................................................ 27 Find and Fix Post Conversion Errors ................................................. 28 Confirm Machine Definition Configuration (Optional)........................ 30 System Configuration: Set default machines .................................... 33
Convert Parts ...................................................................................... 35
Additional Procedures and Information ................................ 37
Update Custom Tool Profiles ............................................................ 37
Mill and Router ................................................................................... 38
Edit Home Positions ......................................................................... 38 Update Router Head Definition files (.HD9) ...................................... 40
Lathe .................................................................................................... 42
Select a new axis combination......................................................... 43 Create a VTL machine definition....................................................... 45 Replace a horizontal machine definition ........................................... 46
Wire ..................................................................................................... 47
Edit control definitions for Agie Wire EDM machines ....................... 48
C-Hooks and Net-Hooks .................................................................... 51
IV • MASTERCAM V9 TO X5 TRANSITION GUIDE
INTRODUCTION IMPORTANT: If you are updating to Mastercam X5 from any version of Mastercam X, see the Mastercam X5 Transition Guide, located in the \Documentation folder of your Mastercam installation. This guide is designed to help Mastercam users recreate their Mastercam work environment—and their current jobs and parts—as quickly as possible after installing a new Mastercam release. It provides the information you need to update your work to Mastercam X5 from Mastercam Version 9. Recreating your Mastercam work environment in the new version involves several tasks:
Updating files whose formats have changed in the new version. Modifying your configuration files so that they point to the correct files. Editing supplemental files such as custom tool profiles to function correctly in the new version.
Before You Begin Mastercam X5 presents major changes and improvements from earlier versions of Mastercam. To ensure the smoothest transition possible, follow the procedures in this guide as written and in order. Note: In this guide, the term “Mastercam X” refers to any version of Mastercam X. When the information applies only to a specific version, the version number is indicated (for example, Mastercam X2 MR2).
2 • MASTERCAM V9 TO X5 TRANSITION GUIDE
System Requirements Mastercam X System Requirements Processor
2.5 GHz minimum (recommended) 32-bit or 64-bit Intel®-compatible processor Note: The processor must be SSE2-compatible. Intel-compatible processors manufactured since 2003 should be SSE2-compatible.
Operating System
Windows XP, Windows Vista® (Business or Ultimate), or Windows 7 (Professional or Ultimate) including the latest service packs and recommended updates VCRedist 2008 (Visual C++ Redistributable Package); installed with Mastercam
Memory
2 GB minimum Additional RAM recommended for optimal performance
Graphics Configuration
256MB OpenGL-compatible graphics card (minimum)
1280 minimum width 1280 x 1024 pixel resolution (minimum) Full hardware acceleration display setting is recommended Integrated graphics controllers are not supported Hard Disk Drive Space 3 GB available hard disk space (minimum) Mouse
2-button (minimum). 3-button or 2-button with middle mouse wheel (recommended).
INTRODUCTION • 3
Mastercam X System Requirements Network Protocol
(NetHASP users only) TCP/IP protocol for NetHASP installation
Additional Supported Hardware
Dual monitors. Multi-core processors. (One or more processor per instance of Mastercam.) SpaceBall® motion controllers.
Additional Software
You will need the latest version of Adobe® Flash® to view the videos that accompany Mastercam. You will need Adobe® Reader® 6.0 (minimum) to display the PDF documentation. You can download both applications from www.adobe.com.
If You Need More Help There are many ways to get help with Mastercam, including the following:
Mastercam Help—Access Mastercam Help by selecting Help, Contents from Mastercam’s menu bar or by pressing [Alt+H] on your keyboard. Also, most dialog boxes and ribbon bars feature a Help button
that opens Mastercam Help directly to related information.
Online help—You can search for information or ask questions on the Mastercam Web forum, located at www.emastercam.com. You can also find a wealth of information, including many videos, at www.mastercam.com and www.mastercamedu.com. Mastercam Reseller—Your local Mastercam Reseller can help with most questions about Mastercam. Technical Support—CNC Software’s Technical Support department (860-875-5006 or
[email protected]) is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. USA Eastern Standard Time. Documentation feedback—For questions about this or other Mastercam documentation, contact the Technical Documentation department by email at
[email protected]. Mastercam University—CNC Software sponsors Mastercam University, an affordable online learning platform that gives you 24/7 access to Mastercam training materials. Take
4 • MASTERCAM V9 TO X5 TRANSITION GUIDE
advantage of more than 180 videos to master your skills at your own pace and help prepare yourself for Mastercam Certification. For more information on Mastercam University, please contact your Authorized Mastercam Reseller, visit www.mastercamu.com, or email
[email protected].
Getting Started Tutorial Series—The Getting Started Tutorial Series is a set of books and videos designed to introduce new users to Mastercam. The tutorials are best used in sequence, but they can also be used independently. For more information, please contact your Authorized Mastercam Reseller.
Additional Documentation You can find more information on using Mastercam in the following materials, located in the \Documentation folder of your Mastercam installation:
Mastercam X5 Installation Guide Mastercam X5 Administrator Guide Mastercam X5 Quick Start Mastercam X5 Reference Guide Mastercam X5 Transition Guide Mastercam X5 Quick Reference Card Mastercam X5 Wire Getting Started Guide Version 9 to X Function Map Mastercam X5 NCI & Parameter Reference Mastercam X5 Post Debugger User’s Guide
Mastercam Customer Feedback Program The Mastercam Customer Feedback Program is an optional data feedback tool. The program is completely voluntary. If you choose to turn this functionality on, it runs during every Mastercam session, automatically collecting and sending usage information to CNC Software, Inc. (CNC). The data is used only for quality and product improvement purposes. It helps give CNC an idea of the relative value of various functionalities within its products. The data does not include user model data or any information that could be used to re-create models. This program cannot and will not collect data for the purpose of reverse engineering. IMPORTANT: The Mastercam Customer Feedback Program will at no time collect data that is not relative to Mastercam. No sensitive, personal, or otherwise private data will be gathered.
INTRODUCTION • 5
The program is turned off by default. You must choose to participate in the program by clicking the option shown below in the Mastercam Customer Feedback Program dialog box.
This dialog box appears the first time you open Mastercam after an install. To participate, select the “Yes” option and click OK. You can change your status at any time. To change your participation settings, select Customer Feedback Program from the Help menu.
The types of data that Mastercam collects includes the following:
The Mastercam build number Your SIM number The name of the function you called and how you accessed it (toolbar button, hot keys, menu) CNC combines the data gathered from Mastercam Customer Feedback Program participants to answer the following types of questions:
Which Mastercam functions are used the most, and which are used the least? Which file translators are used, and how often?
6 • MASTERCAM V9 TO X5 TRANSITION GUIDE
Which C-Hooks are used and how often? Which commands are used sequentially or in conjunction with each other? Note: The lists above are not comprehensive. These are examples of the types of data CNC collects. If you are running the Mastercam Customer Feedback Program, an icon (shown below) displays in your Windows program tray in the bottom right corner of your computer screen.
Notes: • Participating in this program does not impact your processing time or computer performance. • If you are running the Mastercam Customer Feedback Program, the tool automatically closes when you exit Mastercam. • The data gathered by this program is sent to CNC when you exit Mastercam, or after a specific number of transactions. • If you do not have an Internet connection, the data is saved to your local drive. The next time you start Mastercam, the program attempts to send the data. If the data cannot be sent over a period of five days, it is automatically purged from your system. • You can turn your participation settings on and off at any time during a Mastercam session.
Mastercam’s Folder Structure To be more compatible with Microsoft® guidelines and security measures, the default installation folder for the Mastercam application is now C:\Program Files\mcamx5 for 32-bit operating systems and C:\Program Files (x86)\mcamx5 for 64-bit operating systems. Additionally, this change requires the relocation of user-modifiable files from the Mastercam installation folder to two different locations, depending on whether the data is for a single user or if it is shared. In previous versions of Mastercam, the installation folder was the default location of all usermodifiable files. Starting with Mastercam X5, these files fit into one of two categories: files that can be accessed and changed by a single user and files that can be accessed and changed by all users (shared files). Each category of customized file has its own storage folder: My mcamx5 or Shared mcamx5. Begin the transition to Mastercam X5 by working with customized files from previous versions that do not need conversion. In this section, you learn:
The default locations and navigation shortcuts to Mastercam’s new storage folders The types of files that go into each new storage folder
The User and Shared folders TIPS: When you start Mastercam X5 for the first time, two dialog boxes display information for the following: • Mastercam Customer Feedback Program: The Mastercam Customer Feedback Program collects data while you use Mastercam, and automatically sends reliability and usage information to CNC Software, Inc. (CNC). Select Yes, I would like to provide automatic feedback to enroll. For more information, see page 4. • What’s New: Information in the What’s New dialog box outlines the new features in each product level of Mastercam X5. It also includes demonstration videos and short tutorials to let you try some of the new functionality.
8 • MASTERCAM V9 TO X5 TRANSITION GUIDE
The My mcamX5 folder contains files that are customized for personal use. You can access or modify these files only when you log into your workstation. The files in this folder include:
MCX, NC, and NCI files Personalized configuration files Other personalized files such as toolbars and key mapping
Note: The My mcamx5 folder is not created until you run Mastercam X5. The Shared mcamX5 folder contains files that are shared by multiple Mastercam users. Any user who is logged into the workstation can access and modify them. The files in this folder include:
Machine and control definitions Operation defaults files Posts Tool and material libraries Other shared files such as report templates, nesting defaults, and FBM configurations
MASTERCAM’S FOLDER STRUCTURE • 9
The exact path of the My mcamx5 and Shared mcamx5 folders depends on your computer’s operating system. The following table lists the default paths for Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7.
Operating System
Default Single User Path
Default Shared Path
Windows XP
C:\Documents and Settings\\My Documents\my mcamx5
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Shared Documents\shared mcamx5
Windows Vista or 7
C:\Users\\ Documents\my mcamx5
C:\Users\Public\Documents\shared mcamx5
Mastercam provides three methods to make these two important folders easier to access.
From the File menu, select Open User Folder or Open Shared Folder.
10 • MASTERCAM V9 TO X5 TRANSITION GUIDE
Double-click the My mcamx5 or the Shared mcamx5 shortcuts from within the My mcamx5 and Shared mcamx5 folders to open the folder in a separate window.
MASTERCAM’S FOLDER STRUCTURE • 11
Select the User Data or Shared Data icons in the Places bar on the left side of the Open or Save As dialog boxes.
The following table lists the default locations of many files in Mastercam Version 9 and Mastercam X5. Mastercam X introduced new file extensions and some new file types. This table lists some of these new files and—if they have them—their equivalents in Version 9. File names and paths are shown for Mastercam Mill; other Mastercam products have equivalent paths. For more information, see the Folder Location Card located in the \Documentation folder of your Mastercam installation.
12 • MASTERCAM V9 TO X5 TRANSITION GUIDE
File Type Part files
Version 9
Mastercam X5
extension
.MC9
.MCX-5, .EMCX-5
location
\mcam9\mill\mc9
\shared mcamx5\mcx shared part files \my mcamx5\mcx personal part files
.DF9
.DEFAULTS-5
location
\mcam9\mill\ops
\shared mcamx5\mill\ops
extension
.TL9
.TOOLS-5
location
\mcam9\mill\tools
\shared mcamx5\mill\tools
extension
.WP9
.POWER
location
\mcam9\wire\power
\shared mcamx5\wire\power
extension
.MT9
.MATERIALS-5
location
\mcam9\mill\tools
\shared mcamx5\materials
extension
.OP9
.OPERATIONS-5
location
\mcam9\mill\ops
\shared mcamx5\mill\ops
Toolpath and extension operation defaults Tool libraries Power settings libraries Material libraries Operation libraries Machine definitions
extension location
Component libraries
Not used in Version 9
extension location
Control definitions
.MMD-5, .LMD-5, .RMD-5, .WMD-5
.GMD-5 Not used in Version 9
extension location
Report templates
Nesting libraries
\shared mcamx5\cnc_machines
.CONTROL-5 Not used in Version 9
HST Formula files extension Post processor files
\shared mcamx5\cnc_machines
\shared mcamx5\cnc_machines
.FORMULA
location
Not used in Version 9
\shared mcamx5\mill\formula
extension
.PST, .PSB, .TXT, .SET
.PST, .PSB, .SET
location
\Mcam9\Mill\Posts
\shared mcamx5\mill\posts
Used to create tool lists, part labels, nesting reports, and ActiveReports setup sheets.
.RPX
location
Not used in Version 9
\shared mcamx5\common\reports\ (MSC, NPL, NST, SST)
extension
.DEF, .NSL, .NPL, .NST
.DEFX, .NSLX, .NPLX, .NSTX
location
\mcam9\NESTING
\shared mcamx5\NESTING
MASTERCAM’S FOLDER STRUCTURE • 13
File Type VB scripts
Version 9
Mastercam X5
\mcam9\vb
\shared mcamx5\vb
multiple locations
\mcam9\mill\nc \mcam9\mill\nci
\my mcamx5\mill\nc \my mcamx5\mill\nci
extension
.CFG
.CONFIG
location
\mcam9\config
\my mcamx5\CONFIG
.VBS location
NC and NCI files
Configuration files
.NC .NCI
Key mapping files
.KMP location
Toolbar mapping files
extension location
Communications settings
\my mcamx5\CONFIG
.MTB Not used in Version 9
\my mcamx5\config
\mcam9
\my mcamx5\CONFIG
mcomm.CFG location
NetHasp configuration
Not used in Version 9
Modification requires Administrator level permissions!
nethasp.INI location
\mcam9
Program Files\mcamx5\
14 • MASTERCAM V9 TO X5 TRANSITION GUIDE
Converting Files CNC Software, Inc. understands that many current users have invested a substantial amount of time and energy in developing their tool and material libraries, toolpath and operation defaults, and operation libraries to meet their own preferences and customer requirements. To help make the transition process as smooth as possible, Mastercam X5 includes the Update Folder function, to simplify the transfer and conversion of files, and the UpdatePost utility, to convert your posts and generate compatible machine and control definitions.
Update Folder With Update Folder you can convert an entire folder of files to the current version of Mastercam. For example, you can convert all of your tool libraries and/or part file folders in a single operation. It does not matter which Mastercam product you are running or which machine definition is active. A Mastercam version number is appended to most file extensions. In most instances, Mastercam file name extensions are formed by appending a hyphen followed by the Mastercam version. As part of the X5 conversion process, Update Folder changes the file extension of the files it updates. Update Folder does not overwrite or remove your Version 9 files. The following table shows the files that Update Folder converts and their X5 file extensions. You should update these files with Update Folder before using them in Mastercam X5.
File Type
Version 9 Extension
Mastercam X5 Extension
Tool libraries
.TL9 .HD9 .LHC .LIC
.TOOLS-5 .HD9 .LHC .LIC
UPDATE FOLDER
Materials files
.MT9
.MATERIALS-5
Wire power libraries
.WP9
.WP9
Convert Files and Libraries The following procedure details an efficient way to convert Mastercam Version 9 files to Mastercam X5. For more information about using Update Folder, see Mastercam Help. IMPORTANT: Only files supported by the products enabled on your SIM will be updated.
16 • MASTERCAM V9 TO X5 TRANSITION GUIDE
1 Select File, Update Folder.
The Update Folder dialog box opens. 2 Choose Update specific file types. 3 In the File types box, select the following
options:
Tool libraries Materials files Wire power libraries
CONVERTING FILES • 17
IMPORTANT: Do not use Update Folder to convert Version 9 parts, posts, operations libraries, or default libraries. • To convert parts, use File, Open to open each file individually, then save the part to the .MCX-5 file type. See page 35 for more information. • To convert posts, run the UpdatePosts C-Hook. See page 22 for more information. • Operations and default libraries must be recreated in Mastercam X. See Mastercam Help for more information. 4 If your source folder contains files from
multiple versions of Mastercam, select Update specific versions to activate the Versions section. Then, select Version 9.
5 In the From this source folder box, enter (if necessary) your previous Mastercam
installation’s root directory. (You can use the Browse button to navigate to the desired folder.) 6 If Search sub-folders isn’t already active, select it. 7 Keep the default path shown in the To this destination folder box.
File types converted by Update Folder are generally shared between multiple Mastercam users. By default, these converted files are saved in the Shared mcamx5 folder. 8 Click OK.
Mastercam converts all the files found in the source directory, including both metric and inch files.
18 • MASTERCAM V9 TO X5 TRANSITION GUIDE
Notes: Update Folder does not convert the following files: .HD9, .WP9, .LHC, and .LIC. It only copies them to their destination folders. • Use the HD9toGMD C-Hook to update Router Head Definition files (.HD9). See page 40 for more information. • In Windows Explorer, navigate to ..\shared mcamx5\WIRE\Power. Right-click and use the Rename command to change the extension from .WP9 (Version 9) to .POWER (Mastercam X). • Lathe inserts and holders can be used from and saved to catalogs copied from Version 9.
Material Libraries Previous versions of Mastercam maintained separate material libraries for Mill, Lathe, and Router. Mastercam X installs a single library (default.MATERIALS-5) that stores all Mill and Lathe settings. This combined library has been optimized for X5. However, you can still work with the separate Mill and Lathe material libraries that you have converted from Version 9. To use your converted libraries in Mastercam X5, use Update Folder to convert each library. Then, edit your configuration file so that the default material library for each product is different. (See “System Configuration: Set default libraries” on page 20 for a step-by-step procedure.) Mastercam X installs all material libraries in ..\shared mcamx5\materials.
TIP: For easier access, move your converted material libraries from the Mill or Router Tools folder to ..\shared mcamx5\materials.
CONVERTING FILES • 19
Messages and files generated by Update Folder As Update Folder processes your files, Mastercam might display the following messages and files.
Overwrite alert Update Folder displays this message when it encounters another version of an updated file in the destination folder.
If you have customized the file referenced in the dialog and want to continue to use it, click Backup original file in destination folder and update to convert your customized file while keeping a copy of the existing X5 file. Click Do not update this file to keep the X5 version of the file. When you click this option, your file does not convert and is not copied into the destination folder. Consider selecting this option because many default libraries and files have been optimized for use in the latest version of Mastercam. Select Apply this action to all subsequent conflicts to continue processing without further interruption.
Machine Definition file missing Update Folder generates this message as it attempts to locate machine definitions that have not yet been created. Mastercam X requires that each toolpath group belong to a machine group. The machine group is where Mastercam stores all of your toolpaths for the selected machine, and contains many of the Job Setup functions from earlier versions of Mastercam. When you open any part with toolpath data, Mastercam X loads an assigned machine definition into the machine group. Files created in Version 9 do not have machine groups or machine
20 • MASTERCAM V9 TO X5 TRANSITION GUIDE
definitions. (You create machine definitions from your Version 9 posts with the UpdatePosts C-Hook later in the transition process.)
Click OK to dismiss this message. (Update Folder might generate this warning multiple times.) Your data will not be affected.
System Configuration: Set default libraries After you use Update Folder to convert your Version 9 libraries to their Mastercam X5 equivalents, edit your configuration (.CONFIG) files to default to those libraries instead of to the factory defaults. In Mastercam X, libraries are components of control definitions. Editing these preferences now ensures that the machine and control definitions you create when you update your posts (page 22) will use your converted libraries. Note: Skip this section if you want to use Mastercam’s default libraries and files for each product. 1 Select Settings, Configuration.
The System Configuration dialog box opens.
CONVERTING FILES • 21
2 Select the Files property page from the
topics list.
3 In the File usage section, select the type of
library or file that you have converted. In Mastercam X, Mill, Lathe, Router, Wire, and Design all share a common configuration file. See page 18 for more information about material libraries.
4 In the Selected item section, click the
Select button. 5 Navigate to the converted library or file, and click OK to set the default.
22 • MASTERCAM V9 TO X5 TRANSITION GUIDE
Note: Update Folder does not automatically place your converted material libraries into the Materials folder. If necessary, move your converted libraries into the Materials folder (..\shared mcamx5\materials) before selecting. 6 Repeat Steps 3 – 5 for each converted library or file that you want to use as a default.
TIP: While on the Files property page, you can also: • define where individual types of files are stored • configure Most Recently Used (MRU) drop-down menu settings • define options for opening and saving files For more information on the Files property page, see Mastercam Help. 7 When you have selected all the libraries
and files that you wish to use as defaults, click the Save As button to create a custom configuration file. The default location for Mastercam X5 configuration files is in the ..\my mcamx5\CONFIG folder. 8 Click OK.
9 Repeat Steps 2 – 8 to create other configuration files.
Just as in earlier versions of Mastercam, you can create as many different configuration files as you want for special needs or custom applications. Repeat this procedure for your metric .CONFIG file. (If you normally work in metric, repeat for your inch .CONFIG file.) You still need separate configuration files for inch and metric operations.
Update Posts The UpdatePost utility is a C-Hook that is supplied with Mastercam X5 and installed in ..\Program Files\mcamx5\chooks. It converts posts (including binary posts) and .SET setup
sheets from Mastercam Version 4 or later. UpdatePost outputs two post files to a selected destination folder: the converted post which retains the original file name, and a copy of the original post which is saved with an extension that indicates the originating version (for example, Postname.PST_version). Additionally, you can configure UpdatePost to generate machine and control definitions that are compatible with the converted post processor, as well as a log file that lists any errors generated during the conversion.
CONVERTING FILES • 23
The following table lists examples of input and output files for different post types.
Input files
Output files
Mypost.PST, Mypost.TXT
Mypost.PST, Mypost.PST_version Optional: UpdatePostX.log, Mypost.mmd, Mypost.control
Mypost.PST, Mypost.PSB, Mypost.TXT
Mypost.PST, Mypost.PST_version Mypost.PSB, Mypost.PSB_version Optional: UpdatePostX.log, Mypost.mmd, Mypost.control
Mypost.PSM, Mypost.TXT
Mypost.PSM, Mypost.PSM_version Optional: UpdatePostX.log, Mypost.mmd, Mypost.control
Router posts will output .RMD files instead of .MMD. Lathe posts will output .LMD files, and Wire posts will output .WMD files.
Convert Posts IMPORTANT: UpdatePost creates machine and control definitions using data from the original post and the active configuration file. If you want your converted posts to run with machine and control definitions that use the default libraries you set in the previous section, make sure that the appropriate configuration file is currently active. 1 Select Settings, Run User Application.
2 Open the file, UpdatePost.dll.
24 • MASTERCAM V9 TO X5 TRANSITION GUIDE
The Update Post dialog box opens.
3 Select the type of post that you are
converting. UpdatePost can convert several posts at once, but only if they are the same machine type (for example, Mill, Lathe, Router, Mill/Turn, or Wire). If you have many posts to convert, you may wish to sort them by machine type. 4 From the drop-down box, choose the
version number of the original posts.
CONVERTING FILES • 25
5 Specify the target directory for the converted posts.
If you do not want to save the converted posts to the Mastercam product’s default posts folder, deselect Change target folder based on post type and choose a new target folder. 6 Click the Select Post(s) button to choose
the posts you want to convert. The Select Post(s) dialog box opens.
Use [Shift+click] and [Ctrl+click] to select multiple posts. Posts must all be the same type and version. You can select only the .PST/.PSM file for each post. However, all the files associated with the post (for example, the .TXT file or .PSB file) must be in the same directory as the .PST/.PSM file. 7 Select the options to create machine and
control definitions. Machine and control definitions created by UpdatePost are automatically configured to use the converted post. See “Machine and Control definitions created by UpdatePost” on page 27 for more information. 8 Select your log file options. Creating a log
file is strongly recommended; it will list every error generated during the conversion, plus any other instance where Mastercam could not unambiguously determine how to convert the original post. 9 Click OK to convert the posts and close
UpdatePost, or click Apply to convert the posts and leave UpdatePost open so you can convert more posts.
OR
UpdatePost makes the following changes to your post:
Updates the header to the latest version number. Updates string initialization to conform to current best-practice standards.
26 • MASTERCAM V9 TO X5 TRANSITION GUIDE
Note: UpdatePost might generate a Referenced File Warning indicating that the SYSTEM(READ-ONLY).control-5 file is referenced, and a current version cannot be found.
Click OK on this message—and any subsequent messages that Update Post generates about this control file—to dismiss it. The control file will not be overwritten and your data will not be affected. 10 Review the post log file (if you created one) for errors and other notes.
All errors are noted in the log file and flagged in the converted post. See page 28 for more information about correcting post errors. Note: Print out or save the post log file to a different file name if you think you will need to refer to the log later. Mastercam overwrites the log each time you run UpdatePost.
CONVERTING FILES • 27
Convert Setup Sheets (.SET) Because a .SET file setup sheet is basically a type of post processor, you can also use the UpdatePost utility to convert .SET files to Mastercam X5. Start the UpdatePost utility by selecting Settings, Run User Application from the menu. Choose UpdatePost.dll, and then follow the procedure for converting posts. Note: After clicking the Select Post(s) button, select Post Setup Sheet Files (*.set) from the Files of type list so that you can select the .SET files. Like converted post files, your new setup sheet will have the same name as the old one. Mastercam will create a backup copy of your original file with a different extension (SetupSheetName.SET_version).
Machine and Control definitions created by UpdatePost Mastercam automatically transfers information from your current post to the new machine and control definition. For any information that is not read from the post, Mastercam uses system default values. Typically, most of the values read from the post will be written to the control definition, while most of the values in the machine definition will be default values. The control and machine definition each have the same name as the post. For example, if you convert a mill post called HAAS_VR8.PST, Mastercam creates HAAS_VR8.CONTROL-5 and HAAS_VR8.MMD-5 in addition to the post file itself. The machine definition is automatically configured with the HAAS_VR8.CONTROL-5 and HAAS_VR8.PST. Mastercam converts all of the post numbered questions into control definition settings. However, you will still see the numbered questions in the converted post. TIPS: • Machine and control definitions created by UpdatePost are automatically saved to your \CNC_MACHINES folder. • Use the \CD_Compare utility to examine the new control definition and see exactly which control definition settings have been read from the post and which are system defaults. From the Settings menu, choose Run User Application, open the CD_Compare folder, and choose CD_Compare.dll.
28 • MASTERCAM V9 TO X5 TRANSITION GUIDE
Machine definitions created by UpdatePost When UpdatePost automatically generates machine and control definitions, it writes virtually all custom information contained in your current post to either the control definition or the converted post. Machine definitions created by UpdatePost are, for the most part, renamed copies of Mastercam’s generic machines that load your control definition and post. These new machine definitions:
All have a standard axis layout and orientation. All include a tool changer group with automatic tool changer. Mills and routers include A/B/C rotary axes with counterclockwise rotation. Lathes include left/right spindles and upper/lower turrets, plus steady rest and tailstock. Routers include sample aggregate heads and drill blocks. Wire EDM machines include upper and lower wire guides. However, it is important to understand that if your Version 9 post included settings that are different from the default machine components, your converted post will—by design—use your converted settings and not the default machine definition components. This is because the primary goal of the conversion process is maintaining maximum compatibility with your current parts and jobs so you can be up and running as quickly as possible. For example, if you are running an HMC, most likely your post has the switch vmc=0. The machine definition created by UpdatePost will show the XYZ axes aligned for a VMC, but your converted post will still have vmc=0, so your part will post the same way as before. To take full advantage of the new machine definition in your post, first edit the machine definition with the proper axis orientation and topology, and delete any unnecessary components. Then use the pmachineinfo postblocks to access the machine definition settings via parameters. (For example, axis orientation information is available to your post as parameters 17390–17396.)
Find and Fix Post Conversion Errors The UpdatePost utility incorporates several features that make it easy to identify and fix errors and areas of concern in the converted post. Because of the great variety of techniques used to customize Mastercam posts, it is impossible for UpdatePost to predict with 100% accuracy the intent of the post writer. You need to be concerned about two types of situations:
UpdatePost could not reliably convert a line or object in a way that conforms to Mastercam standards, and recorded an error condition instead of a complete line of code. There were several possible Mastercam conversion solutions, and UpdatePost was not sure which to use. This means that the converted post will work, but might not produce the output that you expect.
CONVERTING FILES • 29
The most important tool in evaluating the conversion results is the UpdatePost log. UpdatePost writes this information to the file, UPDATEPOST.LOG, located in the target folder you
designated in Step 5.
IMPORTANT: Each time you run UpdatePost and save posts to the same target folder, the log is overwritten. If you think you need to refer to the log later, make sure that you print it out or save a copy to a different file. In the log file, an error looks like this: 22 - 20 Apr 2005 01:12:59 PM - PST LINE (1200,1200) - Label has not been defined[*30]
The LINE (x, y) block tells you the location of the error in the original and converted post, in this case, line 1200 in each. When you open the converted post, Mastercam displays the affected code as a block of three lines:
The first line is the actual line of code created by UpdatePost. The second line is the original line, commented out, and preceded by the phrase CNC. The third line reproduces the error message from the log, formatted as a comment, and preceded by the phrase CNC. The following code shows a typical conversion error. In this example, Mastercam knows that the line is supposed to be an else command, but it cannot convert the other word because it has not been properly defined: else, #'nobrk' emulation option #CNC else, p_nobrk_emul #'nobrk' emulation option #CNC Label has not been defined[*30]
There is a one-to-one correspondence between messages embedded in your code and messages in the log file. Before using a converted post, always review the log and the corresponding message in the post and make any necessary corrections.
Uncertain variable type errors Mastercam X enforces the variable type (string or real variable) more strictly than earlier versions of Mastercam. When UpdatePost expects a string variable but finds a real, or the reverse, it inserts a question mark in the code following the variable name. It inserts a single question mark ? when it expects a real variable, and a double question mark ?? when it expects a string variable. Because UpdatePost cannot properly process the expression that contains the variable, these lines will not produce the output that you intend. Review and correct each instance before running the post. See the Mastercam X5 Post Debugger User’s Guide for more information.
30 • MASTERCAM V9 TO X5 TRANSITION GUIDE
Confirm Machine Definition Configuration (Optional) Use the following procedure to confirm the control definition, post processor, tool libraries, and material libraries of the machine definitions that you created with UpdatePost. 1 Make sure that you are running in Design
mode with no machine group visible in the Toolpath Manager. If necessary, select File, New to clear the Toolpath Manager.
2 Open the Machine Definition Manager.
CONVERTING FILES • 31
3 Click the icon to Load a machine
definition manager from a file.
4 Open your newly created machine definition.
The Machine Definition Manager opens to the Machine configuration window. TIP: To change the machine definitions displayed in the window, choose a machine definition extension from the Files of type drop-down.
5 Confirm the control definition and post processor.
The control definition and post processor used with the machine definition are displayed in the Machine configuration window.
32 • MASTERCAM V9 TO X5 TRANSITION GUIDE
6 Confirm tool and material libraries. a Click the Edit General Machine
Parameters icon in the Machine Definition Manager.
b In the General Machine Parameters dialog box, select the Tool/material libraries tab.
c Verify Tool Libraries and Material
Library.
7 Exit the Machine Definition Manager.
If necessary, click OK to save any changes you have made. 8 Repeat Steps 1 – 7 for each machine definition you want to confirm.
CONVERTING FILES • 33
TIP: Remember to set the Machine Type to Design and to choose File, New to clear the previous machine definition from Mastercam.
System Configuration: Set default machines UpdatePost created new machine definitions based on your Version 9 posts. When you create Machine Groups, you can configure your Mastercam session to default to these definitions. Note: Skip this section if you want to use Mastercam’s default machines for each product. 1 Select Settings, Configuration.
The System Configuration dialog box opens.
2 Select your custom configuration file from the Current configuration file drop-down.
3 Select the Default Machines property page
from the System Configuration dialog box topics list.
34 • MASTERCAM V9 TO X5 TRANSITION GUIDE
4 Set the default machine for any product by
choosing an option from the drop-down lists. Note: When a user selects the Machine Type, Default menu option, Mastercam uses the machines you select here to create the machine group.
Other configuration settings Because the Mastercam X configuration settings are different from the settings in earlier versions of Mastercam, you will have to review your Version 9 settings and create new configuration files. The System Configuration dialog box includes many configuration settings from earlier versions of Mastercam. Most are set on different property pages in the System Configuration dialog box, some are located in new dialog boxes, and a few have been eliminated. The following table shows where to find Version 9 configuration settings in Mastercam X5.
Version 9 configuration tab
Mastercam X5 configuration topic
Allocations
Not used in Mastercam X
Tolerances
Settings, Configuration > Tolerances property page
Communications
Specify default communications package in Settings, Configuration > Communications property page. Can be overridden in the control definition.
Files
Settings, Configuration > Files property page
Plotter settings
Not used in Mastercam X; use standard Windows drivers instead Pen attributes
Toolbar/Keys
Settings, Configuration > Printing property page Moved to separate, expanded functions: Settings, Customize to create and edit toolbars, drop-down menus, right-mouse menu Settings, Key Mapping for keyboard shortcuts Settings, Toolbar States to show/hide toolbars for each product
NC Settings
Settings, Configuration > Toolpath Manager property page; some settings moved to control definition
CAD Settings
Settings, Configuration > CAD Settings property page; Drafting settings
Settings, Configuration > Dimensions and Notes
Start/Exit
Settings, Configuration > Start/Exit property page
Screen
Settings, Configuration > Screen, Colors, Chaining, and Shading properties pages
CONVERTING FILES • 35
Convert Parts We recommend that you convert Version 9 parts—including any custom tool geometry—by opening them, individually, with the File, Open function and saving them as .MCX-5 files. Save parts to ..\my mcamx5\mcx or to ..\shared mcamx5\mcx if multiple users need to access them. Save custom tool geometry to ..\shared mcamx5\\tools. When you convert Version 9 parts to X5, Mastercam performs the following tasks:
Reads the product type (Mill, Lathe, Router, Wire) and units (inch/metric) from the source file. Based on this, Mastercam looks up the proper machine definition from the Mastercam X .CONFIG file. Creates a machine group in the new file based on the selected machine definition. This also determines the control definition and post assigned to the new file. Writes most of the current Job Setup information, such as the stock model and material selection to the machine group properties. Creates toolpath groups from inside the machine group which correspond to the toolpath groups in the original file. Updates the NCI file name for each operation in the original file so that it becomes the NC file name for each operation in the new file. The path for the new NC file is specified in the control definition. Discards the post selection in the original file. The new post selection will be the post assigned to the default machine definition. Validates each operation against the default machine definition. For Lathe parts, Mastercam automatically assigns axis combinations based on the turret and spindle settings in the source file. See page 42 for more information on axis combinations. Your original parts are completely unchanged. IMPORTANT: If you convert parts with toolpaths, it does not matter which product is running or what the active machine group is. However, if you convert parts that have geometry but no toolpaths, make sure that you are running in Design mode with no machine group visible in the Toolpath Manager. (This ensures that your file remains unassociated with a machine group.)
36 • MASTERCAM V9 TO X5 TRANSITION GUIDE
Additional Procedures and Information If you have completed the procedures in the two previous sections, your transition to Mastercam X5 is nearly done. The following section details additional procedures and information that might be necessary to complete your transition.
Update Custom Tool Profiles Follow this procedure to edit custom tool definitions so that they reference the new Mastercam X5 file with the tool geometry. Note: This procedure assumes that you have already updated your tool libraries (page 15) and custom tool geometry (page 35). 1 Select Toolpaths, Tool Manager.
You must have a machine type selected to open the Tool Manager.
2 Click the Select a different tool library
icon, and open the custom tool library from the Select tool library window. 3 From the Select tool list window, choose
Library Tools to display library tools only. 4 From the tool library window, select the
tool you wish to update.
38 • MASTERCAM V9 TO X5 TRANSITION GUIDE
5 Right-click, and select Edit tool from the
menu. The Define Tool dialog box opens.
6 Click the Parameters tab.
7 Click the Select button to the right of the
Tool file name field, and choose the part profile. 8 Click OK to close the Define Tool dialog
box.
9 From the Tool Manager, click OK, and
choose Yes to save your changes to the tool library. To learn more about editing tool definitions, click the Help button in the Tool Manager dialog box.
Mill and Router Edit Home Positions In previous versions of Mastercam, defining a home position for Mill and Router toolpaths was optional. You could activate or deactivate it by selecting the checkbox on the Tool parameters page for each operation. In Mastercam X, the home position is always active. When you convert a part whose operations do not have a home position defined, the operations in the converted part will have a home position of 0,0,0.
ADDITIONAL PROCEDURES AND INFORMATION • 39
Typically, this does not affect your NC output. However, Mastercam X includes a backplot option to show the home position. In these cases, you might wish to disable that option so your tool doesn’t appear to move to your part starting from 0,0,0.
Turning off the home position display 1 Start Backplot.
2 Click the Options button.
3 Deselect the Show Mill/Router Home
Position option. 4 Click OK accept your changes.
Changing the home position Mastercam lets you set, manage, and change home positions in several places.
From the Machine Definition Manager—Each machine definition includes a home position setting. This is set as part of the axis combinations, so each axis combination can have a unique home position. Click the Axis Combinations icon (shown), and then the Home Position button to edit the default home position.
From the Control Definition Manager —The control definition tells Mastercam whether to use the machine definition or the operation defaults as the source of the default home position. Set this option on the Tool page in the Control Definition Manager.
40 • MASTERCAM V9 TO X5 TRANSITION GUIDE
From the Toolpath Manager —For each operation, click on the Parameters icon and select the Home/Ref. Points page from the list of pages in the tree-style Toolpaths dialog box. Edit the home position directly or to change its source.
Update Router Head Definition files (.HD9) In Version 9, drill blocks, aggregates, and multiheads were stored in an .HD9 file. The HD9 to GMD converter (HD9toGMD.DLL) is a C-Hook that converts the .HD9 file into a Mastercam X component library (.GMD). When the file has been converted, you can use the Machine Definition Manager to assign specific components to a Router machine definition.
Convert an HD9 file 1 Choose Run User Application from the
Settings menu, and select HD9toGMD.DLL. 2 Navigate to and select the HD9 file.
3 Enter a name and destination for the GMD-5 file.
ADDITIONAL PROCEDURES AND INFORMATION • 41
By default, GMD files are stored in ..\shared mcamx5\CNC_MACHINES.
4 Click OK to convert the file.
Assign a GMD-5 file to Machine Definition 1 Choose Machine Definition Manager from
the Settings menu.
42 • MASTERCAM V9 TO X5 TRANSITION GUIDE
2 Choose the Open file button in the
Component File section. The Open Machine Definition File dialog box displays. 3 Choose a GMD-5 file.
Mastercam places the components into the Component File section.
TIP: Use drag and drop to add components to the machine configuration tree.
Lathe Assigned Axis Combinations In a machine definition, axis combinations define which axes work together in a multiple axis operation. A machine type that typically requires axis combinations is a multiple turret/multiple spindle lathe. As it opens your Version 9 part, Mastercam automatically tries to select the best combination for each operation as it converts it. The Assigned Axis Combinations dialog box is generated to notify you of these selections. It is displayed for information only. To change an axis combination, edit the operation's parameters. See “Select a new axis combination” on page 43 for more information.
ADDITIONAL PROCEDURES AND INFORMATION • 43
Click OK to dismiss this message.
Mastercam selects a different axis combination based on the tooling, turret, and spindle selections in the source file. The axis combinations in Mastercam’s default lathes—and in any lathe machine definition created by UpdatePost—are designed to mesh closely with the tooling and machine setup features in Mastercam Version 9, so the axis combinations that you see displayed in this dialog box should match the turret and spindle selections in your source Mastercam file. If you have installed a sophisticated lathe machine definition with Mastercam X and wish to change the axis combinations displayed here, you can to do that on an operation-by-operation basis as described below.
Select a new axis combination 1 In the Toolpath Manager, click on the
Parameters icon for the desired operation.
44 • MASTERCAM V9 TO X5 TRANSITION GUIDE
2 Click the Axis Combo’s button on the
Toolpath parameters tab.
3 Select a new axis combination and click
OK.
4 Open the Lathe Tool Setup dialog box to confirm that the spindle, turret, and mounting
orientation of the tool used in the operation are consistent with the new axis combination. a Right-click the tool and choose Edit
tool. The Lathe Define Tool dialog box opens.
b Click the Setup Tool button.
The Lathe Tool Setup dialog box opens. c Click OK if the settings in this dialog
box are consistent with the new axis combination.
ADDITIONAL PROCEDURES AND INFORMATION • 45
Vertical turret lathes (VTLs) In Mastercam X, turret orientation is a property of the machine definition. When importing parts from Version 9 that are programmed to run on a VTL, the default Lathe machine definition (LMD) should be a VTL. If the default is set to a horizontal orientation, the part will not be setup correctly. Use the procedure on page 33 to set the default machine definition. Select from one of the installed VTL machine definitions, or select a custom machine definition that you have created. The following procedure shows you how to create VTL machine definitions. Note: Machine definitions created from Version 9 posts by UpdatePost do not retain VTL information for your Version 9 parts. Use the following procedure to change these machine definitions to VTL.
Create a VTL machine definition 1 From the Settings menu, choose Machine
Definition Manager. The Machine Definition Manager opens.
2 If necessary, open the desired lathe
machine definition. 3 Click the Edit General Machine
Parameters button on the toolbar. The General Machine Parameters dialog box opens.
46 • MASTERCAM V9 TO X5 TRANSITION GUIDE
4 Select the CPlane, WCS, HTC/VTL tab.
5 Select the Vertical turret lathe option. 6 Click OK. 7 Click Save to accept your changes to the
machine definition, or Save As to create a new one.
OR
Whenever you work with this machine definition, Mastercam will automatically adjust the part display and tool/construction planes to reflect the VTL orientation.
Replace a horizontal machine definition If you convert Version 9 parts and a VTL machine definition is not the default, you can replace the current machine definition to one that has the correct orientation.
ADDITIONAL PROCEDURES AND INFORMATION • 47
1 If necessary, open the part and expand the
Machine Properties folder. 2 Click the Files icon.
The Machine Group Properties dialog box opens to the Files tab.
3 Click the Replace button in the Machine-
Toolpath Copy section. The Open Machine Definition File dialog box displays.
4 Select a VTL machine definition and click
OK.
5 Click OK accept your changes.
IMPORTANT: If there are already operations in the machine group, be very careful when selecting a different machine to ensure that the new machine supports all the toolpath features that have been programmed.
Wire If you used a previous version of Mastercam Wire, you might have attached C-Hooks to the Aux Register button and the Misc Vals button on the Wire Parameters page. Converting your post
48 • MASTERCAM V9 TO X5 TRANSITION GUIDE
processor with UpdatePost does not automatically attach these C-Hooks. These C-Hooks are installed in the \chooks directory of your Mastercam installation. IMPORTANT: The new Agievision interface is incompatible with existing parts that were created with the Agie C-Hook. The part geometry can be used, but all wirepaths must be re-created. You can use the following procedure to update a control definition so that you can run and maintain existing Agie C-Hook parts, but you cannot use a control definition modified for the Agie C-Hook with the new Agievision interface. See the Mastercam X5 Wire Getting Started Guide or Mastercam Help for more information.
Edit control definitions for Agie Wire EDM machines 1 From the Settings menu, choose Control
Definition Manager, and open the desired control definition. Do not open the enhanced Agievision control definition. See the Mastercam X5 Wire Getting Started Guide or the Mastercam Help for more information.
ADDITIONAL PROCEDURES AND INFORMATION • 49
2 If necessary, select Wire from the Control
type drop-down menu.
3 Under Control topics, choose the Files
property page.
4 Under File usage, select Chook from Misc. values button. 5 Under Select item’s file name, click the file cabinet button, navigate to the PROGRAM FILES\MCAMX5\CHOOKS directory, and select the agie.dll C-Hook. 6 Click OK to change the data path.
7 Select the option to Enable chooks from misc values button.
Selecting this option allows you to access the C-Hook’s interface from the Wirepath dialog box. 8 Under File usage, select Chook from Aux. register button. 9 Under Select item’s file name, click the file cabinet button, navigate to the PROGRAM FILES\MCAMX5\CHOOKS directory, and select the agiereg.dll C-Hook. 10 Click OK to change the data path.
11 Select the option to Enable chooks from aux registers button.
50 • MASTERCAM V9 TO X5 TRANSITION GUIDE
Selecting this option allows you to access the C-Hook’s interface from the Wirepath dialog box.
12 Click OK to close the Control Definition
Manager. 13 Click Yes to save the edited control definition.
ADDITIONAL PROCEDURES AND INFORMATION • 51
C-Hooks and Net-Hooks C-Hooks (*.DLL) and NET-Hooks (*.NET) are add-in applications or utilities that customize, enhance, or extend Mastercam's functionality. They can be created by individual users, Mastercam Resellers, third-party application developers, or by CNC Software itself. The C-Hooks and NetHooks installed with Mastercam X5 are ready for use. Any other C-Hooks and Net-Hooks that you use must be modified prior to use with Mastercam X5. Please contact the application developer for more information. C-Hooks and Net-Hooks are located in Mastercam’s installation folder (..\Program Files\mcamx5\chooks). You must have read and write permissions to modify files in this folder.
52 • MASTERCAM V9 TO X5 TRANSITION GUIDE
Attention! Updates may be available. Go to Mastercam.com/Support for the latest downloads.
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