When is it suppose to be available ?

Will it have a graphical post constructor ?

Any UI screenshots available, yet ?


jon

Jon at this time we are looking at a beta around the 1st of the year.

There is no screen shots for the puplic at this time.

I have a question for you, Are you also on the Alt.cnc.news group?
Would you be the same by chance?

thanks Jay

Originally posted by cadcam
Jon at this time we are looking at a beta around the 1st of the year.

There is no screen shots for the puplic at this time.

I have a question for you, Are you also on the Alt.cnc.news group?
Would you be the same by chance?

thanks Jay


Must be another jon banquer, Jay but gosh darn it I really like what that guy posts. ;>)

jon

Long time no read.
So how will you play here?

So How did you end up here?

J

Originally posted by cadcam
Long time no read.
So how will you play here?

So How did you end up here?

J


By the rules like everyone else.

Ended up here because I think more alternatives need to
exist and I did not like how www.cncgurus.com got
destroyed. I have said as much in the newsgroup that you
made reference to. This website appears to be very well run
and I don't expect what happened at cncgurus to happen here.

How is it you ended up here ?

Now... about that graphical post constructor in MasterCAM X.
Has this been declared as something that is going to be
addressed ? I think we really should try and keep this on
topic, don't you ?

jon

Originally posted by cadcam
Jon at this time we are looking at a beta around the 1st of the year.


What ?! MCam 10 is already scheduled for beginning of the next year? I really hope V9 (currently V9.1SP1) will be debugged before... with 9.1, some bugs have been corrected but some really huge appeared (mainly with new verify module) and are still alive and annoying.

Knowing my boss won't pay for V10 upgrade i hope V9 support will be continued...

Originally posted by cadcam
Jon at this time we are looking at a beta around the 1st of the year.

There is no screen shots for the puplic at this time.

I have a question for you, Are you also on the Alt.cnc.news group?
Would you be the same by chance?

thanks Jay


Same guy, I'm certain.

Originally posted by jbtech
Same guy, I'm certain.

Yes, same guy. Though he refuses to admit it. Not just from the sewers of alt .cnc either.

I will ask the same question:



How will you play here?

'Rekd

Jon, to answer the question ,At this time there is no talk of the graphical post constructor .

But like alwas you can adjust the post to your likeing.




anorec, as for the release we are only talking beta testing at the the end of the year . you as the public will not see it for at least another year & half or more.

There will still be support for V9.1 There are more uodates come real soon for MC users.

Originally posted by cadcam
Jon, to answer the question ,At this time there is no talk of the graphical post constructor .


There was plenty of talk about it from one of the main posters to the emastercam forum about a year or so ago in the newsgroup that you mentioned.

I wonder what reason for the delay is. Certainly would be a big selling factor for MasterCAM X when it's finally released.

jon

There was plenty of talk about it from one of the main posters to the emastercam forum about a year or so ago in the newsgroup that you mentioned.
Yes there was lots of talk.But nothing at this time that I can speak of has occured at this moment.

So what is the full time software you are using at this time? If I may ask.


I wonder what reason for the delay is. Certainly would be a big selling factor for MasterCAM X when it's finally released. I agree this would be a good selling & user tool.

Originally posted by cadcam
Jon, to answer the question ,At this time there is no talk of the graphical post constructor .

But like alwas you can adjust the post to your likeing.



Yeah, that's already great and better than other competitors...



anorec, as for the release we are only talking beta testing at the the end of the year . you as the public will not see it for at least another year & half or more.

There will still be support for V9.1 There are more uodates come real soon for MC users.

I'm reassured !

The small job shop I'm currently at uses ShopCAM, SmartCAM
and BobCAD/CAM. We do pretty much do all aerospace work for
Honeywell.

I have just started learning SmartCAM. Years ago I had
always wanted to learn SmartCAM but where I grew
up(Connecticut)was totally dominated by MasterCAM. Back
then(MasterCAM V 5.5) was not IMO anywhere near as good as
SmartCAM for 2 / 2 1/2 axis work.

So... I guess you could say I'm getting to relive my past
which to me is very cool. It's like getting to drive an old
classic car. I also like to use BobCAD DOS (just the CAD
part)on the shop floor because I think it's very fast for
shop floor kinds of stuff.... I don't use the mouse. :>)

jon

Jon I have to agree that Smartcam was ahead of its time back then . but when the the brothers decided to sell that was the Doom of it.

I have a few ex smartcam user in my classes at this time.
They have alot of good things to say about it.
But they really like all the new tools in the 9.1 version of MC.

I also like to use BobCAD DOS (just the CAD
part)on the shop floor because I think it's very fast for
shop floor kinds of stuff.... I don't use the mouse.

I've heard this before, it's nice not having to be mouse-dependant. Have you used to current versions? There is much controversy on the subject, as well as big hopes for v19 and their advances in solids.

'Rekd

Originally posted by cadcam
Jon I have to agree that Smartcam was ahead of its time back then . but when the the brothers decided to sell that was the Doom of it.

I have a few ex smartcam user in my classes at this time.
They have alot of good things to say about it.
But they really like all the new tools in the 9.1 version of MC.


Jay, when Point Control was sold IMO SmartCAM's unique vision
was dead. I truly believe the creators of SmartCAM really
understood machining and had better ideas than their
competition....like much better.

SmartCAM certainly can't compete at 3 axis surfacing at this
point and if a shop needs associativity between model and
toolpath they can forget that as well.

SmartCAM is old, it's dated but it works well for what we do
with it.

Phoenix, AZ. has a few shops that are always looking for
MasterCAM programmers. I would like to learn it but not
until Version X. If I decide I want training, how far is
Valencia,CA from Phoenix?

jon

SmartCAM is old, it's dated but it works well for what we do If it is doing the job at this time there is no rush to get some thing else. Agreed?

SmartCAM certainly can't compete at 3 axis surfacing at this point If they would of kept going they would most likely be my competition.;)


Phoenix, AZ. has a few shops that are always looking for
MasterCAM programmers. I have been seeing this to.

If I decide I want training, how far is
Valencia,CA from Phoenix?
I would say this is a complement for sure from you.
I say it’s about 6 hours.

It would be my pleaser.

Till then keep cutting parts
:D

J

Originally posted by Rekd
I've heard this before, it's nice not having to be mouse-dependant. Have you used to current versions? There is much controversy on the subject, as well as big hopes for v19 and their advances in solids.

'Rekd

Hi 'Rekd (without the prefix I use to see.) ;>)

To directly answer your question I am the same jon banquer.
I must admit to being slightly amused by the person posting
as jbtech who you quoted. jbtech happens to be a name I did
business under in the past when I did consulting. This
"jbtech" also lists Phoenix, Arizona as their location and
only posts to threads I'm in. Seems harmless so far but
thought I would point this out.

In regards to your question on BobCAD/CAM I have tried most
of the versions since the DOS version and have been less
than impressed. IMO v19 will be more of the same and
probably be just as buggy as well.

On a brighter note, the progress OneCNC has made as well as
active participation in this forum by extremely knowledgable
and helpful former BobCAD/CAM users HuFlungDung and
WMS bodes well for OneCNC.

What kinds of parts do you program / machine ? Are you
looking forward to a true Windows UI in MasterCAM X as much
as I am ? What is the thing you or anyone else would most
like to see changed for version X?

jon

Originally posted by jonbanquer

On a brighter note, the progress OneCNC has made as well as
active participation in this forum by extremely knowledgable
and helpful former BobCAD/CAM users HuFlungDung and
WMS bodes well for OneCNC.



Now THIS has piqued my curiosity. I'm pretty convinced of dung's capabilities, and to hear him talk about OneCNC makes me wonder.

I suppose I will be getting a demo of it just to see what all the hype is about. Sounds like very competent/affordable software.


What kinds of parts do you program / machine ? Are you
looking forward to a true Windows UI in MasterCAM X as much
as I am ? What is the thing you or anyone else would most
like to see changed for version X?


I program 3 and 4 axis stuff. Lots of microwave housings and the likes. I've done 3d surfacing with other programs, Cimitron, Virtual Gibbs and GibbsCAD/CAM. Used the basic machines, Fadal, Yasnac, Haas, Bosto etc etc. I also do a lot of computer programming, post mods and basic computer stuff. I currnetly am programming, setting up and running 5 HAAS' with rotabs. (Thank god we just hired an operator to help me and a setup guy that comes in for a few hours at nite. (Well, he starts tonite, so we'll see how he works out. :D )

I'm very excited about X. Especially since they've been coming to emastercam asking what we'd like to see different. I have high expectations.

As for the interface.. I will have to wait and see what route they've taken. I think the current menu/shortcut/toolbar system is quite easy to move around in and get things done without 100% mouse dependancy. But being someone who's developed several GUI's, I know how hard it can be to get things to work smoothly. Again, high hopes here as well.

I think the biggest thing for me is the absense of modality. Having the ability to use other areas of the program with the dialogs open will be monumental. I'd also like to see an excel style operations manager, as well as an excel style geometry editor, (like Virtual Gibbs' Geometry Expert), where you can load a chain into it, analyze and make edits easily and quickly.

The post GUI I could live without. I much prefer the functionality and control of the text based posts. Kind of like comparing Virtual Gibbs to Cimitron. Gibbs is easy to use, and works great for basic stuff you don't need/want much control over, and Cimitron gives you complete control over everything, but is harder to use.

'Rekd teh .02 cents

Originally posted by cadcam
If it is doing the job at this time there is no rush to get some thing else. Agreed?

If they would of kept going they would most likely be my competition.;)

I have been seeing this to.

I would say this is a complement for sure from you.
I say it’s about 6 hours.

It would be my pleaser.

Till then keep cutting parts
:D

J

Small job shop owners in Phoenix doing work for Honeywell
have really been hit hard by the downturn in commercial air
travel. I don't think anyone is thinking about major
investments at this time... just survival. Shops doing semi-
conductor work have also been hit very hard.

When I was using MasterCAM 5.5 I had a tough time with
understanding MasterCAM's post construction. There was only
a tiny very basic book offered by CNC Software back then
and the only other choice was to take a very expensive
course in Tolland, CT. I purchased the manuals from CNC
Software but the post processor one was in IMO too basic to
be of much help. Were you using MasterCAM at Version 5.5 ?

jon

Hey Jon,

Figured I would jump in here.

I was using Smart Cam Dos just before they came out with tthe windows version. I used it for approx. 2 more releases then changed jobs. At my new job I was charged with selecting a CAM system and although the temptation was to stick with smart CAM Point Contriol had just sold and I elected to go with masterCAM 5.5. for the reasons you cited. Although the dealer was trying to spin the sale as a positive thing, I didnt see it.

I initially found the post rather overwhelming, but I had always been a bit of a hacker so I kept plugging away until I could make the post mods I needed.

About 2 and a half years ago I changed jobs again and wound up back on SmartCam Version 11 which was at that time several years unsupported. I have to say that Smartcam had some neat features and the Code Generator concept was a good one (Although you could see the .tmp files becoming more complex as they tried to add flexibility). The lathe product was pretty straight forward and I found lathe programming to be a breeze with it.

In FFM I always found that managing large process models became a daunting task however. One slip of the mouse on a complex model could screw up a single entity in a toolpath that might take hours to find and fix if not caught right away. SO I found myself spennding an inordinate amount of time managing entities.

In another thread I heard a rumor that there may be a new SmartCam. I'll believe it when I see it.

I found your coments about the Arizona situation interesting as we have a shop in the Phoenix Area that is all but closed up. No CNC mostly did prototypes and small quantity runs of complex components. Our PA shop has picked up this year, but Arizona is mostly doing support work for us at this time.


CAM

>Now THIS has piqued my curiosity. I'm pretty convinced of
>dung's capabilities, and to hear him talk about OneCNC
>makes me wonder.

I always thought the person behind One CNC was pretty
straight forward and easy to talk with. If you do a Google
search of the newsgroup you best know a little about me
from, using Bob+Francis, you should get a better idea of who
is behind OnceCNC. Bob Francis and I had several productive
conversations and I came away with a favorable impression.

>I suppose I will be getting a demo of it just to see what
>all the hype is about. Sounds like very competent/affordable
>software.

You can bet it's nowhere near fully developed and will have
problems. Only by trying it out can you decide if *you* can
live with those problems. In addition, you should get a
better idea of what your really dealing with when you find
problems and make suggestions on how to go about fixing them
by the reaction and the results you get.

>I program 3 and 4 axis stuff. Lots of microwave housings
>and the likes.

IOW lots of aluminum. Do any weldments ???

>(Thank god we just hired an operator to help me and a
>setup guy that comes in for a few hours at nite. (Well, he
>starts tonite, so we'll see how he works out. :D )

Can make all the difference in the world especially if you
have someone who really wants to learn and is reliable.

>I'm very excited about X. Especially since they've been
>coming to emastercam asking what we'd like to see
>different. I have high expectations.

I think it's very hard to build a good Windows UI. I would say
that SURFCAM has an exceptionally poor Windows UI. As far as
a good Windows UI is concerned, I like what SolidWorks does
by getting rid of as many dialog boxes as possible and
entering information in the Feature Explorer. Since your a
programmer you would relate to this as a tree view. I think
it's even better when you do what think3 does with
thinkdesign and take the tree view concept even further. See
what you think of this UI. Here are two links.

http://www.deskeng.com/articles/02/dec/web/web3.jpg

http://www.deskeng.com/articles/02/dec/web/web2.jpg

Notice the mini dialog boxes near the model. They
dynamically show you what is happening in real time. You can
also enter numerical data in them. I like this way of
working. What do you think about it ???

>I'm very excited about X. Especially since they've been
>coming to emastercam asking what we'd like to see
>different. I have high expectations.

Again, I think it's very hard to really build a good UI that
makes it a pleasure to work with (IOW... FUN !!! ;>)

>As for the interface.. I will have to wait and see what
>route they've taken.

It's a big, big step. I think SURFWARE tried to mimic it's DOS
UI in Windows and I think this is a big mistake. IMO you need
to start with a clean sheet of paper. The problem is that
companies are scared to death that they will alienate and
lose their customer base.

>I think the current menu/shortcut/toolbar system is quite
>easy to move around in and get things done without 100%
>mouse dependancy. But being someone who's developed
>several GUI's, I know how hard it can be to get things
>to work smoothly. Again,high hopes here as well.

I do think it's very important to plan ahead of time how to
make the UI as mouse independent as possible.

>I think the biggest thing for me is the absense of
>modality.

Wow !!! I very strongly agree with this sentiment. I hope
you have conveyed this to CNC Software. Nothing drives me
more nuts than being forced to go from room to room to room
to.... I would much prefer to take off the roof, peer in and
choose what room I want to go to.

>I'd also like to see an excel style operations manager, as
>well as an excel style geometry editor, (like Virtual
>Gibbs' Geometry Expert), where you can load a chain into
>it, analyze and make >edits easily and quickly.

Agreed, it's very helpful and it's an excellent feature.
Besides this, I can't think of a thing positive to say about
how Gibbs creates geometry. Seems to be an extremely low
priority for them. Always has been.

>The post GUI I could live without. I much prefer the
>functionality and control of the text based posts.

Why not have both ??? The GUI is much faster for simple
stuff or for getting the framework done. Then you move to
the text language for what the UI can't do. All the high end
expensive stand along post constructors like InterCIM's G-
Post and ICAM's CAM Post use this approach.

Looking forward to reading your response.

jon

Originally posted by jonbanquer

IOW lots of aluminum. Do any weldments ???


I haven't done weldments in a few years, thank god. :D

I think it's very hard to build a good Windows UI. I would say
that SURFCAM has an exceptionally poor Windows UI. As far as
a good Windows UI is concerned, I like what SolidWorks does
by getting rid of as many dialog boxes as possible and
entering information in the Feature Explorer. Since your a
programmer you would relate to this as a tree view. I think
it's even better when you do what think3 does with
thinkdesign and take the tree view concept even further. See
what you think of this UI. Here are two links.

http://www.deskeng.com/articles/02/dec/web/web3.jpg

http://www.deskeng.com/articles/02/dec/web/web2.jpg

Notice the mini dialog boxes near the model. They
dynamically show you what is happening in real time. You can
also enter numerical data in them. I like this way of
working. What do you think about it ???


That seems like a good UI. It reminds me of Solidworks, which as you mentioned, is a good UI and easy to manuever.


It's a big, big step. I think SURFWARE tried to mimic it's DOS
UI in Windows and I think this is a big mistake. IMO you need
to start with a clean sheet of paper. The problem is that
companies are scared to death that they will alienate and
lose their customer base.


Very true. It's amazine how much people stick to old ways of doing things. For example, I am right handed. I can use the mouse with either hand. I prefer left because it frees up my right hand for the 10-key. It's more effecient and more natural for programmers that use the 10-key, (which most cad/cam systems require). When I let someone use my computer, it's funny to see them squirm around trying every conceivable position that will allow them to use my mouse in their right hand without thinking to ask if they can move it.. Picture them with their hands crossed in front of them, mouse 90 degrees from normal, sitting sideways in their chair, tilting their head to the left trying to get that damn mouse pointer where they want it.

They'll sit like that for hours. Funny as hell. The best part is that if they'd actually spend 2 hours using the mouse, they'd a) be more comfortable, and b) be done faster because they have to let go of the mouse only 15% of the times they used to let go of it to get to the 10-key. I will admit, I have tried using a track-ball for over 7 hours and could NOT convince myself it was worth while, while others that use them swear by them. Go figure.


>I think the biggest thing for me is the absense of
>modality.

Wow !!! I very strongly agree with this sentiment. I hope
you have conveyed this to CNC Software. Nothing drives me
more nuts than being forced to go from room to room to room
to.... I would much prefer to take off the roof, peer in and
choose what room I want to go to.


Yes. I have strongly suggested it. It (the ops dialog and the solids dialog) WILL be non modal. :cheers: and a big ol wet sloppy kiss for everyone at CNC Software, (no, CNC, if you're reading this, you CANNOT put the kiss ANY WHERE YOU WANT IT!!).


Agreed, it's very helpful and it's an excellent feature.
Besides this, I can't think of a thing positive to say about
how Gibbs creates geometry. Seems to be an extremely low
priority for them. Always has been.


Yes, the geometry expert almost makes up for the fact that you have to join entities via points. Literally. How f'n stupid is that!? The only other thing I like about creating geometry in Gibbs is the facing tool; creating lines and having the dia of the selected tool displayed is great for cleaning out irregular shapes.


Why not have both ??? The GUI is much faster for simple
stuff or for getting the framework done. Then you move to
the text language for what the UI can't do. All the high end
expensive stand along post constructors like InterCIM's G-
Post and ICAM's CAM Post use this approach.


Definately include a GUI for the post editing, but don't mess with my ascii version or I'll go balistic. :D

'Rekd teh Ascii stupid question, get a stupid ansi

"Hey Jon,

Figured I would jump in here."

Glad you did !!! Thanks.

"At my new job I was charged with selecting a CAM system and
although the temptation was to stick with smart CAM Point
Contriol had just sold and I elected to go with masterCAM
5.5. for the reasons you cited. Although the dealer was
trying to spin the sale as a positive thing, I didn't see it."

Well lets see if I can make yet another enemy fast. :>)

How about:

No one ever gets fired for buying IBM (MasterCAM).

>I initially found the post rather overwhelming, but I had
>always been a bit of a hacker so I kept plugging away until
>I could make the post mods I needed.

It did not seem that tough... I seem to remember that
passing variables from misc. integers and creating logic so
that you could do what you want seemed pretty straight
forward. The problem was that there were no actual real
world examples in the CNC Software MasterCAM 5.5 post book.
This would have helped me a great deal. I think in that book
all they did was break down an NCI file that was very basic.

Anyone else still have that relic or remember it well enough
to confirm what I'm saying... that it left a lot to be
desired... and that's being polite.

Perhaps if I had done a bunch of post stuff previously it
would have been no big deal.... but I hadn't. The next
system I worked with was DP Esprit X ... a port to Windows
NT from Unix. DP had an excellent manual and great tech
support and so I was able to do all sorts of neat stuff for
the wire edm guys where I worked.

"About 2 and a half years ago I changed jobs again and wound
up back on SmartCam Version 11 which was at that time
several years unsupported. I have to say that Smartcam had
some neat features and the Code Generator concept was a good
one (Although you could see the .tmp files becoming more
complex as they tried to add flexibility). The lathe product
was pretty straight forward and I found lathe programming to
be a breeze with it."

How did you like Version 11 ? This is the version we have at
work and the one I purchased a book for... it's amazing how
Scholars International Publishing recycles much of the same
stuff no matter what CAD/CAM system they are writing a book
for.... now you see how I manage to make so many enemies. :>)

"In FFM I always found that managing large process models
became a daunting task however. One slip of the mouse on a
complex model could screw up a single entity in a toolpath
that might take hours to find and fix if not caught right
away. SO I found myself spennding an inordinate amount of
time managing entities."

I can't imagine anyone using FFM for even semi complex
surfacing today. I don't believe FFM has rest machining, it
certainly has nothing like trochordial milling. My guess is
that it's got a few roughing routines a few finishing
routines and you end up creating lots and
lots of boundaries.... am I correct or just wrong. ;>)

"In another thread I heard a rumor that there may be a new
SmartCam. I'll believe it when I see it."

I have heard that EDS PLM Solutions (or whatever UG is
calling themselves this week) is planning a Parasolid
version of SmartCAM and I heard this from someone who I have
know a long time and who is a long time users of SmartCAM.
Makes sense to me because EDS PLM Solutions has brought
SolidEdge back from the dead by giving it some unique
surfacing abilities. What better way to try and kick
SolidWorks donkey than by providing what they have always
believed in (first class CAM in UG) in SolidEdge ??? Does
this make sense to you or anyone else ??? It sure does to me.

"I found your coments about the Arizona situation interesting
as we have a shop in the Phoenix Area that is all but closed
up. No CNC mostly did prototypes and small quantity runs of
complex components. Our PA shop has picked up this year, but
Arizona is mostly doing support work for us at this time."

You could always humor me and tell me the name of the shop.
In this market you never know when you going to get laid
off. I will certainly understand if you don't wish to tell me.

On a serious note, thank you very much for taking the time to
give me your take on MasterCAM posts and on SmartCAM. It's
very much appreciated.

So... how soon before we can get a thread started here on
Mazatrol programming vs. offline MasterCAM programming.

It's hard for me to be serious for too long. ;>)

jon

Jon Wrote:
So... how soon before we can get a thread started here on
Mazatrol programming vs. offline MasterCAM programming.

Jon sense you are a member on the Mastercam board you could of jumped in on that thread if you wanted.

That has turned into a pissing match at this point over there.
Were there are pro's and con's for both ways of programming.

+1 on that Jay.
If you'll notice I've kept my nose outta that one:(

PEACE:D

If you'll notice I've kept my nose outta that one

You all know how I love a good 'contest', but since I don't know squat (pun intended), about mazatrol, I HAVE to keep my nose outta that one, so +1 hardmill. :D

'Rekd teh missing out

Originally posted by cadcam
Jon Wrote:
So... how soon before we can get a thread started here on
Mazatrol programming vs. offline MasterCAM programming.

Jon sense you are a member on the Mastercam board you could of jumped in on that thread if you wanted.

That has turned into a pissing match at this point over there.
Were there are pro's and con's for both ways of programming.

I can view but I can't post to that board as I don't have a
license for MasterCAM and we don't use it where I work. I
also don't happen to agree that someone should have to have a
license to post there or anywhere else. It does seem to be a
pretty fairly moderated web board and the moderators seem to
have gotten better over the years. I would have liked to
have responded to some of the comments made about me by one
particular poster though. :>)

Programming at the machine vs. offline programming from
threads that I have been involved with will always turn into
a "pissing match" and if I say anymore it will. ;>)

It also seems that PC based controls start major pissing
matches and if I say more.... ;>)

I will say this: I sure like much of what Kathy Richardson
posts and I understand some of the issues that really
frustrate her. I think she really has some very good ideas
of how to improve the software. See: Wants for Version 10.

jon

Kathy is one of my customers.
I have been out to her company and she lets me know how she feels.

Just talked to her about a week ago.

She is one smart girl that is for sure.
But I know she is a real big fan of UG.

>I haven't done weldments in a few years, thank god. :D

I like them. Very challenging. Still have a lot to learn,
though.

>That seems like a good UI. It reminds me of Solidworks,
>which as you mentioned, is a good UI and easy to manuever.


If you like to design stuff for yourself or for others and
cosmetic beauty is involved (surfaces) you would love
thinkdesigns UI. It actually encourages experimentation
rather than having to know exactly what you want to do(or
close)ahead of time.

>Very true. It's amazine how much people stick to old ways
>of doing things.

Hey, it's even worse when they are loyalists and refuse to
acknowledge that something else besides what they know and
use and have spent considerable time learning, makes a lot of
sense and should be in the product they are so loyal to. IMO
these people comprise 99 percent of the world. : (

>Yes. I have strongly suggested it. It (the ops dialog and
>the solids dialog) WILL be non modal. :cheers: and a big ol
>wet sloppy kiss for everyone at CNC Software, (no, CNC, if
>you're reading this, you CANNOT put the kiss ANY WHERE YOU
>WANT IT!!).

How about getting rid of huge dialog boxes and findiing away
to pass most of the information along as you are creating
toolpath, geometry, etc.

>How f'n stupid is that!?

Please don't get me started... okay you did ;>) From what I
can tell very little work has been done for geometry
creation in the new version as this does not seem to be much
of a priority for them.... after all these years "How f'n
stupid is that!?" I need to stop now. Don't wish to get
carried away. I'm still thrilled that they finally allow
machinists to create and edit a post rather than having to
pay at least $200 for one. How many times do you think they
sold that FADAL post for at least $200 ??? How many times
do you think they got the post right the first time, the second
time....

>Definately include a GUI for the post editing, but don't
>mess with my ascii version or I'll go balistic. :D"


A GUI for post creation just automates creation of much of
the code (text). You don't have to use it or you can use
just the portion you want and then add or edit text to your
hearts content.

jon

"Kathy is one of my customers. I have been out to her
company and she lets me know how she feels."

Cool !!! You know she is right. :>)

"She is one smart girl that is for sure."

No doubt about that. She's smart period.

"But I know she is a real big fan of UG."

Would it be fair to say that she wants many of the
approaches and power that is in UG to be in
MasterCAM X ???

IMO, I wish CNC Software would pay closer attention to
what she has to say.... perhaps this has changed recently
because her frustration was very evident in some of her posts.

jon

I'm still thrilled that they finally allow
machinists to create and edit a post rather than having to
pay at least $200 for one.

If you're referring to PostHaste, I've used it and it is quite limited. At least as compared to some others.

How many times
do you think they got the post right the first time, the second
time....


The first time? Never.

The second time? Once.

The rest took 3, 4 times, or I just gave up. :/

Keep in mind, I used Gibbs for 3-4 years, and had about 20 post mod requests over that time.. so we're looking at 60+ errors all told.

'Rekd teh Wearing dark glasses like the cops in Texas :cool:

Reked , what problems are you finding with post hast?
We can take care of the problem if we know the problem.

cadcam, just the lack of control. (It's been a year or so since I've used it, so I forget some things). It doesn't give you enough options to really be effective, IMO. It's great for doing some simple mods, but lacks the power to eliminate the need for binary posts supplied by Gibbs. I would assume this is by design so they can keep the post guys employed, which is fine.

I guess I'm a bit biased with MC, and should be thankful you can at least do the basic stuff to make your machine run the way you want. :D

'Rekd teh retracting the unnecessary comment about posthaste. :D

Originally posted by Rekd
cadcam, just the lack of control. (It's been a year or so since I've used it, so I forget some things). It doesn't give you enough options to really be effective, IMO. It's great for doing some simple mods, but lacks the power to eliminate the need for binary posts supplied by Gibbs. I would assume this is by design so they can keep the post guys employed, which is fine.

I guess I'm a bit biased with MC, and should be thankful you can at least do the basic stuff to make your machine run the way you want. :D

'Rekd teh retracting the unnecessary comment about posthaste. :D

They now offer an option where Gibbs will output an APT CL file.

http://www.gibbsnc.com/gibbs/product/gc2002.asp

"APT CL output is now available as an option, which allows users to interface GibbsCAM with their existing APT CL post processing installation or 3rd party posting capability. (APT CL post may require modification to be compatible with specific 3rd party products.)"

I wonder how much they get for the above option which should be included at no charge ???

On a brighter note they do seem to be giving more options with the free version of PostHaste :

Full trigonometry and math equations
Multiple output file capability
General loop and exit constructs

jon

Originally posted by cadcam
Jon at this time we are looking at a beta around the 1st of the year.

There is no screen shots for the puplic at this time.

thanks Jay

Will the UI be updated at all? I've been evaluating various CAM programs as I prepare the deep dive into CAM (already have CNC machines and 3dcad), and its very confusing how v9.x does not follow any normal windows conventions - I don't want to have to fully learn yet another interface if I don't have to.

Thanks.

Originally posted by Spinnetti
Will the UI be updated at all? I've been evaluating various CAM programs as I prepare the deep dive into CAM (already have CNC machines and 3dcad), and its very confusing how v9.x does not follow any normal windows conventions - I don't want to have to fully learn yet another interface if I don't have to.

Thanks.

Mastercam is currently still in DOS mode. With the release of X it will be a Winblows GUI. I, for one, believe the interface now is so fluid I hope they keep that functionality with it.

'Rekd teh Old Skule

Does anyone know any good sites that have good MasterCamX tutorials for a first time user?

Try this :
http://www.tipsformanufacturing.com/html/mastercam_cds.html

Click on the "free mastercam training videos"

www.streamingteacher.com