I bought V21 the other day.

[Jim Estes]

I ordered V21 the other day because I needed another seat. From what I have read about V21, there isn't a lot of changes from V20, that I have been using. Other than the help file issue, is there any other things I need to look out for. I know that when I switched from using V17 to using V20, there was an issue, I forget what it was, but there was an issue that caused me to scrap some parts, I believe is had to do with pocketing, and the "finish" cutting function, it didn't do what I had thought it would do.

Does the V21 book have more in depth info in it, or it pretty much the same as V20 with a new cover?

I personally won't have a problem with not having the help filFor es, I never use them anyway. As for the videos, they weren't much help either, since they don't show how to fix your mistakes just how to do the right things.

I would love to see more in-depth explanation of how the software uses the numbers in the dialog boxes, to generate the G-code. And how the order in which you pick your geometry affects the way that your solid surfaces are created.

I guess all of this could be part of a "wish list" for future BCC books, and videos. As for the software itself, I would love to see more functions for manipulating and modifying surfaces. Although, the combination of functions that are available will do almost anything I want them to do, I sometimes find myself fudging, things or giving false numbers to get the results I need.

For example, when I need to generate a toolpath on a surface, but I need the cutter to go down below the lowest point of the surface, I have to create geometry below the lowest point in order to get BCC to cut it that deep. Simply putting in a Z value in the Z Extents box, below the surface doesn't get BCC to cut it that deep. The function only works to keep the cutter from going too deep, it won't allow me to send the cutting deeper that the surface, which forced me to create a surface that is as deep as I need to cut the part.

It's things like this that I have had to learn as I go. I wish a lot of this type of stuff was in the book, or more options in the next version of the software.

Jim

[erase42]

i think they want you to go to one of their training seminars. And hey, they only cost about twice what you paid for the software, not including airfare, hotel, etc. Im fortunate in that I only use it for design at this point. If i had to use it to make g code id probably have a lot more problems than i do. I do always mess around with the cam end to practice getting the results i want, at least on the cut simulator. When i finally get my mill cnc'd Ill be ahead of the game. just keep asking questions and plugging away, you will learn some of the oddities, and hopefully pass them on to me.

[tjones]

There are some free sample tutorials that will walk you through the process of generating g-code. You should do this as to jog your memory on the occasion as well as getting some pratical experience.

Sorin (the one who does the training seminars) has some free videos. Go to http://www.cadcamtrainer.com/forums/index.php

Sign up there and after you complete the registration you will have access to the free videos.


As far as the help files go....update to the latest V21 from the web sight and the help files are included!