Has anybody been experiencing CAM locking up ?

[Danno]

I have 3 different computers with Dolphin Cad installed.
One is in my home, and the other is in my garage on the computer which has Mach2 that runs my mill. I purchased 2 licenses for these.
The third copy I have is on a computer at work, but it is unlicensed.
Yesterday, the CAM program locked up solid on my home computer, but I got it going again after a few hours of frustration. I was told by Traci at Dolphin to run the "key reset" program, which worked.
This morning at work, I'm getting the exact same problem !! The only difference is that I cannot get it going again!!
Now, my question is; Can Dolphin monkey around with the program in these computers?? All 3 of the computers are online. It's a hell of a coincidence that I would be experiencing the same issues, at the same time on different computers that are 30 miles appart !!
The CAM section of Dolphin has always been a bit "Quirky", and has locked up on me on numerous times before, on different computers.
BTW, the CAD section has never given me any issues.
Danno

[Senna]

I'm not certain I'd call it 'monkeying around' but when connected to the Internet Dolphin auto updates for the first year of the license I believe...

This may or may not be the case in your situation but anecdotally with all 3 computers experiencing the same issue...!!!... you might press the point with Dolphin.

Senna

[Danno]

I have not tried the program which is on my mill, so I can't say for sure if it's acting up or not. To be quite honest, I have never really used the Dolphin program on my mill computer. I bought the license thinking that I needed it, but that was never the case.
I tried to call "Tech" support yesterday, but was told they were all in a meeting !!
I tried to call again today, but just got voice mail ..
Good thing It's just a hobby , and I'm not trying to run a business !!
I'm at work now, but I'll check my mill computer when get home to see if it's acting up.
Danno

[harley4ever]

Ive had 2 licensed copies for over a year now and have never once had it lock up. It may be something your doing opposed to something someone else is doing. From what you said, you asked if dolphin could monkey with your license. Why in the world would they and what would they get out of doing that?

[John S.]

I am still on Version 9 because V10 needs to go on the net to check registration every so often, if it can't it falls over.

The machines with Dolphin on are not net connected and never will be, they are stand alone machines that go to shows.
I must admit I am very disappointed in that there is no work round for this except a dongle which I don't want.

Dongles will get stolen at shows and if fitted internally will cause loads of problems when it's time to change them over.

Originally I was told that V10 would run without a net connection but it now appears that it won't.

V9 is no longer supported because they have moved off the V9 token software to another manufacturer so it looks as if I have come to the end of life if it ever crashes or requires an upgrade.

John S.

[Dolphin USA]

I will try and clear some of this up.

I will first say that the program should not be freezing up. The only time it will happen is if an operation is being done that shouldn't be. Perhaps you are trying to use the CAM inside the CAD? Generating toolpath in the CAD side should not be done if you own PM Pro (aka Level 3). If you could give a bit more detail of what exactly you are doing that leads up to a freeze, it would help out.

John S... In regards to V10, there is a non-internet method that can be done although it is highly recommended that you try and stay connected to the net while using Dolphin to check for updates, fixes, etc. Again though, there are different routes to activate the software.

As for the dongle, that is a very popular route. We sell quite a few dongles every month and have yet to have one reported lost or stolen. Not that it can't happen, but it can also happen to just about anything in life. A car, keys, phone, wallet, etc... Keep it in a safe place and you should be just fine.

Hope this helps.

[Danno]

I only have a couple of minutes to post a reply, so I will make it quick .
I just want to say that when I said Dolphin was "monkeying" with the program, I meant that in a good way. I didn't mean that they would deliberately make the program crash. What I meant was that they may have been trying to improve the program, but the "improvements" were not compatible with all systems out there.(like mine)
I love this program !! If I can learn it anyone can. I was machining parts within a couple of weeks, and I have NEVER had any formal training on CNC, CAD, CAM or any other programs.
OK, that's out of the way !!

Here's what my program was doing;
After drawing a part in CAD and assigning it's contours, I would open CAM by clicking on the "machining" tab, then "Milling Module".
This would open my drawing in Cam.
The next thing I would do is configure the "Machine Setup".
As soon as I did this, everything would lock up !! In the past I would define my tools, but now, everything was dead !! I couldn't even shut CAM off. The only way was with CTRL-ALT-DEL.
CAD was still open and running fine, as well as any other programs that may have been open. ONLY CAM was locked up.


I hope this vague explaination helps !!
I do know what you mean about trying to run CAM in CAD with the "NC" button !! That REALLY messed things up

As a side note; I have an unregistered version of Dolphin at my workplace. I use this one to draw my parts and assign contours, and then E-mail them to myself to post process on my registered version at home. This morning, the CAM portion of the unregistered version at work crashed almost exactly the same way as my registered version at home did the night before. The only difference was that I was not able to get it going again, until I deleted the program then re-installed it.

Coincidence ? Hmmm...
I will try and draw and machine a new part in the next few days and will post my results.
BTW, I have been using Dolphin for almost a year, and I'm not doing anything different than I always have.
Dan

[Dolphin USA]

Danno- by any chance have you messed with the right vertical toolbar on the CAM side? If not, have you tried to uninstall completely and do a fresh install? It seems as though the right toolbar may have been messed with though. Try the "toolbar fix".

[Dolphin USA]

Furthermore, if the problem still does occur, send the .dra and .cnc file to support@dolphincadcamusa.com so we can have a look.

[Danno]

I did the toolbar fix , and it did work afterwards.( I forgot to mention that, sorry)
The toolbar fix would not repair my unregistered version though, and I had to reinstall.
There's no point sending the .DRA and .CNC file , because I have tried it on no less than 6 previous drawings I had, and they all locked up the same.
I hope this was just an isolated incident, and that by running the "toolbar" fix, this will be the end of my issues.
BTW; How can I mess with the right toolbar ??

Reinstalling my registered version is NOT something I really want to do !!
It took me a couple of months to get things running smoothly on my mill
( PPR issues ) Also, since I'm not the most savvy computer person, I'm kinda concerned about messing with a program that I spent a few hundred dollars on. Another major reason is that I live out in the countryside,and I'm somewhat limited to my bandwith ( NO DSL )

I do have CAM working again, but will post if I have any future issues.
Dan

[Dolphin USA]

Once in a while, we may on accident hit the little x on it. It's quite vital to say the least. :-) Anyhow, the "toolbar fix" should fix that. Why this happened on another computer also though is what leaves me wondering...

[andre-dolphin]

Just to let you know, we have no mechanism or desire to interfere with any customers' computer that has PartMaster loaded.

The license check is just that, it only checks the license, it doesn't and can't affect the running of the software, only the ability to post-process.

If the license can't be verified because of a web connection down or the PC not connected, then the license routine will issue a message to the effect that the license could not be verified, BUT it will not stop the software from post-processing. It will then perform further license checks over the next 7 days. Only then will stop post-proccessing.

ATB
Andre