How do you change the planes in MCX

[MrG]

For example if I build a part in Solidworks and then import(open) that part into mastercam X.

If i dont build my part in the right planes then it will place it in kind of the wron orientation .. ie maybe the right side of the part is facing upwards in Mastercam X

is there a way to rotae the part so it is orientated the right way. can you force a side to go into the z plane etc...

btw .. when I try and open a solidworks part in mastercam x is give me an error message saying it can't be found.. So i am forced to create an .iges and import it in that way.. is there any major disadvantages doing it that way and also has anyone else had this problem..

Sorry for all the questions but I am a student trying to learn as much as possible..

Thaks you for all your help.

[tobyaxis]

What type of part are you trying to cut, 3D, 4 Axis or 5Axis?

The SolidWorks file has to be placed into the Data Folder in MC for it to read it.

C:/McamX/Data (this is a reference from MC8 and MC9) X maybe different.

[jderou]

Use Xform-rotate. You may have to change the WCS to the plane you want to rotate in

[Matt Berube]

MrG,

1. Forget about .igs. Use the .xt (parasolid) format instead. This is very reliable.

2. How are you trying to bring Solidworks files into Mastercam ? Mastercam should be able to open any .sldprt file from any folder you wish. (not sure what Tobyaxis was getting at...)

3. There is an add-on called "Direct conv. - Mastercam X2 for Solidworks" which you can use to output a special format from Solidworks and then open in Mastercam with the solid history ttree intact. I've not used this personally but have heard mixed reviews from others... Anyway this is available for several versions of Mastercam free download at Mastercam's website.

[tobyaxis]

Originally Posted by Matt Berube MrG, 1. Forget about .igs. Use the .xt (parasolid) format instead. This is very reliable. 2. How are you trying to bring Solidworks files into Mastercam ? Mastercam should be able to open any .sldprt file from any folder you wish. (not sure what Tobyaxis was getting at...) 3. There is an add-on called "Direct conv. - Mastercam X2 for Solidworks" which you can use to output a special format from Solidworks and then open in Mastercam with the solid history ttree intact. I've not used this personally but have heard mixed reviews from others... Anyway this is available for several versions of Mastercam free download at Mastercam's website.

Unless a Part File is in the Data Folder V8 won't open it. Is there a setting in the Configs to solve this issue? These are Iges, DXF, DWG, Sldprt extentions in the Converters.

File>Get>Converters>Iges etc.

[Mike Mattera]

Mastercam X can import the X_T as a solid, but if you dont have the Solids Module you cant rotate or move it.

In SolidWorks designers draw in the Front view.


To move it in X, I think you do a Translate 3D, Pick the part/geometry and select source Front and Destination Top. That should move the Front of the part to the Top construction plane.

Mike Mattera

[Beaker]

I get an error when I try to open an *.SLDPRT file in MCX
"cannot find parasolid data in solidworks file".
So I make sure I am supplied with *.STEP or *.X_T files.

Tobyaxis.
Had a try at putting the file in the data folder but it still won't open, anything else I can try?

[Matt Berube]

You guys are not alone. I have seen others struggle with this but haven't seen it personally.

This was recommended by a CNC Software employee to a user in another forum:

Open a DOS prompt and do the following... cd \McamX\Common\SWorksData regsvr32 swdocumentmgr.dll ----------------------- (make sure to substitute your actual mastercam folder name where I put \Mcamx)

This is supposed to "re-register the .dll we use to extract Solidworks data"


Are you guys sure about the version of the solidworks files ?
In another forum, CADCAM has stated

Mastercam X2 will support 2007 and MC-XMr2 supports 2006

[Beaker]

Thanks Matt

That worked perfect for solidwork files <=2005
Looks like I will have to upgade my mastercam for the later versions.

[cadcam]

Ok folks if you are using just MC-X the first version it only supports 2005 SW part brought straght in.

If you are running MC-X MR2 this supports SW 2006 files and The new release of X2 supports SW 2007.

What version of MC are you running?

Toby sorry to tell that the SLDPRT files can be any were I conver them from my server across my neetwork all the time.

If you would like send me your file and I will open it and send it back.

Matt the first atatment is a good one but that was more in the earler stages of MC-X release have not seen this over a year.

[Matt Berube]

Matt the first atatment is a good one but that was more in the earler stages of MC-X release have not seen this over a year.

CadCam are you referring to the Mastercam direct for Solidworks converter ?

[cadcam]

Sorry Matt. I was talking about this thought.

Open a DOS prompt and do the following...

cd \McamX\Common\SWorksData
regsvr32 swdocumentmgr.dll