MCX Design questions

[Shotout]

I was playing with MCX at the tech school since our business was talking about upgrading to it and I wanted to check it out a bit. I found it cumbersome over MC9 and was wondering if I was missing something or if the school's software just wasn't configured past the basic install. I like the toolpath stuff I looked at though. Maybe someone could help me with the following.

1. I use the keyboard in MC9 more than anything when creating a design file, Create Point Position as an example. Can the keyboard mapping in MCX be configured to work similarly to free up the user from being so mouse dependent?

2. I tend to plot points when drawing more complex shapes from prints to plot features and contours. Is there a way to do the equivalent of Delete Enities Points in MCX?

3. I usually tab between feild on the parameter page to edit the feed rates etc. With the coolant selection now in it's own window can the default value be changed to Flood On to save some mouse work short of editing the entire tool library?

Thanks
Scott

[baran3]

When you switch from v9 to X it can be difficult at first mostly in the design standpoint. Toolpaths are pretty much the same but the design interface is different. A lot of icons but all the drop down menus are still there. Everything is customizable though. As for "C"reate "P"oint "P"osition you can still do that but you have to hit Alt first. Also I don't think hot keys are turned on in the default setup. I agree that v9 is very nice in the sense that it is direct and no as cluttered as X, but a lot of it is just getting used to the new setup. There is absolutely nothing wrong with v9 and you can do the same things in X that you described. X has some nice features and is the next generation so i would recommend using it.

[Matt Berube]

1. If you press and release the ALT key, you'll find that the keystrokes become available. Some are different than V9 but many are the same/similar.

For example, "ALT, C, P, P" would get you to create point position. Here's some free advice though... If your business does upgrade spend some time customizing the toolbars and especially the R-MOUSE button. You'll soon have FAR less use for the keyboard. Oh, and while I'm advising... One of the things you should set up early on is the new BACKUP FILES UTILITY if you get version X2. It is priceless if you happen to have a corrupted file which does happen occasionally (or more often with some computers).

2. You need to acquaint yourself with the ALL and ONLY buttons. Using this you could select ALL, POINTS, DELETE or with X2 you would have the QUICKMASK toolbar from which you could simply click on the "points" icon and press the delete key. Quick mask icons can also be right clicked which makes them function like an ONLY mask instead of an ALL mask.

3. I think the coolant issue depends upon how the rest of your config is set up... I personally use "Tool's step, peck and coolant" so if that is how you work I am tempted to say you'd have to edit the whole library but I am not too sure on this question... I've had everything all set up for so long now that all of the details are a little fuzzy... I do have one machine definition that I have disabled coolant on altogether so no matter what you cannot turn coolant on inside the operation... I am not sure if you can do the opposite and force coolant to always on...

It is nice to set up the library properly and blast through creating ops without even thinking about coolant and still have everything come out perfect... Face mill dry, most tools M8, and special tools with thru spindle coolant all set correctly right in the library...

[Shotout]

Thank you both for your help. I'm afraid I didn't get to spend nearly the time I'd have liked at the school, an since it is networked the terminals in the class don't allow a lot of changes to the configuration etc. I liked some of the new features in the toolpaths but it will take some getting use to. Hopefully I can talk my employer into a training class, or at least Mike M's DVD. Thank you again
Scott

[cadcam]

Shotout What version of X is the school have installed?
If it is straght Mastercam X then you are missing a hole lot of tools and paths.

[Shotout]

Originally Posted by cadcam Shotout What version of X is the school have installed? If it is straght Mastercam X then you are missing a hole lot of tools and paths.

I think is the second release of X, so I guess that would be the X2 I've read about. To be honest I haven't looked for the release version specifically so I'm going on something my former instructor said about it being an updated version when he invited me to come check it out. The school sent him to a training class to check it out prior to purchasing the upgraded version. I know it had all the basic stuff and then more advanced surfacing toolpaths (rough and finish) along with some helical toolpaths that I didn't see, or perhaps learn about, on the version of MC9 they had when I was a student.

Scott