Save as ????what

[jorgehrr]

Please -

I need to learn, what is the correct way to save a file in solid works to be able to open it with mastercam x.

If I new how to start my drafting in mm in master cam I wouldn't bother with solid works. (nothing against solid works, I enjoy it)

Please help, I am a beginner in Mastercam X and never work with mm.

Jorge

[pointcloud]

You should change your settings? Check in the FILE menu, or Dimentions? MAYBE? But it should be really easy to change...

I have other SF but there are settings in the 4 programs I have...

[DJPLAST]

In master cam 9 you go to: screen, configure, cad settings, drop down box "metric.cfg". I would imagine MC X should be very similar.

[jorgehrr]

I did go to system configuration before and I could not find it, the term drop down box gave me the light.

Thank you guys

Cheers.

[dpark1]

save your solidworks file as an IGES file,then in mastercam-file-converters-IGES-read, then open your file

[jorgehrr]

Thank you, I did that (lucky guess).

I need to learn more about this...good stuff

Thank you

Jorge

[Matt Berube]

Parasolid often gives much better results than IGES.

If you wanted to bring your SW model into MC and take all of the solid history with it, you can download the direct converter from Mastercam's website which you would install and use to output a special format from within SW. You could then open the special file in MC with it's complete solid history tree.

There are lots of good ways for MC and SW to work together.

[Chuck Reamer]

Originally Posted by Matt Berube Parasolid often gives much better results than IGES.

That is very important, IGES files cause a lot of problems im MCAM.

[jorgehrr]

Thank you guys.

I'll try that.

Jorge

[psychomill]

mm is just a different unit of measure. Its easy to flip back and forth.

As others suggested, solids would be better to work with.... as long as you have the Solids Option. Otherwise, all you can do look at it....

[Matt Berube]

Originally Posted by psychomill mm is just a different unit of measure. Its easy to flip back and forth. As others suggested, solids would be better to work with.... as long as you have the Solids Option. Otherwise, all you can do look at it....

Let me just add a little to that...

There is a lot that can be done for machining or dimensioning on a solid entity especially if you learn about the WCS. Really, the only thing you can't do to a solid (without a license) is to modify it or move it(xform).

Even if I wanted to work with surfaces, I would still use the parasolid format and then generate the surfaces (from solid) in MC.

[cadcam]

in Mastercam X2 you go file open and there will be a Files of Type in the lower part of the prompt window go in there and pick Solidworks files SLDPRT and it will bring it right in as a solid.

if you have solid works on the same computer then setup in the newer version like SW2006 and 2007 to ad-ins and turn on Mastercam Direct this will give the option of getting the hitroy and it will launch MC for you.

What versions of MC and SW are you using?