Need Help!- Sprutcam Question

[saabaero]

I have downloaded the Sprutcam 2007 from Tormach's site and must admit that I do see a dramatic difference from the previous version in just the little that I've seen of it so far.

It does seem to auto find most holes for drilling but I have a couple with a small feature intersecting a portion of them that it will not find. I'm sure there must be a way to select them manually but so far, how to do that, has eluded me.

Another problem I have had is in trying to load my Autodesk Inventor (.ipt) files. When I do import them it shows that no entelies were loaded. When I click on the button Sprutcam installed onto the Inventor toolbar to start Sprutcam using the current file Inventor crashes. I am using Inventor 2009. Has anyone else experienced something similar.

Also, What are the restrictions with the demo version of Sprut 2007?

[MarkWink]

saabaero,

Older versions of Inventor import correctly, I've altered Sprut about the ipt, iam import problem for the newer version. (iges works until they fix the import)

There are no limitation on the demo.

Mark

[saabaero]

MarkWink,

Thanks for the reply!

I was just wondering if I was doing something wrong. I hope they can fix the problem because a direct input would be nice.

Is there a time limit on the demo. I thought I recalled something like it being limited to 500 lines of code.

Not that I care too much because if I have enough time to evaluate it and find it does what I need I will be more than happy to purchase a license. From what I saw of version 4, I certainly wouldn't spend the money for it. So far 2007 looks promising!

I'm curious with the latest version being 2007 is it due for another upgrade soon?

[_swede]

Originally Posted by saabaero Another problem I have had is in trying to load my Autodesk Inventor (.ipt) files. When I do import them it shows that no entelies were loaded. ... Has anyone else experienced something similar.

I noticed the same problem when importing .sldprt and .iges from SolidWorks 2008 / 2009. Sometimes the dialogue box that pops up shows how many features were imported, sometimes it doesn't. I thought it froze the first time it occured, but if you notice that the 'OK' button becomes active (i.e. not grayed out anymore), just click it and the geometry should appear.

Odd, but since it's the only flaw I've encountered, and doesn't really affect anything, I can live with it. SprutCAM 2007 is still a great tool.

[_swede]

Originally Posted by saabaero When I click on the button Sprutcam installed onto the Inventor toolbar to start Sprutcam using the current file Inventor crashes.

Also, forgot to mention, I almost never use these little shortcuts... not sure why, just never got into the habit. But I have read that people have problems with SprutCAM & COSMOS shortcuts in SolidWorks too.

Like you said saabaero, importing avoids the problem though.

v/r

[saabaero]

_swede,

I too have noticed that the "OK" button does change from grayed out to solid after a second or two but when I click on it nothing has loaded.

Any idea how long this version has been out?

BTW - I order Sprut cam from Tormach yesterday. I haven't had a chance to fully evaluate it yet but from the comments I gotten here and the differences I have seen so far from Ver.4 it seems to be worth the money. Besides it can only get better... right!?

[Cairns]

Originally Posted by David Bord I dont see a reason to bring in both 2D drawings and 3D models. You can simply select the model face after importing and "project curves" and it will create a 2D set of curves/drawing that you can use for 2D machining, pocketing, etc. In addition, you can then export those curves to DXF if you like. David

Can you do that in a plane other the XY plane? I'm working on an indexed part and couldn't get Sprut to put 2D objects in the XZ plane. Admittedly I didn't try too hard outside of attempting to import DXF files.

I ask this though it is now a mute point. I downloaded the latest version yesterday and you can now create a spline for a 2D contouring operation from vertical faces. That solves my problem.