SmartCAM V18 Usability and
Productivity Enhancements
Many usability and productivity enhancements are found in all SmartCAM V18.x applications.
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Verification Improvements
ShowCut Tool Display Improvements - V18.5
Several improvements have been made to tool display that provide more realistic and accurate volumetric material removal verification. Tools are now shown behind the model when they travel behind the model, or inside the model when traveling into a bore, and fixed hole tools that have been parametrically defined now display accurately as 3D solids.
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Restrict Verification to the Model Window - V18.0
A new Showpath Range option restricts verification to only the toolpath visible in the model window at the time the verification is initiated. This feature saves considerable time by eliminating the need for processing elements that are not going to be viewed during the verification.
Customized Tool Motion Speed Settings - V18.0
New configuration settings allow the tool motion speeds to be customized faster or slower to better match the user’s system capabilities and preferences.
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On-screen Range option increases Showpath efficiency by restricting processing to elements within the graphics windows extents. Speed ranges 1-8 can be customized to better match system performance.
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Code Improvements
Conditional Setting of Machine SMF Questions in Template File - V18.5
A new template file function (#SMFCHANGE) can be used to conditionally change the answers of select machine file questions related to coordinate system output. The function can only be used in the new @PROLOGUE section, which is called for each toolpath position, prior to the formatting of coordinate words.
This capability is useful for manipulating local coordinate system output to coincide with the machine coordinate system, for example switching the axis sign when working on a reversed coordinate system such as those used to program a secondary turning spindle.
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New SMF change function used to conditionally change axis sign in new prologue section.
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Other Usability and Productivity Enhancements
Job Operation Planner Enhancements
Two important enhancements have been made to the Job Operation Planner.
Editable Job Operations Planner List Picks- V18.5
The drop-down list on the Job Planner Operations tab has been made user editable. For example, you can now configure the contents of the Coolant or Cycle tabs for milling and turning, or the flush type and pressure for wire EDM. The drop-down list are editable for entry names, reordering of the entries, or adding new items to the lists.
Select Active Step from Planner - V18.5
A new "Accept" button has been added to the main Job Operation Planner window, and is functional when the Process Step List is active. When used, the Planner window closes and the currently selected Step in the Planner Step list, becomes the active Step. If "On Layer" is active, SmartCAM will switch over to "With Step" and use the highlighted Step. If "Close" button is used, the Planner closes without changing the Step/Layer mode or changing the active Step.
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Drilling operation cycle list customized to display standard drilling and drilling with dwell cycle descriptions. New Accept button on process planner closes planner and activates insert mode with selected step.
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Element Data Enhancements
There are several new controls on the Element Data window.
Color Associated with Step or Layer - V18.5
The Color option will display the element data list text in the same color as the associated Step or Layer.
World Coordinates - V18.5
Will toggle the displayed coordinate data between being World and Local coordinates. When in World coordinates the values are related to the world origin. In Local coordinate mode, they are related to the assigned workplane for the given element. This field is tied directly to the Display Modes - World Coordinates: - Element Display field.
Show Workplane - V18.5
When enabled, a workplane indicator will be drawn showing the origin and orientation of the workplane used by the given element.
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Enhanced Element Data dialog box optionally displays text in step/layer color using world or local coordinates. Workplane for selected element can also be displayed.
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Container Element Display - V18.5
New options allow Element Data to display the contents of Containers. When the expand button is selected, the Element Data window title bar will update to reflect that Container mode is active, and show the element number for the container being examined. To switch back to the standard list view, the collapse button can be selected.
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Process container element expanded in Element Data dialog. Coordinates and properties of individual elements within container are displayed.
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View Orientation Enhancements - V18.5
New options have been added to the View Orientation menu. With these options you can toggle between associating the view change with the world axis or the currently selected workplane. You can also control whether the changed view will continue to use the current view extents, do a view full, or a view base.
The toggles are available on the View - View Orientation menu and the icon bar drop-down View Orientation menu. These options will affect any view change selected from the View Orientation menu or when using the hot-key view changes: F9 thru F12.
Four new SWEL commands have been added to allow you to switch between the three views and turn In Active Plane on and off.
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New view options allow view to be specified relative the active workplane, and view size based on current, full, or base view extents.
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Select All Steps or Layers - V18.0
The group Step, Tool, and Layer picking modes available on the group toolbar have been enhanced to allow all Steps or Layers to be selected by double clicking in an empty area of the graphics view. This feature makes it extremely easy to select all of a specific type without the need to use the Edit Filter dialog box.
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Step / Layer Element List Prefix - V18.0
A short string, up to five characters, can be prefixed to Step and Layer geometry, in the list view. The prefix string can help you quickly find whether the elements are associated with a layer or a step. This can make finding and selecting geometry much quicker and less prone to error.
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Step / Layer Element List Prefix - V18.0
A short string, up to five characters, can be prefixed to Step and Layer geometry, in the list view. The prefix string can help you quickly find whether the elements are associated with a layer or a step. This can make finding and selecting geometry much quicker and less prone to error.
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Configurable listview Step and Layer prefixes make it easy to distinguish toolpath from design geometry.
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Last Opened File List Expanded - V18.0
The list of last opened files, under the File menu, has been expanded to eight entries.
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Last file list now shows up to 8 entries.
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Adjustable Dynamic Zoom Mouse Wheel Behavior - V18.0
A new setting can be used to adjust the zoom speed when using the mouse wheel, and allow the zoom direction to be reversed. By default rolling the mouse wheel forward zooms out, but this setting can be used to make rolling the wheel forward zoom in.
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