Whats New in Mastercam X3 Beta 3

General System Enhancements

Whats New in X3 Toolbar
When you open Mastercam X3 Beta 3, you will notice a new toolbar displayed in the graphics window. This Whats
New in X3 toolbar provides you with quick access to some of the new and improved functions in Mastercam X3.

Importing SolidWorks History

Mastercam X3 can import SolidWorks solid history data directly into the Mastercam Solids Manager. When you open a
SolidWorks part file, click Options and select the Import Solids History check box. SolidWorks has to be installed on
the same system as Mastercam for the history to be imported. When you click Open, X3 connects to SolidWorks and
reads in the complete solid history. You can then edit the solid using the Mastercam Solids Manager.

Silent Mode
A new option on the Screen page of the System Configuration dialog box forces Mastercam to send error messages to a
log file rather than to the screen when you are trying to operate Mastercam in an unattended mode.

This allows other toolpaths to continue to process even if one of them has problems and is unable to complete. Prior to
this option, Mastercam would open a warning dialog box and sit until the operator clicked the OK button, possibly
losing lots of processing time while the user was away from the machine.
This information is reported in a log file that opens every time Mastercam starts and can be accessed from an icon on
the Windows Taskbar.

Translator Version Updates

Parasolids 19
ACIS R18
AutoCAD DWG, DXF, DWF 2008
AutoCAD Inventor IPT, IAM, IDW 2008
CATIA V5 R18
KeyCreator V6
Pro/E Wildfire 4
Rhino 4
Solid Edge V20
SolidWorks 2008

System Configuration

Configuration files can now be accessed from any drive on your network. You are not restricted to the
Mcamx3\Config directory. This is especially helpful for users in a network environment.
You can enable or disable the Spaceball motion control device using a new switch on the Start/Exit page.

Reduce Menu String Redundancy

This enhancement makes the Mastercam menu options easier to read. In previous versions, the same string was used for
each menu option and tool tip. You had to scan through redundant text to make sure you were selecting the right
option.

In X3, menu options can have different text from the tool tips, which still need to display the menu path in order to
provide context. The resulting menus are shorter and easier to read.

Zip2Go Enhancements

.DEFAULTS and .OPERATION files - All files of these types that are listed in the Machine Group Properties are
now automatically included in the Z2G package.
Wire Power libraries - All .POWER libraries that are referenced in any Wire operation are included in the Z2G
package. You do not have to select the Tool/Power Libs option. If you do select this option, you will also get the
.POWER libraries listed in the Group Properties for each Wire Machine Group.
Custom Mill and Lathe tools - Zip2Go now checks every Mill/Router/Lathe operation for any custom tools that
are used (custom tools that are stored in an external MCX file) and automatically includes them in the Z2G
package. You do not have to select the Tool/Power Libs option.
STL files - All Mill/Router operations are checked for the use of an STL file. If there are surface toolpaths that
reference an STL file in the Geometry (CAD file) branch of the operation, that STL file will automatically be
included in the Z2G file.
ATP files - There is a new file option for ATP files. If selected, all the ATP related files from the last ATP run will
be included in the Z2G file.

The specific version of Mastercam that created the Z2G file is now included in the Zip2Go_(filename).TXT report
file.
Zip2Go_(TEST_ZIP2GO).TXT
12/19/2007 11:05:28 AM
Version: X2 MR2 SP0
C:\MCAMX2-MR2\MCX\TEST_ZIP2GO.MCX

There is now a Rename command on the Manage Archive menu for easier file renaming.

You can now add files to the Z2G file by dragging and dropping them onto the file list area of the Zip2Go dialog.

Zip2Go now "truncates" the path\filename shown on the title bar to display as much of the filename.Z2G as
possible. How much of the filename displays is dependent on the current size (width) of the Zip2Go dialog.

Zip2Go remembers the layout (order and width) of the columns between sessions.

Zip2Go now uses the Mastercam standard File Open and Save As dialogs.

Design Enhancements
Swept Surface Enhancements
We removed the limitation of not allowing sharp corners in the rails. You will no longer receive an error message if the
rails contain sharp corners. This will help users who are producing surfaces for door or window frame shapes as shown
in the image below.

Prior to X2 MR2, a single surface was built containing sharp corners, which is not ideal for machining. X3 will now
allow these types of surfaces to be built, but it will split the surfaces up into multiple pieces wherever necessary so that
individual surfaces do not have sharp corners in them.
In the first image, a chain of curves representing the frame profile (generator) is swept along the two green chains.
Since the generator is smooth, the sweep is broken up only at the corners and produces five surfaces (it would have
been four, but the generator starts in the middle of the chain). The resulting swept surfaces are shown below.

In the next example, the generator profile contains eight sharp corners, and is swept along the two green rails which
themselves have sharp corners. The result is 32 separate surfaces.

Under normal circumstances, two rail sweeps scale the generator up or down as the distance between the rails changes
(as in the corners of these two examples). However, we now detect these cases, treat them as special cases (two rail
sweeps with sharp corners), and do not scale in the Z direction. The Z direction is that which is perpendicular to both
the Rail Curve tangents and the rulings that join them. Scaling only in the X and Y directions allows for the intended
mitered surface shape to be created correctly.
For the single rail cases, swept surfaces are still broken up into individual surfaces at sharp corners, as shown in the
next example. The result is two separate surfaces.

If a blended corner surface is desired, then add a small corner radius to the rail curve.

If a mitered corner is desired, then you must use two rails, so that it can be caught as the special case mentioned
above.

Select by Depth
This capability allows you to focus selection to a specific Z depth or to a zone defined by minimum and maximum Z
values. It has been added to the All and Only selection options.

This option applies to all points, lines, arcs, and 2D splines and allows you to set conditions equal to, greater than,
greater than and equal to, less than, or less than and equal to a specific Z value.

General Selection Last

It is not uncommon for users to perform sequential functions on geometry selected with General Selection.
Unfortunately, after the function is performed, the list of selected entities is cleared. This forces the user to do the
selection again for the next function. Sometimes this can take a bit of effort.
Mastercam X already has a Last option when the Solids option is used in General Selection. This new addition makes
the Last functionality available for all General Selection. It is now available on the General Selection toolbar regardless
of what entity types are selected and in the QuickMask toolbar.

Xform Drag Improved Usability

Even though we made considerable changes in X2 MR2 to the usability of this function, we found a couple more things
that make it still easier to use.

Users can now hold down the [Ctrl] key when placing multiple copies of the geometry without having to press
[Enter] after each location to fix the live entities.
Rotation now honors the angular rotation switch and values in the AutoCursor Settings dialog box.

Xform Move
We improved the logic for when a Solid is moved and the underlying geometry is not included in the selection. This
should eliminate downstream problems and help with managing wireframe data required for solids.

Xform Move to Origin

We created a new function that moves all visible geometry to the current WCS origin. Once the function is started, you
are prompted for an AutoCursor position. Once the position is selected, all of the geometry moves to the origin relative
to that position.
The Move to Origin function now respects the 2D/3D switch. In 2D mode, the entities are shifted in XY to line up with
the origin without changing the Z value. In 3D mode, the AutoCursor position selected as the new origin is moved to
0,0,0 and all other Z values of the selected entities update respectively.

Line Perpendicular
We added a Flip button to this ribbon bar to help with construction.

Shortcut Key for Editing Text When Placing a Dimension

In X2 MR2, we used the shortcut key that had been for editing the text for another option. For X3, we added a new
shortcut key for editing text. The letter J as found in Adjust Text is now the shortcut key. It is the last letter available.

Solids Layout
We made some changes to the interface to make it easier to use, including simpler Layout dialogs. No significant
changes in functionality were made.

New AutoSync Function

This new feature on the Create menu creates geometry to assist with multiaxis toolpaths and wirepaths on solid and
surface models. Designed for parts where the upper and lower profiles (rails) need to be synchronized, AutoSync
creates the rails at specific Z levels and adds proper branch lines to connect these profiles. In X3 Beta 1, this function
is restricted to solid models and 4-axis wirepaths.
The following procedure outlines how to use AutoSync as part of creating a 4-axis wirepath from a solid. You first use
AutoSync to create upper and lower rails that can be selected as contours.
1. Open the solid part in Mastercam.
2. If there are any visible entities other than the solid, use the Level Manager to make sure they are located on
another level and make that level invisible. This ensures that AutoSync does not pick up any lines or arcs when
chaining the upper and lower rails during the creation of the 4-axis wirepath.

3. Choose Create, AutoSync.

4. Click the Activate solid selection button on the General Selection ribbon bar.

5. Click the Select body button on the General Selection ribbon bar.
Note: If necessary, deselect the Select face button to make it easier to select only the whole solid.

6. Move your mouse over the solid until your cursor displays the 3D Solids visual cue.

7. Click the solid.

8. Click the End Selection button on the General Selection ribbon bar.

9. Click Done on the Drive Surfaces Selection dialog box.

10. Enter the Z height value to establish the slicing plane Z height, which Mastercam uses along with the top of the
part to create the initial sync lines.
Note: This value defaults to the midpoint of the height of the solid. Type over the default value if you want to
enter a different Z height value.
11. Press [Enter].
12. In the Slicing params dialog box, enter the following values:
Tolerance Controls the accuracy of the slice you are creating. This will affect how accurately the slice is
matched to the surface data. A large tolerance will chamfer sharp corners and facet smooth corners, directly
affecting your wirepath.
Step increment Establishes the line spacing to sync between the Z height slice and the top of the part. A
smaller value creates a more accurate wirepath, but may take longer to generate the wirepath and create a longer
NC program.
Fanning distance Determines the minimum distance that the tool travels between a corner position and a
position where the wire is perpendicular to the cut direction. A larger fan distance creates a wider fan. Enter the
minimum distance that the wire travels between the first endpoint of an arc and the last endpoint of the same arc
(a position where the wire runs perpendicular).
13. Click OK. Mastercam calculates and creates the slice at the Z slicing height. This slice is used to create a series
of synchronized vector lines. This series of vector lines remains selected.
14. Press [Enter] to accept the selected vector lines or manually choose the vector lines that you want to use to
create the synchronization and then press [Enter].
15. In the AutoSync dialog box, enter the following values:
Fit tolerance Tolerance value that applies to how closely the AutoSync vector lines fit along the upper and
lower rails (the curve fitting tolerance to fit curves, lines, or arcs to the surfaces)
Trim max Z - Z height value for the upper (UV) contour (rail).
Trim min Z - Z height value for the lower (XY) contour (rail).
Max arc radius - Maximum allowed radius size.
Min arc radius - Minimum allowed radius size.
Fit type - Choose the G-Code movements that apply to your specific machine.
16. Click OK. Mastercam calculates the AutoSync settings and creates the upper and lower rails, which are
projected as wireframe contours with branch lines to create sync points (nodes) where the upper and lower rail
vectors are not perpendicular.
Note: The graphic below shows an example of how the upper and lower rails created by AutoSync appear. In
this example, we set the maximum Z height at a height above the top of the solid, and a minimum Z height at a

height below the bottom of the solid.

You now have geometry that provides a good basis for a 4-axis Wirepath.

Mill Enhancements
Feature Based Machining
One of the highlights of Mastercam X3 is the introduction of Feature Based Machining (FBM). This capability is aimed
at making it significantly easier to machine Solids with minimal user intervention or interaction. Feature Based
Machining is powerful enough for experienced power users and simple enough for the new or casual users to
completely machine Solids in Level 1. You have access to the controls necessary to let Mastercam identify the
machining areas of the part and automatically select or create tools required to cut the part. X3 is just the first step in a
multi-release plan for this important aspect of machining.

FBM Mill and FBM Drill use the information derived from the part's features in combination with the machine group's
stock definition. With this information and the guidelines you define for the FBM operation type (Mill or Drill),
Mastercam performs the following tasks:
Detects all features for the selected FBM operation type, based on your selection criteria.

Intelligently designs an effective machining strategy.

Selects the appropriate tools, either from your preferred tools list or from libraries you specify.
Creates and assigns boundaries needed to drive and constrain tools.
Automatically generates all of the toolpaths necessary to machine the features.

In FBM Mill and FBM Drill, you review all of the identified machining features and can selectively modify or remove
features from the list before generating toolpaths. You can easily change parameters in the FBM parent operation and
regenerate all of the toolpaths. You can also customize the generated toolpaths before posting. Associativity is
maintained between the FBM parent operation and the generated toolpaths. Mastercam notifies you when any of these
associative entities have been modified, marking the model and operations as "dirty."
Tip: If you customize any FBM-generated toolpaths, do so only when you are sure that you will not regenerate the
FBM parent operation. Any customization is overwritten when the FBM-generated toolpaths are recreated.
New for Beta 2
When an FBM parent operation (FBM Mill or FBM Drill) is deleted, the child operations created by the FBM
parent will remain.

Added a Minimize button

to the FBM toolbar so you can change views, shade, and manipulate the part
model without exiting the FBM operation.
Removed the requirement for Microsoft Excel to be installed. We still support Excel files but will use a CSV
file if Excel is not present.
The Detect button now becomes dirty
when a change is made that affects the results. Depending on the
change, some cases will require a complete redetect and others will require a quick redetect. The software
makes that decision automatically.

New for Beta 3

After processing, a warning summary appears with any issues that are encountered, including the creation or use
of tools with 0 (zero) values in their feeds and speeds.

FBM Drill
This replacement for Solid Drill gives you more control than ever before. You have control over hole detection, deep
drilling, spot drilling, pre-drilling, tool selection, and tool creation. It can be used to create drilled, tapped, counterbored
or countersink holes. It can even read in HoleWizard data from SolidWorks. Existing SolidWorks operations can still
be edited and regenerated, but not created. The result of the FBM Drill process is a series of individual drill operations
which are listed in the Toolpath Manager, nested under the parent FBM Drill operation.
Within a single FBM Mill operation, you perform the following basic functions:
detect holes in a solid based on specified criteria.
review the detected features list and edit or delete features.
preview toolpath operations and make additional changes before they are generated.
automatically generate a complete series of drill operations for the selected features.
Hole detection is based on selected characteristics and includes blind, through, co-axial, and holes split between faces.
You can choose to group operations by tool or by plane. You can also control the tool selection by utilizing tools
already in the .MCX file, choosing a tool library, and allowing Mastercam to create tools, when necessary.

FBM Drill Requirements

Mastercam Solids and Mastercam Mill Level 1 or Mastercam Router and higher
Mill or Router machine definition (select from the Machine Type menu)

At least one solid part model in the current .MCX file with one or more holes.

New for Beta 2

Select common features - This check box on the Features page allows you to select a single hole feature and
Mastercam automatically selects all other features that match it. This will be helpful when some of the new
Finish Tool functionality is completed for Beta 3.
Set normals toward tool plane on detect - This option flips the hole direction towards the current tool plane,
even if they were created from a different view. One example is through holes created in the bottom view - this
switch flips them to the top view automatically. This option may get moved to the Hole Detection page in Beta
3.

New for Beta 3

Changes to the Features page
o We reworked the Features page to make it easier to modify hole selection. Now you can right-click in a
column and select the type of finish tool, plane, or hole type from a fly-out list. This will be especially
useful when selecting a specific tap size.

o If you select a Tap cycle and Pre-drilling is not active, you will be warned and have the option to enable
it in response.
o You can now suppress features in drilling. Select the holes you want to skip during the machining
process and instead of deleting them, you can suppress them. Right-click on the hole in the Features
page and choose Suppress. In the case of co-axial hole, a suppressed feature is still used when
calculating retract and clearance heights.

Linking page - We added more controls for setting retract heights. These options may be required if you choose
to drill before milling. The additional options for Clearance and Retract are:
o Top of hole Sets the plane to the top of a hole being machined plus any additional value you enter.
o Top of co-axial hole Sets the plane so that a counterbore is considered, even if you are choosing not to
machine it at this time.

FBM Mill
Imagine having the ability to completely mill a solid with a single click - thats what FBM Mill will do. It automatically
detects pockets and creates roughing, rest mill, and finish toolpaths to machine it. FBM Mill automatically identifies
when facing is required, when to machine the outside of the part, where to place internal XY fillets, and which tools are
right for the job. The result of the FBM Mill process is a series of individual 2D milling operations which are listed in
the Toolpath Manager, nested under the parent FBM Mill operation.
From a common set of parameters, FBM Mill creates the following types of 2D toolpaths:
roughing and restmill
separate finish toolpaths for walls and floors (optional)
facing if stock in the Z axis is above the top of the part (optional)
outside contours if the stock extends beyond the part in the X and Y axes (optional)
You control the tool selection by utilizing tools already in the MCX file, pre-defining up to ten preferred tools per
operation type, choosing a tool library, and allowing Mastercam to create tools, when necessary.
FBM Mill machines closed, open, nested, and through pockets. For complex nested pockets, Mastercam creates a
separate zone for each depth and creates the boundaries required to machine it. In the following example, six zones
were created and machined separately.

FBM Mill Requirements

Mastercam Solids and Mastercam Mill Level 1 or Mastercam Router and higher
Mill or Router machine definition (select from the Machine Type menu)
Stock model (define in the Machine Group Properties, Stock Setup tab)
At least one solid part model in the current .MCX file with one or more open, closed, nested, or through pockets
with flat floors and straight walls (90 degrees).

New for Beta 2

On the Setup page, outside finish can be turned on even if outside roughing is off. Unfortunately, there is a bug
that still doesnt allow the finish to happen without the roughing being enabled. This will be corrected in Beta 3.

A new suppressed flag on the Features page shows when Facing and Outside features are present but disabled
by the interface.

New for Beta 3

External roughing and finishing - Turning off both Rough outside of part and Finish outside of the part on
the Setup page is now working when an open pocket is encountered. The switches were added in Beta 2 but
were not fully functional at that time.

Tolerant Edges We tightened the tolerances for what constitutes a watertight solid model a bit in Beta 3. We
received some solid parts that had been sewn together with very loose tolerances, rendering them almost
impossible to use. In turn, they produce kernel errors. On a good solid model, the edges of intersecting faces
meet at a very sharp and distinct place. On some models, the edges do not meet as cleanly and the intersection
becomes more of a tube than a crisp edge. These tubular edges overlap each other and are called tolerant
edges. Starting with Beta 3, we will flag these parts with an error message on detection.

Mill Level 1
2D High Speed Toolpaths
A new entry has been added to the Toolpaths menu called 2D High Speed. This accesses a set of five toolpaths
optimized for high speed and hard milling. Peel Mill, Core Mill, Area Mill, Blend Mill and Rest Mill are all available
for use in the 2D Mill Level 1 environment. These toolpaths utilize a new interface that will be expanded to cover all
toolpaths in the future.

Peel Mill
Introduced in X2 MR2, Peel Mill is included in the 2D High Speed toolpaths and has been enhanced to include options
for controlling the back move using the Microlift options. Control for ramp height and ramp length are also available
on the back move, allowing clearance for chips or mitigation of excessive heat buildup in the tool.

Core Mill
Based on the Core Roughing HST toolpath, this toolpath type requires two chains to drive the toolpath. The outside
chain represents the stock boundary, allowing the toolpath to move freely outside this area, and the inner chain defines
the limit of the toolpath. The toolpath starts from the outside and works its way in towards the inner boundary. Climb
or conventional motion is maintained and the transitions between cuts utilizes high speed-friendly methods.

Area Mill
Based on the Area Clearance HST toolpath, Area Mill can use one or more chains to drive the toolpath. The outside
chain contains the toolpath and all subsequent chains are considered islands. Nested islands are not yet supported. The
toolpath generally starts from the inside of the part and works its way towards the outer boundary, exiting and entering
the part with high speed motion when needed. Motion between passes uses high speed transition moves and the
toolpath maintains the climb/conventional setting throughout.

Rest Mill
Based on the Rest Roughing HST toolpath, Rest Mill uses all previous toolpaths as the source for the rest toolpath,
calculates the remaining material, and applies high speed motion between cuts. Additional methods for defining the
source operations (one previous operation, theoretical rest or roughing tool, and STL model) will be addressed in future
releases.

Blend Mill
Based on the Surface Finish Blend toolpath, Blend Mill uses two open chains and creates a toolpath that blends or
morphs from the shape of one chain to the other. Control over along and across as well as cutting method are available.

Tslot2.dll C-Hook
This C-Hook is being removed from the Chooks directory because all of the functionality is now included in the Peel
Mill toolpath.

Facing Toolpath
The facing toolpath has been modified to include an additional cutting method called constant engagement. When you
select the constant engagement style, several options in the Facing parameters dialog are disabled and only those

parameters appropriate for constant engagement are available. This style attempts to maintain a constant amount of tool
engagement with a limit for the maximum engagement amount.

Mill Level 3
Formula Files
The HST toolpaths can now be controlled by utilizing a new .FORMULA file located in the McamX3\Mill\Formula
directory. This XML-based file contains formulas used to derive the values in the HST toolpaths. This gives you the
ability to set intelligent values for different cutting conditions (for example, material hardness). A new button located
on the HST toolpaths interface lets you select one of the supplied .FORMULA files.

Formula File Example

In this example, the stepdown value is set to be 0.07* (the diameter of the selected tool). Therefore, when you select a 5
mm tool, the default value for stepdown would be 0.35 mm.

New Climb/Conventional Options for HST Toolpaths

Options for controlling climb or conventional cutting has been added to all constant Z HST toolpaths.

HST Tool Holders

An option for clearance below the holder has been added. This allows the toolpath to avoid collisions with the holder in
the XY direction and now the Z direction as well. You have the option to check for clearance below the holder or to
just check against the XY direction.

Mill - Multiaxis
Speed Improvements
General speed improvements were made in the processing time of the Multiaxis toolpaths.

Port5ax Improvements
The Port5ax toolpath includes a new feature that allows an overlap/blend to be added the beginning and end of a
porting toolpath. This feature is very useful in blending toolpaths that may need to meet from opposite directions. A
new tab page has been added called Edges that contains several options for controlling the start and end of a port
toolpath. Options include skipping the first pass, last pass, or both and blending the entry, exit, or both.

General Mill
New Toolbar Buttons on Tree-Style Dialogs
To make it easier to access some common toolpath functions, four toolbar buttons have been added to the toolpaths that
use tree-style dialogs:
FBM Drill and Mill
2D High Speed toolpaths
Surface High Speed toolpaths
Saw toolpaths (Router only)
These functions could previously be found only on the right-click menu of the Tool page. Some buttons are unavailable
for certain toolpath types.

Save parameters to defaults - Makes the current toolpath settings the default for future toolpaths of this type.
The current values are saved to the .DEFAULTS file specified in the machine group properties.
Reload parameters from defaults file - Overwrites the current values with the values from your .DEFAULTS
file. These are read from the .DEFAULTS file specified in the machine group properties.
Import operations - Imports one or more operations from a library and automatically applies them to the
current geometry selection.
Feed/speed calculator - Calculates feeds and speeds including surface speed or feed per tooth.

STL Entity (Mesh Entity)

New database support has been added to Mastercam that allows an STL model to be loaded into Mastercam, shaded,
transformed, and used for machining. On the File Open dialog, when an STL file type is selected, an Options button
allows you to import the model as lines or as the new STL Mesh format. Once imported as an STL Mesh, the
information is saved inside the .MCX file just like all other entities (surfaces, solids, wireframe, text, dimensions). Any
time an option in a toolpath offers the use of a CAD file, the STL Mesh option will be available.

Prompt for Operation Delete

Since the Undelete capabilities in the Toolpath Manager are limited, we have added an option to prompt you when
selected operations are deleted. This option can be turned off in the Display options found on the right-click menu of
the Toolpath Manager.

Verify
TrueSolids 5-axis
This function will not require a separate SIM code to function. It will function with any Multiaxis SIM code.
Maintenance is not required.

STL File Handling

Users liked the X2 MR2 options in Verify for dealing with a bad stock model they can use the model as is or
waterfall it. But they requested a Do not ask me again switch so they dont have to keep answering the question. So
we added this switch and some controls in the Verify Settings page of the System Configuration dialog box that will
allow the greatest flexibility. The Config options allow you to set the default state of the error dialog box when it comes
up, or to skip the dialog box altogether and just use the default.

Speed Improvements
We activated an OpenGL option that greatly enhances the speed of Verify. There is a switch in the Verify Settings page
of the System Configuration dialog box to disable it if it causes system problems. For the majority of users, this will not
be a problem.

Lathe Enhancements
Tool Catalog and Library Changes
The old Sandvik and Kennametal tool catalogs were removed for X3 and have been replaced by new catalogs.
Also, a new VTL right turret tool library was added with some basic tooling correctly oriented.

Lathe Default Machine Definition Changes

We updated the positive axis direction for the X axis lower turret. This change will provide the correct
coordinates when backplotting.
Right turret setting in X2 MR2:

Right turret setting in X3:

If your post queries the machine definition for positive axis direction, it will require a post change. Change
dia_mult to -2:
dia_mult : 2 #Multiplier for output on X axis (Neg. switches sign of X)
The Y axis default home position for lower turret axis combinations changed to -5 for inch and -127 for metric.

With the Y axis home position for lower turret axis combinations currently set at 5, the turret approach and
retract is incorrect.
The following picture shows the lower turret with the Y axis changed to the -5 home position for the lower left
axis combination:

The default plane selection has changed to -D+Z.

VTL Machine Definition Changes

The following VTL machine definitions were removed for X3:

o LATHE 2 AXIS VTL.LMD
o LATHE 2 AXIS VTL MM.LMD
o LATHE VTL MULTI AXIS.LMD
o LATHE VTL MULTI AXIS MM.LMD
o LATHE VTL COMPONENTS.GMD
o LATHE VTL COMPONENTS MM.GMD
The following VTL machine definitions were added for X3:
o VTL Right Turret.LMD
o VTL Right Turret MM.LMD
o VTL MULTI TURRET.LMD
o VTL MULTI TURRET MM.LMD
o VTL COMPONENTS.GMD
o VTL COMPONENTS MM.GMD
We updated the positive axis direction for the X axis right turret. This change will provide the correct
coordinates when backplotting.
Right turret setting in X2 MR2:

Right turret setting in X3:

This adjustment may require a post processor change. You may need to change dia_mult to -2:
dia_mult : 2 #Multiplier for output on X axis (Neg. switches sign of X)
Right turrets with a Y axis were changed to a -10 home position to show the correct toolpath approach and
retract.

The default plane selection has changed to -D+Z.

Router Enhancements
Single File ATP Processing
Create or open a layered (multi-level) geometry file, select a machine definition, and select an ATP strategy to
automatically chain the geometry and create toolpaths using the new Single File ATP option. The main dialog box
provides easy access to commonly used parameters such as Climb or Conventional cutting motion, part thickness and
more.

Nesting Block Drill Operations within Machine Limits

You can now nest block drill toolpaths within a restricted area on a sheet to ensure that they are placed within the
machine travel limits. If you specify machine axis limits for the X and Y axes, and the proper offset for the drill block
component in your machine definition, the software will position block drilled parts in a confined area of the sheet,
insuring that all drilling is done within the travel limits of the machine.

Manual Nesting and ATP Option Spawns Separate Block Drill Operations
Generating separate block drill operations for each sheet of material can provide more efficient sorting by optimizing
the block drilling motion for all parts as a group rather than treating them individually. In addition, this option offers
improved material usage by allowing block drilled parts to be rotated. This option is available in the Nesting
Configuration dialog box.

Engrave Toolpath Multiple Entry Point Options

You can now direct where the tool will enter the stock on an Engrave toolpath operation. Previously, the Engrave
toolpath directed the tool to enter the operation at the first interior corner of the chained geometry.
On the third page of the Engraving parameters, there are three new radio buttons in the Enter On group box:

Interior corners This is the default option and enters the part on an interior corner. Engraving currently uses this
entry method. The green arrow indicates the chain selection point.

Chain start point Toolpath enters on the beginning of the selected chain geometry. If you want to start
somewhere else, you have to break the line and chain from the break. This example shows breaking the long line on
the bottom into two pieces.

Midpoint longest line Toolpath begins at the midpoint of the longest line in the selected chain. Note that the
bottom line is broken so the longest line is the upper line.

Wire Enhancements
Multiple 4-axis Wirepaths in One Operation

Window Chaining for 4-axis Wirepaths

This new function also includes the ability to window chain multiple 4-axis wirepaths (with certain restrictions).

The system looks for the two chains with the closest endpoint to each thread point in the window. If you window chain
multiple 4-axis parts that do not have corresponding thread points, Mastercam will probably match the XYs with the
right UVs, but the start point on each chain may not be correct. So we recommend always having a thread point and
selecting the Lock the UV height above the XY height option in the Control Definition (Cuts-Wire page) to ensure
that the lower contour (XY) is located first.

If the chain order of multiple 4-axis profiles in one window doesnt give the desired results, you can still use window
chaining and/or regular chaining to build up the selections of XY/UV chain sets. You can chain each set individually to
place all the profiles in a single operation.

Setting UV Tab Widths in 4-axis Wirepaths

For all tab cases in a 4-axis wirepath, the tab width cannot exceed the width of the last entity in chains of the respective
(XY and/or UV) planes. If you try to enter a value that is too large, Mastercam displays the allowed range.

Changes to the Planes (WCS) Page in Wirepath Parameters

These improvements allow you to create new Work Planes and Work Plane Origins (separate from the WCS origin) on
the fly while programming wirepaths.

When you select the Create new work plane option, the Select Origin button icon will have a blue + sign. This
means that when you click the Select Origin button, a new work plane (parallel to the current WCS view) will be
automatically created for you. You can then set a new Work Plane Origin that will be used for the new wirepath
without affecting the WCS origin.
The blue triangle on the Select View button indicates that the clicking this button will only display views parallel to the
current WCS view.

Art Enhancements
Sculpt Organic Surface
This new surface allows Art users to create more sophisticated surfaces and have more control over those surfaces. It
drives an organic surface through two open contours, with the ability to have a dynamically adjusted cross section
(Bezier curve) stretched or scaled between the drive curves. The same controls are available for adjusting the shape
along the length of the drive curves, which is called the Ridge Profile.
You can also control the Ridge Path, which is where the surface created from each drive curve meets in the center. The
surface no longer needs to blend to the center, but may follow a user-described path. Simply sketch a 2D or 3D contour,
and the surface will blend to the new custom path.
Note: In-depth tutorials and parameter definitions for this new function are available for Beta testers in the Beta section
of the Mastercam Extranet.
https://www.mastercamextranet.com/CNCExtranet/Beta/Downloads/Default.aspx

Original geometry:
1. 2D Drive Curve (green)
2. 2D Drive Curve (red)
3. Ridge Path (purple)

Resulting surface:
1, 2. Cross Section
3. Ridge Path
4. Ridge Profile

B-Spline Dynamic Cross Sections

B-Spline has been added to the dynamic cross section library, allowing you to create a new category of complex cross
sections. The B-Spline cross section has beginning and ending node points that can be dragged dynamically to adjust
the length, as well as two control handles that can be dragged and stretched to flex the curve. Many simple and
complex shapes can be created with this new cross section. To create these shapes previously, the cross sections had to
be drawn manually in Mastercam.
With the current dynamic cross sections, there has always been a sharp definition of the edge of each Art Surface
Operation (ASO). With the B-Spline dynamic cross section, it is quite easy to make a smooth transition. The picture
below shows a Roman Ogee shape that is easily created with the B-Spline cross section.

A complex shape for a frame is quickly designed with the B-Spline dynamic cross section.

Note: It is possible to create an undercut situation with this cross section. To create an undercut, the curve would be
distorted so that it swoops under itself, as shown in the illustration below shaded in red. Although the surface is created,
the undercut is ignored, resulting in a vertical wall from where the undercut first occurs.

Art Manager Improvements

Move Art Surface Operations in the Art Manager
Use the Up/Down arrows in the Art Managers third toolbar to move Art Surface Operations (ASOs) up and down the
list. Select the ASO to highlight it, then select the Up arrow to move it up the list or the Down arrow to move it down
the list. Regenerate the list when you have your ASOs in the correct position. The arrow icons will be inactive until
there are at least two ASOs in the Art Manager.
Select the ASO and then the Up

The ASO is moved and the model is

Select the Regnerate icon to regen the

arrow.

marked as dirty.

model.

Being able to move ASOs has a couple of benefits:

Keeping large projects organized Art models with many ASOs may need to re-arrange the list as the model
develops. For example, you may have 20 ASOs in a project, and you realize that you forgot to puff up a specific
detail. It should be between ASO 2 and ASO 3, but it is now ASO 21 in the list. With the new arrow buttons,
you can put it right where it belongs with its associated elements.
Linking surfaces - For the most part in Art, you can create operations in any order. There is a situation,
however, where procedure does matter. You may want to link surfaces together using application style Blend,
and then puff up a base underneath them. If you build the linking surfaces first, then puff up the base, it works
correctly. If you puff up the base first, you cannot make the linking work. This issue is easily remedied with the
ability to move ASOs up and down the tree in the Art Manager.

Auto-Regeneration of Edited ASOs

Mastercam Art X3 includes the ability for any edited operations to automatically regenerate in the Art Manager. Rightclick on the Art Model in the Art Manager tree and select Auto Regen. When selected, this option regenerates all items
automatically. If unselected, edited items require you to click the Regenerate button.

Auto Prompting for ASO Names

Advanced Art users will tell you that naming your ASOs as you create them is a best practice and will greatly increase
your efficiency in editing, since you do not have to figure out what ASO creates what shape in the model. When you
create a new ASO, you will be immediately prompted to name the ASO. If you enter Weave as the name, the Art
Manager displays the ASO name as Weave-Add. If you cancel the dialog box, the ASO is labeled using the standard
naming (Organic Add).

Using Colors and Bold Text

When entering the ASO name, you can also select a color or bold the name in the Art Manager. For example, you can
name the first ASO in a group using blue, bold text, and the rest of the ASOs in that group will be blue. The next group
would be assigned a new color. This will make it much easier to manage complex Art projects with many ASOs.

Art Shading and Material Mapping Improvements

You can now map materials to the Art surface, which allows you to show the Art model in the material specified by the
customer. If you need an additional material, you can add a square BMP (16x16 pixels, 32x32, 64x64, 128x128, etc.)
to the McamX3\Art\Art materials bitmaps folder. You can also simultaneously blend, show material, add reflection,
adjust color and opacity, and see them all applied to the model in real time.
The material bitmap function actually maps the bitmap onto the Art surface, so you see all of the detail from the
material bitmap on the Art surface. This is different from the way Reflection works. The reflection bitmap is invisible
in space in the shape of a dome over the Art surface and reflects against the surface. So the full detail of the reflection
bitmap is never realized on the Art surface.
The following example uses the SHIELD-ART_E.MCX sample file. The first picture shows the part with no Material
or Reflection applied.

Dragon Shield
Color=152 Blue
Opacity=100%
Reflection=No Reflection, Power=0
Material=No Material bitmap, Power=0

The next picture shows the bitmap file that will be applied as a Material and then as a Reflection to show the difference
in effects.

In the following picture, the Material function was applied and the selected bitmap file has been mapped over the Art
surface. Notice how you can see the vertical bars as in the original bitmap. This function overlays the selected bitmap,
retaining all of its detail.

Dragon Shield with Material

Color=152 Blue
Opacity=100%
Reflection=No Reflection, Power=0
Material=Metal brass bar vertical_256, Power=100%

The next example uses Reflection. Material has been turned off, and you can see how the vertical bars from the original
bitmap are not visible. This function is reflecting the bitmap to the surface, not mapping it like the Material function.
Dragon Shield with Reflection
Color=152 Blue
Opacity=100%
Reflection= Metal brass bar vertical_256, Power=100%
Material=No Material, Power=0

Other options are also available, like rotating and scrolling the bitmap over the Art surface using the Offset XY
parameters. You can use these functions to get the exact look you want.
Dragon Shield with Rotation and Offset
Color=152 Blue
Opacity=100%
Reflection= No reflection
Material= Metal brass bar vertical_256, Power=100
Options=Rotation=45, Offset XY to get bright strip over
dragon head.

Vertex Buffers
If you have an OpenGL graphics card, selecting the Vertex buffer check box on the Surface Display Options Dialog
increases your speed when working on large Art files. To see speed improvement, you need a project with at least
500,000 triangles where you need to rotate the ABS.
Note: Transparency must be turned off.

Post Enhancements
Mastercam X3 includes the following MP enhancements. At this time, you do not need to update existing X2 posts.

Nesting Information Output to NCI File

Sheet and material information for nesting operations will be output in new lines 20501 (material name) and 20502
(sheet parameters). Sheet information is output for each sheet change notification in the NCI.
The output format for the new codes is detailed below.
20501
string (material name)
20502
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
The following table summarizes each parameter:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12

sheet length (X dimension)

sheet width (Y dimension)
sheet thickness (temporary placeholder)
sheet corner (1 = lower left, 2 = lower right, 3 = upper right, 4 = upper left)
sheet number
sheet instance
integer pad
integer pad
integer pad
real pad
real pad
real pad

Post Debugging Changes

The fastmode$ and other post debugging switches are no longer supported. Instead, a new post debugger will be
available. More information will be available as X3 moves closer to release.

Changes to Parameter Output

Operation parameters are no longer output in a fixed sequential order. This means that routines in your PST file that
depend on parameter output order can no longer be relied upon. This change will only affect a small percentage of
posts that have been specifically customized to work this way. Such routines will need to be modified so that they do
not rely on this logic. New post functions will allow the post writer to directly query parameter values. More
information will be available as X3 moves closer to release.

.OPS Files No Longer Created

The .OPS file (operation parameters) no longer exists in X3. Mastercams default posts used to check for the following
Control Definition setting:

(parameter number 18171)

This check will be removed from our default posts and is no longer needed in any other posts.

Additional Machine Definition Information Output to NCI File

New NCI codes 20600, 20601, and 20700 are now being output, principally for support of Mastercam MultiTasking.
Users of other Mastercam products will see these codes in their NCI output, but can disregard them.

Bugs Fixed Since X3 Beta 2

Design
ID
Major Category

cnc00036135
Create

Product
Minor Category

Design
Curve

Version
Sub Category

X3
Curve on Edges

Description Open the attached file. Create -> Curve -> Curve on all edges. Turn on Solids selection, and turn on only faces.
Select the upper face of the solid. Click on the Green ball to accept the face. Click on the Blue Cross to set the geometry. The
Green Check no longer allows you to exit the function. You must hit the ESC. key to exit the function
ID
Major Category

cnc00036070
File

Product
Minor Category

Design
Open

Version
Sub Category

X3
Rhino 3D

Description
Description Rhino file appears to convert the parent surfaces, not the correctly trimmed surfaces. Worked fine in X2 MR1 SP1
but not in X2 MR2 SP1 or X3 (5/7/2008 build).
ID
Major Category

cnc00035814
Screen

Product
Minor Category

Design
Shade Settings

Version
Sub Category

X3

Description Solid faces are not highlighted properly when shaded with the "Outlined Shaded" option turned on. The Solid face
just flickers as the cursor is positioned over each face. Open the attached file, and make sure "Outline Shaded" is turned off in

the shade settings. Press ALT-S to shade the solid. Now move the cursor over each solid face and it will highlight. All is well.
Go into the shade settings and turn on "Outline Shaded." Now, as the cursor is moved over a solid face, the highlight will just
flicker.
ID
Major Category

cnc00035764
File

Product
Minor Category

Design
Open

Version
Sub Category

X3
AutoCAD

Description After opening the attached part file for the second time, no entities will be imported. - Please open X3 daily. - Click
File / Open. Change the files of type dropdown to Autocad. - Open the attached part file. Note that entities are imported. - Click
File / Open (or use the MRU) and select the same part file again. No geometry will be imported. The levels seem to import
correctly, but no geometry. - This does NOT happen if the file is initially opened by dragging the part file icon onto the Mastercam
shortcut.
ID
Major Category

cnc00035719
File

Product
Minor Category

Design
Open

Version
Sub Category

X3
Solid Works

Description Opening the attached SolidWorks file using the "Import solids history" option is not working correctly. The file comes
in with missing fillets.
ID
Major Category

cnc00035661
File

Product
Minor Category

Design
Open

Version
Sub Category

X3
Rhino 3D

Description The attached Rhino file is missing several faces when opened in X3 daily. - Please open X3 daily. - Click File / Open
and change the Files of Type dropdown to Rhino 3D files. - Select the attached part file and open it. Note that many of the faces
were open.
ID
Major Category

cnc00035649
Localization

Product
Minor Category

Design
Japanese

Version
Sub Category

X3

Description On X3 Beta 1: "Only" on the button in the Autocursor ribbon bar is altered into Greek. Also, the labels for the buttons
in the All dialog and the Only dialog are altered (see the attachment).
ID
Major Category

cnc00035617
Screen

Product
Minor Category

Design
Attributes

Version
Sub Category

X3

Description This issue is hard to explain, so the customer made the attached AVI to show what is happening. Open the attached
file. Right click on the Attributes button in the Status bar. When prompted to "Select entities to change the attributes of", window
select all the entities. Click on the Green ball. The Attributes dialog opens. In the Attributes dialog box, click on the "Same as"
button. Select the bottom horizontal line of the upper left rectangle. Note that it gets unselected. Back in the attributes dialog,
change the Line Width to it's narrowest setting. Click on the Green Check mark. The attributes of all of the entities get updated
except the line that was selected for the "Same as" options.
ID
Major Category

cnc00035261
File

Product
Minor Category

Design
Open

Version
Sub Category

X3
Mastercam X

Description Mastercam is crashing when attempting to open the attached part file. - Please open the attached part in X3 daily. Mastercam will crash when reading "Toolbody operation 3 of 3". - The bitmap seems to show a part, but that does not really mean
anything. - The crash dump files are also attached. - This also crashes X2 MR2 SP1.
ID
Major Category

cnc00034443
File

Product
Minor Category
Category

Design
Open

Version
Sub Category

X2 MR2
Autodesk Inventor

Description IDW files open and create entities but fit-to-screen sets the scale (lower right) to >1000000000 and no entities are
displayed. After opening the file, with scale at 1.3636, I could not create a rectangle on the screen. I picked the corners but no lines
displayed. Open any of the IDW files. Statistics will report many lines and notes but you can't see any. Zoom, fit-to-screen, pan
- don't see any entities.
ID
Major Category

cnc00032535
File

Product
Minor Category

Design
Open

Version
Sub Category

X2 MR2
AutoCAD

Description If the attached DXF file is opened in X2-MR2-SP1, Mastercam crashes. It opens fine in X3. Attached are the crash
reports.
ID
Major Category

cnc00030970
Create

Product
Minor Category

Design
Curve

Version
Sub Category

X2 MR2
Curve on Edges

Description Different geometry is created on the edges in X2 MR1 SP1 than X2 MR2. The geometry created in X2 MR1 SP1 is
what the customer expects (72 lines, 22 arcs, 23 splines). (X2 MR2 creates 17 lines and 15 splines.) I increased the line width and
changed the color and level of some text in the -RD file. I tested in MR1 SP1 and MR2 and got the same results. From the
customer: "When I try to Create>Curve>Create Curve on All Edges in MR2 I get bad curve, see file. This is a function I use quite
frequently. After creating it in MR2 I saved the file and reopened in MR1 SP1. Then recreating it in MR1 SP1 it works correctly."
ID
Major Category
Category
Description

cnc00027987
Interface

Product
Minor Category

Design
General Selection

Version
Sub Category

X2 MR2

All/Only masking doesn't seem to be working correctly.

Create a line and an arc
Go to the Only mask dialog, select lines, set Maintain Only Mask to On
OK
Go to the All mask dialog, turn Off Use Only Mask, select arcs
OK
Notice that only Lines are selected
Go back into All dialog and note that the Use Only Mask checkbox is On again

From user:
I use "maintain only mask" to mask a solid in order to only pick lines/arcs(edge curves) when doing toolpath with a solid present.
Before when I want to select all entities, solid and edge curves to say Xform, I select "all button" then uncheck "use only mask" and
select "All Entities" it would select the lines/arcs AND the solid. I dont know if this is changed but the solid will not select. I tried
this with a part file, and a quicky test file "primitive and some random lines and edge curves" to prove out and the solid does not
select.

Mill
ID
Major Category

cnc00036145
Toolpaths

Product
Minor Category

Mill
Version
High Speed Toolpaths ( Sub Category

X3

Description *** Problem with new arc filter *** Using the new arc filter creates a dangerous arc in the attached part file. - Please
open the attached part file in X3 daily. - The first and the second operations are identical aside from the "Curve chordal deviation"
used in Settings / Configuration / Tolerances. The first was using a value of ".002" while the second used a value of ".02". - Note
that the first operation has a very dangerous arc move in it (see the attached cnc00036145.png). - If you change your Curve
chordal deviation to ".02" and regenerate the operation, the bad arc will go away. Also, the arc is not present regardless of the
Curve chordal deviation value using the Old arc filter code. This can be tested by setting the value to ".002" and regenerating the
first operation using the new arc filter code (double click the attached new_filter.reg before regen) and then regenerating it again
using the old arc filter (double-click the attached old_filter.reg before regen).
ID
Major Category

cnc00036080
Toolpaths

Product
Minor Category

Mill
FBM Drill

Version
Sub Category

X3
FBM Drill Op Creat

Description In the attached job attempt to create an FBM drill......if I have "combine spot drill ops" checkbox checked with the max
percentage of 100 and max depth of 0.375 I don't get combined spot drills (because the depth is too big) which is correct, BUT I'm
getting 2 spot drills with the same tool (0.25). There are 0.29 dia holes that need a 0.375 dia spot to fulfill the 100% max
percentage but it doesn't come out unless I uncheck "combine spot drill ops" checkbox. Essentially, FBM should create the
appropriate spot drill sizes for the two ops with this checkbox checked if the depth is too large to combine them. If the max depth is
set to a depth small enough to combine the ops, then the smaller spot can be used because it will reach max depth before the
100% diameter.
ID
Major Category

cnc00035815
Verify

Product
Minor Category

Mill

Version
Sub Category

X3

Description Verify displays the tool in the attached part file in an odd manner. - Please open the attached part file in X3 daily. The profile for the tool used in the only operation can be found on level 2. - Select the only operation and enter Backplot. Display
the tool and click the step button a few times. Note the appearance of the tool (the center is hollowed out from the underside). Exit Backplot and enter Verify and click the step key a few times. Note the conical point in the middle of the tool from the bottom
view. This should not be there. See the attached image.
ID
Major
Major Category

cnc00035778
Toolpaths

Product
Minor Category

Mill
Toolpath Nesting

Version
Sub Category

X2 MR2

Description Onion Skin skips first nested part. Nest the ops with onion skin. Skin parts less than 12x12 area and 8 width. The
first part is skipped and the rest are skinned.
ID
Major Category

cnc00035771
Toolpaths

Product
Minor Category

Mill
Multiaxis

Version
Sub Category

X2 MR2
5 Axis Curve Toolp

Description Mastercam crashes if op is regenerated. Sometimes it gives "Memory allocation error". It gave this error when I
created the operation. Regenerating then crashed. Sometimes a crash report is offered; usually it crashes without any messages.
In V9, it gives "Too many points on spline. Increase system configuration, increase error, or sub-divide."
ID
Major Category

cnc00035733
Localization

Product
Minor Category

Mill
Japanese

Version
Sub Category

X3

Description The text in the Tip Comp drop down for HST toolpaths is showing garbled text. See the attached screen shot.
ID
Major Category

cnc00035699
Toolpaths

Product
Minor Category

Mill
FBM Mill

Version
Sub Category

X3
FBM Detection

Description The attached file during detection is giving the attached errors and yielding several dirty ops. It's also blowing out the
boundaries with the ops that it does create.
ID
Major Category

cnc00035697
Localization

Product
Minor Category

Mill
Japanese

Version
Sub Category

X3

Description On X3 Beta1, in the Machine Definition Manager, component names are garbled when the name is not highlighted.
See the attached screen shots for more detail.
ID
Major Category

cnc00035683
Toolpaths

Product
Minor Category

Mill
Trim Toolpath

Version
Sub Category

X3

Description We seem to be ignoring the plunge feed rate when trimming a toolpath. In the attached file, the cutting feed rate is
set to 987, and the plunge feed rate is set to 654. Open the attached file, and create the NCI file. There will be no feed rate of 654
output to the NCI file.
ID
Major
Major Category

cnc00035651
Toolpaths

Product
Minor Category

Mill
FBM Mill

Version
Sub Category

X3
FBM Mill Op Creati

Description In the attached part the facing operation is calculating to a depth of -0.3937 when it should calculate to Z0.0.
ID
Major Category

cnc00035647
Localization

Product
Minor Category

Mill
Japanese

Version
Sub Category

X3

Description X3 Beta 1: I cannot translate the word "Legend" in the FBM dialog. I couldn't find it in the resource file(see the
attachment).
ID
Major Category
Category

cnc00035646
Localization

Product
Minor Category

Mill
Japanese

Description Cannot translate anything on the FBM Drill Setup page from X3 Beta 1.

Version
Sub Category

X3

ID
Major Category

cnc00035573
Toolpaths

Product
Minor Category

Mill
FBM Mill

Version
Sub Category

X3
FBM Detection

Description When running FBM mill detection on the attached part I get 62 instances of the first attached message and the
detection sort of just seemingly quits (yes its gracefully but its silent too) whereas the user has no definitive way of knowing it
stopped detecting but after a while I get 8 instances of the second warning message attached. After saying OK to the second
message 8 times I get features in the features page. I green check out and off it goes. It will crunch for a while and then spit out the
second yell many many more times. It took be a couple of detection attempts to get this far (most likely I thought it quit after the
first 62 messages).
ID
Major Category

cnc00035466
Toolpaths

Product
Minor Category

Mill
FBM Mill

Version
Sub Category

X3
FBM Mill Op Creati

Description FBM mill is not creating a Facing operation with the correct tool. Open the attached part. Delete the current FBM
parent op and create a new. Under setup use preferred and from MCX for tool selection. In facing, pick a preferred tool (22
FLAT endmill) from the MCX and allow the use of flat endmills. Detect (ignore the yell, it's already been logged 35463) and green
check out. You get 1 facing op having no tool.
ID
Major Category

cnc00035313
Toolpaths

Product
Minor Category

Mill
Multiaxis

Version
Sub Category

X3
5 Axis Swarf Toolp

Description The Swarf 5 Axis operation in the attached part file gouges the stock. - Please open the attached part file in X2 daily.
- Leave the part in its current Gview, select the first operation, and enter Backplot. - Move the backplot slider bar to the end of the
toolbath. Note the strange feed move that cuts right into the part (see the attached image). - Enter the parameters of the
operation. - Click the Multiaxis parameters tab. If the "Stock to leave on wall surfaces" is changed to a value of ".002" (see the
second operation), the toolpath does not gouge.
ID
Major Category

cnc00034524
Toolpath Manager

Product
Minor Category

Mill
Tool Manager

Version
Sub Category

X3

Description After clearing out the "$$$" in the tool parameters and choosing to update the tool used in all operations, only the
Operation that was edited is marked dirty. - Please open the attached part file in X3 daily. - All four of the operations in this part
use the same Chamfer Mill tool. - Enter the paremeters of the first operation, right-click on the tool and select "Edit tool...", and
then click on the Paremeters tab. - Click in the "Rough Z step" field. The value will change from "$$$" to 0 immediately, along
with all of the other fields that had "$$$". The problem seems to be solved.. Click the green check in the Define Tool dialog. When the "One or more toolpath operations use this tool" message box appears, select the first option (Update tool and all
operations..). Press the green check to exit toolpath parameters. - Note that only the first operation was marked dirty. All of the
operations should be marked dirty and not just the first since they use the same tool.
ID
Major Category

cnc00034421
Backplot

Product
Minor Category

Mill
Backplot

Version
Sub Category

X3

Description 4-axis dril backplot simulation is bad. - Please open the attached part file in X3 daily. - Select the only operation and
enter Backplot. - Make sure the tool is displayed and press the "Play" button. Note that the tool "wiggles" around when it
reaches the feed depth. - Attached also is a video of the problem.
ID
Major Category

cnc00034415
General

Product
Minor Category

Mill
HASP/NETHASP

Version
Sub Category

X3

Description Start Mastercam on a net hasp set to use a Mill level 1 or Mill level 3 license. Open the default Mill Machine Definition
and right click in the operation manager. Select Mill toolpaths, and there will be a "2-D High Speed" Toolpath category in the drop
down list. This is correct. But if Mastercam is started with a Mill level 2 license, and the Default Mill Machine Definition is opened,
when a right click is done in the operation manager, and Mill Toolpaths is selected, the "2-D High Speed" toolpath no longer in the
list. Instead, a Block Drill toolpath is now in the list. Block drilling is not a mill type toolpath. It is a router type toolpath.
ID
Major Category

cnc00033811
Toolpaths

Product
Minor Category

Mill
Transform

Version
Sub Category

X3

Description Using "Operation Order" as the "Group NCI output by" option in Transform toolpaths ignores the "Copy Source
Operations" checkbox. - Please open the attached part file in X3 daily. - Enter the parameters of the Transform by Toolplane

operation. Note that the Operation Type" in the "Group NCI output by" group box is selected. Exit parameters and post NCI file of
the operation. - Note that the ninth parameters of the 1016 line changes once in the file, it starts at 1 and changes to 0. This is
correct because the "Copy source operation" checkbox was enabled in the Transform parameters. - Enter the parameters again
and select the "Operation Order" option. Regenerate the operation and post the NCI file again. Note that this time, only a "1" is
posted in the 9th parameters of the 1016. The copied operations are not being output.
ID
Major Category

cnc00033651
Backplot

Product
Minor Category

Mill

Version
Sub Category

X3

Description The tool is jumping around when simulating the attached operation in Backplot. - Please open the attached part file
in X3 daily. - Leave the GVIEW set to Right Side, select the only operation and enter Backplot. - Enable the tool display and rapid
moves. - Enter Backplot options and make sure "Simulate Axis Substitution" is enabled and press the green check. - Press the
play button. Note that the tool jumps around during the rapid motion between each feed move. This is also captured in the
attached video.
ID
Major Category

cnc00033563
Backplot

Product
Minor Category

Mill
Backplot

Version
Sub Category

X3

Description Backplot crashing MC. Open the attached file. Backplot operation 5. MC crashes.
ID
Major Category

cnc00033549
Toolpaths

Product
Minor Category

Mill
Version
High Speed Toolpaths ( Sub Category

X2 MR2

Description High speed toolpaths are gouging with filter turned on. The filter issue is affecting regular surface toolpaths as well.
The problems do not show in Verify but do show in Metacut and on the customer's part. ZIP file includes screen shots of the
gouges showing in Metacut. Information from the dealer: "It creates gouges on the HSS toolpaths that do not show up in Verify
(but they do show up in Metacut) I spent several hours trying different combinations of settings and found that the problem is
being caused by the filter. If I turn off the filter the toolpath will generate correctly. I also tried some of the older surface toolpaths
and got gouges with them when I applied the filter. It appears that the size of the part has some relation to the problem."
ID
Major Category

cnc00033440
Backplot

Product
Minor Category

Mill

Version
Sub Category

X3

Description Simulate rotary axis does not work with Advanced Multiaxis operations. - Please open the attached part file in X3
daily. - The first operation is a Port 5 axis operation, and the second is an advanced multiaxis operation. - Select both operations
and enter Backplot. - Enter Backplot parameters and make sure the "Simulate Rotary Axis" checkbox is enabled. - Backplot the
operations. Note that the part spins when simulating the first operation, but does not for the secone operation. Rotary axis
simulation is not possible with an Advanced 5 axis operation.
ID
Major Category

cnc00033082
Toolpaths

Product
Minor Category

Mill
Trim Toolpath

Version
Sub Category

X3

Description It is no longer possible to get a valid operation when regenerating the three toolpaths in the attached part file (the
culprit is the Trimmed toolpath). - Please open the attached part file in X3 daily. - Select all of the operation and regenerate them.
Note that no toolpath is displayed. The operations are invalid. - This worked correctly in X2 MR1.
ID
Major Category

cnc00031951
Backplot

Product
Minor Category

Mill

Version
Sub Category

X3

Description The tool is inside of the holder in the second operation when running backplot. - Please open the attached part file in
X3 daily. - Select both of the operations, enable the 'display tool' and 'display holder' buttons, and press the play button. - Note
that the tool is inside of the holder when backplot is simulating the second operation. - If only the second operation is selected, the
simulation is correct.
ID
Major Category

cnc00031863
Backplot

Product
Minor Category

Mill

Version
Sub Category

X3

Description The tool moves around the part instead of the part moving in the attached part file. - Please open the attached part
file in X3 daily. - Select all of the operations and enter Backplot. - The tool should remain stationary as the part rotates around to

machine other faces, but this is not the case. The tool will move around the part (incorrect motion). - This worked correctly in X2
MR1.
ID
Major Category

cnc00031617
Machine Definition

Product
Minor Category

Mill

Version
Sub Category

X2 MR2

Description ATP: When machine def is requested, it only show Router files (.RMD). It should allow Mill MDs to be selected.
Check out the JPG from the user. Mill is in the title bar but only RMD files are available in the files of type. I duplicated it with the
attached files.
ID
Major Category

cnc00031330
Verify

Product
Minor Category

Mill

Version
Sub Category

X2 MR2

Description Verify displays the holder too big, which causes gouging. JPGs show the differences. Customer's description:
"Focus on the diameter of the 2 bit in relation to the holder in backplot. The lowest section of the holder is just under 2 inches in
diameter which allows us to plunge up to 3.75 inches with a bit that only sticks out of the collet by 2 inches. Now look at it in verify.
You should see the lower section of the holder balloon to more like 3.5 inches in diameter. Verify is not simulating our holder
correctly. Try verifying the same program in MR1 to see the contrast. It worked perfectly in MR1." I don't see that much difference
between X2 MR1 and X2 MR2 (in Verify), but maybe I've been looking at it all wrong or too long.
ID
Major Category

cnc00031190
Verify

Product
Minor Category

Mill

Version
Sub Category

X2 MR2

Description Results of verifying the mirrored ops do not look correct. All the ops in group 414630 are mirrored about the green
line. The results look correct in backplot but not verify.
ID
Major Category

cnc00031080
Configure

Product
Minor Category

Mill

Version
Sub Category

X2 MR2

Description If Run Delay is set to a non-zero value in Configuration-Toolpaths and a toolpath is created, the toolpath display
cannot be interrupted. In the operations parameters, the Tool Display, Run Delay cannot be change if ENTER is pressed after
typing the new value. It reverts back to the Configuration value. The dealer's explanation: "Open the configuration and under
toolpaths set the Run delay to .5. Create a Pocket toolpath. Notice how slowly the toolpath is generated and the fact that you
cannot exit the toolpath generation until it is complete. Open the operation parameters and attempt to set the Run delay. You
cannot. It will always return to what was set in the configuration at the time the toolpath was created."
ID
Major Category

cnc00030512
Verify

Product
Minor Category

Mill

Version
Sub Category

X2 MR2

Description The Operations Manager is fully accessible when Verify is running. - Please open the attached part file in X2 MR2
daily. - Select all of the operations and enter Verify. - Enable the 'Display Tool' option and press the play button. - While Verify
is play, click the 'Toolpath' icon (to launch Backplot) or the Parameters of one of the operations. Backplot or parameters will load.
- If Verify is then closed, Mastercam will lock up. Verify needs to be a fully modal function.
ID
Major Category

cnc00030167
Toolpath Manager

Product
Minor Category

Mill

Version
Sub Category

X3

Description Open the attached file and cut and paste the toolpath from Toolpath Group-1 to Toolpath Group-2 using the windows
commands "Ctrl-X" and "Ctrl-V" The "Ctrl-X" command seems to permanently delete the toolpath.
ID
Major Category

cnc00029907
Verify

Product
Minor Category

Mill

Version
Sub Category

X2 MR2

Description The customer found the bug in the default Initial stock size source for Verify, which is set in the System Config dialog
box. Please follow the instruction below to see the problem: 1) Select Settings > Config > Verify Settings. 2) On the Verify
Settings page, select the "Use last size" radio button as the Initial stock size source and save the config file. 3) Create a toolpath
(anything is okay). 4) Verify the operation after defining the proper stock size for it in the Verify config dialog. 5) Save the part
as the .mcx file and exit Mastercam. 6) Restart Mastercam and read that file back again. 7) Go to the Verify mode... and you'll
see Mastercam fails to define the stock, it seems not to be able to remember the last stock size. 8) Go into the Verify config

dialog...and you'll see the entries "0" or "$$$$$$$" in the max/min X, Y and Z fields (please see the attachment also). Mastercam
V9 used to remember the last stock size even between the sessions if the "Use last size" option was selected.
ID
Major Category

cnc00026667
Verify

Product
Minor Category

Mill

Version
Sub Category

X2 MR1

Description In the attached file, Op # 1 is using a Rotary 3 Axis to engrave the letters in the Front Plane. 1.) Verify Op# 1 set the
stock to cylinder & center on the X axis of 2.375 dia. 2.) Turn on the Tool holder to verify and notice that the tool is coming from
the back side of the cylinder. Op #2 is using the same Rotary 3 Axis except that is using the Back Plane to engrave the tiger
face. Verify works just fine for Back Plane. It seems as though Verify does not like the Front Plane.
ID
Major Category

cnc00025584
Toolpaths

Product
Minor Category

Mill
Drill Toolpath

Version
Sub Category

X2

Description Chaining dialog for Drilling points - If you use Window to select points the button for Window stays down, but you
have to press it again if you want to pick another window.
ID
Major Category

cnc00024025
Verify

Product
Minor Category

Mill

Version
Sub Category

X2

Description Open the attached file. Switch to a front Gview and backplot the toolpath, stepping thru backplot.. Note the shape of
the tool and how deep it goes into the part. (Yes, it buries the shank into the part!) Switch to an ISO view and Verify the toolpath.
We do not represent the shank of the tool in verify, therefore we cannot verify the gouging of the shank.
ID
Major Category

cnc00020903
Toolpaths

Product
Minor Category

Mill
Chain Manager

Version
Sub
Sub Category

X MR2

Description - Please look at the attached screenshot. - After pressing the "Window Points" button in the Drill point selection
dialog box, selecting the first corner for the window, and then selecting the second corner, the button should either a) pop back up
after the points are selected or B) remain in window selection mode. As it functions now, the button remains depressed but more
points cannot be selected.
ID
Major Category

cnc00020539
Toolpaths

Product
Minor Category

Mill
Solids

Version
Sub Category

X MR2

Description E-mail: "I cant seem to get the filter to do anything at all when selecting a contour from a solid body. Please see file.
It creates a 15K file, for what should filter down to 4 G03 Lines. " I see the same results in MR2 PC6. In all fairness there are
more than 4 G03 lines but the main code should be filtered down to that.
ID
Major Category

cnc00019924
NC Utils

Product
Minor Category

Mill
Filter

Version
Sub Category

X MR2

Description Filter fails to produce arc moves in the round area of this part with a tight filter:cut tolerance ratio. Arcs are produced
if the filter tolerance is significantly larger than the cut tolerance.
ID
Major Category

cnc00016204
Toolpaths

Product
Minor Category

Mill
Pocket Toolpath

Version
Sub Category

X3

Description
***The overlap value in open pocket toolpaths is ignored when cutter compensation is set to "control".
Please look at the attached *.avi for additional information.***
- Open X MR1 daily, create a rectangle and create a pocket toolpath chained as displayed in the video.
- Change the machining method to open.
- Open the "open pockets" dialog and change the overlap to 50mm.
- Change the cutter compensation to control. Note where the finish rapid begins. In the attached part
file, I copied this operation (and created op 2) with the only difference being the cutter comp method
(computer in file 2).
- This worked correctly in Version 9. See the attached V9 file.

Lathe
ID
Major Category

cnc00035744
Toolpath Manager

Product
Minor Category

Lathe
Chain Manager

Version
Sub Category

X3

Description In X2-MR2-SP1, the user could modify the geometry of an existing toolpath chain, and successfully regenerate the
toolpath. In X3, if toolpath chain is modified, the user must now delete the entire operation, and re-create it. Steps to re-create:
Open the attached file in X2-MR2-SP1, Add .125 fillet radii to the corners marked A & B Toolpath #2 gets marked dirty.
Regenerate toolpath #2 and all is well. Open the attached file in X3 Beta 2 Add the .125 fillet radii to the corners marked A & B.
Toolpath #2 gets marked as dirty. When you regenerate the toolpath, you get an "Error regenerating operation" warning. When
the chain is re-created, the first thing I noticed is the Geometry branch in the Operation Manager indicates that there is one chain
in the toolpath, but the chain manager says otherwise. When the chain manager opens, there are no chains in it, Right click in
the chain Manager, and add a chain, or re-chain- All. Re-chain the geometry from line C to line D. Green check out and
regenerate, the toolpath. The newly created chain disappears from the chain manager then you'll get the above error again. The
only way to get the toolpath back is to delete the operation, and re-create it.
ID
Major Category

cnc00034526
Backplot

Product
Minor Category

Lathe
Backplot

Version
Sub Category

X3

Description Rapid moves / reference points are not displayed in lathe. Same moves are displayed in Backplot resulting in
confusion for the user. Open attached file, select operation 16 for example, Alt+T to display toolpath if necessary, note how the
rapid moves are displayed going through the part. Yet if you back plot this op you can see this is not the case.
ID
Major Category

cnc00032881
Backplot

Product
Minor Category

Lathe

Version
Sub Category

X3

Description Saving the tool geometry during backplot, saves 4 copies of the tool geometry. Open the attached file and backplot
the toolpath, making sure that Display Tool and Display Holder are both turned on. Step thru the backplot until the tool is diplayed,
then press the Save Tool Geometry button and save the tool geometry to level 255. Exit out of backplot, and make level 255 the
active level, and display only level 255. Note the number of entities reported on that level I was getting 80 entities reported.
Now, Delete Duplicates The entity count drops of level 255 drops to 20.
ID
Major Category

cnc00031090
Backplot

Product
Minor Category

Lathe
Backplot

Version
Sub Category

X3

Description Open and backplot this file in X2-MR1 with "Simulate Rotary Axis" turned on and the part rotates as expected. If the
part is opened and backplotted in X2-MR2, or X3, with "Simulate Rotary Axis" turned on, the part does not rotate. From the
customer's e-mail: "We have a problem with Mastercam as the "Simulate Rotary axis" button in the backplot settings does not
work. I tried to check it from the config page of MCAM and from the Backplot parameters and nothing works. We tried the same
file over 3 computers and we got the same result 3 times. If you try the same file with X2 MR1 SP1 everything works properly.
Could this be a bug? We need an answer fast as this is a big issue for us in regards of checking our programs."
ID
Major Category
Description

cnc00030674
Backplot

Product
Minor Category

Lathe

Version
Sub Category

X3

When backplotting arcs in lathe, the end and center "Z" coordinates are always zero.
Open and backplot the attached file, with the backplot dialog expanded, and step thru the toolpath
watching the end and center coordinates of each arc.

Wire
ID
Major Category

cnc00036051
Wirepath

Product
Minor Category

Wire
Contour Wirepath

Version
Sub Category

X3

Description In the attached job the first operation has 3 passes (1 rough and 2 skim). On the final skim pass one of the arcs on
the geometry is ignored and the wire cuts through the part. Comp is in computer. If I turn comp to control and turn off optimize
everything looks ok.
ID
Major Category

cnc00029948
Wirepath

Product
Minor Category

Wire
Contour Wirepath

Version
Sub Category

X2 MR2

Description
Attached is a wire file done in X2 MR1 Sp1. when backplotting it seems to visually skip or not complete
some of the chains. Verify is also showing this. I've attached a screenshot for reference.
When posting, the codes seems to be OK. But this customer does a lot of work like this and depends on backplot to verify his
work before sending it to the machine.
I did a quick check on the NCI which included a diff between versions as far back as X2SP1 and the code is the same except for
the stock to leave changes. I also did a quick scan to see if the full arc flags were set correctly at the ends of the arc lines in the
NCI and they seemed fine.
In summary, backplot and verify are missing things but the code appears ok. This also happens as far back as X2SP1.