Backplot dialog box
Use the Backplot dialog box to control the tool display, select sections of the backplot results, and set other backplot options.
Click and drag the divider between the operation list and the bottom tabs to resize each portion of the dialog box. The top section of the dialog box contains buttons for various backplot functions. When you expand the dialog box, two additional tabs display.
For 2D/3D Mill toolpaths, you can make it easier to differentiate between toolpath entities such as entry motion, transition motion, vectors, and endpoints, by changing their color and display style in the Colors, Advanced Toolpath Display page in System Configuration.
Details
This tab displays when you expand the Backplot dialog box. It shows more information about the section of the toolpath selected in the operation list above. Different fields display depending on the type of tool motion in the selected move.
Information
This tab displays when you expand the Backplot dialog box. It shows information about the section of the toolpath selected in the operation list above.
Parameters
Display with color codes
Shows the toolpath moves using the color codes from the Colors section of the Backplot Options dialog box.
Show tool
Shows the tool using the settings from the Colors, Tools and holders page of the System configuration dialog box.
Show holder
Shows the tool holder using the settings from the Colors, Tools and holders page of the System configuration dialog box.
Show rapids
Includes the rapid moves in the backplot. If deselected, the rapid toolpath moves and tool motion between rapid moves are not displayed.
Show end points
Shows the entity endpoints in the toolpath. Allows you to see how many tool moves occur between endpoints.
Simple verify
For Mill, Router, and Wire, this option displays a shaded path the width of the tool (Mill toolpath shown below) as the backplot progresses.
For Lathe, this option displays the lathe tool removing the material being cut (shown below) as the backplot progresses.
Options
Opens the Backplot Options dialog box.
Turn on restricted draw
Removes all currently plotted toolpaths from the screen. The remaining toolpaths then become the only ones Mastercam will display. You can click Turn on restricted draw as often as needed to isolate the required toolpaths.
Turn off restricted drawing
Resets all toolpaths to their unrestricted states. This button turns off the restrictions set with the Turn on restricted draw button. The backplot function will then plot all toolpaths in the selected operations.
Save tool geometry
Opens the Save Tool Geometry dialog box where you can save the tool and holder at the current tool position as wireframe geometry to a specific level and using specified entity attributes.
Save toolpath geometry
Opens the Save As Geometry dialog box where you can save the visible toolpath motion as geometry to a specific level and with specified entity attributes.
Details parameters
Operation pane (tree control)
Lists the toolpaths selected for backplot and the cut motion that makes up each toolpath. Selecting a specific cut highlights that motion in the graphics window.
Rapid - Cutter compensation
Displays the cutter compensation setting for the rapid move.
Rapid - X, Y, Z
Displays the X, Y, and Z positions at the end of the rapid move.
Rapid - Feed rate
Displays the feed rate for the rapid move.
Linear feed - Cutter compensation
Displays the cutter compensation setting for the linear feed move.
Linear feed - X, Y, Z
Displays the X, Y, and Z positions at the end of the linear feed move.
Linear feed - Feed rate
Displays the feed rate for the linear feed move.
Full Circle
Select to tell Mastercam that an arc move is a full circle.
Arc - Plane
Displays the plane where the arc move is positioned.
Arc - Cutter compensation
Displays the cutter compensation setting for the arc move.
Arc - End X, Y, Z
Displays the X, Y, and Z positions for the end of the arc move.
Arc - Feed rate
Displays the feed rate for the arc move.
Information parameters
Cycle time - Feed
Displays the time spent at the feed rate for the selected toolpaths.
Cycle time - Rapid
Displays the time spent at the rapid rate for the selected toolpaths.
Cycle time - Total
Displays the total time to process the selected toolpaths.
Path length - Feed
Displays the length of tool motion at the feed rate.
Path length - Rapid
Displays the length of tool motion at the rapid rate.
Minimum/maximum X, Y, Z
Displays the minimum and maximum coordinates (extents) of the selected toolpaths. These values are measured relative to the Work Coordinate System (WCS).
Minimum/maximum feed rate
Displays the minimum and maximum feed rate for the selected toolpaths.
