Merge Pattern panel

To use Merge Pattern, use the steps below as a general guideline. In the steps below, the target part file indicates the part you want to merge into and the merged part file indicates the part that is being merged with the target part file.

1. Have a file that you want to merge into already open in Mastercam.

2. Select File, Merge to display the Open dialog box.

   Select a file containing the entities you want to merge.

3. Click OK.

   The Merge Pattern function panel displays.

   NOTE

   The File-Merge dialog box displays if the units in the file you are merging do not match the current system units. Select one of the options, and click OK to continue. If the file and system units match, the dialog box will not display.

4. Use the Position options to position the merged part geometry using the following methods:

   1. Select: Returns you to the graphics window to select a position for the merged entities.

   2. Align: Opens the Align to Face panel function to mate solid models using the dynamic gnomon.

      NOTE

      This option only applies to solid models. You cannot use Align on meshes, surfaces, or wireframe geometry.

   3. Dynamic: Opens the Dynamic panel function to position the merged part file using the interactive gnomon.

   4. Mirror: Opens the Mirror panel function to create mirror images of geometric and drafting entities by reflecting them symmetrically with respect to a defined axis or point.

   5. Scale: Opens the Scale function to increase or decrease the size of entities by a factor relative to a defined point.

      NOTE

      By default, the Position options automatically select the merged part geometry. If you wish to move to the target part geometry, use Reselect in the above functions to select it.

5. Use the Levels group to set which level the merged geometry will be placed on using the following methods:

   1. Merged file levels: The merged part geometry remains on its original level.

   2. Active level: Merges incoming part geometry into the current part's active level.

   3. Offset by: Places the merged part geometry on new level numbers starting with the entered offset value. The merged part geometry stays separate from the target part geometry.

6. Use the Settings group to apply system attributes for the entities in the merged part.
7. Click OK to finish the merge.

If you would like to learn about merging multiple files, refer to the Can I merge multiple files from different locations at once? drop-down below.

You can merge several parts from many locations using one merge operation. You can do this in the following two ways:

• Select File, Merge and choose your part files. You can also select a directory to merge all of the Mastercam part files in it.

• Select the files in Windows Explorer, and press [Ctrl] as you drag and drop the files onto the Mastercam graphics window.

  NOTE

  Merge Pattern will not import entities within sub-folders.

Mastercam then processes the levels from the multiple merged files.

• Entities that use the same level number are combined on that level.

• The level names in the target part file are maintained.

• The Offset by value combines all entities into the same offset level.

• Native Mastercam files versions 8 and up.
• CAD files in other supported formats (including STL). These files are converted into Mastercam part files.

• It is useful to store files containing pattern entities in a separate directory (e.g., Pattern files) so that they are easy to find when you use this function.
• Each time you import a set of pattern entities into the current file, Mastercam identifies the entities as a group in the database for future use. Mastercam names the group using the pattern file name and a number to ensure the uniqueness of the group name.