Planes page
Use the Planes page to set the planes in which your toolpath will be created. The tool plane is the plane normal to the tool axis, while the construction plane is the plane in which the tool movements are created. For most applications, these will be the same.
Origins are displayed in view coordinates (the default) or world coordinates as chosen in the Display options drop-down of the Planes Manager. If you have chosen the Display plane info relative to WCS option in the Planes Manager, the Tool plane and Compensation/construction plane sections are disabled and the origins display in the Working coordinate system section. This is indicated with an asterisk (*) next to the plane name.
Parameters
Common toolpath dialog box controls
| Icon | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
|
Detect (FBM Drill) | Analyzes the solid model and detects features based on the Feature Based Machining (FBM) operation's current parameters. View the results of all detected features and their machining information in the Features page. For more information, please refer to Detection States and Modes in FBM. |
|
Reselection is not available |
Hole Wizard features for a Wizard Holes operation can only be selected in Mastercam for SOLIDWORKS. Contact Mastercam for more information. NOTE
Mastercam for SOLIDWORKS is no longer supported starting with Mastercam 2024. |
|
Preview toolpath operations (FBM Drill/Wizard Holes) | Opens the Toolpath Operations Preview dialog box where you can view the list of operations FBM will generate using the current Features page list. |
|
Select default formulae file (3D high speed toolpaths) | Lets you select a different *.formula file, which Mastercam uses to calculate default values. |
|
Save parameters to defaults file | Makes the current toolpath settings the default for future toolpaths of this type. Saves the current values in the toolpath properties pages to the .mcam-defaults file specified in the machine group properties. |
|
Reload parameters from defaults file | Overwrites the current values in the toolpath properties pages with the toolpath's default parameters. These parameters are reloaded from the .mcam-defaults file specified in the machine group properties. |
|
Display graphical elements | Enables the display of graphical elements, such as plane labels and geometry colors. In 2D or 3D toolpaths Mastercam also has Display only elements on current page, Display plane labels, and Simplify plane display as options. |
|
Hide dialog | Minimizes the dialog box so that you can use other Mastercam functions, like changing your shading settings or the graphics window view. When finished, press [Esc] to maximize the dialog box. |
|
Tool Manager | Opens the Tool Manager. Use the Tool Manager to create and edit tool definitions and to work with tool libraries. When you close the Tool Manager, the toolpath dialog box will reappear just as you left it. |
|
Feed speed calculator | Opens the Feed & Speed Calculator dialog box where you can modify the calculated feed rate or spindle speed by adjusting the material and tool parameters. |
|
None |
Page window | This window displays all of the pages that are available to you, depending on the selected toolpath type. A green check mark indicates pages where data has changed in the current session. |
| None | Quick View Settings | This window summarizes key toolpath information from the Tool page, Coolant page, and Planes page. It updates automatically as you make changes to the different pages and is always visible. |
| None | Generate toolpath | When selected, automatically generates the toolpath when you click OK. For more information, refer to Accepting and Generating Toolpaths. |
|
OK | Generates the toolpath and closes the dialog box. If editing a toolpath, applies the changes and closes the dialog box. |
|
Apply | Applies your changes to the toolpath without closing the dialog box. |
|
Cancel | Closes the dialog box and cancels the toolpath creation. If editing a toolpath, any changes to the toolpath are discarded. |
X / Y / Z Origin
Expresses the origin of the plane from the main system origin in view coordinates (the default), or world coordinates. The coordinates along each axis are measured relative to the plane axes. Whether the origin is shown in view or world coordinates is controlled in the Display options drop-down menu of the Planes Manager.
Select Plane
Opens the Plane Selection dialog box where you can select a plane.
Select Origin
Returns you to the graphics window so that you select the location for the plane origin.
Copy
Use these buttons to copy settings left or right.
Manual
Enables the value field so you can enter a work offset number.
Automatic
Automatically assigns a matching work offset number (if one exists), or the next available number if no matching work offset number is found. Work offsets can exist assigned to planes, in a toolpath operation's Tplane, and in a transform operation's NCI. Mastercam searches for existing work offset numbers in that order. The value for Automatic is -1.
