Bounding Box panel
Use the Bounding Box function to create a rectangular, cylindrical, spherical, or wrap boundary around selected entities in the graphics window. Bounding Box creates wireframe geometry, a solid model, or a mesh model. You can also use a bounding box to check the overall dimensions of a part.
What are the differences between the shapes and their respective options?
The created boundary depends on the type of Shape you select.
Rectangular
When Shape is set to Rectangular, Mastercam creates a box around the selected entities. You can set the origin of the rectangle and its size.
Cylindrical
When Shape is set to Cylindrical, Mastercam creates a cylinder around the selected entities. You can set the origin of the cylinder, the radius and height, and the alignment.
Spherical
When Shape is set to Spherical, Mastercam creates a sphere around the selected entities. You can set the radius.
Wrap
When Shape is set to Wrap, Mastercam creates an irregularly shaped boundary that closely fits the selected entities. If you choose to create geometry, only Solids and Mesh are available. Choose between the following wrap methods:
-
Silhouette boundary: Creates a boundary curve around the selected entities and then extrudes the bounding box as a solid or a mesh.
-
Minimum volume: Virtually drapes a mesh over the selected entities to create the boundary box. This results in a bounding box with minimal volume.
The Additional offset option increases the size of the boundary by the entered value. If the value is set to 0.0, a solid body or mesh model can be generated if those options are selected in the Create Geometry group. If the value is greater than 0.0, only a mesh model can be generated. The Solid option becomes inactive.
How do I use the Push-Pull options on the Advanced tab?
The Push-Pull options on the Advanced tab of the Block, Cylinder, or Bounding Box function panel allow you to extend the shape of the geometry by using the control arrow and ruler in the graphics window. The Absolute and Incremental options set the push-pull scale.
Absolute sets the push-pull scale to measure from the face opposite of the selected face. For example, you can create a 2-inch block from 0.175-inch block by dragging the ruler 2 inches. You can also type the value and press [Enter] to place the ruler.
Incremental sets the push-pull scale to measure from the current location of the selected face. For example, you can make 2-inch block 1.2 inches taller by dragging the ruler 1.2 inches. You can also type the value and press [Enter] to place the ruler.
While in Push-Pull mode, you can do the following:
-
Press [Enter] to finish resizing.
-
Press [Esc] to undo resizing.
-
Select a new face as your base.
To enable the Solids option when the current geometry is 2D, enter a value for Z for a rectangular shape or Radius for a cylindrical shape. For 3D geometry, the Solids option is already enabled.
