Copyright: Copyright 1997 Damm & Wolff, created by TommySoftware©


CAM>About
CAM (Plug-In DW_CAM1)

This plug-in can only be used if you have purchased a personal unlock code. You can order the unlock code for this plug-in directly from TommySoftware®. For further information see Order & Unlock.

Information

This CAM plug-in offers a variety of functions to create drawings which are to be exported to milling or engraving machines.

The machine's tools can be comfortably managed (see Tool List) within the plug-in. For each tool you can specify individual settings, for example milling depth, milling velocitiy, and spindle revs. And each tool can be assigned to a line color, drawing layer, or drawing pen. This allows you for example to mill all objects that have a black line color with tool 1. You can also specify a default tool which is used to mill all objects that are not explicitly assigned to a certain tool by means of their line color, drawing layer, or drawing pen.

Based on the tool list the approximate time needed to mill a certain group of objects can be calculated in advance. And also the HP-GL/2 export filter as well as other special CAM export filters use this tool list.

The order of objects can be controlled by highly sophisticated visualization functions (e.g. Check Order Visually). And powerful functions (e.g. Sort Multiple Objects) allow you to easily change the order of objects.

Use the commands Milling Cutter Correction and Sinking to create special CAM objects.

Menu Commands

CAM

Milling Cutter Correction

Invert Orientation

Set Starting Point

Sinking

Sort Multiple Objects

Check Order Visually

Output Objects First

Output Objects Before Object

Output Objects After Object

Output Objects Last

Tool List

Calculate Milling Time

Display Arrows

Display Object Numbers

If you use the object's line color (which is the default setting, see Tool List) to determine the tool which is to be used to mill the object please make sure that the option "Use Screen Properties" in the dialog of Configure>Settings>Output is marked. Because otherwise the object's output line color and not the screen line color is used to determine the tool which could result in a wrong tool selection. To permanently activate this option please run the command Configure>Save Settings as Default. That ensures that this option is also turned on if you start CAD/DRAW again or if you choose the command File>New Drawing. Alternatively you can also activate the check box "Properties for Output and Screen Identical" in the dialog boxes of the commands Configure>Layers>Edit and Configure>Pens>Edit. To permanently save these settings run the command Configure>Save Elements as Default.

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Plug-In DW_CAM1 Help - Version 1.11e - Copyright 1997 TommySoftware®


CAM>Milling Cutter Correction
CAM>Milling Cutter Correction (Plug-In DW_CAM1)

The milling cutter correction is achieved by calculating an equidistant to the given object. An equidistant is a line whose points have the same distance to all points of the reference object. In the simplest case this is a line parallel to another line or a circle concentric with another circle.

1.	Enter milling diameter

After choosing the command, a dialog appears into which the milling diameter can be entered.

How can I access information on this dialog?

This values entered here remain valid until either another command is chosen, or the command is restarted by choosing Change Parameters (+ESC) or the key combination SHIFT+ESC.

The milling diameter must be practical. For example, you cannot draw an equidistant larger than 10 mm within a circle with a radius of 10 mm.

2.	Identify object

Any object consisting of "normal" elements can be identified as a reference object. These are lines, circles and circle parts, ellipses and elliptical arcs as well as all objects consisting of these elements. The objects are always treated as a whole. Some elements, for example text, dimensions and instances, cannot be used.

An object is identified by clicking on it. If more than one object lies at the point clicked on, then a small dialog appears at the bottom of the screen, with the help of which the correct object can be chosen.

The identified object is referred to as the "Reference Object".

3.	Enter reference point

After identifying the reference object a point is entered which determines on which side of the reference object the equidistant should be drawn (see graphic).

Equidistants are stored internally in different forms, according to the reference object's type. Lines create lines, circles create circles. All other object types create curves (open outlines) or surfaces (closed outlines).

The object is allocated to the current layer. It also contains a reference to the current pen.

If a line equidistant to a surface containing Bézier curves is created, there may be (extreme) inaccuracies. During the calculation of the equidistant line, the Bézier curve is treated as a polyline with three sections (Start point -Angel point 1 - Angel Point 2 - End point). If the Bézier curve is relatively short and flat, this simplification usually has no negative effect.

This command does not work with text in either TommySoftware® CAD/DRAW's own format or TrueType-format. To draw a line equidistant to text, it must first be converted to curves or surfaces using the command Text>Resolve. An equidistant line can then be created (see graphic)

The problem with Bézier curves described above doe not arise with TrueType fonts as the Bézier curves in TrueType fonts are relatively short and flat. However, rounded corners should always be used in order to make the result look smoother.


CAM>Invert Orientation
CAM>Invert Orientation (Plug-In DW_CAM1)

This command can be used to invert the orientation of an existing object. This will cause no optical effect, only a possibly activated orientation arrow display will illustrate the change.

1.	Identify object

Any standard object can be identified. Standard objects are in this case lines, circle parts, ellipse parts, surfaces and curves.

Objects are identified by clicking on them. If more than one object lies at the point clicked on, then the correct object can be selected with the help of a small dialog which appears at the bottom of the screen.

If the duplicate function is active during the entry of the last point (e.g. because the CTRL key is held down), the trim object itself is not trimmed, but a copy is generated and the copy is trimmed.


CAM>Set Starting Point
CAM>Set Starting Point (Plug-In DW_CAM1)

This command can be used to move the position of the starting point of an existing surface. This will cause no optical effect, only a possibly activated orientation arrow display will illustrate the change.

1.	Identify surface

To identify it, click on the surface with the mouse. If several surfaces lie close to the position clicked on, a small dialog appears at the bottom of the window, with the help of which the "right" surface can be chosen.

2.	Enter point

The new position of the starting point can be entered using the mouse, by clicking anywhere in the drawing. The point of the chosen surface lying next to the point entered becomes the new starting point of its outline. All other outlines remain unchanged.

If the duplicate function is active during point entry (e.g. because the CTRL key was held down), a copy of the surface is generated and the copy, not the original, is altered.


CAM>Sinking
CAM>Sinking (Plug-In DW_CAM1)

This command can be used to sink an area. This procedure is a kind of special hatching. The hatching lines are connected with additional lines. When the milling cutter follows the path created by the sinking lines the complete area is sunk. The path of lines created guarantees that the idle movements of the milling cutter are reduced to a minimum.

How can I access information on this dialog?

1.	Choose objects

The objects who shall be sinked must be chosen. Click on objects to choose them. For further information on object selection, see the chapter Object Selection. Only objects that surround a closed area are used.


CAM>Sort Multiple Objects
CAM>Sort Multiple Objects (Plug-In DW_CAM1)

This command can be used to sort multiple objects at once. After choosing the desired objects, the objects are clicked one after the other to determine their new order.

1.	Choose objects

The objects whose order is to be changed must be chosen. Click on objects to choose them. For further information on object selection, see the chapter Object Selection. All chosen object will be marked by a permanent selection.

2.	Identify object

Each object is identified by clicking on its outline. If more than one line lies at the spot clicked on, a small dialog appears at the bottom of the screen, from which the correct line can be chosen. When clicked on, the object will be moved to the end of the object list, i.e. it will be output last. The permanent selection of that object will be cleared.

The duplicate function has no effect during the execution of this command.


CAM>Check Order Visually
CAM>Check Order Visually (Plug-In DW_CAM1)

This command can be used to check the order of all objects currently visible in the active window. After calling this command, these objects are scanned for their order, and a dialog window is displayed.

In this dialog window, you can use the scroll bar to interactively show and hide single objects or even object elements. Use the scroll bar's arrow buttons to show or hide single object elements, and the slider to show or hide several objects at once.

The order visualized in this dialog window is exactly the order in which the objects are displayed, send to external output devices and exported to files.


CAM>Output Objects First
CAM>Output Objects First (Plug-In DW_CAM1)

This command can be used to move instances and objects to the start of the object list, so that they are drawn first.

The internal order of the chosen objects remains unchanged.

1.	Choose objects

The objects whose position in the list is to be changed must be chosen. Click on objects to choose them. For further information on object selection, see the chapter Object Selection.

If the duplicate function is active when the last object is chosen, then a copy of the chosen objects is made and moved to the start of the list.


CAM>Output Objects Before Object
CAM>Output Objects Before Object (Plug-In DW_CAM1)

This command can be used to move instances and objects to a position in front of another object, so that they are drawn before it.

The internal order of the chosen objects remains unchanged.

1.	Choose objects

The objects whose position in the list is to be changed must be chosen. Click on objects to choose them. For further information on object selection, see the chapter Object Selection.

2.	Identify object

The reference object is identified by clicking on its outline. If more than one line lies at the spot clicked on, a small dialog appears at the bottom of the screen, from which the correct line can be chosen.

If the duplicate function is active during identification of the reference object (for example, because the CTRL key was held down), a copy of the chosen objects is moved in the list.


CAM>Output Objects After Object
CAM>Output Objects After Objects (Plug-In DW_CAM1)

This command can be used to move instances and objects to a position in the list after another object, so that they are drawn after it.

The internal order of the chosen objects remains unchanged.

1.	Choose objects

The objects whose position in the list is to be changed must be chosen. Click on objects to choose them. For further information on object selection, see the chapter Object Selection.

2.	Identify object

The reference object is identified by clicking on its outline. If more than one object outline lies at the spot clicked on, a small dialog appears at the bottom of the screen, from which the correct object can be chosen.

If the duplicate function is active during identification of the reference object (for example, because the CTRL key was held down), a copy of the chosen objects is moved in the list.


CAM>Output Objects Last
CAM>Output Objects Last (Plug-In DW_CAM1)

This command can be used to move objects and instances to the end of the object list so that they are drawn last.

The internal order of the chosen objects remains unchanged.

1.	Choose objects

The objects whose position in the list is to be changed must be chosen. Click on objects to choose them. For further information on object selection, see the chapter Object Selection.

If the duplicate function is active during selection, a copy of the chosen objects is generated and pushed to the end of the list.


CAM>Tool List
CAM>Tool List (Plug-In DW_CAM1)

This command can be used to edit the tool list, which is used by the Calculate Milling Time command and also by commands of other plug-ins. The following dialog appears:

How can I access information on this dialog?

The tool list shows all available tools. If a tool is default then all objects of which line color, drawing layer, or drawing pen is assigned to none tool are milled using the default tool. "Unused" means that this tool is not used at all. If a line color, drawing layer, or drawing pen is assigned to a tool then this tool is used to mill all objects with that line color, drawing layer, or drawing pen. The line color has priority, i.e. if an object's line color as well as an object's drawing layer or drawing pen is assigned to a tool then the object is milled using the tool to which the line color is assigned to.

If an object's line color, drawing layer, and drawing pen are not assigned to any tool and no default tool is specified then this object is not milled.

Tool 0 has a special function. If a milling machine selects tool 0 this actually means that the current tool is stored back in the tool depot. So normally it makes no sense to mill an object with tool 0.

This tool list complies with the plotter pen list of the HP-GL/2 export filter and the tool list of special CAM export filters.

If you use the object's line color (which is the default setting, see Tool List) to determine the tool which is to be used to mill the object please make sure that the option "Use Screen Properties" in the dialog of Configure>Settings>Output is marked. Because otherwise the object's output line color and not the screen line color is used to determine the tool which could result in a wrong tool selection. To permanently activate this option please run the command Configure>Save Settings as Default. That ensures that this option is also turned on if you start CAD/DRAW again or if you choose the command File>New Drawing. Alternatively you can also activate the check box "Properties for Output and Screen Identical" in the dialog boxes of the commands Configure>Layers>Edit and Configure>Pens>Edit. To permanently save these settings run the command Configure>Save Elements as Default.

For editing the tool settings, the following dialog appears:

How can I access information on this dialog?

The check boxes on the left side of the dialog box are only visible if more than one tool is selected. By setting a check box the corresponding setting is copied to all currently selected tools.


CAM>Calculate Milling Time
CAM>Calculate Milling Time (Plug-In DW_CAM1)

This command can be used to determine the milling time that is probably required to output selected objects. The calculation is based on settings in the Tool List.

1.	Choose objects

The objects whose milling time shall be calculated must be chosen. Click on objects to choose them. For further information on object selection, see the chapter Object Selection.

After the object have been chosen, the milling time will be calculated and displayed in a small dialog window.

The time calculated here is just an estimate time! Differences of several percent are possible. The milling time and other statistical data provided here are primarily intended for checking and optimizing the design!


CAM>Display Arrows
CAM>Display Arrows (Plug-In DW_CAM1)

If this option is enabled, the start-point and orientation of all standard objects will be displayed by means of a small arrow attached to each object's start-point.


CAM>Display Object Numbers
CAM>Display Object Numbers (Plug-In DW_CAM1)

If this option is enabled, the numbers all objects will be displayed by means of a small field attached to each object's start-point containing the number.

For curves and surfaces, sub-outlines will be numbered by a second number, separated by a point.


Clicking on this button will close the dialog accepting all changes. Any changes or operations specified will be carried out.


Clicking on this button will close the dialog, without accepting any changes. Any following operation will not be carried out.


The value in this edit field determines the diameter of the milling cutter. The resulting equidistant will have a distant of half the milling cutter diameter to the reference object.


If this check box is enabled, the egdes of the equidistant will be rounded, else they will not (see graphic).

Because of the definition of equidistants (the same distance from all points), all corners must theoretically be rounded. In many cases this is not required, and therefore this procedure is provided.

There are also situations in which only one of the two options ("rounded" or "not rounded") functions. This often the case when there are pointed transitions between lines and circular arcs.


The tools to be edited are chosen from this list. Multiple tools can be chosen at a time.


The settings of the currently selected tool are displayed in this area.


Clicking on this button displays a color selection dialog. If you select a color here, it will be assigned to the currently selected tool as selection attribute "line color".


Clicking on this button displays a list of all currently defined pens. If you select a pen here, it will be assigned to the currently selected tool as selection attribute "pen".


Clicking on this button displays a list of all currently defined layers. If you select a layer here, it will be assigned to the currently selected tool as selection attribute "layer".


Clicking on this button assigns the "standard tool" attribute to the currently selected tool. This tool will be used if no other matching tool is found.


Clicking on this button deactivates the currently selected tool(s).


Clicking on this button displays a dialog in which the tool settings of the currently selected tools can be edited (see below).


By clicking this button, you can open a files that contains a previously saved tool list.


By clicking this button, you can save the current tool list in a file.


By clicking this button, the settings of all tools will be reset to their default values.


Enter here the milling depth of the current tool.


Enter here the safety distance of the current tool used during idle movement.


Enter here the standard milling velocity of the tool.


Enter here the fast velocity of the tool used during idle movement.


Enter here the lifting and dipping velocity of the tool.


Enter here the spindle revs for this tool.


Enter here the spindle startup time for this tool.


If this radio button is enabled, the spindle shall rotate clockwise when using this tool.


If this radio button is enabled, the spindle shall rotate counter-clockwise when using this tool.


Enter here the approximate time needed to change the current tool.


By setting this check box the corresponding setting is copied to all currently selected tools. The check boxes on the left side of the dialog box are only visible if more than one tool is selected.


The value in this edit field determines the diameter of the milling cutter. The resulting sinking lines will have a distance of half the milling cutter diameter to each other.


The value in this edit field determines the angle of the sinking lines.


By clicking this button you can edit the properties of the sinking line. For all properties in the property dialog whose corresponding "Transmit" check box is not set the current drawing properties are used.


If this check box is marked the sinking lines are always connected even if the connecting lines lie not inside the area to be sinked.