Welcome to Mastercam

mastercam x getting started tutorials

Mastercam X6
Welcome to
Mastercam
December 2011

Be sure you have the latest information!

Information might have been changed or added since this document was
published. Contact your local Reseller for the latest information.
II • MASTERCAM X6 WELCOME TO MASTERCAM

Mastercam® X6 Welcome to Mastercam

Date: December 2011
Copyright © 2011 CNC Software, Inc.— All rights reserved.
First Printing: December 2011
Software: Mastercam X6
TERMS OF USE Use of this document is subject to the Mastercam End User License Agreement.
A copy of the Mastercam End User License Agreement is included with the
Mastercam product package of which this document is part. The Mastercam
End User License Agreement can also be found at:
www.mastercam.com/legal/licenseagreement/
Contents

Introduction ....................................................................................................... 1
X Tutorial Goals................................................................................................. 1
General Tutorial Requirements ....................................................................... 2
1. The Mastercam Workspace ................................................. 5
X Lesson Goals ................................................................................................. 5
X Interface Overview........................................................................................ 5
X Exercise 1: Exploring the Interface........................................................ 8
X Exercise 2: Undock, Move, and Redock a Toolbar ................................ 9
X Exercise 3: Hiding and Displaying a Toolbar........................................ 10
X Exercise 4: Working with the Operations Manager............................. 12
2. System Configuration.......................................................... 15
X Lesson Goals ............................................................................................... 15
X The System Configuration Dialog Box ...................................................... 15
X Exercise 1: Changing Settings ............................................................ 16
Create a new configuration file ................................................................... 16
Change the graphics background color ....................................................... 17
Change the calculable field color ................................................................ 19
Hide viewport XYZ axes and display large icons ........................................ 19
Revert to the default configuration file ....................................................... 21
X Exercise 2: Converting Units ............................................................... 21
Open a part with English units .................................................................... 21
Convert a part back to metric units ............................................................ 22
IV • MASTERCAM X6 WELCOME TO MASTERCAM

3. Customizing the Interface ................................................... 25

X Lesson Goals ............................................................................................... 25
X The Customize Dialog Box ......................................................................... 25
X Exercise 1: Customizing the Right-Click Menu .................................... 26
Add a function to the right mouse button menu ........................................ 26
Format the right mouse button menu ......................................................... 28

Conclusion ......................................................................................................... 29
X Mastercam Resources ............................................................................... 30
X Mastercam Documentation ....................................................................... 31
Contact Us .................................................................................................... 31
!"#$%&'(#!%"

Welcome to Mastercam! Mastercam is a powerful application that delivers CAD/

CAM software tools for all types of programming, from the most basic to the
extremely complex. This tutorial introduces you to the Mastercam workspace and
prepares you for work with other tutorials in the Mastercam Getting Started Tutorial
Series.

Tutorial Goals
ƒ Become familiar with the Mastercam workspace.
ƒ Personalize your workspace to suit your requirements and preferences.
2 • TUTORIAL GOALS

IMPORTANT: Screen colors in the tutorial pictures were modified to

enhance image quality; they may not match your Mastercam settings or
the tutorial results. These color differences do not affect the lesson or
the exercise results.

General Tutorial Requirements

All Mastercam tutorials have the following general requirements:

ƒ You must be comfortable using the Windows® operating system.

ƒ The tutorials cannot be used with Mastercam Demo/Home Learning
Edition (HLE). The Demo/HLE file format (EMCX-6) is different from
Mastercam (MCX-6), and basic Mastercam functions, such as file
conversions and posting, are unavailable.
ƒ Each lesson in the tutorial builds on the mastery of preceding lesson’s skills.
We recommend that you complete them in order.
ƒ Focus Series and Exploring Series tutorials require, at minimum, a mastery of
the basic Mastercam skills taught in the Getting Started Series modules. A
general knowledge of machining principals and practices is also required.
ƒ You must have a seat of Mastercam X6 Design or higher to complete most of
the tutorials in the Getting Started Series.
ƒ The Basic 2D Machining module in the Getting Started Series requires, at
minimum, a seat of Mill Entry or Router Entry.
ƒ The Basic 3D Machining module in the Getting Started Series requires Mill
Level 3 or Router Pro.
ƒ Additional files may accompany a tutorial. Unless the tutorial provides
specific instructions on where to place these files, store them in a folder that
can be accessed from the Mastercam workstation, either with the tutorial or
in any location that you prefer.
ƒ The Getting Started Series tutorials are available in an Adobe® Flash®
compatible video format. Additional tutorial videos may also be available.
Contact your local Mastercam Reseller for more information.
ƒ You must install Adobe Flash Player to display tutorial videos. You can
download Adobe Flash Player from www.adobe.com.

MASTERCAM X6 WELCOME TO MASTERCAM

 INTRODUCTION • 3

ƒ All Mastercam tutorials require you to configure Mastercam to work in a

default metric or English configuration. The tutorial provides instructions
for loading the appropriate configuration file.

MASTERCAM X6 WELCOME TO MASTERCAM

4 • TUTORIAL GOALS

MASTERCAM X6 WELCOME TO MASTERCAM

)*++%",-

The Mastercam Workspace

1

Mastercam’s workspace consists of a set of standard elements, including toolbars, a

status bar, and a work area. It also features special elements, such as ribbon bars and
the Operations Manager.

Lesson Goals
ƒ Learn about the Mastercam environment.
ƒ Modify toolbars and the Operations Manager.

Interface Overview
ƒ Start Mastercam using your preferred method. Refer to the following
pictures as you look at the Mastercam interface on your screen.
 6 • INTERFACE OVERVIEW

Title bar Menu bar Horizontally docked toolbars

Horizontally General Selection

docked toolbars ribbon bar
Function ribbon bar
AutoCursor ribbon bar

Most recently used

(MRU) toolbar

Graphics Window
Vertically docked
toolbar

MASTERCAM X6 WELCOME TO MASTERCAM

 THE MASTERCAM WORKSPACE • 7

Vertically docked toolbar

Graphics Window

Operations
Manager

Prompt area
Status bar

MASTERCAM X6 WELCOME TO MASTERCAM

8 • EXPLORING THE INTERFACE

Exercise 1: Exploring the Interface

In this exercise, you explore Mastercam’s interface.
1 Right-click in the graphics window.
The right-click menu provides
quick access to many common
functions.

TIP: To learn more about custom-

izing the right-click menu, see
Customizing the Right-Click Menu on
page 26.

2 Move your mouse over some of the

icons in the toolbars. Note the
tooltips.

3 Move your mouse over the different

functions in the Status bar at the
bottom of the screen.

MASTERCAM X6 WELCOME TO MASTERCAM

 THE MASTERCAM WORKSPACE • 9

This icon displays when you hover

over some of the Status bar options
and indicates that right-clicking on
the function gives you additional
options.
Click the Help button on the Status bar, or press [Alt+H] to learn more.

Exercise 2: Undock, Move, and Redock a Toolbar

With Mastercam, you can arrange your toolbars according to your particular needs.
In this exercise, you practice this with the Trim/Break toolbar.
1 Select the Trim/Break toolbar by
left-clicking and holding the
separator bar. Do not release the
mouse button.

2 Drag and drop the toolbar onto the

graphics window.
The toolbar is now “floating” in the
graphics window. You can move
floating toolbars anywhere in the
graphics window.

TIP: You can also create a floating

toolbar by double-clicking its
separator bar.

MASTERCAM X6 WELCOME TO MASTERCAM

10 • HIDING AND DISPLAYING A TOOLBAR

3 Drag and drop the Trim/Break

toolbar onto the left side of the
graphics window.
The toolbar snaps vertically into
place.
4 Return the Trim/Break toolbar to
another location on the main
toolbar using the drag and drop
method.

Exercise 3: Hiding and Displaying a Toolbar

Mastercam’s toolbars make accessing functions as easy as a mouse click. However,
you may find that you do not use some toolbars or that a toolbar that you need is not
displayed. In this exercise, you use the right-click menu to hide and display the Trim/
Break toolbar.

MASTERCAM X6 WELCOME TO MASTERCAM

 THE MASTERCAM WORKSPACE • 11

1 Right-click in an empty toolbar area

to display a menu that shows a list
of available toolbars.
Toolbars that are listed with check
marks are visible.
2 Choose Trim/Break to deselect the
check mark.
Deselecting the check mark hides
the toolbar.
3 Repeat Steps 1 – 2 to re-display the
Trim/Break toolbar.

MASTERCAM X6 WELCOME TO MASTERCAM

12 • WORKING WITH THE OPERATIONS MANAGER

Exercise 4: Working with the Operations Manager

Like toolbars, you can toggle the display of the Operations Manager, as well as move
it to a new location. Operations Manager settings are modal, which means that
Mastercam remembers the settings even after you close the application.
In this exercise, you use different methods to move, hide, and display the Operations
Manager.
1 Drag and drop the Operations
Manager into the graphics window
by left-clicking and dragging it by
its title bar.
Like an undocked toolbar, the
Operations Manager can freely
move (float) anywhere within the
graphics window. You can also
place it on top of the toolbars or
dock it on a second monitor.

TIP: You can also double-click the Operations Manager’s title bar to
undock or redock it.

2 Resize the Operations Manager by

clicking and dragging any of its
edges.
3 Drag and drop the Operations
Manager onto the right side of the
screen.

MASTERCAM X6 WELCOME TO MASTERCAM

 THE MASTERCAM WORKSPACE • 13

The Operations Manager snaps into place as it docks.

TIP: If you work with two monitors, drag and drop the Operations
Manager onto the monitor that is not running Mastercam to free the
entire graphics window for drawing.

4 Hide the Operations Manager by

clicking the Close button in its
upper right corner.

5 Re-display the Operations Manager

by choosing View, Toggle
Operations Manager.

TIP: You can also use the keyboard

shortcut [Alt+O] to toggle the
display of the Operations Manager.

MASTERCAM X6 WELCOME TO MASTERCAM

14 • WORKING WITH THE OPERATIONS MANAGER

MASTERCAM X6 WELCOME TO MASTERCAM

)*++%",.

System Configuration
2

With Mastercam, you can change your workspace environment or create a new one
at anytime. Because each workspace configuration is saved to a separate file, it’s easy
to switch from one environment to another. Use the System Configuration dialog
box to define and manage the configuration files that store these settings.

Lesson Goals
ƒ Create a configuration file.
ƒ Make some sample changes to your configuration settings.
ƒ Open an inch part while working in a metric environment.
ƒ Convert an MCX part from inch to metric.

The System Configuration Dialog Box

Topic list Property pane

File management functions OK, Cancel, Apply, and Help buttons

16 • CHANGING SETTINGS

Exercise 1: Changing Settings

In this exercise, you make changes to some of your Mastercam settings using the
System Configuration dialog box.
ƒ Choose Settings, Configuration
from the menu bar to open the
System Configuration dialog box.

TIP: You can also press [Alt+F8] to

open this dialog box.

X Create a new configuration file

1 Click the Save As button.

2 Change the configuration name to

“YourInitials”_Tutorial_Less
on2 and click OK.

MASTERCAM X6 WELCOME TO MASTERCAM

 SYSTEM CONFIGURATION • 17

Mastercam saves a new file to the \config folder in your Mastercam

installation, and the new file becomes the current configuration file. Any
changes you make during this session are applied to this configuration file.

X Change the graphics background color

1 From the list of configuration topics
on the dialog’s left side, select
Colors.

2 Select Graphics background color

from the list of interface items in
the property pane.
The Graphics background color is
the color that displays in the
graphics window.
The default color is 252.

MASTERCAM X6 WELCOME TO MASTERCAM

18 • CHANGING SETTINGS

3 Type 15 into the Color field and

press [Tab] or [Enter].

TIP: Change colors either by typing a number from 0 to 255 in the text
box, or by clicking a color in the color palette.

When you change a setting in the

property pane, a check mark
displays in front of the
configuration topic’s name so that
you can track the changes you
make during an editing session.

4 Click the Apply button to apply

your changes to the configuration
file.
5 Click Yes to save the changes to
your configuration file.
The background color changes in
the graphics window.

MASTERCAM X6 WELCOME TO MASTERCAM

 SYSTEM CONFIGURATION • 19

X Change the calculable field color

1 Select Calculable Field Color from
the list of interface items.
This setting defines the color of the
data entry fields that support
calculator functions.
The current color is 18.

2 Click on color 94 (orange) in the

color palette.

3 Click Apply.

4 Click Yes to save the changes to

your configuration file.
Calculable fields, such as the Z
depth function field in the Status
bar, change color.

X Hide viewport XYZ axes and display large icons

By default, Mastercam displays information about the geometry (axes, views,
planes, and units) at the bottom of the graphics window. You can hide this
information by changing the settings in the System Configuration dialog box. From
here, you can also increase the size of the icons in the toolbars.

MASTERCAM X6 WELCOME TO MASTERCAM

20 • CHANGING SETTINGS

1 From the list of configuration topics

on the dialog’s left side, select
Screen.

From the property pane:

2 Deselect Display viewport XYZ
axes.
3 Select Large Buttons.

MASTERCAM X6 WELCOME TO MASTERCAM

 SYSTEM CONFIGURATION • 21

4 Click Apply.

5 Click Yes to save the changes to

your configuration file.
The viewport information that was displayed at the bottom of the graphics
window is now hidden, and the icons in the toolbars are larger.

X Revert to the default configuration file

To go back to the default configuration file, exit and restart Mastercam, or:
1 Select mcamxm.config <Metric>
from the Current drop-down menu.
2 Click OK.

Exercise 2: Converting Units

When you open a part file that uses different units (English or metric) than the
current configuration, Mastercam can switch units by loading an alternate default
configuration file. Similarly, when you switch to a configuration file that uses
different units than the current part, Mastercam can convert and scale the part to the
configuration’s unit of measurement. In this exercise, you open a part with different
units from the current configuration file, and then convert the part back to the orig-
inal configuration’s units.
Before you begin this exercise, restart Mastercam or make sure that
mcamxm.config <Metric> is your current configuration file.

X Open a part with English units

1 Choose File, Open from the menu
bar.
2 Navigate to BOAT.MCX-6, which
was provided with this tutorial, and
click OK.

MASTERCAM X6 WELCOME TO MASTERCAM

22 • CONVERTING UNITS

3 Click OK to switch system units

from metric to English.

Mastercam switches the

configuration file to mcamx.config
<English>, and the part opens
with English units.
The scale in the graphics window
changes from metric to inches.

X Convert a part back to metric units

1 Press [Alt+F8] to open the System
Configuration dialog box.
The current configuration file is
mcamx.config <English>.

2 Change the current configuration

file back to mcamxm.config
<Metric>, and click OK.

3 Click Yes to scale the part to metric.

Mastercam converts and scales the
part.

MASTERCAM X6 WELCOME TO MASTERCAM

 SYSTEM CONFIGURATION • 23

The scale in the graphics window

changes from inches back to
metric.

4 If necessary, click the Fit button to

view the entire part in the graphics
window.

After performing the conversion, Mastercam creates a temporary group from the
transformed entities. By default, the color of entities in this “result” group is purple.
Click the Help button for more information about system groups.

MASTERCAM X6 WELCOME TO MASTERCAM

24 • CONVERTING UNITS

5 Click the Clear Colors button to

remove the result color.

MASTERCAM X6 WELCOME TO MASTERCAM

)*++%",/

Customizing the Interface

3

Use the Customize dialog box to customize toolbar layouts, drop-down menus, and
the graphics window right-click menu.

Lesson Goals
ƒ Become familiar with the Customize dialog box.
ƒ Add a shortcut to the right mouse button menu.
ƒ Format the right mouse button menu for easy viewing.

The Customize Dialog Box

Toolbar categories

Function
Toolbar list
icons
(Menu list)

File management functions OK, Cancel, and Help buttons

26 • CUSTOMIZING THE RIGHT-CLICK MENU

Exercise 1: Customizing the Right-Click Menu

In this exercise, you add a shortcut to Mastercam Help in the graphics window’s
right-click menu. Because this shortcut accesses a different function from the others
that are currently on the menu, you add a separator bar to visually distinguish it.

X Add a function to the right mouse button menu

1 Choose Settings, Customize from
the menu bar to open the
Customize dialog
box.

2 Click the Drop downs/Right

mouse button menu tab.

3 Select Help from the Category

drop-down menu.

MASTERCAM X6 WELCOME TO MASTERCAM

 CUSTOMIZING THE INTERFACE • 27

4 Drag and drop the Contents button

from the Commands window onto
the Right mouse button menu
item in the Menus list.

TIP: If the drop-down menu is not expanded, the new function is added
as the last function. Otherwise, it is inserted below the selected function
on which it is dropped.

MASTERCAM X6 WELCOME TO MASTERCAM

28 • CUSTOMIZING THE RIGHT-CLICK MENU

X Format the right mouse button menu

1 If necessary, expand the Right
mouse button menu item to view
the shortcuts that are currently on
the menu.

2 Drag and drop the Separator

button onto the Clear Colors
function.
3 A separator is created between the
Clear Colors and Contents
functions.
4 Click OK to close the dialog and
apply your changes.

MASTERCAM X6 WELCOME TO MASTERCAM

 CUSTOMIZING THE INTERFACE • 29

5 Right-click in the graphics window

to check your work.
6 The new function displays in the
right-click menu.

Conclusion
Congratulations! You have completed the Mastercam X6 Welcome to Mastercam
tutorial. Now that you have mastered the skills in this tutorial, explore Mastercam’s
other features and functions. Additional tutorials may be available in this or other
series.
This is a module of the Mastercam Getting Started Tutorial Series. The series intro-
duces general Mastercam functions and teaches basic skills for getting started with
Mastercam. Other tutorial series include:
ƒ Focus Series: Focuses on a specific Mastercam feature—for example, Setup
Sheets or FBM Drill, and teaches basic and advanced skills.
ƒ Exploring Series: Explores a single Mastercam product—for example
Mastercam® for SolidWorks® or Mastercam Swiss Expert, and teaches in-
depth skills for working with the product.

MASTERCAM X6 WELCOME TO MASTERCAM

30 • MASTERCAM RESOURCES

The Mastercam tutorial series is in continual development, and we will add modules
as we complete them. For information and availability or for further training, please
contact your local Mastercam Reseller.

Mastercam Resources
Enhance your Mastercam experience by using the following resources:
ƒ Mastercam Help—Access Mastercam Help by selecting Help, Contents from
Mastercam’s menu bar or by pressing [Alt+H] on your keyboard. Also, most
dialog boxes and ribbon bars feature a Help buttonthat opens Mastercam
Help directly to related information.
ƒ Mastercam Reseller—Your local Mastercam Reseller can help with most
questions about Mastercam.
ƒ Technical Support—CNC Software’s Technical Support department (860-
875-5006 or support@mastercam.com) is open Monday through Friday
from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. USA Eastern Standard Time.
ƒ Mastercam University—CNC Software sponsors Mastercam University, an
affordable online learning platform that gives you 24/7 access to Mastercam
training materials. Take advantage of more than 180 videos to master your
skills at your own pace and help prepare yourself for Mastercam
Certification. For more information on Mastercam University, please
contact your Authorized Mastercam Reseller, visit www.mastercamu.com,
or email training@mastercam.com.
ƒ Online communities—You can search for information or ask questions on
the Mastercam Web forum, located at www.emastercam.com. You can also
find a wealth of information, including many videos, at
www.mastercam.com and www.mastercamedu.com.
For tech tips and the latest Mastercam news, you can join us on Facebook
(www.facebook.com/mastercam), follow us on Twitter (www.twitter.com/
mastercam), and subscribe to our blog, Mastercam Xtras (http://

MASTERCAM X6 WELCOME TO MASTERCAM

 CUSTOMIZING THE INTERFACE • 31

blog.mastercam.com). Visit our YouTube channel to see Mastercam in

action (www.youtube.com/user/MastercamCadCam)!

Mastercam Documentation
Mastercam installs the following documents in the \Documentation folder of your
Mastercam installation:
ƒ Mastercam X6 Quick Start
ƒ Mastercam X6 Administrator Guide
ƒ Mastercam X6 Transition Guide
ƒ Mastercam X6 Quick Reference Card
ƒ Mastercam X6 File Location Card
ƒ Mastercam X6 Post Debugger User’s Guide

Contact Us
For questions about this or other Mastercam documentation, contact the Technical
Documentation department by email at techdocs@mastercam.com.

MASTERCAM X6 WELCOME TO MASTERCAM

32 • MASTERCAM DOCUMENTATION

MASTERCAM X6 WELCOME TO MASTERCAM

 Attention! Updates may be available.
Go to Mastercam.com/Support for the latest downloads.

671 Old Post Road

Tolland, CT 06084 USA
www.mastercam.com

Printed in the USA on 100% Post Consumer Waste, FSC Stocks