ArtCAM Pro Release 4.

5 information

Summary of new functionality in Release 4.5

Modelling tools
Import 3D Model
3D DXF, STL and 3D Studio Triangle models can be imported directly into ArtCAM and
used as 3D clipart. The ability to load these models significantly increases the amount of
clipart models that users have access to. The triangle models can be positioned, scaled,
rotated and mirrored prior to pasting as clipart.

Two Rail Sweep

This new tool allows freeform shapes to be created by sweeping a vector cross section
between two vector drive rails. Different start and end cross sections can be selected and
the height of the resulting shape can also be controlled with another vector.

Interactive Sculpting
The interactive sculpting tools are now even more powerful. Increasing the Strength and
reducing the Smoothness has a greater effect on the model, allowing changes to be made
more quickly and easily.

Support for the Wacom Pressure sensitive tablet has been added. This lets you sculpt
using a pressure sensitive pen, where the harder you press the more affect it has on the
relief model.

Extrude - Swept Profiles

Centreline extrude option has been added to the Swept Profile wizard. This option uses
the centre point of the selected cross-section. The function also allows inner corners to be
mitred, even with a cross-section that currently causes an overlap problem.

Extrusions can be made with either Square or Round external corners.

Celtic Weaves
The Celtic weave option automatically creates complex 3D-weave relief patterns from
vector artwork. The correct 'over & under' pattern is created where the vectors intersect.
Options are included for controlling the height and depth of the relief at intersection points.

Extrusions can be made with either Square or Round external corners.

Machining

The handling of climb / conventional milling for toolpaths based on offsetting has been
overhauled. When machining features the climb milling check box will ensure that climb
milling is observed.

For recessed features the tool will start in the centre and work outwards rather than
plunging onto the final faces as in previous versions.

Machine specified area now has two extra options if raster is not being used.
From Centre will start machining at the centre of the areas and work outwards. This can
help prevent leaving small up-stands, which are snapped off by the tool when it comes
back to machine them.

Climb Mill option will reverse the direction of cut so that climb milling is performed.

Two visualisation options have been added to the bottom of the toolpath.

Draw Cutting Direction controls drawing of clockwise toolpath segments in green and
anticlockwise segments in purple.

Draw Rapid and Plunge Rate Moves switches on and off the rapid moves and plunge
moves allowing complex toolpaths

Toolpath summary shows total machining time for all calculated toolpaths.
Z zero position is printed in Toolpath Summary.

General

File Open has a thumbnail preview option that shows a Greyscale view of the relief model
when opening the file.

Relief Load allows .art files to be selected for 3D clipart. This simply extracts the relief
information from the .art file. Therefore you do not need to keep saving .rlf files. This option
will also load Picza files (.pix) as a relief / clipart.

Snap grid with options for size, draw and snap-to.

Snap to guidelines,

Position guidelines let's you create guideline(s) at user definable position(s) (right click
over a guideline to open dialog).

Ring function now allows the relief to be wrapped around either the X or Y-axis.

Align vectors - left, right, centre, top, bottom.

Draw vectors when dragging in 2D view

Smooth vector nodes are displayed in blue

Create Greyscale view The default colour palette (red, blue etc) is kept after creating a
greyscale view.

Shaded image can be saved as a bitmap file.