Getting Started GibbsCAM 2009, v9.

0
October 2008

Proprietary Notice
This document contains propriety information of Gibbs and Associates and is to be used only pursuant to and in conjunction with the license granted to the licensee with respect to the accompanying Gibbs and Associates licensed software. Except as expressly permitted in the license, no part of this document may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored in a retrieval system, or translated into any language or computer language, in any form or by any means, electronic, magnetic, optical, chemical, manual or otherwise, without the prior expressed written permission from Gibbs and Associates or a duly authorized representative thereof. It is strongly advised that users carefully review the license in order to understand the rights and obligations related to this licensed software and the accompanying documentation. Use of the computer software and the user documentation has been provided pursuant to a Gibbs and Associates licensing agreement. 2003-2008 Gibbs and Associates, a Cimatron Company. All rights reserved. The Gibbs logo, GibbsCAM, GibbsCAM logo, Virtual Gibbs, Gibbs SFP, MTM, SolidSurfacer, and Powerfully Simple. Simply Powerful. are either trademark(s) or registered trademark(s) of Gibbs and Associates in the United States and/or other countries. Windows Vista and the Windows logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. All other brand or product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. Contains Autodesk RealDWG by Autodesk, Inc., Copyright 1998-2008 Autodesk, Inc. All rights reserved. ProAXYZ is a registered trademarks or trademarks of Productec SA in Switzerland and/or other countries.

Gibbs and Associates 323 Science Drive Moorpark, CA 93021 Modif ied: November 25, 2008

Table of Contents

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION 1
Welcome. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 About The System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 About Getting Started. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Manual Conventions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Contacting Gibbs and Associates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 www.GibbsCAM.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

QUICK START
Powerfully Simple . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Basic Steps for Using GibbsCAM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1. Create Or Open a File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2. Make Or Modify a Model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3. Create Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4. Render the Part . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5. Post the Part . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

5
7 7 7 8 8 9 9

INTERFACE

11

About the Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Cursors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Actions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Right-Click . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Main Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Menu Items . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Workspace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Palettes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Main Palette . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Level 1&2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 View Control Palette . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Alternate Views . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Modifying the Current View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Creation Palettes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Machining Palette . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Render Palette . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Multiple Viewport Manager (MVM) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 Lists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 Tool List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 Process List. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Operations List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Extended Tile Lists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Dialogs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Types of Dialogs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Dialog Elements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 Text Entry Boxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 Math Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 Radio Buttons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 Checkboxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
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Table of Contents

Slide Bars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pointer Markers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pop-Up Menus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Task Bar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Progress Bar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Colors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hole Manager. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Clipboard. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Trash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Shortcuts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

33 33 33 34 37 37 38 38 38 39

USING THE SYSTEM

41

Launching The System. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 New, Open & Import . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Creating New Part Files. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Opening Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Default TYPE and MDD Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Switching Between Defaults. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Importing Part Models . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Setting Up A Part . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Geometry Creation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 ABout Geometry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Creating Geometry. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 Connecting Geometry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Workgroups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 Level 1 Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 Level 2 Interface. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 Workgroup List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 Coordinate Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 Coordinate System List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 Coordinate System Palette . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 Creation of 3D Bodies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 Creating Solids Sample . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 Workgroups & Coordinate Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 Tool Creation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 Quick How-To (Tool Creation) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 Tool Creation Dialogs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 Making Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64 Quick How-To (Operation Creation) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 Machining Button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 Mill/Turn Machining palette . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 Processes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67 Cut Part Rendering. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 Post Processing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71 Posting Step-By-Step . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72

APPENDIX

77

Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79 FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81

ii

INTRODUCTION

Introduction

CHAPTER 1 : Introduction
WELCOME
ABOUT THE SYSTEM
Please be advised that GibbsCAM security is activated via the internet. If you do not have internet access available, you may activate security via e-mail, or regular mail. Please allow adequate time to have the license f ile sent to you. Method E-mail during Gibbs business hours E-mail after hours Regular Mail Estimated time Same business day if received before 2:00 PST Next business day 1-2 business days plus regular mail delivery time

ABOUT GETTING STARTED

Hello and welcome to the GibbsCAM Getting Started Guide. This document is designed to give you a quick start on using the GibbsCAM system. Whether you want to jump right into using the software or read the manuals cover to cover, this book can be of great help. Among the contents of the book are: A chapter called Quick Start which introduces the process or steps to using GibbsCAM. This can be thought of as an overview of using GibbsCAM. A section on the GibbsCAM interface, aptly named Interface, that explains all of the common elements of the system. It does not matter whether you are a new user or a seasoned power user, this section will help you get acquainted with GibbsCAM and its many changes. It will help you understand the software and might answer the question, What am I looking at? A section entitled Using the System which goes into greater detail than the Overview does. Using the System goes through the process of making a part from start to f inish, without going into all of the details. You will still want to read the individual product manuals for the greatest understanding of a particular product, but this section will give you a head start. Finally, there is the Appendix which includes a Glossary of many GibbsCAM-specif ic terms and usage of industry terms. You might want to look through the glossary so were sure of speaking the same language. Also in the Appendix are the answers to some commonly asked questions.

MANUAL CONVENTIONS
In this and all other GibbsCAM manuals you will f ind a number of standards used in the text, known as conventions. Screen text: Any text you see like this is referring to text you will see in GibbsCAM or on your monitor. Typically this is a button or text for a dialog.

Introduction

Keystrokes: Words that appear like this refer to a keystroke or mouse action, such as right-click or Ctrl+C. Term: Words that you see followed by a colon like this refer to a word or phrase used in GibbsCAM. Lastly, there are some graphics that are torn out or seem to be missing information in the middle. The graphics have simply been edited to save space and focus on the item being discussed.

CONTACTING GIBBS AND ASSOCIATES

Technical Support is available to all users. Our Technical Support department is available to answer your questions Monday through Friday, 5am to 5pm, Pacif ic Standard Time. Phone Number: (800) 654-9399 E-Mail: (805) 523-0004 Fax Number: (805) 523-0006 support@gibbsCAM.com sales@gibbsCAM.com info@gibbsCAM.com

When contacting the Technical Support department, it is helpful if you know the following information. Version information is found by selecting the About item from the Help menu of your GibbsCAM application. Type of computer Operating system CPU speed & memory (RAM) Version of GibbsCAM software

WWW.GIBBSCAM.COM
Gibbs and Associates maintains a permanent presence on the World Wide Web. The Gibbs web site contains company news, product information, e-mail links, technical support utilities and much more. It is the preferred means of connecting to Gibbs electronically. The Gibbs website is located at www.GibbsCAM.com and can be accessed by anyone with Internet access. The site contains useful f iles available for downloading. The Gibbs website is a one-way site meaning that f iles cannot be sent to the web site. If you need to send a f ile to Tech Support, you may e-mail it as an attachment. When sending f iles, it is extremely helpful to include a contact name and phone number and a brief description of any issues.

QUICK START

Quick Start

CHAPTER 2 : Quick Start

POWERFULLY SIMPLE
GibbsCAM software is easy to use. A quick overview of this process from part creation to completion is provided here. While there is no set sequence to creating a part, such as following Steps 1, 2 and 3, there are some things that need to be done before others. For example, we need to have a f ile to work on before making a part or a Tool list must be def ined before generating toolpath. However, once you have done something in the system, there is no reason why you cant go back, change something such as a tool or stock condition, and effortlessly update the entire part. On the following pages is a general guideline to the process of creating a part.

THE BASIC STEPS FOR USING GIBBSCAM

1. Create Or Open a File
Before anything can be done we need a part f ile to work on. Either a new part f ile needs to be created or an existing model needs to be opened. This is commonly done through the Document Control dialog which is a combination of two parts. This dialog provides f ile management, part measurements and settings and the option for a part comment.

Figure 1: The Document Control dialog for a Lathe part

Quick Start

2. Make Or Modify a Model

The second thing that needs to be done is to make a model of the part, or to modify an existing model if needed. Modeling is accomplished with geometry or solids, or a combination of the two.

Figure 2: Part Models: Geometry and a Solid

3. Create Operations
Once a model is created, machining functions need to be applied to the part. This includes setting the available tools, def ining processes and creating operations. Creating tools may be done at any time, so long as a part f ile is open. Processes and Operations may be created after tools are def ined.

Figure 3: A Tool, a Process and Resulting Toolpath

Quick Start

4. Render the Part

Once operations have been def ined for machining a part, rendering should be performed. This provides a visual check of the part to ensure that the results are as expected. Many errors can be caught using Cut Part Rendering. It can also be very useful to run the rendering as the operations are being created, rather than after you are done and ready to post the part.

Figure 4: Cut Part Rendering Is Run On a Part

5. Post the Part

The last step is to generate the output from the part f ile and create NC-code. This is called Post Processing.

Figure 5: Posting a Part

Quick Start

10

INTERFACE

Interface

CHAPTER 3 : Interface
ABOUT THE SOFTWARE
GibbsCAM is certif ied for Windows Vista. This means, among other things, we follow user account control guidelines, support x64 Versions of Windows and support concurrent user sessions. Application and document icons have been updated to comply with Vista user interface guidelines. Other features include: Multiple monitor support Dynamically resizable window Copy and Paste of data between parts and sessions Unbound Dialogs dialogs can be placed outside of the application window Window snap windows & dialogs will snap into position when near each other. This also applies to resizing dialogs. Roll-up windows can be made to compress to only display the title bar, and uncompress when activated by the mouse Windows can have transparency Memory of where windows were placed, per user

OpenGL is integrated into the software. OpenGL is a 3D library that provides the system with fast hardware accelerated rendering for, high quality rendering, true color display, material properties, advanced light sources, user-def inable colors, animated view transitions, shadows, transparent planes and user-def ined OpenGL conf igurations. All of this translates to improved display quality and more user control and customization. The GibbsCAM software has three interface levels. The most common levels used are Level 1 and Level 2. The third interface level, Level 0, is a specialized version of the interface that has reduced functionality found in GibbsSFP. The following set of images illustrate elements of the interface found in Level 1 and Level 2. Many of the items shown in the Level 2 graphic are also available in Level 1. These items are the Machining palette,

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Interface

Process List, Operation List and toolpath. They are displayed in the Level 2 graphic to maximize clarity and reduce clutter in the images. All of the items will be discussed on the following pages. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Main Menu Cursor & Pull-down menu Top Level palette Tool List Workspace Geometry Geometry Creation palette 8. View Control palette 9. Trashcan

Figure 6: The Level 1 Interface.

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Interface

The Level 2 interface is the most advanced interface. It is recommended that most users work in this interface level as it is optimized for accessibility and power. Every capability of the system is available from the Level 2 interface. Other levels only contain subsets of the features in level 2. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Top Level palette Task Bar Workgroup List Coordinate System List Process List Machining palette Toolpath Operations List

Figure 7: The Level 2 Interface with some elements also available in Level 1.

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Interface

CURSORS
The cursor is the object moved with the mouse. Its appearance changes depending on its location. The appearance of the cursor dictates its usage. Black Pointer: This cursor is used to select objects and geometry by clicking on them. You can zoom by dragging a rectangle around an area on the screen. Area Select: This mode is accessed by holding down the Shift key and dragging the mouse or using the Edit > Select > Mouse Drag command, this cursor appears when selecting or zooming. Pointing Finger: This indicates that the cursor is over a button. Hand: This indicates that the cursor is holding an object, such as a tile, that is being moved.This cursor is also used to indicate it is in a position to grab the trackball. Text Edit: This indicates that the cursor is over a text input location. Clicking in the text box will produce a flashing text cursor to enter or edit the f ield. Interrogation Cursor: This cursor appears when the Alt key or Shift+Alt keys are held down. The Interrogation cursor is used to automatically enter values from geometry, prof iler arcs, circles and solids into text boxes. Spot: The cursor changes to this while rolling the trackball in the View palette. White Pointer: This cursor functions the same as the black pointer, except it is in multiple selection mode. The white pointer appears when the Ctrl key is held down or when a geometry sub-palette is open. It allows for more than one item to be selected at a time. A common mistake is made while in multiple selection mode. When the white cursor is visible and a geometry creation sub-dialog is awaiting input, pressing the Delete key will not delete any selected items because a dialog has priority over the selection. To delete the selection, f irst return to the main geometry palette or press the Trash button. Help Cursor: This cursor is activated from the Taskbar help button or when you select On Item from the Help menu. This cursor is active until you click on an item in the GibbsCAM interface. The Help cursor activates context-sensitive online help for the item you click on. Online Help will open and will attempt to load the section regarding the item you clicked. Some items go to a very specif ic topic, others will lead to a general section of the help.

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Interface

ACTIONS
There are a number of actions used throughout the system. Moving the cursor: The cursor is moved and positioned with the mouse. Click: Click almost always means a left click, but, now we also use a right click in many places in the software. Double-click: Two quick taps on the mouse button. Type: Using the keyboard. Drag: Position the cursor, hold the mouse button down, reposition cursor, release mouse button. Ctrl+Drag: Hold Ctrl key down and drag the mouse. Shift+Drag: Hold Shift key down and drag the mouse. Ctrl+click: Hold Ctrl key down while clicking the mouse. Shift+click: Hold Shift key down while clicking the mouse. Alt+click: Hold Alt key down while clicking the mouse. Ctrl+double-click, Shift+double-click, etc. Hold down stated key and click (or double-click). Right click: Click the button on the right of the mouse. Right-click+drag: Click the right mouse button and drag.

RIGHT-CLICK
The mouse has (at least) two buttons that are used in different manners. The left button selects/deselects and accesses items such as geometry, bodies, text boxes, buttons, etc. The right button will access context menus which contain items specif ic to the selected objects. Rightclick a title bar of certain dialogs to open a menu containing items specif ic to that dialog. An example of a context menu is shown to the right. Right-click the History list title bar to see its context menu. The menu only contains options that are applicable to the History list.

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Interface

MAIN MENU
The Main Menu is located at the top of the screen. It is available to the user at all times. The Menu provides access to many of the systems functions through individual sub-menus. Items in the Menu include File, Edit, View, Modify, Processes, Solids, Wizards, Window, Plug-Ins and Help. Other entries may appear depending on the installed options.

To access the Menu items, position the cursor over the menu name, click the mouse button, move the cursor down until the desired item is highlighted, and click the mouse button a second time. If a menu item is grayed out it cannot be selected. Selecting geometry or some other appropriate item on the screen may change the menu item so that it becomes black and can be selected. Some menu items are grayed out because certain modules of the software are not included with your licensed options.

MENU ITEMS
Fly-out menus often contain other menus. These are also referred to as sub-menus. Menu items with a submenu have a black triangle to the right of the item name. Sub-menus automatically open, or fly-out, when the menu selection is made.

WORKSPACE
The drawing area will f ill the entire size of the current main window. You can increase the window by going to any border with your mouse, when a double arrow appears either pull to lengthen and /or broaden the window or push in to decrease the window size. All drawing of geometry, toolpath, and rendered images appear in the drawing window. The Workspace is contained within the drawing window. The size of the Workspace is def ined by the Document Control dialog settings and represents the default stock condition. The Workspace can be moved and repositioned using the View Control palette or keyboard shortcuts.

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Interface

PALETTES
A palette is an item that is made up of a group of buttons or draggable items. There are several basic types of palettes used in the system; there is the Top Level palette, the View Control palette, the Machining palette, the Rendering palette and the Geometry Creation palette. Each palette type is explained in the following pages.

MAIN PALETTE
This palette is made up of buttons. These buttons can be either on (depressed) or off (raised). Click once on a button to turn it on and accesses the appropriate dialog or palette. Another click will turn the button off and hide any dialog boxes or sub-palettes. The Top Level palette cannot be moved, the Top Level palette is used to access the systems functions, palettes and dialogs.

Level 1&2
The contents of Top Level palette will change depending on the current interface level. Level 2 has a sixteenbutton palette while Level 1 has a seven-button palette plus a sliding bar to access the Wizard functions. Some items are common to both interface levels, including the Document, Geometry, Tools, Machining, View, Cut Part Render and Post buttons. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Document Geometry Tools Machining View Cut Part Render Post WG List 9. CS List 10. CS palette 11. Sheets 12. Solids 13. Body Bag 14. Annotations 15. Sync Dialog 16. Spindle List

Figure 8: The Level 1 and Level 2 Top Level Palettes and their functions.

VIEW CONTROL PALETTE

The View Control palette allows the user to easily change the current view of the part. The buttons around the outside provide quick access to standard views, redraws and unzooms. The center ball operates like a trackball and allows you to roll the part so it can be viewed from any orientation. When the cursor is placed over the ball, it changes into a hand, which indicates that the ball can be rolled. Dragging the mouse over the trackball will allow you to roll the part. The black outlined box on the ball represents the orientation of the part. The T identif ies the top surface of the part. The dimensions of the box do not change with the actual part size. 1. Top 2. Front 3. Right Side 4. Isometric 5. Redraw 6. Previous View 7. No Zoom 8. Home 9. Axis Handles 10. Trackball
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Interface

Once the desired view is obtained and the mouse button is released, the part is redrawn in the new view. The track ball has four small solid black triangles around it, inside the ring of buttons (located at 12:00, 3:00, 6:00, and 9:00). These are called axis handles. Drag these handles for a single axis view change. Drag vertically, horizontally and circularly for each axis. This move is based on the current view. The trackball is moveable; drag its edge to move it. The View Control palette is collapsible. When a double-click is performed on the ring surrounding the View Control palette, it will collapse to a thin horizontal bar to help maximize Workspace area when the palette is not in use. To expand the palette, perform another double-click.

Alternate Views
Right-click or Alt+click the Top, Home, Isometric, Front or Side view buttons to view the part from the negative depth direction of the part or the opposite side of what the view would normally be. Additionally, the stock diagram and geometry may be more precisely maneuvered using a real-time screen redraw. When performing a right-click+drag on the trackball or the handles, the stock and geometry in the workspace will dynamically move with the trackball diagram.

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Interface

Modifying the Current View

The current view of the part may be modif ied by rotating and panning the part and by zooming in or out. Rotating: Rotating the part is controlled by pressing the Shift key and the appropriate arrow keys on your keyboard. Rotating may also be accomplished using Ctrl+click-dragging the third button of the mouse (producing the same results as rotating the part using the rectangle in the track ball). This key combination rotates the part towards you by about 10%. This key combination rotates the part away from you by about 10%. This key combination rotates the part to the right by about 10%. This key combination rotates the part to the left by about 10%. The point of rotation depends on the current view. Whatever intersects with a ray that projects from the center of the GibbsCAM window is what the view rotates about. If the ray intersects with a solid the part will rotate about the center of the intersection. If the ray intersects with the part stock the rotation is about the center of that intersection. If the stock is not in the center of the window the point of rotation is about the intersection of two planes that def ine the stock boundary and the ray. Panning: Panning is controlled by pressing the Ctrl key and the appropriate arrow keys on your keyboard. Panning may also be accomplished by a Ctrl+Drag. This key combination moves the part up by about 10% of the screen. This key combination moves the part down by about 10% of the screen. This key combination moves the part to the right by about 10% of the screen. This key combination moves the part to the left by about 10% of the screen. Zooming: Zooming in and out of the part is accomplished by using the Ctrl key with the + or keys. Additionally, if your mouse is equipped with a scroll wheel you may use the scroll wheel too zoom in and out. Each click of the scroll wheel is equivalent to a 10% zoom in our out. Drag a marquee around the region to zoom in. This key combination zooms in on the part by about 10%. This key combination zooms out from the part by about 10%. When using the Alternate Keyboard Shortcuts option in the Interface Preferences: This key combination zooms in on the part by about 10%. This key combination zooms out from the part by about 10%.

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Interface

CREATION PALETTES
This type of palette is also made up of a group of buttons. However, when one of the buttons is clicked on, it does not stay depressed. Instead, it brings up a sub-palette or the Geometry Expert spreadsheet. The Creation palettes can be moved to any location on any screen, even outside the workspace. Move the palette by dragging the cursor in the title bar of the palette. There are several different creation palettes available depending on the options installed. The primary Creation palette is the Geometry Creation palette. Additionally there are the Solids, Sheets, Coordinate System and Annotations palettes. These four palettes are only available in the Level 2 interface.

MACHINING PALETTE
This palette is made up of Process tiles and buttons. The Function tiles are moveable objects that can be dragged to the Process List to create operations. The Machining palette can be moved to any location on the screen.

Lathe Machining palette Level 1

Mill Machining palette Level 2

RENDER PALETTE
This moveable palette provides control over the Cut Part Rendering process. It allows the user to control rendering speed, the operations that will be rendered, and the way the tool will be displayed.

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MULTIPLE VIEWPORT MANAGER (MVM)

Dynamic viewing of parts from multiple perspectives and in multiple modes simultaneously is handled by the Multiple Viewport Manager (MVM). There are several new concepts that MVM introduces: Panes: This is an independent view of a part. If the overall window is divided into three sections, each section represents a pane. A pane may be active or inactive. The active pane will have a green border highlighting it, and the axis block will also be highlighted. Windows: A window is similar to a pane, except that it is initially created by making a copy of an existing pane. A window can be repositioned anywhere on a users desktop and is not affected by reorganizing the default pane layout. Viewport: A viewport describes either a pane or a window. Thus, when modifying the Viewport conf iguration, the Preview window displays both panes and windows. A pane is a constrained viewport that is organized in one of 8 pre-def ined conf igurations. A window is a popup viewport that is positioned by the user.

Viewsets: There are three default internal viewsets, each of which maintains its own set of viewports (panes and windows.) These internal viewsets are tied to a particular part. Users may also create external viewsets, which may be shared across parts. To activate the Viewport Conf iguration Manager, left-click on the MVM icon in the main toolbar. This button also has a clickand-hold menu, indicated by the small arrow

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Interface

underneath the icon. By clicking and holding (either right or left-click) the user can immediately switch between viewsets or create a new viewset.

The viewsets dialog allows the user to switch between viewsets, create a new viewset, bring up the view manager, indicate a default view for a viewset and lock the attributes of a viewset. To switch between viewsets, simply left click on the name of the desired viewset. Double-clicking the name of a viewset brings up the views manager (pictured under the Viewport Description above.) Rightclicking on the title bar of the Viewsets window brings up a context menu. From this menu you can create a new viewset, delete a viewset, bring up the view manager or Lock the Attribute Set. If the Attribute Set Lock is turned on, any changes made (turning on edge selection, render wire frame, etc.) will affect ALL active viewports whether or not they are active. If Attribute Set Lock is unchecked, changes will only affect the active viewport. Additionally, you can def ine if a given viewset will default to Part, FCPR or Sim. These checkmarks may only be active in one Viewset at a time and they specify which Viewset will be used for each GibbsCAM mode (Part, FlashCPR and Machine Sim.) Each pane or window will always show in part mode, and display the part. By checking the View Sim and/or View CPR option the pane or window will also show a FCPR or Machine Sim session when using these modes. In the view manager, you can Def ine the look of each viewport. Each viewport can have View Sim and View CPR toggled on or off. Windows behave slightly differently than panes here, as they can be toggled to be seen or unseen by clicking on the eye icon. Panes are always visible. Clicking on the icon below Viewport conf iguration will allow you to select one of the eight pre-def ined pane layouts.

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Interface

LISTS
There are three main lists in the system. These are the Tool List, the Process List and the Operations List. These lists hold tiles and are not moveable. Each tile is used to describe an individual tool, process or operation. A list can hold many items. To scroll through a list, click on the arrow at the top or bottom of a list. This will move the list up or down one item at a time. Lists may be scrolled through quickly by clicking on the scroll arrow and dragging the mouse past the arrow. This is called Speed Scrolling. When Speed Scrolling, the list advances six tiles at a time. The arrow will turn red when Speed Scrolling. Hold down the Shift key and double-click on the triangular space between process tiles to create an empty space between processes. Hold down the Shift key and double-click on an empty space between process tiles to delete the space between processes. To navigate through the lists faster, use a context menu command. Right-clicking on either of the arrows in a list will bring up a menu with the Find command. Rightclicking on a tile will bring up a menu to select the Find or Move dialogs.

Find Tile dialog

Move Tile dialog

TOOL LIST
The Tool List is used to def ine the tools used to cut a part. By double-clicking on an empty tile a new tool is created and a Tool dialog opens. A tool is then fully def ined within the tool window. This includes, but is not limited to, the type of tool and its size and material. Only one Tool window may be open at a time. Tool tiles display a graphic of the tool type and the size of the tool. This instantly changes with any modif ications to the tool. Tool Lists may contain both milling and turning tools at the same time. Each tool has a unique graphic to help the user quickly determine what each tool is. The Tool List is accessed from the Tool button in the Top Level palette. There may be a maximum of 999 tools in a part. The tool tiles do not have to be contiguous; there may be empty spaces between tiles. To navigate through the Tool Tiles, click on any part of the Tool List to select it. Then use the mouse wheel to scroll through the list. Use Ctrl+the mouse wheel to scroll through multiple tiles at a time. The Process and Operations Lists described in the following sections may also be navigated in this manner. Tool lists may be saved and even automatically generated by using default part f iles. See Default TYPE and MDD Parts on page 46.

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Interface

PROCESS LIST
The Process List is used to def ine toolpath and create operations. A process consists of a single tool from the Tool List and a machining function from the Machining palette. When one of each of these items is dropped onto a Process tile, a process is created. Clearance values, cut depth, speeds and other items are f illed out in the Process dialog. In most cases geometry or a solid is then selected to generate toolpath by clicking on the Do It button in the Machining palette. Once toolpath is generated, one or more operations are created for each process. Once operations are created the processes may be thrown away, because the information from the process is stored in the Operation. Please note that multiple processes can be created in the same list. This will cause multiple grouped operations to be performed on the same geometry or surface. This function may be used to drill, bore and tap all in one set of operations. It may also be used to create a set of operations that drill, rough and contour the same geometry or solid. Any combination of machining functions may be grouped as needed. The Process List is limited to 99 Process tiles. The Process tiles do not have to be contiguous, there may be empty spaces between tiles.

OPERATIONS LIST
Operations are created from processes and tools. Operations store the toolpath (the cutting motion of the tool) and the information def ined by a process. A process generates at least one operation, some processes will result in more than one operation. The software will use the list of operations to generate the f inal program that is sent to the CNC machine. There may be a maximum of 16,000 operations in a part. The Operation tiles do not have to be contiguous, there may be empty spaces between tiles. The Operation List has a larger contextual menu than the other lists. The menu contains a number of commands that can be applied to an operation or its toolpath. The normal f ind and move options are also included. The Mill and Lathe manuals fully detail these functions. See Operations on page 67 for more information.

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Interface

EXTENDED TILE LISTS

If the GibbsCAM window is sized large enough, additional slots will be visible in the tool and operation lists. You can increase the size of the GibbsCAM window by dragging the lower right hand corner or by clicking the Maximize button to make the window grow to the full size of the screen.

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DIALOGS
Dialog boxes are used when user entry system is needed. This is done through text boxes, radio buttons, checkboxes and pop-up menus. Dialogs may be moved around in the workspace and may be collapsed by double-clicking on the title bar.

TYPES OF DIALOGS
Moveable dialogs: Most dialogs may be moved around on the screen. The area at the top of the dialog is called the title bar. The title bar shows the name of the dialog. Drag the title bar to move the dialog. The small box in the upper right corner of the window is the close box. Clicking in this box puts the dialog away. Doubleclicking on the title bar will hide the dialog and leave only the title bar showing. Another double-click will restore the dialog to its normal size. This function, known as Window Shade, is useful for conserving screen space. Most of the dialogs in the system can be shrunk to the title bar in this manner. Open dialog: The Open dialog is used to f ind, view, and open f iles. It is shown when Open is selected from the File menu, or the Open button is depressed in the Document Control dialog. The part preview and dimensions will show the info for the coherently selected VNC part f ile. The example here is of a mill part, Lathe parts and will show dimensions for a lathe part. 1. Parts available in current directory 2. Type of file to open 3. Name of file to open 4. Part Preview 5. Part Material information 6. Part Comment 7. Part Dimensions 8. Show/Hide Arrows

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Interface

The Show/Hide arrows can be used to show only the parts of the dialog needed, or to have a smaller dialog that is closer to the standard windows open dialog.

Geometry: Geometry dialogs are used to input specif ic geometric information when creating geometric features. All Geometry dialogs contain buttons that access the Workgroup Information and Selection dialogs, this includes the solids, sheets and CS dialogs. Text Creation: The Text Creation dialog contains tabs that allow the user to access the Text, Spacing, and Text Flow windows contained within the dialog. Click on the tabs to access the desired window. The bottom portion of the dialog that contains the text entry and the Do It button remain available regardless of which tab is currently being viewed.

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Interface

Workgroup & Coordinate System Selection: The Workgroup Selection list is used to select, switch, view and create new workgroups. The current workgroup will always be highlighted. Double-click the eye icon next to a workgroup to change its background view setting. Geometry contained in workgroups set to background view will be drawn in gray and cannot be edited or selected. To select multiple workgroups to be viewed as background workgroups, hold down the Shift key. This will allow for more than one eye icon to be selected at a time to be viewed. The Ctrl key may be used to select multiple individual workgroups. The Coordinate System Selection list is similar to the Workgroup Selection list. The current coordinate system will always be highlighted. Double-click the eye icon next to a CS to show or hide its red CS orientation marker. Geometry contained in background workgroups will be drawn in magenta, but is still selectable. Holding down the Shift key will allow for more than one eye icon to be selected at a time to be viewed. Tool dialogs: Tool dialogs are used to def ine the tools that will be used to machine the current part. Each Tool dialog contains a matrix of buttons representing the types of tools available for the current part. Additionally, there is a large graphic of the tool type selected and text boxes for specifying the size of the tool. Clicking on a tool button will change the graphic to that of the new tool type. The size of the graphic does not change with the dimensions entered. This dialog is fully described in the Mill and Lathe manuals.

Figure 9: A Lathe Tool dialog defining a groove threading insert.

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Process dialogs: Process dialogs are used to def ine the toolpath that will be generated. The Process dialog will open once a machining function and a tool are placed on the same tile in the Process List. The Process dialog will change depending on a number of parameters. These dialogs are fully described in the Mill and Lathe manuals.

Figure 10: A Mill (above) and Lathe (below) drilling Process dialog.

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DIALOG ELEMENTS
Text Entry Boxes
Items that require keyboard input have a box next to them. If you click once in a text box, a flashing text cursor will appear where you clicked. Any typed input will begin at the flashing text cursor. To move the text cursor, simply click the desired location. Double-clicking in a text box will select (highlight) everything in the text box. Anything typed at this point will completely replace the current contents of the box. To select only portions of the contents of the text box, click before or after the text to be edited, hold the mouse button down and drag. Numerical text recognizes commas and points as well as decimal indicators. Moving from one text box to another can be accomplished by single or double-clicking in the desired box, or pressing the Tab key. The Tab key moves the cursor from box to box, and highlights the entire contents of each box. Holding down the Shift key and tabbing will move backwards through the text boxes. The contents of any text boxes can be cut, copied and pasted to and from the Clipboard by choosing items from the Edit menu or by using Ctrl+C, Ctrl+X and Ctrl+V. Please note that angular values entered in text boxes follow the standard Cartesian coordinate system, as shown to the right. Negative values are acceptable as input.

Math Functions
All numeric input boxes will accept the four standard math function symbols (+ - x /) as well as a number of special functions (either * and x can be used for multiplication). Pressing the Equal key or Tab key on the keyboard will display the f inal value. The following list provides all of the math functions recognized by the system. Key Function + * / m s t r addition multiplication division convert inch to metric (x25.4) sine tangent square root Key Function x = i c a e subtraction multiplication equals convert metric to inch (/25.4) cosine arc tangent scientif ic notation (41e-2 = 0.41)

Radio Buttons
Radio buttons come in groups of two or more. When one of the buttons in the group is depressed (turned on), the other buttons in the group are off. The button that is depressed displays a small dot to indicate that it is on.

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Checkboxes
Checkboxes come one per option. Clicking in the box toggles the option back and forth between on and off. An option is on when there is a check in the box.

Slide Bars
Slide bars are an interface item used in some dialogs when a specif ic value is not required. The user can either type in a value or use the slide bar. For example, when designating the chord height either in the Graphics Preference dialog or the Properties dialog, the user may simply want to make the rendered image of a solid f iner or coarser. Moving the slider to the left will use smaller values while moving the slier to the right will use larger, more coarse values. When the slider is moved, the numeric values are updated according to the movement. For the Chord Height, the slide bar's numeric values range from 0.0001" to .1" or 0.001mm to 3mm for metric parts.

Pointer Markers
Pointer markers are used to designate particular items to perform certain operations. The pointer markers are contained within a bounding box in a dialog. In order to place a marker, simply drag the marker from its box to the desired item or location in the Workspace. To remove a marker, select the marker and drag it back to its box. Some dialogs automatically place start and end markers such as the solid, corner blending, variable radius pointer. Pointers that are automatically placed are locked and can not be removed.

Pop-Up Menus
Pop-up menus provide multiple choices. A pop-up menu looks like a text entry item, but has an arrow indicating that there are more choices available. The menu is accessed by clicking the arrow and moving the cursor down to scroll through the list. When the desired item is highlighted, click the mouse button to select it.

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TASK BAR
The Task Bar is only available in Level 2 interface. It is located along the top of the drawing window below the Main Menu. The Task Bar contains a series of buttons which affect the drawing and selection of items in the drawing window.

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

Geometry Dimensions Show Solids Render/Wireframe Stock & Origin CS

7. Sheet side 8. Wrap 9. Stock Cutaway 10. Face selection 11. Edge selection 12. Profiler

13. Lathe Tool holder 14. Hidden Line Toolpath 15. Pre-Selection Highlighting 16. Viewport Configuration Manager 17. Help

Show Geometry: When this button is depressed, all geometry in the currently selected coordinate systems and workgroups will be shown in the drawing window. When the button is raised, all geometry will be hidden from viewing. Show Dimensions: When this button is depressed, all dimensions in the currently visible workgroups will be shown in the drawing window. When the button is raised, all dimensions will be hidden from view. Show Solids: This button is very similar to the Show Geometry button, except that it affects solids and sheets. When turned on, all solids and sheets will be displayed in the Workspace. If off, all solids and sheets will not be displayed. This button does not affect the drawing of objects in the Body Bag. This button is available with any of the solids options Solids Import, 2.5D Solids and SolidSurfacer. Render/Wireframe: This button has four states that control the rendering of bodies. The f irst state is rendering all solids and sheets as wireframe objects. This wireframe state will be either edges or facets depending on the Wire Drawing preference. The second state renders bodies as hidden wireframe objects - the hidden edges are not shown. The third state renders the bodies but

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shows the edges of the bodies. The fourth state, which is the default, shows solids and sheets as normal rendered bodies. This button is available with any of the solids options. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Wireframe - Edges Wireframe - Facets Render Edges Render Solid & Edges Render Solid

Show Stock & Origin: When this button is on, the stock outline (the workspace) and origin will be drawn on the screen. This button provides the same function as the Show Stock & Origin option in the View menu. Show CS: This button controls the visibility of coordinate systems and the plane that f ills it. This button has four states, grid and plane, plane only, grid only and off. The default state, grid and plane, will show the CS grid and axis markers for the current coordinate system on the screen. Plane only will disable the grid but still show a shaded plane, representing the coordinate system. The grid only option shows the grid but not the plane. When off, the grid and plane are both hidden. The CS grid and plane will be drawn through the origin of the CS. Indicate Sheet Side: This button is for use with sheets. It differentiates between the outside and inside of a sheet by displaying them in different colors. The outside of the sheet will remain the standard blue that is assigned to all sheets, while the inside will be displayed in red. The outside of a sheet is the side from which the positive direction of the surface normal is projected. The other side of the surface normals are projected out from the inside of the sheet. The sheet side is important when performing such functions as offsetting sheets or solidifying sheets using either the offset or extrude option. This is due to the fact that sheets are offset or extruded in the positive direction of their surface normal. It is possible to toggle the inside and outside of a sheet, using the Toggle Sheet Side item in the Modify menu. This button is only available with the Solids Import or SolidSurfacer options. Wrap Geometry: When selected, geometry in the current workgroup at a depth other than Depth0 will be wrapped around a radius equal to the geometrys depth. This button is available if Rotary Milling is enabled. The Rotary Milling function provides continuous C axis rotation on milling operations, referred to as wrapping. When on, geometry is created and viewed radially, wrapped around the part. Geometry can be def ined using XZC coordinates, where X designates the radius or diameter. In order to create and view wrapped geometry, a rotary machine must be selected and the Workgroup must be def ined as Rotary Milling in the WG Info dialog. For more information see the Rotary Milling section of the Milling manual.
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Show Lathe Stock Cutaway: When rendering parts in the Lathe, Mill/Turn or Multi-Task Machining modules, there are three cutaway states for the stock cut part rendering. The three cutaway states are: No cutaway, 1/4 cutaway and 1/2 cutaway. Clicking on the button cycles through the three states. Face Selection: When this button is depressed, the system will be in face selection mode. When bodies or sheets are clicked on to be selected, only the face will be selected and not the entire body or sheet. This button is available with any of the solids options. Edge Selection: When the Edge Selection button is depressed, the edges of all sheets and bodies in the workspace will be displayed. These edges can be selected. An edge is the curve or spline between two faces. In order to select edges for such functions as blending, geometry extraction, body unstitching, etc., the user must be in Edge Selection mode. Also, when using the stitching function, Edge Selection mode is useful for viewing the external edges of a model. If an edge is double-clicked, the system will attempt to select an entire loop that contains the selected edge. This edge selection will stop when it has more than one good choice at a vertex. In some instances, it may take a few double-clicks on different edges to select an entire loop, but it is still much faster than attempting to select edges individually. This item is available with any of the solids packages. Profiler: The Prof iler is a moveable cross-section plane that is planar to the current CS and displays the parts cross section geometry dynamically as it is moved along the depth axis. The Prof ilers primary use is to set machining markers on a solid. The Prof iler may also be used to create geometry. Just select a green prof ile and use the Extract Geometry command and the system will create geometry for the prof ile. This item is available with any of the solids packages. Toolholder display: Turns the display of the tool holder on and off. For a tool holder or boring bar to be displayed, a tool holder must be def ined by the Lathe Tool Holder or Boring Bar selection or through the Milling Tool Holder Def inition dialog. The holder rendered will be identical to the holder selected in the Holder diagram. If None is selected for the holder type, then no holder will be rendered for that tool.

Toggle Hidden Line Toolpath: This is a mode for displaying the toolpath with hidden line removal activated. When on, any tool path that is behind solid objects in the model is not shown. Toggle Pre-Selection Highlighting: This mode highlights objects on the display as if they were selected whenever the cursor passes over them. The preselection face and edge colors, halo transparency and thickness can all be set by the user in preferences on the Color Tab. ViewPort Configuration Manager: See Multiple Viewport Manager (MVM) on page 23. Help on Item: This item is used to activate context sensitive online help. When you select this item the cursor switches to the Help cursor. When you click on an item in the interface with the Help cursor the

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Online Help will open and attempt to show you the help on that item or topic. As soon as you click on an item the cursor switches back to its normal state.

PROGRESS BAR
To the right of the Task Bar is the Progress Bar which includes a message display. The progress messages indicate the current function the system is performing and the Progress Bar gives the status of the function. The Stop button can be depressed to stop the current function. The current workgroup, coordinate system and Viewset are also displayed next to the Progress Bar.

COLORS
The system uses colors to graphically display different items drawn on the screen. All system colors may be customized in the Display Preferences. The default color scheme for geometry, toolpaths and rendering is listed below. Item Workspace Geometry White Green Yellow Dashed Yellow Light Blue Dashed Light Blue Red Gray Magenta Toolpaths Dark Blue Solid Orange Dashed Orange Dashed Gray Solid Gray Solids/Sheets Gray Yellow Blue Red Light Blue Green Rendering Blue Yellow Gray Red Color Prof ile Grid Unconnected Geometry or a terminating Point Unconnected Rapid Geometry Connected Geometry Connected Rapid Geometry Geometry designated as Air geometry for machining Geometry viewed as a background workgroup Geometry viewed in a background coordinate system Cut Shape; selected area of a shape to be machined Feed Move in Toolpath Rapid Move in Toolpath Rapid Move used for positioning moves and tool changes Approach Feed Move Solid Body Selected Body (solid or sheet) Stock; Selected Prof ile Fixture or negative depth side of a sheet Sheet or plane Deselected Prof iles Stock Rendering of selected operations and/or selected tools Rendering of unselected operations and/or unselected tools Tool Interference
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Meaning Wire frame view of the Part Stock and coordinate system markers

Interface

HOLE MANAGER
The Hole Manager draws an X at the top of the hole and a line leading to the drill point (the f inal depth), for each hole. The color of the line and X will vary depending on the hole type. Drill Green Tap Blue Ream Yellow Bolt Hole Magenta Spot Face Cyan Bore Brown Bore, Thru Dark Green Back Bore Dark Blue Compound White

CLIPBOARD
The Clipboard is used as a temporary storage space for geometry, solids, text, tools and process tiles. Using the Cut option from the Edit menu will delete whatever items are selected and place them in the clipboard. Any contents of the clipboard will be replaced at this time. Using Copy will perform the same action as Cut, but will not delete the selected item, and place a copy of the item in the clipboard. Choosing Paste can do two things. If something is selected, it will replace that selection with the contents of the Clipboard. If nothing is selected, the contents of the Clipboard will be pasted in either the drawing window or in an active text box depending on whether the Clipboard contains text or geometry. The Clipboard can only hold one selection at a time. This means that it can hold either text or geometry, but not both. If text is copied into a Clipboard holding geometry, the geometry in the Clipboard will be lost. Cut and paste is an easy way to move geometry between workgroups in the same part f ile. You can also move Geometry, Solids, Tool and Process tiles between parts. If you are Cutting and pasting items between GibbsCAM instances, they must be the exact same version for the paste to work. Items may be Cut, Copy and Pasted even after closing GibbsCAM and relaunching it. If you copy processes, the system will automatically recreate the tools that are associated with the processes. Please note that you may only copy workspace items (geometry & solids) or items in the Tool or Process list.

TRASH
The Trash is a graphical method for deleting on-screen objects such as tiles in a list, geometry or solids. There are two ways to use the Trash. The f irst method is to click the Trash button which will delete any active and selected item. Multiple elements may be selected, such as one or more tools, operations and geometry. Please note that only the currently active items will be deleted. Active items are usually found in the last selected window. The second method is to drag tiles to the Trash. The last deletion is undoable by selecting Undo from the Edit menu or by pressing Ctrl+Z.

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SHORTCUTS
Button Shortcuts: In some cases, buttons may be depressed by actions other than clicking on them. When a button has an outline around it or is highlighted, it can be selected by pressing the Enter or Return key.

Geometry Dialogs give the user a choice of single or multiple feature creation. To create only one feature (a circle, for example), click the single circle button. To create more than one circle, click the multiple circles button. One of the buttons will always be highlighted. The highlighted button can be depressed by clicking on it, pressing the space bar, the Enter key or the Return key. Pressing Shift+Enter will select the unhighlighted button. The Do It button is found in some dialogs, primarily those found in the Modify menu. It can be depressed by clicking on it or by pressing the Enter or Return keys.
Palette Shortcuts: There are some keyboard shortcuts for functions other than menu choices in the system.

Simply hit the appropriate number to activate the button.

Geometry Creation palette

Point sub-palette

Line sub-palette

Circle sub-palette

Auto-Shape sub-palette

Geometry From Solids sub-palette

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Shortcuts List: Selecting Shortcuts from the Help menu will open a dialog that contains all of the systems shortcuts. The shortcuts are organized by menu and function. Additionally, this data may be searched.

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USING THE SYSTEM

Using the System

CHAPTER 4 : Using the System

This section provides an overview of your GibbsCAM software. This includes launching the system, setting up parts, geometry creation, tool creation, process creation, operations, post processing and saving the part.

LAUNCHING THE SYSTEM

GibbsCAM products may be launched in several ways. 1. Launch the application through a desktop shortcut. The installer creates a desktop shortcut. This is the easiest way to start the software.

Figure 11: Using the Start Search feature in Windows Vista to start an application 2. Go through the Start menu to launch the application. Click on the Start menu, go to All Programs, then the GibbsCAM folder, then GibbsCAM v9.x. Click the mouse button again to launch the program. 3. Double-click a part f ile. Double-clicking a part f ile, or dragging a part to the application icon or shortcut that has a the GibbsCAM part icon associated with the system, will also launch the system. 4. Vista Search Bar. This is perhaps the easiest method if you are unable to locate the application shortcut. Open the Start menu and start typing the application name, for example gi, and a list of f iles and programs instantly appear that begin with those letters allowing you to select the exact item you are searching for.

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NEW, OPEN & IMPORT

Once the system is active, you need a part to work on. To do this, you may either create a new part, open an existing part or import a model to work on. Importing a model must be done in an open or new part. There are four ways to create a new part or open an existing part. From the File menu select New or Open. Click on the File menu and move the mouse to the New or Open options. Click the mouse again to choose New or Open. From the Document Control dialog click on the New or Open buttons. Open the Document Control dialog by clicking on the Document button in the Top Level palette. The top section of the Document Control dialog has buttons for creating a new part (New) or opening an existing part (Open).

Press Ctrl+N or Ctrl+O on the keyboard. Pressing Ctrl+N will create a new part. Pressing Ctrl+O will bring up the Open dialog. Learning the systems keyboard shortcuts can be a great time saver. Drag & Drop a file icon onto the application window or a desktop shortcut.

CREATING NEW PART FILES

When one of the three methods of creating a new part has been selected, a dialog will come up. This allows you to give the new f ile a name and select where it should be saved. Enter the name of the part in the File Name text box and navigate to where the f ile should be saved. Click on Save.

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Now that a new part f ile has been created, the part must be set up. The units of measurement, stock size, type of part and clearances must be set. This is accomplished through the Document Control dialog. Please see the Section entitled Setting Up A Part for information on this.

OPENING PARTS

When the Open command is selected, the Open dialog will appear. The initial location is My Documents or the directory that was last used when opening a part. This dialog is used to navigate to the f ile that you want to open. The dialog displays a picture of selected VNC f iles and provides some basic information about the part, such as its size and material. Once the f ile has been located, click on Open. This will bring the existing part and its settings into the Workspace.

The Open dialog will only display f iles of the type you tell it to look for. By default this setting is VNC f iles, the native f ile type for GibbsCAM f iles. To change the f ile type, click on the Files of type pull-down menu. This will display the types of f iles you may directly open. Please note that this changes with the options you have purchased. Optional ways of opening a part are: double-clicking a part f ile and dragging and dropping in the workspace or a shortcut icon.

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DEFAULT TYPE AND MDD PARTS

Default settings and prepared tool lists may be automatically applied when creating a new part. This includes information such as tools, processes, operations, geometry and custom stock. This capability works for Machine Types and MDDs. To enable Defaults for machine types or MDDs create a new part with the desired machine type or MDD with the tools, stock and other settings and choose File > Save as Default > Type Default Part or MDD Default Part. You can override these defaults by resaving the default type or MDD. Once a default is created, each time a new f ile is created it will have the very same data as the default f ile.

Switching Between Defaults

The default settings are determined by the current MDD selection in the Document Control dialog. Close any open part f iles and choose a machine type from the MDD list and create a new part to apply the defaults for a different MDD.

IMPORTING PART MODELS

Importing allows an existing parts to be added to a current part. The current part f ile may be new, with no tools or geometry or the part may be an existing part full of geometry, solids, tools and operations. Using the Import function is a good way to merge two similar parts or add f ixtures and jigs. To import a model into the part f ile click on the File > Import option in the Menu. The Import file dialog appears, allowing navigation to the f ile being imported. Choose the directory that the f ile is in and change the Files of type choice to the type of f ile that is being imported. When the f ile is shown in the list, double-click it or choose Open. This will bring the existing part and its settings into the Workspace.

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The Import dialog will only display f iles of the type you tell it to look for. To change the f ile type, click on the Files of type pull-down menu. This will display the types of f iles you may directly import. Please note that this changes with the options you have purchased.

When opening a solid model, you are given more choices on how to handle the part, including the type of machine, applying shrinkage or scaling and there are several options for handling the models topology. When importing the solid, only the topology options (Solidify, Remove Unneeded Topology and Simplify) are available. This is fully detailed in the SolidSurfacer manual.

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For some f ile types an additional dialog may come up before importing the part. This dialog allows you to specify what is to be imported and how it is to be grouped.

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SETTING UP A PART
Setting up a part refers to def ining the units of measurement and size of the part, the type of machine that will cut the part, the material the part will be made from and setting the parts clearances. All of this data is entered in or selected from the Document Control dialog. The Document Control dialog is accessed by clicking on the Document button in the Top Level palette. The Document Control dialog is actually two separate dialogs that work together. They may be moved separately but when closed and reopened, the lower will be paired with the upper. The lower dialog will change depending on whether a mill or a lathe is being used. The elements of the Document Control dialog are discussed on the following pages. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. File Control Machine Type pop-up menu Part Material Measurement Units Part / Stock dimensions Tool Change Position Master Clearance Position Tool Holder Basics Part Comment

Figure 12: The Document Control dialog set up for a mill part

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When a lathe part is being def ined the lower dialog will change to look like the following image. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Part / Stock dimensions X dimension style Tool Change Position Auto or Fixed Clearance Tool Holder Basics Part Comment

Figure 13: Lower part of the Document Control dialog set up for a lathe part File Control buttons: This set of buttons provides access to creating a new part, opening and closing an existing part and saving the current part. Additionally, there are options on how to save the part. The part may be saved under a different name or location by selecting Save As or a copy of the part may be saved using the Save Copy button. Save Copy will append copy to the f ile name so the original and copy may be saved in the same folder. When using the Save Copy option, parts may be saved to older versions of GibbsCAM. Select the version you wish to save the part as from the Save As Type pull-down menu. Machine: The Machine pull-down menu is a list of all available types of machines a part may be cut on. This may include 2- and 3-axis lathes and 3-, 4- or 5-axis mills, both horizontal and vertical. The actual contents of the menu will vary depending on the options installed. Select the type of machine that will be used to cut your part. Part Material: The material the part will be cut from may be selected here. This is a database of materials and recommended cut speeds and feeds for each entry. Additional entries may be added and all entries may be edited. A full description of materials can be found in the Common Reference manual. Measurement Units: Select whether the part will be def ined in inches or millimeters. This setting may be changed at anytime but any existing geometry, tools and operations will have to be updated to match the change. Please note that solids will automatically scale to match the part. This does not affect posted data as post processors are either inch or metric and will convert values as needed. Additionally, solids and sheets are not affected by changing the measurement units.

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Use Global Settings for Solids: This option allows you to set default values for machining processes involving solids. Part Rough/Finish Tolerance: This tolerance value is applied to stock and is the general tolerance value used on toolpath. The Rough or Finish tolerance is set on the Solids tab of a machining process. Fixture Tolerance: This tolerance value is used when the toolpath encounters a body designated as a f ixture. This value is applied to the Fixture Clearance value. Fixture Clearance: When toolpath encounters a f ixture body the toolpath will be offset from the f ixture by this amount. Part Dimensions: This set of dialog boxes is used to def ine the size of the workspace and the default stock size. The part origin is designated by a coordinate system marker. For Mill parts, any positive or negative value is valid, but the +X, +Y and +Z values must always be greater than the X, Y and Z values. The parts origin will always be at X0 Y0 Z0. For Lathe parts, any positive or negative value is valid but the +Z values must always be greater than the Z value. The size entered here will be used to determine positioning moves when using the Auto Clearance function. The text box for the X dimension will be a Radius or Diameter depending on which setting is selected for the X Dimension Style.

Mill stock

Lathe stock

X Dimension Style: This option is found when def ining a lathe. This set of radio buttons determines whether the X values for the part are input as radii or diameters. Some text boxes specify that the value is either a radius or diameter regardless of the selection made here. Tool Change Position - Mill: Activating this checkbox will force the spindle to go to the X and Y dimensions specif ied. This option is used on milling machines without automatic tool changers. It is also useful when the table must be moved to avoid interference during a tool change from a tall part, f ixtures, or if a rotary table is being used. Tool Change - Lathe: If the Tool Change option is turned on, the turret will be sent to the X and Z dimensions specif ied when a tool change occurs. If this option is not enabled the system will send the turret to the home position or the operator will hand-input the tool change moves. Clearance Plane - Mill: This value is used as a master clearance plane for the part. This is the position the tool will rapid to and from before and after a tool change. Additionally, a tool can retract to this position between holes for drilling operations if specif ied to do so in a drilling process. This clearance plane is also used for
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multiple parts in the posted output. Please see the appropriate manual for more information on clearance positioning. Clearance Plane - Lathe: When Auto Clearance is on, the system will calculate positioning moves between operations. The position will change dynamically with the material condition. The value entered is the distance that will be maintained for proper clearance from the part. When Auto Clearance is off, f ixed clearance positions must be entered. The X and Z values specify the location the tool will rapid to and from during a tool change. The position is also used when moving from one approach type to another. Tool Holder Basics: When def ining a Mill setup you should specify the tool holders back end class. e.g. CAT 40, DIN69871 Taper 30 or HSK50A. Lathe parts ask for the Mill back end holder as well as the shank size. Comment: Any text entered as a part comment will be shown in the part preview of the Open dialog and will appear in posted output.

GEOMETRY CREATION
ABOUT GEOMETRY
The basis of having a part to cut is a model. Creating geometry is essential to having a model. If you do not have a model to import, then the model must be created. Additionally, modif ications often need to be applied to models that are imported so they can be machined. The creation and modif ication of models often begins with creating geometry. Geometry consists of points, lines, circles and curves or splines that are created in the Workspace. The creation and modif ication of geometry is done through a single palette, the Geometry Creation palette. The Geometry Creation palette has seven buttons that lead to sub-palettes for creating geometry, one button that connects and disconnects geometry and one button that leads to a dialogthe Geometry Expert. Each sub-palette will have a set of buttons that lead to a dialog or function. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Figure 14: The Geometry Creation palette Geometry is essential to machining a part. Without it, there is nothing to machine unless you have the SolidSurfacer option. Points are used for drilling, tapping and thread milling. Lines and circles are used for roughing, pocketing and contouring. Geometry may be created in four ways: text input through a dialog, copied and pasted from existing geometry, drawn by hand with a mouse or a digitizing tablet (only lines and points may be created by hand; all other features require interaction with a dialog). Lastly, geometry may be imported from a f ile. Points button Lines button Circles button AutoShapes button Splines button Chamfer/Fillet Geo From Solids Connect/Disconnect Geometry Expert

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Geometric features may be combined into complex shapes. These shapes may be open or closed shapes. A closed shape is a shape that has no discernible end, such as a rectangle. An open shape has ends and does not connect to itself. An example is three sides of a rectangle or a line connected to an arc.

Figure 15: An example of a closed shape and an open shape To connect two features, such as a line and a circle, a point must be created where the features intersect. The point is referred to as a connector. Points are also referred to as terminators, or terminating points in some cases. The points at the ends of an open shape are referred to as terminators.

CREATING GEOMETRY
As stated earlier, geometry can be created in several ways, including by hand and through dialogs. Here we will discuss the most common method of creating geometrythrough dialogs. There are three basic types of dialog input for geometry. First is the entry of specif ic coordinates in text boxes. Second is the selection of a specif ic feature to be used as a reference, such as tangent to a circle or a point. Third is specifying the dimensions and location of a f inal shape, such as a rectangle.

Figure 16: The three basic types of geometry dialogs Once a dialog has enough information to create the type of feature specif ied, the Do It or single feature button will become available. Click on the button or hit Enter on your keyboard to create the feature. Shape dialogs will remain open after a feature is created while the palette will return to the Geometry Creation palette unless the multiple feature button is clicked. An unseen function of the Geometry Creation palette is its ability to create geometry without having data entered into dialogs. If geometry in the Workspace is selected and provides enough information to def ine a feature, clicking on that feature in the geometry creation palette will open the appropriate creation dialog. For

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example, selecting three points in the Workspace and clicking on the Circle button in the Geometry Creation dialog will open the Three Features Circle sub-palette with all of the data loaded and ready to be created.

Connecting Geometry
The following f igure illustrates how geometry is connected. To begin with there are just two unconnected lines, one vertical, one horizontal. Both lines are unterminated. A connecting point is then added by clicking on the Connect/Disconnect button, and the lines are still unterminated but connected. A circle is then added. In the fourth image, a connecting point is added to connect the circle to the horizontal line. The circle is then connected to the vertical line and a closed shape is created. A closed shape has no start or end point and effectively creates a loop of some shape. In the sixth image, the vertical line is deleted and the connecting points are changed to terminating points by clicking on the Connect/Disconnect button.

Figure 17: Example of Connecting and Terminating Geometry

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WORKGROUPS
Workgroups are separate layers used to separate different groups of geometry, including custom stock. This can be of great help in keeping the Workspace uncluttered. While the geometry for more than one workgroup may be viewed, only the geometry in the current workgroup may be modif ied. All geometry created will be in the current workgroup. Geometry in background workgroups will be colored gray and cannot be selected.

Level 1 Interface
Workgroups are accessed through the Geometry Creation palette. There are two buttons on the top right-hand corner of the palette. The left button opens the workgroup list, and the right button brings up a menu of the workgroups to quickly switch the current workgroup

Level 2 Interface
Workgroups are accessed by the Top Level palette. The top right button will open the Workgroup list. A right-click will bring up a contextual menu. The menu is a list of the workgroups to quickly switch the current workgroup.

Workgroup List
The Workgroup list provides access to controlling the workgroups. When a new part is made, there is only one workgroup in the list. Additional workgroups are created by clicking on New WG. The current workgroup is highlighted in yellow. The eyes on the left side of the list show and hide the workgroups. Clicking on a column title will sort the workgroup display.

Right-clicking on the workgroup title bar or a workgroup entry in the list opens the context menu shown on the right. The WG info choice opens a dialog that allows you to specify the behavior of geometry in this workgroup. Geometry may help def ine a part or it may be used as a stock shape. When used as a stock shape, the shape can be used as the starting stock condition in Cut Part Rendering. The stock shape can also be used in machining

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operations to adjust the toolpath according to the amount of material to be removed based on the stock shape. Mill parts may be revolved or extruded.

Figure 18: Mill and Lathe Workgroup Info dialogs

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COORDINATE SYSTEMS
A coordinate system is a plane in space with an origin and three axes. Examples of different coordinate systems are the XY, XZ and YZ planes. In addition to these primary planes, there are a limitless amount of other planes that may be def ined. Geometry can be def ined using these other planes with the Advanced CS module. The following image is an example of three different coordinate systems. The circle in each coordinate system is at the same horizontal, vertical and depth position relative to each coordinate system.

Geometry is not contained in a coordinate system the way it is with workgroups. The coordinate system used to def ine geometry can be thought of as an attribute of the geometry and its orientation to the rest of the part. Geometry can be moved in and out of coordinate systems as needed. Coordinate systems are used for 3D geometry creation, rotary part orientation for machining, multiple work f ixture offsets and as a basis for solid modeling. Fully understanding coordinate systems is vital to using the Advanced CS and SolidSurfacer modules. Coordinate systems are only available in the Level 2 interface.

Coordinate System List

Similar to the Workgroup list is the Coordinate System list. The Coordinate System list provides access to controlling the coordinate systems. When a new part is made there is only one coordinate system in the list, the XY plane for mill parts and the XZ plane for lathe parts. Additional coordinate systems are created by clicking on New CS. The current coordinate system is highlighted. The eyes on the left side of the list show and hide the coordinate systems. The name of the CS may be changed by clicking on the entry in the Comment column. The CS list also contains entries for specifying which spindle the CS is assigned to (MTM only) and specifying which Work Fixture Offset the CS maps to (requires Advanced CS). Clicking on column title will sort the CS list.

Coordinate System Palette

When a coordinate system is created, it is automatically made to be identical to the current coordinate system. The coordinate system palette allows you to redef ine the new coordinate systems orientation, change its origin, toggle its depth axis or quickly align it to one of the primary planes.

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CREATION OF 3D BODIES
Three dimensional bodies, either solid bodies or sheet bodies, may be used in addition to or in place of geometry for a part model. The process of solid modeling involves using graphically disjunct objects (solids and sheets) and combining, modifying and manipulating them to create the f inal part model. The process of solid modeling starts with the creation of a simple body referred to as an atomic or primitive body. Examples of an atomic body include a sphere, a cube, a revolved or extruded 2D shape, etc. The basic operations, often referred to as Boolean operations, are to add, subtract or intersect these simple bodies to create a new, distinct body. Each time a Boolean operation is performed the result is always a single object. In this way, solid modeling allows the user to work with single objects rather than hundreds of surfaces. Solid modeling capabilities are accessed through the Solid Modeling button in the Top Level palette. Clicking this button brings up a palette that contains the basic Boolean functions and buttons to open the two solids sub-palettes. The two sub-palettes are the Create Body palette and the Advanced Modeling palette. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Create Body Advanced Models Slice Swap Replace Add Subtract Intersection Separate

The solids sub-palettes provide access to the creation of primitive solid bodies and the modif ication of primitive bodies. A primitive body is an original solid, created from a geometry prof ile or text input in a dialog describing the solid. Primitive bodies are the basis for creating solid models. The functions to create a primitive solid are found in the Create Body palette. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Sphere Cuboid Extrude Revolve Loft Sweep Solidify

The Advanced Solid Modeling palette provides access to non-basic Boolean functions that may be applied to bodies. This includes rounding corners and offsetting or shelling a body. 1. 2. 3. 4. Offset/Shell Round Corner Unstitch Body/Heal Draft

Surfaces can also be created by the 3D modeler. The modeler creates an object called a sheet. A sheet is similar to a solid body in that it is made up of faces. A face is a single surface. However, a sheet does not have any
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volume the way a solid does. A sheet is only made up of faces, whereas a solid is composed of the faces as well as the space enclosed by the faces. One way to think of it is that a sheet is similar to an inf initely thin gauge balloon while a solid body is more like a bowling ball. 1. Plane 2. Revolve 3. Loft 4. Coons Patch 5. Sweep 6. Sheet From Face 7. Trim / Un-Trim 8. Stitch 9. Unstitch 10. Untrim & Extend Surface

CREATING SOLIDS SAMPLE

The following three images show a very simple example of making a solid beyond primitive bodies. In the f irst image we have a simple cube made from the Cuboid button in the Create Body palette. The second image shows four primitive bodies, two spheres and two tapered extrusions. The spheres were created from the Sphere button (also found in the Create Body palette). The tapered extrusions were created from the Extrude button in the Create Body palette along with selected geometry. The selected geometry provided the f illeted corner shape to apply the extrusion to. The third image shows the result of subtracting the spheres and extrusions from the cuboid. The Subtraction button found in the Solid Modeling palette was used for this operation.

Figure 19: Example of making a solid model beyond primitive bodies.

WORKGROUPS & COORDINATE SYSTEMS

Solids and sheets are not contained in workgroups. They are either drawn in the Workspace or placed in the Body Bag. The Body Bag is a small window where bodies are stored to minimize clutter. Bodies are assigned a coordinate system based on the current CS when the body was created. Some of the modeling functions such as extrusions and revolved bodies are CS-specif ic, meaning that the current coordinate system is used to create the body. Other modeling functions, such as lofting, are not dependent on the current CS.

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TOOL CREATION
Depressing the Tool List button in the Top Level palette will bring up the Tool List. The Tool List can hold up to 999 tools in a part f ile. Double-clicking on a tile will bring up a Tool Creation dialog. This dialog is used to create and modify tools. Once the tool information has been entered and the dialog closed, a Tool tile will be created which displays the tool type and tool diameter. To create more tools, click on a new, empty tile. Clicking on another tile while a tool dialog is open will close the current tool dialog, saving your changes. To index through the various tools that have been created, click on the scroll arrows located at the top and bottom of the Tool List. Tools can be reorganized in the list at any time, even after operations have been created, without reprocessing the operations. To reorganize the order of tools, click once on the Tool tile to be moved and drag it to an insertion point. The system will automatically adjust the operations to reflect the change in tool order and number. For more information on Tile Lists refer to the Interface chapter. Tool specif ications can be modif ied at any point during part creation. However, if operations have been created using the tool, those operations must be reprocessed. To reprocess an operation, double-click on the Operation tile in the Operation List, and click on the Redo button. The new tool specif ications will be incorporated into the new operation toolpath.

QUICK HOW-TO (TOOL CREATION)

Def ining a tool is easy. Simply follow these steps. 1. Double-click on a tile in the Tool List.

2. Select the tool type from the matrix of buttons. 3. Def ine the tools size through text entry or pull-down menus. 4. Specify the tools material, spindle direction and offset. 5. Specify the tools orientation (if needed) and enter a comment if desired. 6. Close the dialog or double-click on another tile (empty or full) to save the tool.

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TOOL CREATION DIALOGS

All Tool Creation dialogs have some common elements, including a matrix of tool types, a graphic of the tool, a method to specify the tools dimensions and material, spindle direction and offset settings. Additionally, all of the Tool dialogs have a Comment box. This comment will be output in the f inished code at the beginning of every operation that uses the tool. A picture of each of the various Tool Creation dialogs follows. In addition to the elements common to the Tool Creation dialogs, the Mill Tool dialog has an Options checkbox and a Cutter Comp. Offset # entry. The Options checkbox allows the user to set up a tapered or custom shape tool, known as a form tool. This is fully described in the Mill manual. 1. Tool Type 2. Tool Diagram 3. Spindle Direction 4. Holder Diagram 5. Holder Specifications 6. Tool ID # 7. Tool Material 8. Tool Length Offset 9. CRC Offset 10. Tool Comment

Figure 20: Mill Tool Creation dialog

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The Lathe Tool Creation dialog has numerous options to describe an insert. In addition to the elements common to the Tool Creation dialogs, the Lathe Tool dialog has an Other checkbox, a button to switch back and forth between mill & lathe tools, and a diagram to specify the inserts orientation. The Other checkbox allows the user to set up a custom insert. The Lathe Tool Creation dialog is fully described in the Lathe manual. 1. Tool Type Toggle 2. Insert Type 3. Insert Specifications 4. Insert Orientation 5. Holder Diagram 6. Holder Specifications 7. Spindle Direction 8. Tool Offset 9. Tool ID # 10. Tool Material 11. Tool Comment 12. Turret Shift

Figure 21: Lathe Tool Creation dialog

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The Mill/Turn and Multi-Task Machining options slightly modify the Mill Tool dialog, adding several elements from the Lathe Tool dialog and a Tool Orientation Diagram. The Tool Orientation Diagram allows the tools axis of approach as well as the face to be cut to be specif ied. 1. Tool Type 2. Tool Orientation 3. Turret Shift

Figure 22: Mill/Turn Tool Creation dialog

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MAKING OPERATIONS
A single operation consists of toolpath, clearances, tool information, feeds & speeds, and coolant choices. It is a visualization of G-code and will be used as the source of the G-code sent to a CNC. Operations are made from processes. A process is the combination of a tool and a machining function (roughing, contouring, drilling) applied to geometry or solids. A process is the core of an operation and is used to specify all of the operations settings. The image below displays the components of an operation or set of operations including the components needed to make the operations. The f irst step to making operations is to have the part model def ined and a list of tools to cut the part. The second step is to click on the Machining button in the Top Level palette to open the Machining palette, Process List and Operation List. The third step is to combine a Tool tile with a Function tile in the Process List. This will open a window to set the operations parameters. The fourth step is to select the geometry or solid that is to be machined and click on Do It in the Machining palette. This will create the toolpath for an operation. Repeat this process until the part is complete. Then run Cut Part Rendering to check the part. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Geometry Toolpath Machining palette Tools Processes Operations

Figure 23: The components of operations.

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QUICK HOW-TO (OPERATION CREATION)

1. A model must be present and tools must be def ined. 2. Click on the Machining button. 3. Combine a tool tile with a machining function in the Process List. 4. Select the geometry or solid to be machined and click on Do It to generate toolpath. Repeat as needed. 5. Run Cut Part Rendering to visually inspect your work.

MACHINING BUTTON
The Process List, Operations List and Machining palette must be open to create operations. These are opened by clicking on the Machining button in the Top Level palette. Additionally, there must be a model of the part to be machined. This may be either geometry or solids. Lastly, there must be tools in the Tool List. The Machining palette will have different tiles depending on the type of part being made. A Lathe part will open a Machining palette with Contouring, Roughing, Threading and Drilling tiles. A Mill part will open a Machining palette with Drilling, Contouring, Pocketing, and Threading tiles. If SolidSurfacer is installed on your system, there will also be a Surfacing tile and local stock def inition buttons in the Mill Machining palette.

Figure 24: The Lathe Machining palette and the Mill Machining palette

Mill/Turn Machining palette

The Mill/Turn palette has two buttons at the top of the dialog next to the Close box. These buttons toggle the Machining palette back and forth between the Lathe and Mill Machining palettes, providing access to both types of machining in one palette.

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PROCESSES
A process is def ined by a tool and a machining function. To create a process, one tool and one Function tile must be placed on a tile in the Process List. Simply click and drag one of each to the Process List, dropping the tiles in the same position.

1. Tool List 2. Process List 3. CAM palette

A process is created as soon as there is one tool and one machining function in the same tile. The tile will show the icon selected from the Machining palette and the number of the tool placed on the tile.

Once these item are placed in the same tile location, the appropriate Process dialog will open. The actual Process dialog will be vary depending on the type of machining function chosen. Roughing, Contouring,

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Drilling, Threading and Surfacing Process dialogs are different from each other, with many common elements such as the Entry/Exit Diagram. These dialogs are fully detailed in the Mill and Lathe manuals.

Figure 25: Lathe and Mill Process dialogs Once the Process dialog is open, simply enter the desired parameters, select the geometry or solid to be machined and click on Do It in the Machining palette. This will generate one or more operations and toolpath.

Figure 26: A process, selected geometry, and the results of clicking the Do It button.

OPERATIONS
Operations contain f inished toolpath. The toolpath consists of the actual moves the tool will make to cut a part, a visualization of the G-code to be output. Double-clicking an operation in the Operation List will recreate the Process tiles that were in the Process List when the operation was created. This allows for the modif ication of an operation.
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Operation tiles can not be moved away from the Operation List. They can be sorted and reordered. To edit an operations process information, double-click on the operation and it will be loaded back to the Process List. Clicking the Redo button will update the changes. The Operation tiles have a contextual menu, accessed by right-clicking on a tile. Modif ications may be made to the tiles location in the list, a search may be performed or changes may be made to the actual toolpath. This includes changing speeds at specif ic points in the toolpath, accessing the tool used for the operation, converting the toolpath to geometry and locking data in the operation. Locking data and changing specif ic information about an operation can be accomplished using the Operation Data dialog. The Operation Data dialog allows for overrides of certain items such as speeds and entry/exit settings. More importantly is text that can be output in the G-code that is operation-specif ic and the ability to lock values by clicking on the padlock icons. If the part is opened on another machine with different speed and feed data the original settings will not be unintentionally overwritten. Unlocking these settings will allow changes to the operation.

Figure 27: The Operation Data dialog

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CUT PART RENDERING

Cut Part Rendering is the process of running a visual inspection of the operations youve created. Cut Part Rendering steps through each operation, displaying the movement made by each tool as it cuts the part. Once you have one or more operations you can render the part for a visual inspection. This can be very helpful in catching any errors in the toolpath. Cut Part Rendering is accessed by clicking on the Cut Part Rendering button in the Top Level palette. Once the Cut Part Rendering button is clicked, the stock diagram will change to a 3-dimensional solid image. Without custom stock def ined, mill parts will be displayed as a cube the same size as the Workspace. Lathe parts will be displayed as a cylinder the same size as the Workspace with a wedge missing. This allows you to see interior work. Also opened by clicking on the Cut Part Rendering button is the Cut Part Rendering palette. The Cut Part Rendering palette provides control over Cut Part Rendering. The controls are very similar to a DVD player. Clicking on Play will begin Cut Part Rendering. Clicking on Step Forward moves the rendering forward to the next tool position. The Next Operation button skips the rendering forward to the next operation and the Rewind button starts rendering over from the beginning. The Throttle Control slider controls how fast the rendering is being played. 1. Rewind 2. Stop 3. Step Forward 4. Play 5. Next Operation 6. Operations Box 7. Invisible Tool 8. Transparent Tool 9. Visible Tool 10. Throttle control Figure 28: The Cut Part Rendering Palette The remaining buttons specify how to display the tool. The tool may be hidden, shown as transparent or fully shown. Hiding the tool allows the system to run rendering faster. The Visible Tool setting is the slowest but most realistic setting.

Figure 29: Examples of the tool display when rendering: Invisible, Transparent and Visible. Once the Cut Part Rendering palette is open and the tool display is chosen, you should render the part. Simply click on Play. The rendering will begin to work its way through all the operations in the Operation List. Any
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operation that is selected will be rendered in yellow. You will f ind this useful for isolating operations that are in question.

Click the play button below to see a video of the entire part creation process.

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POST PROCESSING
After operations to machine the part are created and verif ied, the f ile needs to be post processed. Post Processing creates a text f ile (NC Program) that can be transferred to the machine control, from a part f ile (a VNC f ile). Post Processors specif ic to particular machine controls are used to create the text f ile from the VNC f ile. This is all accomplished in the Post Processor dialog. The Post Processor dialog is accessed by clicking on the Post Processor button in the Top Level palette. Posting a part is very easy. Once the dialog is open, simply select a Post Processor to use, give the posted GCode a name, set any parameters desired and click on Process. Once the G-code is written, you can send the output to the control. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Post Processor Selection Program Name Communications Text Window Output Multiple Parts

Figure 30: The Post Processor dialog

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POSTING STEP-BY-STEP
The following set of instructions will walk you through Post Processing a part f ile. The first time you use a version of GibbsCAM you should set your posting preferences. The Post Processor Comments preference allows you to specify comment data that is output in the NCF file generated by the system. If an item is checked, that data will be output. This dialog can be found in the File menu under Preferences. This only needs to be done the first time you use a version but you can change it for each program if that is your choice.

Select a post processor. Clicking on the Post Processor Selection button will bring up an Open dialog. Navigate to where you keep your Post Processors, select the f ile and click on Open. That sets the post selection for the part.

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Name the program. Clicking on the Program Name button will bring up a Save dialog. Navigate to where you keep your posted output f iles, name the f ile and click on Save. That creates a NCF f ile for the code that is to be generated.

Set any desired output options. There are a number of options you may set in the Output and Multiple Parts sections of the Post Processor dialog. You may specify the number of parts being created, use work f ixture offsets or a specif ic spacing as well as post only certain operations, output or suppress comments and insert optional stops.

Open the Text window. If you have not specif ied a Post Editor to use for the output from the Plug-Ins menu and wish to view the code, open the Text window by clicking on the Text window button. This is only to view the posted code as

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it is being generated. If you have selected a Post Editor or do not wish to view the code as it is being generated, you may skip this step.

Click on Process. Clicking on Process will generate the code to be sent to the control. If you have selected a Post Editor to use from the Plug-Ins menu, the code will be displayed in the application after it is generated. This may take a few minutes for large programs, so do not be surprised if the application does not open immediately.

Save the file.

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Once the code is generated, save the f ile by clicking on Save or use the Save option from the File menu of the Post Editor application you have selected.

Send the file to the control. Once the code is generated you may send the NCF f ile to the control if you have set your Communication preferences. Click on the Communication button to open the Communication window. The name of the NCF f ile you have saved should be visible next to the Program button. Click on Send to send the posted output to the control. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Send File Receive File Program Selection Control Selection Send/Receive/Stop Progress Bar

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The Com Set-Up preference allows you to specify how communications are handled to individual controls. An entry should be made for each type of control in the shop. The name may be anythingthe model of the control, the name of the machine or anything else.

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Appendix

CHAPTER 5 : Appendix
GLOSSARY
This glossary is intended to provide clarif ications on terms and their usage throughout the GibbsCAM manuals. Some of the terms may, at f irst glance, appear common to the industry but may have specif ic meaning to GibbsCAM products. 2.5D Solids Advanced CS The 2.5D Solids module allows you to import and modify or create solid models. The models may be pocketed and contoured without the use of geometry. The Advanced CS module extends the capabilities of the Production Mill module. Advanced CS provides for the creation of multiple coordinate systems for creating and machining geometry. Capabilities include 3D geometry, 4th- and 5th-axis rotary positioning, tombstone machining and/or work f ixture offsets. A body is a term used for solid and sheet objects created by the system Each body is a single object composed of faces and the area enclosed by the faces. Bodies are used as the building blocks for creating part models. A closed shape is a set of geometry that does not have a discernible start or end point. The shape is a loop. A coordinate system (CS) is a plane in space with an origin and three axes. The axes are the horizontal, vertical and depth axes. The standard coordinate system is the XY plane (milling) or the ZX plane (turning). The XY planes axes are the X (horizontal), Y (vertical) and the Z (depth) axis. Other standard coordinate systems are the XZ and YZ planes. Nonstandard CSs are def ined using horizontal, vertical and depth axes and labelled as HVD. An edge is a curve or line between two faces. A body must have two faces connected at every edge. A face is one surface of a body or sheet. Faces are surfaces that have knowledge of the surfaces that surround them. For example, one side of a cube would be considered a face. Each face is bounded by loops. A simple face is surrounded by one loop. Geometry Expert is a means of creating connected geometry through an interface that is similar to a spreadsheet. Term referring to entering a value for a single axis (X, Y, Z, etc.) when creating geometry using Geometry Expert. Geometry Expert may only need the dimension of a single axis to create a feature due to existing tangencies. There are three lists in the GibbsCAM software. There is the Tool List, Process List and Operation List. The Tool List contains all of the tools used to machine the current part. The Process List contains temporary data that is used to def ine operations. The Operation List contains f inal operations that machine a part. A loop is a series of connected edges that outline a face. Machining Markers are used when creating mill contour or lathe operations. the Machining Markers specify start and end points, climb or conventional cutting and the side of the geometry to cut. (Machine Def inition Document) The term MDD is used to describe the machine type used on the current part. Each item in the Document Control dialogs Machine Type menu is a separate MDD. MDDs include 3-, 4- and 5-axis mills and 2- or 3-axis lathes.

Body

Closed Shape Coordinate System

Edge Face

Geometry Expert Half Point

List

Loop Machining Markers MDD

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Modeling

Modeling is the process of def ining a parts shape and dimensions on a computer. Common types of modeling include wireframe modeling (both 2D and 3D), surface modeling and solid modeling. Solid Modeling is the method of def ining a part as a solid object rather than as a wireframe or collection of surfaces. The Multi-Task Machining (MTM) module extends the capabilities of the Production Lathe module. MTM supports programming machines with multiple spindles and multiple turrets. An open shape is a set of geometry that is not fully connected. There is a def inite start and end point to the shape. The open shape may or may not be terminated. The origin is the center of a coordinate system. The origins location is H0, V0, D0. It is where the axes meet. Production refers to basic 2D GibbsCAM functionality, generally on a module basis. For example, both the Mill and Lathe modules are Production modules. Additionally, the Geometry Creation manual would be referred to as a Production manual. A sheet is the term used for surfaces created or imported by the system. A sheet is an object composed of faces, but a sheet has no volume or thickness. It is only composed of its own faces. Solids Import is a module that allows a user to import a solid model and perform simple modif ications to the model including geometry extraction. All machining operations are performed upon extracted geometry. SolidSurfacer is the segment of the GibbsCAM product which provides 3D solid model creation and the direct machining of 3D solids and sheets. The SolidSurfacer module requires the Advanced CS module. A tile is an entry in a list. There are Tool tiles, Process tiles and Operation tiles. Doubleclick a tile to access the contents or set the tiles parameters. Utility Markers are manual overrides of the feed rates and other facets of operations. Typically they are used to lower the feed rate when entering a corner and speed up again once leaving a corner. A vertex is the common endpoint of two edges. A workgroup can be thought of as a layer that separates groups of geometry. This helps keep the Workspace uncluttered. Workgroups may also be used to def ine custom stock based on the geometry in them.

Multi-Task Machining Open Shape Origin Production

Sheet

Solids Import

SolidSurfacer

Tile Utility Markers

Vertex Workgroup

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FAQ (FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS)

How do I eliminate empty spaces in a list? Using a Shift+double-click on the empty space will clear the space. Shift+double-clicking on a tile number will insert a space. My entire screen just went black and I can't see any geometry. What happened and how do I fix this? In all likelihood, you accidentally zoomed in on the part using a mouse drag. There are three ways to f ix this. 1. Select Unzoom from the View menu. 2. Select Unzoom from the View Control palette. 3. Press Ctrl+U. Why cant I access posting? Operations must be created before accessing Post dialogs. If you need to get to the Post dialog before creating your part, make a dummy operation (such as drilling a point). This can be done very quickly and may be deleted later. I can't drop my Operation tiles on my Process List. Where are they? Operation tiles can not be moved away from the Operation List. They can be sorted and reordered. To edit an operations process information, double-click on the operation and it will be loaded to the Process List. The Chamfer Radius button is not working! Turn on labels (Ctrl+L) to identify possible overlapping points. You may also have input an edgebreak value that is too large. When I draw an element, it does not appear Elements drawn outside of the stock boundary described in the Document Control dialog may not always be visible. Try zooming out or increasing stock size. Using the Shrink Wrap command (Ctrl+) will automatically adjust the stock to f it all geometry. GibbsCAM has become corrupted and will not restart! Installed in the same folder as the GibbsCAM software is an application named Recovery.exe. Instead of having to reinstall GibbsCAM, try running the Recovery.exe application. This should repair most damage done to GibbsCAM. It is also possible that Windows caused a corrupted process that was not fully able to close. Using the Windows Task Manager (Ctrl+Alt+Delete) you can verify that GibbsCAM (virtual.exe) is not still running. If the process is still in the list you may try to End Process and if this fails you may need to reboot your system. Where do I install my hardware key? Keys should be inserted into any USB port in the computer or connected USB hub.
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