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MASTER CAM DESIGN
ENTERING DATA
When Mastercam prompts for data entry such as a value for height, width, radius, or angle, you can takeone of the following actions. These actions apply to both the prompt area and dialog box fields.¨ Press either mouse button or press [Enter] to accept the displayed value.¨ Type the data directly into the text box, then press [Enter].¨ Type the letter of a shortcut method, then press [Enter].Notes:¨ Mastercam remembers the previous XYZ coordinates that you entered. To use these values again,press [Enter] instead of entering a value for each of the coordinates.¨ Mastercam accepts formulas as well as numbers. You can use addition [+], subtraction [-],multiplication [*], division [/], and parentheses [( )]. Use ordinary algebraic notation [i.e., x1+2/3y(1-6*.025)/8z-1/2].¨ Wherever Mastercam accepts real numbers and formulas, you can enter an angle value indegrees/minutes/seconds or gradians/radians formats. Use the following data entry tokens, always placingthe token after the numeral:degrees=dminutes = ‘seconds = "gradians = gradians = r¨ When prompted for a real value (a length, a distance, or an angle) at the prompt line, you can usethe up and down arrow keys to display previously entered values.
Data entry shortcuts
Data entry shortcuts let you enter data that you gather from the graphics area into the prompt area or anytext box that asks for a real (or decimal) number. To use a data entry shortcut, enter the letter of theshortcut method, then click the point that you want in the graphics window.The shortcuts appear next to the prompt area as shown below. Clicking right in a text box displays a quickreference of the shortcuts and their meanings.X X coordinate value for a selected point. Press [X] then choose the point whose X coordinate youwant to use.
2Y Y coordinate value for a selected point. Press [Y] then choose the point whose Y coordinate youwant to use.Z Z coordinate value for a selected point. Press [Z] then choose the point whose Z coordinate youwant to use.R Radius of a selected arc. Press [R] then select the arc whose radius you want to use, or select aradius dimension.D Diameter of a selected arc. Press [D] then select the arc whose diameter you want to use, or selecta diameter dimension.L Length of a line, arc, or spline. Press [L] then select the entity whose length you want to use. Othermethods for entering a length: select a linear format dimension, a witness line, or the distance betweentwo witness lines; select text to enter text height as a length measurement.S Distance between two points. Press [S] then select the two points.A Angle. Displays the Angle menu which provides options for defining an angle value.? Displays the quick reference to the data entry shortcuts. In a text box that accepts a real (decimal)number, right-click to display the quick reference.Defining angle values for data entry1 LineUses the angle of a single line that you select. Mastercam calculates the angle in a counterclockwisedirection from the horizontal line of the current Cplane.1 line also lets you select an angular dimension to obtain an angle value.2 LinesUses the angle formed by two lines that you select. Mastercam calculates the angle in a counterclockwisedirection from the first selected line to the second selected line.P ts ( 2 or 3 )Enter two or three points to determine an angle. Enter two points, then press [Esc] to calculate the angle of the line that runs between the two points in a counterclockwise direction from the horizontal axis of thecurrent Cplane. When entering three points, the first point becomes the pivot point (equivalent to an arccenter), and the next two points define an angular distance.Arc sweepAn arc sweep is the distance in degrees from the start angle to its end angle. The system prompts you toselect the arc whose sweep angle you want to use.ValueLets you type a value for an angle. Values are in decimal degrees by default, but can be entered indegree/minute/seconds format or gradians/radians format. Use the following data entry tokens, alwaysplacing the token after the numeral:degrees=dminutes = ‘seconds = "gradians = gradians = rExamples:25d11’5" 25g 200r
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POINT ENTRY
Entering Points
Throughout your work in Mastercam the system prompts you to enter points. By entering points youdefine positions in 3D space. You can enter points using one of two methods: Mastercam's AutoCursor™feature or the Point Entry menu. When you enter a point, Mastercam projects the selected position ontothe current construction plane. If the current Cplane is set to 3D, Mastercam uses the actual position of theselected point.About Auto CursorThe AutoCursor™ is a point entry feature that is available whenever Mastercam displays the Point Entrymenu and prompts you to enter a point. AutoCursor eliminates menu steps by detecting and snapping topoints as you move the cursor over geometry on the screen.Endpoints and midpoints of curves, lines, arc center points, and point entities are all detected andhighlighted by AutoCursor. If AutoCursor doesn’t detect any points, the AutoCursor defaults to the SketchPoint Entry menu option, letting you enter a point at any position.At any time while AutoCursor is active, you can override the auto-selected point by using the mouse orkeyboard shortcut keys to access Point Entry menu options. In complex geometry there may be more thanone point that lies within the detection range of the cursor. In these cases, the AutoCursor uses the ordershown below to detect and snap to points.1. Point entities2. Endpoints of curves or lines3. Midpoints of curves or lines4. Quadrant points of arcs5. Centers of arcs6. Real curve or line intersections (not intersections projected by Mastercam)7. Points on the active selection gridNote: AutoCursor does not recognize endpoints on surfaces. To enter a point at the endpoint of a surface,you must use the Endpoints option on the Point Entry menu.AutoCursor is active by default. To disable AutoCursor, choose Main Menu, Screen, Config, select theScreen tab, and clear the Use AutoCursor in Point Selection checkbox.
Turning AutoCursor on or off
1. Right-click in the graphics window to display the menu.2. Choose AutoCursor. A check appears next to the AutoCursor menu selection when it is on.3. Right click and choose AutoCursor to turn it off.
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