CAMSouth

1016 Spring Villas Pt., Suite 1000

Winter Springs, FL. 32708
407-327-4980 Fax: 407-650-2874
http://www.camsouth.com

SolidCAM Custom Post - Installation Guide

The SolidCAM postprocessor uses two external files to control formatting during the NC code generation
process. These two files plus a PDF of the source code, when setup by CAMSouth under contract for a
specific fee, constitute a custom postprocessor, hereinafter referred to as a "Custom Post".
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The *.MAC file contains fixed parameters used by the SolidCAM system to control the structure of the
output. For example, whether or not subroutine calls are to be included during postprocessing, the
machine mathematics, and so on.

The *.GPP file contains the formatting information and logic, i.e. what the startup, tool-change, and
shutdown blocks look like, and so on.

The *.PDF file contains a read-only version of the GPP source file including any graphical images and
special programmer instructions.

When initially installed, the SolidCAM System Software is supplied with a series of sample posts to enable
the system to function. The sample posts are below the installation folder as follows:
{SolidCAM_root_folder}\Gpptool
For example, the current release of SolidCAM is V2007R11.1 and the standard software installation
directory is C:\Program Files\SolidCAM{versionID}, therefore the sample posts are in:
C:\Program Files\SolidCAMV2007R11.1\Gpptool
This write-up is intended to ensure a smooth Custom Post installation and to enable CAMSouth to quickly
provide ongoing updates and repairs to a Custom Post.
Since we do not want to disturb the sample posts supplied with SolidCAM, and to ensure that each Custom
Post remains in a secure location, we recommend that you create a folder named "C:\SolidCAM_Cposts"
on your local drive. This write-up therefore assumes your custom posts are in "C:\SolidCAM_Cposts".
All Custom Posts created by CAMSouth are supplied via Email as a ZIP archive file using the following
naming convention: {custom_post_name-dd-mmm-yyyy.ZIP}

INSTALLATION PROCEDURE
1.

Save a backup copy of the Email attachment ZIP file in your "C:\SolidCAM_Cposts" folder.

2.

UnZIP the contents of the ZIP file into this same folder.

3.

From the main SolidWorks menu, select "SolidCAM|CAM Settings". This may take a few moments, so
please be patient.

4.

Select the "Default CNC Controller" menu item, then set the "Postprocessor files *.mac; *.gpp" to
"C:\SolidCAM_Cposts".

5.

Next, clear and reset the default CNC controller for each machine class from the available list presented
to you. Note - if you have more than one Milling machine, you'll need to reset this field each time you
begin a programming session or you can select the machine from the "CAM-Part" menu after opening
the SolidCAM PRT file.

SolidCAM - Integrated Software for SolidWorks |

DNC | Post Processors | Training

J:\Suppliers\SolidCAM\Libraries\PostLibrary\InternalDoc\GPP-CPostInstallationGuide.doc

4/30/2007