Professional Documents
Culture Documents
The following links list the new functionality in this Maintenance release of Mastercam X.
AutoCursor
FastPoint Mode
Power Keys
AutoCursor Locking
Limitations
Zoom Previous
Masking
Undo/Redo
MCX Backup Files
Setdirs Functionality for X
Display Level Descriptor
Screen Endpoints
Modify Spline
STL Export
3 Surface Blend
Improved Selection of Multiple Solids for 3D
Machining
Improvements to the Solid to 2D Profile function
2D Offset Improvements
System Configuration
Chaining
Screen
Backplot
Wire Backplot
Toolpath Manager Display Options
Only display selected toolpaths
Only display associative geometry
Both options together
User Defined Feeds and Speeds
Verify
Scan toolpath file for stock
STL Compare Reset Tolerance and Stock to
Leave
Browse for External Communications
NC File Naming Change
2D Mill
Compensation in Control
Compensation Activated Above the
Part
3D Mill
High Speed Toolpaths Rest
Roughing
Stock to Leave on Floors and Walls
HST Scallop Inside to Outside
Changes to Transitions Page
Axis Combinations
4 and 5 Axis Mill
CAD File for Compensation Surfaces
Advanced Multiaxis Toolpaths
Router
Speed improvements in Nesting
Nesting Reports
Block Drill
Drilling Depth Sorting and Tool
Selection
Multi-head Validation
Wire
Changes to Wire Parameters
Lead in/out dialog
Wirepath Editor
Mastercam X Art
Art Toolbar
Art Manager
Help and Documentation
New Dialogs and Functions
Toolpaths
Core Improvements
New Platforms for Art
AutoCursor
In an effort to improve efficiency, we have made some AutoCursor modifications that emulate more of what users were
used to in previous versions of Mastercam.
FastPoint Mode
Some users have requested that FastPoint Mode be the default. This change will allow you to set it and use it exactly
the way you want. Since both modes have their advantages, you must have easy access to both. One of the common
complaints with releases before Mastercam X was that you had to hit the space bar to put the system into FastPoint
mode.
AutoCursor now has two distinct modes for input XYZ mode and FastPoint mode. Rather than forcing you to
manually switch from the XYZ mode with the spacebar or FastPoint button, you can now force the system into
FastPoint mode as the default. The Default to FastPoint mode option in the AutoCursor Settings dialog box
controls this state.
Each mode will have a different effect on the interface in the AutoCursor and in ribbon bars that use hot keys 1,
2, or 3 to manipulate AutoCursor positions of some entities.
XYZ mode
This is how the current X interface works. This includes the AutoCursor and ribbon bar actions. This is the active mode
when the Default to FastPoint mode option is unselected.
FastPoint mode
FastPoint mode will be activated any time you type X, Y, Z, D, or any number on the keyboard.
When set as the default mode, the XYZ keys normally reserved to put focus in the X, Y, Z, or D fields of the
AutoCursor ribbon bar or activate the 1, 2, 3 options on the ribbon bar will open the FastPoint mode, just like in
Version 9.
While FastPoint mode is the default, you will still be able to use the mouse to access the X, Y, Z, or D fields of
the AutoCursor ribbon bar and type anything in those fields without activating the FastPoint mode.
While in FastPoint mode, you will only be able to access the 1, 2, 3, buttons in the ribbon bar by using the
mouse. These buttons are used in some functions to redefine the geometry by prompting to select a new
position.
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Power Keys
This adjustment changes the way AutoCursor positions are accessed, making them available via single keystrokes. You
will be able to turn this on or off. Basically, this option allows you to use E for endpoints, O for origin, C for Center,
and so on, just like the override modes in prior versions of Mastercam, without forcing you to use an [Alt] or [Ctrl] key
combination.
The AutoCursor Settings dialog box now has a switch to use this option.
The AutoCursor dialog box and the drop-down list will show the hot keys with an underlined character.
Windows 2000 or XP will not show the underlined character in a dialog box unless you first hit the [Alt] key, or
turn off your computers Hide underlined letters for keyboard navigation until I press the Alt key option
(can be accessed by going to the Windows Control Panel and selecting Display, Appearance tab, Effects
button).
The hot keys will not be user customizable but they are translatable.
When the AutoCursor Power Keys are active, Mastercam X will interpret user input differently when the
system is prompting for an AutoCursor position.
The keystroke will be first run through the AutoCursor power keys to see if it matches one of those
settings.
If a power key match is found, the AutoCursor will then be in Override mode, just as if you clicked it
with the mouse.
If no match is found, the keystroke will be passed down to the ribbon bar to see if it activates any of the
controls.
If no match is found in either place, the keystroke will be treated as it is now.
There may be cases where ribbon bar controls will not work when Power Keys are enabled. In those cases, you
will be forced to use the mouse to access those options.
The options on the right side of the Settings dialog box will not have hot keys. Angular, Tangent, Perpendicular,
Nearest, and Horizontal/Vertical are all new to X and are all relative positions, not discrete snap positions.
The Relative option, which is not in the Settings dialog box but is in the drop-down override list, will not have a
hot key even though it had one in Version 9.
When in an override mode, the rubber band cursor does not appear on the screen or is removed from the screen.
This is consistent with Version 9 override behavior. To address this will require more design work for the
AutoCursor in a future version.
AutoCursor Locking
Users have been requesting the ability to lock an AutoCursor mode without having to open the Settings dialog box.
This change will allow you to choose between setting a single event override or setting a locked mode for multiple
events without having to open the AutoCursor Settings dialog. This change will be subtle, utilizing the same right-click
cursor indication we are currently using for the Status Bar.
As you bring the mouse to the override drop-down box, you will see a visual cue that there is an alternate option
when the cursor changes.
When you activate the drop-down to select an override, you will see the new cursor that indicates there is an
alternate right-click behavior.
Locking the AutoCursor mode will not have any effect on the AutoCursor Settings dialog box.
You are also able to assign and lock the AutoCursor overrides in the right-mouse menu with the same
interaction that is found with the AutoCursor ribbon bar.
Locking the AutoCursor options from a toolbar is also supported. But it will not be indicated to you with the
special mouse cursor that it is available like in the AutoCursor ribbon bar or in the right-mouse menu.
Locking the AutoCursor mode will stay active for the session or until you do one of the following which will
reset the mode back to its default behavior:
Exiting Mastercam
File, New
Opening the AutoCursor Settings dialog box.
Clicking on the selected button in the AutoCursor ribbon bar with either the right or the left mouse
button.
Using a Keymap combination that interacts with the AutoCursor modes
For MR2, there will not be a way to lock an AutoCursor mode using a keystroke sequence.
Limitations
The following AutoCursor options cannot be locked and will only work in the current override mode even if selected
with the right mouse button.
Origin
Nearest
Relative
Perpendicular
Tangent
While in a locked mode, none of the button options on the ribbon bar will be active. Live entities cannot be edited or
even accepted with the [Enter] key. You must hit [Esc] to exit the locked override mode first before trying to edit the
entity.
Zoom Previous
During the design process of Mastercam X, we neglected to port this functionality. Many users have noticed this and
complained that it adds more work by not having it. Therefore it is back and will be assigned to [F2] as it was in
previous versions of Mastercam. We have improved it to remember as many zooms as you make.
Here are the function parameters:
1. The following actions clear the Un-Zoom Previous/.5 stack (these same things happened in Version 9):
Changing the view (including rotation)
Fit
Zoom In/Out
Zoom Selected
2. The following actions will add the current zoom/pan position to the Un-Zoom Previous/.5 stack prior to the
action:
Zoom Target
Zoom Window
Mouse wheel zoom in
Page Up key zoom in
3. For multiple mouse wheel/Page Up key zoom in actions, only the first action is processed as described in 2.
Multiple actions are considered terminated when either a function is run or the left mouse button is clicked in
the graphics viewport.
Masking
We have changed the saving and loading of pre-defined masks to remember the state of the Maintain option.
Undo/Redo
Undo has been modified to purge the Redo stack when a new transaction is added to the Undo stack. This is standard
operation for Windows products. This means if you create 5 lines, then undo 2 and create a new circle, the last two
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We have provided the flexibility to specify which machine groups use these settings. You can select one or more
groups in the Group settings list box and/or select the check box called Apply these settings when adding new
machine groups to this part file. By selecting this option, you can run the Project Manager once and retain all settings
for future operations and machine groups. The Project Manager works on the group properties of the current MCX file
and overrides the data paths stored within it. This allows you to override data paths for the selected groups without
overwriting any Machine or Control Definition files.
Note: The data paths for translators are still controlled via the Options dialog in the File Open function as shown
below.
There are some additional features in MR2 that will make life easier for people who work on Machine Definitions and
related files for others (i.e., Mastercam Resellers, support personnel, etc.). The new search algorithms will also make it
easier to move MD/CD/Post files around on a network.
Here's how it works when you load an MCX file:
1. Machine group properties - machine definition file
If the MD file contains a token for the path, it is replaced with the default path to MD files for the product type.
A check for the MD file stored with the machine group is carried out. If the file cannot be found, the following
folders are checked in order, and the first one to contain the file wins.
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Screen Endpoints
Even though this functionality exists in the Create, Point, Endpoints function, enough users struggled with it so that we
re-created this as Screen, Display Entity Endpoints. This function differs from previous versions of Mastercam in that
it does not have options to save the endpoints. It displays them until the screen is refreshed. It does require you to be
able to run with Hardware acceleration enabled.
Modify Spline
In the process of creating Mastercam X, we lost the ability to move the nodes of parametric splines. In Version 9, this
was done with Analyze. MR2 adds this functionality back into the software as a part of the renamed Modify NURBS
function.
STL Export
Writing out STL models with regard to the active WCS is now done automatically when the file is written. This will
help when using STL models for stock in Verify.
3 Surface Blend
We reworked the interaction of this function to make it easier to modify the results.
2D Offset Improvements
We have incorporated a new 2D offset algorithm to improve reliability in several areas of the software. The new
algorithm is used in virtually all 2D toolpaths (Mill, Lathe, Router and Wire). Other areas that will be affected by this
change include:
Stock boundaries in Lathe
Analyze Contour
Cross Hatching
Offset Contour
Solids
Nesting
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System Configuration
Chaining
New settings include:
Screen
The BackPlot Config C-Hook had a No Front Buffer option that informed Backplot to expect the setting of the
Unified back/depth buffer option that some nVIDIA graphics cards need to be active. This setting can sometimes
adversely affect the graphics display during Backplot. The switch has been added to the System Configuration dialog
on the Screen page so you can have Backplot deal with this setting instead of altering your graphics card setup.
Backplot
Some settings that where previously only available via the BackPlot Config C-Hook have been integrated into the
system. The Opacity settings affect both the tool and holder (if displayed). The Inactive setting is for inactive tools,
such as Block Drill tools in the up position. Settings range from .01 (tool will be invisible) to 1.0 (tool completely
solid).
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Opacity settings have been added to the Backplot settings dialog boxes as well.
Wire Backplot
In addition to the new Opacity settings, there are new settings for Wire Backplot:
To allow for controlling the Wire Guides display.
Control of the display of the UV axis motion.
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The states can interact with each other and both be down at the same time.
We changed the way the arrow keys work because of these new options. Currently they control the position of
the insert arrow. The up and down arrow keys now move from operation to operation.
The control of the insert arrow is now tied to a [Shift-Arrow] key sequence.
This function operates on selected operations rather than just the one with focus.
This will allow more than one operation to be displayed at a time.
By default, selecting with the mouse automatically selects and puts the focus on the operation.
When this button is down, the function is active and only the operations that are selected will display the
toolpath.
This option will turn off the display of all toolpaths and force the selected toolpaths to be displayed, even if the
display property is turned off.
Because of changes to the arrow key functionality, you will be able to move from operation to operation with
the keys.
This function will operate on selected operations rather than just the one with focus.
This will allow more than one operations geometry to be displayed at a time.
By default, selecting with the mouse automatically selects and puts the focus on the operation.
When this button is active, only the operations that are selected will display the geometry.
Because of changes to the arrow key functionality, you will be able to move from operation to operation with
the keys.
This option will turn off the display of all other toolpath geometry and force the selected toolpaths geometry to
be displayed, even if the geometry is:
Blanked
Not visible because of the Hide function
On a level that is turned off
If both options are active, then you will see only the toolpath and its associated geometry on the screen.
You will be able to work in Mastercam using all of the functions while you are in this mode.
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This option includes entry fields for Feed rate, Spindle speed, Plunge rate, and Retract rate.
The value in the entry fields will be the default Feeds and Speeds used for every operation created when this
option is selected.
Once the operation has been created, there is no longer any associativity between this setting and the operation.
You could change these values and they would not affect existing operations.
If you start with one option and switch to User Defined, the feeds and speeds of existing operations will not be
changed and it will allow for you to make future manual changes in each operation.
If you change tools, materials, or defaults, the feeds and speeds values will not change.
Verify
Scan toolpath file for stock
In previous versions when stock was generated from the toolpath data, we set the top of the stock at the feed height.
Then when Verify runs, it often shows it as a gouge because the tool is making contact with the stock at a rapid feed
rate. Instead of using the feed height value, we are now using the top of stock.
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The Machine Group section will control the name output as the Machine Group name in the Toolpath
Manager.
o If the Prompt check box is selected, you will be prompted to name the Machine Group when each
Machine Group is created.
o If the User defined option is selected, the edit field below will be enabled and at least one character
must be specified in that field.
o If Machine name is selected, the Machine Definition file name will be used.
o The default values for these fields will be as shown so that the result will be similar to X.
o The Append Values fields will always be active and the three settings shown above are the default
settings, so the result in a default state would be Machine Group 1 and increment by one for each
subsequent group.
o If you specify an illegal value as a delimiter, an error message (like what is used in Windows
Explorer, as shown) will be displayed and the entry will not be accepted.
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o The last values entered will be maintained even when the Apply button is selected, but they will not
be maintained between Mastercam sessions. This will be the same interaction for all three group
boxes.
The Toolpath Group section will control the name output as the Toolpath Group name in the Toolpath
Manager.
o If the Prompt check box is selected, you will be prompted to name the Toolpath Group when each
group is created.
o If the User defined option is selected, the edit field below will be enabled and at least one character
must be specified in that field.
o If Machine name is selected, the Machine Definition file name will be used.
o The default values for these fields will be as shown so that the result will be similar to X.
o The Append Values fields will always be active and the three settings shown above are the default
settings, so the result in a default state would be Machine Group 1 and increment by one for each
subsequent group. (note that subgroups are not supported).
The NC File section will control the name output as the NC file name.
o If the Prompt check box is selected, you have to choose between the 2 radio buttons.
o If 1st operation only is selected, you will only be prompted for the first toolpath and the remaining
toolpaths will use the same name.
o If Always is selected, you will be prompted to name the NC file for each existing toolpath when it is
created (same as Version 9.1, prompt the user before entering the toolpath dialog).
o If Machine name is selected, the Machine Definition file name will be used.
o The Append Values group in the NC File section are user controlled (different than the Machine
Group and Toolpath Group sections).
o When Append is selected, the default values shown are used or the user can specify values. When
deselected, the fields will be disabled.
2D Mill
Compensation in Control
Compensation in Control has been modified to remove the error message that used to warn you that this is
just a simulation.
Optimize will automatically default to On for all toolpaths.
Problems displaying the compensated toolpath have been resolved so that after a toolpath is generated, the
simulated toolpath along with the un-compensated toolpath will be displayed.
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Rest Roughing
A new Rest Roughing toolpath has been added to the HST toolpaths. With Rest Roughing, you can select a previous
operation, all previous operations, a CAD file (including STL), or a roughing tool. This toolpath provides the tools
Mastercam users were familiar with in Version 9 but applied to the highly desirable HST model.
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Based on user feedback, we have expanded the use of separate stock to leave controls for floors and walls to all the
HST toolpaths. Now you can set different values for stock to leave on vertical and horizontal areas.
When does a floor become a wall with separate values for stock to leave?
If you machine a part with an HST/Raster path with a small tool and zero stock to leave, there will be no stock on the
part (save for small cusps between passes). If you change the path to have 1mm stock to leave on the floors and 2mm
stock to leave on the walls, then the result will have 1mm to leave on the flat floors, 2mm stock to leave on the vertical
wall, and interpolated amounts of stock to leave on the large fillet surfaces.
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Affects the Transitions page of Core Roughing, Area Clearance, Rest Roughing, and Horizontal Area toolpaths.
Moved the entire Entry helix group box from the right side of the dialog and switched it with the Profile ramp group
box on the left. The group boxes are switching position because Entry helix is the default and the items being added
relate more to the profile ramp. So having them outside the profile ramp group box but below loosely ties them
together.
Moved the Minimum profile edit control below the Plunge angle edit control because it is used when helix entry
fails, so the value for the length is necessary even if helix is selected.
Renamed the Minimum profile control to Preferred profile length to allow the user to know that the value
entered doesnt ensure that the entered value and that value only will be used. It is a preference, but the software
will do what is necessary to make it fit.
Added an edit control under the Plunge angle option and the new Preferred profile length called Skip pockets
smaller than (default value will be 2.2 x Radius for all cutter shapes). This field gives users the ability to include
and exclude regions that they wish to cut.
Added a text note Note: If helix fails, profile ramp will be used to the Entry helix group box above the graphic to
let users know that profile ramp is the backup default mode.
Axis Combinations
A new branch to the tree control has been added for Axis combinations.
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Router
Speed improvements in Nesting
During development of MR2, we noticed that a significant speed increase can be obtained in certain cases by breaking
out the Automatically attach geometry option into two separate options. The first option (Automatically attach
geometry chains for each part) will automatically attach the chains used in the toolpath cluster and the second option
will search for any additional geometry contained within the outer boundary of the nested part. We have also improved
the way we handle attaching surfaces and solid geometry.
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Nesting Reports
We have improved our nesting report to move from a text based file to a PDF report with graphics. The new report tool
will provide a nested sheet report and individual part information. Use the Details button from the Nesting Results
dialog to access the new reports.
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Block Drill
We now have the ability to filter out entities that would create duplicate drilling operations for the same physical hole
location in block drilling. We have also adjusted our sorting algorithm to properly handle geometry at different Z
depths.
The general selection (filtering) portion applies to all drilling toolpaths. The software will essentially filter out
duplicate drill hits for the same point. Even though the actual entities are not technically duplicate entities, the
resulting drill operations might be. One arc that lies directly on top of another in a given plane may have a different Z
depth, but if the XY locations are the same, we typically only intend to hit one or the other. Using the new drop-down
list in the Sorting dialog, we can determine which entities to keep and which ones to discard.
The extra sorting of varying Z depths only applies to block drilling toolpaths. Block drilling presents a different
problem than regular drilling because we are attacking multiple holes at the same time. It is physically impossible for
the machine to block drill two different depth holes at the same time with drill bits of equal length; therefore, in block
drilling toolpaths, we would need to insure that we dont attempt to process multiple depths in the same hit.
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Multi-head Validation
We will now issue a warning if the selected heads dont lie in a collinear array along either along the X or Y axis. If
this condition exists, we will present the following dialog and give the option to continue OR take you back into the
head selection dialog. An example that might present this message would be if a machine definition contains multiple
heads with piggy-backs. If you select one or more of the main heads with a piggy-back, the software will warn
you that the selected heads dont line up.
Wire
Changes to Wire Parameters
We added new dialogs for WCS/Tool plane and Start Position. The Origins/WCS button has been replaced with two
new buttons. This brings Wire in line with the other products for a more consistent interface.
MR1
MR2
Start Pos =
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Planes =
Rapid from Thread point - if selected, the initial motion of the lead-in will be done in a Rapid (G0) mode.
Rapid to Cut point - if selected, the final motion of the lead-out will be done in a Rapid (G0) mode.
Rapid to Start position at end of program - if selected, a park the machine here Rapid (G0) mode move
will occur at the very end of the program back to the initial starting point position in the program.
(Note: This move is does not appear in the backplot of the wirepath yet).
Also note the wording of Auto start position has been changed to Start position is automatically set to thread
position to make the function of this option clearer.
Wirepath Editor
The Wirepath Editor is now available as a right-click option in the Toolpath Manager.
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Manual entry options for As Code and As Comment are not working
correctly for this release.
We have had some random crashes with this function that we have not
yet tracked down. Be careful to save your part before using this
function.
Changing the Taper Angle is not working consistently.
Mastercam X Art
Just about everything in Art Version 9 has been upgraded to have a full Mastercam X interface, including text menus,
with hot keys, toolbars, Help and a live Art Manager. The following information includes major highlights.
Art Toolbar
Art Manager
The Art Manager is a new tab in the Operations Manager to the right of the Solids Manager. It will also have two rows
of icons. These quick controls will make Art even easier to use. An important improvement for all Art users is the
graphic display controls. You now have the ability to toggle geometry and the Art Surface off and on. Previously, the
art surface and geometry would often overlap. Now, just click a button to hide/show geometry or the art surface. You
may also instantly change your resolution here with the click of a button.
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Flattening - you now can pick a chain and flatten all elements inside or outside the chain down to the base surface
floor.
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Smoothing - this dialog has adjusted defaults to make your first try successful, as well as new icons to help clearly
explain the options.
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New Art Base Surface (previously New Relief) - This has much the same functionality as the previous version and
reorganized for ease of use. New capabilities include automatic creation of geometry boundaries and creation of Art
Base Surface with origin at lower left or center.
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New Art Base Surface Unwrapped Cylinder - This function allows you to specify a cylinder or ring size. Art will
automatically calculate and display the unwrapped flat surface geometry as well as creating the surface. You may then
create a surface and know that when you wrap it up for 4th axis machining, it will fit exactly on the specified cylinder.
This function also supplies the radius to the graphic wrap functions so the surface wraps perfectly.
The Ring Size option allows you to select a standard ring size for your cylinder. Coordinates will default to metric
values since this is a standard in the jewelry industry - deselect the Metric option to see coordinates in inches.
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Blend Edge (previously Add-Cut-Trim-Blend) - This Application Style has been renamed, and now will blend a sharp
outer edge back towards the center of the chained element.
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Toolpaths
Cylinder Milling Spiral - Creates a rotary toolpath at an angle so there is no seam where the toolpath meets. There is
also an option to overlap the seam. For this toolpath to function correctly, the Rotary Axis option must be selected.
Roughing and Finishing - Includes a roughing and finishing option for appropriate toolpaths. The roughing option
allows stock to leave and finishing does not. Some toolpath are just for roughing or just for finishing. In these cases, the
roughing and finishing options are disabled.
Core Improvements
Art surface generation speed improvement - the creation and regeneration of Art surfaces is faster.
Art Surface quality improvement - on some complex organic surfaces, small lines would develop that were
correctable by smoothing. This has now been fixed so they are not generated at all.
Large file processing - Art would sometimes have problems with large file processing. Art can now manage
much larger files. There are still limits.
Art surface display improvement just by being in the X environment.
Moved Art Base Surface off Origin - For an Art Base Surface created from a BMP file. Previously, when you
moved the lower left corner off of the origin, it would not be saved to the file. When you reopened the file in a
new session, the surface lower left corner would be back at the origin.
Art Chaining can accept more chains in a single operation.
Using WCS - surfaces can now be generated in a rotated WCS.
Art Resource DLL has been developed for easier translation into other languages.
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