1

EdgeCAM Concepts

EdgeCAM User Guide

Selecting the Environment 2
EdgeCAM operates within an environment which is selectable according to the type of part being designed
or manufactured. Selection of an environment determines which construction planes, view port layouts and
commands are available. (These terms are explained later in this section.)
An environment provides you with orientations and views of the component that match particular tool types.
You can design a component in either environment and change environments at will. This has no effect on
the component other than to change the views of the component that the system presents to you.
There are two environments to choose from:

XY Environment
EdgeCAM Concepts
This provides view ports and construction planes for constructing a part with respect to the usual X, Y, Z
Cartesian co-ordinate system. This is the default environment when entering EdgeCAM. Typically, the XY
environment is used for generating Milling, Wire and CMM components.

ZX Environment
This environment provides view ports and construction planes that simulate the orientation of a turned part
in a machine tool during manufacture. In the case of a lathe for example, it is usual to work in the ZX plane
where the Z axis is horizontal.
If a turned component is drawn in the XY plane, you can flip the component into the ZX plane using the
Transform, Transpose (Edit menu) command.
You can switch between environments when designing a part by selecting one of the XY Environment or
ZX Environment commands from the Options menu. These environments are mutually exclusive and the
active command is shown with a ‘tick’ againt it.
You can also select an XY or ZX Environment from within the Preferences (Options menu) command.

EdgeCAM User Guide

Regenerating (toolpaths) 3
Toolpaths may need to be regenerated to bring them up to date with changes to instructions, such as a
change to a tool diameter.
If a regeneration is necessary, this should take place before generating CNC code, for the code to be
correct.
Regeneration can be done manually, or you can opt for automatic regeneration.
Automatic Regeneration
Auto-Regenerate is enabled by default and is recommended as it reduces the risk of producing incorrect
EdgeCAM Concepts
CNC code. Only opt for manual regeneration if automatic regeneration produces too much of a delay
(disable Auto-Regenerate - see below).
Instructions are always regenerated when you edit the instruction. If Auto-Regenerate is enabled, then all
the subsequent instructions in the sequence are also updated. (This is because some instructions are
dependant on others, a Rest-Rough cycle is dependent on a Roughing cycle, for example.)
(You can also opt for automatic regeneration on reloading the open solid model, by checking Options menu
Preferences Solids tab Regenerate Current Sequence.)
Manual Regeneration
For manual regeneration, in the Sequence window right-click on the sequence name, then in the shortcut
menu that opens click the checked Auto-Regenerate option. This unchecks and disables it. Note that Auto-
Regenerate is now disabled for all sequences, but only for the duration of the EdgeCAM session; it is
enabled on re-starting.
With Auto-Regenerate disabled you need to regenerate manually. There is a Regenerate option in the
shortcut menu for an individual instruction, and for the sequence (regenerates all the instructions in the
sequence at once).
Note that you can also avoid the automatic regeneration after an edit by using Instructions menu Edit
and checking Disable Automatic Regeneration in the Editing Instructions dialog (after this dialog you then
move on to editing the instruction).

See also
Using Batch Mode for Operations

EdgeCAM User Guide

Co-ordinate Types in EdgeCAM 4
EdgeCAM can accept co-ordinate data using a variety of co-ordinate types:

Cartesian
Polar
Angular

You can select the type of co-ordinates to be used in the Co-ordinate Input dialog box which is activated by

the EdgeCAM Concepts

button (see Specifying Explicit Co-ordinates).

EdgeCAM User Guide

About Cartesian Co-ordinates 5
This is the usual system of rectangular X, Y, Z axes and co-ordinates. The point where the three axes meet
is called the Origin and has co-ordinates X=0, Y=0, Z=0.
The example shows a point at co-ordinates X=x, Y=y, Z=z:

EdgeCAM Concepts

By convention, if the X, Y axes lie in the plane of the screen, the Z axis points up out of the screen.

EdgeCAM User Guide

About Polar Co-ordinates 6
The Polar Co-ordinate system defines a position on a plane using:

A radius centred at an origin.

An angle from the X axis.

The diagram shows a point positioned by radius ‘r’ and angle ‘q’.

EdgeCAM Concepts

See Also
Specifying Explicit Co-ordinates
Specifying Polar Co-ordinates

EdgeCAM User Guide

About Angular Co-ordinates 7
Angular co-ordinates are defined by specifying:

The distance along a chosen rotary axis

The distance along one other axis
An absolute angle of rotation around the rotary axis.

The rotary axes A, B, C correspond to X, Y and Z respectively, with the positive direction of rotation being
clockwise:
EdgeCAM Concepts

The example below shows a point positioned by distance ‘a’ along the A axis, distance ‘b’ along the B axis
and an angle ‘q’ with respect to the A axis:

EdgeCAM User Guide

Entity Types 8
In EdgeCAM terms, a part is the sum of all the entities which produce that part.
EdgeCAM provides several entity types that you can use when designing and manufacturing components:
Point Entities
Line Entities
Circle and Arc Entities
Curve Entities
Surface Entities EdgeCAM Concepts
Continuous Entities
Group Entities
Detailing Entities
Toolpath Entities

EdgeCAM User Guide

Point Entities 9
A point is the simplest geometric entity.
A point is defined in 3D space. Whichever co-ordinate system is used to set up the point, it is always stored
as three real numbers in Cartesian co-ordinates.
Methods of point definition include:

Absolute co-ordinate position

Arc centre
Screen position EdgeCAM Concepts
Existing point
Middle point of an existing entity known as a mid-point
End point of an existing entity
Intersection of any two entities
A distance modification from any of the above point definitions

See Also
Creating Points

EdgeCAM User Guide

Line Entities 10
A line has two end points and can be constructed by any of these methods:

Between two point definitions

Between a point and an arc tangency point
Between two arc tangency points
Through a point and parallel to another line
Through a point and perpendicular to another line
EdgeCAM Concepts
See Also
Creating Lines

EdgeCAM User Guide

Circle and Arc Entities 11
A circle is a non-linear geometric entity, every point of which is equally distant from a fixed central point.
An arc is a segment of a circle. Arc construction is similar to circle construction, except that the end points
of the arc also must be defined.
Methods of circle definition include:

A point definition as the centre and specifying a radius

A point definition as the centre and a point on the circle
EdgeCAM Concepts
Three points which the circle passes through
A circle tangent to three lines
Tangency to two entities and specifying the radius

EdgeCAM User Guide

Curve Entities 12
A curve is a non-linear entity, described by an exact mathematical definition. Curves include Splines, B-
Splines, Bezier curves and Conic sections.

EdgeCAM Concepts

EdgeCAM User Guide

Surface Entities 13
A surface is defined in EdgeCAM using a two-axis parametric co-ordinate system, and can be created from
control points, entities or other surfaces.
Also see About Surfaces in EdgeCAM.

EdgeCAM Concepts

EdgeCAM User Guide

Continuous Entities 14
These are a set of colinear line or arc entities grouped together (for example, from a profile) for ease of
manipulation.
SeeConverting to a Continuous Entity for a full explanation.

EdgeCAM Concepts

EdgeCAM User Guide

Group Entities 15
These are a set of EdgeCAM entities (for example, lines and arcs) that have been collected into a group for
ease of manipulation.
SeeCreating Group Entities for a full explanation.

EdgeCAM Concepts

EdgeCAM User Guide

Detailing Entities 16
These are entities created using EdgeCAM Detailing commands. As they are purely for dimensioning and
annotating purposes, they do not form part of the 3D part model and exist only on the 'Drawing Plane'.

EdgeCAM Concepts

EdgeCAM User Guide

Toolpath Entities 17
A toolpath is created from within one of the EdgeCAM machining modules, and represents the track of a
nominated part of a machine tool. Each toolpath may be made up of many toolpath entities, which may be
either line or arc segments.

EdgeCAM Concepts

EdgeCAM User Guide

Entity Dependency 18
It is important to understand that one entity can be dependent on another. Certain operations cause entities
to be ‘flagged’ as having dependants (other entities dependent on them for their existence). Entities with
one or more dependants cannot be deleted or modified in a way that would invalidate the dependent entity.
Entity dependency occurs with surfaces, continuous entities and groups. For example, a Coons Patch
surface is created from four other boundary lines. These lines cannot be deleted or altered without first
deleting the Coons patch. It is possible to alter their colour, layer, style or name, as this would not invalidate
the dependent surface.
EdgeCAM entities which are dependent on other entities are:
EdgeCAM Concepts
· Coons Patches · Fillet surfaces · Crosshatching
· Tabulated cylinders · Surfaces of revolution · Groups
· Flowed surfaces · Surface curves · Continuous entities
· Ruled surfaces · Offset surfaces · Trimmed surfaces.

To find out whether an entity has a dependant, use the Entity (Verify menu) command. Amongst other
details, the system reports one of the following: Dependency SET or Dependency CLEAR.
It is possible that the dependency flag for some entities is not cleared when the dependants are deleted.
When you reload the part, these entities cannot therefore be altered or deleted. To overcome this situation,
insert the part into EdgeCAM using the File menu command Insert Part. Only entities that still have
dependants will have the dependency flag set.

EdgeCAM User Guide

Entity Attributes 19
Each entity can have a colour, style, name and layer attribute. These attributes are reported if you verify the
entity using the Entity (Verify menu) command.

See Also
Colour
Style
Name
Layers
Curve and Surface Attributes EdgeCAM Concepts

EdgeCAM User Guide

Entity Colour 20

UseColours in the Standard toolbar to set the colour for new entities (lines, arcs and so
on).
Colours can be used to highlight different entity types, parts of the drawing or functional
differences.
You can change the colour of existing entities; you can use for example:

Edit menu > Entity Data Match (copies the colour, style and so on from one entity
to another). EdgeCAM Concepts
Edit menu > Entity Data Individual (opens the properties dialog for the entity you
then select).
By opening the properties dialog directly from the entity.

EdgeCAM User Guide

Entity Style 21

UseStyle in the Standard toolbar to set the style for new entities (lines, arcs and so on).

You can change the style of existing entities; you can use for example:

Edit menu > Entity Data EdgeCAM Concepts

Match (copies the colour, style and so on from one entity to another).
Edit menu > Entity Data Individual (opens the properties dialog for the entity you then select).
By opening the properties dialog directly from the entity.

Note that if a very fine display tolerance is used, the font for entities such as arcs and curves may not
appear to be correct. Use the Preferences (Options menu) command to increase the Display Tolerance.

EdgeCAM User Guide

Name 22
When you create an entity you can give it a name up to eight characters long. This name is saved for future
reference (for example, when selecting entities for a machining cycle). However, if the entity is copied, only
the original entity retains the name.

EdgeCAM Concepts

EdgeCAM User Guide

Entity Layers 23

Use the Layer control in the Standard toolbar to set the layer for new entities (lines,
arcs and so on).

Layers can be thought of as transparent films on which is drawn their geometry. What you see is the
geometry of all the visible layers stacked one on top of another.
Layers can be used for separating different types of entities from each other for display purposes. For
example, toolpaths would normally be on different layers from the geometry of a part model. You may want
EdgeCAM Concepts
to develop your own system of layers for different entity types.
When you are working on a part, you can restrict the combination of displayed layers to prevent the screen
from becoming cluttered with superfluous information. See Layer Control.
You control layers using the Layers window; you can the display of layers on and off for example.
As layers are selected, they are added to a historical list containing the last five layers used. To select from
this drop-down historical list of layers, click on the down arrow beside the layer number.
You can change the layer of existing entities; you can use for example:

Edit menu > Entity Data Match (copies the layer, colour and so on from one entity to another).
Edit menu > Entity Data Individual (opens the properties dialog for the entity you then select).
By opening the properties dialog directly from the entity.

EdgeCAM User Guide

Curve and Surface Properties 24
These entities are based on mathematically correct descriptions, but you can control the accuracy of their
screen appearance. For example, a complex surface may take some time to draw, so you may want to
temporarily degrade the appearance of the surface in exchange for a faster redraw time.
For more information, see About Curves and About Surfaces.

EdgeCAM Concepts

EdgeCAM User Guide

Selecting and Deleting Entities 25
To select all valid entities
If you want to select all entities, simply hold down the Ctrl key and press the 'A' key. This will select all valid,
visible entities in the current view.

To delete entities

This functionality is only available in Design mode.

EdgeCAM Concepts
Instead of using the Delete Entity command, you can delete all visible entities in the current view by simply
pre-selecting them and then pressing the Delete key.
If no entities have been selected when you press the Delete key, the Delete Entity command will be enabled
and you will be prompted to “Digitise entities to delete”.

EdgeCAM User Guide

Verifying Entities 26

Use the Entity (Verify menu) command to report detailed information on the selected entity:

EdgeCAM Concepts

For further information about the feedback window in EdgeCAM, see Feedback Window.

EdgeCAM User Guide

Use of the Mouse Wheel 27
If you have an “Intellimouse” you can use the central wheel to zoom in or out of the active view or to pan the
view.

To zoom in and out

In the active view move the wheel forward to zoom in and backward to zoom out, at the centre of the
screen.
To zoom relative to the current cursor position, pick a point on the model and move the wheel while holding
down the Ctrl key. The cursor position will be moved to the centre of the screen and zooming will occur at
that point. EdgeCAM Concepts
To zoom extents
Double-click the mouse wheel to display the complete model within the active view. (To disable this
functionality, create a new PCI Variable !checkMDoubleClick=0 and restart EdgeCAM in GLview ).

To pan
Holding the wheel down allows you to pan the view by dragging the graphics across the screen.

See Also
Left and Right Mouse Buttons

EdgeCAM User Guide

Use of the Mouse Buttons 28
Use of the right-hand mouse button

Pressing the right-hand button completes a command, or the current stage of a command.
Holding down the right-hand button presents a window options and recent command repeat menu.

Use of the left-hand mouse button

Use of the left-hand button when rotate, spin or pan are selected from the toolbar, actions those
commands. EdgeCAM Concepts
For the use of the left-hand mouse button in connections with toolbars, see Moving Toolbar

At all other times pressing the LEFT button will make a screen digitise for ENTITY , FREE position or GRID
position as appropriate.

See Also
The Mouse Wheel

EdgeCAM User Guide

General Principles of Digitising 29
'Digitising' is simply clicking in the Graphics area to provide spatial input or to select geometry. When
drawing a line for example you digitise to provide the start and end points for the line.
Depending on what you are doing, a 'Free' or an 'Entity' digitise may be required. Sometimes you can
choose between them.
An Entity digitise requires you to click on an entity.
A Free digitise does not require you to click on an entity; you can click on a blank area.

If a grid is displayed then you can choose to digitise intersection points on that grid.
EdgeCAM Concepts
Making Free and Entity digitises

To switch digitise modes, click in the Status Bar:

Clicked Clicked
Or

As an alternative way to switch modes, hold down the right-hand mouse button and in the shortcut
menu select Free or Entity.
Use Intellisnap to automatically switch between Free and Entity digitise, depending on the proximity of
suitable entities.
Hold down the Ctrl key to force an Entity digitise. Hold down the Shift key to force a Free digitise.

Intellisnap Selection
The shape of the cursor indicates the type of digitise being made:

No active command – Entity preselect only, window selection may be used

Free digitise

Entity digitise only – Window selection may not always be available

Optional Free or Entity digitise. For example when drawing a line the cursor has the Free
shape when over a blank area, whilst over an entity it has the Entity shape to show that
the start or end point will snap to the existing entity.

EdgeCAM User Guide

Intellisnap 30

This feature is only available in GLview

The ‘Intellisnap’ feature provides an intuitive mechanism for entity selection, free and grid digitising. As the
cursor moves over the graphics area when the Intellisnap option is activated, entities will be highlighted in
the flyover colour as they come into picking range and revert back to their original colour as the cursor
leaves them. This can be defined by using the Colour (Options menu) command.
Intellisnap can be enabled/disabled at any time via the shortcut menu (hold down the right-hand mouse
button over the EdgeCAM graphics area).
EdgeCAM Concepts
When using Intellisnap,
the active mode will
automatically change.
(The default digitise mode
needs to be set to Free
Digitise).
If you wish to draw a line
from the end of an existing
line, move your cursor
onto the entity (1).
The line will display the
digitise points (start, end
and mid point), and as you
move onto the digitise
points the cursor will
automatically change to
entity digitise (2,3) and the
tooltip will display relevant
information.

If the cursor pauses on an entity a tooltip box appears with identification of that item. Pressing the “v” key at
this stage enlarges the tooltip to give further information on that entity. The highlit entity is the one that
would be selected if the left mouse button were pressed. Press "v" again to return to the standard tooltip.

Note: If you find the speed of entity selection has slowed down disabling the Entity Tooltip function on the
Selection tab of the Preferences dialog (Options menu) may help.
Only entities valid for the current purpose will be selectable.

Where more than one entity is selectable in a given position the symbol will be appended to the cursor
indicating that you may step through the appropriate entities by pressing the TAB key until you are
presented with the chosen one (see example) . Pressing the left-hand mouse button then selects that item.
Sometimes you may wish to free digitise near a snap point. To do this, you must disable Intellisnap (see
above).
For many purposes, both for geometry creation and in connection with machining cycles the required entity
is a point. Entities such as ends of lines, arcs etc. contain points which can be selected whenever a point
entity is required.

See Also
Selecting Multiple Entities
Controlling the Entity Selection Options
Pre-selection

EdgeCAM User Guide

Taking Co-ordinates from a Grid Location
31

EdgeCAM Concepts

EdgeCAM User Guide

Selecting Multiple Entities 32
In many cases multiple entity selection is possible. Under these circumstances it is possible to select and
deselect entities until the desired combination is achieved and then to finalise with a completion signalled by
the right mouse button or Enter.

Changing Selection Mode

In normal operation the entity selection is in Toggle Mode i.e. the first digitise will select the entity, while the
second digitise will deselect the entity. However, you can override the Toggle Mode by using the Change

Selection Mode EdgeCAM Concepts

button on the Input toolbar.

When selected, a menu is

displayed offering three
options:

The cursor will display a + or - to indicate the currently active selection mode.

Window Selection
When large numbers of entities need to be selected, a window may be used. Simply hold the left-hand
mouse button down and drag the mouse across the screen.
Moving from left to right, the window will select all entities that are wholly within the window. A right to left
window will select all entities that are wholly within or cross the window.

Chaining
You may wish to select a group of entities that form a continuous profile. The process of selecting
contiguous entities is called ‘chaining’.
SeeSelecting Contiguous Entities by Chaining
FREE digitised positions can be deselected only by use of backspace before completion is signalled by the
right mouse button.

EdgeCAM User Guide

Controlling the Entity Selection Options 33
The parameters in the Intellisnap section of the Selection tab of the Preferences (Options menu) dialog
are used to control which points can be selected.
Selecting the endpoints of entities
As the cursor is placed on or near the ends of lines, arcs, or over a point, a square in the ‘flyover’ colour will
appear. If the left-hand mouse button is selected when the square is displayed, an entity digitise will be
made at that point. This selection mode is optional and can be controlled by checking the appropriate box
on the Selection tab of the Preferences (Options menu) dialog. The default setting for this option is ON.
If the left-hand mouse button is selected when the square is not displayed but the entity is highlit, a free
digitise will be made. EdgeCAM Concepts
Selecting the midpoints of entities
As the cursor is placed on or near the midpoint of a line, a cross in the ‘flyover’ colour will appear. If the left-
hand mouse button is selected when the cross is displayed an entity digitise will be made at that mid-point
(not available for continuii or spline curves). This selection mode is optional and can be controlled by
checking the appropriate box on the Selection tab of the Preferences (Options menu) dialog. The default
setting for this option is ON.
Selecting the centre of an arc
As the cursor is placed on or near the centre of an arc, a circle in the ‘flyover’ colour will appear. If the left-
hand mouse button is selected when the circle is displayed, an entity digitise will be made at that centre
point. This selection mode is optional and can be controlled by checking the appropriate box on the
Selection tab of the Preferences (Options menu) dialog. The default setting for this option is ON.
In the case of concentric circles at different levels, the centre of the required one can be found by rotating
the view or by use of the tab and verify ('V' key) facilities within picking.
Selecting an arc quadrant
As the cursor is placed on or near a quadrant position (0, 90, 180, 360 degrees), a symbol is displayed in
the 'flyover' colour. If the left-hand mouse button is selected when the symbol is displayed an entity digitise
will be made at that position. This selection mode is optional and can be controlled by checking the
appropriate box on the Selection tab of the Preferences (Options menu) dialog. The default setting for this
option is OFF.

Selecting a vertex
(This option is only available for solids) When a command is active and the cursor is placed on or near a
vertex on a solid, the vertex is displayed in the 'flyover' colour. If the left-hand mouse button is selected
when the vertex is displayed an entity digitise will be made at that position. This selection mode is optional
and can be controlled by checking the appropriate box on the Selection tab of the Preferences (Options
menu)dialog. The default setting for this option is OFF.

Selecting a cylinder
As the cursor is placed on or near the centre of a cylinder, a circle in the ‘flyover’ colour will appear. If the
left-hand mouse button is selected when the circle is displayed, an entity digitise will be made at that point.
This option is used when working with solids for setting a datum by creating a CPL on the end of a cylinder.
This selection mode is optional and can be controlled by checking the appropriate box on the Selection tab
of the Preferences (Options menu) dialog. The default setting for this option is ON.

EdgeCAM User Guide

Pre-selection of Entities 34
When a command has not been enabled, entities can be pre-selected and will be used in a subsequently
called command. In this mode only entity digitising is enabled, and the snap points will not be displayed.
Note that pre-selection will work for some commands i.e. Delete Entity, but for others you will be prompted
to select the entities again.
Double-clicking on an entity will display the Edit dialog.

EdgeCAM Concepts

EdgeCAM User Guide

Taking Co-ordinates from a Grid Location 35

A grid can be displayed using the Grid (View menu) command. When digitising, you can snap to a
grid point by moving the cursor near to the point, holding down the Shift + Ctrl keys together and pressing
the left mouse button.
You can only do a grid digitise when the cursor appears like this:

or

EdgeCAM Concepts
To configure the grid
Select the Grid Configure (View menu) command. On selecting the command, you can specify these
parameters:
Display – Check this box to show the grid in the active view port. You can still snap to a grid point even if
the grid is not visible.
Digitise Origin – Check to digitize a new origin point for the grid.
X Space – Specify the horizontal space between grid points in part units.
Y Space – Specify the vertical space between grid points in part units.
Width – Specifies the total width of the displayed grid in part units.
Height – Specifies the total height of the displayed grid in part units.

EdgeCAM User Guide

The Co-ordinate Input Dialog 36

Selecting the button displays the Co-ordinate Input dialog box.

When Cartesian co-ordinates are selected and the XY environment is active, the Co-ordinate Input dialog
box is displayed as shown below:

EdgeCAM Concepts

Click on the More button to display these extra options:

When the ZX environment is active, the X, Y, Z boxes appear as:

Use the Co-ordinate System option buttons to select one of the three co-ordinate systems:

Cartesian co-ordinates

EdgeCAM User Guide

 Polar co-ordinates
37
Angular co-ordinates

Use the Axes options to select whether co-ordinates are specified with respect to CPL or World axes. The
selection is registered in the Command box as a P for CPL axes or a W for World axes. If P is entered on its
own then a default position of X0Y0Z0 will be used.

EdgeCAM Concepts

EdgeCAM User Guide

Entering Cartesian Co-ordinates 38
To specify Cartesian co-ordinates

1. Type your required co-ordinates into the X, Y, Z boxes.

Ordinate values can be mathematical expressions using the + - * / operators. Brackets can be used
to establish the order of evaluation. If an ordinate value is not given, the previous value used in the
current command is used. If no previous value has been given, 0.0 is assumed.
If the 2D Snap option has been selected, Z ordinate values are ignored and the level of the
currently selected CPL is used.
EdgeCAM Concepts
If a 2D CPL is current, Z ordinates cannot be entered.
Ordinate values are shown in the Command box as they are entered.

2. Choose how each ordinate is specified from these options.

Absolute – Ordinates are specified with respect to the selected axis system.
Incremental – Incremental ordinates are given with respect to the previous co-ordinate position. If
no previous position has been given, the increment is taken from the origin of the selected axis
system.
When an Incremental option button is selected, the labelling of the associated X, Y or Z box
appears as IX, IY, IZ respectively and IX, IY or IZ appears in the command box.
Screen Select – Ordinates are specified by normal digitising methods. When this option is used, an
X, Y or Z is shown in the command box.
Any mixture of these methods can be used to specify a set of co-ordinates.
When the Co-ordinate Input dialog box is closed, a prompt for the required ordinate is given in the
Status bar.

3. Select the OK or Continue buttons when you have completed your co-ordinate specification.

Specifying Cartesian Co-ordinates in Command Format

Experienced users can enter co-ordinates directly though the Command box. You can also display this box
by pressing one of the keys that corresponds to an axis or a command (for example, X, Y, Z, A, B, C, I, W,
R, P).

Absolute co-ordinates are specified in the form:

XnnYnnZnn
where nn is an ordinate value.
Each ordinate is optional and its name and value can be omitted. If an ordinate value is not given, the
previous value used in the current command is used. If no previous value has been given, then 0.0 is
assumed.

Incremental co-ordinates are specified in the form:

IXnnIYnnIZnn
where nn is an incremental ordinate value.
Each incremental ordinate is optional and its name and value can be omitted. Incremental ordinates are
given with respect to the previous co-ordinate position. If no previous position has been given, the
increment is taken from the origin of the selected axis system.
Specify screen selections by giving only X, Y or Z as required.

EdgeCAM User Guide

The methods used for specifying ordinate values can be mixed.
39

EdgeCAM Concepts

EdgeCAM User Guide

Entering Polar Co-ordinates 40
To specify polar co-ordinates
When Polar co-ordinates are selected the Co-ordinate Input dialog box is displayed as shown below:

EdgeCAM Concepts

1. Type your required values into the Radius and Angle boxes. Radius values are taken incrementally
from the last co-ordinate position. If no previous position has been given, the origin of the selected
axis system is used. Angles are always absolute values (degrees).

Values can be mathematical expressions using the + - * / operators. Brackets can be used to
establish the order of evaluation.
Radius and Angle values are shown in the Command box as they are entered.

2. Select the OK or Continue buttons when you have completed your co-ordinate specification.

Specifying Polar Co-ordinates in Command Format

Experienced users can enter co-ordinates directly though the Command box. You can also display this box
by pressing one of the keys that corresponds to an axis or a command (for example, X, Y, Z, A, B, C, I, W,
R, P).
Polar co-ordinates are specified in the form:
RnnAmm
where nn is a radius value and mm is an angle (degrees).
Radius values are taken incrementally from the last co-ordinate position. If no previous position has been
given, the origin of the selected axis system is used. Angles are always absolute values (degrees).

EdgeCAM User Guide

Entering Angular Co-ordinates 41
To specify angular co-ordinates
Angular co-ordinates are defined by specifying:

The distance along a chosen rotary axis

The distance along one other axis
An absolute angle of rotation around the rotary axis.

EdgeCAM Concepts
Enter co-ordinate data as follows:

1. Select the Rotary Axis.

2. Type your required distances along the A, B and C axes into the X, Y and Z boxes respectively. This
is done in the way described for Cartesian co-ordinates.
3. Enter the absolute angle (degrees) into the Angle box.
4. Select the OK or Continue buttons when you have completed your co-ordinate specification.

Specifying Angular Co-ordinates in Command Format

Experienced users can enter co-ordinates directly though the Command box. You can also display this box
by pressing one of the keys that corresponds to an axis or a command (for example, X, Y, Z, A, B, C, I, W,
R, P).
Angular co-ordinates are specified by entering a distance along a rotational axis, a distance along one other
axis and then an angle of rotation, for example
X50Y50A90 should give a point at X50 Y0 Z50 because the point defined at X50Y50 is rotated by 90
degrees about the X (A) axis.

EdgeCAM User Guide

2D Snap 42

The 2D snap command determines how co-ordinate

information is obtained for a command.

Activate the command to set all Z ordinates to the level of the current CPL, regardless of input method.
De-activate the command for full 3D operation with:

Entity digitises EdgeCAM Concepts

Co-ordinates obtained by reference or by construction
Explicit co-ordinate input.

With free digitises, Z ordinates are always taken to be at the level of the current CPL.
Note: If either the CPL(Edit menu) or Create CPL(Geometry menu) command have been used to set the
current CPL to 2D, this command is not available.

EdgeCAM User Guide

Selecting Contiguous Entities by Chaining 43

In GLview, a double digitise on an entity will automatically chain in 2D. To enable 3D chaining hold the
CTRL key down while digitising. To enable 3D chaining by default, check the 3D Chain by Default option
on the Selection tab of the Preferences (Options menu) command.

The process of selecting contiguous entities is called ‘chaining’.

If you need to select a series of contiguous entities, use these commands:

Chain All
EdgeCAM Concepts
Chain

Toggle Branch

Toggle Deselect

2D Snap

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 44
Normal Chaining
Select the first entity in the chain. The direction of the chain is from the end at which the entity is selected
towards the entity at its other end
Each entity in the chain is highlighted as it is found. Chaining continues until:

The start entity is encountered as would happen for a closed pocket

No new entity can be found as would happen for an open profile

EdgeCAM Concepts
An entity is found which is not coplanar with all previous entities and 3D chaining has not been
selected
The path of the chain could branch into one or more alternative paths.

This happens when one or more entities share a common end point with the entity which is currently at the
end of the chain. The path along which chaining continues can be controlled by using the Branch button
described below. If branching is not selected, EdgeCAM makes its own decision about which path to follow.

EdgeCAM User Guide

Limited Chaining 45

The Limited Chaining button starts a chain at a selected entity and terminates it at another entity:

1. Select the entity at the start of the chain (d1).

2. Select the entity at the end of the chain (d2).

EdgeCAM Concepts

The direction of chaining and the resolution of branches is as described for normal chaining.

EdgeCAM User Guide

Branch the Chain 46

Choosing the Chain button provides control over which path the chain is to follow when it could
branch along one or more alternative paths.
A prompt is given in the Status bar requesting selection of the entity along which chaining is to continue.
If this button is not selected branching occurs as described under Normal chaining.

EdgeCAM Concepts

EdgeCAM User Guide

Deselect Entities from a Chain 47

Choosing the Deselect Entities button allows entities to be deselected from a chain. All the methods
normally used for entity selection are available for this purpose.

Note that this option is not available in GLview.

EdgeCAM Concepts

EdgeCAM User Guide

Specifying Co-ordinates by Reference 48

The command is used for specifying a co-ordinate location as an offset from a reference location.

1. Digitise the reference location (d1). Any of the toolbar buttons which are for specifying locations can
be used.
2. Type into the Co-ordinate Input dialog box the required offsets from the reference point.

The 2D EdgeCAM Concepts

button must NOT have been selected if a Z offset is to take effect. Otherwise, the Z level of
the current CPL is used.

Example
In the following example, the circle has been inserted at the dimensions shown by:

Selecting the corner of the part as a reference point (d1)

Inserting the following values in the Co-ordinate Input dialog: X=-25 and Y=10.

EdgeCAM User Guide

Selecting Two Entities 49

The Dig2 command is used for selecting two entities with one digitise.
Holding down the Ctrl key while selecting the left hand mouse button (d1) selects the nearest two entities
that are in range. The entity nearest to the digitised position is taken to be the first of the two entities
selected.
This is particularly useful with commands for:

Entity trimming
Filleting or chamfering
EdgeCAM Concepts
Creating a continuous entity.

Once this button has been selected it stays in effect until either it is deselected or the command is finished.

Example
The example shows entities being selected for the construction of a blend radius. Note that the digitise has
been placed nearer to the right hand line so that it is taken as the first entity: this presents the entities to the
command in the correct order.

EdgeCAM User Guide

 50
Controlling Entity Selection
By clicking Entity Types in the Input toolbar you can restrict the effect of commands to the entities.
For example when trimming you can restrict the types of entities that are selectable to lines and arcs.
You use this dialog:

EdgeCAM Concepts

To select or deselect an entity type, click on its check box.

Entities which are valid for the command have their check boxes automatically set but they can be altered.
Entities which are inappropriate to the current command are greyed out.
All – Click this button to check all check boxes.
None – Click this button to clear all the check boxes.

EdgeCAM User Guide

Construction Methods 51
While you are creating certain types of geometry, such as a line, you can:

1. Hold down the right-hand mouse button. After a short delay a shortcut menu appears.
2. From the shortcut menu, choose an option for the way you want to create the geometry. While setting
the end point for a line for example, you can choose 'Mid-Point', and position the end point at the mid-
point of an existing line.

As an alternative, you can select the button equivalent of the options, as shown below. These do not appear
in the user interface as standard, you will first need to add them to a menu or toolbar. The options
EdgeCAM Concepts
(commands) are in the Input Options category.
Here are the options, shown with their button equivalents:

Construct Using Mid-Point

Specify co-ordinates by selecting an entity. The co-ordinates of the mid point of the line or arc are taken.

Construct Using Arc Centre

Specify co-ordinates by selecting an arc. The co-ordinates of the centre point of the arc are taken.

Construct Using the X Co-ordinate of an Entity

This button gives the co-ordinates of a location on an entity at a given X value:

1. Select the entity on which the intersection is to occur.

2. Digitise the location through which the imaginary vertical line is to pass.

Construct Using the Y C-ordinate of an Entity

This gives the co-ordinates of a location on an entity at a given Y value:

1. Select the entity on which the intersection is to occur.

2. Digitise the location through which the imaginary horizontal line is to pass.

Construct Using the Intersection of Two Entities

Select the two intersecting entities. Each entity can be a line or an arc. When the entities intersect more
than once, the co-ordinates of the intersection which is nearest to the digitise on the first entity are used.

Construct Using the Distance from the End of an Entity

1. Enter the distance value in the dialog box. For an arc entity, the value is taken to be an angle (in
degrees) from the digitised end of the entity. (Enter a positive value if the distance is to measured
along the entity and enter a negative value if measuring the distance past the end of the entity).

2. Select the entity.

3. Digitise at the end from which the distance is to be measured.

Construct Using the Mid-point between Two Entities

1.
2. EdgeCAM User Guide
 1. Digitise the first entity (d1).
52
2. Digitise the second entity (d2).

In the example below, a point has been constructed at the mid point between the entity digitises on the ends
of the lines.

EdgeCAM Concepts

EdgeCAM User Guide

 53
Selecting Entities by Parameters
Specify the entities that you want to select by referring to their parameters. This is generally used when
creating PCIs.

EdgeCAM Concepts

EdgeCAM User Guide

About Construction Planes (CPLs) 54
The EdgeCAM database maintains part models with respect to a co-ordinate system known as the World
co-ordinate system.
The diagram below shows the orientation of a simple part within the World co-ordinate system.

EdgeCAM Concepts

To help you construct a model, the concept of the construction plane (or CPL) is used. A construction plane
defines a local co-ordinate system at any orientation to the World axes. As each CPL has its own x, y, z
axes, you only have to deal with local co-ordinates when creating entities. EdgeCAM translates CPL co-
ordinates into World co-ordinates for you.

See Also
Predefined CPLs
The Drawing CPL
Displaying Axis Systems
Creating New CPLs
Selecting CPLs
Editing CPLs
Verifying CPLs
Deleting CPLs

EdgeCAM User Guide

Predefined CPLs 55
A set of predefined CPLs are provided for the XY and ZX environments.
This diagram shows the relationship between the CPL axes for the XY environment and the World axes.
The name of each CPL is shown.

The next diagram shows the relationship of the standard CPLs to each view of the part. Note that:

The origin of each standard CPL coincides with the World origin

EdgeCAM Concepts
The ‘top’ CPL is the only one where the CPL axes coincide exactly with the World axes.

If you need to add a feature, such as a slot, into the bottom of the part you can select the ‘bottom’ CPL and
work in terms of the dimensions you have without worrying about how they map back to the World axes.
Command modifier values for co-ordinates or angles of rotation are always given with respect to the current
CPL.
Explicit co-ordinate data can be given with respect to either the current CPL or the World co-ordinate
system. See ‘Specify explicit co-ordinates’ in the section ‘Entering co-ordinate data and selecting entities’.
The following diagram shows the standard CPLs for the ZX environment using a ‘swept’ profile.

EdgeCAM User Guide

The Drawing CPL 56

Classic EdgeCAM View Only

The Drawing CPL is different from all the other CPLs as it is purely two dimensional. It is like a conventional
drawing sheet on which views are assembled to provide the views which comprise an engineering drawing.
Its primary purpose is to contain elements of a drawing that are not part of the 3D model, such as the
dimensions, text and drawing symbols. By making the Drawing CPL current, it can also be used for making
two dimensional drawings.

EdgeCAM Concepts

EdgeCAM User Guide

Displaying Axis Systems 57
The display of World and CPL axes can be controlled by Drawing, Configure (View menu) command.
World axes are displayed in white and CPL X, Y, Z axes are displayed in red, green and blue respectively.

EdgeCAM Concepts

EdgeCAM User Guide

Creating New CPLs 58
You can define your own CPLs. A CPL definition requires three main parameters:
An origin
This defines where the origin of your CPL lies with respect to the World origin. Although the standard CPLs
have their origins coincident with the World origin, this need not be true for any CPLs that you define for
yourself.
An orientation
This defines the orientation of your CPL with respect to the World axes. Although the standard CPLs are
EdgeCAM Concepts
orthogonal to the World axes, this need not be true for any CPLs that you define for yourself.
A name
Names allow you to swap to another CPL and come back to your own CPL when required. Each CPL must
have a unique name.
As an example take the simple part illustrated in the diagrams for the XY environment and the following
modification for which a new CPL has been created to take advantage of the dimensioning scheme:

It is obviously easier to make the modifications to the part while working in the new CPL rather than in one
of the existing CPLs.
An unlimited number of CPLs can be created. When a CPL is created it becomes the current CPL and
remains active until another CPL is selected or created.
To create a new CPL

EdgeCAM User Guide

Selecting CPLs 59
To select a CPL (Construction Plane)

1. Select the Select CPL (Geometry menu) command.

By default, the Name box contains the name of the current CPL. The list of Names contains the
standard CPLs. As user defined CPLs are added to the part, the list is updated.

2. When changing from one CPL to another, the active Level is reset to zero. Enter a new level for the
CPL, if required, by entering a value or digitising an entity from which to take the level information.
EdgeCAM Concepts
This is the new distance from the CPL’s original plane of definition at which entities are created.
This can be used to change the level of the current CPL if nothing is selected from the Name list
box. (The current level can also be changed from the Toolbar – or only the display of levels. See
Selecting Visible Layers.)

2. If the ZX environment is current, set the Input Mode. The input mode determines whether X axis
dimensions refer to Radial or Diametral values. If the mode is set to Diametral and the explicit co-
ordinates X20Z20 are given, EdgeCAM takes the X value to be a diameter.
3. Select the name of the CPL to be made current from the Name list box.
4. Click on OK.

EdgeCAM User Guide

Editing CPLs 60
For standard CPLs (Top, Front and so on) only the Work Plane parameter of a standard CPL can be edited.
You see a warning if you edit a CPL that is the 'Initial CPL' of a machining sequence, as there are
potential dangers. For example:

Rapids will move along with the CPL, as they are based on coordinate input or free digitises. Toolpath
moves associative to geometry will not move with the CPL. This means that the CPL edit may move a
rapid so that it collides with part geometry.
If you rotate a CPL of a milling sequence so the geometry no longer lies in the plane of the CPL, the
EdgeCAM Concepts
cycles would fail to regenerate.

To edit a CPL

1. Select the CPL (Edit menu) command. The dialog box for the command is displayed.
2. Select the name of the CPL to be edited from the CPL list box. If a name is not selected, make an
entity digitise on the required CPL marker in response to the ‘Digitise the required CPL marker’
prompt.
3. Specify values for the parameters to be changed.

All parameters are described under the section Creating a CPL.

EdgeCAM User Guide

Verifying CPLs 61
Verifying a CPL produces a report on CPL parameters.
To verify a CPL

1. Select the CPL (Verifymenu)command. The dialog box for the command is displayed.
2. Select the name of the CPL to be verified from the Name list box. If a name is not selected make an
entity digitise on the marker of the CPL to be deleted in response to the ‘Digitise the required CPL
marker’ prompt.

EdgeCAM Concepts
The example below shows a typical CPL report obtained in the Design mode.

The offsets are measured in terms of the current CPL’s co-ordinates.

When a CPL is verified within the Manufacturing module and a machining sequence is active, additional
information is provided in the report. The diagram below gives a typical example:

The Primary and Secondary values are the rotations made from the primary and secondary axes of the
initial CPL specified. The last line of the report specifies whether the CPL is valid for the selected Code
Generator.

EdgeCAM User Guide

Deleting CPLs 62

Only user-defined CPLs can be deleted.

If the currently active CPL is deleted, CPL TOP will become current.
A CPL with an associated machining sequence cannot be deleted.

To delete a CPL

EdgeCAM Concepts
1. Select the Delete CPL (Edit menu) command.

The dialog box for the command is displayed.

2. Select the name of the CPL to be deleted from the Name list box.
3. Click on OK to continue.

EdgeCAM User Guide

Layer Control 63
Layers can be used for separating different types of entities from each other for display purposes. For
example, toolpaths would normally be on different layers from the geometry of a part model.
All layer control is via the Layers Window and the Layer drop down list in the Standard toolbar.

When EdgeCAM is started, the default layer is Geometry .

The Layers Window displays the current set of available layers, listing their names and visibility status.
Please note that only layers that are visible can be drawn on.
EdgeCAM Concepts

To sort the layers in alphabetical order double click the Name label at the top of the list. Double-
clicking the Show label will sort the entries by visibility. Please note that a further double click will not
reverse the order, simply double click the other label again.
Double clicking the visibility column toggles the Yes/No status.

See Also
Activating a Layer
Creating a New Layer
The Shortcut Menu in the Layers Window
Notes on Using Layers
Layer Control and Tabbed Views

EdgeCAM User Guide

Activating a Layer 64
There are different ways of activating a layer.

You can select the layer in the drop down list in the Standard EdgeCAM toolbar.

EdgeCAM Concepts
In the Layers Window, you can either activate the layer by double clicking it or by opening the shortcut
menu with a right-hand mouse click and selecting the option Make Active.

The active layer is marked in red in the Layers Window.

Geometric entities are always created on the ACTIVE layer.

Note: Active layers cannot be deleted.

EdgeCAM User Guide

Creating a New Layer 65
There are two ways of creating a new layer:

Type in a new name in the Layer drop down list in the Standard EdgeCAM toolbar.
Use a right-hand mouse click to open the shortcut menu and select the option New.

Layers can be assigned names of up to 63 characters in length.

EdgeCAM Concepts

EdgeCAM User Guide

The Shortcut Menu in the Layers Window 66
Right-click on a layer entry to call up the shortcut menu.

EdgeCAM Concepts

Make Active – Activates the selected layer.

New – Creates a new layer. Layers can be assigned names of up to 63 characters in length.
Delete – Deletes the selected layer(s). Please note that layers containing entities and the active layer
cannot be deleted.
Hide – Makes the selected layer(s) invisible.
Show – Makes the selected layer(s) visible.
Show Only – Only the selected layer(s) will be shown.
Show All – Makes all layers visible.
Properties – Displays the Layer Properties dialog which allows you to change the name and visibility status
of the selected layer.
Select All Entities – Selects all entities on the selected layer(s). (This option is only available in GLview)
Select to Hide – Select an entity on the layer you wish to hide. After selecting the option from the context
menu you will be prompted to digitize entities on the layer to exclude.
Refresh – Refreshes the display in the Layers Window.
Please note that you can use standard Windows controls when working with layers in the window, ie. you
can use the Ctrl or Shift key to pick several layers before selecting the appropriate option from the shortcut
menu.

Layer commands initiated while another layer command is being processed will be ignored.

EdgeCAM User Guide

Notes on Using Layers 67
Loading Parts into EdgeCAM
Inserting Parts into EdgeCAM
Exporting DXF files
Creating Layers with Toolchange
Verifying Entities
Using PCIs which depend on numbered layers

EdgeCAM Concepts

EdgeCAM User Guide

Copyright 68
(C)1988-2006 Pathtrace. All rights reserved.
Pathtrace and its registered resellers or sub-resellers shall have no liability or responsibility to the licensee
or any other person or entity with respect to any liability, loss or damage caused or alleged to be caused
directly or indirectly by this product, including but not limited to any interruption of service, loss of business
or anticipatory profits or consequent damages resulting from the use or operation of this software.

Microsoft, Windows and Windows NT are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.

MemoHASP is a registered trademark of Aladdin Knowledge Systems Ltd.
NetSentinel is a trademark of Rainbow Technologies, Inc.
EdgeCAM Concepts
OpenGL(r) and Optimizer are trademarks of Silicon Graphics Inc.
Parasolid is a trademark of Unigraphics Solutions Inc.
Autodesk Inventor (tm) is a trademark of Autodesk Inc.
SolidWorks is a registered trademark of SolidWorks Corporation.
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Parametric Technology Corporation or its subsidiaries in the U.S. and in other countries.
AutoCAD and DXF are registered trademarks of Autodesk Inc.
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EdgeCAM Simulator and EdgeCAM Verify use technology developed by Lightworks Designs Ltd.
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Cambridge, England, and Applied Geometry Corporation, Seattle, Washington.
Other brands and product names are trademarks of their respective owners.
The information contained within this document is subject to change without notice and does not represent
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EdgeCAM User Guide