34-6741-0000 spectraCAM Turning UG 9804 PDF

spectraCAM Turning Users Guide
for Windows
34-6741-0000
Contents
i
ii

for Windows
1998 Light Machines Corporation Contents
Manchester, New Hampshire, U. S. A.
April, 1998
iii
1998
Light Machines Corporation All Rights Reserved.
The information contained in this guide was accurate at the time of its printing. Light Machines Corporation reserves the right to change specifications and operational performance of its products without notice. Any changes or corrections to the information contained in this publication will be incorporated in future issues. This publication (34-6741-0000, April, 1998) corresponds to spectraCAM Turning for Windows Version 1.0.
Printed in U.S.A.
spectraCAD and spectraCAM are trademarks of Light Machines Corporation. Windows is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation. DXF is a trademark of Autodesk, Incorporated.
iv
Contents
Section A: Introduction
What is spectraCAM Turning? ..................................................................... A-2 spectraCAM Features .................................................................................... A-2 Using This Manual .......................................................................................A-3 Glossary of CAD/CAM Terms ........................................................................ A-3
Section B: Installation
System Requirements ................................................................................... B-2 Installation Procedure ................................................................................. B-3 Installing the Security Plug ........................................................................ B-5
Section C: Getting Around in spectraCAM Turning

Whats in this Section .................................................................................. C-2 Starting spectraCAM Turning ...................................................................... C-2 Exploring the spectraCAM Turning Screen ............................................... C-3 Using Coordinate Systems ........................................................................... C-9
Cartesian Coordinate System .................................................................C-9
Absolute Coordinates ................................................................................. C-9 Relative Coordinates ................................................................................ C-10
Polar Coordinate System ..................................................................... C-11
Selecting and Cancelling Commands ...................................................... C-12

Using the Keyboard to Select Commands .......................................... C-12 Using Hot Keys to Select Commands................................................... C-12 Using the Space Bar .............................................................................. C-12 Using the Mouse to Select Commands................................................ C-13
Using the Left Mouse Button .................................................................... C-13 Using the Right Mouse Button .................................................................. C-13 Selecting a Context-Sensitive Menu Command ........................................ C-14
Contents
Picking Points.............................................................................................. C-15

Clicking in the Drawing Area................................................................ C-15 Using the Quick Entry Bar .................................................................... C-15
Selecting and Deselecting Entities .......................................................... C-16

Using the Entity Box.............................................................................. C-16 Using a Selection Box ............................................................................ C-17 Using Select All ....................................................................................... C-17
Getting Help ................................................................................................ C-18

Using the Status Bar ............................................................................. C-18 Using the Tool Bar ................................................................................. C-18 Using On-line Help................................................................................. C-19
Exiting spectraCAM Turning ...................................................................... C-20
Section D: Quickstart
Whats in This Section ................................................................................ D-2 Step 1: Start spectraCAM Turning/Create a New Drawing ................... D-3 Step 2: Setting Parameters ........................................................................ D-4 Step 3: Draw the Arc ................................................................................... D-6 Step 4: Drawing Lines ................................................................................ D-8 Step 5: Generating Toolpaths ................................................................. D-10 Step 6: Save as an NC File ....................................................................... D-12
Section E: Basic CAD Operations

Whats in This Section ................................................................................. E-2 Managing Files ............................................................................................. E-3
Creating a New Drawing ......................................................................... E - 3 Opening an Existing Drawing ................................................................ E - 4
To Open an Existing Drawing: .................................................................... E-4 To Open a Recently Used Drawing: ............................................................ E-5
Importing a DXF File .............................................................................. E - 6 Closing the Session .................................................................................. E - 7 Saving a Drawing .................................................................................... E - 8
vi
Printing a Drawing .................................................................................. E - 9

To Preview the Drawing: ......................................................................... E-10 To Print the Drawing: .............................................................................. E-11
Drawing Entities .......................................................................................... E-12

Drawing a Line ....................................................................................... E-12 Drawing an Arc....................................................................................... E-13
Draw an Arc Using Three Points .............................................................. E-13 Draw an Arc Using Two End Points and a Radius ..................................... E-13
Drawing a Rectangle ............................................................................. E-15 Drawing a Circle ..................................................................................... E-17 Drawing a Point ..................................................................................... E-18 Drawing Text .......................................................................................... E-18
Modifying Entities, Basic Operations .......................................................E-20

Deleting Entities ..................................................................................... E-20 Moving Entities ...................................................................................... E-20
To Move Entities: ..................................................................................... E-21 To Move Entities (Shortcut): .................................................................... E-21
Copying Entities ..................................................................................... E-22

To Copy Entities: ...................................................................................... E-22 To Copy Entities (Shortcut): ..................................................................... E-23
Viewing the Drawing ................................................................................. E-24

Zooming In ............................................................................................. E-24 Zooming Out .......................................................................................... E-25 Magnifying a Portion of the Drawing ................................................ E-25 Restoring the Previous View ................................................................ E-26 Viewing the Entire Drawing ................................................................. E-26 Panning the View ................................................................................... E-26 Redrawing the View ............................................................................... E-27
Using Undo and Redo ................................................................................ E-28
Contents
vii
Section F: Advanced CAD Operations

Whats in This Section ................................................................................. F-2 Modifying Entities, Advanced Operations ................................................. F-3
Rotating Entities ...................................................................................... F - 3 Scaling Entities......................................................................................... F - 4 Trimming Entities .................................................................................... F - 6 Extending Entities.................................................................................... F - 7 Breaking Entities ..................................................................................... F - 8 Filleting Entities ....................................................................................... F - 9 Editing Text ............................................................................................. F-10 Mirroring Entities .................................................................................. F-11 Exploding Entities.................................................................................. F-12 Offsetting Entities .................................................................................. F-13
Layering........................................................................................................ F-15
Using Layers ........................................................................................... F-15 Using the Layer Display Box and Layers Button .............................. F-16 Changing the Current Layer ................................................................ F-16 Moving Entities Between Layers.......................................................... F-17 Changing Layer Properties .................................................................. F-18 Adding and Deleting Layers ................................................................ F-19
Using the Assist Menu ............................................................................... F-20

Group and Ungroup ............................................................................. F-20 Measure .................................................................................................. F-21
To Measure the Distance Between Two Points: ........................................ F-21 To Measure the Angle Between Two Points: ............................................ F-21
Query ....................................................................................................... F-22
Using Snaps ................................................................................................. F-24

Types of Entity Snaps ........................................................................... F-24 Using Entity Snaps ................................................................................ F-27
To Pick a Point with a Temporary Entity Snap:........................................ F-27 To Choose Permanent Entity Snaps: ........................................................ F-28 To Pick a Point with the Permanent Entity Snaps:................................... F-29
viii
Cursor Constraints ................................................................................. F-29

Grid Command.......................................................................................... F-29 Ortho Command ....................................................................................... F-31
Using the Clipboard .................................................................................... F-32

Copy to Clipboard Command .................................................................... F-32 Paste from Clipboard Command .............................................................. F-32
Customizing spectraCAM Turning ............................................................ F-33

Viewing the Tool Bar and Status Bar ................................................. F-33 Viewing the Grid, End Points, and Text .............................................. F-33 Changing Tool Bar Visibility, Position, and Size .............................. F-34 Customizing the Toolbars .................................................................... F-35
Custom Keyboard Commands ................................................................... F-35 Split Window and Workbook Mode ........................................................... F-36
Setting Options ...................................................................................... F-37

Display Options ........................................................................................ F-37 View Options ............................................................................................. F-38 CAM Options ............................................................................................. F-38 Miscellaneous and Document Options ....................................................... F-39
Section G: CAM Operations

CAM Operations............................................................................................ G-2
CAM Operations in the File Menu .......................................................... G-2 CAM Operations in the View Menu ........................................................ G-3 CAM Operations in the Turning Menu .................................................. G-4
Facing ......................................................................................................... G-4 Finish ......................................................................................................... G-7 Thread ........................................................................................................ G-8 Cutoff .......................................................................................................... G-8
Setting Operation Parameters ............................................................ G-10

Facing Parameters ................................................................................... G-10 Setup Rough/Finish/Groove Parameters .................................................. G-12 Threading Parameters ............................................................................. G-14 Setup Cutoff Parameters ..........................................................................G-16 Generate Command .................................................................................. G-17
Contents
ix
CAM Operations in the Setup Menu .................................................... G-18

Toolpaths .................................................................................................. G-18 Tool Library ............................................................................................. G-19 Select Stock ............................................................................................... G-21 Setup Stock ............................................................................................... G-23 Thread Library .........................................................................................G-24 Post Processor ..........................................................................................G-26
Split Screen ............................................................................................. G-27 Toolbars ..................................................................................................G-27
Section H: Command Quick Reference

Whats in This Section ................................................................................ H-2 The File Menu .............................................................................................. H-2 The Edit Menu .............................................................................................. H-4 The Draw Menu............................................................................................ H-5 The Modify Menu......................................................................................... H-6 The Assist Menu ........................................................................................... H-7 The View Menu ............................................................................................ H-8 The Snap Menu .......................................................................................... H-10 The Turning Menu .................................................................................... H-11 The Setup Menu ........................................................................................ H-12 The WindowsMenu .................................................................................... H-13 The Help Menu .......................................................................................... H-14
Index
spectraCAM Turning: Section A
Introduction
What is spectraCAM Turning? Glossary of CAD/CAM Terms
About spectraCAM Turning
A-1
What is spectraCAM Turning?

spectraCAM Turning is an integrated CAD/CAM program that allows you to complete the first two phases of the CAD/CAM/CNC process. First, you are able to create a CAD drawing with multiple layers, in two dimensions. The drawing is usually saved as a DXF file, and then imported into a CAM program. With spectraCAM, you can move directly from CAD into CAM, and create toolpaths for different operations. You save the toolpaths into NC code format which will be read by the machine tool (lathe) that will cut your part. The NC code generated in spectraCAM contains standard G&M codes that CNC machine tools (like the spectraLIGHT Lathe and proLIGHT Lathe) recognize. The final step in the CAD/CAM process is to graphically verify your NC program. This allows you to see what the toolpaths will cut, without having the added expense of physically cutting the part. If there are problems with the program you can easily go back and make changes. spectraCAM Turning supports facing, roughing, finishing, grooving, cutoff, and threading operations. It generates tool paths for each layer of the part geometry drawing, and saves those toolpaths as NC code. When all the tool paths have been generated and the NC file is complete, you can verify and run the program on a lathe.
spectraCAM Features
spectraCAM Turning for Windows is a two dimensional CAD/CAM program that allows you to design, and generate NC code for parts to be turned on a lathe. spectraCAM Turning has:
w A Windows User Interface w Tool library for up to 20 tools w Zoom and Pan capability in the middle of a tool cycle w Automatic NC code generation using standard EIA RS274D G&M codes w On screen toolpath verification w Easy editing of NC code w Automatic roughing and finishing cycles w Facing, Roughing, Finishing, Grooving, Threading, and Cutoff operations
A-2
Section A
Using This Manual

This manual is divided into eight sections plus a subject index. The following guidelines will help you decide what to read. All users should read Section B, to properly install spectraCAM Turning and to ensure that your computer meets the minimum requirements for running spectraCAM Turning. New users should read Sections A and C first, to learn the basics of spectraCAM Turning. You should complete Section D: Quick Start to create a simple drawing. Once you feel comfortable working in spectraCAM Turning, read Sections E and F to learn all of the spectraCAM Turning operations and drawing aids. Experienced users should scan Sections C and D first, to learn how spectraCAM Turning differs from other CAD/CAM programs. Use Sections E, F, and G as a reference guide.
Glossary of CAD/CAM Terms

Computer-Aided Design, or CAD, is a way to draw complex shapes easily and accurately using a computer. Once you create a CAD drawing, you can use it in a CAM (Computer-Aided Manufacturing) program, like spectraCAM Turning. Following are definitions of the CAD terms frequently used in this manual. You should understand them before you use spectraCAM Turning.
Coordinates
The coordinates of a point are a pair of numbers that describe its location in the drawing. This location is relative to the origin , or center, of a two-dimensional coordinate system. See Using Coordinate Systems in Section C for more information on coordinates.
DXF
The drawing interchange file, or DXF, is a standard file format used by many CAD and CAM programs. spectraCAM Turning reads and saves drawings in this file format.
Entity
An entity is an object which you draw, modify, and place to create a drawing. Points, lines, arcs, circles, text blocks, rectangles, and polylines are all entities.
About spectraCAM Turning
A-3
Grid
The Grid is a rectangular array of dots in the spectraCAM Turning Drawing Area. You can use the Grid to accurately create freehand drawings.
Layer
A layer is like a transparent sheet on which you draw entities. You can see one sheet only, or stack several together to see them all at once. Similarly, you can view just one layer, or a few layers together, or all the layers at once. See Layering in Section F for more information on layers.
View
The view is the position and size of the Drawing Area in relation to the drawing. Drawings can be larger than the spectraCAM Turning Drawing Area. To see different parts of a large drawing, you can change the view. You can also magnify the view, to make the drawing look larger or smaller. See Viewing the Drawing in Section E for more information on changing the view.
Turning Operations
Five basic turning operations are supported by spectraCAM.
w Facing removes material across the top surface of the workpiece. w Roughing and Finishing remove material parallel to the centerline of the
workpiece.
w Grooving plunges a grooving tool into the workpiece perpendicular to

the centerline.
w Cutoff plunges a tool into the workpiece until it passes the centerline,
thereby severing the workpiece from the remainder of the stock material.
w Threading uses a threading tool and cuts the selected thread into the
stock. As previously mentioned, spectraCAM Turning allows you to specify the cutting parameters (depth of cut, feed rate, spindle speed, and direction of tool path) for each of these operations.
A-4
Section A
spectraCAM Turning: Section B
Installation
Standard Software Installation Installing the Security Plug
Installation
B-1
System Requirements
To install and run spectraCAM, you must have the following items:
u u u u u
486 or 586 personal computer (P90 minimum, P133 recommended) Windows 95 or NT 4.0, installed 16 MB RAM, minimum (32 MB RAM recommended) 3.5 floppy drive, At least 8 MB of available hard drive space
Important: The spectraCAM Package comes with a Security Plug that must be attached to the parallel port connector on your computer. After installing the software, follow the instructions on page B-5 to install the Security Plug. spectraCAM will not work without the Security Plug!
B-2
Section B
Installation Procedure
The following procedure explains how to install spectraCAM Turning on your computer. Before you install the software, you must turn on your computer and start Windows. You should make sure no other programs are running during installation. To install spectraCAM Turning: 1. Insert Disk 1 into the floppy drive. 2. Select Run from the Start Menu. The Run dialog box appears.
3. In the Open field, enter a:\setup.exe (if the floppy drive has the designation b:\, then enter b:\setup.exe), and click OK . 4. The installation program starts. A Setup Wizard guides you through the simple procedure. You are given the opportunity select a destination directory prior to installation, and to view the Readme file for late breaking spectraCAM Turning information after installation.
Installation
B-3
After installation is complete, you will see the following new Program Group.
spectraCAM Turning
Starts the spectraCAM Turning program.
Readme
Opens a file that provides information that came about after the printing of this manual.
spectraCAM Turning Help

Starts the spectraCAM Turning on-line help utility.
Remove spectraCAM Turning

Automatically removes the spectraCAM Turning application and all of its related files from your hard drive.
You may start spectraCAM Turning by double-clicking on the spectraCAM Turning icon in the spectraCAM Turning Group, or by selecting spectraCAM Turning from the Programs Menu under the Start Menu.
B-4
Section B
Installing the Security Plug

The spectraCAM Security Plug must be installed on the parallel port between the PC and the printer (if you have one). Make sure the computer is turned off before beginning this procedure. To install the Security Plug: CAUTION: Do not confuse the parallel port with the spectraLIGHTor proLIGHT Interface Card Connector! They are all 25-pin female connectors. Do not lose the Software Interface Module! If you lose the Software Interface Module, you must purchase another entire spectraCAM Package to get a new one. 1. Locate the parallel printer port on your computer. On IBM and compatible computers, the parallel port is a female, 25-pin, D-type connector. Refer to the installation instructions supplied with your PC for the parallel port location. 2. If a printer is connected to the parallel port, detach the connector by unscrewing the screws holding it in place. 3. Plug the spectraCAM Security Plug into the parallel port. 4. Secure the block to the parallel connector by tightening the screws. 5. Connect the printer connector to the Security Plug.
Installation
B-5
B-6
Section B
spectraCAM Turning: Section C
Getting Around in spectraCAM Turning
Starting spectraCAM Turning Exploring the spectraCAM Turning Screen Using Coordinate Systems Selecting and Cancelling Commands Picking Points Selecting and Deselecting Entities Getting Help Exiting spectraCAM Turning
Whats in this Section

This section describes the basics of working with spectraCAM Turning. By reading this section, you will learn:
u u u u u u u
How to start and exit spectraCAM Turning The parts of the spectraCAM Turning screen The spectraCAM Turning coordinate systems and types How to select a command How to pick a point How to select an entity How to get help
Starting spectraCAM Turning

To start spectraCAM Turning from the Windows Program Manager, double-click the spectraCAM Turning icon; or select spectraCAM Turning from the Programs list under the Start Menu. spectraCAM Turning starts and creates an untitled drawing based on the default template.
After you start spectraCAM Turning, you can use the New command under the File Menu to create a drawing based on a template other than Default. See Managing spectraCAM Turning Files in Section E for more information on starting spectraCAM Turning with an existing drawing. See Using Templates in Section F for information on changing the default template.
C-2
Section C
Exploring the spectraCAM Turning Screen

This section acquaints you with the components that make up the spectraCAM Turning screen. They are described in order, from the top to the bottom of the screen.
Title Bar Standard Tool Bar Quick Enter Bar
Menu Bar Dialog Bar
Toolbars Stock Outline
Drawing Area
Verify Window
NC File Edit Window
Status Bar
Title Bar
The Title Bar shows the application name, spectraCAM Turning and the name of the current drawing. If the drawing has not been assigned a name, the word untitled appears on the Title Bar.
Menu Bar
The Menu Bar contains the spectraCAM Turning pull-down menus.
C-3
Standard Tool Bar

The Standard Tool Bar contains buttons that correspond to frequently-used commands. Clicking a button is equivalent to selecting a command from a menu.
New Open Import About Redraw Pan Delete Move Copy
Save
Help
The spectraCAM Turning Tool Bar

The Standard Tool Bar can be visible or hidden. It can also be moved around the screen. You can dock the Standard Tool Bar to different parts of the screen, or make it a floating palette.
Show Grid
Print Copy to Clipboard
Show Text Show End Points
Grid Snap
Ortho Lock
Dialog Bar
The Dialog Bar appears just above the Quick Entry Bar in the spectraCAM Turning window. It contains boxes and buttons allowing you to quickly change coordinate systems, select entities, change layer properties, view or hide various windows, and access Setup menu commands.
The controls on the Dialog Bar are, from left to right: The Coordinate Type button changes the coordinate type. The Coordinate Display box displays the coordinates of the cursor relative to the stock origin. The Layer listbox displays and lets you change the current layer, as well as move entities to different layers. The Select button selects all the entities on the current layer. The Edit button opens the Edit Layers dialog box, in which you can add, delete, and modify layers; clicking this button selects Setup > Layers. The Split Window button opens and closes the NC Preview window, Verify window, and Tool Paths list. The Generate Tool Path button generates a tool path; clicking this button selects Turning > Generate. The Save NC button saves the NC code to a file; clicking this button selects File > Save NC. The Setup Tool Library button opens the Setup Tool Library dialog box, in which you can add, delete, and modify tools; clicking this button selects Setup > Tool Library.
C-4
Section C
The Stock Library button opens the Edit Stock Library dialog box, allowing you to add, delete, and modify stock. Clicking this button is the same as selecting Setup > Stock > Setup Library. The Thread Library button opens the Edit Thread Library dialog box, in which you can add, delete, and modify threads. Clicking this button is the same as selecting Setup > Thread Library. The Setup Tool Paths button opens the Setup Tool Paths dialog box, allowing you to reorder and delete tool paths. Clicking this button is the same as selecting Setup > Tool Paths.
Quick Entry Bar

The Quick Entry Bar is located under the Dialog Bar in the spectraCAM Turning window. It allows youto quickly enter parameters for an operation rather than selecting individual menu items and dialog boxes.
Drawing Area
The Drawing Area is where you view and draw entities.
Tool Bars
The seven Tool Bars are Main (or Standard), Assist, Snap, Modify, Turning, Draw, and Display. Each one contains buttons associated with commands in a spectraCAM Turning pull-down menu. Tool bars can be visible or hidden, and you can move and resize them by clicking and dragging. See Customizing spectraCAM Turning in Section F for more information on Tool Bars.
The spectraCAM Turning Tool Bars
C-5
NC Preview Window
The NC Preview window is visible when you select the split screen option, and is located below the Drawing Area. This window allows you to view the NC code generated for a toolpath, as well as Edit, Save, and Print the NC code generated in the current session.
Save as NC Preview NC Code Print NC File
Undo Edit Redo Edit
Cut
Copy
Paste
The NC Preview window has a toolbar for editing fuctions. See Section G: CAM Operations, under Toolbars for a complete explanation of the NC Preview Toolbar functions.
C-6
Section C
Verify Window
The Verify Window is visible with the split screen, and is located below the Drawing Area.It allows you to see a graphic verification of the turning operation. This makes it easy to edit toolpaths and locate coding errors.
Verify
Stop Redraw
Setup Verify
Verify Slower
Pan Up
Pan Left
Zoom In
Redraw
Reset
Verify Faster
Pan Down Zoom All
Pan Right
Zoom Out
The Verify Window also has a separate toolbar to control the view, the speed of verification, starting and stopping, etc. See Section G: CAM Operations, under Toolbars for a complete explanation of the Verify Toolbar functions.
C-7
Status Bar
The Status Bar displays useful information while you work in spectraCAM Turning.
Cursor
The cursor is the point-and-click device which you control with the mouse. You can select entities, select commands, and pick points with the cursor. When it is within the Drawing Area, the cursor can have two parts: the crosshairs and the entity box. Crosshairs are horizontal and vertical lines that intersect at the precise location of the cursor. The entity box is centered around this intersection point. The look of the crosshairs and entity box change depending on the operation you are performing: 1. When you are in idle mode (when no operations are being performed), the crosshairs and entity box are shown. 2. When you are selecting an entity, only the entity box is shown. 3. When you are picking a point without entity snaps, just the crosshairs are shown. 4. When you are picking a point with entity snaps, the crosshairs and snap box are shown. See Customizing spectraCAM Turning in Section F for more information on changing the cursor style. See Using Snaps in Section F for more information on the snap box and entity snaps.
Entity box and crosshairs
Entity box
Crosshairs
Snap box and crosshairs
C-8
Section C
Using Coordinate Systems

spectraCAM Turning has two coordinate systems, Cartesian and Polar. These two-dimensional systems describe the location of every point in the drawing with a pair of numbers, called coordinates . These coordinates are given in relation to the origin , or center, of the coordinate system. Using the Cartesian and Polar coordinate systems, you can specify three types of coordinates: Absolute, Relative, and Polar.
Cartesian Coordinate System

The Cartesian coordinate system describes the location of a point by its horizontal and vertical distance from the origin. Horizontal distance, X, is measured along the X-axis, and vertical distance, Y, is measured along the Y-axis. Using the Cartesian coordinate system, you can specify either the Absolute or Relative coordinates of a point.
Absolute Coordinates
Absolute coordinates are the horizontal (X) and vertical (Y) distances of the point from the origin. The origin is fixed at the center of the drawing. The coordinates of the origin are written (0,0), and the coordinates of all other points are written (X,Y). For example, the point 2 units to the right of and 3 units above (0,0) has Absolute coordinates (2,3).
(+) Y-axis (-7.5,8)
(2,3) (-) (-5,-1.5) (0,0) origin (9,-5) X-axis (+)
(-)
C-9
Use one of the following methods to select Absolute coordinates:

u
Click the Coordinate Type button until it says Abs.
Select Coordinates from the Draw Menu, then from the submenu, select Absolute. The Coordinate Display box now shows the Absolute coordinates of the cursor.
Relative Coordinates
Relative coordinates are the horizontal (dX) and vertical (dY) distances of the point from the origin. The origin is the last point you picked. The coordinates of the origin are written r(0,0), and the coordinates of all other points are written r(dX,dY). For example, the point 2 units to the right of and 3 units above the last point you picked has Relative coordinates r(2,3).
(+) Y-axis r(-8.5,7)
r(1,2) (-) r(-6,-2.5) X-axis (+) r(0,0) last point picked r(8,-6)
(-)
Use one of the following methods to select Relative coordinates:

u
Click the Coordinate Type button until it says Rel.
Select Coordinates from the Draw Menu, then from the submenu, select Relative. The Coordinate Display box now shows the Relative coordinates of the cursor. The coordinates are relative to the last point you picked. If there was no last point picked, the coordinates are relative to the center of the drawing. Section C
C-10
Polar Coordinate System

The Polar coordinate system describes the location of a point by its radius and angle (in degrees) from the origin. A point due east of the origin is at 0. The angle increases counterclockwise, as shown in the figure below. Using the polar coordinate system, you can specify the Polar coordinates of a point.
90 135 45 Angle measurement convention
180
225 270
315
Polar coordinates are the radius and angle of the point from the origin, which is the last point you picked. The coordinates of the origin are written p(0,0), and the coordinates of all other points are written p(radius,angle). For example, the point 6 units away and 30 from the last point you picked has Polar coordinates p(6,30).
135 p(4,135)
p(6,30) 30 p(0,0) last point picked
300
p(8,300)
Use one of the following methods to select Polar coordinates:

u
Click the Coordinate Type button until it says Polar.
Select Coordinates from the Draw Menu, then from the submenu, select Polar. The Coordinate Display box now shows the Polar coordinates of the cursor. The coordinates are relative to the last point you picked. If there was no last point picked, the coordinates are relative to the center of the drawing.
C-11
Selecting and Cancelling Commands

There are many methods of selecting and cancelling commands. Experiment to determine which method is easiest for you. You can select commands with the keyboard in two ways; by using the pulldown menus, or by using hot keys.
Keyboard Shortcuts
Enter Key Executes the currently selected command or completes the currently selected operation, such as drawing an entity. Esc Key Closes a dialog box, completes the currently selected Draw/Modify command, or deselects selected entities. Space Bar Toggles between repeating the last Draw/ Modify command and point picking. If the last Modify command was Delete, the Space Bar deletes any selected entity. If no entity is selected, pressing the Space Bar toggles the cursor to an Enitity Box only cursor. Delete Key Deletes any selected entities.
Using the Keyboard to Select Commands

To select a command using the keyboard: 1. Press Alt and the first letter of the menu name. For example, press Alt+M to pull down the Modify Menu. 2. Choose the desired command using one of the two following methods:
u
Press the up and down arrow keys to highlight a command, then press Enter to select it. Press the key that corresponds to the underlined letter of the command. For example, press the R key to select Rotate.
Using Hot Keys to Select Commands

Some menu commands have one or more key designations next to them; these are the hot keys. Pressing the hot keys selects the corresponding command. Learning the hot keys is a great way to become an efficient spectraCAM Turning user. See Section H for a list of hot keys. To select a command using hot keys, press the hot key(s) for the desired command. For example, press Ctrl+S to save your drawing.
Using the Space Bar

The Space Bar can be used to toggle the current cursor state (from Crosshairs only to Crosshairs with an Entity Box, and vise versa). This allows you to perform several Draw or Modify commands simply by clicking the mouse. When the cursor is shown as Crosshairs only, you can pick a point by clicking the mouse.
C-12
Section C
When the cursor is shown as Crosshairs with an Entity Box, the last Draw or Modify command is repeatable with just a mouse click. For example, after you draw a circle and press Enter to end the operation, press the Space Bar to select the Circle operation again, then click the mouse to draw the circle. If the Delete Key was the last Modify command used, pressing the Space Bar deletes any selected entity.
Context-Sensitive Menu:
The commands that appear depend on the action you are currently performing.
Using the Mouse to Select Commands

You can select spectraCAM Turning commands with both the left and right mouse buttons. Using the left mouse button, you can select a command from the pull-down menus or click a Tool Bar or Tool bar button. Using the right mouse button, you can select a command from the context-sensitive menus. You can also use the right mouse button to complete an operation, such as drawing an entity, just as you would use the Enter key.
Note:
When you follow the procedures in this manual, use the left mouse button, unless specifically instructed to use the right mouse button.
Using the Left Mouse Button

To select a pull-down menu command with the mouse: 1. In the Menu Bar, click with the left mouse button on a menu name. The pull-down menu appears. 2. Click with the left mouse button on a command. To select a command using the Tool Bar or Tool Bars, click with the left mouse button on the button associated with the desired command.
Using the Right Mouse Button

Clicking away from an unselected entity with the right mouse button.
Use the right mouse button to bring up a contextsensitive menu while in idle mode. 1. Click away from an unselected entity (where no entities cross the entity box). The global context-sensitive menu is as shown (Undo, Redo, and Repeat appear if there are actions to undo, redo, or repeat).
C-13
Clicking away from a selected entity with the right mouse button.
2. Click away from a selected entity (with one or more entities selected). The context-sensitive menu includes the global menu commands and some Modify and Tools commands. For example, clicking away from a selected circle brings up a menu that includes Offset and Trim/Extend. However, these commands do not appear if you click away from selected text, since you cannot offset or trim text.
Clicking on an entity with the right mouse button.
3. Click on an entity (whether or not it is selected). The context-sensitive menu displays information about that entity (the same information given by the Query command under the Tools Menu).
Selecting a Context-Sensitive Menu Command

1. Position the cursor on the appropriate place in the Drawing Area, as described above. 2. Click and hold down the right mouse button. The context-sensitive menu appears. 3. Highlight a command, then release the right mouse button. Note that the right mouse button has only two functions in spectraCAM Turning:
u
Clicking the right mouse button while in idle mode brings up the context-sensitive menus. Clicking the right mouse button while performing an operation is the same as pressing Enter.
C-14
Section C
Picking Points
You will often pick points when using Draw, Modify, and View commands. For instance, you pick the center of a circle in Circle; you pick a rotation base point in Rotate; and you pick the corners of a box in Zoom Box. When spectraCAM Turning prompts you to pick a point, you can either click in the Drawing Area or enter the coordinates for the point in the Quick Entry Bar. This manual uses the phrase Pick the [kind of] point to mean Pick the point by clicking in the Drawing Area or by entering the Z and X coordinates. Clicking in the Drawing Area is quick, but it can be hard to pick a point accurately. The accuracy of a drawing is very important when you want to machine a part in a CAM program, or when parts from different drawings must fit together precisely. To draw and modify entities accurately, use the Quick Entry Bar instead of clicking in the Drawing Area.
Clicking in the Drawing Area

1. Move the cursor until the coordinates of the desired point are shown in the Coordinate Display box. 2. Click to pick the point.
Using the Quick Entry Bar

When spectraCAM Turning prompts you to pick a point, you can use any of the quick entry toolbars. The type of toolbar displayed will be determined by the operation you are performing, and will be displayed on the right side of the Quick Entry Bar.
Default Quick Entry Bar

In idle mode, and when you are asked to pick the first point in an operation, the Quick Entry Bar looks like the one below. Type in the coordinates of the desired point, specify the coordinate type (Abs, Rel, or Polar), then click Apply to pick the point.
Depending upon the operation you are performing, the Quick Entry Bar will change slightly. When drawing a circle for instance, the center point and radius will be displayed. For more information on selecting points for specific operations, see Section E: Basic CAD Operations.
C-15
Selecting and Deselecting Entities

After you draw an entity, you may need to modify it, get information about it, or use it to draw other entities. To perform any of these tasks, you must select, or activate, the entity. Selected entities temporarily appear dashed. You can select one or more entities at a time.
Using the Entity Box

See page C-8 for an explanation of the different cursor types, including the entity box.
You can use the entity box to select or deselect one or more entities.
To select one entity:

1. Move the cursor until a part of an entity is inside the entity box. 2. Click to select that entity. The entity appears dashed instead of solid, indicating that it is selected. Note that all the entities that are inside or cross the entity box when you click will be selected.
To select an additional entity:

1. Move the cursor until part of another entity is inside the entity box. 2. Hold Shift and click to select that entity. Both entities now appear dashed. Keep pressing Shift and clicking on entities until you have selected all of the desired entities.
To deselect one entity:

1. Move the cursor until part of a selected entity is within the entity box. 2. Hold Shift and click to deselect that entity. The entity you clicked on now appears solid, indicating that it is deselected.
C-16
Section C
Using a Selection Box

You can drag a selection box around entities to easily select or deselect many entities at once. When you use this method to select entities, the selection is direction-sensitive. That is, there is a difference in selection depending on whether you drag the mouse from left to right, or from right to left. If the selection box is dragged left to right, all entities completely enclosed by the box are selected. If the selection box is dragged right to left , all entities that are within or cross the box are selected. It does not matter whether you draw a selection box top to bottom or bottom to top. To change the state of a selection (selected to deselected, or vise versa) simply hold down the Shift key while you drag the mouse. From left to right , the state of any entitites within the boundaries of the box change state. From right to left, the state of any entities that the box crosses change state.
Using Select All

You can select all the visible entities in your drawing using the Select All command from the Edit Menu. Some operations prompt you to select one or more entities to modify; you can use Select All only with these operations. Select All does not select entities that are on invisible layers, but it does select visible entities that are outside the Drawing Area. See Layering in Section F for more information about layer visibility.
C-17
Getting Help
When you are first learning to use spectraCAM Turning, there are a variety of ways you can get help. In addition to reading this manual, you can use spectraCAM Turning's on-line help features.
Using the Status Bar

The Status Bar displays brief descriptions of the menu commands once you highlight them with a mouse. After you select a command, the Status Bar prompts you for input.
Description of New command
Prompt for input during the Rectangle operation
The Status Bar helps you remember what each menu command does and which actions to perform. Using the Status Bar is one of the best ways to learn spectraCAM Turning quickly.
Using the Tool Bar

spectraCAM Turning provides one standard Tool Bar which is, by default, located along the top of the screen just above the Drawing Area. spectraCAM Turning also provides several operation-related tool bars (see page C-5). All of the tool bars have the same characteristics in regard to their position on the screen. All of the tool bars can be hidden or visible. They can also be docked or floating. If you place the cursor over a tool bar button (without clicking), a balloon appears near the cursor. The balloon displays the name of the button. The balloons help you remember the function of each tool bar button.
C-18
Section C
Using On-line Help

The on-line Help utility gives you detailed help with spectraCAM Turning while you work. You can start Help and browse through Help topics, or you can view the Help topic related an operation, dialog box, command, or Tool Bar or Tool Bar button. To learn how to use Help on-line, select Using Help from the Help Menu. The Help utility starts, and the How to Use Help screen opens. Simply follow the directions. To start the Help utility, select Index from the Help menu. The spectraCAM Turning Help utility starts. The Contents screen is displayed. Select the topic with which you require help. While performing an operation, select Help from the Help Menu, or press F1. The Help utility starts, and the Help topic related to the current operation is displayed. Click the Help button in any dialog box that includes the button. The Help utility starts, and the Help topic related to the current dialog box is displayed. To get help on a menu command or on a Tool Bar or Tool Bar button, click on the Context Help button on the toolbar or press Shift +F1.When the Help cursor appears, use it to open a pulldown menu, and select a command, or to click on a Tool Bar or Tool bar button. The Help utility starts, and the Help topic is displayed.
The Help Cursor
C-19
Note:
You should always exit spectraCAM Turning before you exit Windows.
Exiting spectraCAM Turning

To exit spectraCAM Turning, select Exit from the File menu. If there are unsaved changes to the current drawing, the following dialog box appears.
u u u
Click Yes to save the changes and exit. Click No to ignore the changes and exit. Click Cancel to cancel the Exit command and return to spectraCAM Turning.
See Managing spectraCAM Turning Files in Section E for more information on saving drawings.
C-20
Section C
spectraCAM Turning: Section D
spectraCAM Turning Quickstart
Step 1: Create a New Drawing Step 2: Setting Parameters Step 3:Draw the Arc Step 4:Drawing Lines Step 5: Generating Toolpaths Step 6: Save as an NC File
D-1
Whats in This Section

This section presents the spectraCAM Turning Quick Start exercise. By completing Quick Start, you will learn many basic and advanced spectraCAM Turning operations. Quick Start is especially helpful for new CAD/CAM users. With Quick Start you will draw the part shown below. Quick Start includes step-by-step instructions, but assumes that you are familiar with most of the material in Section C. You should know:
u
How to select a command from the pull-down menus, the Tool Bar, or the Tool Boxes How to select an entity with the cursor and with a selection box How to pick a point by clicking in the Drawing Area or by using the Quick Enter Bar. How to use Absolute and Relative coordinates The parts of the spectraCAM Turning screen
u u
u u
If you are unfamiliar with any of these items, please read Section C before you begin Quick Start.
D-2
Section D
Step 1: Start spectraCAM Turning/Create a New Drawing

Before you begin drawing, you have to start spectraCAM Turning and create a new drawing. The new drawing will based on a special pattern, or template, called QSTART. By completing this step, you will learn:
u u
How to start spectraCAM Turning How to create a new drawing
The first step is to start spectraCAM Turning from the Programs Menu under the Windows 95 Start Menu. (You may have to select one or more submenus to get to spectraCAM Turning, depending on where it was installed.) 1. Turn on your computer and start Windows 95.
D-3
2. Select spectraCAM Turning from the Programs Menu. spectraCAM Turning starts and creates a new drawing based on the default template. The Title Bar displays the drawing name, Untitled, meaning this is a new drawing. 3. The material outline should be visible in the Drawing Area. If the outline is not visible, select the Show/Stock command from the View Menu.
Step 2: Setting Parameters

In this exercise you may either import the existing Sample1.dxf file and create toolpaths and NC code; or design the part from scratch beginning with the CAD operations and then using CAM to finish the process. If you wish to import the drawing, Select Import from the File menu and then set the stock size and material. After you have done that, skip to Step 5 on page D-10 to generate toolpaths. To design the part from scratch, follow all the steps in this section. By completing this step, you will learn:
u u u
How to select stock from the Stock Library. How to set grid snaps and spacing. How to turn the grid on and off.
D-4
Section D
This part is made from aluminum stock (0.75 inch diameter by 2 inches long). All cuts are made with a roughing tool. A series of 0.015 inch roughing cuts are made until the final shape of the part is achieved. spectraCAM will automatically insert tool feed rates and spindle speed into the NC program based on the type of stock used. Use the Select Stock dialog box to select or edit stock materials and sizes. 1. From the Setup Menu, choose Stock and then Select... 2. When the Select Stock dialog box appears, click on 2 x 0.75 Aluminum in the stock window, and then on the Select button to select it.
3. The stock in the drawing area will change size. 4. Next set the grid size. This will help keep the drawing accurate.
D-5
5. From the Setup Menu, select Snaps.
6. In the Set Snaps box, choose Grid/Space in the Constraints window, and enter 0.0625 in the size field. 7. Click on OK to save your changes.
Step 3:Draw the Arc

By completing this step, you will learn:
u u
How to select points in the drawing area. How to use the Quick Enter bar to set the Arc Radius
Now that you have the drawing parameters set, you can begin the CAD portion of the process. The first operation is to draw the arc at the end of the part. 1. Click on the Radius Arc button on the draw toolbar, or select Radius Arc from the Draw menu. 2. The cursor will change, indicating that an operation is in process.
D-6
Section D
3. Click the cursor on the point (2.0, 0.0) 4. Move the cursor to the point (1.75, 0.25) and click. 5. A line joining the two points appears, and the Quick Entry toolbar changes, allowing you to enter a radius. You can either move the cursor to the radius box, or simply begin typing. Enter 0.25 in the radius box, and click on Apply .
6. Move the cursor back to the drawintg area so that the arc looks like the one shown here, and click in the drawing. 7. Press the Escape button on the keyboard to end the operation.
D-7
Step 4: Drawing Lines

By completing this step, you will learn:
u u
How to draw lines by picking points, and using the Quick Enter bar. How to Save your work.
After the Arc is drawn the next step is to draw lines. 1. Select the Line button from the Draw toolbar, or Line from the Draw menu. 2. The cursor changes. Select the end point of the arc as the start point for the line. Move the cursor to the point (1.625, 0.25) and click. spectraCAM draws the line. 3. The endpoint of the first line becomes the start point for the next line.
4. Move the cursor to the point (1.25, 0.3125) and click. 5. Move the cursor up to the Quick Enter Bar and enter the following coordinates in the Z and X boxes: (1.2, 0.35), and press the Enter key. A line appears from the last point you clicked on to a new point. The new endpoint is between points on the grid. Even if you had turned off the Snap to Grid function, it would have been hard to draw the line to the exact point. Entering the coordinates is much more accurate, and faster.
D-8
Section D
6. Again select the Z and X boxes on the Quick Enter bar, enter the points (0.875, 0.35) and click Apply . 7. Move the cursor back into the drawing area and click on the point (0.875, 0.375). Press the Escape key to end the Line operation.
Step 4.1: Save the Drawing

Now that You have your CAD drawing complete, you must save it in a format that spectraCAM Turning can use to generate toolpaths. 1. From either the File menu or the Standard toolbar, select Save. 2. The Save As dialog box appears the first time you save a file. Type a name for your file (Sample 1 will do for this exercise), and choose a directory in which to save it. The default directory is the samples folder in the program directory. spectraCAM saves the file as a Session file, for use in the second part of the CAD/CAM/CNC process.
D-9
Step 5: Generating Toolpaths

By completing this section you will learn:
u u u u
How to choose a post processor file How to select all the entities on a layer How to select a tool using the Quick Enter bar How to generate a rough toolpath
The next step is to turn your drawing into toolpaths the tool will follow when it cuts the part. Again, there are operation parameters that need to be set before creating the toolpaths. 1. From the Setup menu select Post Processor. The Post Processor window appears, allowing you to select from a number of post processor files. Choose the one appropriate for the machine you will be turning on, such as the spectraLIGHT or proLIGHT Turning center.
2. On the Dialog Bar, Layer _0 should be displayed as the current layer. If not, click on the down arrow next to the Layers window and select Layer_0. 3. Click on the Select button next to the Layers window. The part outline will appear dashed indicating everything on that layer is selected. 4. In the Operations toolbar click on the Rough button. A bracket appears, with an outline of a tool, showing the intended toolpath.
D-10
Section D
5. The Quick Enter Bar also changes, showing other parameters for the operation. The Tools window allows you to select the tool used. Be sure Tool 1 is selected. 6. Step Size and Finish Amount should be set to 0.015. 7. Click on the Generate Toolpaths button on the Operations toolbar. The toolpaths appear on the screen, along with a dialog box asking if you want to accept the toolpaths. Click on Yes.
8. If you are using the split screen, you will see the toolpath code information in the NC Edit window, and a graphic verification will take place in the Verify window.
D-11
Step 6: Save as an NC File

By reading this section, you will learn:
u
How to save a Session File as an NC File.
After you have seen the verfication, save the session. Then you will generate the NC file that will be read by the CNC Lathe when turning the part. 1. From the File menu select Save NC. 2. A dialog box appears, prompting you to name the file, and select a directory to store it. The default directory is the WCAMT folder, however you may choose to store it in any directory. 3. When you are satisfied with the location, click on Save. Congratulations! You have just completed the first two steps of the CAD/ CAM/CNC process!
D-12
Section D
spectraCAM: Section E
Section A: Introduction Basic CAD Operations
Managing Files Drawing Entities Modifying Entities, Basic Operations Viewing the Drawing Using Undo and Redo

Because spectraCAM is an integrated CAD/CAM program, sections E and F will describe the CAD functions, and Section G will cover CAM operations and NC code generation. This section covers the basic CAD operations. By reading this section, you will learn to:
u u u u
Create, open, save, and print drawings Draw entities Use basic entity modification operations Change your view of the drawing
E-2
Section E
Managing Files
This section describes spectraCAM file management operations. All of these commands are in the File Menu.
Creating a New Drawing

Use the New command under the File Menu to create a new drawing. A new spectraCAM drawing can be based on a template , or pattern. When you start spectraCAM Turning it creates a new drawing based on the default spectraCAM template, called DEFAULT. Your new drawings can be based on any available template. You can create a new drawing any time after you have started spectraCAM Turning. If you have changed the current drawing, you may want to save the changes before creating a new drawing. To create a new drawing: 1. Click the New button on the Toolbar, select New from the File Menu, or press Ctrl+N. 2. If there are unsaved changes to the current drawing, a dialog box appears. Choose whether or not to save the changes:
u u u
Click Yes to save the changes and create a new drawing Click No to discard the changes and create a new drawing Click Cancel to close the New dialog box without creating a new drawing or saving the changes.
A new blank drawing appears. The Title Bar displays the name Untitled, indicating that this is a new drawing. See Saving a Drawing for more information on saving changes to the current drawing.
Basic spectraCAM Turning Operations
E-3
Opening an Existing Drawing

Use the Open command under the File Menu to open an existing drawing. An existing drawing is one that was previously saved to a DXF file (using spectraCAM Turning or another CAD program). For instance, you can open a drawing you created and saved yesterday, so you can modify those entities and draw new ones. You can open an existing drawing any time after you have started spectraCAM.
To Open an Existing Drawing:

1. Click the Open button on the Toolbar, select Open from the File Menu, or press Ctrl +O. The File Open dialog box appears. 2. In the Drives field, scroll through the list and click on the drive where the desired file is located.
3. In the Directories list box, scroll through the list and highlight the directory where the desired file is located. Press Enter or double-click on the directory to select it. 4. In the Files list box, highlight the desired file, or type the file name into the File Name field.
E-4
Section E
Note:
Previewing files can make scrolling through the file list very slow.
5. Click the Preview button to display the preview area of the Open dialog box. Preview allows you to view the selected file and obtain information about it. Clicking Preview again hides the preview area of the dialog box. 6. Click OK or press Enter. The selected drawing is opened. The Title Bar displays the name of the drawing.
To Open a Recently Used Drawing:

spectraCAM Turning keeps track of the last eight drawings you opened. These recent drawings appear in the File Menu as file 1 (the most recent) through file 8 (the eighth-most recent). To open a recent drawing, select a number (1, 2, 3, etc.) from the File Menu. The drawing you select is opened.
E-5
Importing a DXF File

Use the Import command under the File Menu to import all of the entities from a DXF file into the current drawing. This operation is useful for merging two drawings, or for placing any DXF file into your drawing. When you import entities into a spectraCAM Turning drawing some may be duplicate entities. In this case duplicate entities are deleted from the current drawing before the imported entities are inserted in the drawing. Duplicate entities have the same type, size, location, orientation, and layer. The imported file is not altered by Import. You may also import duplicate layers. Duplicate layers are layers that share the same name in the current file and in the imported files. You can choose whether or not to rename duplicate layers as you import them by making the appropriate selection in the Setup Options; Miscellaneous panel (refer to the Setup Menu). If you rename duplicate layers, imported entities on a duplicate layer will be placed onto a new layer in the current drawing. You can also use Options to choose whether or not imported entities are automatically selected, which allows you to immediately work with imported entities. To import a DXF file: 1. Click the Import button on the Toolbar or select Import from the File Menu. The Import File dialog box appears.
E-6
Section E
2. In the Drives field, scroll through the list, then click on the drive where the desired file is located. 3. In the Directories field, scroll through the list and highlight the directory where the desired file is located. Press Enter or double-click on the directory to select it. 4. In the list of files, highlight the desired file, or type the file name into the File Name field. 5. Click the Preview button to display the preview area of the Open dialog box. Preview allows you to view the selected file and obtain information about it. Clicking Preview again hides the preview area of the dialog box. 6. Click OK or press Enter. The entities in the file you selected are placed in the current drawing. New layers are created, if necessary, and the imported entities are selected, as set by the current Preferences. See Customizing spectraCAM Turning in Section F for more information on setting preferences. See Layering in Section F for more information on working with layers.
Closing the Session

Use the Close command to close the current session or drawing. If you have not saved changes to the session, a dialog box appears asking if you want to save the changes. Select Yes to save your work, No to close without saving changes, or Cancel to return to the session.
E-7
Saving a Drawing
Use the Save and Save As commands under the File Menu to save the current drawing to a session (SCT) file. Saving your drawings preserves your work for later use. You should also save frequently as you work, to ensure that all your changes are recorded. If the current drawing has been saved previously to a DXF file, selecting Save saves the changes to the same file. If the current drawing is new (and still has the name Untitled), selecting Save brings up the Save As dialog box, in which you name, choose a location for, and save the new drawing. Also use Save As if you wish to rename or relocate the current drawing (whether or not you have changed it).
To Save a Session:
Click the Save button on the Toolbar, select Save from the File Menu, or press Ctrl+S. The current drawing is saved to a SCT file. If this is a new drawing, the Save As dialog box appears.
To Save a Session With a New Name or Location:

1. Select Save As from the File Menu. The Save As dialog box appears. It displays the name and location of the current SCT file. 2. In the Drives field, scroll through the list, then click on the drive where you wish to locate the file. 3. In the Directories field, scroll through the list and highlight the directory where you wish to locate the file. Press Enter or double-click on the directory to select it. 4. In the File Name field, type a new file name.
E-8
Section E
5. Click OK or press Enter. The current drawing is saved to a SCT file with the name and location that you specified.
Printing a Drawing
You can print the current contents of the Drawing Area to any printer supported by Windows. Before you print, use the Print Setup command under the File Menu to choose the print settings, and the Print Preview command to preview the page.
To Select Print Settings:

1. Select Print Setu p from the File Menu. The Print Setup dialog box appears. 2. Select a Printer. The current printer is already selected.
3. Select a document Orientation, Portrait or Landscape. 4. Select the type of Paper you are printing on, including the correct paper size and source. 5. Click OK . These settings are used for every print operation, until you change them.
E-9
To Preview the Drawing:

1. Select Print Preview from the File Menu. The Preview window appears.
2. You may:
u u
Click Print to print the page, if desired. Click Zoom In to magnify the page, then click Zoom Out to see the whole page again. Click Close to close the Preview window.
To alter the page, you can change the print settings again, change the contents of the Drawing Area, or both.
E-10
Section E
To Print the Drawing:

1. Click the Print button on the Toolbar, select Print from the File Menu, or press Ctrl+P. The Print dialog box appears.
Note:
Grid points, Tool Boxes, the cursor, and invisible entities do not print.
2. Select a Printer . The Windows default printer is currently selected. 3. Select the Copies settings (the number of copies and whether or not the copies are collated). 4. Select a Print Range, All pages, pages From and To, or a Selected page. 5. Click OK to print. See your printer manual or Windows documentation for more information on installing and using printers with Windows.
E-11
Drawing Entities
This section describes how to draw geometry and text. All of these commands can be found under the Draw Menu.
Drawing a Line
Use the Line command under the Draw Menu to draw a line segment between two points. To draw a line: 1. Click the Line button on the Draw Toolbar, or select Line from the Draw Menu. 2. Click on the Drawing Area to pick the start point of the line. A line appears, starting at the point you picked. Moving the cursor resizes the line.
Start point (1) Line End point (2)
3. Click again to pick the end point of the line. 4. Press Escape to end the Line operation. A line is drawn between the points you picked.
Note:
You cannot draw continuous rectangles, circles, points, or text.
You can also draw continuous lines. Using continuous lines, the end point of the first line is the start point of the second line. Each line segment is a separate entity, so you can modify them individually. To draw continuous lines, repeat Step 3 above as many times as desired, then perform Step 4.
Line 1
End point 1 = start point 2 Line 2
End point 2 = start point 3
Line 3
E-12
Section E
Drawing an Arc
An arc is a part of a circle. Use the 3 Point Arc and Radius Arc commands under the Draw Menu to draw an arc.
Draw an Arc Using Three Points

The 3 Point Arc command draws an arc through three points: a start point, an end point, and another point that defines the arc radius. Use this method if you know the three points that the arc should pass through. 1. Click the Arc 3Pt button on the Draw Toolbar, or select 3 Point Arc from the Draw Menu. 2. Pick the start point of the arc.
Point on arc (2)
Notes:
If the three points you pick to define the arc form a line, a line is drawn instead of an arc.
u
End point (3)
If the start and end points of the arc are the same, a circle is drawn instead of an arc.
u
Start point (1)
3. Pick the point that defines the arc radius. An arc appears through the two points you picked. Moving the cursor changes its size and shape. 4. Pick the end point of the arc. An arc appears through the three points you picked. 5. Press Escape to end the 3 Point Arc operation.
Draw an Arc Using Two End Points and a Radius

The Radius Arc command draws an arc of a specified radius through a start point and an end point. Use this method if you know the radius of the arc. 1. Click the Arc Rad button on the Draw Toolbar, or select Radius Arc from the Draw Menu. 2. Pick the start point of the arc.
Radius
End point (2)
Start point (1)
E-13
3. Pick the end point of the arc. An arc appears with the end points you picked. Moving the mouse changes its radius. The current arc radius is displayed in the Drawing Area as you draw. 4. Choose the radius of the arc. There are two methods with which you may do this:
u u
Click in the Drawing Area to pick the point that defines the arc radius Enter the radius in the Arc Radius box on the Quick Enter Bar. Press Enter or click Apply .
An arc appears, with the end points and radius you specified. 5. Press Escape to end the Radius Arc operation. You can also draw continuous arcs which have common start and end points. The end of the first arc is the start of the second arc. Each arc is a separate entity, so you can modify them individually. To draw continuous arcs, repeat Steps 3 and 4 (in either instruction above) as many times as desired, then perform Step 5.
Arc 2 End point 1 = Start point 2 End point 2 = Start point 3 Arc 3
Arc 1
Note:
You cannot draw continuous rectangles, circles, points, or text.
You can draw continuous lines and arcs together, so that each entity starts at the end point of the last entity you drew. Simply select Line, Radius Arc, or 3 Point Arc after you pick the end point of a line or an arc, but before you end the current Draw operation.
E-14
Section E
Drawing a Rectangle
Use the Rectangle command under the Draw Menu to draw a closed rectangular polyline between two corner points. A polyline is a series of two or more connected lines or arcs which are treated as one entity. Closed polylines have the same start and end point, while open polylines have different start and end points. The only polyline you can draw in spectraCAM Turning is a rectangle (though spectraCAM Turning supports polylines created in other CAD programs). The end points of closed polylines are invisible in spectraCAM Turning.
Height
Width
Open and Closed Polylines
To draw a rectangle: 1. Click the Rectangle button on the Draw Toolbar or select Rectangle from the Draw Menu. 2. Click in the Drawing Area to pick the first corner of the rectangle. A rectangle appears. Moving the cursor resizes it. The current width and height are displayed in the Drawing Area as you draw. 3. Select the dimensions of the rectangle. There are two methods which you may use to do this:
u
Click in the Drawing Area to pick the second corner of the rectangle.
E-15
Enter the width and height in the appropriate boxes. Press Enter or click Apply .
4. Repeat Steps 2 and 3 to draw other rectangles, if desired. 5. Press Escape to end the Rectangle operation. Rectangle dimensions can be positive or negative. Typing a positive width places the second corner to the right of the first corner; a negative width places it to the left of the first corner. Similarly, typing a positive height places the second corner above the first corner; a negative height places it below the first corner.
Rectangle Dimension Options
2 1
1 2
Width and height positive
Width positive, height negative
2 1
Width negative, height positive
1 2
Width and height negative
E-16
Section E
Drawing a Circle
Use the Circle command under the Draw Menu to draw a circle with a specified center point and radius. To draw a circle: 1. Click the Circle button on the Draw Toolbar, or select Circle from the Draw Menu. 2. Click in the Drawing Area to pick the center of the circle. A circle appears, centered at the point you picked. Moving the cursor resizes the circle. The circle's radius is displayed in the Drawing Area as you draw.
Radius Center point (1)
3. Select the radius of the circle. There are two methods which you may use to do this:
u u
Click in the Drawing Area to pick a point on the circle. Enter the radius in the Radius box on the Quick Enter Bar. Press Enter or click Apply .
4. Repeat Steps 2 and 3 to draw other circles, if desired. 5. Press Escape to end the Circle operation.
E-17
Drawing a Point
Use the Point command under the Draw Menu to draw a point at specified coordinates. A point is an entity with a position but no length or width. Points can be used to draw other entities. In CAM programs, points often mark locations for drilling. To draw a point: 1. Click the Point button on the Draw Toolbar, or select Point from the Draw Menu. 2. Click in the Drawing Area to pick a point. A point appears at the coordinates you picked.
This is how a Point appears in the Drawing Area.
3. Repeat Step 2 to draw other points, if desired. 4. Press Escape to end the Point operation.
Drawing Text
Use the Text command under the Draw Menu to place a text block of a specified height at the position you pick. Text is letters, numbers, or punctuation marks (though some characters cannot be included in text blocks). The text insertion point is at the bottom left corner of the text block.
Height Text insertion point
E-18
Section E
To draw text: 1. Click the Text button on the Draw Toolbar, or select Text from the Draw Menu. The Enter Text dialog box appears.
2. Enter the desired text. 3. Click in the Drawing Area to pick the text insertion point. The text appears to the right of this point. Moving the cursor resizes the text.
Note:
All the characters in a text block are modified together. When you resize a text block, for example, every character in the block is resized. If you want some text to be 1" high and other text to be 0.5" high, they must be in separate text blocks.
4. Choose the height of the text. There are two methods which you may use to do this:
u u
Click in the Drawing Area to pick the text height. Enter the text height in the Height box on the Quick Enter Bar. Press Enter or click Apply.
The text appears with the specified height.
E-19
Modifying Entities, Basic Operations

This section describes basic entity modification operations. These commands are accessible from the Modify Menu and Modify Toolbar. Unlike most spectraCAM Turning commands, you can select entities before or after you select a basic Modify command. If, however, you select the command first, you must press Enter to complete the command after you select the entity. The following procedures instruct you to select the Menu command first, then select the entities, but you can use whichever method you prefer. See Modifying Entities, Advanced Operations in Section F for more information on the advanced Modify commands.
Deleting Entities
Use the Delete command under the Modify Menu to remove entities from a drawing. To delete entities: 1. Click the Delete button on the Modify Toolbar, select Delete from the Modify Menu, or press the Delete key on your keyboard. 2. Select the entities to delete. Press Enter when finished. The selected entities are erased from the drawing. You can reverse entity deletions by selecting Undo from the Edit Menu or by pressing Ctrl+ Z.
Moving Entities
Use the Move command under the Modify Menu to change the location of entities in the drawing. Entities are moved with respect to a reference point and a new base point. These points can be anywhere in the drawing. The relation of the these points determines the direction and distance that the selected entities move.
E-20
Section E
Moving an Entity
Reference point (1)
Original Location
New base point (2)
New Location
To Move Entities:
1. Click the Move button on the Modify Toolbar, select Move from the Modify Menu.
Note:
Do not confuse Move (moves entities to another location) with Change Layer (moves entities to another layer).
2. Select the entities you wish to move. Press Enter when finished. 3. Click on the Drawing Area to pick a reference point. Pressing Enter picks the geometric center of the selected entities. A dashed image of the selected entities appears and moves with the cursor. 4. Click on the Drawing Area to pick the new base point. The selected entities appear in their new location in the drawing.
To Move Entities (Shortcut):

There is also a timesaving shortcut for moving entities. 1. Select the entities to move. 2. Click on one of the selected entities to pick the reference point. As you drag the mouse the selected entities become animated. 3. Drag the animated entities to the new base point and click the mouse to anchor them there. The selected entities appear in their new location in the drawing. See Layering in Section F for information on moving entities to other layers.
E-21
Copying Entities
Use the Copy command under the Modify Menu to duplicate entities. Entities are copied with respect to a reference point and a new base point. These points can be anywhere in the drawing. The relation of the two points determines the direction and distance of the duplicate entities to the originals. Copied entities are placed on the same layer as the originals.
To Copy Entities:
1. Click the Copy button on the Modify Toolbar, or select Copy from the Modify Menu. 2. Select the entities to copy. Press Enter when finished. 3. Click on the Drawing Area to pick a reference point. Pressing Enter picks the geometric center of the selected entities. A dashed image of the selected entities appears and moves with the cursor. 4. Click on the Drawing Area to pick a new base point. A copy of the selected entities appears.
Reference point (1)
Copying an Entity
Original entity
New base point (2)
Note:
Do not confuse the Copy command (duplicates entities) under the modify Menu with the Copy to Clipboard command (places duplicate entity on Clipboard) under the Edit Menu. When using the Copy command, the entity is not copied to the Windows clipboard and, therefore, can not be pasted from the clipboard. The Copy command only allows you to drag entity copies to create new entities in the current drawing. Whereas with the Copy to Clipboard command, the entity is copied to the Windows clipboard from which it may be pasted into other drawings or other applications. Copied entity
5. Repeat Step 4 to make more copies, if desired. The reference point stays the same for each copy. 6. Press Escape to end the Copy operation.
E-22
Section E
To Copy Entities (Shortcut):

There is also a timesaving shortcut for copying entities. 1. Select the entities to copy. 2. Press Ctrl and click on a selected entity to pick the reference point. 3. Click on the Drawing Area to pick the new base point. 4. Repeat Step 3 to make more copies, if desired, using the same reference point. 5. Press Escape to end the Copy operation. The selected entities appear in their new location in the drawing. See Using the Clipboard in Section F for information about copying entities to the Clipboard.
E-23
Viewing the Drawing

You can change the view of the drawing during any Draw or Modify operation. Changing the view does not change the size or location of the entities, just the size or position of the Drawing Area. This section describes the viewing commands, which are accessible from the View Menu and the Display Toolbar.
Zooming In
Use the Zoom In command under the View Menu to magnify the drawing. The center of the view does not change. To zoom in on a drawing, click on the Zoom In button on the Display Toolbar, select Zoom In from the View Menu, or press Ctrl+Plus. The drawing appears slightly larger than before. Keep zooming in until the drawing looks as large as desired. The default zoom amount is 10, meaning that the geometry appears 10% larger each time you zoom in. See Customizing spectraCAM Turning in Section F for instruction for changing the zoom amount.
Zooming In on a Drawing
E-24
Section E
Zooming Out
Use the Zoom Out command under the View Menu to make the drawing appear smaller, as if you were stepping back from it. The center of the view does not change. To zoom out of a drawing, click on the Zoom Out button on the Display Toolbar, select Zoom Out from the View Menu, or press Ctrl+Minus. The drawing appears slightly smaller than before. Keep zooming out until the drawing looks as small as you want. The zoom amount for Zoom Out is the same as for Zoom In. If the zoom amount is 10, the drawing will look 10% smaller each time you zoom out.
Zooming Out of a Drawing
Magnifying a Portion of the Drawing

Using the Zoom Box command under the View Menu is an easy way to focus on just one portion of the drawing. Once you drag a box around the area you wish to view closer, the contents of the zoom box fill the Drawing Area. To enlarge an area of the drawing with a zoom box: 1. Click the Zoom Box button on the Display Toolbar, or select Zoom Box from the View Menu. 2. Click on the Drawing Area to pick the first corner of the zoom box. As you drag the mouse across the Drawing Area, the zoom box appears, and resizes as you move the cursor.
Using a Zoom Box to Enlarge Part of a Drawing
1 2
E-25
Note:
It makes no difference if you draw a zoom box from left to right or from right to left (unlike a selection box).
3. Pick the second corner of the zoom box. The view changes, so that the contents of the zoom box fill the Drawing Area.
Restoring the Previous View

Use the Zoom Previous command under the View Menu to restore the view used just before the current view operation. To restore the previous view, click the Previous View button on the Display Toolbar, or select Zoom Previous from the View Menu. The view is restored to the previous view. Zoom Previous is handy for jumping back and forth between two views, one of the whole drawing and one of the specific area you are working in. Just select Zoom Previous to jump from the close-up view to the larger view.
Viewing the Entire Drawing

Use the Zoom All command under the View Menu to resize the Drawing Area so it includes all visible entities. To view all visible entities, click the Zoom All button on the Display Toolbar, select Zoom All from the View Menu, or press Ctrl+Shift +A. The Drawing Area displays all of the visible entities. Invisible entities may not be within the Drawing Area after a Zoom All operation. See Layering in Section F for more information about invisible entities.
Panning the View

Use the Pan command under the View Menu to move the Drawing Area so that you see a different part of your drawing. Panning does not magnify the drawing. Panning moves the Drawing Area with respect to a reference point and a new point. The relation of these two points determines the direction and distance that the Drawing Area moves. To pan the view: 1. Click the Pan button on the Display Toolbar, or select Pan from the View Menu. 2. Click on the Drawing Area to pick a reference point.
E-26
Section E
Note:
A quick way to pan the view is to press Ctrl and use the arrow keys. The entities move in the direction of the arrow key pressed.
3. Click on the Drawing Area to pick a new point. The Drawing Area moves, and another part of the drawing is displayed. Panning is a quick way to move a particular portion of the Drawing Area in the center of your view. Pick the point you wish to move to the center (the reference point), then pick the center of the Drawing Area (the new point).
Redrawing the View

Use the Redraw command under the View Menu to refresh the Drawing Area without changing the view. This is sometimes necessary after you modify entities, to restore pieces that seem to have disappeared. To redraw the view, click the Redraw button on the Display Toolbar, select Redraw from the View Menu, or press Ctrl+R.
Note:
Most other View commands automatically redraw the view, too.
E-27
Using Undo and Redo

Use the Undo command under the Edit Menu to undo any number of previous changes to your drawing. You cannot undo changes that do not affect the quantity, position, orientation, or layer of an entity. Also, you cannot undo changes that were made before you last opened the current drawing. The following are the operations that can be undone. File operations: Edit operations: Modify operations: Draw operations : View operations: Tool operations: Import only Paste from Clipboard only All All except Coordinates All or none (this is set in Options) Group and Ungroup only
If the Undo command is grayed-out, no changes can be undone. Otherwise, the Menu command displays the command as Undo [Command Name]. To Undo the most recent change, select Undo from the Edit Menu, or press Alt+Backspace. The last eligible change is undone. Selecting Undo again undoes the second-to-last eligible change. The Redo command under the Edit Menu is used to restore a change that has been undone, or to undo the Undo. If the Redo command is grayed-out, no changes can be redone. Otherwise, the Menu command displays the command as Redo [Command Name]. To redo the last Undo command, select Redo from the Edit Menu, or press Ctrl+Y. The last Undo command change is redone. Selecting Redo again undoes the second-to-last change.
Note:
Do not confuse Redo (redoes the last undone change) with Repeat Last (repeats the last command).
The Repeat Last command is used to repeat the last draw, modify, or turning operation you performed. Dont confues this command with Redo, which redoes the last undone change. See Customizing spectraCAM Turning in Section F for information on setting the preference for undoing and redoing the View operations.
E-28
Section E
spectraCAM Turning: Section F
Section 1: Introduction Advanced CAD Operations
Modifying Entities, Advanced Operations Layering Using Drawing Tools Using Snaps Using the Clipboard Customizing spectraCAM Turning

This section presents advanced CAD capabilities. By reading this section you will learn how to:
u u u u u u
Use advanced entity modification commands Use layers Use drawing tools Use entity snaps and cursor constraints Use the clipboard Customize spectraCAM Turning
F-2
Section F
Modifying Entities, Advanced Operations

The advanced operations for modifying entities are outlined below. All of these commands are under the Modify Menu.
Rotating Entities
Use the Rotate command under the Modify Menu to change the orientation of one or more entities. Entities are rotated about a rotation base point, which can be anywhere in the drawing. By picking the entitys center point as the rotation base point, you just rotate the entity. Its angle changes, but its center point does not move. By picking any other point as the rotation base point, you rotate and move the entity. The angle of the entity changes, and its center point rotates about the rotation base point. The rotation angle is the angle by which the entity rotates about the rotation base point. To rotate entities: 1. Click the Rotate button on the Modify Tool Bar, or select Rotate from the Modify Menu.
Note:
You can select one or more entities to rotate before you select Rotate. In that case, skip Step 2.
2. Select the entities to rotate. Press Enter when finished. 3. Click on the Drawing Area to pick the rotation base point. Pressing Enter picks the geometric center of the selected entities. An image of the selected entities appears. Moving the cursor rotates the image about the rotation base point. The Status Bar displays the current rotation angle.
Rotating a Rectangle About its Center Point

New orientation Center point = rotation base point Original orientation Rotation angle
Advanced spectraCAM Turning Operations
F-3
New position and orientation
Rotating a Rectangle
Rotation angle Rotation base point Original position and orientation
4. Use one of the following two methods to select the rotation angle:
u u
Click in the Drawing Area to pick the rotation angle. Enter the Rotation Angle in the box on the Quick Enter Bar, then click Apply or press Enter.
The selected entities appear in their new orientations.
Scaling Entities
Use the Scale command under the Modify Menu to enlarge or reduce one or more entities. The scale factor is the amount by which an entity gets larger or smaller. Scale factors between 0 and 1 make the entity smaller, and factors larger than 1 make it bigger. A scale factor of 1 does not change the size of the entity. Scale also changes the distance between the entity's center point and the scaling base point, which can be anywhere in the drawing. Scale factors between 0 and 1 move the entity's center point closer to the scaling base point; scale factors greater than 1 move it further away. If you pick the entity's center point as the scaling base point, the entity will change size but will not move.
F-4
Section F
To scale entities: 1. Click the Scale button on the Modify Tool Bar, or select Scale from the Modify Menu. 2. Select the entities to scale. Press Enter when finished. 3. Click in the Drawing Area to pick the scaling base point. Pressing Enter picks the geometric center of the selected entities. An image of the selected entities appears. Moving the cursor changes the size of the image and changes its distance from the scaling base point. The Status Bar displays the current scale factor.
New size and position
Scaling Lines
Scale changes the size, not the shape, of an entity. It will not distort a circle into an ellipse, for example.
Original size and position Scaling base point
Note:
You can select one or more entities to scale before you select Scale. In that case, skip Step 2.
4. Use one of the following two methods to select the scale factor:
u u
Click in the Drawing Area to pick the scale factor. Enter the Scale Factor in the box on the Quick Enter bar and click Apply, or press Enter.
Scaling Lines About Their Geometric Center
Center point = scaling base point
Original size New size
The scaled entities appear in their new positions.
F-5
Trimming Entities
Use the Trim/Extend command under the Modify Menu to trim one entity to another. Trimming breaks an entity at the point where it intersects another entity, called the boundary. For example, you can trim two intersecting lines to make sure that they share an end point. If you are planning to machine your part with a CAM program, it is important that your geometry has common end points. You cannot use points, text, or grouped entities in a Trim/Extend operation. You cannot trim circles or closed polylines (including rectangles) unless the boundary intersects the entity two or more times. To trim an entity: 1. Click the Trim/Extend button on the Modify Tool Bar, or select Trim/ Extend from the Modify Menu.
Note:
If you trim the wrong side of an entity, use Undo to restore it.
2. Select the boundary. 3. Select the entity to trim, on the side you wish to delete. The trimmed entity ends at the boundary.
Trimming Lines
Boundary (1) Line to trim (2)
F-6
Section F
Extending Entities
Use the Trim/Extend command under the Modify Menu to extend one entity to another. Extending an entity moves its end point, so that it reaches another entity, called the boundary . You cannot use points, text, or grouped entities in a Trim/Extend operation. You cannot extend closed polylines (including rectangles), circles, or entities that will never intersect (such as two parallel lines). To extend an entity: 1. Click the Trim/Extend button on the Modify Tool Bar, or select Trim/ Extend from the Modify Menu. 2. Select the boundary. 3. Select the entity to extend. The extended entity ends at the boundary. If there is more than one possible intersection between the entity and the boundary, spectraCAM Turning extends the entity to the closest intersection point.
Extending Lines
Boundary (1)
Line to extend (2)
F-7
Breaking Entities
Use the Break command under the Modify Menu to split one entity into two separate entities. The break point is the point at which the entity is split. If you pick a break point that is not on the entity, spectraCAM Turning breaks the entity at the closest point to the point you picked. Both parts of a broken entity are placed on the same layer as the original. You can break a line into two lines, an arc into two arcs, and an open polyline into two polylines. You cannot break text, grouped entities, points, circles, or closed polylines (including rectangles). To break an entity: 1. Click the Break button on the Modify Tool Bar, or select Break from the Modify Menu.
Note:
You can also select the entity to break before you select Break.
2. Select the entity to break. 3. Pick the break point. The selected entity is broken into two entities.
Break point
Breaking an Arc
F-8
Section F
Filleting Entities
Use the Fillet command under the Modify Menu to create a rounded corner between two entities. The rounded corner is called a fillet arc , and its radius is the fillet radius . If the current fillet radius is too large for the fillet entities, the operation will fail. (You can create a square corner between two entities by choosing a fillet radius of zero.) You can fillet lines, arcs, and circles in any combination, except you cannot fillet two circles to one another.
1 2
Fillet arc
Filleting Lines and Arcs
2 Fillet arc
The two filleted entities and the fillet arc are separate entities, and can be modified individually. If the filleted entities are on the same layer, the fillet arc is drawn on that layer. Otherwise, the fillet arc is drawn on the current layer. You can fillet two consecutive segments of a polyline, including the corners of a rectangle. Fillet can also alter the size of an arc between two segments of a polyline. When you fillet a polyline, the fillet arc is part of the entity and cannot be modified individually. To fillet two intersecting lines, their end points must be near the intersection point. Otherwise, you may get unexpected results. You should first trim the lines so they share an end point. To fillet two entities: 1. Click the Fillet button on the Modify Tool Bar, or select Fillet from the Modify Menu. The Quick Enter Bar displays the current fillet radius. If this is the desired radius, skip Step 2. 2. To select the fillet radius, enter the Fillet Radius in the box on the Quick Enter Bar, then click OK or press Enter.
F-9
Note:
You can select the first fillet entity before you select Fillet, therefore skipping Step 3.
3. Select the first entity to fillet. It does not matter which entity you select first. 4. Select the second entity to fillet. The two entities become connected by a fillet arc. 5. Repeat Steps 3 and 4 to fillet more entities, if desired. 6. Press Escape to end the fillet operation. The fillet radius you set in Step 2 becomes the default fillet radius. Every Fillet operation will use this radius until you set a new one.
Editing Text
Use the Text command under the Modify Menu to edit a text block. The Text command changes the characters in a single text block. (Use the Scale command to change text height. Use the Rotate command to change text orientation. Use the Move command to move text in your drawing.) To edit text: 1. Click the Edit Text button on the Modify Tool Bar, or select Edit Text from the Modify Menu. 2. Select the text block to edit. The Enter Text dialog box appears.
Note:
Do not confuse Text in the Draw Menu (adds text) with Text in the Modify Menu (edits existing text).
3. Edit the existing text, then click OK or press Enter. The edited text appears at the same text insertion point and with the same height as the original text block.
F-10
Section F
Mirroring Entities
Use the Mirror command under the Modify Menu to create a reflected copy of one or more entities. Entities are reflected over a mirror line. The mirror line lays halfway between the original entities and the mirrored entities. The angle of the mirror line in respect to the original entity determines the orientation of the mirrored entity. Mirrored entities are placed on the same layer as the originals. To mirror entities: 1. Click the Mirror button on the Modify Tool Bar, or select Mirror from the Modify Menu. 2. Select the entities to mirror. Press Enter when finished. 3. Click on the Drawing Area to pick the first point of the mirror line. Pressing Enter picks the geometric center of the selected entities. A mirror image of the selected entities appears. Moving the cursor moves the end point of the mirror line and rotates the image. 4. Pick the second point of the mirror line. The mirrored entities appear in the chosen position.
Note:
You can select one or more entities to mirror before you select Mirror, therefore skipping Step 2.
Mirroring Lines Note:

Mirroring text does not reflect the characters; it copies the text and reflects the text insertion point over the mirror line. 2
Original entity
1 Mirror line
Mirrored entity
F-11
Exploding Entities
Use the Explode command under the Modify Menu to break, or explode, a polyline or a text block into lines and arcs. Exploding a polyline is the only way you can modify its segments individually or move them to separate layers. Text is exploded into lines only. Exploding text is the only way you can modify the lines individually. Exploded lines and arcs are placed on the same layer as the original entity.
Exploding a Polyline
Exploding Text
To explode text or a polyline:
Note:
You can select the entity to explode before you select Explode, therefore skipping Step 2.
1. Click the Explode button on the Modify Tool Bar, or select Explode from the Modify Menu. 2. Select the entity to explode. The entity is broken into lines and arcs.
F-12
Section F
Offsetting Entities
Use the Offset command under the Modify Menu to create an offset entity. Offsets are based on the selected entity. Offsets are separated from the selected entity by an offset distance. The offset of a line is a copy of the original line. The original and offset lines are parallel and are separated by the offset distance. The offset of an arc, or circle, is an arc or circle with the same center point as the original. The radius of the offset differs from the original radius by the offset distance. The resulting offset entity is larger or smaller than the original entity, depending on the offset side.
Offset Distance
Offsetting a Line and an Arc
Original Entity
The offset of a polyline is one or more polylines of similar shape. Polylines offset to the inside retain their shape, while those offset to the outside have filleted corners. The fillet radius is equal to the offset distance. In either case, the original polyline and the offset are separated by the offset distance.
Original Entity
Offsetting Closed and Open Polylines
Offset Distance
Offsets are placed on the same layer as the original entity. You cannot offset points, text, or grouped entities. To offset an entity: 1. Click the Offset button on the Modify Tool Bar, or select Offset from the Modify Menu.
F-13
Note:
You can select the entity to offset before you select Offset, therefore skipping Step 2.
2. Select the entity to offset. An image of the selected entity appears. Moving the cursor changes the offset side (inside or outside). The Quick Enter Bar displays the current offset distance. If the distance displayed is the desired distance, skip Step 3. 3. Select the offset distance by clicking entering a value in the Offset Distance box on the Quick Enter Bar. Click Apply or press Enter. 4. Click in the Drawing Area to select the offset side. The offset appears on the selected side of the original entity. 5. Repeat Steps 2 and 4 to offset another entity, if desired. 6. Press Escape to end the offset operation. The offset distance you set in Step 3 becomes the default offset distance. Every offset operation will use this radius until you set a new one.
F-14
Section F
Layering
Using layers is an easy way to keep your spectraCAM Turning drawings organized. You may use up to 50 different layers in each spectraCAM Turning drawing. When you place entities on separate layers, you can choose to see only one layer, a few layers at once, or all the layers in the drawing. This flexibility in viewing layers makes drawing and modifying entities easier, especially when your drawing is complicated. The ability to view one layer at a time is the principal reason to use layers. The following describes the spectraCAM Turning layering capabilities.
Using Layers
There are many ways you can organize entities on different layers. You might want to organize entities by: Type: Points on one layer, text on a second, other geometry on a third. Color: Entities on layer #1 are yellow, those on layer #2 are green, etc. Tool path: Entities on each layer form a separate tool path in a CAM program. Use these suggestions, or create your own ways to organize your drawings with layers. There are a few things to remember when using layers in your drawings. 1. All entities on the same layer are the same color. Changing the layer color changes the color of all entities on the same layer. 2. All entities on the same layer have the same visibility. Making the layer invisible makes all the entities on that layer invisible. 3. You cannot group entities that are on different layers. Of course, you do not have to use layers in your drawings. Every drawing has at least one layer. You can place every entity on one layer, if you wish.
F-15
Using the Layer Display Box and Layers Button

Layers Button and Layer Display Box
The Layer Display box and the Layers button are important aids when you use layers in your drawing. The Layer Display box shows the name and color of the selected layer, depending on the current mode.
u
In idle mode when no entities are selected, the Layer Display box displays the current layer. In idle mode when one entity is selected, the Layer Display box displays the layer of that entity. This is also true when you select two or more entities that are on the same layer. In idle mode when two or more entities on different layers are selected, the Layer Display box is blank. While performing an operation (whether or not entities are selected), the Layer Display box displays the current layer.
Clicking the Layers button opens the Edit Layers dialog box, in which you can change layer properties. Clicking this button is equivalent to selecting Layers from the Edit Menu.
Changing the Current Layer

Use the Layer Display box to change the current layer. The current layer is the layer on which you are currently drawing. In idle mode when no entities are selected, the Layer Display box shows the current layer. You can change the current layer at any time. Entities that you create with Copy, Mirror, Break, Explode, and Offset are placed on the same layer as the original entity. Fillet arcs are placed on the same layer as the filleted entities; if these entities are on different layers, the fillet arc is placed on the current layer. To change the current layer: 1. In idle mode with no entities selected, click on the arrow in the Layer Display box. A list of all the layers in your drawing appears. 2. Scroll through the list and highlight a visible layer. The layer you selected is now the current layer. The current layer must be visible. Invisible layers appear gray in the Layer Display box. Highlighting an invisible layer in the Layer Display box will not change the current layer. See Changing Layer Properties for more information on layer visibility.
F-16
Section F
Moving Entities Between Layers

Use the Change Layer command under the Modify Menu to move one or more entities to another layer. By doing this, you can change the entity's color and group it with entities on its new layer. Or, you can move entities to a layer of their own, so you can view only those entities. Before you move an entity to another layer, determine which layer the entity is currently on by using one of the following methods:
u
While in idle mode, click on an entity with the right mouse button; the context-sensitive menu displays the layer name. While in idle mode, select an entity; the layer name is shown in the Layer Display box. Select Query from the Tools Menu, then select an entity or its group. The Query dialog box appears, and displays the entity's layer.
See Using Drawing Tools for more information on Query. See Selecting and Cancelling Commands in Section C for more information on contextsensitive menus. To move entities between layers: 1. Select Change Layer from the Modify Menu. 2. Select the entities to move. Press Enter when finished. The Select Layer dialog box appears.
Shortcut
To move entities between layers : 1. Select the entities to move. 2. Click the arrow in the Layer Display box. 3. Scroll through the list and highlight a new layer. The selected entities are moved to the new layer.
3. Highlight the layer to which you would like to move the selected entities. 4. Click Change or press Enter. The selected entities move to the new layer. If the old and new layers are different colors, the entities change to the color of the layer on which they reside. If the new layer is invisible, the entities become invisible.
F-17
Changing Layer Properties

Use the Edit Layers button on the Dialog bar to change layer properties. You can also open the Edit Layers box by selecting Layers from the Setup Menu. The properties of a layer are its name, color, and visibility (whether or not it is visible). The layer color and visibility apply to all the entities that reside on the layer. To change the properties of a layer: 1. Click the Edit Layers button next to the Layers window. The Edit Layers dialog box appears.
2. Scroll through the list and highlight a layer. 3. You may choose to do the following to the selected layer:
u u
Enter a new layer name in the Name field. Change the layer color by clicking the arrow in the Color box and highlight a new color. Change the layer visibility by clicking the Visible checkbox (an x means the layer is visible), by double-clicking on the layer in the Layers list, or by clicking Show All to make all layers visible.
4. Press Enter or click OK to accept the changes. The layer that was highlighted when you closed the Edit Layers dialog box becomes the current layer. If you highlighted an invisible layer, the next visible layer in the list becomes the current layer.
F-18
Section F
Adding and Deleting Layers

Use the Layers command under the Setup Menu to add and delete layers from your drawing. Every drawing must have at least one layer, so you cannot delete every layer. Also, you cannot delete a layer that has entities on it.
To Add a Layer:
1. Click the Layers button, or select Layers from the Setup Menu. The Edit Layers dialog box appears. 2. Click the Add button. A new untitled layer appears on the list, with black as the default color. 3. Perform any optional actions, if desired:
u u u u u
Select another name for the new layer. Select another color for the new layer. Select a different visibility for the new layer. Add more than one new layer. Highlight a new current layer.
4. Press Enter or click OK to accept the changes. The layer that was highlighted when you closed the Edit Layers dialog box becomes the current layer.
To Delete a Layer:
1. Click the Layers button, or select Layers from the Setup Menu. The Edit Layers dialog box appears. 2. Highlight the layer you wish to delete. 3. Click the Delete button. If the Delete button is gray, you cannot delete the selected layer because it contains one or more entities. 4. Repeat Steps 2 and 3 to delete other layers, if desired. 5. Press Enter or click OK to accept the changes. If you delete the current layer and do not highlight a new one, the next visible layer in the list becomes the current (selected) layer.
F-19
Using the Assist Menu

This section describes spectraCAM Turning's drawing tools. These commands are all in the Assist Menu.
Group and Ungroup

Use the Group command under the Assist Menu to group two or more entities. By grouping entities, you can select and modify them all at once. You can group any number of entities that are on the same layer. The end points of grouped entities are not visible. You can delete, move, rotate, scale, copy, mirror, and query grouped entities. You can move grouped entities to a different layer, and snap to points on grouped entities. You cannot break, fillet, explode, trim, or extend grouped entities, or edit grouped text. Deleting a group deletes all the entities in the group, including hidden text (see Customizing spectraCAM Turning for more information on text visibility).
To Group Entities:
1. Select the Group command from the Assist Menu, or press Ctrl+G. 2. Select the entities you wish to group. Press Enter when finished. The selected entities are grouped, and can only be selected and modified as a group. You can create multilevel groups, or groups of groups. Simply select a group instead of an entity in Step 2 above. Use the Ungroup command under the Assist Menu to ungroup entities.
To Ungroup Entities:
1. Select Ungroup from the Assist Menu, or press Ctrl+ U. 2. Select a group. The grouped entities are ungrouped, and can be selected and modified individually.
Note:
Ungroup does not separate a polyline into individual entities. Use Explode for this purpose.
Ungrouping a multilevel group undoes one level of grouping only. You must ungroup a multilevel group as many times as it was grouped to restore all of the individual entities.
F-20
Section F
Measure
Note:
Use entity snaps to easily measure the distance between points on one or two entities.
Use the Measure command under the Assist Menu to find the distance and the horizontal (dX) and vertical (dY) displacements between two points. Distance measurements are useful for making certain entities are drawn and placed correctly.
Distance Between Points
Distance dX
dY
To Measure the Distance Between Two Points:

1. Click on the Measure Dist. button on the Measure Tool Bar, or select Measure from the Assist Menu, then select Distance from the fly-out menu. 2. Pick the point to measure from. 3. Pick the point to measure to. The distance, dX and dY, between the two points is displayed in the Drawing Area. 4. Repeat Steps 3 and 4 to measure the distance between another pair of points, if desired. 5. Press Escape to end the measure operation.
To Measure the Angle Between Two Points:

You can also use the Measure command to measure the angle (in degrees) between two points. The angle is measured with respect to a base point, which can be anywhere on the drawing.
Angle Between Points
3 Angle Base point (1) 2
1. Click on the Measure Angle button on the Measure Tool Bar, or select Measure from the Assist Menu, then select Angle from the fly-out menu. 2. Pick the base point. 3. Pick the point to measure from.
F-21
Note:
Use entity snaps to easily measure the angle between points on one or two entities.
4. Pick the point to measure to. The angle between the two points, relative to the base point, is displayed in the Drawing Area. 5. Repeat Steps 3, 4, and 5 to measure another angle, if desired. 6. Press Escape to end the measure operation.
Query
Use the Query command under the Assist Menu to get information on the type, layer, position, orientation, and dimensions of an entity. Query provides different data for different types of entities. It always gives the layer and type of the entity. Query also displays the:
u u
Coordinates of a point Length and coordinates of the start and end points of a line or an open polyline Radius, length, and coordinates of the center point of an arc or a circle (the length of a circle is its circumference) Length (perimeter), area, and coordinates of the start point of a closed polyline (including a rectangle) Height, angle, and coordinates of the insertion point of a text block Number of items (entities or groups) in a group
u u
To query an entity: 1. Select Query from the Assist Menu. An empty Query dialog box appears. 2. Select one or more entities or groups (you cannot draw a selection box during a Query operation). The entity or group you selected is highlighted in the Drawing Area, and its data is shown in the Query dialog box. If you selected two or more entities, click the arrow buttons to display data on each entity in succession.
Note:
Press Ctrl and select one entity of a group, or one segment of a polyline, to get information about that entity alone.
F-22
Section F
3. Select another entity or group to query, if desired. 4. Press Escape or click Done to end the Query operation. You can also use the context-sensitive menu (by clicking on an entity or group with the right mouse button) to quickly get data on an entity. See Selecting and Cancelling Commands in Section C for more information on contextsensitive menus.
F-23
Using Snaps
This section describes the entity snaps and cursor constraints available in spectraCAM Turning. Snaps and constraints help you to draw and modify entities quickly and with more precision. All of these commands are under the Snap Menu.
Types of Entity Snaps

Entity snaps help you to pick points on entities. Use entity snaps to properly connect entities when you draw and modify. This is especially important when you use your drawing in a CAM program. For example, use the End Point snap to easily pick the end point of an existing line when drawing a new line.
Note:
You can snap to points on grouped entities and segments of polylines, as if they were individual entities.
To use an entity snap, you must activate, or enable, the snap. If an entity snap is enabled, the snap box and cross hairs appear when you are prompted to pick a point. Position the cursor so that part of the desired entity is within the snap box, and click. Depending on the type of snap that is enabled, a point on that entity is picked. There are several types of entity snaps available in spectraCAM Turning:
u
The End Point snap is used to pick the end point of a line or an arc. The end point closest to where you click will be picked.
Snapping to the End Point of a Line
When you click on a line...
the closest endpoint is selected.
The Intersection snap is used to pick the intersection point of two entities. The two entities can be lines, arcs, or circles in any combination. The intersection closest to where you click will be picked.
When you click on two entities that cross... the closest intersection is selected.
Snapping to the Intersection of Two Lines
F-24
Section F
The Center snap is used to pick the center of a circle or an arc.
Snapping to the Center of a Circle
When you click on a circle or arc...
the center of the circle or arc is selected.
The Mid Point snap is used to pick the midpoint of a line or an arc.
Snapping to the Midpoint of a Line
When you click on a line...
the midpoint of the line is selected.
The Near snap is used to pick the closest point on a line, an arc, or a circle.
Snapping to the Nearest Point on an Arc
When you click on a line, arc or circle...
the nearest point is selected.
F-25
The Perpendicular snap is used to pick the perpendicular point on a line, arc, or circle. A line between the last point you picked and the perpendicular point forms a 90 angle with the selected entity.
Snapping to the Perpendicular Point on a Circle
1 Pick the first point, then click on an entity... 2
the perpendicular point on the entity is picked.
Use this snap to draw any entity, not just a line. For example, points 1 and 2 above could be the end points of an arc. However, this snap is not valid for the first point picked in an operation.
u
The Tangent snap is used to pick the closest tangent point on an arc or a circle. A line between the last point you picked and the tangent point will be tangent to the selected entity.
Snapping to the Tangent Point on a Circle Note:

If the last point you picked is inside an arc or a circle, you cannot use the Tangent snap to pick the next point.
1 Pick the first point, then click on an entity...
1 Tangent line 2
the closest tangent point on the entity is picked.
Use this snap to draw any entity, not just a line. For example, points 1 and 2 above could be the corners of a rectangle. However, this snap is not valid for the first point picked in an operation.
F-26
Section F
The Quadrant snap is used to pick the closest quadrant point of a circle or an arc. Quadrant points are at 0, 90, 180, and 270.
Snapping to a Quadrant Point on an Arc
Quadrant points on an arc
Click on the arc
The nearest quadrant point is picked
The Point snap is used to pick a point entity.
Using Entity Snaps

Each type of entity snap can be used temporarily or permanently. Temporary entity snaps are enabled only for the next point that you pick. Use the commands in the first section of the Snap Menu (End Point through Point) to enable one temporary entity snap for any point picked in a Draw, Modify, or View operation. The Enter Point dialog box still works when a temporary entity snap is enabled. Entering the point coordinates is equivalent to clicking on that point with the cursor.
To Pick a Point with a Temporary Entity Snap:

1. When spectraCAM Turning prompts you to pick a point, select a command from the Snaps Menu, or press a hot key. For example, to snap to the midpoint of a line, select Mid Point or press F5. 2. Position the cursor so part of the desired entity is within the snap box, and click. A point on the entity is picked. If the correct type of entity is not crossed by the snap box, the temporary snap fails, and you will again be prompted to pick the point. Permanent entity snaps are enabled for every point that you pick. Use the Setup command under the Snaps Menu to choose one or more permanent entity snaps. Using a temporary entity snap or the Enter Point dialog box overrides the permanent entity snaps.
F-27
To Choose Permanent Entity Snaps:

1. Click on the Setup Snaps button on the Snaps Tool Bar, or select Setup from the Snap Menu. The Setup Snaps dialog box appears.
Setup Snaps
This dialog box sets up the End Point, Intersection, Mid Point, and Point permanent entity snaps.
Note:
When the Snap Tool Bar is visible, pressing Ctrl highlights the buttons corresponding to the permanent entity snaps that are currently setup.
2. Click the checkboxes for the desired permanent entity snaps. A snap with an checkmark means the snap is selected. 3. Click OK. The permanent entity snaps you chose are now setup. Once you setup the permanent entity snaps, Use the Snaps command under the Snaps Menu to enable or disable them. Use one of the following methods to enable or disable permanent entity snaps:
u
Click the Enable Snaps button on the Snaps Tool Bar, or select Snaps from the Snap Menu. Click the Setup Snaps button on the Snaps Tool Bar, or select Setup from the Snap Menu. In the Setup Snaps dialog box, click the Enable checkbox so it contains an x, then click OK. The state of the permanent entity snaps is toggled. If they were previously enabled, they are now disabled, and vice-versa. A check mark next to the Snaps command means the snaps are enabled.
F-28
Section F
To Pick a Point with the Permanent Entity Snaps:

Note:
You can change the size of the snap box in the Setup Snaps dialog box. A larger snap box can include more entities from which to pick points.
1. Enable the permanent entity snaps. You can do this while in idle mode or while performing any operation. 2. When spectraCAM Turning prompts you to pick a point, position the cursor so part of the desired entity is within the snap box, and click. A point on that entity is picked. If the correct type of entity was not within the snap box, the cursor location is picked. You can use more than one permanent entity snap at once. If more than one enabled snap applies to the entity, the point closest to the cursor location is picked. For example, if the Mid Point and End Point permanent snaps are enabled, you can click on a line. Clicking near the middle of the line picks the midpoint, while clicking closer to one end picks the end point. If you clicked on a circle, neither snap applies, so the cursor location is picked instead.
Cursor Constraints
Cursor constraints restrict cursor movement, so you can only pick certain points in the Drawing Area. You can enable or disable constraints during any operation.
Grid Command
Use the Grid command under the Snap Menu to enable and disable the Grid snap. With Grid snap enabled, you can only pick Grid points when drawing or modifying entities. Grid snap works with entity snaps. If Grid snap and Point snap are both enabled, for example, you can pick points that are within the snap box only when it is centered at a Grid point.
F-29
Use one of the following methods to enable or disable Grid snap:

u
Click the Enable Grid Snap button on the Tool Bar, or select the Grid command from the Snap Menu. Click the Setup Snap button on the Snap Tool Bar, or select Setup from the Snap Menu. When the Setup Snaps dialog box appears, click the Grid checkbox, then click OK or press Enter.
Note:
When you zoom out of a drawing many times, hide the Grid so it does not obscure the drawing.
Note:
You can still snap to end points and Grid points when they are hidden.
Both of these methods toggle the state of the Grid snap. If the snap was previously enabled, it is now disabled, and vice-versa. A check mark next to the Grid Menu command indicates the snap is enabled. To change the Grid spacing: 1. Click the Setup Snap button on the Snap Tool Bar, or select Setup from the Snap Menu. The Setup Snaps dialog box appears. 2. Enter the new grid spacing in the Grid Spacing field. 3. Click OK or press Enter.
F-30
Section F
Ortho Command
Note:
Ortho is an abbreviation of orthogonal, a mathematical term meaning composed of right angles.
Use the Ortho command under the Snap Menu to enable and disable the Ortho lock. With Ortho lock enabled, the cursor can move only horizontally or vertically during Draw and Modify operations. Use this constraint to easily draw horizontal and vertical lines, or to pick points that are aligned horizontally or vertically. Like Grid snap, Ortho lock can be used with any entity snap. Ortho lock is automatically disabled during operations in which it would prevent you from completing the operation. For example, it is impossible to pick two opposite corners of a rectangle with Ortho lock enabled. spectraCAM Turning temporarily disables Ortho lock when you select Rectangle. Use one of the following methods to enable or disable Ortho lock:
u u
Select the Ortho command from the Snap Menu. Click the Setup Snap button on the Snap Tool Bar, or select Setup from the Snap Menu. When the Setup Snaps dialog box appears, click the Ortho checkbox, then click OK or press Enter. Both of these methods toggle the state of the Ortho lock. If the lock was previously enabled, it is now disabled, and vice-versa. A check mark next to the Ortho command indicates the constraint is enabled.
F-31
Using the Clipboard

Use the clipboard commands under the Edit Menu to copy and paste spectraCAM Turning entities to and from the Windows Clipboard. Using the Clipboard is an easy way to transfer geometry between spectraCAM Turning and other applications, including spectraCAM. Any spectraCAM Turning entity can be copied to the Clipboard, then pasted into another application.
Copy to Clipboard Command

To copy entities to the Clipboard: 1. Select the entities to copy. 2. Click the Copy to Clipboard button on the Tool Bar, select Copy to Clipboard from the Edit Menu, or press Ctrl+C. The selected entities are copied to the Clipboard.
Paste from Clipboard Command

Use the Paste from Clipboard command under the Edit Menu to paste entities from the Clipboard into spectraCAM Turning. Pasted entities are placed on the current layer in your drawing. To paste entities from the Clipboard, select Paste from Clipboard from the Edit Menu, or press Ctrl +V. The contents of the Clipboard are placed on the current layer. If the Paste from Clipboard command is grayed-out, there are no entities on the Clipboard to paste.
F-32
Section F
Customizing spectraCAM Turning

There are many ways you can customize spectraCAM Turning to make it look and act just the way you want.
Viewing the Tool Bar and Status Bar

Use the Tool Bar and Status Bar commands under the View Menu to show and hide screen elements. The Tool Bar provides command buttons to make working in spectraCAM Turning faster and easier. The Status Bar prompts you on which step to take next, and makes selecting some menu commands easier. If you do not use the Tool Bar or Status Bar very often, you can hide them to make the Drawing Area larger. To hide or show the Tool Bar or Status Bar select the respective command from the View Menu. If either screen element was displayed on the screen, it is now hidden, and vice-versa. A check mark next to these commands means the screen element is displayed on the screen.
Viewing the Grid, End Points, and Text

Use the View Menu to show and hide the Grid, End Points, and Text. Hide all these elements to view entities only. This feature is especially useful when you work with complicated drawings. To show or hide these screen elements, select the View Menu, and select the appropriate command. If any of these screen elements were displayed on the screen, they are now hidden, and vice-versa. A check mark next to these commands means the screen element is displayed on the screen. Be careful not to delete hidden text by mistake. If you delete a group, you might accidentally delete grouped but hidden text, as well. See Using Drawing Tools for more information about grouping entities.
F-33
Changing Tool Bar Visibility, Position, and Size

Use the Tool Bars command under the View Menu to show and hide the Tool Bars. If there are several commands you use consistently, leave the Tool Bars that contain buttons for those commands displayed on the screen. They can save you time selecting commands. Hide the Tool Bars if you do not use them much, or if they obscure your view of the drawing. You can display any combination of Tool Bars at once. You can also alter the size of and move Tool Bars. To display a Tool Bar, select the Tool Bars command from the View Menu. When the dialog box appears, select the name of the desired Tool Bar. The Tool Bar you selected is shown in the Drawing Area. A check mark next to a Tool Bar name indicates that it is shown. To hide a Tool Bar, Select Tool Bars from the View Menu. When the dialog box appears, select the name of the desired Tool Bar, or click the close button in the Tool Bar. To move a Tool Bar, click on the Tool Bar title and hold down the mouse button. Move the Tool Bar to a new position, then release the mouse button. To alter the shape of a Tool Bar, click on any edge of the Tool Bar, and drag the edge until the Tool Bar is the desired size.
Close button
Altering the Shape of a Tool Bar
3. Release the mouse button.
1. Click and hold the edge of the Tool Bar.
2. Drag the edge of the Tool Bar.
F-34
Section F
Customizing the Toolbars

Clicking on the Customize button opens the Customize dialog box. This will allow you to move buttons from one toolbar to another, creating your own toolbars based on the tools you need most. You can also change the look of the buttons, making them larger, smaller, and removing the individual button borders (the Cool Look selection). You can also access the Customize window from the Setup Menu.
Custom Keyboard Commands

The Customize Window also allows you to create custom keyboard commands. You may find it quicker to perform different commands using the keyboard rather than selecting menu items or toolbar buttons. The Customize Keyboard dialog box allows you to do this. Select a command from the list on the left, and then choose the keystrokes you wish to use. Click on Apply to set the command, and OK to close the dialog box when you are done.
F-35
Split Window and Workbook Mode

The Split Window Mode allows you to see toolpaths, NC code, and a graphic verification of your spectraCAM Turning project. This is helpful during the CAM phase of the project, giving you the opportunity to see the code and a graphic simulation of the part as you create toolpaths. To select Split Window mode, click on the Split Window button on the Operations bar. If you are working with multiple session files, the Workbook Mode makes moving between them easier. For instance, if you were cutting from one file and pasting into another, rather than opening a file, selecting the entity to copy, closing the file, and then opening the destination file; you simply select Workbook mode, open both files, and select the tabs at the bottom of the screen to toggle between the two. This also makes it easier to compare features on seperate drawings. To select the Workbook mode, choose Workbook Mode from the Window menu.
Split Screen in Workbook Mode
F-36
Section F
Setting Options
Use the Options command under the Setup Menu to set the spectraCAM Turning options. The options you change take effect once you close the Options panel. They remain the same every time you use spectraCAM Turning, until you alter them again.
Display Options
Display Options allow you to personalize the interface screen. The Display Options are:
u u
The colors used in the drawing area The precision of status text, which appears in the Drawing Area during certain Draw and Modify operations The Crosshair style; small, medium, or large Grid style, dot or graph Entity box size
u u u
Note:
Entities that are the same color as the Drawing Area appear in another color, so you can still see them.
F-37
View Options
u u
Set the Zoom and Pan amounts Whether you can undo view changes with the Undo command on the Edit menu Choose to print in color Select which items in the drawing area are visible Set these options as default
u u u
CAM Options
CAM options allow you to modify aspects of the CAM functions.
u u u
Prompt you to Accept tool paths when generated Set the auto regeneration delays for the screen Map the location of the Tool library.
F-38
Section F
Miscellaneous and Document Options

The Misc tab allows you to choose whether or not to rename duplicate layers during Import or Paste operations. Document options place the stock origin and set units for the session.
F-39
F-40
Section F
spectraCAM Turning: Section G
CAM Operations
The File Menu The View Menu The Turning Menu The Setup Menu The Window Menu Split Screen Toolbars
spectraCAM Turning Operations
G-1
CAM Operations
CAM operations involve generating toolpaths and setting NC program parameters. The CNC machine will use these parameters to cut the part from a piece of stock. This section deals with the tools and toolbars used specifically in the CAM step of the CAD/CAM/CNC process.
CAM Operations in the File Menu

The File menu has 4 spectraCAM Turning specific operations; Save NC, Save NC As..., Preview NC, and Verify NC.
Save NC
Save NC saves the NC code that spectraCAM Turning generates for all tool paths in the current session. The NC code (.NC) file is in text format. Save NC does not save manual edits made in the NC Preview window. To save NC code: 1. Select the Save NC command by: selecting File > Save NC, or clicking the Save NC button. If this is the first time you have saved NC code in the current session, the Select Output NC File dialog box appears. 2. Use the dialog box to choose the name and location of the NC code (.NC) file.
G-2
Section G
Save NC As...
Save NC As saves the NC code that spectraCAM Turning generates for all tool paths in the current session. The NC code is saved to a file with the name and location that you choose. The NC code (.NC) file is in text format. To save NC code: 1. Select File > Save NC As. The Select Output NC File dialog box appears. 2. Use the dialog box to choose the name and location of the NC code (.NC) file. Use this command to save your NC file under a different name, or to a different directory. This is useful if you want to modify the file, but keep a copy of the original. Save NC does not save manual edits made in the NC Preview window. If you manually edit the NC file in the Preview window, you can save changes by clicking the Save Preview button on the Preview NC toolbar.
Preview NC
Preview NC opens the NC Preview window and shows the NC code for all tool paths in the current session. The NC Preview window opens if it was closed, and the NC code for all tool paths is displayed in the window. If File > Preview NC is grayed-out, then there are no new tool paths in the session for which to generate NC code.
Verify NC
Verify NC starts the cutting simulation in the Verify window. The Verify window opens if it was closed, and the cutting simulation begins. If File > Verify NC is grayed-out, then there are no new tool paths which need to be verified.
CAM Operations in the View Menu

The View Menu contains 3 commands that relate to CAM operations. They are NC Preview, Verify Window, and Toolpath List. Selecting either the NC Preview or the Verify Widow command has the same affect as clicking on the Split Screen button on the Dialog Toolbar. The drawing area is reduced and the NC Preview an the Verify window are displayed. The Toolpath List toggles the Verify Window to show the list of toolpaths and parameters for the NC program. You may also view the Toolpath List by clicking on the Toolpath tab under the verify window.
G-3
CAM Operations in the Turning Menu

The Turning Menu and the Turning Toolbar access the same operations. Use these commands to generate toolpaths for the geometry you created during CAD operations. Select an operation from the menu, or click on the appropriate button on the toolbar.
Facing
Facing is used to machine the end of the stock where a particular feature is required, such as a dimple or a ridge. To generate a Facing tool path: 1. Select the Face command by selecting Turning > Face or clicking the Face Operation button. The cutting zone and default tool are shown at the end of the stock. The distance between the stock end and the left boundary of the cutting zone is the face amount. 2. Change tool path parameters by:
w Dragging and dropping the left cutting zone boundary to change the
face amount
w Using the Quick Entry Bar to change the tool, face amount, step size,
and finish amount
w Using Turning > Parameters to open the Setup Facing Parameters

dialog box and modify all tool path parameters 3. Generate the tool path by selecting Turning > Generate, selecting Generate Tool Path from the Turning pop-up menu, or clicking the Generate Tool Path button. 4. The Facing tool path is shown as a series of vertical lines at the end of the stock.
G-4
Section G
Roughing
The Roughing operation takes the entities you created during CAD operations and uses them to generate roughing toolpaths. The entities must be connected to one another (share common endpoints) in order to generate a continuous toolpath. You can use the same entities in more than one tool path. To generate a Roughing tool path: 1. Select the Rough command by selecting Turning > Rough, or clicking the Rough Operation button. If you had previously generated a tool path, spectraCAM Turning automatically selects the entities used to generate that tool path. If you want to use these entities for the new tool path, proceed to Step 3.
An example of a roughing operation is shown on page G-9
2. Select the entities to include in the Roughing tool path. The cutting zone and default tool are shown at the selected entities. 3. You can use any of the following methods to change the tool path parameters.
w Dragging and dropping the three cutting zone boundaries to change

the length and width of the cutting zone
w Using the Quick Entry Bar to change the tool, step size, and finish
amount
w Using Turning > Parameters to open the Setup Rough Parameters

dialog box and modify all tool path parameters. 4. Generate the tool path by:
w Selecting Turning > Generate w Selecting Generate Tool Path from the Turning pop-up menu w Clicking the Generate Tool Path button
The Roughing tool path is shown in the Drawing Area. The tool path appears, with a default name, in the Tool Paths list. If there is a conflict between the tool path type or parameters, the tool properties, and the entities selected for the tool path, a message appears saying there was a problem. 5. Click OK. No tool path is generated. 6. Continue creating Roughing tool paths, if desired. When you are finished, press Escape to end the operation.
G-5
Groove
The Groove operation takes the entities you created during CAD operations and uses them to generate roughing toolpaths. The entities must be connected to one another (share common endpoints) in order to generate a continuous toolpath. You can use the same entities in more than one tool path. To generate a Groove tool path: 1. Select the Groove command by selecting Turning > Groove, or clicking the Groove Operation button. If you had previously generated a tool path, spectraCAM Turning automatically selects the entities used to generate that tool path. If you want to use these entities for the new tool path, proceed to Step 3. 2. Select the entities to include in the Groove tool path. The cutting zone and default tool are shown at the selected entities. 3. You can use any of the following methods to change the tool path parameters.

amount
w Using Turning > Parameters to open the Setup Groove Parameters

w Selecting Turning > Generate w Selecting Generate Tool Path from the Turning pop-up menu w Clicking the Generate Tool Path button.
The Groove tool path is shown in the Drawing Area. The tool path appears, with a default name, in the Tool Paths list. If there is a conflict between the tool path type or parameters, the tool properties, and the entities selected for the tool path, a message appears saying there was a problem. 5. Click OK. No tool path is generated. 6. Continue creating Groove tool paths, if desired. When you are finished, press Escape to end the operation.
G-6
Section G
Finish
The Finish operation takes the entities you created during CAD operations and uses them to generate roughing toolpaths. The entities must be connected to one another (share common endpoints) in order to generate a continuous toolpath. You can use the same entities in more than one tool path. To generate a Finish tool path: 1. Select the Finish command by selecting Turning > Finish , or clicking the Finish Operation button. If you had previously generated a tool path, spectraCAM Turning automatically selects the entities used to generate that tool path. If you want to use these entities for the new tool path, proceed to Step 3. 2. Select the entities to include in the Finish tool path. The cutting zone and default tool are shown at the selected entities. 3. You can use any of the following methods to change the tool path parameters.

amount
w Using Turning > Parameters to open the Setup Finish Parameters

w Selecting Turning > Generate w Selecting Generate Tool Path from the Turning pop-up menu w Clicking the Generate Tool Path button.
The Finish tool path is shown in the Drawing Area. The tool path appears, with a default name, in the Tool Paths list. If there is a conflict between the tool path type or parameters, the tool properties, and the entities selected for the tool path, a message appears saying there was a problem. 5. Click OK. No tool path is generated. 6. Continue creating Finish tool paths, if desired. When you are finished, press Escape to end the operation.
G-7
Thread
The entities for the threading toolpath must be connected to one another (share common endpoints) in order to generate a continuous toolpath. To generate a Threading tool path: 1. Select the Thread command by selecting Turning > Thread or clicking the Threading Operation button. 2. Select the entities to include in the Threading tool path. Note that only the positions of the start and end point of the selected entity or entities are used to generate the tool path. The thread tool is shown in the Drawing Area. 3. To change tool path parameters:
w Use the Quick Entry Bar to choose the tool and step size, choose a
smart thread or an entry from the thread library, and choose whether this is a right- or left-hand thread
w Select Turning > Parameters to open the Setup Thread Parameters

dialog box and modify tool path parameters. 4. Use any one of the following methods to generate the toolpath:
w Select Turning > Generate w Select Generate Tool Path from the Turning pop-up menu w Click the Generate Tool Path button
5. The Threading tool path is shown in the Drawing Area. The tool path appears, with a default name, in the Tool Paths list.
Cutoff
Cutoff generates a Cutoff tool path. Cutoff tool paths are generally used to remove the finished part from the remaining stock, and are usually the last tool path to be machined. To generate a Cutoff tool path: 1. Select the Cutoff command by:
w Selecting Turning > Cutoff w Clicking the Cutoff Operation button

The cutting zone, consisting of one vertical boundary only, appears near the chuck end of the stock. 2. Drag and drop the cutting zone boundary horizontally so it is in the desired position on the stock. 3. Change the other tool path parameters by:
G-8
Section G
w Use the Quick Entry Bar to change the tool and overshoot w Select Turning > Parameters to open the Setup Cutoff Parameters
dialog box and modify all tool path parameters. 4. To generate the tool path do one of the following:
w Select Turning > Generate w Select Generate Tool Path from the Turning pop-up menu w Click on the Generate Tool Path button
The Cutoff tool path is shown in the Drawing Area. The tool path appears, with a default name, in the Tool Paths list.
An example of the cutting zone and default tool shown at the selected entities (Rough operation).
G-9
Setting Operation Parameters

Parameters for each operation can be set in two different ways. You can use the Quick Entry Bar to change settings, or you can open the Setup Parameters dialog box. To open the Setup Parameters dialog box, select an operation such as Roughing, and select parameters from the Turning menu, or click Setup on the Quick Enter Bar.
Facing Parameters
To setup Facing Parameters, click on the Face button and then select Parameters from the Turning menu, or click on the setup parameters button on the operations toolbar, or click Setup on the Quick Enter bar. The Setup Parameters dialog box appears. To set the properties of a Facing tool path: 1. The Tool list box allows you to select the cutting tool to be used for the tool path. Click Edit to open the Setup Tool Library dialog box. For more information on the tool library, see Tool Library later in this section. 2. In the Name field, type a new name for the tool path. 3. If you want spectraCAM Turning to calculate the spindle speed, cut feed rate, and plunge feed rate, check the Auto-Calculate Speed and Feeds box. If this box is checked, the next three fields in the dialog box are grayed-out. 4. If you have not chosen to auto-calculate speeds and feeds, you can enter new values in the Spindle, Cut Feed, and Plunge Feed fields.
G-10
Section G
w Spindle speeds are determined by the type of stock (aluminum, steel,

wax, etc.), turning operation (roughing, finishing), and type of tool (cutoff, profiling, carbide, HSS), being used.
w Cut Feed is the speed the tool moves parallel to the centerline of the
stock.
w Plunge Feed is the speed the tool moves into the stock.
5 In the Step Size field, type a new step size for the tool path. The step size determines how much material (how deep a cut) the tool removes in each toolpath. In the Finish Amount field, type a new finish amount for the tool path. The finish amount is usually a smaller amount than the roughing cuts, to smooth the surface. To enable Accessory #1 or 2 during an operation, check the Acc box. Uncheck the box to disable this output. Overshoot is the amount beyond the centerline the tool will travel. This prevents small amounts of material being left on the stock. In the Overshoot field, type a new overshoot for the tool path. In the Face Amt field, type a new face amount. This is the amount of material you want to remove, minus the finish amount.
7 8
10 Click Set as Default to save the current settings (except Name, Acc 1, and Acc 2) and automatically use them for the next Facing operation. When you are finished changing tool path properties, click OK to save the changes, or click Cancel to discard them.
G-11
Setup Rough/Finish/Groove Parameters

The Setup Rough, Finish, and Groove Parameters dialog boxes are identical. The Setup Rough Parameters dialog box is shown below as an example. To open the Setup Rough/Finish/Groove Parameters dialog box:
w Select Parameters during a Rough, Finish, or Groove operation w Select a Rough, Finish, or Groove tool path in the Setup Tool Paths dialog box and click Properties
w Select a Rough, Finish, or Groove tool path in the Tool Paths list, then
select Tool Path Properties
w Select a Rough, Finish, or Groove tool path and click Setup on the
Quick Enter Bar
Use these dialog boxes to change the properties of an existing tool path, choose new settings for the tool path you are about to generate, or set defaults for Rough, Finish, and Groove tool paths. When you open this dialog box, the values shown in each field are those of the existing tool path, or the defaults for the new tool path. 1. The Tool list box allows you to select the cutting tool to be used for the tool path. Clicking Edit opens the Setup Tool Library dialog box, where you can edit or create tools. 2. In the Name field, type a new name for the tool path. 3. Check the Auto-calculate Speed and Feeds box if you want spectraCAM Turning to calculate the spindle speed, cut feed rate, and plunge feed rate. If this box is checked, then the next three fields in the dialog box are grayed-out. G-12 Section G
4. If you have not chosen to auto-calculate speeds and feeds, you can enter new values in the Spindle, Cut Feed, and Plunge Feed fields.

stock.
w Plunge feed is the speed the tool moves into the stock.
5. In the Step Size field, type a new step size for the tool path. The step size determines how much material (how deep a cut) the tool removes in each toolpath. 6. In the Finish Amount field, type a new finish amount for the tool path. The finish amount is usually a smaller amount than the roughing cuts, to smooth the surface and give a finished look. 7. To enable Accessory #1 or 2 during an operation, check the Acc box. Uncheck the box to disable this output. 8. Selecting Set as Default saves the current settings (except Name, Acc 1, and Acc 2) and automatically uses them for the next Rough, Finish, or Groove operation. Defaults for one type of operation will not be used for the other operations. When you are finished changing tool path parameters, click OK to save the changes, or click Cancel to discard them.
G-13
Threading Parameters
Use this dialog box to change the properties of an existing tool path, choose new settings for the tool path you are about to generate, or set defaults for all Threading tool paths to be created in this and all new sessions. The Setup Thread Parameters dialog box appears when you:
w Select Parameters during a Thread operation, w Select a Threading tool path in the Setup Tool Paths dialog box and
click Properties
w Select a Threading tool path in the Tool Paths list, then select Tool Path
Properties
The values shown in each field are for the existing tool path, or the defaults to be used to create the new tool path. 1. The Tool list box, allows you to select the cutting tool to be used for the tool path. Click Edit to open the Setup Tool Library dialog box, in which you can edit or create new tools. 2. In the Name field, type a new name for the tool path. 3. Check the Auto-calculate Speed and Feeds box if you want spectraCAM Turning to calculate the spindle speed, cut feed rate, and plunge feed rate. If this box is checked, then the next three fields in the dialog box are grayed-out. 4. If you have not chosen to auto-calculate speeds and feeds, you can enter new values in the Spindle, Cut Feed, and Plunge Feed fields.

G-14
Section G
stock.
5. To enable Accessory #1 or #2, check the Acc box. Uncheck the box to disable this output.
6. In the Thread area, check the Smart Thread box to enable Smart Threading. When this box is checked, the Thread area looks like the dialog box on the previous page.
w In the Depth field, type the thread depth, or check the Default box
to use a default depth.
w Select either the Pitch or TPI (threads per inch) buttons and type in
the desired value to specify the thread size. 7. If you did not enable smart threading, the Thread area looks like the dialog box above.
w Using the list box, choose a thread from the library. Or, click to open
the Edit Thread Library dialog box and create a new thread.
w Choose whether this is a right-handed or left-handed thread by

choosing one of the Type buttons. 8. Check the Set as Default box to save the current settings (except Name, Acc 1, and Acc 2) and automatically use them for the next Cutoff operation. When you are finished changing tool path properties, click OK to save the changes, or click Cancel to discard them.
G-15
Setup Cutoff Parameters

You can use Setup Cutoff Parameters dialog box to change the properties of an existing tool path, choose new settings for the tool path you are about to generate, or set defaults for all Cutoff tool paths to be created in this and all new sessions. To open the Setup Cutoff Parameters dialog box, use any one of the following methods:
w Select Parameters during a Cutoff operation w Select a Cutoff tool path in the Setup Tool Paths dialog box and click
Properties
w Select a Cutoff tool path in the Tool Paths list, then select Tool Path
Properties The values shown in each field are those of the existing tool path, or the defaults for the new tool path.
1. The Tool list box allows you to select the cutting tool to be used. Click Edit to open the Setup Tool Library dialog box, in which you can edit or create tools. 2. In the Name field, type a new name for the tool path. 3. Check the Auto-calculate Speed and Feeds box if you want spectraCAM Turning to calculate the spindle speed and plunge feed rate. If this box is checked, then the next two fields in the dialog box are grayed-out. 4. In the Spindle and Plunge Feed fields, type in new values for these rates. If you have chosen to auto-calculate speeds and feeds, these fields are grayed-out.

wax, etc.), turning operation (roughing, finishing), and type of tool (cutoff, profiling, carbide, HSS), being used. G-16 Section G
5. To enable Accessory #1 or #2 during this operation, check the Acc box. Uncheck the box to disable the output. 6. Overshoot is the amount beyond the center line the tool will travel. This prevents small amounts of material being left on the stock. In the Overshoot field, type a new overshoot for the tool path. 7. Check the Set as Default box to save the current settings (except Name, Acc 1 and 2) and automatically use them for the next Cutoff operation. When you are finished changing tool path properties, click OK to save the changes, or click Cancel to discard them.
Generate Command
Use the Generate Command when you have set all the parameters for the toolpath operation. Generate a toolpath by;
w Selecting Generate from the Turning Menu, or w Clicking on the Generate Tool Paths button on the Operations Bar.
The drawing area will change, displaying the toolpath, and a dialog box asking if you want to accept the tool path. Click Yes to accept or No to delete the toolpath.
G-17
CAM Operations in the Setup Menu

The Setup Menu allows you to define certain parameters for CAM operations. Many of these screens are also accessed by toolbar buttons or through other dialog boxes.
Toolpaths
The Setup Toolpaths dialog box displays all the current toolpaths, and allows you to reorder or delete tool paths. It also gives you access to the Operation Parameters dialog box.
1. In the Tool Paths area, select a tool path. 2. To change the order in which the tool path operation is performed, click on the tool path and click Move Upon Move Down. 3. To delete the tool path, click Delete. 4. To change other tool path parameters, click Properties. The Setup (Operation) Parameters dialog box appropriate to the selected tool path appears (see Setup Operation Parameters for more information). Use the dialog box to change tool path parameters, and click OK to return to the Setup Toolpaths dialog box. 6. When you are finished, click OK to accept the changes, or click Cancel to discard the changes.
G-18
Section G
Tool Library
Use The Tool Library dialog box to create, copy, modify, and delete tools from the tool library.
To add a tool:
1. In the Tool Library list, select a blank position, which represents an undefined tool. 2. Modify the tool properties, following the directions under Modify. 3. Click OK to accept the changes, or click Cancel to discard them.
To copy an existing tool:

You can paste a tool into an undefined position, or to a position already occupied by another tool. This overwrites the existing tool and will effect any tool paths you have created with it. 1. In the Tool Library list, select the tool to copy, and click Copy Tool. 2. Select the place in the tool list you want to paste the tool. 3. Click Paste Tool, then click Apply to see the change in the list. 4. Modify the tool properties by following the directions under Modify. 5. Click OK to accept the changes, or click Cancel to discard them.
G-19
To Delete a tool:
1. In the Tool Library list, select the tool you wish to delete. 2. In the Tool Type list box, select Undefined.
Notes There are five different Tool Types Diamond, Triangle, Button, Grooving, and Thread and each type is defined by one or more dimensions, angles, and radii. A Diamond tool is shown as an example.
An Undefined tool has no properties, and appears as a blank space in the Tool Library list. 3. Click OK to accept the changes, or click Cancel to discard them.
To Modify the properties of a tool:

1. In the Tool Library list, select the tool you want to modify. 2. In the Description field, type in a new tool description. 3. In the Tool Type list box, choose a new tool type (Diamond, Triangle, Button, Grooving, or Thread). Click Apply to see the change in the Tool Library list. 4. In the Station list box, choose a new position for the tool, 1 through 8.
spectraCAM Turning supports 20 user-definable tools, shown as Tool 01 through Tool 20 in the dialog box. Tool 00 is a program-defined tool; you cannot use it any tool paths, modify it, copy it, or paste over it. The Station field defines the tool turret position in which the selected tool is located. If your machine does not have a tool turret, this field is not used.
5. In the Material Type list box, choose a new material for the tool. Click Edit Tool Materials to open the Tool Material Types dialog box, in which you can create, delete, and modify tool materials. 6. In the preview area, one or more fields (Angle, Radius, Right Angle, Width, Height) are shown, depending on the current Tool Type. Type new values into these fields to change the geometry of the tool. Click Apply to see the changes in the Tool Library list. 7. In the Offset fields, type new offsets for the tool in the Z-axis and X-axis. 8. In the Orientation list box, choose a new orientation (Outside, Inside, or Facing) for the tool. Click Apply to see the change in the Tool Library list. 9. In the Reference list box, choose a new point of reference (Tool Radius Center or Theoretical Sharp Corner) for the tool. Click Apply to see the change in the Tool Library list. 10. In the Cut Direction list box, choose a new direction (Right/Up or Left/Down) in which the tool will travel. Click Apply to see the change in the Tool Library list.
G-20
Section G
11. Check the Mounted on Backside box if this tool is to be mounted on the backside of the stock. Tool paths that use this tool will appear at the top of the stock, rather than at the bottom (the default setting). 12. When you have finished modifying tool properties, click OK to accept the changes, or click Cancel to discard them.
To save the tool library:

1. Click Save Library. A message appears. 2. Click Yes to immediately save the tool library to disk, and make the library available to other users and programs. Click No to cancel without saving the library.
To reload the tool library:

1. Click Reload Library. A message appears. 2. Click Yes to reload the tool library saved on disk. Reloading the library discards any changes you have made to it since starting this spectraCAM Turning session; it also refreshes the library if it has recently been changed by another user or program. Click No to cancel without reloading the library.
Select Stock
The Select Stock dialog box appears when you choose Stock>Select from the Setup menu. Use this dialog box to choose stock from the stock library for the current session, and set the default stock for all new sessions.
G-21
To choose stock:
1. Select the stock you want to use from the stock list. The Description area gives the material and dimensions of the selected stock. 2. Click Edit to open the Edit Stock Library dialog box and create or modify stock. 3. When you are finished, click Select to use the selected stock, or click Cancel to discard the change. The stock you selected is now used in the current session. Its outline is shown in the Drawing Area and in the Verify window.
To set the stock default:

1. From the Stock List, select the stock you want to use as the default for new spectraCAM Turning sessions. 2. Click Set as Default, then click Cancel. The current stock has not changed, but all new sessions will use the stock you selected.
G-22
Section G
Setup Stock
To open the Edit Stock Library dialog box, select Stock from the Setup Menu, and then Edit from the flyout menu. Use the Edit Stock Library dialog box to add, delete, and modify the size and material for each type of stock.
To create new stock:

1. In the stock list, select the stock similar in dimensions or material to the stock you want to create. 2. Click Add. A copy of the selected stock appears at the bottom of the stock list. The name is based on the stock used to create it. 3. Modify the new stock as described below. 4. Click Done to accept the changes, or click Cancel to discard them.
To delete stock:
1. In the stock list, select the stock to delete. 2. Click Delete. 3. Click Done to accept the changes, or click Cancel to discard them.
G-23
To Modify stock:
1. In the stock list, select the stock to modify. 2. In the Units area, select either Inch or Metric units to use for the stock. 3. In the Material Type list box, select the material for the stock. Click Edit to open the Stock Material Types dialog box, in which you can add, delete, and modify stock materials. 4. In the Description field, type a new description for the stock. 5. In the Diameter and Usable Length fields, type in new values to change the geometry of the stock. Usable Length is the exposed length of the stock, outside of what is needed to clamp the stock in the chuck. 6. Click Done to accept the changes, or click Cancel to discard them.
Thread Library
The Edit Thread Library dialog box appears when you select Thread Library, or when you click in the Setup Thread Parameters dialog box. Use it to create, delete, and modify threads in the library.
To add a thread to the library:

1. Select a thread from the list that is similar to the thread you want to create. 2. Click Add. The new thread appears at the bottom of the list. It has the same properties and a similar name to the thread you selected in Step 1. 3. Click Done.
G-24
Section G
To delete a thread from the library:

1. Select the thread you want to delete. 2. Click Delete. A message appears, asking if you are sure you want to delete the thread. 3. Click Yes to delete the thread. The selected thread is removed from the library. 4. Click Done.
To modify a thread:
1. Select the thread you want to modify. 2. In the Units area, choose whether to use Inch or Metric (millimeter) units to specify the thread geometry. 3. In the Description field, type a new name for the thread. 4. In the Major and Minor Diam fields, type in the desired outer (major) and inner (minor) diameters for the thread. 5. Choose either the Pitch or TPI (threads per inch) button, and type in the adjacent field to specify the thread geometry. 6. Click Done.
G-25
Post Processor
The Select Post Processor dialog box appears when you select Post Processor. The post processor is the type of CNC machine you will be running the NC program on when you cut the part.Use the dialog box to choose a new post processor to generate NC code, and set the default post processor for new sessions.
To choose a new post processor for the current session:

1. In the list of processors, select the one you want to use. The name of the post (.PST) file for the selected processor appears in the Post File field. 2. Click Select to use the selected processor, or click Cancel to discard the change.
To set the default post processor for new sessions:

1. In the list of processors, select the one you want to use as the default. The name of the post (.PST) file for the selected processor appears in the Post File field. 2. Click Set as Default. 3. Click Cancel to close the dialog box.
G-26
Section G
Split Screen
One of the features of spectraCAM Turning is the split screen. This allows you to view all operations of the CAM process at the same time. The drawing area is reduced, and an NC code window and a Verify window are opened. Each window has a separate toolbar associated with the specific operations. Click the Split Screen button on the Operations toolbar to use the split screen.
Toolbars
The Turning Toolbar gives you quick access to all the turning operations, as well as the Generate Toolpaths command and the Setup Operation Parameters dialog box.
Rough Facing Finish Groove Thread Cutoff Generate Toolpath
Operation Parameters
The Operations Bar also has quick access buttons. These buttons perform the following functions:
Split Window Save to NC Stock Library Setup Toolpaths
Generate Toolpath
Tool Library
Thread Library
Split Window: Opens and closes the NC Preview and Verify windows. Generate Toolpath: Same as Generate Toolpaths button in the Turning toolbar, generates the selected toolpaths. Save to NC: Saves current toolpaths to an NC file to be read by the lathe. Tool, Stock, and Thread Library buttons all open the respective libraries so that you can alter settings. Setup Toolpaths: Displays the current order of and information about all the generated toolpaths.
G-27
The NC Preview Window toolbar has commands specific to editing NC code.
Save Preview Preview NC Code Print NC File
Undo Edit Redo Edit
Cut
Copy
Paste
Preview NC opens the NC Preview window and shows the NC code for all tool paths in the current session. Save Preview saves the current contents of the NC Preview window to a textformat NC (.NC) file. This operation saves all the manual edits you have made to the NC code. Print NC File prints the NC code shown in the NC Preview window. Undo Edit undoes the last edit you made to the NC code shown in the NC Preview window. Redo Edit redoes the last undone edit to the NC code in the NC Preview window. Cut Text removes NC code shown in the NC Preview window and place it on the Windows Clipboard. Copy Text copies NC code from the NC Preview window onto the Windows Clipboard. Paste Text pastes text from the Windows Clipboard into the NC Preview window.
G-28
Section G
The Verify Window Toolbar has commands specific to the Verify Window.
Verify
Stop Redraw
Setup Verify
Verify Slower
Pan Up
Pan Left
Zoom In
Redraw
Reset
Verify Faster
Pan Down
Zoom All Pan Right
Zoom Out
Verify NC starts the cutting simulation in the Verify window. Redraw restarts the cutting simulation in the Verify window. Stop Redraw stops the cutting simulation in the Verify window. Reset refreshes the view in the Verify window. This shows the uncut stock. Setup Verify changes settings for the Verify window. To change Verify window settings: 1. Select the Setup Verify command by selecting Setup from the Verify pop-up menu or click the Setup Verify button. The Verify Settings dialog box appears. 2. Use the Display tab and Tool Position tab to change Verify window settings. Verify Faster speeds up the cutting simulation in the Verify window. Verify Slower slows down the cutting simulation in the Verify window. Pan Up, Pan Down, Pan Left, and Pan Right move the view in the Verify window. Zoom All changes the view in the Verify window so that the stock fills the window. Zoom In magnifies the view in the Verify window. Zoom Out shrinks the view in the Verify window.
G-29
G-30
Section G
spectraCAM Turning: Section H
Command Quick Reference
The File Menu The Edit Menu The Draw Menu The Modify Menu The Assist Menu The View Menu The Snap Menu The Turning Menu The Setup Menu The Window Menu The Help Menu

This section presents a summary of the spectraCAM Turning menu commands, organized by menu. The numbers in parentheses are the page number where you can find more information about the command.
The File Menu

Command
New
Hot Key
Ctrl+ N Ctrl+ O
Button Description
Creates a new drawing (E-3). Opens an existing drawing (E-4). Imports a DXF file into the current drawing (E-6). Closes Current file (E-7).
Open Import
Close Save Ctrl+S
Saves the current drawing to a SCT file (E-7). Saves the current drawing to a SCT file with a new name, location, or type (E-7).
Save As
H-2
Section H
Print Print Preview
Ctrl+ P
Prints the current drawing (E-11). Previews the page to be printed (E-10). Changes print settings (E-9). Saves current toolpaths as NC code (G-2). Save current NC file under different name or in new directory (G-3). Opens NC Preview window with current NC code (G-3). Opens Verify window and verifies current NC File (G-3). Opens one of the most recently opened drawings (E-5). Quits spectraCAM (C-18).
Print Setup Save NC
Save NC as
Preview NC
Verify NC
Recent File
Exit
H-3
The Edit Menu

Command
Undo
Hot Key
Button Description
Undoes the last eligible change (E-28). Redoes the last undone change (E-28). Repeats the last Draw, Modify. or Turning operation (E-28).
Alt+Backspace
Redo
Ctrl+Y
Repeat Last
Copy to Clipboard Paste from Clipboard
Ctrl+ C
Copies entities onto the Windows Clipboard (F-32). Pastes contents of the Windows Clipboard into the current drawing (F-32). Selects all visible entities (C-15).
Ctrl+ V
Select All
Ctrl+ A
H-4
Section H
The Draw Menu

Command
Line 3 Point Arc
Hot Key
Button Description
Draws a line segment (E-12). Draws an arc using three points (E-13). Draws an arc using two points and a radius (E-13). Draws a rectangle (E-15). Draws a circle (E-17). Draws a point (E-18). Adds a text block (E-18, F-35). Changes the current Coordinate Type (C-6).
Radius Arc
Rectangle Circle Point Text Coordinates
H-5
The Modify Menu

Command
Delete Move Rotate Scale
Hot Key
Del
Button Description
Erases entities (E-20). Repositions entities (E-20). Reorients entities (F-3). Makes entities larger or smaller (F-5). Trims or extends an entity to a boundary (F-6/F-7). Breaks a single entity into two entities (F-8). Creates a rounded corner between two entities (F-9). Edits a text block (F-10). Duplicates entities (E-22). Creates a reflected image of entities (F-11). Breaks text or a polyline into lines and arcs (F-12). Creates an offset entity (F-13). Move entities between layers (F-17).
Trim/Extend
Break
Fillet
Text Copy Mirror
Explode
Offset Change Layer
H-6
Section H
The Assist Menu

Command
Group Ungroup Measure
Hot Key
Button Description
Groups entities (F-20). Ungroups entities (F-20). Gives the distance and angle between two points (F-21). Provides information about a selected entity (F-22).
Query
H-7
The View Menu

Command
Zoom In
Hot Key
Button Description
Magnifies the view of the drawing (E-24). Reduces the view or returns to the previous view of the drawing (E-25). Magnifies a specific section of the drawing (E-25). Restores the previous view (E-26). Magnification includes all entities in the drawing (E-26). Move the drawing viewpoint (E-26). Refreshes the screen (E-27). Shows or hides the grid (F-33).
Zoom Out
Zoom Box
Zoom Previous Zoom All
Pan Redraw Grid
End Points
Shows or hides end points(F-33).
H-8
Section H
Text NC Preview Ctrl+1
Shows or hides text (F-33). Opens NC Preview window (G-3). Opens Verify Window (G-3). Toggles Verify Window to view Toolpath List (G-3). Shows or hides Tool Bars (F-34).
Verify Window Ctrl+2 Tool Path List Ctrl+3
Tool Bars
H-9
The Snap Menu

Command
End Point Intersection
Hot Key
Button Description
Snaps to end point of entity (F-24). Snaps to intersection of two entities (F-24). Snaps center of arc or circle (F-25). Snaps mid point of line or arc (F-25). Snaps to nearest point on an entity (F-25). Snaps to perpendicular point on an entity (F-26). Snaps to tangent point on an arc or circle (F-26). Snaps to a quadrant point on arc or circle (F-27). Snaps to a point (F-27). Enables/disables permanent entity snaps (F-28). Enables/disables ortho lock (F-31). Enables/disables grid snap (F-29).
Center Mid Point Near
Perpendicular
Tangent
Quadrant
Point Snaps
Ortho Grid
H-10
Section H
The Turning Menu

Command
Face
Hot Key
Button Description
Selects Facing Operation (G-4).
Rough
Selects Roughing operation (G-5).
Groove
Selects Grooving Operation (G-6).
Finish
Selects Finish operation (G-7).
Thread
Selects Threading operation (G-8).
Cutoff
Selects Cutoff operation (G-8).
Parameters
Opens Operation parameters dialog box (G-9).
Generate
Generates a toolpath for the selected operation (G-17).
H-11
The Setup Menu

Command
Layers
Hot Key
Button Description
Opens the Edit Layers dialog box (F-18).
Snaps
Opens the Setup Snaps dialog box (F-28).
Toolpaths
Opens the Setup Toolpaths dialog box (G-18).
Tool Library
Cntrl+T
Opens the Setup Tool Library dialog box (G-19).
Stock > Select
Opens Select Stock dialog box (G-20).
Stock > Setup
Opens Setup Stock dialog box (G-23).
Thread Library
Opens Thread Library dialog box (G-24).
Post Processor
Opens Select Post Processor dialog box (G-26). Selects inches or millimeters as the unit of measurement. Opens the Setup Options dialog box (F-37). Opens the Customize dialog box (F-35).
Units
Options
Customize
H-12
Section H
The WindowsMenu
Command
Cascade
Hot Key
Button Description
Arranges all the open session windows into a cascade orientation. Arranges all the open session windows into a tile orientation.
Tile
Split
Shows and resizes the Verify window, Tool Paths list, and NC Preview window (F-36).
Workbook Mode
Enters and exits workbook mode (F-36). Displays name of current session.
Current Window
H-13
The Help Menu

Command
Help
Hot Key
F1
Button Description
Starts on-line Help and displays help on the current operation (C-17). Provides release and copyright information about spectraCAM Turning.
About spectraCAM Turning...
H-14
Section H
spectraCAM Turning
Index
Symbols
3 Point Arc command E-13, H-5
A
About spectraCAM command H-14 Absolute coordinate type C-9 Accessory #1 G-11 Accessory #2 G-11 Angle convention C-10 finding F-22 measuring F-21 Polar coordinate C-11 rotation F-3 Arc drawing E-13 fillet F-9 Area, finding F-22 Assist Menu F-20 Auto-Calculate Speed and Feeds G-10 automatic entity selection, setting E-6
B
Backside G-21 Boundary F-6 Break command F-8, H-6
C
CAM Options F-38 CAM programs described A-3 exploding entities F-12 layering F-15 point entities E-18 trimming entities F-6 using snaps F-24 Cartesian coordinate system C-9 Cascade H-13 Center command F-25, H-10 Change Layer command F-17, H-6 Circle command E-17, H-5 Clipboard. See Windows Clipboard Close E-7 Color layer F-18 Commands getting help on C-19 Context-Sensitive Commands, selecting C-14 Context-sensitive menu layers F-17 continuous lines and arcs E-12, E-14 Coordinate Display C-4 Coordinate Display box ii
using C-15 Coordinate systems C-9 Coordinate Type button C-4 using C-10 Coordinates described A-3 finding F-22 Coordinates command H-5 Absolute C-10 Polar C-11 Relative C-10 Copy command E-22, H-6 Copy Text C-6 Button G-28 Copy to Clipboard F-32 Copy to Clipboard command H-4 Copy Tool G-19 Cross Hairs described C-8 Current layer F-19 changing F-16, F-18, F-19 Current Window H-13 Cursor constraints F-29 described C-8 Help C-19 Customize F-35, H-12 Keyboard commands F-35 Customizing spectraCAM F-33 Cut Direction G-20 Cut Feed G-11 Cut Text C-6 Button G-28 Cutoff H-11 Cutoff Operation generating toolpaths G-8 Cutoff Parameters G-16
D
Delete a tool G-20 Delete command E-20, H-6 Depth Thread G-15 Deselecting entities. See Selecting: entities Dialog Bar C-4 Coordinate Display C-4 Coordinate Type button C-4 Generate Tool Path C-4 Save NC C-4 Setup Tool Library C-4 Split Window C-4 Dialog boxes Edit Layers F-18, F-19 Enter Point F-27
Enter Text F-10 getting help on C-19 Query F-17, F-22 Run B-3 Select Layer F-17 Setup Snaps F-28, F-30, F-31 dialog boxes Enter Arc Radius E-14, E-16, E-17, E-19 Enter Text E-19 File Open E-4 Import File E-6 Print E-11 Print Setup E-9 Displacement. See dX; dY Display options F-37 Distance measuring F-21 offset F-13 Draw Menu H-5 Draw menu 3 Point Arc E-13 Circle E-17 Coordinates Absolute C-10 Polar C-11 Relative C-10 Line E-12 Point E-18 Radius Arc E-13 Rectangle E-15 Text E-18 Draw operations undoing E-28 Drawing Area described C-5 drawings creating E-3 opening E-4 recent E-5 renaming E-8 saving to DXF files E-8 DX (horizontal displacement) measuring F-21 Relative coordinate C-10 DXF files described A-3 importing E-6 saving drawings as E-8 DY (vertical displacement) measuring F-21 Relative coordinate C-10
E
Edit C-4 Edit Menu H-4 Edit menu Paste from Clipboard F-32 Redo E-28 Undo E-28 Edit operations, undoing E-28 Edit Stock Library G-23 Edit Thread Library G-24 End Point command F-24, H-10 End Points H-8 viewing the F-33 End points visibility F-20 Entities described A-4 drawing. See Draw menu modifying. See Modify menu entities duplicate deleting E-6 Entity box described C-8 selecting entities with C-16 Entity snaps described F-24 permanent F-27 temporary F-27 Exit command H-3 Exiting spectraCAM C-20 Explode command F-12, H-6
F
F1, using to access Help H-14 Face H-11 Face Amt field G-11 Facing Parameters G-10 Facing Operation G-4 generating toolpaths G-4 File Menu H-2 File menu Import E-6 New E-3 Open E-4 Print E-11 Print Preview E-10 Print Setup E-9 Recent Files E-5 Save E-8 Save As E-8 File operations, undoing E-28 files. See drawings; DXF files Fillet command F-9, H-6
Index
iii
Finish H-11 Finish Amount G-11 Finish Operation generating toolpaths G-7 Finish Parameters G-12
K
Keyboard, selecting commands with C-12
G
Generate H-11 Generate Command generate NC code G-17 Generate Tool Path C-4 Grid H-8 described A-4 snap F-29 spacing F-30 Grid command F-29, H-10 Grid, viewing the F-33 Groove H-11 Groove Operation generating toolpaths G-6 Groove Parameters G-12 Group command F-20, H-7 Group, finding number of items in F-22
L
Layer C-4 Layer Display box using F-16, F-17 Layers H-12 adding and deleting F-19 changing properties F-18 current F-16 described A-4 of entity, finding F-17, F-22 using F-15 Layers button using F-16, F-19 Layers command F-19 Layers, using F-15 Length finding F-22 Line drawing D-8 Line command E-12, H-5
H
Height finding F-22 text F-10 height rectangle E-15 text E-18 Help command C-19, H-14 Help Menu H-14 Help menu Help C-19 Index C-19 Using Help C-19 Hiding. See visibility Hot Keys, selecting commands with C-12
M
Material Type Tool G-20 Measure command H-7 Angle F-21 Distance F-21 Menu context-sensitive C-13 pull-down C-12 Menu Bar C-3 Mid Point command F-25, H-10 Mirror command F-11, H-6 Miscellaneous and Document Options F-39 Modify a tool G-20 Stock G-24 Modify Menu H-6 Modify menu Break F-8 Change Layer F-17 Copy E-22 Delete E-20 Explode F-12 Fillet F-9 Mirror F-11 Move E-20 Offset F-13 Rotate F-3
I
Idle mode described C-8 layering F-16 Import command E-6, H-2 Index command C-19 Installing spectraCAM B-3 system requirements B-2 Interface Card B-5 Intersection command F-24, H-10
iv
Scale F-4 Text F-10 Trim/Extend F-6, F-7 Modify operations undoing E-28 Modifying Entities F-3 Mouse, using to select commands Move command E-20, H-6 Moving entities between layers F-17 Multilevel groups F-20
Origin, coordinate system C-9 Ortho command F-31, H-10 Overshoot G-11
P
C-13 Pan Verify Toolbar Button G-29 Pan command E-26, H-8 Parallel Port B-5 Parameters H-11 Paste from Clipboard command F-32, H-4 Paste Text C-6 Button G-28 Paste Tool G-19 Permanent entity snaps F-27 Perpendicular command F-26, H-10 Picking points C-15 with cursor constraints F-29, F-31 with permanent entity snaps F-29 with temporary entity snaps F-27 Pitch Thread G-15 Plunge Feed G-11 Point command Draw menu E-18 Snap Menu F-27 Point command, Draw H-5 Point command, Snap to H-10 Polar coordinate system C-11 Polar coordinate type C-11 Polylines exploding F-12 filletting F-9 offsetting F-13 polylines described E-15 Post Processor H-12 Select G-26 selecting D-10 Preview NC C-6, G-3, H-3 button G-28 Preview window. See Print Preview command Print command E-11, H-3 Print NC File C-6 Button G-28 Print Preview command E-10, H-3 print settings, changing. See Print Setup command Print Setup command E-9, H-3 Program Manager. See Windows Program Manager
N
NC Preview C-6, G-3, H-9 Copy Text C-6 Cut Text C-6 Paste Text C-6 Preview NC C-6 Print NC File C-6 Redo Edit C-6 Save Preview C-6 Undo Edit C-6 NC Preview Window toolbar G-28 toolbar buttons G-28 Near command F-25, H-10 New command E-3, H-2 New Drawing, creating a D-1, D-3
O
Offset Tool G-20 Offset command F-13, H-6 On-line Help utility C-19 Open command E-4, H-2 Operation Parameters G-10 Operations Bar Buttons G-27 Generate Toolpath G-27 Save to NC G-27 Setup Toolpaths G-27 Split Window G-27 Stock G-27 Thread Library G-27 Tool G-27 Options H-12 CAM F-38 Display F-37 Document F-39 Setting F-37 View F-38 Orientation changing F-3 finding F-22 Tool G-20
Index
Q
Quadrant command F-27, H-10 Query command F-17, F-22, H-7 Quick Entry Bar C-5 Default C-15 Using C-15 Quick Start D-2
R
Radius fillet F-9, F-13 of an offset F-13 Polar coordinate C-11 radius arc E-13 circle E-17 Radius Arc drawing D-6 Radius Arc command E-13, H-5 Recent Files E-5 Rectangle command E-15, H-5 Redo command E-28, H-4 Redo Edit C-6 Button G-28 Redraw Toolbar Button G-29 Redraw command E-27, H-8 Reference Tools G-20 Reflecting an entity. See Mirror command Relative coordinate type C-10 Reload Tool Library G-21 Repeat Last H-4 Reset Toolbar Button G-29 Right mouse button, using C-14 Rotate command F-3, H-6 Rough H-11 Rough Parameters G-12 Roughing Operation generating toolpaths G-5 Rounded corners. See Fillet command
S
Save As session file D-9 Save As command E-8, H-2 Save command E-8, H-2 Save Library G-21 Save NC C-4, G-2, H-3 Save NC As G-3, H-3 Save Preview C-6 Button G-28
Scale command F-4, H-6 Screen elements C-3 Security Plug B-5 Installation B-5 Select C-4 Layers D-10 Select All command H-4 Select All, using C-17 Select Stock dialog box G-21 using D-5 Selecting commands with keyboard C-12 with mouse C-13 entities C-16 Selection box C-17 Set as Default G-11, G-17 Setup command, Snaps F-27 Setup Thread Parameters G-14 Setup Tool Library C-4, G-12 Setup Tool Paths C-5 Setup Verify G-29 Show command End Points F-33 Grid F-33 Text F-33 Smart Thread G-15 Snap box and entity snaps F-27, F-29 described C-8 Snap Menu H-10 Snap menu Center F-25 End Point F-24 Grid F-29 Intersection F-24 Mid Point F-25 Near F-25 Ortho F-31 Perpendicular F-26 Point F-27 Quadrant F-27 Setup F-27 Snaps F-28 Tangent F-26 Snaps H-12 setting D-6 Snaps command F-28, H-10 Snaps, using F-24 Space Bar, using the C-12 Spacing, Grid F-30 SpectraCAM transferring entities to F-32 SpectraCAM, customizing F-33 SpectraCAM Program Group B-4 Spindle speeds G-11
vi
Split H-13 split screen G-27 Split Window C-4 Split Window Mode F-36 Splitting an entity. See Break command Starting spectraCAM C-2 Station G-20 Status Bar described C-8 getting help from C-18 Status Bar command F-33 Status Bar, viewing the F-33 Status text, changing properties F-37 Step Size G-11 Stock Diameter G-24 Select H-12 Setup H-12 Usable Length G-24 Stock Description G-24 Stock Library C-5 Stock Material Type G-24 Stock Material Types G-24 Stop Redraw Toolbar Button G-29
T
Tangent command F-26, H-10 templates basing new drawings on E-3 Text H-9 editing F-10 exploding F-12 text drawing E-18 Text command Draw menu E-18 Modify Menu F-10 Text command, Draw H-5 Text command, Modify H-6 text insertion point described E-18 Text insertion point, finding F-22 Text, viewing the F-33 Thread H-11 add to library G-24 delete from library G-25 modify G-25 Thread Library G-15, H-12 Thread Library button C-5 Threading Operation generating toolpaths G-8 Threading Parameters G-14 Tile H-13
Title Bar C-3 Tool Bar command F-33 described C-4 getting help on C-18 viewing the F-33 visibility F-33 Tool Bars getting help on C-19 moving F-34 resizing F-34 visibility F-34 Tool Bars command F-34, H-9 Tool Library G-19, H-12 Tool list box G-10 Tool Path List H-9 tool type G-20 Toolpath List G-3 Toolpaths H-12 Changing order G-18 Deleting G-18 Properties G-18 Setup G-18 Tools menu Group F-20 Measure Angle F-21 Distance F-21 Query F-22 Ungroup F-20 Tools operations, undoing E-28 TPI threads per inch G-15 Trim/Extend command F-6, H-6 Turning Toolbar G-27 Type, finding F-22
U
Undo command E-28, H-4 Undo Edit C-6 Button G-28 Ungroup command F-20, H-7 Units H-12 Using Help command C-19
Index
vii
V
Verify Faster Toolbar Button G-29 Verify NC G-3, H-3 Toolbar Button G-29 Verify Slower Toolbar Button G-29 Verify Window C-7, G-3, H-9 Verify Window Toolbar G-29 View described A-4 view changing. See View menu enlarging E-25 entire drawing E-26 moving E-26 restoring E-26 View Menu H-8 View menu Pan E-26 Redraw E-27 Show End Points F-33 Grid F-33 Text F-33 Status Bar F-33 Tool Bar F-33 Tool Bars F-34 Zoom All E-26 Zoom Box E-25 Zoom In E-24 Zoom Out E-25 Zoom Previous E-26 View operations, undoing and redoing E-28 View Options F-38 Visibility layer F-18 Tool Bar F-33 Tool Bars F-34
W
width, rectangle E-15 Windows Clipboard F-32 Workbook Mode F-36, H-13
X
X (horizontal distance) C-9 Absolute coordinate C-9
Y
Y (vertical distance) C-9 Absolute coordinate C-9
Z
Zoom Verify Toolbar Button G-29 Zoom All command E-26, H-8 Zoom amount changing F-37 zoom amount described E-24 Zoom Box command E-25, H-8 Zoom In command E-24, H-8 Zoom Out command E-25, H-8 Zoom Previous command E-26, H-8
viii

34-6741-0000 spectraCAM Turning UG 9804 PDF

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

34-6741-0000 spectraCAM Turning UG 9804 PDF

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

spectraCAM Turning Users Guide

spectraCAM Turning Users Guide

spectraCAM Turning Users Guide

1998 Light Machines Corporation Contents

Manchester, New Hampshire, U. S. A.

Light Machines Corporation All Rights Reserved.

spectraCAM Turning Users Guide

Section C: Getting Around in spectraCAM Turning

Polar Coordinate System ..................................................................... C-11

Selecting and Cancelling Commands ...................................................... C-12

Picking Points.............................................................................................. C-15

Selecting and Deselecting Entities .......................................................... C-16

Getting Help ................................................................................................ C-18

Exiting spectraCAM Turning ...................................................................... C-20

Section E: Basic CAD Operations

spectraCAM Turning Users Guide

Printing a Drawing .................................................................................. E - 9

Drawing Entities .......................................................................................... E-12

Modifying Entities, Basic Operations .......................................................E-20

Copying Entities ..................................................................................... E-22

Viewing the Drawing ................................................................................. E-24

Using Undo and Redo ................................................................................ E-28

Section F: Advanced CAD Operations

Using the Assist Menu ............................................................................... F-20

Query ....................................................................................................... F-22

Using Snaps ................................................................................................. F-24

spectraCAM Turning Users Guide

Cursor Constraints ................................................................................. F-29

Using the Clipboard .................................................................................... F-32

Customizing spectraCAM Turning ............................................................ F-33

Setting Options ...................................................................................... F-37

Section G: CAM Operations

Setting Operation Parameters ............................................................ G-10

CAM Operations in the Setup Menu .................................................... G-18

Split Screen ............................................................................................. G-27 Toolbars ..................................................................................................G-27

Section H: Command Quick Reference

spectraCAM Turning Users Guide

spectraCAM Turning: Section A

What is spectraCAM Turning? Glossary of CAD/CAM Terms

About spectraCAM Turning

What is spectraCAM Turning?

Using This Manual

Glossary of CAD/CAM Terms

About spectraCAM Turning

w Grooving plunges a grooving tool into the workpiece perpendicular to

spectraCAM Turning: Section B

Standard Software Installation Installing the Security Plug

spectraCAM Turning Help

Remove spectraCAM Turning

Installing the Security Plug

spectraCAM Turning: Section C

Getting Around in spectraCAM Turning

Whats in this Section

Starting spectraCAM Turning

Exploring the spectraCAM Turning Screen

Menu Bar Dialog Bar

Toolbars Stock Outline

NC File Edit Window

Getting Around in spectraCAM Turning

Standard Tool Bar

The spectraCAM Turning Tool Bar

Print Copy to Clipboard

Show Text Show End Points