Trainingcourse artcam pro

ArtCAM Pro 2008 Training Course

Delcam plc, Talbot Way, Small Heath Business Park, Birmingham, B10 0HJ. www.delcam.com

Important Notice This document is supplied as part of a Delcam Training Course. It is not intended to be distance-learning material: rather as an aid for Tutors when presenting material to course delegates and as a subsequent aid memoir to those delegates.

Delcam does not accept responsibility for any personal belongings / valuables whilst on the premises. Delegates are advised to keep their belongings on their person at all times.

Delcam plc. has no control over the use of the software described in this document and cannot accept any responsibility for any loss or damage howsoever caused as a result of using the software. Users are advised that all results from the software are checked by a competent person in accordance with good quality control procedures.

The software described in this document is furnished under a license agreement and may be used only in accordance with the terms of such license.

Copyright  2007 – Delcam plc. All rights reserved

UK Training Centre Tel: 0121 683 1050 Fax 0121 7665511

UK Customer Support Tel: 0121 683 1010 Fax: 0121 7665542

Contents

ArtCAM Pro

ArtCAM PRO 2008 Contents Chapter

Day 1

Page No.

1. Introduction

1-8

2. Generating Vectors

1 - 14

3. Vector Editing

1 - 18

4. Reliefs

1 - 24 Day 2

5. Pictures

1 - 12

6 3D Blend and Fade Relief

1-8

7. Extrude, Spin, Turn, and 2 Rail Sweep, Reliefs

1 - 24

8. Weaves

1 - 10 Day 3

9. 3D Clipart and Texture

1 - 12

10. Relief Layers

1-6

11. Relief Editing

1 - 16 Day 4

12. Toolpath Options

1-2

13. 3D Z Level Roughing

1 - 10

14. Relief Machining & 3D Rest

1-8

15. 3D Cut Out Machining (Inc. Profile Options)

1-6

16. Feature Machining

1-8

17. Post processing Toolpaths

1-4

18. Toolpath Editing and Templates

1–2

Continued on next page:-

Issue ArtCAM Pro 2008

1

Contents

ArtCAM Pro

19. 2D Vector Machining

1 - 10

20. Engraving

1-6

21. Drilling

1-6

22. Projects

1 – 13

Appendix

2

Issue ArtCAM Pro 2008

1. Introduction

ArtCAM Pro

1. Introduction Introduction.

ArtCAM Pro allows complex Reliefs (ArtCAM 3D models) to be created quickly and easily from 2D vectors (ArtCAM wireframe) or bitmaps (Image files). These vectors and bitmaps can be generated within ArtCAM or imported from other systems. ArtCAM can also import 3D Surface data, which is translated on entry as a Relief model.

ArtCAM Pro contains tools for editing and/or combining Reliefs. Once a Relief has been created 3D toolpaths are easily generated for roughing, finishing and engraving. The toolpaths can be simulated to allow complete visualisation of the product before manufacture.

2D Toolpaths can also be created based on 2D Vectors.

In the Delcam training department ArtCAM Training Course files to be used in conjunction with the course notes are stored in:- D:/users/training/Artcam_Data

Starting ArtCAM Pro • Double click the ArtCAM icon on the screen with the Left mouse button.

The ArtCAM user interface will appear as shown above. To start working in ArtCAM the user must first for simple components, create a New Model or for more complex assemblies, a New Project. Projects will be covered later at a more advanced stage of the training course.

Issue ArtCAM-PRO 2008

1.1

1. Introduction

ArtCAM Pro

• Select the Create New Model icon.

A new model must have:- A defined area in Y and X to work in, an origin (datum) position, and a Resolution (The total number of squares within the working area). Each square defined by the Resolution will either, stay put or extrude up or down to produce a tiny part of the 3D Relief form.

When working with bitmaps the Resolution is inherited from the imported image file. As a result it is important to use as higher quality image as possible.

Resolution The dragon model shows the 2D view of the model broken up into a number of squares (pixels). Each square is given a height in ArtCAM dependent upon the command used. The first relief uses a low resolution, which means a loss of fine detail in the resulting 3D relief.

If a high Resolution is applied, the model is broken into more pixels, which is in turn reflected in the definition and quality of the Relief model.

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Issue ArtCAM-PRO 2008

1. Introduction

ArtCAM Pro

• Set the Height and Width as 100 and the resolution as 796 x 796 points. • Select OK. Menu Bar

2D view

Assistant

Layers

ArtCAM opens up displaying the 2D view, with the 3D relief view hidden beneath Transfer between is achieved via the 3D or 2D icon located at the top left of the respective window.

Alternatively pressing the F2 or F3 shortcut key can be used to toggle the views. ArtCAM commands are accessed from the Menu Bar options or direct from the Assistant area.

Menu Bar At the top of the Main window, there is a Menu Bar.

Clicking on a menu item opens a pull-down menu that contains submenus and commands. If a menu item does not apply to the currently active view it will be greyed out.

For example the top part of the Vectors menu appears as in the illustration to the right.

Sub menus are indicated and selected via the arrow at the right hand side (where applicable).

Issue ArtCAM-PRO 2008

1.3

1. Introduction

ArtCAM Pro

ArtCAM Assistant The ArtCAM Assistant gives the most information and help. Information can be hidden or shown by clicking the arrows up or down.

Project Information - this shows the actual size of the artwork and height of the relief File – These options are applied when creating new, or opening existing ArtCAM models.

Model - This controls, the editing of the model attributes and also includes Lights and Materials for shading the relief.

Bitmap Tools - These bitmap commands work with colours, directly on the defined resolution.

Vector Tools - Vectors are flat 2D lines, independent of resolution. These command control the creation of the vectors.

Position, Combine, Trim Vectors - These are the tools to modify vectors.

Relief Tools- These are the tools for generating the relief.

Tabs – Give access to other pages.

Fly - out menus Some menu options are hidden within a fly - out menu to save space. They are accessed via an arrow located to the right of an existing icon. To lock them in positon, click the pin at the end of the fly out menu.

pin

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Issue ArtCAM-PRO 2008

1. Introduction

ArtCAM Pro

Fly – out menus will change dependant upon the last command you used in the menu. For example, if you select a star, then the star moves to the left side of the menu, so when the fly out is closed, the star icon is the one shown.

To hide a fly-out menu reselect the pin.

2D and 3D views If required the 2D and 3D views can be shown side by side by selecting either Tile Vertically or Tile Horizontally from the Window menu.

• Select Window  Tile Vertically.

The 2D view is required when working on the bitmaps, vectors, and applying them to create the ongoing relief model.

The 3D view is required for a more realistic view of the relief model as well as the simulation of the toolpaths. F2 and F3 are shortcut keys used to switch between the 2D view (F2) and the 3D view (F3).

Status Bar The Status Bar is at the bottom of the main window.

As the cursor moves over the 2D or 3D Views, the X, Y, Z co-ordinates of the current cursor position are displayed in the Status Bar. If a vector is selected, the current Width and Height are also displayed here. If the cursor passes over a relief model then the current Z height of the model at that position is displayed.

Issue ArtCAM-PRO 2008

1.5

1. Introduction

ArtCAM Pro

Layers Assistant The Layers Assistant contains 3 different types of Layer categories that the user is able to assign Vectors, Bitmaps, and Reliefs to. This is to assist selection or temporary visual removal of entities displayed that are currently not required and are in the way.

If required, the Layers Assistant can be switched on and off using the shortcut key F7. This will provide a larger area for the graphics.

Help By selecting Help - Index from the top Menu bar (or by pressing the F1 shortcut key) a Help Page will open over the graphics area.

A more direct form of Help is obtained while working in a form by clicking on the ‘?’ in the top right corner. This expands the form with detailed explanation of each available option.

To exit the expanded help form click the ‘?’ again.

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Issue ArtCAM-PRO 2008

1. Introduction

ArtCAM Pro

Some of the help options within a form include a video clip icon allows the user to observe the command as used in combat!

which if clicked

Saving and Closing Down the ArtCAM session

• Select File  Close Model.

• Select the No tab in the Would you like to save your changes form The ArtCAM model is now closed.

ArtCAM Data Storage and Export An ArtCAM Model will contain all entities created within the session (Bitmaps, Vectors, Reliefs. Machining data) and all will be exported as a file which is identifiable by having a .art extension.

It is also possible to export specific entity types from the model independently from the whole ArtCAM Model. These include:- Vectors (.eps .dxf .dgk .pic), Reliefs (.rlf), Triangle Models (.stl .dmt), Machining Output (.tap).

For more advanced applications where it is required to create an assembled group of separate Relief models an ArtCAM Project is first opened in which several ArtCAM Models can be created and combined as required for an assembled item. When saved, the Artcam Project is identifiable by a .3dp extension. To enable the Reliefs to co-exist together, the individual components are converted within the Assembly as Triangle Mesh models.

Issue ArtCAM-PRO 2008

1.7

1. Introduction

1.8

ArtCAM Pro

Issue ArtCAM-PRO 2008

2. Generating Vectors

ArtCAM Pro

2. Generating Vectors Overview Vectors are mathematically defined shapes consisting of a series of points (nodes), which are connected by lines, arcs or curves (spans) to form the overall shape. Vectors can be generated directly within ArtCAM by using the Vector Tools in the Assistant.

Vectors can be rectangles, squares, circles, polylines, ellipses, polygons, stars or text. These can be edited if required to make the final vectors to create a relief from.

Vectors can also be imported from another drawing package, using the File – Import menu option, or copied and pasted from another package using the standard Windows commands.

Generating Vectors Example • • • •

Press Create New Model.

Set the size as Height 150 and Width 80.

Set the Origin in the middle of the model.

Set the resolution as 628 x 1177 points by using the slider.

Once the model size has been set, the design can begin.

• Select OK. The model is now opened and the Vectors are generated in the 2D View. The 3D View is used for displaying the ArtCAM, relief.

Issue ArtCAM-PRO 2008

2.1

2. Generating Vectors

ArtCAM Pro

• From the Assistant or Vector toolbar, select the Create Rectangle icon.

The rectangle creation page appears, showing the options available.

The rectangle can be created by clicking in the screen and dragging to a size, or by entering in the values.

Several rectangles can be created without closing down the page.

Each Assistant Page has help available, indicated by the word Show Help.

• Press Show Help.

The Assistant displays help at the side of each option.

Typically, this increases the length of the page and you will have to move the page down to see further instructions, by moving the bar down.

Once help is switched on it is displayed for each command. To switch this off, you need to Hide the Help.

• Select Hide Help.

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2. Generating Vectors

ArtCAM Pro

• Press down the left mouse button in the 2D view and drag the corner of a rectangle to the required size.

The preview rectangle appears as dotted. The length and height can be dragged dynamically by moving the squares located in the middle of the spans. A corner radius can be created dynamically by dragging one of the small corner boxes.

The rectangle can be rotated dynamically by dragging the circle on the lever running out from the centre.

• Click on a corner and drag inwards.

A radius has been produced on the corners of the preview rectangle. If the Create tab is selected the rectangle will be generated, with the form ready to create a new one.

• Press Create.

• Press Close.

While a vector is being created dynamically the values in the data input form continually update. Once the vectors are visually to the required size the final values can be entered manually to round off the inherent values.

To delete selected Vectors press the delete key (on the keyboard) or the cut icon in the assistant.

While de-selected vectors are coloured black (default) unless the layer to which they belong has been assigned with an alternative colour.

If one or more vectors are selected they are displayed with a pink colour. If there are 2 or more coincident (duplicate) vectors then is selected these will be displayed with a red colour.

ArtCAM has an Undo facility, which allows the user to step back through previous actions.

Issue ArtCAM-PRO 2008

2.3

2. Generating Vectors

ArtCAM Pro

Mobile Phone Cover Example Now that all the original vectors are removed, the same model (Size and Resolution) will be used for the creation of the Vectors required for a Mobile Phone Cover. Below is a drawing of the item including basic dimensions, so that the user can get an idea of how the final product should look before working through the ‘step by step’ instructions.

• Select the Create Rectangle icon.

• Select the option Rectangle.

• Enter a Width of 50, a Height of 120 a Corner Radii of 3 and a centre point of X 0 and Y 0.

• Press Create.

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Issue ArtCAM-PRO 2008

2. Generating Vectors

ArtCAM Pro

The main shape of the cover is generated.

• Change the Width to 40, Height to 30, Corner Radii to 1 and the centre point to X 0 and Y 20.

• Press the right mouse button.

By pressing the right mouse button, the rectangular vector is created and the Rectangle vector form is closed.

The second rectangle will represent the display window.

• Click on the ellipse icon.

• Enter a Start Point of X –14 Y –50 with a Height of 7, Width of 10 and an Angle of 140 degrees.

• Select Create and then Close.

This first Ellipse will be block copied to form the remainder of the key vectors.

Issue ArtCAM-PRO 2008

2.5

2. Generating Vectors

ArtCAM Pro

• With the ellipse selected, click on the block copy icon from Vector Editing on the Assistant.

The Block and Rotate Copy form appears. This allows the user to create a block copy in X and Y, or a rotated copy.

The distances can be set as an offset value or by a gap value between each item.

• • • •

Select Block Copy. Select distances are offsets.

Select an X Offset of 14, with number of Columns as 3.

Select a Y Offset of 10, with number of Rows as 4.

Press Apply and then Close.

The main button positions are generated. The option button will be created next. This is a combined design of two circles merged together.

• Click on the circle icon.

The Circle Creation form opens.

• Set the Circle centre as X 0 Y –4, Radius as 4 and press Create.

• Change the Circle centre to X 0 Y –8, and press Create and then Close.

2.6

Issue ArtCAM-PRO 2008

2. Generating Vectors

ArtCAM Pro

The two circles are ready to be merged together.

• Select both circles and select the Weld command from Group Merge Join Trim Vectors on the Assistant.

A new single vector has been made from the two circles.

Note: The Weld command only works on two selected closed vectors.

• Zoom in to see the vector more clearly.

• With the new vector selected, press Node Editing icon from the Vector Editing area of the Assistant. (or press N on the keyboard)

The vector nodes are displayed. At each point (node) the position and shape of the polyline can be altered. At each span (between the nodes) the polyline shape can be altered. Nodes can be added or removed to change the shape.

• • • •

Hover the mouse over a black node and select the right mouse button.

From the menu select Smooth Point (or press S on the Keyboard).

Move the mouse over the other black node and press S. Select N to return to select mode and click away from the vector.

The vector is now suitably smooth at the edges. The next buttons will be generated from an offset triangle vector.

Issue ArtCAM-PRO 2008

2.7

2. Generating Vectors

ArtCAM Pro

• Select Create Polygon command.

The Polygon Creation form appears in the Assistant.

• Select No. of Sides to be 3, Angle 0, polygon centre at X –14, Y –2 with a radius of 4.

• Select Create and then Close.

The triangle can be offset with a radius to produce the desired relief.

• With the triangle vector selected, select the offset vector(s) icon.

The offset vector form appears in the assistant. Vectors can be offset inwards, outwards or both and can; at the junction between straight lines; be given a chamfer or radius.

2.8

Issue ArtCAM-PRO 2008

2. Generating Vectors

ArtCAM Pro

• Select an Offset Distance of 1, Offset Direction as Outwards, Offset Corners as Radiused and select Offset and then Close.

The new vector is radiused at the corners.

• Select the inner vector and press Delete on the keyboard.

• Select the new Vector and select the Mirror Command.

The mirror form appears in the assistant. This allows the user to mirror the selected vectors about themselves or a selected line.

Note: The mirror line must be selected first before Mirror Vectors - About Line option is applied.

• Tick Copy the Original Vector and press Bottom and then Close.

The vector has been copied and mirrored. The new vector needs to be moved downwards. This can be nudged using the down arrow or moved by a value using the Transform Vector command.

• Select the Transform icon (or hit T twice on the keyboard).

• Enter Move Y as –1 and press Apply and Close.

• Select both triangular vectors and select the Group command.

The two items can now be treated as one.

Issue ArtCAM-PRO 2008

2.9

2. Generating Vectors

ArtCAM Pro

• Select create a Polyline command.

Polylines can be generated by entering absolute coordinates in the X and Y area, by angles and line length, as relative co-ordinates using the dx and dy (distance from last point) or by clicking with the cursor.

Note: Polylines can also be created dynamically in the graphics area either by holding down the left mouse key while freehand sketching a curve, or by using the left mouse key to click individual points along the required route.

• Press Add. (Enters a point at 0 0).

• Enter 30 in dy (30 mm in y direction) and press Add and then Close.

The polyline will be used for mirroring the triangular buttons across the component.

• Select the poly line and shift select the group.

• Select the Mirror Command.

• Tick Copy the Original Vector and press About Line and then Close.

• Delete the polyline.

.

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Issue ArtCAM-PRO 2008

2. Generating Vectors

ArtCAM Pro

• Select the icon Vector Text.

Any additional fonts loaded onto the computer will be recognised ArtCAM, as well as the standard fonts.

• Select Font as Arial, Script Western, Size as 3 mm.

• Click at the bottom of the 2D view and type ARTCAM VECTOR TEXT. • Select Done.

This text will be wrapped around the outer vector, with the text inside, using wrap text around a curve.

• Select the text and shift select the outer vector.

• Select the command wrap text around a curve.

Issue ArtCAM-PRO 2008

2. Generating Vectors

ArtCAM Pro

The Text on a Curve form appears, which allows the user to align an existing Text Vector to a curve vector.

Text Position includes options that control the relative, position of the text across the curve.

Text on other side, puts it on the other side of the curve.

Text Alignment includes options that control the flow of the text along the curve.

Text Spacing allows the user to vary the spacing between the individual characters.

Editing Style allows the user to set individual Words or Letters to be repositioned around the curve independently.

• Select the option Specify and enter 1mm. Select Text on other side.

• Select the option Single Words.

• Move the text using the cursor to align on the three sides. Select OK.

The text is now wrapped.

• Select Create Polyline and in the form select Draw smooth polyline.

• Left click 5 suitably positioned points to create a smooth polyline similar to the one shown below. Select Close.

This polyline will be used to paste vectors along.

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Issue ArtCAM-PRO 2008

2. Generating Vectors

ArtCAM Pro

• From the Vector Tools area select Create a star.

The Star Creation form appears.

• Select 5 points, star centre as X –28, Y 62, first point radius as 4.5 and second point radius as 2.

• Select Create and then Close.

• Select the Star vector and shift select the sketched Polyline.

• From the Vector Tools select the Paste Along Curve option.

The vector is pasted incrementally along the curve either by dividing the curve equally (Specify Number), or by a fixed distance, leaving any surplus at the end of the curve (Specify Distance).

• Select Specify Number and Enter number of Copies as 5.

• Select Paste and Close.

• Delete the original Star vector and the sketched Polyline.

Issue ArtCAM-PRO 2008

2. Generating Vectors

ArtCAM Pro

• Save the model as:• …\COURSEWORK\ArtCAMPro-Jobs\training-phone-cover.

• Close the model.

Exercise A

• Open a new model of height 150, width 100.

• Generate the vectors for this apple juice model, using your own values.

• Save the model as:……\COURSEWORK\ArtCAMPro-Jobs\apple.

Exercise B

• Open a new model of height 60, width 40.

• Generate the vectors for this locket.

• Save the model as:……\COURSEWORK\ArtCAMPro-Jobs\locket.

2.14

Issue ArtCAM-PRO 2008

3. Vector Editing

ArtCAM Pro

3. Vector Editing Vector Editing The following chapter runs the user through several Vector editing options.

Shield Design Example • Create a new model with a Height of 20 and width of 20 and a resolution of 1002 x 1002.

• Set the origin to the middle and press OK. Note: The origin position can be moved by using the option Set model position.

This allows the user to positon the zero datum to the; centre, one of the 4 corners, or a typed coordinate positon.

Vector input by snapping to a Grid Grids provide snap points to assist in dynamically defining vector points. Grids are controlled from the Bitmaps - Views pulldown menu.

• Select Bitmaps  Views  Snap Grid settings…

The selected grid spacing value is mainly dependent on the size and complexity of the component to be produced.

• Switch on Draw Snap Grid, switch on Snap to Grid, set the Grid Spacing to 1 and press OK.

Issue ArtCAM-PRO 2008

3.1

3. Vector Editing

ArtCAM Pro

• Select create polyline.

• Snap to the same grid points as shown in the illustration.

Note: The best position to Snap in a vector point is just to the lower, left of a grid point.

• Select File  Save As:D:\users\training\COURSEWORK\ArtCAMPro-Jobs\train-shield.

• Select Bitmaps  Views  Snap Grid settings…

• Switch off both Draw Snap Grid and Snap to Grid before pressing OK. • Select the Fillet command.

The fillet is generated at a node point or from two polylines that would intersect.

• Enter a fillet radius of 5 and select either side of the bottom point to generate the fillet.

• Change the fillet radius to 1 and create a fillet at the top two corners.

• Change the fillet radius to 2.5 and create a fillet at the last two corners.

The main shield vector is as shown.

• Select Close.

3.2

Issue ArtCAM-PRO 2008

3. Vector Editing

ArtCAM Pro

• With the Vector selected, select Offset Vector.

• Set an Offset Distance of 0.5, select Inwards and Radiused before selecting the Offset tab and then Close the form.

Vector input by snapping to Guidelines A constant offset has been generated. For the middle part, instead of using grid lines, instead, guidelines at actual values will be used.

Guidelines are pulled from within the rulers located around the border of the model. For accurate positioning they can be snapped direct to grid points or if the Grid is switched off once created they can be precisely positioned via a Position Guide form

• Hold the left mouse button down within the top ruler and drag down a horizontal guideline, releasing the mouse, when it is near the centre of the model (0 on the vertical ruler).

• Right mouse click on the guideline.

A selected guideline can be accurately positioned by inputting a suitable value in the New position box and pressing the Apply tab.

Note: A selected Guideline can also be deleted via this form.

New Guidelines can be inserted using the options in the lower half of the form.

• Enter a New Position of 0 and press Apply.

• Generate a vertical guideline at 0 by dragging it from within the left ruler.

There are now 2 guidelines in the model. These can be snapped onto when creating or moving vectors or nodes.

These guidelines can be shown or hidden by clicking the guidelines icon.

This is at the top left hand corner of the rulers.

Issue ArtCAM-PRO 2008

3.3

3. Vector Editing

ArtCAM Pro

• Select Create polyline.

• Snap on the guidelines to create horizontal and vertical centrelines.

• Pick the top left corner icon in the 2D view to switch off Show Guidelines.

The 2 new polylines will be used to create Offset Copies. With the on both sides option set.

• Offset the horizontal line, vector both sides by 0.5mm using the Both Sides (ridge) option.

• Offset the vertical line, vector both sides by 0.4mm • Delete the original polylines (if the delete original vectors option was not set during the offset operations).

• Select trim vector and cut

the polylines to be within the shield.

The completed vectors for the shield design are as shown.

• Select File  Save and then File  Close.

3.4

Issue ArtCAM-PRO 2008

3. Vector Editing

ArtCAM Pro

Vector Layers Vector Layers provide a more ordered method of controlling the selection and display of selected groups of vectors. In default mode ArtCAM Pro assigns all vectors produced to A layer named Default Layer (which cannot be renamed or deleted). Any additional Vector Layers can be Renamed, Deleted and Merged together. As new layers are created specific groups of vectors are assigned to them as required.

Phone Cover Example2. • Open the model:D:\users\Training\COURSEWORK\ArtCAMPro-Jobs\training-phonecover.art

Selected groups of Vectors will be assigned from the Default Layer to new layers.

Vector layers are controlled by this toolbar. The current layer is highlighted and provided the layer is switched on (light bulb) any vectors assigned to it will be displayed.

Whichever layer is selected at the time will have any newly created vectors directly assigned.

• Select the stars vector group.

Issue ArtCAM-PRO 2008

3.5

3. Vector Editing •

ArtCAM Pro

Select New on the Layers toolbar.

Vector Layer 2 appears allowing you to change the name, by double-clicking on the name..

• Double click on Vector Layer 2 and overwrite as stars and select the green tick to confirm.

The new level is now named and switched on.

• Right mouse click on the selected star vector group and pick Move to Layer > stars.

• Switch off the layer stars by clicking the light bulb on the layer stars.

The star vectors are now hidden. The other vectors on the default level are still displayed Note: When a layer is current any vectors that are pasted are automatically placed on that layer.

• Create a new layer and change the name to buttons.

• Create a new layer and change the name to holes

• Select the 12 ellipse vectors.

These selected vectors will be placed on another layer.

Note: Layers can have the snapping facility switched on or off.

For example if you had vectors close together and wanted to be sure you snapped to the correct vector on a layers, then you would switch snap off for all the other layers

3.6

Issue ArtCAM-PRO 2008

3. Vector Editing

ArtCAM Pro

• Right mouse click on the selected star vector group and pick Move to Layer > buttons.

• Select the other shaped vectors as shown.

These selected vectors will be placed on another layer.

Note: Layers can be locked, so any vectors on that layer cannot be moved until the layer is unlocked.

• Right mouse click on the selected star vector group and pick Move to Layer > holes.

• Switch off the Default Layer, leaving on the layer stars and holes.

• Make current the layer called holes.

The vectors displayed are going to be combined into the one current layer called holes.

• Select Merge Visible.

The layer called buttons has disappeared as it has merged into the layer holes. The vectors on the layers can be coloured for identification.

• Select the black spot to the left of the layer name holes.

The colour form appears. This allows you to select the colour for the vectors on that layer.

Issue ArtCAM-PRO 2008

3.7

3. Vector Editing

ArtCAM Pro

• Select a light green and select OK. • Switch on all the layers using the Toggle All Visibility.

All the vectors on the layer holes are now shown as green. Imported vectors are automatically put on the current layer.

• Make the layer called Default layer current.

• From the main pull down menus select Vectors – Import.

• From D:/users/training/Artcam_Data select the file tel-insert.eps and select Open.

The saved vectors have been placed onto the currently selected layer.

The vectors are imported as a group and as a result they first must to be ungrouped to be able to work on them individually.

To save vectors independently from the ArtCAM model, select the required wireframe and from the Vectors menu select the Export options.

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3. Vector Editing

ArtCAM Pro

• Select File  Save and then Close.

Node Editing Vectors are made up of nodes. To change a vector, the nodes are changed as the following example shows,

Enamel-Pin Example • Create a New model, width of 60 and height of 20.

• Create a guideline at X 0 and Y 0.

• Select Create Polyline. . Untick Draw smooth polylines.

• Enter X as –25, Y as 1 and press Add. • Enter dx as 35 and press Add. Press Close. . Untick Draw smooth polylines.

• Select Create Polyline.

• Enter X as –25, Y as –1 and press Add. • Enter dx as 35 and press Add. Press Close.

These two vectors can be joined together with either an arc, straight line or by moving the end points.

• Select both vectors.

• Select Join vectors with a curve.

The two vectors have been joined together to make a new vector. The open vector can be closed.

• Select the new vector.

• Select Close vector with a line.

The vector has been closed. An ellipse will be modified to produce a leaf shape.

• Select Create Ellipse.

• Enter a Start Point of X -4 Y 4, an Ellipse Height of 3, an Ellipse Width of 12 with an Angle of 340.

• Select Create and then Close.

• Select Node Editing.

Issue ArtCAM-PRO 2008

3.9

3. Vector Editing

ArtCAM Pro

Using N on the keyboard on a selected vector will switch between node mode and select mode.

The ellipse will be opened up halfway by removing spans using the right mouse button menu.

The part of the vector between two node points is called a span. If a span was removed, the vector will become open.

In node mode, if you move you mouse over a node point and click the right mouse button a different set of menus appears.

• Right mouse click over the right bottom span of the ellipse and select Remove Span from menu.

The ellipse vector is opened at the required area.

The other lower span needs to be deleted.

• Right mouse click over the left bottom span of the ellipse and select Remove Span from menu.

Only half of the original ellipse remains. In Select mode this half ellipse can be closed with a line.

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ArtCAM Pro

• Pick Select mode.

• With the vector selected, select Close Vector with a Line.

The vector is now closed. A polyline needs to be created to mirror the vector around.

• Select Create Polyline.

• Enter X as –10.3, Y as 1.5 and press Add. • Enter X as 3.6, Y as 6.6 and press Add and then Close.

• Select the polyline and the leaf shape and select Mirror Vectors.

• Tick Copy the Original Vectors and press About Line.

• Select Close. Select the polyline and press Cut. The leaf shape has been generated. A copy is required over the other side.

• Select Create Polyline.

• Snap to the horizontal guideline to create a line across the whole model.

• Select the horizontal vector and the leaf shapes.

• Select Mirror Vectors.

• Tick Copy the Original Vectors and press About Line.

For the other design a circle will be modified.

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3.11

3. Vector Editing

• • • • •

ArtCAM Pro

Select Create Circles.

Set the Circle Centre as X 10 Y 0. Select Radius and enter 1.5mm.

Untick Create with arcs and press Create.

Set the Circle Centre as X 16 Y 0. Select Radius and enter 6mm.

Press Create and then Close.

The smaller circle will be subtracted from the larger circle.

• Select the larger circle and then shift select the smaller circle.

• Select subtract vectors.

Select Node mode.

• Move the mouse over the top marked area and from the right mouse menu select Insert a point.

• Move the mouse over the bottom marked area and from the right mouse menu select Insert a point.

The addition of these extra node points will allow us to move the node point in between the new points and it will only stretch the vector within that region.

• Select the middle node.

• Drag the point along the horizontal vector and release the mouse at a suitable position as shown.

• Delete the horizontal vector.

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3. Vector Editing

ArtCAM Pro

The design has been changed.

The two control points can be dragged to produce a more realistic curve.

• Select each control point and move around as shown.

The shape is complete. For an inner part a polyline can be generated, using the smooth option.

• • • •

Press Select vectors.

Select Create Polyline. .

Tick Draw smooth polylines.

Click on several points on the model to make the shape as shown.

Click on the start point to finish off the vector. Select Close.

The last point is not smoothed when it is joined. This can be achieved in node mode by smoothing the point.

When you are in node mode a smooth point is shown as blue and a non-smooth point is shown as black.

All of the vectors can now be offset.

• Press Select vectors.

• Stretch a box over all of the vectors. Select Offset vectors.

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3.13

3. Vector Editing

ArtCAM Pro

• Select an Offset Distance of 1. Select Outwards.

• Select Radiused and press Offset and then Close.

The design has now been finished.

Closed vectors can be filled in with bitmap colour to give an idea of what the design will look like before the relief is made.

• Select the new offset vector and select the gold coloured square at the bottom of the 2D view with the left mouse button.

• Select flood fill vectors.

The whole inside of the vector is filled with the colour . The colour is a bitmap. Other vectors can be selected and filled to overwrite the colour.

• Select the leaf and stalk vectors and select the green coloured square at the bottom of the 2D view • Select flood fill vectors.

• Select the petal vectors and select the red coloured square at the bottom of the 2D view • Select flood fill vectors.

If the vectors were altered, the colours need to be recreated.

• Select File  Save As D:\users\training\COURSEWORK\ArtCAMProJobs\train-flower.

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3. Vector Editing

ArtCAM Pro

Selected Node Editing.

When a node is selected it turns red and can be moved dynamically. Shift and select allows the user to select several nodes in a curve, ctrl and select allows the user to pick individual nodes, to be moved simultaneously.

Selecting X on the keyboard edits the selected points with the X coordinate of the last node.

Selecting Y on the keyboard edits the selected points with the Y coordinate of the last node.

Vector Clipping and Slicing Vector Clipping is used to trim a group of vectors within a defined vector.

Vector Slicing is used to split a vector across a selected cutting vector.

Vector Clipping Example • In a new model of size 100 x 100 create the following vectors.

The sizes do not really matter as long as there are a few stars within the pentagon.

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3.15

3. Vector Editing

ArtCAM Pro

• Select Vector Clipping.

The vector clipping form appears with instruction on how to use the command and the different results available with the options given.

• Select the polygon and then shift –select all of the other vectors (can drag a box).

• Select Inside and Trim.

• Press Clip Vectors.

The stars that are whole within the polygon are retained and those that cross the polygon are trimmed back as shown.

• Try out the above example using the other Overlapping Vectors options.

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3. Vector Editing

ArtCAM Pro

Vector Slicing Example • In a new model of size 100 x 100 sketch the following vectors.

• Shift - Select both the closed vectors followed by the open (slicing) vector, and then select Slice Selected Vectors.

The slice form appears displaying the options available. The use last selected vector option is only available when more than one vector is selected. Otherwise it will be greyed out.

• Select the option Close and use last selected vector.

• Select Slice Vectors.

• Nudge the two new vectors up and down using the keyboard up and down arrow keys to see the result.

The vectors have been sliced and rejoined.

• Experiment with the other options.

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3. Vector Editing

3.18

ArtCAM Pro

Issue ArtCAM-PRO 2008

4. Generating a Relief

ArtCAM Pro

4. Generating a Relief Relief.

A Relief is the ArtCAM 3D model created either from vectors, bitmaps, imported CAD surface models or existing stored Reliefs. One set of options operates by building a Relief from one or more closed vectors using the Shape Editor. Double clicking on the selected vector/s or pressing the F12 shortcut key will open the Shape Editor form.

There are three main 3D forms, Domes, Pyramids and Flat Planes. By selecting one of the 3D Relief icons the relevant options become active in the form. The relief form can only occur within the defined model area and is effectively formed by the individual bitmap squares (Resolution) moving up or down in Z. The Shape Editor is the original method for creating a Relief. As ArtCAM has evolved, a selection of more specialised and advanced options have been added to the Relief Tools area of the Assistant.

There are 6 options to control how the Relief is combined with the existing ArtCAM model.

These comprise Add, Subtract, Merge High, Merge Low, Zero and Zero Rest.

The 2D view shows the dome relief already made from a circle vector and the rectangle selected for the new relief.

Add

ADD

This method adds the new relief on top of the current relief, producing the result as shown right.

In this case a Plane of a start height of 1mm was Added to the Relief.

Subtract This method removes the new relief from the current relief, giving the following effect.

In this case a plane of a start height of 1mm was Subtracted from the Relief.

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SUBTRACT

4.1

4. Generating a Relief

ArtCAM Pro

ZERO

Zero By applying Zero, the Relief inside the vector will have z height of zero.

Merge High

MERGE HIGH

The new relief is merged along Z through the existing relief.

In this case a Plane of a start height of 1mm has been Merged High through the dome.

Merge Low

MERGE LOW

The new relief is merged through the existing relief and any of the original Model form above it is removed.

In this case a plane of a start height of 1mm was Merged Low through the dome.

ZERO REST

Zero Rest The new relief is flattened to the zero plane outside of the vector area.

Note: with this option it does not matter what relief shape was chosen, the area outside the 2D rectangle area was zeroed.

Reliefs are displayed in the 3D View and can be exported from ArtCAM as individual (.rlf) file.

The smoothness of a Relief is dependant on the Resolution. An option exists at the top of the 2D View to display the Relief as a shaded image. This shaded image can if required be used to create a bitmap, which in turn can be modified to exhibit photo realistic colours on the 3D Relief model.

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4. Generating a Relief

ArtCAM Pro

Anchor Example.

• Open the model anchor.art from D:/users/training/Artcam Data.

The model contains the vectors as shown left.

• Select the outer, bar vector of the anchor as shown.

• Double Click on the vector to bring up the Shape Editor.

A flat plane shape has been selected with a start height of 0.5. The start height indicates the very top Z level of the flat plane.

• Press Add, Close and then F3.

• Switch off the Draw Zero Plane

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4.3

4. Generating a Relief

ArtCAM Pro

The bar is produced as shown. If the mouse is placed on the Relief, the Z height at that point (0.5) will be displayed in the information box at the lower right of the graphics area.

• Press F2. De-select the bar vector. Hold down Shift and Select the two vectors inside the bar.

The relief will be generated inside the two selected vectors.

• Right Mouse Click and select Shape Editor from the menu.

The selected vectors have been assigned with a dome shape with a start Angle of 45 degrees, and No Limit with regard to overall height. This means that the domed form will initially start to rise at 45 degrees and gradually level out naturally as it passes across the vector area.

• Select the Dome option.

• Change the start height to 0 and press Add, Close and then F3.

The extra detail has been added to the relief.

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4. Generating a Relief

ArtCAM Pro

• Press F2 to open the 2D View.

• Select the main anchor vector.

This vector will be merged into the bar vector.

• Right Mouse Click and select Shape Editor from the menu.

The vector has been assigned with a pyramid shape, with an Angle of 65 degrees. The overall height is constrained to be flat at a Height of 0.75 by the Limit to Height option.

• Select Merge High, Close and then F3.

The main anchor form is now combined with the bar.

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4.5

4. Generating a Relief

ArtCAM Pro

• Press F2. Select the hook vectors.

These vectors will be combined with the current relief.

• Right Mouse Click and select Shape Editor from the menu.

These vectors have been assigned with a relatively shallow Angle of 30, but the new dome relief form will include an initial vertical wall as specified by a Start Height of 0.75.

• Select Merge High, Close and then F3.

The hooks have now been added.

• Press F2. Select the ring vectors.

• Right Mouse Click and select Shape Editor from the menu.

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4. Generating a Relief

ArtCAM Pro

The hook vector has been assigned with a dome form with a relatively steep Angle of 65, and an initial Start Height of 0.5.

• Select Merge High, Close and then F3.

• Spin the view of the relief around by holding down the left mouse button.

• Select File  Save As naming the model in:D:\users\Training\COURSEWORK\ArtCAMPro-Jobs\training-anchor.

• Select File  Close.

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4.7

4. Generating a Relief

ArtCAM Pro

Tin Lid Example • Open the model tintop.art from D:\users\training\ArtCAM Data.

• Select Toggle all Visibility from the Bitmap layer menu

This switches off the bitmap so that any vectors can be seen more clearly and as a result will be easier to select.

These vectors were previously generated in the imported ArtCAM and are all closed. They will be used to produce a relief model of a tin lid, which will be shaded using the inherent model, bitmap colours.

• Select the outer circle vector.

• Select the shape editor.

• Select a Dome Shape with an Angle of 60, a start height of 5, with limit to height set with a value of 1mm.

• Press Add and then F3 (3D view).

The relief (overall height 6) is created as shown. A fillet runs around the outside, which blends flush with the flat top form but forms a tangency with the sidewall at a Start Height of 5.

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4. Generating a Relief

ArtCAM Pro

• • • •

Press F2 (2D view).

Select both of the leaf vectors.

Select the shape editor.

Select a Dome Shape with an Angle of -8, a start height of 0.5, with no limit set. Press Add and then F3 (3D view).

The leaf shape has been added on the top at a start height of 0.5mm, which has then been scooped out by a negative angle to produce the inverted leaf shape shown.

• • • •

Press F2 (2D view).

Select both of the leaf vein vectors.

Select the shape editor.

Select a Dome Shape with an Angle of 10, a start height of 0, with no limit set. Press Add and then F3 (3D view).

By zooming into one of the leaves it can be seen that by adding the vein relief it follows the shallow shape of the leaf.

• Press F2 (2D view).

• Select the petal to the left of the highest petal to select the lower group.

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4. Generating a Relief

ArtCAM Pro

• Select the shape editor.

• Select a Dome Shape with an Angle of 15, a start height of 6.5, with scale to height set with a value of 1mm.

• Press Merge High and then F3 (3D view).

When Merge High is applied the Start Height value is the actual height from the Z0 of the relief. By setting the value higher than the leaves the petal forms are raised above.

• • • •

Press F2 (2D view).

Select the highest petal to select the higher group.

Select the shape editor.

Select a Dome Shape with an Angle of 15, a start height of 7, with scale to height set with a value of 1mm.

• Press Merge High and then F3 (3D view).

This petal group is higher than the other group, so that the petals in the front are full petals and the petals below are only partial petals.

• • • •

Press F2 (2D view).

Select the small circle vector (in the centre of the flower).

Select the shape editor.

Select a Dome Shape with an Angle of 25, a start height of 7, with no limit set.

• Press Merge High and then F3 (3D view).

The centre of the flower has been merged into the petals.

The text can now be added.

• Press F2 (2D view).

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ArtCAM Pro

4. Generating a Relief

• Select both of the text vectors.

• Select the shape editor.

• Select a Pyramid Shape with an Angle of 45, a start height of 6, with Limit to height set with a value of 0.2mm.

• Press Merge High and then F3 (3D view).

The text has been produced with a chamfered edge and a flat top making it stand out.

The relief can be shown in alternative shaded colours or the same as the 2D bitmap colours.

• From the Assistant - Model, select Lights and Material.

• In the Shading Setup or Material areas select a down arrow (to the right of a current settings tab) and select an alternative (Note the selection in the Material category or adjustment to a slider will only update on clicking Apply).

• In The Material section select 2D View and press Apply and observe the change in style on the relief to reflect the 2D bitmap colour scheme.

The relief is overlaid with the same colour scheme as the 2D bitmap (This will override the settings in Shading Setup) The whole relief can be shaded from a choice of colour schemes located in the Shading Setup or Material pull down menus.

• In the Material section select Selected Colour and press Apply.

• Select File  Save As naming the model in D:\users\training\COURSEWORK\ArtCAMPro-Jobs\train-tin-lid.

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4. Generating a Relief

ArtCAM Pro

In ArtCAM you can use a selected vector to distort the final relief, allowing you to interactively shape the final relief.

• Press F2 (2D view).

• Select the circle vector.

• From the Assistant - Relief Editing select Relief Envelope Distortion.

The Relief Envelope Distortion page appears. Also the selected vector is displayed within a special, gridded vector box (called the envelope) with nodes at the corners.

The nodes can be moved around with a view to stretching and squeezing the relief.

Additional nodes can be added and the envelope vector and edited by using normal vector commands.

When a relief is distorted, the Z height can be altered, if required or kept the same.

The ability to use existing curve is available as shown.

Finally, to accept the final envelope distortion select the Finish tab, otherwise Cancel will revert the relief back to it’s original shape.

The Grid can be clearly seen in the 2D view. Individual nodes can be moved around and the angles can be changed.

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ArtCAM Pro

4. Generating a Relief

• Select the option Replace Original Relief.

• Select Create Vector Outline and set Relief Z Height Scaling as Average Scale at 100% (A rectangular, Vector appears as the outer limit). in the form to access node editing.

• Select • Put the mouse in the middle of the top span and press I to insert a new point.

• Select the new point and move it down in the Y until it is halfway down the text letter l.

• Move the left angle node down.

• Select the right span across the top and press L to convert to a line.

• Move the bottom left angle node until it snaps on the letter e.

• Move the bottom right angle node until it snaps on the letter d.

The new shape of the relief is shown in outline.

• Select Add, press Paste (to recreate the relief) and Finish to accept.

• Select F3.

• From the Assistant – Model – Lights and Material, select Default.

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4. Generating a Relief

ArtCAM Pro

The relief has been distorted.

• Press Done to exit the Lights and Materials form.

• Press F2.

• Select Preview relief layer.

When the relief is changed the greyscale view is automatically updated. By switching the Relief Layer view on, it is clearly different from the original design.

To keep the Z height the same the option Keep Current Z would be applied.

• Select File  Close.

Pyramid Exercise • Create a new model of size 100 x 100.

• Create suitable vectors as shown left and construct a relief Based on the illustration on the right.

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ArtCAM Pro

4. Generating a Relief

Teddy Bear Example This example takes the user through the creation of a Teddy bear relief model mainly using the Shape Editor in addition to the specialised Angled plane and ISO-Form lettering relief options.

• Select File - Open File and load in the existing ArtCAM model file:D:\users\training\Teddy.art.

• Select the body vector using the Left mouse button.

• Double click the selected vector.

• Select a Dome shape, with an angle of 45 degrees with No Limit and click the Add button. Select Close.

• Select the 3D view using F3.

• Select the Draw Zero Plane button at the top of the 3D View window to toggle the display of the relief form at Z0.

• Select Low Detail.

This will speed up the refresh rate when displaying the relief in the 3D View but will result in the surface form appearing visually rough.

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4. Generating a Relief

ArtCAM Pro

• Press the F2 key to select the 2D View.

• Using the Left mouse button, select the outer ear vectors and then hold down the Shift key and select the Inner ears vectors.

• Double click and select a Dome shape with No Limit, an angle of 45 degrees with a start height of 0.5. Select Add.

ArtCAM generates a shape for the area between the selected vectors.

• De-select the vectors in the 2D View and select the inner ears vectors.

• Double click the selected group and select Reset button.

• Select a flat plane with a start height of 0.5 and press Merge High.

The inner ears have been merged with the outer edge.

• Select the arm vectors.

If the arms were added to the body, then a bulge would appear where the shape is added on the top of the body relief. The arms need to be merged high.

• Select a Dome shape, with an angle of 45 degrees with No Limit and click the Merge High button.

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4. Generating a Relief

ArtCAM Pro

The arms are generated.

• Select the face vector.

The face will be given a rounded appearance with a higher angle. The face will be merged into the current relief.

• Select a Dome shape with an angle of 60 degrees with No Limit and press Merge High.

The face has been added. The higher dome angle makes the face higher and rounder.

• Select the circle vector.

If a dome shapes is added on top of the relief, it will follow the shape of the relief to produce a rounded belly. Using Add if a high angle was used the effect would be more pronounced as there is already a curve on the relief.

• Select a dome shape of 15 degrees with a start height of 0 to No limit and press Add. Issue ArtCAM-PRO 2008

4. Generating a Relief

ArtCAM Pro

The ‘belly’ is added.

• Select the feet vectors.

The relief for these feet vectors will be generated using an angle plane. This will slope the feet at a specified angle making the toes point forwards and the heels lean back.

• Access Relief Tools on the Assistant.

Creating an Angled plane and other relief operations such as smoothing are available from this part of the assistant. An Angled plane can be generated on the whole relief or within selected vectors.

• Select the Create Angled Plane icon.

• Click on Show Help.

A minimum of two points must be selected to generate an Angled Plane at a fixed angle to the XY axes. The maximum of three points must be used for a plane aligned to a compound angle to the XYZ axes.

These points are often initially positioned in X and Y by snapping to vectors. Once all three points are picked, then the Z heights of the points can be edited in the form.

Once the Angled Plane has been correctly defined in the form, the resultant relief is generated with Add, Subtract, merge Highest, or Merge Lowest.

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4. Generating a Relief

ArtCAM Pro

• Click Set Third Point and press the Start button.

• Select the bottom point of the left vector with the mouse.

Once Start has been selected, the First point is expected to be selected (this is the bottom point of the plane). As the mouse is moved over the vector it changes to a target symbol. The second point is at the top of the vector.

• Select the top of the vector with the mouse.

A dotted line shows the distance from the first point to the second point. The third point is midway between the two vectors.

• Click in the centre of the vectors (Centre located symbol is:-

)

Now all three plane positions have been captured, the Z value for each position becomes available.

• Set the First Point Z as 1.5, Second Point Z as 3.5 and Third Point Z as 2.75.

• Select Highest and press Create.

The angled plane has been generated giving the feet a slightly pointed look. Further relief can be added onto these areas.

• Select Close and double click on the feet vectors.

• Select a dome shape with an angle of 15 degrees with No Limit and press Add.

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4. Generating a Relief

ArtCAM Pro

The dome shape has been added to the angled feet.

• Select the snout and the Paw print grouped vectors.

These will have the same shape so can be created at the same time.

• Select a Dome shape with an angle of 45 degrees with No Limit and press Add. • Select the eyes and nose vectors.

• Select a Dome shape with an angle of 45 degrees with No Limit and press Add.

To complete the teddy this relief can be smoothed to soften the edges between each shape.

• Click the Smooth Relief button on the Relief Editing Assistant.

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4. Generating a Relief

ArtCAM Pro

This displays the smooth options.

• Select Whole Layer, enter the number of Smoothing Passes as 5 and select Apply.

• View with ‘High Detail’ set at the top of the 3D View window.

The teddy relief is smoothed around the previously sharp edges.

ISO-FORM Letters Iso-form letters have a constant height set by the user, whereas text created using the Shape Editor can result in thin parts of the letters being lower than the rest of the relief.

Lettering will be added to the teddy’s tummy, using Iso-form letters. The Greyscale view of the relief helps visualisation in the 2D view.

• In The 2D View Switch off Preview Relief Layer inherent bitmap image.

to display the

The higher the relief the whiter it appears. This gives the user a better picture of the shape of the relief from the 2D view.

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4. Generating a Relief

ArtCAM Pro

• Select Vector Text and set the font as Times New Roman and a height of 2mm.

• Click a suitable location point on the belly and type the text TED.

• With the Text selected, click the Iso-form letters Relief, top toolbar.

button on the

The following dialog box appears:

• Give the letters a Top Height of 0.25mm and a Bottom Height of 0.25mm.

• Ensure Circular Cross Section is selected, select Add and click OK.

Closer inspection of the letters will show that the all the text is a constant height.

• Save in D:\users\training\COURSEWORK\ArtCAMPro-Jobs\train-ted, then File – Close.

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ArtCAM Pro

4. Generating a Relief

Exercise.

• Open the model training-phone-cover.art from D:\users\training\COURSEWORK\ArtCAMPro-Jobs\ • Build a relief model from the stored vectors.

Exercise • Create a new model with a width of 30 and height of 60.

• Import the vector data angel.eps from Examples2.

• Create a relief from the closed vectors.

• Save and Close the model.

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4. Generating a Relief

4.24

ArtCAM Pro

Issue ArtCAM-PRO 2008

5. Pictures

ArtCAM

5. Pictures Introduction Coloured Pictures can be generated or edited within ArtCAM using the Bitmap toolbar or they can also be imported using any of the following formats bmp, .tif, .pcx, .gif, and .jpg.

The coloured areas of a Picture can be used directly with the Shape Editor to create a relief instead of using vectors. As with vectors the enclosed coloured area is formed of tiny squares, which are given a height. In this case the smoothness of the relief is directly, dependant on the resolution of the picture. Where coloured areas are used the smoothness of the relief is not improved by changing the model resolution, as the number of bitmap squares are inherent in the picture.

ArtCAM can also generate vectors around a selected colour. The vectors can in turn be smoothed using such techniques as splining and node editing after which the actual model resolution is used to control the smoothness of the relief. ArtCAM has the power to temporarily link colours together, which enables the user to combine different coloured areas, without changing the original picture. This is called colour linking.

Colour linking - Spider Coin Example In this example a bitmap has already been opened, modified and saved as an ArtCAM model.

• Select File  Open.

• Load in the model:- D:\users\trainingArtCam Data\Train-spider.art

The picture is made up of several colours, displayed at the bottom of the 2D view.

Similar to vectors, each colour can be assigned a shape. Colours can be temporarily combined using Colour Linking. This is a temporary way of creating larger areas of similar colour that does not permanently change the original picture.

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5. Pictures

ArtCAM

• Using the left mouse button click on the yellow square at the bottom of the 2D View.

This will assign yellow to be the Primary colour.

• Select the white square using the right mouse button. This is now assigned as the secondary colour.

• From the top pull down menu, select Bitmaps Colour Link all colours This will temporarily change all colours used, except the secondary (white) to yellow as shown with a link all of the original coloured squares in the 2D View. The main area of the coin (Yellow) can now be raised as one unit.

• Double Click on the yellow colour in the 2D View.

• In the Shape Editor, select a flat shape with a height of 1.5 and press Add. • Select Close.

A coin shape has been generated. To produce the Rim, the colours need to be unlinked and then re-linked to include only the purple text.

• From the top pull down menu, select Bitmaps Colour Reset all links.

• Double right mouse click on the dark purple square at the bottom of the 2D View.

• Note;- there are more coloured boxes (including the dark purple one) below the top row. Access them by using the slider to the right of the palette.

Double clicking with the right mouse button makes the colour become the secondary and links it to the primary. So in this case the dark purple text becomes yellow.

Primary Secondary

• Double Click on the yellow colour in the 2D View.

• In the Shape Editor, select a flat shape with a height of 2 and press Merge High.

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5. Pictures

ArtCAM

• From the top menu select Reset all links.

• Double Click on the dark purple colour in the 2D view and the Shape Editor will open with the selected colour displayed.

• In the Shape Editor, select a pyramid shape with an Angle of –25 degrees, start Height of 0 and press Add.

The text is cut into the rim as a ‘V’ shape.

• Double Click on the dark green colour in the 2D View.

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5.3

5. Pictures

ArtCAM

• In the Shape Editor, select a dome shape with an Angle of –10 degrees, start Height of 0 and press Add.

The relief now includes curved indentations between the web detail and the spider outline.

The actual spider and web detail can now be added to the relief.

For a realistic spider effect the colours need to be added in order and a little bit of colour linking as the light blue area shown as (3) belongs to both the black main head as well as the blue antennae.

• Double left click on the colour 1 in the 2D View.

• In the Shape Editor, select a dome shape with an Angle of 24 degrees, Start Height of 0 and press Add. • Double left click on the colour 2 in the 2D View.

• In the Shape Editor, select a dome shape with an Angle of 24 degrees, Start Height of 0 and press Add. The black is linked with the light blue to provide an area for the whole of the head.

• Double left click on the black area in the 2D View to assign as the primary.

• Double right mouse click on the light blue square at the bottom of the 2D View to link it to the primary black colour.

• In the Shape Editor, select a dome shape with a Start Height of 0, and an Angle of 30 degrees before selecting Add. • From the top menu bar, select Reset all links

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5. Pictures

ArtCAM

Link the dark blue with the light blue, to make all of the antennae area have the same colour.

• Double left Click on the dark blue area in the 2D View.

• Double right mouse click on the light blue square at the bottom of the 2D View.

• In the Shape Editor, select a dome shape with an Angle of 45 degrees, Start Height of 0 and press Add. • From the top menu select Reset all links.

The body of the spider has been generated. The next stage is to create the legs.

• Double Click on the area labelled 4 in the 2D View.

• In the Shape Editor, select a dome shape with an Angle of 45 degrees, Start Height of 0 and press Add. • Repeat the process for areas labelled 5, 6, 7 and the pink area (webbing).

The coin is now complete.

• Select File  Save As:D:\users\training\COURSEWORK\ArtCAMPro-Jobs\coin.

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5. Pictures

ArtCAM

Bitmap to Vector - Toucan Link Exercise Colour linking can be used to highlight areas to obtain vectors, using the bitmap to vector command on the Vector Toolbar. The primary colour is used with this command. The following exercise illustrates this feature.

• • • • • •

Select File  Open.

Select the folder D:\users\training\ArtCAM Data.

Select File Type to be Gif image (*.gif).

Select the file toucan.gif and click Open.

Leave the Set Model Size dimensions as default and press OK. Left Click on the first green in the colour palette with the left mouse button.

• Double Click on the next 5 green colours with the right mouse button.

• Double Click on the red and yellow with the right mouse button.

The toucan is now surrounded by a single green colour.

For the body part of the toucan, the feet and the red beak are not required, so they will be linked to the green.

A vector can then be produced from the boundary of the primary colour.

• From the Bitmap Tools toolbar, Select the Bitmap to Vector icon.

• Select OK for the Tolerance.

• Select Bitmap on/off from the top 2D View controls.

Vectors showing the outline of the toucan and the border are created (as shown left). This vector can be smoothed and changed to suit.

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5. Pictures

ArtCAM

• Delete the square, outside vector. Double click the bird vector to open the Shape editor.

• Select a Dome shape with an angle of 45 degrees and press Add. • Select Reset all colours.

• Select the yellow colour using the left mouse button.

• Select Bitmap to Vector and select OK for the Tolerance.

• Select the red colour using the left mouse button.

• Select Bitmap to Vector and select OK for the Tolerance.

• Select bitmap on/off from the top 2D controls.

• Select the toes and beak vectors.

• Select a dome shape with an angle of 45 degrees and press Add. Select F3.

The eye shape is generated by subtracting the white coloured area. The combined wing shape is generated using add.

• Select F2. Double click the white colour with the left mouse button.

• Select a Flat shape with a start height of 0.5 and press Subtract.

• Select bitmap on/off from the top 2D View controls.

• Select the blue at the bottom of the wing with the left mouse button.

• Double-click the dark blue for the top part of the wing with the right mouse button.

• Double-click the blue wing colour and set a dome shape with an angle of 25 degrees and press Add.

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5. Pictures

ArtCAM

The finished relief has been generated from vectors and colours.

• Close the model.

Note: For pictures with many colours in, you can use the Reduce Number command from the Colour pull down menu.

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5. Pictures

ArtCAM

Create Relief Layer from Bitmap Layer ArtCAM can create a Relief layer from an Imported Image.

• • • • •

Select File  Open.

Select the folder D:\users\training\ArtCAM Data.

Select File Type to be Gif image (*.gif).

Select the file HillmanImp.gif and click Open.

Leave the dimensions as default and select OK.

If required the option Scanned d.p.i. (dots per inch) can be used which retains the original Image size allowing the user to decrease/increase the resolution of the bitmap.

• From the Bitmaps layers tab select Create Relief from Image.

• Enter a new height of 1mm.

• Select OK • View the new Relief in the 3D Window.

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5. Pictures

ArtCAM

This new scale will limit the height of the Relief generated where the light areas will be at the highest level and dark areas at the lowest. As the height varies between Z0 and Z1, the Relief will not provide a true perspective representation of the car. On the other hand the shallow background detail such as the trees and grass etc should be ideal. The car must be defined separately using Polyline Vectors around the key features displayed on the Bitmap. The newly defined Vectors can then be used to locally create Reliefs, replacing the original model areas with a more realistic perspective representation.

• Select File – Close.

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5. Pictures

ArtCAM

Create Bitmap Layer from Relief Layer ArtCAM can quickly create a new bitmap layer containing a greyscale image of the relief.

• Select File – New – Model.

• Enter the File Name as Lady. Enter the width of 50 and height of 50.

• Enter a Resolution as 35. Select Accept.

• From the Relief Layers Tab, select Open.

• Import the relief model Lady Justice.rlf from D:\users\training\ArtCAM Data.

• Select Preview relief layer

or F3 to view the loaded Relief.

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5. Pictures

ArtCAM

• With the new layer highlighted, select Create Greyscale Bitmap.

A greyscale image is created of the butterfly relief and placed on a new bitmap layer (assigned with the same name as the original relief)

Exercise.

Use the available colours to create an outline vector of the Butterfly.

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6. 3D Blend and Fade Relief

ArtCAM Pro

6. 3D Blend and Fade Relief Overview The 3D Blend creates the relief form either inside a closed vector or between 2 closed vectors. The height and shape across the void is controlled by a series of standard, cross sectional forms or a user defined Z modulation curve.

Star Example • Open the model star-blend.art from D:\users\training\ArtCam Data

This model contains various vectors to demonstrate the 3D Blend relief options.

• In Relief Editing select 3D Blend.

The 3D Blend assistant page appears providing a comprehensive range of the options. The 3D blend - relief is either generated from a single vector to a central or user defined point, or across to an inner vector using one of the Profile types, displayed in the form.

The final shape of the relief is controlled by a combination of the type of Profile and Height definitions selected.

The above options combined with merge highest, lowest, add, and subtract relief provides a very powerful command for the user.

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6. 3D Blend and Fade Relief • • • • • •

ArtCAM Pro

Select the Star vector and shift and select the circle as well.

Select the Linear Profile option.

Select Border height as 0.

Select Inner height as 5.

Select Inner Vector Edge and tick - Fill Inner Vector.

Select Highest and press Create Blend.

The relief has a linear blend from the outer to the inner vector. It then continues at constant height (5mm) across the area inside the inner vector.

• Select Undo (Ctrl + Z).

• With the vectors still selected and the 3D blend page open, Untick - Fill Inner Vector Edge.

• Select Highest and press Create Blend.

This time the area on the relief inside the inner vector is left open on the relief.

• Select Undo (Ctrl + Z).

• With the vectors still selected and the 3D blend page open, select the Profile option Smooth.

• Tick - Fill Inner Vector Edge.

• Select Highest and press Create Blend.

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6. 3D Blend and Fade Relief

ArtCAM Pro

A smooth relief is produced from the outer to the inner vector. It then continues at constant height (5mm) across the area inside the inner vector.

• • • •

Select Undo (Ctrl + Z).

Select the outer star vector only with the Linear Profile option selected.

Switch On - Select Point With Cursor and enter x 0 and y 10.

Select Highest and press Create Blend.

The relief is produced with an offset vector blend producing an offset centred star shape.

The next part of the chapter will compare the addition of different cross sectional, Selected Vectors numbered 1 to 3 as shown below.

Each vector will produce a different shape when scaled across the relief to the defined heights. The Selected Vector is always picked last.

• Select Undo (Ctrl + Z).

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6. 3D Blend and Fade Relief

ArtCAM Pro

• Select the outer followed by the inner vector and with the 3D Blend page open, select the Profile option, Selected Vector.

• Hold shift and select the cross section vector 1 from the 2D window.

• In Blend from Border to: set Inner Vector Edge and tick the box Fill Inner Vector.

• Select Highest and press Create Blend.

A new relief has been produced as the cross section, vector 1 scaled between the inner and outer vectors. It then continues at constant height (5mm) across the area inside the inner vector.

• Select Undo (Ctrl + Z).

• Select the star vector, shift select the circle vector and then the cross section, vector 2.

• Select Highest and press Create Blend.

The new relief has been produced as the scaled vector 2 between the inner and outer vectors. It then continues at constant height (5mm) across the area inside the inner vector.

• • • •

Select Undo (Ctrl + Z).

Select the star vector and shift select the cross section, vector 3.

Select Middle of Border Vector.

Select Highest and press Create Blend.

The shape of the relief is controlled by cross sectional, vector 3 running from the outer star vector inwards as well as from the centre outwards. The maximum height (5mm) occurs exactly half way between the outer star vector and the centre.

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6. 3D Blend and Fade Relief

ArtCAM Pro

Fade Relief This command will reduce a relief down by a percentage (100% is down to zero) within a specified area.

Shoe Sole Example • Open the model shoe-tread.art from D:\users\trainingArtCam Data

This shoe sole relief was generated from vectors, created by opening a picture file. The sole needs to be faded to generate a better design.

• Select the 2D view.

• From the Assistant, select Fade Relief.

The fade relief command appears.

Fade strength can be set anywhere from 1 to 100%, with 100% being faded down to 0 and 50 % down to half the current height in Z. The reverse option allows you to fade upwards instead of downwards.

Linear fade, with fade the whole relief between the start and end of a line.

Radial fade will produce a radial fade from a central position.

Between boundaries fade will limit the fade area between two selected vectors.

• With the fade strength at 100%, reverse unticked, linear selected, press Start.

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6. 3D Blend and Fade Relief

ArtCAM Pro

With this option, once start is pressed, then you need to select two positions.

The start position shows where the fade is going to start and the second position where it is going to end.

• Using the cursor, select the two points (1 and then 2) as shown.

• Press Create.

The toe region has been faded. The x and y values are kept even when you undo, to allow you to try different options.

The fade is parallel to the line, so if you pick angled points, you get an angled fade.

• Change the fade strength to 50% and press Create.

• Press Start.

With this option, once start is pressed, then you need to select two positions.

The start position shows where the fade is going to start and the second position where it is going to end.

• Using the cursor, select the two points (1 and then 2) as shown.

• Press Create.

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6. 3D Blend and Fade Relief

ArtCAM Pro

The heel area has been given a sloped edge.

The radial option can now be used.

• Select the 2D view.

• Select the option radial with a Fade Strength of 25%.

• Select the oval vector (marked as 1).

With the radial option, a selected vector must be used to define the fade area.

• Press Select Centre and pick the oval centre (marked as 2).

• Press Create.

As the edge of the selected vector is where it fades down to, the result may not be what is expected. To change the effect so that it fades from the edge down to the centre of the oval, the Reverse option is used.

• Press Undo • Select Reverse and then press Create The relief has been faded from the border down to the centre of the oval.

The between boundaries option is going to be used to create a defined fade.

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6. 3D Blend and Fade Relief

ArtCAM Pro

• Select the option between boundaries and shaped vector (marked 1) the oval vector (marked as 2). Leave reverse ticked.

The area between these two boundaries will be faded.

• Press Create and then Close.

The shoe sole design is complete.

• Close the ArtCAM model, without saving.

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7. Extrude, Spin, Turn, Two Rail

ArtCAM Pro

7. Extrude, Spin, Turn, 2 Rail Overview Extrude, Spin,Turn, and Two Rail Sweep are commands that create reliefs as cross sections along vectors.

Extrude Relief An extruded relief is produced using 2 or more vectors. The relief is produced as a swept form of the start profile vector along the drive curve vector. If an different end profile vector is used the relief will change shape from one end to the other.

Drive Curve Extrude Example • Create a New Model with size of 25mm by 25mm of resolution 1078 x 1078 with the origin in the centre.

For this example the drive curve vector is made from creating a circle and removing some nodes. The drive curve vector must be a single vector.

• Create a circle of radius 7 at X 0 Y 0.

• Select N (Node editing) and remove the lower spans.

The drive curve vector determines the location of the relief.

The start and end profiles now need to be generated.

These will define the sectional form along the relief.

• Create a rectangle of width 4, height 2, corner radii 0 at X-8 Y-4.

• Select N (Node mode) and remove the lower span.

This rectangle will be the start profile (section).

The vector is the exact size that is required and can be located anywhere on the 2D View.

The start profile vector has to be a single vector, (not Grouped).

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7. Extrude, Spin, Turn, Two Rail

ArtCAM Pro

• Select Extrude from the Assistant, Relief Tools area.

The Extrude Wizard form provides the options for the user to create the required extruded relief form.

• Select the Drive Curve vector with the left mouse button.

• On the Extrude Wizard press Select.

The Drive Curve vector is highlighted.

The Green Square indicates the Start of the Curve, where the Start Profile will be located.

The small lines running off the curve indicate which side of the vector the sectional profiles will be extruded along.

• Leave all options on the Drive Curve area of the form unticked.

• Select the rectangular vector with the left mouse button.

• in the Start Profile area of the form press Select.

The Start Profile vector is highlighted.

The Green Square indicates the Start of the section.

The small lines running off the curve indicate whether the relief would be positive (ticks inside) or negative (ticks outside). For this example a positive relief is required.

• Tick move anchor point to other end and Invert Curve in Z. The vector is updated immediately with the start point on the left hand side and the ticks facing inwards.

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ArtCAM Pro

7. Extrude, Spin, Turn, Two Rail

This page is for selecting an End Profile of a different shape to the Start Profile (if required).

By default the End Profile is the same as the Start Profile. If an End Profile is required, the Use separate end profile box must be ticked to provide access to the required selection options.

This area of the form enables the user to include a Z modulation Vector. This controls the relief height along the Drive Curve.

This page is for selecting the method to be used to combine the form with the existing relief.

• With Add selected, click the Extrude button. Close the Wizard. • Switch on the greyscale view from the top of the 2D View.

The relief has been generated inside the arc as selected.

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7. Extrude, Spin, Turn, Two Rail

ArtCAM Pro

• Press the F3 key to select the 3D View.

The relief is generated.

This relief will be reset and a new end profile vector generated.

• • • •

From the Assistant Relief Tools area, select Reset Relief.

Press F2.

Create a circle of radius 2 at X 0 Y0.

Select N (Node editing mode) and remove the lower spans.

This smaller semi circle will be the end profile vector.

• From the Assistant, Relief Tools area Select Extrude.

• Select the Drive Curve vector with the left mouse button.

• On the Extrude form – Drive Curve area press Select The vector is highlighted as before

• Select the Use as Centreline option.

The small lines are now displayed both sides, which will result in the relief being generated central to the Drive Curve.

• Select the rectangle vector with the left mouse button.

• On the Start Profile area click Select.

The vector is highlighted as before.

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7. Extrude, Spin, Turn, Two Rail

ArtCAM Pro

• Tick – Use separate end profile.

• Select the small semi-circle vector with the left mouse button.

• On the End Profile press Select.

The start point is on the bottom left and the small lines are inside (The same as the rectangular vector). This means that the extrude will flow between each profile without twisting or turning upside down half way through.

• In the Combine (relief) area, select Add, click the Calculate button and Close the Form.

The relief has been generated centrally across the drive curve vector.

• Press the F3 key to select the 3D View.

.

This relief will be reset and a new Z modulation vector generated to include in the next example.

• From the relief toolbar, select Reset Relief.

• Press F2.

The Z modulation vector will override any heights associated with the start or end profile vectors. This vector proportionally changes the relief height along the whole length of the drive curve.

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7.5

7. Extrude, Spin, Turn, Two Rail

ArtCAM Pro

• From the 2D Bitmap menu, select Snap Grid Settings and enter a grid size of 1mm with the Draw Snap Grid and Snap To Grid both selected.

• Use polyline to create a modulation vector by snapping to the grid points.

This vector will be used as the modulation vector.

• Click the Extrude button on the Relief Toolbar.

The Extrude form appears.

• Select the Drive Curve vector with the left mouse button.

• In the Drive Curve area click Select.

• Select the option Use as centreline.

• Select the rectangle vector with the left mouse button.

• In the Start Profile area click Select.

• Tick – Use separate end profile.

• Select the small semi-circle vector with the left mouse button.

• Tick - Use Z modulation profile.

• Select the new polyline, vector with the left mouse button.

• In the Z Modulation area press Select.

The modulation vector is selected. The start point is on the left hand side and the ticks are inside, indicating a positive relief.

• In the Combine (relief) area, select Add, click the Calculate button and Close the Form.

The relief has been generated either side of the drive curve vector and looks similar to the previous relief.

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7. Extrude, Spin, Turn, Two Rail

ArtCAM Pro

• Press the F3 key to select the 3D View.

The relief is generated and the effect of the Z modulation vector can clearly be seen.

This relief will be reset and the Z modulation vector will be used a start profile. All other vectors will be deleted and a new drive curve vector generated.

• From the relief toolbar, select Reset Relief.

• Press F2.

• From the 2D view menu, select Snap Grid Settings and untick Draw to Grid and Snap to grid.

• Delete all vectors apart from the z modulation vector.

• Create a polygon of 5 sides of radius 4.5 at X 0 Y -1.

The pentagon will be used as the drive curve with the relief being generated on the outside. The option create square corners on the drive curve keeps the relief sharp, otherwise it would round off the corners

• Click the Extrude button on the Relief Toolbar.

The Extrude Form opens.

• Select the Drive Curve pentagon vector with the left mouse button.

• On the Drive Curve form press Select.

• Tick the option, Create square corners.

Make sure the small lines are displayed on the outside of the vector.

• Select the other snapped vector with the left mouse button.

• On the Start Profile area press Select.

Make sure the small lines are displayed on the outside of the vector.

• With Add selected, click the Calculate button and Close the Form.

The relief has been generated outside of the drive curve vector.

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7. Extrude, Spin, Turn, Two Rail

ArtCAM Pro

• Press the F3 key to select the 3D View.

The relief is generated with the inside the pentagon shape.

• From the File menu, select Save and save the model as:D:\users\training\COURSEWORK\ArtCAM-Jobs\training-extrude.

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ArtCAM Pro

7. Extrude, Spin, Turn, Two Rail

Spin Relief A Spin relief is produced, by spinning a single. Cross sectional vector around it’s own start point.

Spin Example

• Create a New Model with size of 25mm by 25mm of resolution 1078 x 1078 with the origin in the centre.

• From the 2D view menu, select Snap Grid Settings and enter a grid size of 1mm with the Snap to grid selected.

• Use polyline to create a vector by snapping to the grid points.

The polyline will be spun around it’s own start point (shown as a green square) to generate a relief. The polyline or start profile determines the actual size of the model and has to be a single joined vector.

• From the Assistant, Relief Tools area, select Spin.

• Select the snapped vector with the left mouse button.

• On the Extrude Wizard press Select.

The vector is selected. The start point (green square is on the left hand side and the small lines are pointing inside, indicating a positive relief.

• With Add selected, click the Calculate button and Close the Form.

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7. Extrude, Spin, Turn, Two Rail

ArtCAM Pro

• Switch on the greyscale view from the top of the 2D View window.

It will be observed that the relief has been formed by the section vector being spun around it’s own start point.

• Press F3.

The 3D View shows the full relief. The next relief will be spun around a partial angle.

• • • •

From the Assistant, Relief Tools select Reset Relief.

Press F2.

Delete the old polyline.

Use polyline to create a vector by snapping to the grid points.

This vector has a large flat area on the left. When this is spun, this will appear as a hole in the middle.

• From the Assistant, Relief Tools area, select Spin.

• The Spin Form appears again.

• Select the snapped vector with the left mouse button.

• On the Start Profile area click Select.

The vector is selected. The start point (green square) is on the left hand side and the ticks are inside, indicating a positive relief.

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7. Extrude, Spin, Turn, Two Rail

ArtCAM Pro

• • • •

Untick the box Sweep through 360 degrees.

Enter a Start Angle of 60, an End Angle of 120 and set Clockwise.

Click the Calculate button to generate the relief.

Close the form.

From the greyscale view you can see that there is no relief produced where the line is on the zero height for the section..

• Press F3.

The relief is created using the start and finish angles to limit the extent of the form.

• From the File menu, select Save and save the model as:D:\users\training\COURSEWORK\ArtCAM-Jobs\ training-spin.

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7. Extrude, Spin, Turn, Two Rail

ArtCAM Pro

Turn Relief The Turn command takes a vector and rotates it over itself to generate a relief. The axis of rotation is defined along the line between the start and end points of the vector.

Turn Example To generate a turn relief a vector needs to be generated first.

• Create a New Model with size of 25mm by 25mm of resolution 1078 x 1078 with the origin in the centre.

• From the 2D view menu, select Snap Grid Settings and with Snap Grid Settings and Snap To Grid selected enter Grid Spacing of 1mm.

• Use Create Polyline to create a vector by snapping to the grid points.

This single vector will be turned about the Y axis.

The centre for the model to be turned around shown as a thick centre-line) is automatically taken as a straight line between the start and end node of the vector.

• From the Assistant, Relief Tools select the Relief Toolbar.

The form provides an option for vector selection, scale factor for the Z Height and Combine relief creation method.

• Select the snapped vector with the left mouse button.

• On the Turn form press Select.

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ArtCAM Pro

7. Extrude, Spin, Turn, Two Rail

With the vector select the small lines appear. There are no options to change the ticks, so whether or not they are on the inside or outside does not matter.

If Add is used you will get a positive relief and with subtract a negative relief.

• With Add selected, click on Turn and then Close.

• Switch on the greyscale view from the top of the 2D window.

The relief is turned out of the page.

• Press F3.

The relief has been turned with the heights to match the full width of the section (selected vector) in Z. To produce a flatter shape, the scaling factor can be reduced to any value less than 1.

• From the Assistant - relief toolbar, select Reset Relief.

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7. Extrude, Spin, Turn, Two Rail

ArtCAM Pro

• Press F2.

• Select the Turn button on the Relief Toolbar.

The select profile page appears on the Wizard.

• Select the snapped vector with the left mouse button.

• On the Turn form press Select.

• On the Turn form enter the scaling factor as 0.5.

• Press Next >.

The combine relief page appears.

• With Add selected, click on Turn and then Close.

The relief is turned out of the page and looks exactly the same in the X and Y.

• Press F3.

The relief is flatter in Z giving an oval appearance.

• From the File menu, select Save and save the model as:D:\users\training\COURSEWORK\ArtCAM-Jobs\training-turn

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7. Extrude, Spin, Turn, Two Rail

ArtCAM Pro

Two Rail Sweep The Two Rail Sweep provides the user with a powerful relief creation tool with a variety of controlling options. The basic principle is to one or more scale sectional vector forms between two drive curve vectors.

• Open the model 2Rail-Xtra.art from Examples2.

• Select and maximise the 2D view.

• Select the Outer Drive Rail vector and Shift Select the Inner Drive Rail vector followed by the Cross Section vector.

• In the top toolbar Select the Relief tab followed by the Two Rail Sweep icon to open the form shown on the following page.

Outer Drive Rail

Inner Drive Rail

Cross Section

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7. Extrude, Spin, Turn, Two Rail

ArtCAM Pro

• Fill in the form exactly as shown with Sweep between spans and Scale Height with Width both ticked.

• Select Add and Calculate to create the Relief (Do not Close the form).

• On the keyboard press F3 to change to the 3D view.

• Select a View Along Y to observe the scaling of the height along the relief relative to the width between the Drive Rails.

• In the top toolbar select Reset Relief.

• In the above form untick the box, Scale Height with Width and select Calculate to create the Relief.

• Select a View Along Y to observe the constant height of the Cross Section vector applied along the full length of the Relief.

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7. Extrude, Spin, Turn, Two Rail

ArtCAM Pro

• Close the Two Rail Sweep form.

• From the Assistant, Relief Tools select Reset Relief.

• Return to the 2D view (keyboard F2) and in the Assistant - Vector Editing area select Poly Line .

• In the Poly Line form Add the four X Y positions -25 0 -25 5 in turn to create the following vector.

0 10 0 0

It is essential that the Z Control vector end points lie exactly on the same Y position.

This is achieved here with 2 lines, one at each end, linking the angled part of the vector to a common Y value.

Note; the Z Control vector operates from left to right irrespective of it’s actual direction.

• In the Assistant, Relief Tools area, select the Two Rail Sweep icon.

• In the Two Rail Sweep form register the same Outer, Inner, and Cross Section vectors exactly as before.

• Select the above new vector and in Z Control Vector click the tab labelled Select with Vector Controls Exact Height Switched off (unticked).

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7. Extrude, Spin, Turn, Two Rail •

ArtCAM Pro

Tick both Sweep between spans and Scale Height with Width as shown above right, then set Add followed by Calculate the new Relief (Do not Close the form).

The Two Rail Sweep is calculated as a combination of the width between the Drive Rails and the linear drop along Z Control Vector. In this case at one end the Cross Section of original height 2.5 has been adjusted to a height of 3.541 based on the width across the Drive Rails. The Z Control Vector reduces the remaining values by a proportional linear value in addition to the adjustment caused by the varying width between the Drive Rails up to the other end (adjusted height 1.832).

• Select an Isometric view and move the cursor over the model, dwelling over the positions (shown arrowed above). The coordinate information displayed at the bottom right of the graphics area will update accordingly providing the user with the X Y and more importantly the Z height of the model at the cursor position.

• From the Assistant, Relief Tools select Reset Relief.

• In the Two Rail Sweep form keep all settings the same apart from switching off Scale Height with Width (no tick visible).

• With Add still set Calculate the new Relief (Do not Close the form).

This time Two Rail Sweep is calculated purely based on the linear drop along Z Control Vector, the width between the Drive Rails having no influence on the height whatsoever.

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7. Extrude, Spin, Turn, Two Rail

• Select an Isometric view and again move the cursor over the model, dwelling over the positions at the top - centre of the ends noting the maximum Z heights displayed to the bottom right of the graphics area. This time the Z values should be in the region of 1.25 and 2.5.

• From the Assistant, Relief Tools select Reset Relief.

• In the Two Rail Sweep form keep all settings the same apart from switching on Vector Controls Exact Height (tick visible). Note that the options Scale Height with Width and Scale Final Height are now unavailable (greyed out).

• With Add still set Calculate the new Relief.

This time Two Rail Sweep is calculated based on the actual height along the Z Control Vector, not the height difference between the start and end as in the previous example.

Again the width between the Drive Rails has no influence on the height whatsoever.

• Select an Isometric view and again move the cursor over the model, dwelling over the positions at the top - centre of the ends noting the maximum Z heights displayed to the bottom right of the graphics area. This time the Z values should be in the region of 5 and 10 (exact heights of the ends of the Z Control Vector).

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7. Extrude, Spin, Turn, Two Rail

ArtCAM Pro

Positioning of Cross Sectional forms It is possible to define a different cross section as required at any chosen position along the drive curve. It is also possible to select the exact position to locate cross sectional vector forms on the individual drive rails.

• From the Assistant, Relief Tools select Reset Relief.

• Create a 2 radius fillet on the top left and a 5 radius fillet at the top right corner of the Polyline created earlier.

RAD 5 RAD 2 The linear vectors spanning between the drive curve vectors will be used as markers to position the cross sectional vectors.

• In the Assistant, Relief Tools area, select the Two Rail Sweep icon.

• In the Two Rail Sweep form select the same Outer and Inner drive rails as before.

• Ensure that only the new 3 sided, vector is selected and in the Two Rail wizard click on the Add Cross Section tab.

3 sided vector

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7. Extrude, Spin, Turn, Two Rail

This vector form is inserted as section number 1 as labelled on the drive rails.

• Ensure that only the new semi-circular, vector is selected and in the Two Rail wizard click on the Add Cross Section tab a total of 3 times.

This vector form is inserted as section numbers 2 3 & 4 as labelled on the drive rails. Note that the numbered positions of the cross sectional forms do not align to the span lines.

• Ensure that only the new 3 sided, vector is selected and in the Two Rail wizard click on the Add Cross Section tab.

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7. Extrude, Spin, Turn, Two Rail

ArtCAM Pro

This vector form is inserted as section number 5 as labelled at the end of the drive rails.

When 3 or more cross sectional vectors are input, the ends are positioned equidistant along the drive rail vectors. Once specified the end points of the cross sectional vectors can, if required, be repositioned on the drive rail vectors.

• Zoom into the area around sections 2 3 & 4 on the drive rails.

• Click on the word Position adjacent to Cross Section 2 in the table on the wizard (the word Position changes to 1st Rail in red text).

• Click on the end of the span crossing the two rails, first on the outer rail (the word Position changes to 2nd Rail in blue text) followed by the inner rail.

• Repeat the process to align Cross Sections 3 & 4 to the ends of the other remaining ‘marker’ spans.

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ArtCAM Pro

7. Extrude, Spin, Turn, Two Rail

The cross sectional forms are now exactly in alignment to the ‘marker’ spans.

• In the Combine section of the Two Rail Sweep form select the Add option and then click the Calculate tab to create the relief.

• From the File menu, Save the model as:D:\users\training\COURSEWORK\ArtCAM-Jobs\ TrainingTwoRailSweep.

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7. Extrude, Spin, Turn, Two Rail

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ArtCAM Pro

8. Weaves

ArtCAM Pro

8. Weaves Weave Relief A Weave relief is generated from a series of overlapping vectors and a section vector, using the Weave Wizard.

Example • Open a New Model and set the size of the relief to 25mm by 25mm.

• Create three vectors for the drive curves, and a small vector for the cross-section.

The overlapping vectors will be used as the centrelines for the drive curve.

The smaller vector will be the cross-section of the weave pattern, and must be an Open vector. The small vectors section is actual size.

• Shift select the drive curve vectors and the cross-section vector last

The vectors turn pink as they are selected and a box appears around the extents of the vectors to show that they are selected.

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8. Weaves

ArtCAM

• Select the Weave Wizard button ArtCAM creates the weave pattern at the places where the vectors crossover each other.

The direction of the vectors determines which vector goes under or over the others.

Length of Crossover determines the length of the weave that will be lowered or raised at the crossover point. This is usually Relative to cross-section. % Depth of Underpass and % Height of Overpass allow you to determine the percentage that the height of the weave cross-section is lowered or raised at the crossovers.

Te Corner Shape can be Round or Square, and the relief is combined in the same manner.

• Leave the options as they are, and click OK.

ArtCAM generates the weave pattern:

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8. Weaves

ArtCAM Pro

Example2 • Create the following vectors, including the small half ellipse cross section vector.

If the cross section is to big the weave will cross over itself.

• Select the Weave Wizard button • Select Relative to cross section as 1.5, set Square and click OK.

With square corners set the weave has sharp edges, rather than rounded.

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8. Weaves

ArtCAM

Weave Pattern Exercise • Create a new model of height 100 and width 100 with a resolution of 800 x 800 pixels and the origin in the centre of the model.

• Switch grids on, snapping to a distance of 2mm.

• Create a vertical guide line at 0.

• Create a horizontal guide line at 0.

• Create the vectors shown in the top right hand corner.

This weave is of an angular design and therefore the option square will be used when generating the weave.

Once generated, the weave will be copied using the merge mirror command.

• Select the rectangle vectors and then the small section last.

• Select the Weave Wizard button

• Fill in the values as shown and press OK.

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8. Weaves

ArtCAM Pro

The weave is produced and needs to be mirrored to the other sides.

• Select Relief Mirror Merge.

This command works around the centre of the model.

• Select Right over left.

• Select Top over bottom and then Close.

The finished relief is complete.

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8. Weaves

ArtCAM

Fruit Plate Exercise • Open the model fruits-on-plate.art.

These vectors will be turned into a plate relief, using swept profiles.

• Select the pineapple dome vector and generate an Added Dome Relief with an angle of +45, start height of 0.4 with No Limit.

• Use the diamond vectors and generate an Added Pyramid Relief with an angle of +25, start height of 0 with No Limit.

The generated relief goes over the edge of the pineapple. To remove the excess relief is to flatten the area outside of the vector by using Zero Rest.

• Double click the round pineapple vector and select Zero Rest.

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ArtCAM Pro

• Use the left middle leaf vector and generate an Added Dome Relief with an angle of +45, start height of 0.1 with No Limit.

• Use the right middle leaf vector and generate a Merge High Dome Relief with an angle of +45, start height of 0.2 with No Limit.

• Use the outer leaf vectors and generate a Merge High Dome Relief with an angle of +45, start height of 0.4 with Limit to Height at 1mm.

• Select the three vectors for the banana and generate an added two rail sweep relief.

• Generate an extruded relief using the line as a drive curve, the arch as the first section and the angle as the end section. Use Merge High.

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ArtCAM

• Select the pear shape vector and generate an Added Turn Relief.

• Select the stalk vector and generate a Merged High Turn Relief.

• Use the leaf vectors and section to generate a Merged High Two Rail Sweep Relief.

• From the polyline vector Add a Spin Relief.

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• Select the grouped chain design of vectors and then the nearby small vector.

• Add a weave relief with the following values and select OK.

• Select the text fruit and generated an Added Pyramid relief with No limit at a start height of 0 and an angle of +60 degrees.

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8. Weaves

8.10

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Issue ArtCAM-PRO 2008

9. 3D Clipart and Texturing

ArtCAM Pro

9. 3D Clipart and Texturing 3D Clipart The 3D Clipart form opens when the user imports an existing externally stored relief using the Paste Relief from A File option. The 3D Clipart form enables the relief to be scaled, repositioned, re-orientated, copied, etc. Before being combined into the current model.

Lady Example • Select File  Close any files you may be working on.

• From the Assistant, select the Open Existing Model icon.

• Open model D:\users\trainingArtCam Data\\Pend_frm.rlf.

(Note:- Check that the choice in Files of type filter includes .rlf extensions).

• Select the 2D View.

On loading the Relief, ArtCAM automatically generates both a bitmap (colour) and greyscale representation in the 2D view.

The model size and resolution is the same as the imported relief before it was originally exported from ArtCAM as a .rlf file.

• Click the Paste Relief From A File button on the Relief toolbar.

• Browse and select the file Lady.rlf from the D:\users\trainingArtCam Data directory and select the Open tab.

The 3D Clipart dialog box and a vector outline of the clipart appears in the 2D View.

A Preview of the relief is diplayed as a vector outline, and is currently too large. It will be transformed, sized and positioned, using the 3D clipart form before being pasted onto the existing model.

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• Select the Scale tab.

• Enter the new scale as 30%.

The relief could also be scaled manually by dragging the corner handles of the relief vector, with SHIFT held down to maintain the proportion.

Now the vector (and associated relief) can be moved to the centre of the pendant.

• • • •

Press Apply.

Move the cursor on the vector outline so that Move Cursor appears.

Press the Left mouse button and move the mouse to ‘drag’ the relief.

Release the button when the vector is suitably positioned.

Now that the Clipart is suitably positioned, the inherent Z Range value can be altered to provide independent control to the final Z height of the new relief.

The Clipart summary shows the vector relief height as nearly 2.6mm with the current relief at nearly 0.7mm.

• Click the Size page on the 3D Clipart dialog box.

• Input a value of 0.5 in the Z Range box to control the new relief height and click Apply.

• Click the Mode tab on the 3D Clipart dialog box.

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ArtCAM Pro

• Check that the Add mode is selected, click the Paste button, and then Close the form.

The new relief has been Added to the original pendant adding an additional height value of 0.5 to the model.

Texture Relief Texture is required between the head and the outer frame. To define this area, a vector can be created around the central mid-grey coloured area. There is already an exiting vector around the profile of the head, created during the last clipart operation. The Texturing will be created between the two vectors.

• In Model select Greyscale from relief to create a Bitmap from the greyscale view.

• In the Bitmap view, double click within the grey colour are to be textured and assign to Primary.

• Select Close on the Shape Editor.

• Select the Bitmap To Vector icon.

• Select OK. The grey colour also applies to other tiny areas and as a result several additional vectors are created, but these can just be ignored.

• Select the new outer vector and shift select the inner face vector.

• Select the Texture Relief button on the Relief Editing toolbar.

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9. 3D Clipart and Texturing

ArtCAM Pro

The Texture Relief dialog appears: This dialog box allows the selection of several preset texture shapes including Sphere, Ellipse, Cone, Pyramid and Weave.

Other options provide the user with Sizing and Scaling cababilities to adjust the texture exactly to the desired form.

The From File option enables a user defined relief to be imported for use as a texture.

If ticked Blend Edges allows the input of a fading distance from the vector into the relief area from zero to the full texture - Z Height.

• Select the Pyramid Shape, set the Size to 0.5, the Truncation to 50% the Z Height to 0.1, and select Blend Edges with a value of 5mm and Click Add.

• Do not Close the above form but reverse the texturing process by selecting Subtract and then select one of the other texture relief styles before clicking Add (in this case a Weave of Size 3, Z Height 0.5, and Bar Width % 50).

• Save the model in D:\users\training\Coursework\ArtCamPro-Jobs as lady head pendant.

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9. 3D Clipart and Texturing

ArtCAM Pro

Paste Relief Along Vector This button on the Relief Toolbar allows several copies of the 3D Clipart to be pasted along a selected vector.

Fork Example

• Open the model fork.art from D:\users\training\ArtCam Data\.

This model contains the vectors to generate the fork shape. It also contains some additional vectors along which a jewel relief will be pasted for the finer detail.

• Reset the relief.

• Select the fork vector and generate an added dome profile of angle 90 with a limit to height set at 1.5.

• Select the bottom vector of the decal.

This decal is added onto the main flat fork shape.

• • • •

Generate an added dome profile of angle 30.

Select the two side curled vectors.

Define a dome profile with a start height 1.5, angle 30 and Merge High.

Select the oval vector and define a dome profile with a start height 1.5, angle 30 and Merge High.

• Select the vector around the decal shown on the next page.

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9. 3D Clipart and Texturing

ArtCAM Pro

A relief will be pasted along the middle of the selected vector. The relief can be scaled and moved, before it is pasted.

• Select the Paste Relief Along Vector button on the Relief Toolbar • Select the relief Jewel.rlf from Examples2.

The vector outline appears in the 2D View and the Paste along a curve form appears in the Assistant along with the 3D Clipart dialog box in the graphics area. The 3D Clipart box is not used in this case as the Mode is already set to Add. It must however remain open until the Paste along a curve process is completed.

The Paste Along a Curve page appears in the Assistant: First select the vector that the clipart form is to be pasted along.

The Spacing setting in the Assistant page allows you to define the space between adjacent copies of the clipart.

100% means they will be next to each other, less than 100 means they will overlap, and greater than 100 means there will be a gap.

The Start size and Finish size define the sizes of the relief at the start and end of the curve. By making the sizes different, ArtCAM will scale the clipart automatically from one size to the other.

• In the Paste along a curve form, set

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ArtCAM Pro

spacing as 300%, Start and End Size as 10% and tick Adjust to fit exactly.

• Click the Paste box on the Paste along a curve form.

• Do not close either the Paste along a curve or the 3D Clipart forms.

The vectors indicate where the new reliefs have been added to the original relief.

• Select the vertical vector in the middle of the fork.

• Use the Jewel Relief and Paste along the vector and add a spacing of 200%, a start size of 10 % and an end size of 20%.

The fancy details have all been added. The curvature for the fork now needs to be added into the relief.

• Close the Paste along a curve and 3D Clipart forms.

• Generate an extruded relief, using the horizontal vector as centre-line.

• Use the vertical shaped vector as the start and end vector. Select Add.

This will Add the Z profile to the current fork shape relief.

Alternatively the fork shape could be Saved as a relief (.rlf file). The relief can be Reset and the extruded relief can be generated as the first stage of a new relief. The fork .rlf file can then be imported via the Load Relief option and subsequently Added or Subtracted from the shape.

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9. 3D Clipart and Texturing

ArtCAM Pro

• Select the 3D view to see the finished relief.

Motif Example • Use the File menu to Close any projects that you are working on.

• Open a New Model and, set the Height to 25mm and the Width to 50mm.

• Paste relief from file Data\.

Leaves.rlf from D:\users\training\ArtCam

• Select the Rotate page on the 3D Clipart dialog.

• Set the Rotate by angle field to -40 and Click Apply • Click on Mode and select Add and then Paste.

The vector rotates to reflect the change in Angle.

When the Paste box is selected, the new relief is combined with the current model and the form remains open by default in anticipation of further pasting operation.

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ArtCAM Pro

• Click on the Rotate page and select the Horizontal button.

• Switch to the Move page setting the Move X origin by field to 25 and click Apply followed by Paste.

• Click Paste and then Close.

• In the 2D View delete both vector shapes.

• Switch Preview Relief Layer.

• Select, Load Relief and import Flower.rlf from the Examples/Clipart directory.

• Select the Scale page on the 3D Clipart dialog.

• Set New scale % field to 60%. Click Apply.

• In the 2D View, select and drag the vector outline of the flower between the leaves.

• On the Mode page, select a Start Height of 0.5 and the Mode as Merge Highest.

• Click Paste and then Close.

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ArtCAM Pro

• Smooth the Relief with 1 smoothing pass.

• Close the model.

Exercise

• Load the relief Plate.rlf from D:\users\training\ArtCam Data\..

• Paste the relief Motif.rlf from D:\users\training\ArtCam Data\. three times onto the plate to generate the following effect.

Note: On the ARTCAM CD there is a large folder called 3dclip,which contains a variety of reliefs broken into separate categories. The whole folder can be copied onto your computer or the reliefs can be copied from the CD as and when required.

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9. 3D Clipart and Texturing

ArtCAM Pro

Relief Wrapping When a relief is added onto a surface it is normally projected down the Z-axis. A relief can also be wrapped onto a surface within the 3D clipart or vectors can be wrapped onto the surface. The process of wrapping will ‘bend’ the relief to wrap around the model without changing its overall size.

In the above diagram the vector A is wrapped onto the relief B. On the left hand side, the vector is not wrapped but is simply projected down Z and therefore the finished vector C is distorted as it goes over the curve.

On the Right hand side the vector is wrapped to produce vector D, which retains the same dimensions along the 3D surface as the original 2D vector.

In ArtCAM in addition to projecting down Z it is possible to wrap radially, such as around a sphere, or cylindrically, like a tube in the X or Y direction.

Wrapping example • Create a New Model of size X 100 - Y 100 with the origin in the centre and a resolution of 860 x 860.

• Create a circle of diameter 80 with the centre at X0 Y0.

• Remove the left half of the circle.

• Create a turn relief with a scale factor of 1.

This hemisphere relief will have another relief pasted onto it, by initially using the default, Wrap - Project option and then the Wrap - Radial option.

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9. 3D Clipart and Texturing

ArtCAM Pro

• Use Paste Relief From A File to import the file dolphin.rlf from D:\users\training\ArtCam Data\.

• Select a scale of 125% and press Apply and then Paste. (do not close) • Select the 3D view.

The default option, project down Z when applied to a very rounded shape, such as this sphere has caused the resulting relief to be elongated as it is projected onto a steep area. It is especially noticeable on the tail area.

• Select Undo.

• On the 3D Clipart form, select the Wrap tab.

There are four types of wrapping, Project (default), Radially (for sphere shapes), Wrap X and Wrap Y. The wrap origin can also be set.

• Select Radial and then Paste and Close.

The dolphin is scaled in such a way as to make it look as though it has been wrapped around the spherical surface, as opposed to simply being projected down Z.

• Close the ArtCAM model without saving.

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10. Relief Layers

ArtCAM Pro

10. Relief Layers Introduction.

An individual Relief operation can be assigned to a Relief Layer. This provides the ability to create a model in which the user can switch the relief components to exhibit different design variants.

Relief layers are controlled by the relief toolbar.

This can be switched on or off by pressing F7 on the keyboard.

Lid Example • Create a new model 100 x 100 with resolution 796 x 796 and origin in the centre of the model.

• Create a vector square of size 65 at the origin with a corner radius of 10.

• Press F12 and select a dome shape with an Angle of 90 degrees, Start Height of 5, limit to height with a Height of 3, Press Add, and then Close.

The new Relief is automatically assigned to the default Relief Layer. A Relief Layer can be switched off as required by clicking the light bulb icon. Any relief operations assigned to a Relief Layer that is switched off will be temporarily removed from the model.

• Create a new relief layer by selecting New. • Make the relief layer current by highlighting the layer.

• Switch off the default Relief Layer.

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10. Relief Layers

ArtCAM Pro

If a new relief is created it will automatically be generated on the selected, Relief Layer 1.

• Generate a star vector with 5 points, at the origin, first radius of 20 and second radius of 8.

• Press F12 and select a pyramid shape with an Angle of 25 degrees, start height of 0 with no limit. Press Add and then Close.

The second relief can be combined with the first relief by clicking the combine options in the relief layer toolbar they are add, subtract, merge high, merge low and multiply.

• Switch on and make current relief layer.

• Select the combine options in relief layer 1.

Each time the combine icon is pressed, the icon changes as a different option is selected and the relief is automatically updated.

This is a result of adding the relief on layer 1 to the default relief layer..

• Create a new relief layer.

• Make the relief layer 2 current.

• Switch off Relief Layer and Relief Layer 1.

A new relief of a textured area is made can be made.

• Create a vector square of size 55 at the origin with a corner radius of 5 with invert corners selected.

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ArtCAM Pro

• Select Texture, selected vector, ellipse, size 1, horizontal 100%, Z height 0.5, spacing X and Y as 100% and overlap O% as 50%, Select Blend Edges as 5mm.

• Select Add and then Close.

This textured relief can also be combined with the other relief layers.

• Switch on and make current relief layer.

• Select the combine options in relief layer 2.

In this case, the textured relief has been subtracted from the current relief.

A saved relief can be pasted into the current relief layer.

• Create a new relief layer.

• Make the new relief layer 3 current.

• Switch off Relief Layer, layer 1 and Layer 2.

• Select Paste Relief from file D:\users\training\ArtCam Data\.

• Select Paste and then Close.

and select dolphin.rlf from

This relief can also be combined with the other relief layers.

• Switch on and relief layer and Layer 2.

• Select the combine options in relief layer 2 and relief layer 3.

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10. Relief Layers

ArtCAM Pro

This is a result of subtracting layer 2 and adding layer 3 to the current Layer.

• Save the model as:D:\user\training\COURSEWORK\ArtCAMPro-Jobs\relief-layers As well as being a front relief, there is also a back relief option. This is used when making a complete stl model, or just for viewing purposes.

• Switch on only layer 3 and select Make Duplicate.

An exact copy of the selected layer is put on a new relief layer called Relief Layer 4 Copy.

This can be switched to the back relief by using the command switch slides.

• Select Transfer opposite sides

• Switch on the Back Relief.

• Select Relief Layer 3 Copy and make it current.

• Select Invert Relief Z only.

The relief is inverted. The back relief can be used to make a 3D model.

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ArtCAM Pro

• Select create triangle mesh.

• Select the option Close with Back Relief.

• Select Create Triangles.

By rotating the triangle mesh, the dolphin is displayed.

The volume and weight is also given. This triangle mesh cane be saved outside of ArtCAM using Save triangles.

When the command is closed the triangle mesh will disappear.

• • • • • • • • • •

Select Close.

Delete Relief Layer 3 Copy and switch to the Front Relief.

Switch on Relief Layer and Relief Layer 3.

From the Top Relief Pull down menu, select Save Composite.

Save the model as:D:\users\training\COURSEWORK\ArtCAMPro-Jobs\lid-dolphin Switch to the Back Relief.

Make the Back Relief Layer current.

Load in the Saved relief lid-dolphin and press Paste.

Invert the Relief.

Create a new triangle mesh.

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ArtCAM Pro

A box shaped mesh is produced.

• Select Save and then Close.

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11. Relief Editing

ArtCAM Pro

11. Relief Editing Overview There are several ArtCAM options available to directly edit a Relief model.

Lizard Relief Example • Open the model Lizard.art from D:\users\training\ArtCam Data\.

• Save the model as:D:\user\training\COURSEWORK\ArtCAMPro-Jobs\training-lizard The overall height of this lizard can be reduced by using the Scale Relief Height function. The option, Preserve Detail if selected will take longer to process but will retain features which otherwise may be erased with a general scaling.

• In the Assistant - Project Information note the currently displayed Relief - Max. (Z 38.372).

• Select Scale Relief.

The Scale Relief Height button enables height adjustment over the entire relief, the selected vector, or the selected colour.

The current height of the model is displayed in New Height is then amended to the desired height.

If ticked, Preserve Detail along with suitable values will identify small features on the relief and scale them locally before merging them with the detail on the top.

This is necessary to prevent fine detail being lost during the overall scaling process.

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11. Relief Editing

ArtCAM Pro

• Enter a New Height of 35, leave Preserve detail unchecked and select OK.

The lizard relief now has a maximum height of 35. The relief can be inverted negatively, for generating a mould. Generally, the relief is saved before inverting.

• Save the relief as lizard-top.rlf in C:/Temp.

• Select invert relief Z only.

The lizard relief is inverted, producing a negative image. The relief can be inverted, again returning it to its original state.

• Select invert relief Z only and then select invert relief male/female.

The lizard is inverted and also mirrored.

The relief can be inverted, again returning it to its original state

• Select invert relief male/female.

• Select offset Relief.

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ArtCAM Pro

The Offset Relief button allows you to offset the relief by a certain distance either Inwards or Outwards.

• Select OK on an Offset Distance of 1. (Relief is now 36mm high).

A Draft Angle can be added to the relief. This command is found on the pull down Relief menu.

• From the Relief pull down menu select Add Draft.

The Add Draft Angle form appears and a suitable draft angle value is entered.

• Enter a Draft angle of 45 and press Apply and then Finish.

A large draft angle has been chosen thereby exaggerating the effect of adding draft onto the relief.

• Close the model.

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11. Relief Editing

ArtCAM Pro

Sculpting Interactive Sculpting is used on 3D reliefs to locally add, remove, or smooth the model by dynamically using the mouse in the 3D View.

• Select the Sculpting button.

A temporary relief is produced which will change while sculpting. The 3D View is maximised and the Interactive Sculpting page in the Assistant appears.

Smooth – allows selective smoothing of the relief as opposed to the generalised effect of the Smooth Relief button on the Relief Editing Toolbar.

Smudge – takes a copy of the relief under the brush, and allows it to be dragged to another position.

Deposit – add material to the relief.

Carve – removes material from the relief.

Eraser – selective undo for any part of the relief during an active session of Interactive Sculpting.

Each action has options for brush size, strength, etc, and different options will be available depending on the action chosen.

At any time the changes can be made permanent by selecting Apply to update the original relief.

The Revert button cancels the current sculpting operations back to when Apply was last selected. It is the same as Cancel except the form remains open.

The Cancel button has the same effect as Revert but automatically exits the form ignoring all changes since the last time Apply was selected.

The Finish button exits Interactive Sculpting mode and applies all changes.

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ArtCAM Pro

Sculpting Teddy Example • Click the Load Relief button on the Relief toolbar.

• Open the file Sculpt_Teddy.art from D:\users\training\ArtCam Data\ At present the relief contains quite sharp edges and creases - particularly where the arms join the body.

Instead of smoothing the whole relief to get rid of these, it is far better to use Interactive Sculpting to locally smooth those particular areas.

• Change to a view down the Z-axis.

• Click the Sculpting button on the Relief Editing toolbar.

The Interactive Sculpting page appears in the Assistant and a temporary relief replaces the 3D relief.

• Ensure that the Smooth option is selected.

When the Smooth option is selected the Combine Mode part of the page appears.

Normal – Simply blends the area under the brush.

Raise Only – Pulls up the lowest points to eventually meet the highest points.

Lower Only – Smooths by only lowering points on the model.

• Choose the Raise Only option.

The Colour Usage part of the toolbar allows the user to choose whether the sculpting affects the whole relief, or just the area under the Primary colour, or just the area not under the Primary colour.

• This can be left set to Ignore for this example.

The Brush Definition part of the Assistant page allows size and strength of the brush to be defined.

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ArtCAM Pro

Diameter – measured in pixels.

Strength – a percentage of the brush diameter being applied in Z. Smoothness – the effect at the edges of the brush.

To make major changes to the relief set the Strength to 100, and the Smoothness to 100.

• Set the Diameter to 15, Strength to 50 and Smoothness to 100.

• Move the cursor repeatedly over the join between the right arm and the body.

The cursor has a red circle attached to it that shows the size of the brush and the area of the relief that is being affected.

It will be observed that material is being deposited in the join. Material is only added to the lowest areas.

The difference between the left arm and the right arm should be clearly visible as below:

• Repeat the procedure for the joins between the body and the left arm, and the body and the head.

• Click the Finish button.

The changes made to the temporary relief are now applied to the original relief, and the Interactive Sculpting page closes.

Exercise

• Edit the teddy bear’s features using the Smooth - Lower only option to remove his eyes, and then the Deposit option to add newly positioned eyes.

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Face Wizard The Face Wizard simplifies the side profile of a face picture file to be used for generating a 3D relief. Ideally, the picture should have a clear background and generally be of good quality. The Face Wizard will guides the user through this process, finishing up in sculpting mode to allow fine changes to be made.

Face Wizard Hints The face wizard automatically produces a face, but manual sculpting smoothing and smudging can be used to produce a more defined image. Once the relief is produced you can use sculpting many times to generate the desired image.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Photo must be well lit to show up the detail.

Resolution needs to be at least 4MB pixels When picking Nape of neck, pick under the hair if the hair is long.

Ears – generate an angled plane and merge high. Smooth over the join.

Glasses – sketch in vector, use angled plane and get the height merged just below the overall height.

Example • Close down the model.

• From Add-Ins select Face Wizard.

Step one of the Face Wizard appears in the Add Ins area.

• Select Open Photo.

• D:\users\training\ArtCam Data\, select woman.jpg.

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ArtCAM Pro

Step 2 of the Face Wizard appears in the Assistant and the picture is loaded into ArtCAM, automatically creating a model.

All of the tabs are now available as a model is opened.

As shown in the assistant a polyline needs to be created to select the area where the relief is to be generated. A saved polyline can be imported, if required. Note: When creating the polyline, make sure you pick just inside the face because any part of the background can produce a spike at the edge of the relief.

• Select create Polyline.

• Click around the head, as shown.

At the creation stage, it does not matter if you make a mistake when clicking as the polyline can be changed after creation by using node editing.

• • • •

Select Close.

Select the polyline and press N (node editing).

Make any final adjustments to your polyline.

Select Next.

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11. Relief Editing

ArtCAM Pro

Step Three of the Face Wizard appears and indicates where to pick the two locating points for this command. This tells ArtCAM which way the relief if facing (to the left or right) and also where the features are.

• Select the two points as indicated by the Wizard and select Next.

Step Four allows you to set the actual relief and model size, which may be different to the initial picture. In this case the picture has come in at around 500mm square.

• Under Head Dimensions, leave the width and height values.

• Under Model Dimensions, change the Width and Height to be 120.

• Select Next.

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11. Relief Editing

ArtCAM Pro

The model is automatically generated and ArtCAM automatically opens up the sculpted option with the 2D picture shown on top for clarity.

There are no fixed methods for smoothing this relief, however it is usually advisable to treat the hair and face with different sculpting tools as the face generally needs to be smoother than the hair.

• Select smooth and the diameter to 70.

• Select Mode as raise only.

• Smooth over the face area.

When sculpting the control button can be used with the left mouse button to rotate the relief around. This allows you to see the relief from different angles to check the smoothing.

Smudging is another good tool, which can be used for defining areas such as the cheek bones.

• Select Smudge with a diameter of 100 and smudge the cheek area.

• Select smooth, diameter 50, strength 25% and smooth the hair.

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ArtCAM Pro

The sculpting needs to be saved by pressing Apply and then finish. If you want to start again, just select Revert.

• Press Apply and then Finish.

The relief is finished and the Wizard closed. The finished ArtCAM relief can be saved.

• Save the Relief in D:\users\training\Coursework\ArtCamPro-Jobs as sidelady.rlf.

Exercise.

• Generate a relief of the picture man.jpg.

Relief Distortion Relief Envelope Distortion can be used with another relief (in this case a textured square) to create dramatic effects.

Fish Example

• Open the model fish-scales.art from D:\users\training\ArtCam Data\.

The relief includes a fish shape created by the Two Rail Sweep command, and a textured plane. We can add the textured plane to the fish shape, using the Relief Envelope Distortion function.

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11. Relief Editing

ArtCAM Pro

• Select the rectangular vector.

• From the Assistant - Relief Editing select Relief Envelope Distortion.

The Relief Envelope Distortion page appears. Also the selected vector is displayed within a gridded box (called the envelope) with nodes at the corners.

• Select Keep original relief.

• Tick the option Use Existing Curves.

The selected area can be mapped along a single curve or mapped between two (like a two rail sweep.

Note: If two curves are chosen there must be a gap at the end of each curve to leave space for the distortion.

• Select Wrap between 2 Curves.

• Press Select Top Curve and select the top vector of the fish.

• Press Select Bottom Curve and select the bottom vector of the fish.

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ArtCAM Pro

The two curves are selected.

• Select Number of copies as One - Stretch To Fit and Apply.

• Select Add, followed by Paste, and Finish.

The relief is wrapped on to the fish shape being compressed between narrow sections and expanded between the large areas, giving it a visually exaggerated 3D effect.

Copy Relief with Relief Envelope Distortion There is a new option on the Edit pull down menu called Copy Relief. This option allows a selected area of a relief to be copied and pasted into a new model via Relief Envelope Distortion, where repositioning, scaling, and controlled distortion can be applied before committing it as part of the relief.

For this exercise, two sessions of ArtCAM will be used.

• Open the model grapes.art from D:\users\training\ArtCam Data\.

• Switch on the 2D Greyscale view.

A relief of a branch, two bunches of grapes and a leaf is seen. There is also a group of vectors around each particular part of the relief.

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ArtCAM Pro

• Select the large rectangular vector.

• From the Edit Pull down menu, select Copy Relief.

A new session of ArtCAM needs to be opened, so we can easily switch between the two.

• Open a new session of ArtCAM. • Create a new model 120 in X, 120 in Y with the origin in the centre and a resolution of 860 x 860.

• Create an ellipse of height 90, width 60 with the centre at X0 Y0 and Close the form.

• Select Edit  Paste.

ArtCAM pastes in the relief as a template for the Relief Envelope Distortion and opens up the page in the Assistant.

• • • • •

In the Relief Envelope Distortion form select Use Existing Curves.

Select Wrap along single curve - Right, with a Width value of 8.

Select the ellipse, vector and in the form press Select Curve.

Select Many - Specify number of copies entering the value 10.

Press Apply.

The grey lines appear around the vector to indicate the area where the relief is to be implanted.

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• Select Add and then Paste and Finish.

The grapes have been wrapped around and match perfectly around the closed vector.

Exercise. • Use Copy Relief to position and Combine 2 bunches of grapes using Add and Highest respectively as shown right.

Note: In the Relief Envelope Distortion use And dynamically position and orientate the vector before selecting Paste.

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Issue ArtCAM-PRO 2008

12. Toolpath Options

ArtCAM Pro

12. The Toolpath Options Intoduction.

ArtCAM can produce a variety of machining strategies on the relief. The machining set up and strategy commands are accessed from the Toolpaths tab located below the Assistant area. The toolpaths that are generated are stored within the ArtCAM model and can easily be edited. To drive a specific machine tool one or more toolpaths are output as a post-processed file translated to the format of the relevant controller.

Relief Machining Process • Define Material Setup relative to the relief.

• Generate the required toolpaths.

• Simulate the toolpaths to visualise the strategies used.

• Save the ArtCAM model to include the toolpaths.

• Output the post-processed toolpaths in the required Machine Tool format.

• Select the toolpaths tab.

The Toolpaths page is segregated into four main categories Toolpath Operations, 2D Toolpaths, 3D Toolpaths, and Toolpath Simulation.

When a toolpath is created it will be displayed in the upper area and the toolpath name listed at the top of the Toolpaths page.

The toolpath names can be selected for Toolpath Simulation, toolpath operations or to re-open and edit the strategy.

The 2D toolpaths section contains commands to generate 2D toolpaths directly from vectors.

The 3D toolpath section contains commands to generate the toolpaths over the 3D relief.

The Toolpath Simulation section provides controls for viewing toolpath animation and material removal.

Note: It may be required to modify the origin of the model to a position more appropriate as a machining origin. This is achieved by inputting suitable X Y Z values in the; Assistant - Model - Set Model Position form.

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12. Toolpath Options

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Issue ArtCAM-PRO 2008

13. Z Level Rough Machining

ArtCAM Pro

13. Z level Rough Machining Z Level Roughing (Raster) Example The following example takes the user through the creation of a toolpath using Z Level (Raster) Roughing on the ArtCAM Relief (teddy bear).

• Select Open Existing Model.

• From D:\users\training\ArtCam Data, select the model machine-ted.

• Select File - Save As:D:\users\training\COURSEWORK\ArtCAMPro-Jobs\train-machine-ted The following Relief appears in the 3D View window: Before any toolpaths can be created the Material Setup must be defined. The user decides on a suitable Z position for the relief within the material.

The X Y dimensions of the material are the same as the model.

• Press F3.

• Select the Toolpaths tab.

• From toolpaths operation section, select Material Setup.

The Material Setup dialog box appears: The thickness of the material to be machined is entered here. The current relief height is also displayed (5.115). As the material thickness is greater than the relief thickness, a value for top or bottom offset can be entered.

This allows the user to position the relief within the material as required.

The Material Z Zero (machining datum) is also set either at the top or bottom of the block.

• • • •

Enter a Material Thickness of 6mm.

Set a Top Offset of 0.25mm.

Ensure that the Material Z Zero is set to the top.

Click OK.

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13. Z Level Rough Machining

ArtCAM Pro

The material. is displayed around the relief in the 3D View.

The machining origin is displayed by switching on the Origin icon the top of the 3D window.

•

located at

From the 3D Toolpaths section, select Z Level Roughing.

The Z Level Roughing page appears.

As with all the Assistant pages the Show Help button can be clicked to show or remove the help from the page.

Z Level Roughing will remove the excess material from around the relief up to the specified Material Allowance and Tolerance values. For efficiency a relatively large tool is generally used for this operation. Z Level Roughing splits the Material into Z Slices and performs the selected area clearance strategy (Raster or Offset) on each one.

• In the Area to Machine, select Composite Relief.

• Click the Roughing Tool Select… tab to access the standard Tool Database.

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13. Z Level Rough Machining

ArtCAM Pro

The default Tool Database contains a large selection of tools and associated parameters for a variety of materials. The selection can be modified, deleted, or added to by the user as required.

The Tool Database can also be accessed independently by selecting the icon in the Toolpath Operations.

To select a tool group, select the + in front of the name.

• Browse Metric tools, Steel, Roughing and 2D Finishing and then select End Mill 6mm.

When a tool is selected (highlighted) in the left hand window, the tool data and description is displayed on the right-hand side of the form.

Individual tools can be modified as required by clicking the Edit tab on the right hand side of the form.

• Press Select.

• Select the down arrow

on the End Mill 6mm bar.

The tool values are shown. Changing values in this form do no affect the original tool stored in the database.

The Stepover is the distance between passes.

The Stepdown is the incremental depth of cut.

A Tool number is essential if the outputting to a machine tool fitted with an automatic tool changer.

• Enter a Stepover of 4mm.

• Set the Stepdown to 2mm (This will be used for calculating the Z Slices).

• Leave the Feed Rate at 15, Plunge Rate at 4, Spindle at 15000 and Tool Number as 1.

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The Feed Rate, Plunge Rate and Spindle Speed are based on the tool manufacturer recommendations but may need to be ‘fine tuned’ to suit the machine tool, and material used and how rigidly it is clamped down.

A unique Tool Number value must be input if the toolpath is for a machine tool with an automatic tool changer. If not, the value can be left as 1.

• Leave Add Ramping Moves unset.

Ramping Moves are applied to avoid plunging, especially where harder materials are being machined. If Add Ramping Moves the user has access to a selection of ramping options to control the Angle, Length, and incremental Height of ramp moves.

• The Material has already been defined hence there is no need to open Setup.

The material and relief information are loaded into the page.

It is possible to specify initial and final heights for the Z Slices between which the Step Down value applies. Any values entered are absolute relative to Z Zero, which in this case is the Top.

• Leave the Start/Surface Z at 0. (This is the initial height from where the first Step Down value will be subtracted).

• Set the Material Allowance to 0.5.

The Material Allowance is the specified thickness of material that is left on over the actual relief when the toolpath is created.

• The Last Slice Z defaults to the height of the Material Allowance above relief base level. This value can be modified upwards to leave more material on the base level if required.

• Click Apply.

On clicking the Apply the number of Z slices are calculated, based on the tool stepdown and the thickness of each slice.

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• Select the down arrow

on the Machine Safe Z bar.

Safe Z is the user defined, height in Z above the material where the tool can safely perform rapid moves to and from plunge positions. Note:- Do not forget to consider the heights of clamping and fixture components, if applicable.

The tool Home Position defines the Start (1st move) and End (last move) of the toolpath. It is not permitted for the selected Z value that is less than the Safe Z value.

• Set Safe Z at 15 and the Home Position as X0 Y0 Z15.

• Change the Tolerance value to 0.1

Tolerance determines how accurately a cutter path follows the true shape of the relief, the actual value being the maximum permissible deviation from the relief form.

The next stage is to select a suitable Strategy from either Raster or Offset.

Raster Roughing With the Raster strategy, the tool moves across the Z Slices in parallel, straight line moves separated by the Step Over distance. The toolpath is automatically limited away from the relief by the tool radius plus the Material Allowance, as shown.

The Raster process on it’s own tends to leave steps around the relief. If required these can be removed by applying a Profile Pass either before (First) or after (Last) the Raster moves.

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13. Z Level Rough Machining

ArtCAM Pro

Offset Roughing With the Offset strategy, the tool moves are offset inwards from the shape of the Complete Relief or limiting vector, and outwards from the shape of the relief contour.

Individual tracks are separated by the Step Over distance.

In this example the Z Slices will be machined using a Raster strategy without the addition of a Profile Pass.

The default Angle - 0 (along X) for the Raster strategy can be changed if required.

• Set the Strategy as Raster, Angle 0 with Profile Pass set to None and enter roughing for the toolpath name.

• Click the Calculate Now button and then Close.

The Toolpath can be calculated Now or Later. When the option Later is chosen it will save the uncalculated toolpath until the Batch Calculate option is selected from the toolpaths menu.

Several unprocessed toolpaths could be Batched ready to be calculated at a later time (eg while the user goes for a coffee break).

The generated toolpath components are colour coded to assist with both visualisation and identification for postprocessing.

Cutting Feed Rate moves are Red, Safe Z rapid moves are Dark Blue, and Plunge/Ramp moves are Pale Blue.

The toolpath appears as ‘selected’ at the top of the Toolpaths page. The toolpath can be shown or hidden by ticking or unticking the relevant Show in 3D box.

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The Objects to draw icon at the top of the 3D View opens a form in which the user can select which entities are to visible.

• Click Objects to Draw on the 3D View Toolbar.

Different objects are toggled for selection by clicking on them followed by pressing Apply to display the selected items.

• Select only the roughing toolpath and click Apply.

The toolpath is now the only displayed item.

• Select all objects and click Apply.

• Select File and then Save. (Note: More toolpaths will be added to the ArtCAM Model in the next Chapter) The Toolpaths will be saved in the ArtCAM model.

If it is required to modify a toolpath the machining form is re-opened by double left clicking on the named toolpath in the top area.

The user can then change the parameters etc but if a new, separate toolpath is required, edit the Name to be different from the original.

The edited settings are then Calculated to process the changes as the original or new toolpath.

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ArtCAM Pro

Simulating the Toolpaths Toolpath movement and material removal can be Simulated in the ArtCAM 3D View.

• Select the Roughing Toolpath.

Click on the name roughing from the list so that it is highlighted (selected).

• From the Toolpaths page, click the Simulate Toolpath Fast.

The following form will be displayed: Relief Dimensions: shows the overall dimensions of the relief.

Simulation Block Dimensions: gives the size of the block. This should be at least as big as the minimum and maximum height of the relief plus any height (or depth) of the engraving features.

Simulation Relief Resolution: specifies the quality of the image that you require. Obviously the lower the resolution the greater the speed of calculation.

• Select Standard from the Simulation Relief Resolution section.

• Use the other default settings and click Simulate Toolpath.

A ‘virtual’ model of material removal is displayed as controlled from the Toolpath Simulation dialog. This is what the end result will look like on the actual machine tool.

The result is a 3D model of the part machined component which also within graphics limitations will indicate the standard of surface finish.

• Select Delete Simulation.

• Select File  Close.

Note: the ArtCAM model has already been Saved prior to the toolpath simulation.

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13. Z Level Rough Machining

ArtCAM Pro

Z Level Roughing (Offset) Example The following example takes the user through the creation of a toolpath using Z Level (Offset) Roughing on a previously saved ArtCAM Relief model.

• • • •

Select Open Existing Model.

From D:\users\training\ArtCam Data, select the model flowers.

Select File - Save As:D:\users\training\COURSEWORK\ArtCAMPro-Jobs\ rough-machineflowers.

• Select Z Level Roughing.

• Select Composite Relief.

• Click the Select…button on Roughing Tool to access the standard Tool Database.

• Select Metric tools, Steel, Roughing and 2D Finishing and then End Mill 6mm.

• Press Select.

• Select the down arrow on the End Mill 6mm bar.

• Enter a Stepover of 5mm.

• Set the Stepdown to 1mm.

• Leave Feed Rate at 42, Plunge Rate at 13, Spindle at 15000 and Tool Number as 1.

• Leave Add Ramping Moves unset.

• On Material, press Setup.

• Enter a Material Thickness of 10mm.

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13. Z Level Rough Machining • • • • •

ArtCAM Pro

Set a Top Offset of 0.25mm.

Ensure that the Material Z Zero is set to the top.

Click OK. Leave the Start/Surface Z at 0.

Set the Material Allowance to 0.5. Leave the values in Last Slice Z and click Apply.

• Set Safe Z at 15 and the Home Position as X0 Y 0 Z 15.

• Keep the Tolerance at 0.01 • Leave the Strategy options as Offset, Cut direction as Climb with Start From set to Outside and enter roughing for the toolpath name.

• Click the Calculate Now button and then Close.

The offset toolpath means the toolpath is offset around the relief.

• Select Simulate Toolpath Fast.

The simulation visually, shows the effect of the toolpath.

• Select File  Save and then Close.

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14. Relief Machining

ArtCAM Pro

14. Machine Relief & 3D Rest Overview These provide finishing strategies, which project a toolpath over the surface Relief while adjusting for tool geometry and settings.

3D Machining Example The following example takes the user through the creation of semi-finishing and finishing toolpaths as a continuation to the Z Level Roughing created in the previous chapter.

• Open the model created earlier:D:\users\training\COURSEWORK\ArtCAMPro-Jobs\Train-machine-ted.

The existing Relief appears in the 3D View window:

• Press F3 to open the 3D View and select the Toolpaths tab.

There is already a Z Level Roughing toolpath that was saved earlier in the ArtCAM model.

The material definition and basic machining setup are already defined based on the Z Level Roughing toolpath already saved in the ArtCAM Model.

Semi Finishing (Raster) Toolpath The Machine Relief option will be applied to create a semi-finishing toolpath using a Raster in X strategy with a material Allowance of 0.25mm. The idea is to take a heavy cut over the Relief mainly to remove the steps left by the previous roughing out operation.

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ArtCAM Pro

• Select Machine Relief from the 3D Toolpaths section.

This machining page includes several options enabling the user to control and ‘fine tune’ the required toolpaths.

Area to machine – this either applies to the Composite Relief or the area within the Selected Vector.

Strategy - there are six basic strategy options:Raster in X - Creates the strategy along one direction.

Raster in X and Y - Repeats the strategy at 90 degrees.

Spiral - Creates a spiral strategy limited by the model.

Spiral in a box - Creates a spiral strategy trimmed to the model.

3D Offset - Follows the outer contour offsetting the toolpath with a stepover relative to the 3D form.

3D Offset Spiral - Same as 3D Offset but creates a spiral instead of a stepped offset.

Raster Angle – A different Angle can be entered for the direction of the toolpath (default 0 degrees = along X).

Do Multiple Passes - if a hard material is to be machined, instead of applying one heavy cut to full depth, it can be slowly taken off in stages by repeating the strategy downwards from a defined height by applying Do Multiple Z Passes.

The Material and Machine Safe Z have already been set up for this model earlier while creating the roughing toolpaths.

• Select Composite Relief and a Raster in X strategy with a Raster Angle of 45, Allowance of 0.25 and Tolerance of 0.1.

• In the Tool area click the Select button to access the tool database.

• Select the Ball Nose 3mm from Aluminium – 3D Finishing.

A Ball Nosed tool is normally used for finishing to track over the 3D model form more effectively.

• Edit the Stepover to 0.5 and leave Do Multiple passes unticked.

• Enter the toolpath name BN3-SemiFinish.

• Click Calculate Now and then Close.

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14. Relief Machining

ArtCAM Pro

The Semi-Finishing toolpath is as shown with a relatively large stepover set at a 45 degree Angle for a more consistant finish over the whole of the relief. A finer Stepover will be applied in the Finishing operation that follows next.

• Select Simulate Toolpath Fast.

The Dia 3 Ball Nose tool has created a Semi-Finished form with a 0.25 Thickness on the relief. The advantage of running a semi finishing toolpath is that it removes the steps left by the Z Level Roughing, leaving a more consistent material removal rate for the final finishing operations.

• Select File  Save to update the ArtCAM Model.

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14. Relief Machining

ArtCAM Pro

Finishing (3D Offset) Toolpath For the initial finishing, the same Dia 3 Ball Nose tool will be used, but this time using 3D Offset Spiral with a smaller Stepover and an Allowance of 0. A vector will be used to limit the extent of the toolpath to be over the 3D relief form and not the flat base area. It will still leave excess material on internal corners but these will be picked out locally, later on with a smaller Ball Nosed tool. Generally the bigger the tool the faster the machining process!

• Press F2.

• Select the Assistant tab. on the 2D View top toolbar.

• Switch off the Preview Relief Layer icon • If a bitmap is displayed switch off the twin light bulbs in Bitmaps (Layers) to the right of the graphics area.

The vector for the outside of the Relief form will be offset to allow for the tool radius and a bit of overlap across the base area.

• Select the vector enclosing the relief form and Offset a copy (with Offset Corners - Radiused set), by 2mm outwards.

• Select the new offset vector.

• Select the Toolpaths tab.

• Select and double click on the stored BN3-SemiFinish toolpath to open the Machine Relief form to enable editing of the settings and parameters.

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ArtCAM Pro

• Select the option Selected Vector with a 3D Offset Spiral strategy with an Allowance of 0.0, a Tolerance of 0.01.

• In the Tool area click the downward chevron symbol and enter a Stepover of 0.05.

• Name the toolpath BN3-Finish.

• Click Calculate Now and then Close.

• Select Simulate all.

The complete machining process is simulated. Note the finer finish over the relief form to where the last finishing toolpath has been confined.

Note: The final finishing toolpath creation using the Dia 3 Ball Nose tool has been limited to within the Selected Vector.

• Select File  Save but do not close the model as work will continue to create further toolpaths in the next section.

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ArtCAM Pro

3D Rest Machining 3D Rest Machining creates closed vectors around areas of the relief that are out of reach to the tooling geometry of previously created Toolpaths. A further Machine Relief toolpath using a smaller tool can then be applied within the vector area to locally pick out the remaining detail. The calculation of the Rest Machining vectors uses the simulation model of the previous toolpaths.

• Select the offset, relief form Vector used to limit the final Finishing toolpath named BN3-Finish.

• In the 3D Toolpaths area select 3d Rest Machining.

It is only necessary to create Rest boundary vectors over the relief form area (not the flat base area).

• Select the option Area Under selected vectors.

• Select the option Simulating the last toolpath.

• Enter a Cusp Tolerance value of 0.05.

• Keep the default Layer name, Rest Machining.

• Click on the Create Boundaries tab.

New vectors will be created, as shown left and assigned to a new Layer with the name Rest Machining.

• In the Vectors part of the Layer options switch off the Layer named Default Layer by clicking the adjacent light bulb icon.

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ArtCAM Pro

A Tapered Conical Tool of 10 Deg and 0.75 Rad will be used to perform the Rest machining. Due to the small tip radius it is necessary to offset the rest boundary vectors to enable the new toolpath to blend in with the previous finishing strategy.

• With the Rest Machining vectors selected, in the Assistant – Vector Tools area select the Offset Vector icon.

• Enter an Offset Distance value of 0.2.

• Select the Outwards/Right option.

• Select the Radiused option.

• Tick - Delete original vectors.

• Click the Offset tab to perform the offset.

The Offset - Rest boundary will allow the new finishing toolpath to blend more smoothly over the form previously finished with the Dia 3 Ball Nose tool.

It will be easier to use a copy of the previous finishing toolpath as the basis for the new rest finishing strategy.

• Select and double click on the stored BN3-Finish toolpath to open the Machine Relief form to enable editing of the settings and parameters.

All of the parameters and settings will remain the same for the new toolpath apart from the Tool selection and the toolpath Name.

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ArtCAM Pro

• In the Tool area Aluminium – Engraving, select the ‘Conical Rad .75 10 degree’ tool.

• Name the toolpath Conical075-Finish.

• Click Calculate Now and then Close.

• Select Simulate Fast.

The last toolpath is Simulated which will produce sharper detail in the corners which were previously inaccessible to the Dia 3Ball Nose tool.

• Select File and then Save (to update the model Train-machine-ted).

• Select File and then Close the model.

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15. 3D Rest & 3DCut Out

ArtCAM Pro

15. 3D Cut Out Machining Overview.

This strategy follows the shape of the selected vectors and automatically compensates for tool radius and material Allowance. Note: This strategy does not collision check to the actual relief and as a result material Allowance does not apply down Z.

• Select Open Existing Model.

• From D:\users\training\ArtCam Data, select the model brooch_machined.art.

This relief exists both above and below Z0, as displayed at the top of the Assistant page.

The outside form of the model will be profile machined in stages with the 3D Cut Out machining strategy.

• Select the Toolpaths tab.

• Select the 2D View and the outer Vector.

The 3D Cut Out command is intended for profiling around the component form or the inside of a pocket.

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15. 3D Rest & 3D Cut Out

ArtCAM Pro

• In the 3D Toolpaths area select the 3D Cut Out icon.

3D Cut Out uses vectors as the basis for creating a stacked toolpath offsetting either Outside or Inside for the tool geometry and machining Allowance.

Note: The relief is not directly involved.

• • • • •

Set Profile Side to Outside.

Set the Surface Z as 0 and Finish Z as -13.

Set the Safe Z as 10 and Home Position as X0 Y0 Z10.

Select a Dia 3 End Mill and override the Stepdown as 1.

Enter the toolpath Name as BN3-3DCutout and press Calculate Now.

The Toolpath has been generated at Z heights calculated using the tool stepdown.

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ArtCAM Pro

Lead in/Out Moves To provide a smoother tool move onto the component profile it is possible to apply a circular lead move on and off the toolpath.

• Select Add Lead In/Out Moves.

The Add Lead In / Out Moves form provides two main options, Linear or Circular Arc.

• Enter a Distance of 5, select Circular Arc with a Radius of 5.

• Press Calculate Now and then Close.

• Press F2.

A smooth Lead In and Lead Out has been generated.

Next an Add Ramping Move will be added to instruct the tool to ramp down in a zig zag motion during the Lead In move.

Ramping is used for tools that do not cut at the base but only around the edges.

• Double-click on the toolpath name from the top of the toolpaths page (to allow for editing).

• Select Add Ramping Moves.

The Add Ramping Move options are displayed.

• Set the values as shown and press Now.

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15. 3D Rest & 3D Cut Out

ArtCAM Pro

The light blue moves on the toolpath are ramping moves onto the profile passes.

These only apply to the Lead In moves. At the end of the Lead out the tool finishes with a rapid retract to Safe Z followed by a rapid move to the Home Position.

Ramping is essential in cases where a nonplunging tool is being used.

• Save the model as:D:\users\training\COURSEWORK\ArtCAMPro-Jobs\ BroochMachineTraining

Creating Bridges.

In some applications it is required to profile around a component within a block of material leaving location lugs to keep it in position until such time as it is required to break it free.

To create suitable location lugs settings from the Bridges form is applied form the Proflile Options.

• In the 2D View select the toolpath profile.

• In 2D Toolpaths select Profile Options - Bridges.

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15. 3D Rest & 3DCut Out

ArtCAM Pro

• Select Add Bridges to Profiles – Constant Number with Number 4.

• Input a Bridge Length of 5 and a Bridge Thickness of 3 with 3D Bridges ticked.

• Select the Create Bridges tab.

Four Bridges have been introduced into the selected toolpath but are not currently in a suitable position along the form to act as location lugs.

• For each Bridge, select the central circle while the left mouse key is depressed dynamically drag to a more suitable position as shown below.

• The four Bridges added to the 3D Cut Out toolpath have been moved dynamically to more suitable positions to act as location lugs.

• Note: A Bridge Length can also be edited dynamically by dragging on a square marker at the end of a Bridge preview.

• Select the Close tab to exit the Profile Options.

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15. 3D Rest & 3D Cut Out

ArtCAM Pro

• Select a 3D View.

In the case the 4 Bridges are formed with a triangular movement in the Z Plane.

If 3D Bridges is unticked then the Bridges are formed with a rectangular movement in the Z Plane.

On Simulating the toolpaths the 4 location lugs can clearly be seen.

• Save and Close the ArtCAM model.

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16. Feature Machining

ArtCAM Pro

16. Feature Machining.

Overview Feature Machining is a 3D engraving strategy, where the actual thickness over areas of the relief are controlled within Vectors. There are three types of Feature, Raised, Recessed, or Centre Line. The type is defined using the options in the Feature form. Only toolpaths that are created after the Feature Machining has been performed will comply with the thickness attributes of Feature vectors.

Example A vector will be imported and then Turned to create a Relief. Then a set of three Vector Text items will be generated to show the different types of features.

• Create a new model • Set size as 100 x 100mm with a resolution of 1028 x 1028 with the origin in the centre.

• From the top menu select Vectors - Import.

• In the resultant form, browse to D:\users\training\ArtCam Data selecting the file feature-bottle.eps and press Open.

The vector is imported into the new model and remains selected.

The vector for the bottle section will now be used to create a Turn, relief inputting a Z scaling Factor of 0.5 to create a flatter design.

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16. Feature Machining

ArtCAM Pro

• Select Turn button from the Relief Toolbar.

• Select the vector, select Z scale as 0.5, select Add and press Turn.

The relief is now complete. The next stage is for vectors to be created and converted into Features.

In this case Text Vectors will be used as the basis for the Features.

• Select the 2D View and at the top switch on Preview Relief View.

• Create vector Text using Font - Book Antiqua, Size - 12mm with a character spacing of 65% of the text ‘TEXT’.

• Position near the top of the bottle as shown below.

• Use Block Copy to create 3 copies incrementally offset by Y-15 down the bottle as shown.

Each of these three Text Vectors will be converted to a different type of Feature, (Raised, Recessed, or Centreline) which in turn will be machined using Feature Machining.

The heights or depths of Features are measured incrementally from the relief surface.

Note: A Feature could also be created from a group of vectors.

• Select the top text.

• From the toolpaths tab, select Feature Machining.

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16. Feature Machining

ArtCAM Pro

The Feature Machining form will appear.

The Feature Height option will automatically allow for the specified amount of material to be left on within the defined Feature area.

A value in Feature Allowance will cause an additional amount of material to be left around the edge of the feature.

FEATURE ALLLOWANCE

The Allowance value is an additional amount of stock on top of the defined Feature Height.

• Set the Feature Height to 1mm, Allowance to 0, select Vector at Top Edge, Sharpen at bottom, and enter the Name - Raised-3bn.

• Select Material - Setup and set Material thickness as 25, Z zero at the top and a Top Offset value of 1mm.

• Click Now and when processed, select Close.

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16. Feature Machining

ArtCAM Pro

The area inside the Feature has been defined with a Raised offset of 1mm above the existing relief. The Feature is represented internally in ArtCAM and the effect will only be visible after the toolpath has been created and simulated.

Note, only toolpaths created after the Feature Machining operation will respect the settings of a Feature vector. As a result of this the main finishing toolpath will be created next and then manually moved to the top of the list of created toolpaths. This will result in the to surface of the above text being an exact 1mm offset above the actual relief (It is currently flush with the top of the material block as shown above).

• Select the Machine Relief button on the Toolpaths page.

• Select Whole model with a Raster strategy, Allowance of 0 and a Tolerance of 0.01.

• Select a Ball Nose 6mm Tool and change the Stepover to 0.3.

• Name the toolpath finish-6bn.

• Click Calculate Now and then Close.

• Delete the current toolpath simulation and run Simulate all toolpaths.

The toolpath has machined over the Feature area to the specified offset Feature Height of 1mm.

The selected, main finishing toolpath will be moved to the top of the list in the Toolpath Operations window by clicking on the upward arrow.

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16. Feature Machining

ArtCAM Pro

Corner sharpen On checking the Corner Sharpen box ArtCAM Pro will automatically move the tool in 3 axes along intersecting regions, which require sharpening.

The following example shows the effect of corner sharpening on a letter "M“.

Multiple Z Passes This option allows the chosen machining strategy to be repeated in a series of selected incremental heights down Z.

Drop Tool The tool geometry is taken into account when producing a gouge free toolpath.in relation to the Feature.

Project Tool With this option the tool geometry is ignored and the tip of the cutter is projected directly onto the relief. This would create gouging of the relief on inclined faces.

• Open the existing Feature Machining toolpath and change the Name to Raised1-5 to initiate a copy.

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16. Feature Machining

ArtCAM Pro

• Input a Feature Height of 1.

• Tick Sharpen At Bottom.

• Select Profile Only.

• Change the tool (Select) to a 1.5 Ball Nosed cutter.

• Change Name to Raised1-5.

• Click Now and when processed, select Close.

This is a single pass toolpath strategy designed to further, sharpen the corners left by the 3 Ball Nosed toolpath created earlier.

• Run Simulate last toolpath.

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ArtCAM Pro

• Save the Model as:D:\users\training\COURSEWORK\ArtCAMPro-Jobs\Feature-MC.

Exercises If Feature Machining is of interest as a potential application then repeat the above process on the central Text vector as a Recessed Feature and the lower Text vector as a Centre Line Feature.

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16. Feature Machining

16.8

ArtCAM Pro

Issue ArtCAM-PRO 2008

17. Post Processing Toolpaths

ArtCAM Pro

17. Post Processing Toolpaths Introduction The Toolpaths produced in ArtCAM have to be translated into a different format as an exported file for a specific machine tool controller. The collective name for one of these files is ncdata and the operation is called Post-Processing which is accessed via the Save Toolpaths option.

Post Processing of Toolpaths for a Manual Tool Changer • Open the model:D:\users\training\COURSEWORK\ArtCAMPro-Jobs\Train-machine-ted.

• Select the Toolpaths tab.

• Click the Save Toolpaths button on the Toolpath toolbar.

When the Save Toolpaths dialogue is opened all existing toolpaths are listed in the left hand window. If one of the toolpaths is selected prior to opening the Save Toolpaths form it will appear in the right hand window. Toolpaths are selected and transferred from one side to the other using the central Arrow buttons.

All the files in the right hand window will be included for output into one ncdata file. If the machine tool uses a manual tool change then it will only be possible to include Toolpaths in the ncdata file that share the same cutting tool. If the machine tool has an automatic tool changer then any combination of the available toolpaths can be include in the ncdata file.

• Select the left black arrow.

The toolpath has moved back to the list of calculated toolpaths.

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17. Post Processing Toolpaths

ArtCAM Pro

• Select the toolpath Em6-Roughing and then the right black arrow.

• Untick Save files to spool Directory (The user will be prompted for the location directory for outputting the current ncdata file).

• From Machine Output, select Proma PPM 3Axis Flat.

Note: this machine does not support an automatic tool changer hence only Toolpaths that use the same tool can be included in the ncdata output file.

• Press Save and select C:\temp, file name as Em6-Rough-ted and press Save.

• Select the left black arrow (to move the toolpath to the left side).

• Select the toolpath BN3-SemiFinish and then the right black arrow.

• Select the toolpath BN3-Finish and then the right black arrow.

• Set Machine Output as Proma PPM 3Axis Flat.

• Press Save, browse to select C:\temp, enter the file name as BN3-All-ted and press the Save tab.

• Select the left Red arrow (to move all toolpaths to the left side).

• Select Close on the form.

Two post-processed Toolpaths have been saved outside ArtCAM and translated in the format required for a Proma 3-Axis controller.

• Do not Close the model as it is required again in the next chapter.

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17. Post Processing Toolpaths

ArtCAM Pro

Post Processing of Toolpaths for an Automatic Tool Changer If a Machine Tool is fitted with an Automatic Tool Changer then the control of this feature will be available in the Post Processor translation.

If toolpaths containing different tools are passed over to the right hand window of the Save Toolpaths form and the selected Post Processor does not support an Automatic Tool Changer then a box with an error message will appear.

The Tool Number is essential to identify the location of an individual Tool in the tool changer, carousel.

If a compatible Post Processor is selected but the individual Tools are not allocated a unique Tool Number in the respective Toolpaths then again the operation will fail and an error message will be displayed.

The Tool Number can be defined in a number of ways.

1. Entering the tool number within the defined tool of the toolpath.

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17. Post Processing Toolpaths 2. Entering/Editing the default tool number defined in the Tool database

3. A tool number can be changed after toolpath calculation by selecting from the bottom of the Toolpaths tab.

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ArtCAM Pro

18. Toolpath Templates

ArtCAM Pro

18. Toolpath Templates Toolpath Templates.

A Toolpath Template is a file containing one or more unprocessed machining strategies stored outside ArtCAM as a tpl file. A previously stored Toolpath Template is imported into ArtCAM and the associated machining strategies can be then edited (if required) before the toolpaths are regenerated for the current model.

The benefit of Toolpath Templates is that a whole set of unprocessed machining strategies can later be loaded into ArtCAM with all the tooling and settings already set for the user specific application or for a series of similar ArtCAM models.

• In the current model, Machine-Ted select the Toolpaths tab.

This ArtCAM model contains five Toolpaths, two of which require closed vectors to control the area to be machined. When a Template is Saved all toolpaths that exist in the model are included in the output file.

• Select Save Toolpath as Template.

The toolpath template is a special file type (*.tpl) and is stored outside of the ArtCAM model.

It is a good idea to be as descriptive as possible with the template name.

• Select the area D:\users\training\COURSEWORK\ArtCAMPro-Jobs and enter the name EM6-BN30-Bn1.5-Con0.75.

• Press Save.

The template can now be loaded into a different model or, if these toolpaths have been deleted, they can be loaded back into the current model.

• Select and delete all of the toolpaths.

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18. Toolpath Templates

ArtCAM Pro

• Select Load Toolpath Template.

• Select the file EM6-BN30-Bn1.5-Con0.75.tpl and press Open.

The Unprocessed toolpaths are displayed in red and there are no ‘display toolpath’ tick boxes below ‘Show in 2D/3D’ indicating that they have not yet been calculated.

• Select Batch Calculate toolpaths.

A form appears with all of the toolpaths listed.

By default all of the toolpaths are ticked, ready to be included in the Batch Calculate process.

Note: If use a selected vector is specified in the toolpath form, a suitable vector must first be created and selected if Batch Calculating the template on a different model.

• Select the Start tab and when finished Close the form.

All of the toolpaths have been calculated including the last 2, which require the selection of a suitable limiting vector. As the Toolpath Template is being applied to the same model then the vectors will be remembered and selected automatically. If the Toolpath Template is applied to a different model then these toolpaths will have to be opened on an individual basis and suitable limiting vectors created and selected before applying Calculate Now.

• Select File  Close (No need to Save the model).

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18. Toolpath Templates

ArtCAM Pro

Issue ArtCAM-PRO 2008

18.3

19. 2D Vector Machining

ArtCAM

19. 2D Vector Machining Introduction.

For certain type of 2D components it is of no benefit to create a 3D Relief Model. For these applications ArtCAM Pro has a series of options to create 2D Toolpaths that are directly calculated from vectors.

Forest Sign – 2D Area Clearance.

• Open the Model:D:\users\training\ArtCAM Data\Forest_Sign.art • Hold down Shift and multi-select the inner ellipse, squirrel, tree, and Text vectors.

• Select the Toolpaths tab.

• In the 2D Toolpaths section select the Area Clearance icon.

• •

Set the Start Depth as 0, Finish Depth as 2 and Allowance as 0.

Set the Final Tool Allowance as 0.25 and Tolerance as 0.01.

Note: 2D Vector Machining will produce Toolpaths without a defined Material Setup.

• Input the Name EM6EM1_5-AreaClear1.

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19. 2D Vector Machining

ArtCAM Pro

The height from where the Stepdown is calculated.

The maximum depth for machining to occur.

The amount of 2D stock remaining on the vectors for the final tool.

The amount of 2D stock remaining for all except the final tool.

The toolpath will create a finish to within 0.01 of the original vector.

• Click on the downward arrow to the right of Machine Safe Z. Safe Z:- The height at which rapid moves across the component are permitted.

Home Position:- The coordinates of the Start and End point of the toolpath.

• Set the Safe Z as 15 and the Home Position to be X -100 Y-50 Z20.

• Select Add from the Tools List.

• From the tool database Wood or Plastic  Roughing and 2D Finishing section load in both the End Mill 6mm and the End Mill 1.5mm tools.

This is the area where the selected tools are displayed. In 2D Area Clearance it is possible to select more than one tool, which will automatically be sorted and used sequentially in descending size.

The Tools List contains two different End Mills. When the toolpath is calculated, the larger Dia 6mm End Mill is used first to perform the main 2D Area Clearance machining. Any subsequent, smaller tools in the Tools List will only operate locally in areas that are out of reach to the previous tool (Rest Milling).

• Select a Raster strategy.

There are two options available for 2D Area Clearance machining strategies, Raster which steps a linear cutterpath backwards and forwards across the component or Offset which steps the cutterpath parallel to the selected vector(s).

• Click on Calculate Now.

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19. 2D Vector Machining

ArtCAM

The 2D Area Clearance toolpaths will appear as shown above. As the primary tool (End Mill 6mm) has a Stepdown value of 2.4mm, all of the machining has been performed at the single depth of –2mm. If the above Stepdown value were 1mm then the machining would have been performed at depths of both –1mm and –2mm.

• Select Close.

The Toolpaths window now contains two named toolpaths, which by default are also displayed in both the 2D and 3D views. As is shown above the individual strategies can be selected separately if it is. For instance required to perform an individual toolpath simulation.

• Open the 3D window and select an isometric view.

• Select the End Mill 6mm strategy only (as shown above).

• Click on the Simulate Toolpath Fast icon.

Note:- Only the selected toolpath End Mill 6 mm is simulated.

This toolpath has machined the inner form leaving a 2D stock of 0.25mm to be finished by the End Mill 1.5 mm toolpath.

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19. 2D Vector Machining

ArtCAM Pro

• Select the End Mill 1.5mm strategy only.

• Click on the Simulate Toolpath Fast icon.

The End Mill 1.5 mm toolpath has successfully rest machined the remaining areas inaccessible to the previous cutter and removed the final 0.25mm stock allowance.

Forest Sign – 2D Profiling.

• Select the 2D view and select the outer ellipse - vector.

A 2D Profiling strategy will be used to drive the tool around the outside of the sign.

• Click on the 2D Profiling icon.

A Profiling toolpath can be generated to the defined depth, on the Inside or Outside of a closed vector. There is also the option to apply a Climb Mill or Conventional direction of cut. For an open Vector, Inside will offset the toolpath to the right of the vector direction whereas Outside will offset the toolpath to the left of the vector direction.

The depth of cut for each profiling pass is defined by the tool’s stored parameters, for example if the tool has a step down of 2mm maximum, it would take 5 profiling passes to get down to a total depth of 10mm.

With a 2D Profiling toolpath the option is available to approach required profile with a horizontal, arc Lead in and Lead out. This would result in a tool plunge move occurring away from the profile followed by a smooth, tangential transition onto the actual tool track.

• Select Profile side as Outside.

• Select a Start Depth of 0, Finish Depth of 10 and Allowance of 0.

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19. 2D Vector Machining

ArtCAM

•

In Profiling Tool click the Select button and load in the same 6mm End Mill that was used earlier in the 2D Area Clearance operation.

When 2D Profiling around a component, a superior finish is achieved for most materials if the direction of travel is the left of the vector (Climb Milling). There are however a few materials (certain plastics) where a superior finish is achieved if the direction of travel is the right of the vector (Conventional).

• Select Climb Milling.

• Click on Calculate Now to generate the toolpath.

The 2D Profiling toolpath has been generated outside the outer ellipse.

• Select Close.

• Select Simulate Toolpath Fast.

The simulation steps the 2D Profiling pass down to a total depth of 10mm. If it is required to keep the sign attached to the outer material then location lugs (Bridges) can be applied retrospectively along the toolpath.

• Select File - Save As:D:\users\training\COURSEWORK\ArtCAMPro-Jobs\TrainForestSign • Do not close the model yet!

Exercise •

Select Profile Options and Create 4 suitably positioned 3D Bridges of Thickness 3mm, Length 4mm near the corners on the 2D Profiling strategy.

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19. 2D Vector Machining

ArtCAM Pro

• Do not close the model yet!

Bevel Carving The 2mm high text ‘FOREST’ on the sign will have a 1mm chamfer added by using the 2D Toolpaths option called Bevel Carving.

The process requires the user to input a Bevel Carving Tool. The tool dimensions and/or stored values of Stepdown and Stepover will determine if the chamfer is machined as a series of ‘stepped passes’ or in one ‘hit’.

• In the 2D View select the Text item ‘FOREST’.

• In the 2D Toolpaths section select the Bevel Carving icon.

• In the Bevel Carving form input:- Start Depth 0, Bevel Max Depth 1, Finish Depth 2.

• Select a V-Bit 6mm 90 degrees tool.

• Select an End Mill 1.5mm tool.

• Select Calculate Now. • Do not close the form!

The resultant Bevel Carving strategy has stepped down the chamfer due to the Stepover and Stepdown values stored in the tool parameters.

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19. 2D Vector Machining

ArtCAM

•

Click the downward arrow to the right of the V bit tool and edit the Stepdown value to 1.5 as shown below.

• Select Calculate Now to regenerate the Bevel Carving toolpaths.

The resultant Bevel Carving strategy has now machined the chamfer in one pass.

This is due to the amended Stepdown value being larger than the depth of the chamfer.

The 1mm chamfer can clearly be seen above on the embossed 2mm high text.

• Select File - Save to update the model saved earlier.

(D:\users\training\COURSEWORK\ArtCAMPro-Jobs\TrainForestSign)

• Close the model.

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19. 2D Vector Machining

ArtCAM Pro

V Bit Carving The following example illustrates the V Bit Carving options.

• •

Select Create New Model and input a of size X100 and Y100 with a Resolution of 2004 x 2004 and set the Datum in the centre.

From the top pulldown menus select Vectors - Import and Open the file:….\ ArtCAM_Data\Examples2\V-BitCarvingVectors.eps

• Select the Toolpaths tab.

• In the 2D Toolpaths section select the V Bit Carving icon.

• Keep the Start Depth as 0 with a Tolerance of 0.01.

• Edit the Stepover to 1 and the Stepdown to 3.

The maximum permissible depth for machining to occur can be set by selecting the tick box and specifying a Maximum Depth value.

• Select Now to Calculate the toolpath.

• Do not close the form.

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19. 2D Vector Machining

ArtCAM

The toolpath is calculated creating ‘V’ shaped recesses inside or between pairs of selected vectors and text. The maximum depth of the recesses is currently unlimited but the tool does perform an area clearance at incremental depths equal to the specifed Tool Stepdown value.

The area clearance can be removed by inputting a suitably high value for Stepdown.

• Edit the Tool Stepdown to 10.

• Select Now to Calculate the toolpath.

• Do not close the form.

The toolpath has created the same end result, but without performing area clearance at 3mm incremental depths (The tool Stepdown is now 10mm)

•

In Sequencing tick the box Limit tool maximum depth and enter a Maximum Depth value of –5.

• Select Now to Calculate the toolpath.

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19. 2D Vector Machining

ArtCAM Pro

The toolpath is now limited to a maximum depth of -5mm where area clearance is performed as shown. The tool Stepdown is greater than this value resulting in single pass moves at the base of the ‘V’ recesses above the specified, maximum depth.

• Save the Model as:D:\users\training\COURSEWORK\ArtCAMPro-Jobs\VbitCarving • Select Close.

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20. Engraving

ArtCAM

20. Engraving & Scribe Lines Introduction.

Smart Engraving allows the user to input a selection of Roughing (End Mill) and Engraving (V Shaped) tools, which create a series of efficient toolpaths within the defined vector selection ultimately producing the required engraved form. Different machining parameters and tool settings can be applied to each toolpath from within the Smart Engraving options. For small detail it is possible to run Smart Engraving with one ‘V’ shaped tool. In applications where more than tool is defined the secondary toolpath operations only remove material that is inaccessible to the previous toolpath.

Smart Engraving Example • Open the model arch.art from D:\users\training\ArtCAM Data

The Smart Engraving options provide for finishing of sharp internal corners for the finishing tooplaths using the ‘V’ Cutters.

The selected vector is the top edge of the detail. The option to offset the End Mill for the engraving tool (it leaves additional material on) is used to give the v-bit finish tool some material on each side to cut out, to balance the loading on the v-bit tool.

• Select the inner feature vector as shown above.

• Select the toolpaths tab and in 2D Toolpaths select Smart Engraving.

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20. Engraving

ArtCAM

• Input Start Depth 0 and Finish Depth 5.

• Set Max Sharpening Angle as 150 degrees.

• Tick – Vectors are on surface.

• Tick – Offset end mills for engraving tools.

• Set Machine SafeZ as 5 and Home Position 0 0 5.

• Add Dia 6 and Dia 3 End Mills, along with a Small V-Bit 12mm 90 Degree tool.

Note: the V Bit tool will have to be copied and edited within the Tool Database from an existing stored tool.

• A 0.1 stock Allowance on the final profiling pass has been assigned to the operations using the End Mill 6mm tool.

Note: Several of the parameters can be defined independently for the specific tool selected (highlighted) in the form.

• Set the Material Thickness to 25.4mm with the Z0 datum at the top.

The machining calculations will take the vector to be the top edge of the chamfered detail.

• For the End Mill 6mm tool set the tool Stepover to 4mm and the Stepdown to 5mm.

• For the End Mill 3mm tool set the tool Stepover to 0.5mm and the Stepdown to 1mm.

• For the Small V-Bit 12mm 90degrees tool set the tool Stepover to 0.1mm and the Stepdown to 5mm.

• Select Calculate Now to generate 2 Area Clearance, and 1 engraving, within the collectively named [Smart Engraving] toolpaths.

• Close the form.

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20. Engraving

ArtCAM

All of the 3 toolpaths created by the Smart Engraving options are displayed and could all be simulated at the same time. It would however be better to simulate them one at a time to see more clearly what each one is actually machining.

End Mill 6mm tool This Operation performs Area Clearance on the whole aperture to full depth (less than the Stepdown value).

End Mill 3mm tool This Operation performs Area Clearance on areas inaccessible to the larger End Mill. In the small enclosure at the tip the 1mm stepdown causes machining to occur at several Z descending Levels.

Small V-Bit 12mm 90degree tool With corner sharpening on, the tool will ramp along internal corner intesections to produce the sharpened shape.

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20. Engraving

ArtCAM

• Select the 2D view and select the four triangular vectors and the text arch.

As these are only small indentations only one v-bit tool will be rquired.

• Select Engraving.

• Select a Start Depth of 0 and a Finish Depth of 3mm. Set tolerance as 0.01.

• Select the Small v-bit 6mm 90 degrees tool.

• Change the Stepdown to 3mm.

• Select Do Corner Sharpening.

• Press Calculate Now and then Close.

• Simulate the toolpath.

Small V-Bit 12mm 90degree tool All the small detail has created in a separate Smart Engrave operation with a single V-Bit tool.

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20. Engraving

ArtCAM

Machine Along Vector This 2D Toolpaths option directly traces along the selected vectors to a user defined depth.

A typical application would to mark a scribe line around the outside of a component form.

• Select the outer vector.

• Select the toolpaths tab and in 2D Toolpaths select Machine Along Vector.

• Input a Finish Depth of 1.

• Select a Ball Nose 1.5 mm tool.

• Select Calculate Now.

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20. Engraving

ArtCAM

The outer limit of the component has been ‘scribed’ with the Dia 1.5 Ball Nosed tool.

• Save the Model as:D:\users\training\COURSEWORK\ArtCAMPro-Jobs\SmartEngraving • Select Close.

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21. Drilling

ArtCAM

21. Drilling Introduction.

In the Toolpaths window, 2D Toolpaths section there is a Drilling option, which uses selected vectors for defining the hole positions. The hole positions are defined either central to circle vectors, at vector node points, at a vector dimensional centre, or on the Plunge Move positions of a selected 2D Toolpath.

For creating a Drill tool the V-Bit tool form is used as this has the same geometrical shape.

• Open the Model:D:\users\training\ArtCAM Data \Drilling.art • Select the 6 Circle vectors.

• In 2D Toolpaths select the Drilling icon.

•

Use a Finish Depth of 20mm.

Plunge Clearance is a separate Safe Z for Drilling.

• • • •

•

Set a Home Position of X0 Y0 Z5.

Select a Small V-Bit 6mm 90 degree tool.

Change the Tool Stepdown to 6.

Select the option Selected Circular Vectors.

Tick the box, Use Peck Drilling and enter a Retraction value of 4.

The Drill will lift 4mm at each incremental Stepdown depth of 6mm.

Optimise is one of several options controlling the order in which a hole pattern is Drilled.

• Define a Material Thickness of 25.4.

• • •

Input a Name Drilling-1.

Press Calculate Now. Close the form.

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21 Drilling

ArtCAM

Before calculating the individual Drilling positions are previewed in the 2D View as shown above left. The resultant Drilling Toolpath is as shown above right in the 3D View.

•

Simulate the Toolpath and observe the 4mm upward pecking movements at 6mm incremental depths.

•

In the 2D View select the oval vector.

For the next Drilling toolpath the option Drill Centre of … All Selected Vectors will be applied. The hole will be positioned as shown left, dimensionally central to the vector selection.

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• In 2D Toolpaths select the Drilling icon.

• Use a Finish Depth of 6.

•

•

Use the same Small V-Bit 6mm 90 degree tool.

•

Define Drill Centre of … as All Selected Vectors.

•

Untick Use Peck Drilling.

• • •

Input a Name Drilling-2.

Press Calculate Now. Close the form.

Simulate the Toolpath to observe the drill plunge directly to the full depth of 6mm, central to the oval vector.

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21 Drilling •

ArtCAM

In the 2D View select the 5 sided vector.

For the next Drilling toolpath the option Drill Centre of … All Selected Vectors Nodes will be applied. The holes will be positioned as shown left, on the Node Points of the vector selection.

• In 2D Toolpaths select the Drilling icon.

• Use a Finish Depth of 10.

21.4

•

Use the same Small V-Bit 6mm 90 degree tool.

•

Define Drill Centre of … as All Selected Vector Nodes.

•

Untick Use Peck Drilling.

• • •

Input a Name Drilling-3.

Press Calculate Now. Close the form.

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ArtCAM

•

Simulate the Toolpath to observe the drill plunge directly to the full depth of 10mm, at the Node Points of the 5 sided vector.

• Save the Model as:D:\users\training\COURSEWORK\ArtCAMPro-Jobs\DrillingExample • Select Close.

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21 Drilling

21.6

ArtCAM

Issue ArtCAM-Pro 2008

22. Projects

ArtCAM Pro

22. Projects Overview An ArtCAM Project allows more than one Model to co-exist as an Assembly. A Project enables the user to perform such tasks as to re-orientate and reposition separate model items to put together a complete 3D Assembled Component. It is also possible to directly import Surface data (converted as a Triangle Mesh) into a Project as a separate Assembly item.

Assembled Table • From the ArtCAM options select Create New Project.

This will open a new Project window, the top of which is as shown above.

Import of a Surface Model (Table Leg) • From the Project Tree on the left hand side right click on the Assembly and select Import….

• In the Import 3D Model form change the File of type to Surface Models and select the File Name:D:\users\training\ArtCAM Data \AssembledTable\TableLeg.3dm

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22. Projects

ArtCAM Pro

A copy of the table leg is required which will be rotated into a suitable orientation for Toolpath creation.

Nudge

Scale

Mirror

Material

• In the Assembly right click on the Table Leg and select Copy.

• In the Assembly right click on the Table Leg and select Paste.

• Right click on the new Table Leg and Rename it as TableLeg-Machine.

• With the new TableLeg-Machine selected, click the Nudge Assembly icon located to the lower left of the Project area.

• In the Nudge form, insert 90 in the Angle box, change the active angle to Y and select the Nudge Clockwise button.

As the new item is not required until later, it will be temporarily removed by applying Hide from the Assembly Item menu options.

• In the Assembly right click on the item, TableLeg-Machine and from the menu options select Hide (It will no longer be displayed in the graphics area)

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Creating the table top • In the Project Tree right click on Models, select New then Model.

The Model form will open, for the user to input the settings and sizes in the usual way.

• Input/Set the following:- Units mm.

- Height 800, Width 800.

- Origin at the Centre.

- Resolution 1508 x 1508.

• Create 3 Circles centred about X0 Y0 with respective Diameters of 750, 700, and 300.

• From the Relief Clipart Library, import the Round Pattern 1 from the Architectural folder.

• Once the clipart window and preview relief vectors are visible close the Relief Clipart Library by selecting the arrow to the lower right of the form.

• Centre the preview Relief on the model using the F9 shortcut.

• In the 3D Clipart form, set the following:1. Apply a suitable Scale dynamically to the Preview Relief so that it is just within the outer circle vector (This will be a 2 stage process!).

2. Apply a new Z Range of 10 in the Size options.

3. Set the Mode to Add. • Paste the Preview Relief to the model.

• Select a 2D View.

• Select the inner most circle vector, open the Shape Editor and select Zero to remove the inner part of the relief form.

• Select the circle vector defining the inner edge of the table rim, and in the Shape Editor, select Zero Rest to remove the outside relief form.

• Select the outer circle vector and in the Shape Editor - Add a Plane relief of height 20 over the whole of the existing table top.

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22. Projects

ArtCAM Pro

• Select both the outer and inner rim circle vectors, and in the Shape Editor Merge High a with a Plane relief of height 30 to produce the rim form, • Finally select the inner most circle vector and in the Shape Editor Merge High wit a Plane relief of height 30 to form the centre area.

The next stage is to include the table top in the Assembly.

• Open the Create Triangle Mesh, select the option Close With A Flat Plane.

• Click Create Triangles and when processed select Add To Project before selecting Close.

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• Under the Project under the Assembly menu, expand the Untitled assembly right click on the untitled part and Rename it to Top.

• Under Models (Untitled) model and Rename to Top.

right mouse click on the

• In the Assembly - Rename the table top triangle mesh as (TopMesh).

Creating the base

• In the Project Tree right click on Models, select New and then Model.

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22. Projects

ArtCAM Pro

The Model form will open, for the user to input the settings and sizes in the usual way.

• Input/Set the following:- Units mm.

- Height 800, Width 800.

- Origin at the Centre.

- Resolution 1508 x 1508.

• Create 2 Circle vectors about X0 Y0 with Diameters of 500 and 200.

• Select the outer circle vector and in Relief Tools open the Create 3D Blend form.

• In the Profile options select Concave.

• In 2nd Vector type in a value of 40.

• Change the Proportion to 75%.

• Select Add. • Create Blend followed by Close.

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ArtCAM Pro

All component parts in the Assembly are currently displayed in the 3D View.

• Select a 3D View and open the Objects To Draw form.

• De-select, Root Assembly so that the previously stored components are no longer displayed.

• From the Relief Clipart Library, import the Round Pattern 2 from the Architectural folder.

• Once the clipart window and preview relief vectors are visible close the Relief Clipart Library by selecting the arrow to the lower right of the form.

• Centre the preview Relief on the model using the F9 shortcut.

• In the 3D Clipart form, set the following:4. Apply a suitable Scale dynamically to the Preview Relief so that it is just within the outer circle vector (This will be a 2 stage process!).

5. Apply a new Z Range of 10 in the Size options.

6. Set the Mode to Add. • Paste the Preview Relief to the model.

• Select a 2D View.

• Select the inner most circle vector, open the Shape Editor and select Zero to remove the inner part of the relief form.

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22. Projects

ArtCAM Pro

• Select the outer most circle vector, open the Shape Editor, and Add a Plane of height 20 to the relief form.

The next stage is to include the table base in the Assembly.

• Open the Create Triangle Mesh, select the option Close With A Flat Plane.

• Click Create Triangles and when processed select Add To Project before selecting Close.

• In the 3D View select the Objects to draw icon and deselect Front Relief, this will make the Assembly to be the only visible item.

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ArtCAM Pro

• In the Assembly tab select the bottom component named (Untitled), right click and Rename it to BaseMesh.

• With Base selected open the Nudge icon.

• In the Step box type in a value of 630 and select the down arrow to move the Base component into place.

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22. Projects

ArtCAM Pro

Machining the components • In the project tree under the model branch open the first model called Top by double clicking on it • Under the Toolpaths tab, open the Machine Relief toolpath • Select Automatic Boundary and type 12 in the Offset box

• • • • • • • •

Change the Strategy to Offset 10mm End Mill tool Calculate Now With the Machine Relief still open, Change Area to machine to Selected Vector Change the tool to a 3mm Ball Nose Change the name to Finishing.

Calculate Now Close the form.

• Simulate All Toolpaths

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22. Projects

ArtCAM Pro

Next we will machine the table base

• In the project tree under the model branch open the first model called Base by double clicking on it

• Under the Toolpaths tab open the Machine Relief toolpath • • • • •

• • • •

Select Automatic Boundary and type 12 in the Offset box.

Change the Strategy to Offset.

10mm End Mill tool Calculate Now. With the Machine Relief form still open, Change Area to machine to Selected Vector.

Change the tool to a 3mm Ball Nose Change the Name to Finishing Calculate Now. Close the form.

• Simulate All Toolpaths

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22. Projects

ArtCAM Pro

Machining the table leg To machine the table leg on both sides the block needs to have reference guides so once it has been flipped over it can be machined in the correct place to create a finished 3D model.

• From the project tree, right click on the Table Leg Machine and select Create Relief

• In the Relief layer page change the layer to Table Leg Machine and turn on the Preview Relief Layer • Create a new Relief Layer and set it to Merge High Now we will add a border to the model so that we can create two block ends so that when the model is flipped over for machining there are some reference points for correct alignment of the material.

• From the model section on the Assistant tab select Add Border • Deselect Symmetrical • Select Left enter a value of 50 • Select Right enter a value of 50

• Create a new Relief Layer and name in Tabs • Draw a box around either end of the model so that it looks like the image below

• Select both of the boxes and Merge High to 100 • Next we will create two holes one in each end block for the alignment when the model is flipped over • Draw a Circle X -36 Y 0 with a diameter of 12mm • Draw a Circle X 642 Y 0 with a diameter of 12mm • Under the Toolpaths tab open the Machine Relief • Select Composite Relief under Area to Machine.

• Raster in X strategy.

• Select an 12mm End Mill

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ArtCAM Pro

• In Material Setup, set as Material Thickness 200mm,Top Offset 0 and Z zero at top.

• Calculate Now. • Close

• Simulate Toolpath • Under the Toolpaths tab open the Machine Relief • • • • •

Select Composite Relief Raster in X strategy.

3mm Ball Nose Calculate Now Close

• Simulate Toolpath • Next we will drill the holes for the guides for when turn the model over to machine the reverse side • Select the 2 circles and select the Drilling toolpath from the 2D Toolpaths section • • • • •

Start Depth 0 Finish Depth 200 12mm End Mill Calculate Now Close the form.

The project is now complete.

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ArtCAM

Font Creation

Appendix - Font Creation Introduction.

Fonts can be created by modifying existing fonts or by generation a new font. The font generator is a special part of ArtCAM that is accessed through the main area before a model is opened.

Example • Load up ArtCAM. • Select Font Editor.

The font editor main control form appears. This allows you select a base font to change or to generate your own.

AutoCAD fonts can also be imported into ArtCAM.

• Select Arial Script Western and press Create.

The assistant allows you to pick and rename and character of the font.

In the 2D view all of the available characters appear within boxed guidelines.

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Font Creation

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There are 256 character spaces available shown in the 16 rows and 16 columns.

Each character can be picked for changing by clicking on it using the mouse.

• Click on the capital W.

As well as the character being enlarged and the Font Creator page updating, the Assistant tab has appeared. This allows the use of the vector editing tools to change the character.

• Select the Assistant tab.

• Select N for Node mode and change the vector.

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ArtCAM

Font Creation

• Select the Font Creator tab.

• Press Done.

The character has now been substituted. The font can now be saved and then used in ArtCAM.

• Press Save Font.

• Enter the name train-test.

• Press Quit to exit the Font Editor.

The font is now available in ArtCAM.

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ArtCAM

Machining Inlays

Appendix - Machining Inlays Inlays.

An inlay is text or vectors with depth that is machined out of the material. The inlays are usually machined in pairs using the same tool, so the male inlay will fit inside the female pocket or hole inlay.

An Inlay Wizard creates the selected type of Inlay from the selected vector.

The Inlay Wizard page appears. This is the first selection in generating an inlay and allows you to define the type of inlay that you want.

There are four female inlay options and two male options. The male inlay will fit inside the female inlay if an identical vector and identical tool is chosen.

Text example • Create a new model of size 50 x 50 with a resolution of 829 x 829.

• Create text of the letter ‘P’ using Arial, Western and a size of 25mm.

• Position the text in the middle of the model.

A Male and a female inlay toolpath will be calculated.

• From the toolpaths page, select Inlays.

• Select Female Pocket.

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Machining Inlays

ArtCAM

With a pocket inlay, the depth to machine into the model has to be entered.

A roughing and a finishing tool can be used, which is useful for large letters.

The ArtCAM standard machining controls are available.

• Select a Start Depth of 0, Finish Depth of 4mm.

• Select Machine Safe Z at 0 0 5.

• Set a 1.5mm End Mill for Finishing Tool and a 3mm End Mill as Roughing Tool.

• Select an Offset strategy with a material of 5mm with Z zero at the top of the block. Press Calculate Now.

The inlay toolpath has been generated. Note at the corners the toolpath has become rounded. This is to ensure that it will be able to fit the male insert inside.

The toolpath has been automatically named.

• Simulate the toolpath called Inlay Pocket.

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ArtCAM

Machining Inlays

If an inlay hole was produced, the depth of the inlay is calculated form the material.

• • • •

Clear the Simulation. Select Inlay and then Male Straight.

Select a Start Depth of 0, Finish Depth of 4mm.

Set a 1.5mm End Mill for Finishing Tool. Press Calculate Now. Simulate the toolpath Male Insert

This male insert will fit perfectly inside the female pocket.

Note: When you are generating Stepped inserts, the shoulder is offset from the vector, so with make inserts, this make the actual vector larger.

Exercise • Generate a stepped female inlay toolpath.

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Multiple Plates

Appendix - Multiple Plates Introduction.

To use Multiple Plates an Excel file must be generated and saved as a .csv file.

House Numbers Example • Create a new model of size X900 and Y1200, with a thickness of 10mm.

• Create a rectangle of width 400, Height 150, Corner Radii of 50 at X0 Y0.

• Create centered justified style text of Font Arial, Size 30mm with the text {{house number}} {{street}} as shown.

The text {{housenumber}} will be replaced by the number in the .csv file, as will the text {{streetname}}

• Select both vectors and select Create multiplates.

The multiplate page appears. This has two pages. The geometry that has been selected needs to be stored as the master template, by pressing set emplate.

• Press Set Template.

• Press Load Data.

• Select the file house-names.csv form D:\users\training\ArtCAM Data and press Open.

A preview of the file is displayed. To identify the correct columns to use, the correct filter must be chosen.

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Multiple Plates

ArtCAM Insignia

• Select Comma, Start at Row 2 and tick First row is column headers.

• Select OK. The sheet layout has worked out that from the size of the sheet, and the number of columns from the file, that it needs 2 sheets.

• On the plate layout, enter a Plate gap X as 25, Plate gap Y as 25, X boundary as 10 and Y boundary as 10.

• Press the forward arrow.

By entering the offset values, the sheet number has increased to 3, as shown by pulling down the matrix preview for the sheet.

• On the matrix preview sheet select plate 1.

In the variables section, the named areas are defined by selecting either a number or a column from the .csv file.

A preview of the plate is shown in the Plate Values, to check before creating the plates. You can also edit the data at this stage as well. However it will not update the .csv file.

• For House Number, select House Number.

• For Street Name, Select Streetname.

Plate No. 1 should display 32 Church Street on the page.

• Select Create Plates.

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ArtCAM Insignia

Multiple Plates

The first sheet on layer 1 is displayed. The other sheets are on other layers.

However as the text size is fixed, the position of the number is altered and some signs do not look central.

• Select Close on the page.

• Select Undo (Ctrl + Z). Switch on Layer 0 to display the original vectors.

• Right Mouse click on the vector text and select Edit Text block (e).

In the text form there is a constraints option, which will fit text into a specified boxed area.

• Select Constraints as Centre justified, Method as Limit by Box, • Select Width as 375, Height as 125.

• Move the text to the correct location and press Done.

You could select the outer vector and choose centre in vector.

• Select both vectors and select Create multiplates.

The multiplate page appears. This has two pages. The geometry that has been selected needs to be stored as the master template.

• Press Set Template.

• • • •

Press Load Data.

Select the file housenames.csv form Examples-I and press Open.

Select Comma, Start at Row 2 and tick First row is column headers.

Select OK.

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Multiple Plates

ArtCAM Insignia

• On the plate layout, enter a Plate gap X as 25, Plate gap Y as 25, X boundary as 10 and Y boundary as 10.

• Press the forward arrow.

• On the matrix preview sheet select plate 1.

• For House Number, select House Number.

• For Street Name, select Streetname.

• Select Create Plates.

By selecting Text constraints then the text is better spaced out in each sign or plate.

• • • •

Select Close on the page.

Select Undo (Ctrl + Z). Switch on Layer 0 to display the original vectors.

Select the vector text only.

Create an Area Clearance toolpath with a end mill tool 2mm to a depth of 5mm.

• Select the rectangle vector only.

• Create a profile toolpath using a 12mm end mill tool down to a depth of 10mm.

As the toolpaths are linked to the vectors, you do not need to store as a template.

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Multiple Plates

• Select all vectors and toolpaths and select Create multiplates.

Note: select toolpaths by clicking on them so they go blue (selected).

• • • •

Press Load Data.

Select the file house-names.csv form Examples-I and press Open.

Select Comma, Start at Row 2 and tick First row is column headers.

Select OK.

• On the plate layout, enter a Plate gap X as 5, Plate gap Y as 5, X boundary as 2 and Y boundary as 2.

• Press the forward arrow.

• For House Number, select House Number.

• For Street Name, Select Streetname.

• Select Create Plates.

• Select Create Toolpaths.

Each sheet has it’s own set of toolpaths so Areaclearance 1 and Profile 1 belong to sheet 1 as shown here.

• Select Close on the page.

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Multiple Plates

ArtCAM Insignia

Exercise • Using the file bcard.eps and businesscards.csv, create a set of business cards similar to as shown.

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ArtCAM

Nesting Vectors

Appendix - Nesting Vectors Introduction.

Nesting is an automatic procedure, which re-arranges the selected vectors within the first vector to use as little space as possible. This is especially useful if you have expensive material and you need to make the maximum use of it. Offsets for the tool radius and an offset between the toolpath are used, so there is enough room to machine out the vectors.

Text Example • Create a new model of width 150 and height 50, with the datum in the centre.

• Create a rectangle of width 145 and height 45 at a position of X0 Y0.

• Create the text “all text to fit into this space”, using font Bookman Old style, size 10mm.

• Select the rectangle vector. Hold shift and select the vector text.

• Select the Nesting icon.

The Nesting form appears.

This form defines, what tool will be used and the allowance between the toolpaths, to stop them overlapping.

To allow ArtCAM insignia to find the optimum nesting, the angle that the vectors can be rotated by can be set. If a step angle of 10 degrees is chosen, each vector will be rotated by 10 degrees and then by another 10, until the optimum nesting is found.

Mirror parts and parts in parts are alternative nesting options, which if suitable may nest the vectors more tightly.

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Nesting Vectors

ArtCAM

There is an option to generate a single vector of the left over material, which can be used again.

• Select a tool diameter of 4mm, a clearance of 1mm.

• Select Part Rotation and set an angle of 15 degrees.

• Select Nest.

The text has been nested in.

• Select undo (Ctrl + Z).

• Select the rectangle vector. Hold shift and select the vector text.

• Select Create Leftover material. Select Nest.

The leftover material vector is made up of several small bits and is therefore grouped together.

• Select Close.

• Create the text “7”, using font Bookman Old style, size 10mm.

• Select the left over material vector and copy onto a different layer and then select ungroup.

• Select the leftover vector on the right and the text 7.

• • • •

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Select the Nesting icon.

Untick Allow Parts in Parts and Create Leftover material Vector Select Nest Multiple Copies and enter a value of 7.

Select Nest and then Close.

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Nesting Vectors

The Nesting form appears.

• Delete the leftover material vectors.

• Select File  Save and enter my-nest in D:\users\training\Coursework\ArtCAMPro-Jobs

Re-ordering Toolpaths A profile toolpath, with a lot of tool lifts, around the model, will not necessarily move in the order you require. A selected profile toolpath can be reordered where each lift appears.

Text Example…continued • • • • • • •

Open the model my-nest.

Select all the vectors, apart from the outer vector.

In the Toolpaths page, select the 2D Profiling icon.

Select Outside, a start depth of 0, a finish depth of 10.

Select 15mm for Machine Safe Z, with the home position at 0 0 15.

Select an End Mill Dia 4mm tool. (you may need to create this tool) Press Calculate Now. Select Close.

The vectors group is machined, but it may not be machined in the order you required.

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• Select the profiling toolpath.

• Select the Toolpath ordering icon.

The toolpath ordering form appears and the current ordering is displayed on the toolpath.

With the segment position set at 1 you can manually pick each sector in turn and starting from one, renumber the segments. This can take some time if you have a lot of segments.

• Click on the numbers in turn to re-order the toolpath.

• Select Close.

• Simulate the toolpath to check the machining order.

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Shortcuts

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Toolpath Panelling

ArtCAM Pro

ArtCAM Cursors

Cursors: Vector Selection mode cursor  Standard cursor when in Vector Selection mode.

Move Vector cursor  Vectors can be moved when this cursor is visible.

Node Editing mode cursor  Standard cursor when in Node Selection mode.

Span cursor  Available in Node Editing mode, when hovering over a span. It has a specific right mouse click menu to edit spans.

Node cursor  Available in Node Editing mode, when hovering over a node. It has a specific right mouse click menu to edit nodes.

Object Snap Cursors: Snap to node.

Snap to midpoint of line.

Snap to center of bounding box.

Snap to X axis of start point (for polyline creation only).

Snap to Y axis of start point (for polyline creation only).

Snap to horizontal Guide Line.

Snap to vertical Guide Line.

Snap to intersection of horizontal and vertical Guide Lines.

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Toolpath Panelling

ArtCAM Pro

Toolpath Panelling Toolpath panelling will split the ArtCAM toolpaths into panels sizes to suit the users machine limits . It is important that the datum is set at the lower corner of the sheet. If the datum is elsewhere the model has to be move, the vectors moved and the toolpaths re-calculated.

Example

• Open the model training-breadbin-lid.art from D:\users\training\ArtCAM Data.

• Simulate the toolpaths.

• Draw the toolpaths over the simulation.

These toolpaths are going to be cut into panels using toolpath panelling.

• From the toolpaths tab, select Toolpath Panelling.

The panelling page appears. The size of the panels are set here and are displayed by dashed lines in the 2D view and a number in the middle of the panel.

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Toolpath Panelling

ArtCAM Pro

• Enter a Panel Width of 200 and a Height of 200.

• Press Update Panels.

• Select the 2D view.

The panels can be seen clearly. They can be moved manually by dragging the lines, for example if the panel goes through a feature in the wrong place.

• Drag the panel borders around to miss going through the end of the side details.

This is the best solution with reasonable panels of approximately the same size.

• Select Include Toolpath Summary.

• Select Display Panel Info.

A html file appears with the panel information on.

This can be printed.

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• Select the 3D view. Select Display Selected.

• Select Panel : 2 and Select In Finished Job.

The toolpath is shown in the job with the extended toolmoves from the left corner datum.

• Select Panel : 2 and Select At Origin.

The toolpath is shown at the origin as if you put panel 2 in your machine.

All of the toolpaths in the panel are not displayed in the toolpaths list as there may be lots of them.

The toolpaths are saved to disc. The original toolpath is selected and then ArtCAM saves the panelled post processed toolpath is a named directory.

• Press Save Toolpaths.

• Select the Area Clear toolpath, a suitable Machine option and press Save.

• Enter the name ac and press Enter.

The 6 toolpaths called ac1 to ac6 are generated for panels 1 to 6.

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