Click To See: How to Use Online Documents SURFCAM Online Documents

J 68 5 )&$ 0 5 H I H UH Q FH 0 DQ X DO

7
&21),*85$7,21722/6

7.1 INTRODUCTION

SURFCAM’s default configuration parameters are contained in the SURFCAM.INI file. You can
temporarily override many of these default values using commands on the Options menu which is
accessed from any of SURFCAM’s NC menus.

Figure 1: NC > 2 Axis menu > Options

Refer to
1. 2 Axis Options: the SURFCAM Getting Started Manual, Chapter 6: 2 Axis, Section 6.1.4: 2 Axis Options
Tab on page 181,
2. 3 Axis Options: Chapter 3: 3 Axis, Section 3.1.3: 3 Axis Options Tab on page 219,
3. 4 and 5 Axis Options: Chapter 4: 4 Axis and 5 Axis, Section 4.9: 4 And 5 Axis Options Tab on page 287,
4. Lathe Options: Chapter 5: Lathe, Section 5.1.4: Lathe Options Tab on page 318, or
5. Wire EDM Options: Chapter 6: Wire EDM, Section 6.3.3: EDM Options Tab on page 363.
The defaults for these parameters can be set using
the SURFCAM Configuration Tools utility. You will
have to restart SURFCAM before the changes
become active.
To access SURFCAM Configuration Tools, click
Start > Programs > SURFCAM 2000.1 > SURFCAM
Tools > SURFCAM Config Tools. Then click the left
mouse button.
Figure 2: Access Configuration Tools

SURFCAM Reference Manual, Chapter 7 • Configuration Tools

Copyright © 2000 by Surfware, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
368 SURFCAM Reference Manual, Chapter 7 • Configuration Tools

Another way to access the

program: if you have the
icon on your desk top, you
can just double-click the
icon.
The Select SURFCAM
Initialization File dialog box will be
displayed.
Select the SURFCAM.INI file
name and click Open. The
SURFCAM 2000.1 Options dialog
box will be displayed. The
SURFCAM default configuration
parameters are organized on ten
Figure 3: SURFCAM Initialization File dialog box
tabs contained in this dialog box.

7.2 SYSTEM OPTIONS TAB

Figure 4: System Options Tab

Copyright © 2000 by Surfware, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

 SURFCAM Reference Manual, Chapter 7 • Configuration Tools 369

Minutes between automatic saves

Specify the frequency of SURFCAM’s automatic save. Set this parameter to zero if you do
not want an automatic backup.
SURFCAM generates a file called DSNn.TMP for the current drawing, where n is zero for the
first copy of SURFCAM running, 1 for the second copy running, etc. If the power fails, or the
user re-boots the computer while using SURFCAM, the DSNn.TMP file will automatically be
recovered the next time SURFCAM is started.
Note that when SURFCAM is exited normally, the DSNn.TMP file will be erased.
Memory allocation settings
Database page size and Maximum size
These two parameters define the amount of RAM to allocate for the database.
The first parameter is the initial allocation of RAM (in Kilobytes) to use for storage of
elements in the database. As more storage is needed, it is added in increments equal
to this value. The minimum allocation value is 24. The factory default setting is 128.
The second parameter indicates the maximum size of the database (in Kilobytes).
When no second parameter is entered, SURFCAM defaults to 40 megabytes (as if the
parameter were set to 40960).
Display list page size and Maximum size
These two parameters define the amount of RAM to allocate for the file display. This
includes geometry, tool path, and vectors. These are separate from the Tool display
page size parameters.
The first parameter is the initial allocation of RAM to use for file display. As more storage
is needed, it is added in increments equal to this value. The factory default setting is
128.
The second parameter sets the maximum amount of RAM to use for display. Since the
display list is single precision (as opposed to the database which is double-precision),
the second parameter can be set considerably smaller than the second parameter of
the Database page size.
Tool display page size and Maximum size
These two parameters define the amount of RAM to allocate for the tool display—the
animated tool displayed during machining. The values entered are in Kilobytes.
The first parameter is the initial allocation of RAM to use for tool display. This value
should always be large enough to hold the entire tool drawing. If the value is set too
small, the animation of the tool will be extremely slow due to the system reading graphic
information from the disk at each tool position.
The second parameter defines the maximum amount of RAM available for the tool
drawings.

Copyright © 2000 by Surfware, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

370 SURFCAM Reference Manual, Chapter 7 • Configuration Tools

Click Help > Status to see the tool display size. The Display list, Bytes: Used value
indicates the amount of RAM required.

Figure 5: Tool Display Page Size

Text page size and Maximum size
These two parameters define the amount of RAM to allocate for the text and dimensions
that will be displayed on the drawing screen.
The first parameter is the initial allocation of RAM to use for text display. As more
storage is needed, it is added in increments equal to this value.
The second parameter defines the maximum amount of RAM available for text display.
Toolpath INC Edit Size and Maximum size
This indicates the initial allocation of disk space (in Kilobytes) to use for graphical editing
of *.INC files using the NC Edit operation in the NC Operations Manager dialog box.
This parameter must be as large as the INC file that is being edited. The default is 4mb.
Units
Set the default unit of measure to inches or millimeters. When you change from one unit to
the other, all parameters that are based on the default unit type—on all tabs—will be
automatically converted.
Once SURFCAM is running, you can override the default Units setting by clicking Options >
Units and then choose Inch or Metric. When you do this, SURFCAM automatically makes the
conversions of the other parameters listed above.
System View Defaults
View Number / CView Number
Choose the default View and CView numbers from the eight predefined views. Refer to
the SURFCAM Getting Started Manual, Chapter 1: System Basics, Predefined Views on page 19.
The default setting for View is 1. The default setting for CView is 0.
View
Check this box to make VIEW the Coord default, instead of WORLD.

Default Layer Number / Name

The default layer number is 1. Enter a number and name (up to 79 characters) to create a
new layer. Any positive integer results in that layer number being created and added to the
Layers dialog box on startup. Any new file will have that layer number and name as its current
layer.

Copyright © 2000 by Surfware, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

 SURFCAM Reference Manual, Chapter 7 • Configuration Tools 371

If you choose 0, SURFCAM will be launched with 0 as the default layer and no layers will be
listed in the Layers dialog box.
Show Advanced Analyze Dialogs
Check this to cause a more advanced set of Analyze dialog boxes to be displayed when you
use the Elements command on the SURFCAM Analyze menu.

7.3 DISPLAY OPTIONS TAB

Figure 6: Display Options Tab

Time delays (in seconds)
Pause for modal pop-ups
This value determines the length of time that the pop-up warning.

Copyright © 2000 by Surfware, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

372 SURFCAM Reference Manual, Chapter 7 • Configuration Tools

Pause for dynamic rotation

The number of seconds the system will wait to redraw the screen when the mouse is
used to rotate or pan the image. This delay must be introduced to prevent the screen
from being redrawn whenever a mouse pulse is detected.
Flash Element Selection
This value determines the length of time that selected elements are displayed in the
highlight color.
Arrow
Shaft Size, Head Size, and Color
The first parameter indicates the size of the shaft—in the same units of measure that
are used for the ScreenSize parameter.
The second parameter indicates the size of the arrow's head.
Note: When the first and second parameters are set to zero, the arrow is not
displayed.
The third parameter indicates the color of the arrows.
Note: When the color is set to element color or zero, the arrow will appear the same
color as the surface. In drawings that contain many surfaces, this makes it
easier to determine the surface to which an arrow belongs.
Screen Size
The width and height (in inches or millimeters) of your video display screen. The closer these
values are set to the actual dimensions of your screen, the closer the dimensions of objects
drawn on the screen will be to their actual size when the viewing scale in the Status menu is
set to 1. If the values you enter are not in the correct ratio, you will get distortion; for example,
a circle would look like an ellipse. Measure the height and width of your screen with a ruler
to determine the actual physical dimensions. Note that the first number in the INI file is the
horizontal dimension, the second is the vertical.
Surface representation: Number of U and V splines
These parameters set the number of U and V direction splines displayed when a surface is
created. When you enter a zero for these defaults, the surface is displayed using the knots.
When the numbers are greater than zero, the splines are displayed equally spaced.
General display attributes
Curve Error (in Pixels)
Tolerance within which curves are drawn on the screen. Error is in pixels.
Default tool speed
Set the tool animation speed of the tool display. The tool animation speed ranges from
0.0 (fastest) to 0.9 (slowest).
Default fillet radius size
The default radius when either Create > Fillet or Create > Surface > Fillet is first
selected.

Copyright © 2000 by Surfware, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

 SURFCAM Reference Manual, Chapter 7 • Configuration Tools 373

Rotation Increment
Specify the rotation increment value. This is the amount that an image will be rotated
when you use the arrow keys in conjunction with the rotation function to rotate the
image.
Chamfer distances
These are the default values for the First Trim Value and Second Trim Value parameters on
the Chamfer dialog box that will be displayed when you click Change Chamfer on the Create
> Chamfer menu. Refer to Chapter 1: Menus and Dialog Boxes, Section 1.3.7: Create > Chamfer on
page 55.
Default system color
The color of elements when they are displayed on the screen. Refer to the online SURFCAM
Support Utilities Manual, Chapter 1: Miscellaneous Utilities, Section 1.4.3: Color File on page 9 for the
numbers of the colors.
OpenGL graphics card installed
Check the box if you have an OpenGL card installed.
An Open GL graphics card causes rendered or shaded images to remain shaded when the
design model is panned, dynamically rotated, or zoomed. If the dynamic rotation seems not
to display all of the surfaces as the design model is rotated, increase the value for Pause for
dynamic rotation in the Time delays (in seconds) section of the Display Options tab.
If you check the box and do not have an OpenGL card installed, SURFCAM will use the
OpenGL graphics functions, but your system will display graphics very slowly.

Figure 7: Open SURFCAM by using the Start Menu

If you open SURFCAM by using the Start Menu you can choose:

Copyright © 2000 by Surfware, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

374 SURFCAM Reference Manual, Chapter 7 • Configuration Tools

SURFCAM 2000.1 GL OFF

If you right-click—instead of
just clicking on SURFCAM
2000.1 GL OFF—and choose
Properties, you will see the
code OPENGL=0.
SURFCAM 2000.1 GL ON
If you right-click—instead of
just clicking on SURFCAM
2000.1 GL OFF—and choose
Properties, you will see the
code OPENGL=1. Figure 8: Open GL OFF Properties
If you open SURFCAM by double-clicking the icon on your desktop, OpenGL will be
OFF or ON depending on the properties. Right-click the icon to see the properties.
If the properties say OPENGL=0, SURFCAM will open without using an OpenGL card.
If the properties say OPENGL=1, SURFCAM will open using OpenGL functionality.
If the properties just say C:\SURFCAM\Surf2000\surfcam.exe—SURFCAM will open
using OpenGL OFF or ON depending on whether or not you check the box for this
parameter on the Display Options tab of the Configuration Tools program.
Display CView Indicator
Indicates whether or not the CView Indicator (the small coordinate system) will be displayed.
This can be changed later using the SURFCAM Options > Display menu.
Display Wide Lines
Check the box to have wide lines displayed on your screen for lines, splines or arcs.
Cross Hair Cursor
Check the box to choose the classic Cross Hair pointer. Leave it unchecked to choose the
Mouse pointer. To select a Mouse pointer, click Start > Settings > Control Panel. Then
double-click Mouse.
Caution: Using animated pointers will slow down the SURFCAM process.

Copyright © 2000 by Surfware, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

 SURFCAM Reference Manual, Chapter 7 • Configuration Tools 375

7.4 NC OPTIONS TAB

Figure 9: NC Options tab

Cutting Display
You can set various options for the display of the tool and the toolpaths. Check the options
you want.

Copyright © 2000 by Surfware, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

376 SURFCAM Reference Manual, Chapter 7 • Configuration Tools

Advanced milling options

Rotary 4 axis
Set the number of axes for simultaneous
motion by clicking 3 Axis or 4 Axis in the
Rotary 4 Axis Milling dialog box. Identify
the default axis of rotation by first
identifying the X, Y, and Z locations of the
start point of the axis of rotation. Then
identify the X, Y, and Z locations of the
end point of the axis of rotation.

Figure 10: Rotary 4 Axis Milling dialog box

Rotary 5 axis
For 5 Axis machines with dual rotary
tables, set the Number of rotary axes to 1
in the Rotary 5 Axis Milling dialog box. For
5 Axis machines with dual rotary heads,
set the Number of rotary axes to 0.
Identify the default rotary axis by first
identifying the X, Y, and Z locations of the
start point of the rotary axis. Then identify
the X, Y, and Z locations of the end point
of the rotary axis. This parameter defines
the default axis for 5 axis machines that
utilize a rotary axis. Figure 11: Rotary 5 Axis Milling dialog box
A new rotary axis can be defined in SURFCAM with the Set Axis command on the NC
5 Axis menu. See the online SURFCAM Reference Manual, Chapter 4: 4 Axis and 5 Axis, Section
4.8.2.1: Set Axis for 5 Axis on page 287.

Copyright © 2000 by Surfware, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

 SURFCAM Reference Manual, Chapter 7 • Configuration Tools 377

Lathe options
Input (radial)
Click this button to display the Lathe Input (Radius) dialog box.

Figure 12: Lathe Input (radius) dialog box

Display Order of Axes
First, Second, Third
These are the coordinates that will appear in the World dialog box when
Lathe Radius is selected on the Options > Axis menu. These coordinates are
usually set to X, Z, and -.
The - symbol prevents the third coordinate from being displayed in the World
dialog box.
Active Input on Start-up
If you check this box, whenever the World dialog box is displayed in SURFCAM, it
will be displayed as shown in Figure 13: World dialog box for Lathe Radius.

Figure 13: World dialog box for Lathe Radius

However, checking this box does not make Lathe Radius the default in the Options
> Axis menu. For that option, refer to Active Input on Start-up on page 378.
Axes Direction
The start point for the three axes is 0, 0, 0. Your entries in these boxes determine
a point on each axis, based on the Mill axes orientation.
Display (radial)
Click this button to display the Lathe Axis Display (Radius) dialog box.

Copyright © 2000 by Surfware, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

378 SURFCAM Reference Manual, Chapter 7 • Configuration Tools

Figure 14: Lathe Axis Display (Radius) dialog box

Display Order Of Axes
These are the names of the axes that are displayed on the View Indicator in the
lower left corner of the drawing window when Lathe Radius is selected on the
Options > Axis menu.
First
This is the name of the horizontal axis. It is usually set to Z.
Second
This is the name of the vertical axis. It is usually set to X.
Third
This is the name of the depth axis. It is usually set to the - symbol which
prevents the axis name from being displayed on the View Indicator.
Active Input on Start-up
Check this box to make:
1. Lathe Radius the default option
on the Options > Axis menu and

Figure 15: Options > Axis menu

2. the View Indicator the one shown

in Figure 16: View Indicator for Lathe
Radius.

Figure 16: View Indicator for Lathe Radius

Checking this box does not make the World dialog box display only X and Z
coordinate options. For that option, refer to Active Input on Start-up on page 377.

Copyright © 2000 by Surfware, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

 SURFCAM Reference Manual, Chapter 7 • Configuration Tools 379

Axes Direction
The start point for the three axes is 0, 0, 0. Your entries in these boxes determine
a point on each axis, based on the Mill axes orientation.
Input (diameter)
Click this button to display the Lathe Input (Diameter) dialog box.

Figure 17: Lathe Input (diameter) dialog box

Display Order of Axes
First, Second, Third
These are the coordinates that will appear in the World dialog box when
Lathe Diameter is selected on the Options > Axis menu. These coordinates
are usually set to D, Z, and -.
The - symbol prevents the third coordinate from being displayed in the World
dialog box.
Active Input on Start-up
If you check this box, whenever the World dialog box is displayed in SURFCAM, it
will be displayed as shown in Figure 18: World dialog box for Lathe Diameter.

Figure 18: World dialog box for Lathe Diameter

However, checking this box does not make Lathe Diameter the default in the
Options > Axis menu. Refer to Active Input on Start-up on page 380.
Axes Direction
The start point for the three axes is 0, 0, 0. Your entries in these boxes determine
a point on each axis, based on the Mill axes orientation.
Note: The 2 in the First Y coordinate tells SURFCAM to divide diameter values
found in the World dialog box by two.

Copyright © 2000 by Surfware, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

380 SURFCAM Reference Manual, Chapter 7 • Configuration Tools

Display (diameter)
Click this button to display the Lathe Axis Display (Diameter) dialog box.

Figure 19: Lathe Axis Display (Diameter) dialog box

Display Order of Axes
These are the names of the axes that are displayed on the View Indicator in the
lower left corner of the drawing window when Lathe Diameter is selected on the
Options > Axis menu.
First
This is the name of the horizontal axis. It is usually set to Z.
Second
The name of the vertical axis. It is usually set to D.
Third
This is the name of the depth axis. It is usually set to the - symbol which
prevents the axis name from being displayed on the View Indicator.
Active Input on Start-up
Check this box to make:
1. Lathe Diameter the default option
on the Options > Axis menu and

Figure 20: Options > Axis menu

2. the View Indicator the one shown
in Figure 21: View Indicator for Lathe
Diameter.

Figure 21: View Indicator for Lathe Diameter

Copyright © 2000 by Surfware, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

 SURFCAM Reference Manual, Chapter 7 • Configuration Tools 381

Checking this box does not make the World dialog box display only D and Z
coordinate options. For that option, refer to Active Input on Start-up on page 379.
Axes Direction
The start point for the three axes is 0, 0, 0. Your entries in these boxes determine
a point on each axis, based on the Mill axes orientation.
Use Tool Library Gauge Length
Check an NC mode box, like 2 Axis, to have the total height value for a newly selected tool
displayed in the Z Gauge Length box on the Tool Information tab for that NC mode. Total
height is a value associated with each tool in the Tool Library. You will usually check these
boxes when you are using an NC machine that must make use of a tool gauge length.
l

7.5 PLOTTER OPTIONS TAB

Figure 22: Plotter Options tab

Plotter Selection
Plotter name
With this drop-down list box you can display the plotters contained in the PLOTTER.CFG file.
Scroll through the list and click the one you want for the default plotter.

Copyright © 2000 by Surfware, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

382 SURFCAM Reference Manual, Chapter 7 • Configuration Tools

Plotter key
This is a key word associated with the Plotter name. It will be the plotter designation
used in the Plotter parameter line in the SURFCAM.INI file.
Number of pens
With this drop-down list box you indicate the number of pens on the plotter. Pen
carousels for plotters are usually limited to one, two, four, eight, or sixteen pens. This
number will be the last entry on the Plotter parameter line in the SURFCAM.INI file.
SURFCAM will use this number to tell which pen color assignment line to read in the
SURFCAM.INI file.
Paper selection
Paper size
With this drop-down list box you indicate the size of the paper used by the plotter. The
letter in front of the size description will be one of the entries on the Plotter line in the
SURFCAM.INI file.
The paper sizes are indicated below.
INCHES MILLIMETERS
A 8.5 BY 11 A6 105 BY 148
B 11 BY 17 A5 148 BY 210
C 17 BY 22 A4 210 BY 297
D 22 BY 34 A3 297 BY 420
E 34 BY 44 A2 420 BY 594
A1 584 BY 841
A0 841 BY 1189
Figure 23: Paper Selection

Color assignments
n Pen(s)
Click one of these buttons to
display a Pen Color
Assignments dialog box.
Plotter pens are mapped to
the system colors with the
numbers entered in the Pen
Number boxes.

Figure 24: Pen Color Assignments dialog box for 4 pens

Copyright © 2000 by Surfware, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

 SURFCAM Reference Manual, Chapter 7 • Configuration Tools 383

7.6 FILE OPTIONS TAB

Figure 25: File Options tab

File format
With this drop-down list box you can display the file format type names that are contained in the
SURFCAM.INI file. The entries in this box are the parameter names used in each of the lines in
the SURFCAM.INI file that identify the types of files that can be saved and opened in SURFCAM.
Format properties
File description
These are the names of the file types that appear in the File of type drop-down list box
on the Open dialog box and the Save as type drop-down list box on the Save As dialog
box.
Extension(s)
These are the file extensions that a file of this type can have. For example, a file with
an extension TLE is a file that represents the design of a tool with the unit of
measurement in inches (English units). It is in the same format as a DSN file which
represents the design of a part.

Copyright © 2000 by Surfware, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

384 SURFCAM Reference Manual, Chapter 7 • Configuration Tools

“To DSN” translator DLL

For a file type that can be translated into a DSN file, this is the name of the DLL file that
will do the translating.
“From DSN” translator DLL
If it can be done, this is the name of the DLL file that will translate a DSN file into a file
of this type.
“To DSN” DLL entry point
This is a set of characters located in the DLL file that marks the beginning of the
instructions that implement the translation of this type of file into a DSN file.
“From DSN” DLL entry point
This is a set of characters located in the DLL file that marks the beginning of the
instructions that implement the translation of a DSN file into this type of file.
Default directory
This is the name of the sub-directory where files of this type will be stored.
Append File
This is the default setting for the Append box on the on the Files > Open dialog box.
Never
Append is never checked when the Open dialog box is displayed.
True
Append is initially checked and maintains last checked state.
False
Append is initially NOT checked and maintains last checked state.
Always
Append is always checked when Open dialog box is displayed.
File format management
Add file type
Click this button to display the Add File
Format dialog box from which you can add
a new file type. The entry you make in the
New key: list box will appear in the File
format drop-down list box.

Figure 26: Add File Format dialog box

Delete file type
Click this button to display the Delete File
key dialog box from which you can delete
a file type from the SURFCAM.INI file. The
file type that is currently listed in the File
format list box is the one that will be
deleted.

Figure 27: Delete file key dialog box

Copyright © 2000 by Surfware, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

 SURFCAM Reference Manual, Chapter 7 • Configuration Tools 385

Undelete
This button appears only when the Delete file type button has been clicked and the OK
button on the Delete file key dialog box has been clicked. Click Undelete to undelete the
last file type you deleted.

7.7 SYSTEM FILES TAB

Figure 28: System Files tab

Default system files
The path and file names of the major SURFCAM system files are displayed on this tab. Use
the Browse buttons to find the desired path and file names.
Menu file
The file that contains the words that appear in the SURFCAM menus. Refer to the online
SURFCAM Support Utilities Manual, Chapter 1: Miscellaneous Utilities, Section 1.4.1: Menu File on
page 5 to customize this file.
Plotter file
The file that contains plotter configuration. The default file is PLOTTER.CFG and is
installed to the main SURFCAM\PLT directory.

Copyright © 2000 by Surfware, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

386 SURFCAM Reference Manual, Chapter 7 • Configuration Tools

Color palette file

The file that contains the information that defines the colors used by the system. The
default color palette file is SURFCAM.COL and is installed to the main SURFCAM
directory.
Help files
The files that contains the SURFCAM online help. The default help file is
SURFCAM.HLP and is installed to the main SURFCAM directory.
Message file
The file that contains the prompts that appear on the prompt line and the error
messages that may appear in dialog boxes. This is the file that is installed with the
system. Refer to the online SURFCAM Support Utilities Manual, Chapter 1: Miscellaneous
Utilities, Section 1.4.2: Message Files on page 7 to customize this file.
Use Tool and materials library DLL
If this box is checked, the box below it will contain the path and file name of a
dynamically linked library (DLL) file that will process tool and material information for
SURFCAM.
If this box is not checked, the Tool and Material libraries will not be available to you. A
different Tool Information tab will be displayed in which you will have to enter all of the
tool features yourself.

Figure 29: Sample of the Top Portion of the Tool Information tabs when the user
chooses to use, or chooses NOT to use the Tool and Materials Library DLL

Copyright © 2000 by Surfware, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

 SURFCAM Reference Manual, Chapter 7 • Configuration Tools 387

7.8 DEFAULT PATHS TAB

Figure 30: Default Paths tab

Default paths
Font directory
The directory where SURCAM screen fonts are stored.
PLT directory
The directory where SURFCAM writes plotter output (PLT) files.
Tool directory
The directory used to store the files containing the drawings of tools and tool holders.
These are design files similar to DSN files except they have a TLE file extension. Each
tool listed in one of several tool libraries (such as MILLTLB.MDB) has a tool and a tool
holder file from this directory assigned to it. When that tool is selected for an NC
operation, the tool and tool holder drawings from these files will be displayed as the tool
path is drawn on the screen. Refer to the SURFCAM Getting Started Manual, Chapter 3:
Common NC Parameters, Drawing Files on page 74.

Copyright © 2000 by Surfware, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

388 SURFCAM Reference Manual, Chapter 7 • Configuration Tools

Temp directory
The directory used by SURFCAM to store temporary files.

7.9 TOLERANCES TAB

Figure 31: Tolerances tab

Default system tolerances
Chain tolerance
The tolerance to use for finding elements to chain. When elements are separated by
less than this value, the elements can be chained for machining.
Surface intersection tolerance
The surface fillet and intersect tolerance—from the Create > Surface > Options dialog
box—the accuracy within which intersection points are calculated.
Maximum surface step
This is the surface fillet maximum evaluation step—the maximum distance between
points on cutter and surface intersect splines and fillets before optimization. Reducing
this number will cause more points to be generated in the original (non-optimized)

Copyright © 2000 by Surfware, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

 SURFCAM Reference Manual, Chapter 7 • Configuration Tools 389

spline, which may increase the accuracy, but will also increase the time it takes to
calculate the spline, and consume more memory. The default is in inches.
Surface parameter tolerance
This parameter controls the creation of nodes in surfaces built by cross sections. A small
value may cause more nodes in the resultant surface, but it will match the sections very
closely. A larger value will have fewer nodes but may deviate from the sections.
Tolerance
This parameter defines the distance separating two elements that SURFCAM
recognizes as intersecting. When two elements are closer than this value, SURFCAM
determines that they are intersecting.
View tolerance
When SURFCAM attempts to create a fillet between two elements, it evaluates the
angle at which the planes containing each of the elements intersect. If that angle is
greater than the View tolerance, SURFCAM will not create the fillet.

7.10 NC DEFAULT PATHS TAB

Figure 32: NC Default Paths tab

Copyright © 2000 by Surfware, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

390 SURFCAM Reference Manual, Chapter 7 • Configuration Tools

NC Default paths
Refer to Chapter 1: Menus and Dialog Boxes, Section 1.8.5: Options > NC Settings on page 161.
Default directory
The directory where the files containing the default NC settings are stored. The default
name of this directory is NCDefault.
Select Default NC ini file
The name of the INI file that will contain the current NC settings. The default name of
this file is Current.ini.

7.11 INPUT DEVICE TAB

The Input Device tab provides an easy way to modify the SURFCAM.INI file so that you can use
one of the supported 3D input devices or one of the supported digitizer devices.

Figure 33: Input Device tab

3D Input Device
LogiCad3D Magellan Space Mouse
Refer to the online SURFCAM Support Utilities Manual, Chapter 1: Miscellaneous Utilities,
Section 1.7.3: Magellan Space Mouse on page 29.

Copyright © 2000 by Surfware, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

 SURFCAM Reference Manual, Chapter 7 • Configuration Tools 391

Labtec (Spacetec) Spaceball

Refer to the online SURFCAM Support Utilities Manual, Chapter 1: Miscellaneous Utilities,
Section 1.7.2: Labtec Spaceball on page 29.
Digitizing device
Faro Arm
Refer to the online SURFCAM Support Utilities Manual, Chapter 1: Miscellaneous Utilities,
Section 1.6: FARO Arm on page 14.
Digitizer Tablet
Refer to the online SURFCAM Support Utilities Manual, Chapter 1: Miscellaneous Utilities,
Section 1.7.1: Digtab on page 29.

Copyright © 2000 by Surfware, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

392 SURFCAM Reference Manual, Chapter 7 • Configuration Tools

Copyright © 2000 by Surfware, Inc. All Rights Reserved.