With SURFCAM Velocity Powered by TrueMill™, you are on the way to your most productive machining
ever. TrueMill is a revolutionary new toolpath engine that is changing the way metal is cut. By
dynamically and accurately managing the tools engagement with the material, TrueMill enables
machining parameters (spindle speed, feedrate, depth-of-cut and stepover) to be used in extremely
aggressive combinations never before possible. This FAQ will assist you in realizing the maximum
benefits from this groundbreaking technology.
Does SURFCAM run on the Windows Vista operating system?
How does Auto recover work?
Verify is slow, how can I speed it up?
What type of graphics cards are recommended for SURFCAM?
What is the minimum hardware requirement to start SURFCAM?
How do I install a post processor?
What type of post am I using, Spost or Mpost? What is the difference?
My gradient background appears to be in distinct bands of colors.
Why can’t I see the highlighted elements?
Why can’t I see the toolpath?
Why is the toolpath always displayed in the same color?
Answer: SURFCAM Velocity v3.0 SP2 has achieved the “Works with Windows Vista™”
Certification and is compatible with the new Vista operating system. One of the major aspects
of the Windows Vista compatibility in SURFCAM Velocity is the use of Microsoft DirectX®
graphics technology, enabling superior graphics performance. The SURFCAM users can now be
confident that the core functionality of SURFCAM products will work with Windows Vista.
Answer: SURFCAM has Auto recover capabilities. You can test it by loading a file, modifying it and wait
until the Automatic Save time interval time has elapsed. If SURFCAM process is then terminated, upon
restarting SURFCAM you will get a recover message. Automatic save of the file is done at regular
intervals based upon the settings under TOOLS > OPTIONS > SYSTEM > STARTUP page. If you set the
interval value to 0, Automatic save is disabled. If there are no changes to the files since it was
loaded or saved, Automatic save is also not done.
Answer: In TOOLS > OPTIONS > VERIFICATION > Select "True Solids Verification for 2/3 Axis
Milling Operations". The image quality can also be adjusted to a lower setting for faster verification.
If "Enable Back Step" or "Show Shadows" is selected, deselect them. Under TOOL DISPLAY, the "Number Of
Moves" and be lowered. This shows less tool motion thus speeding up the verification process.
Answer: Please refer to the Video Card Compatibility List.
Answer: SURFCAM starts in full mode only with a valid hardware dongle. SURFCAM would not start if the hardware security dongle (SIM) becomes corrupted.
If this happens, the SIM may need to be replaced. To check, unplug the SIM and start SURFCAM. If SURFCAM starts in demo mode, please send the following information
to your authorized reseller. Include your SIM and System number, located on your invoicing documents, or the SIM number located on the SIM, and your company name.
Answer: You can install a post from the standard SURFCAM post-processor library by using the
Post Menu Wizard utility. To access the Post Menu Wizard in Windows XP select the Start > Programs >
SURFCAM > SURFCAM Tools > Post Menu Wizard. The Post Menu Wizard dialog box will be displayed;
select Add a Post, select Next and follow the prompts. The left column of the Post & Spost Files dialog
box are the Mposts and the right column are the Spost. Choose a desired post from the list or browse to
a location for a custom post. After choosing the desired post, follow the last few prompts to complete
the installation. To check if the post was properly installed, start SURFCAM and open the Operations
Manager. The newly installed post should be listed in the panel to the right with the any other posts
already installed. You may need to change the axes to see your newly installed post.
Answer: Generally the type of post you are using is determined by the amount of axes you are
posting. Mpost is the default for 2 & 3 axes, while Spost is the default for 4 & 5 axes. This is not a
rule, both posts will work for all axes but Spost is favored for anything higher than 3 axes. To
determine the type of post you are using open the SURFCAM.PST file that is located in the Velocity(n)
directory inside the main SURFCAM installation directory. Find the appropriate section for the axes you
are posting and look at the path after the command line.
e.g. Command "C:\SURFCAM\Velocity(n)\SPOST\SPOSTM" "%p%N.apt" 80 "%p%N.ncc". The path will either say
Mpost or as the example above states, Spost.
Answer: Change the Color Quality setting to Highest (32 bit).
Answer: SURFCAM allows you to assign colors for items highlighting. You can set these
colors on the Tools, Options, Colors, System dialog box (see #1 below)
Answer: Make sure that you are in the Wireframe or Shaded with Wireframe mode.  The toolpath can be displayed only in one of these modes.
Answer: SURFCAM allows you to assign colors to the feed and rapid moves. You can set these
colors on the Tools, Options, Colors, System dialog box (see #1 below)
If you prefer to display the toolpath in the current color then turn "Use Current Color for Toolpath
Display" on (see #2 below)
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