With SURFCAM with TrueMill option™, 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 7 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?
How do I verify correct graphics settings for SURFCAM
Answer: SURFCAM V5 is compatible with the new Windows 7 operating system on both 32-bit and 64-bit platforms.
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: Please refer to the SURFCAM System Requirements and Settings.
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 V(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:\Program Files\SURFCAM\V5\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)
Answer:
SURFCAM® uses the latest version of DirectX® technology from Microsoft’s
ActiveX® technology suite. The move to use ActiveX vs. Open-GL is due to its broad
support of modern color cards supporting this technology, modernization, and
capabilities.
Color Quality
When shading a model a color setting of Highest(32 bit) will provide the desired
quality. A lower setting will appear as if there are distinct bands of color. A gradient
background will also reflect this.
To change the color quality (These steps apply to Windows XP®. Windows Vista® may differ slightly):
- Right-click on the desktop and selecting Properties from the menu.
- Select the Settings tab from the Display Properties dialog.
- Select the Highest (32 bit) selection from the Color Quality list of choices.
- Select OK.
Hardware Acceleration
Windows XP® Professional uses hardware acceleration to improve display performance.
If SURFCAM fails to start or the graphics are slow to react increasing the hardware
acceleration can resolve the problem. Hardware acceleration for your graphics hardware
has six settings. The following table shows the settings and their meanings:
| Setting | Description |
|---|
| None | Disables all accelerations. Use this setting only if your
computer frequently stops responding or has other severe problems. |
| 1 | Disables all but basic accelerations. Use this setting to
correct more severe problems. |
| 2 | Disables all DirectX® Graphics accelerations, as well as all
cursor and advanced drawing accelerations. Use this setting to correct severe problems
with DirectX accelerated applications. |
| 3 | Disables all cursor and advanced drawing accelerations. Use
this setting to correct drawing problems. |
| 4 | Disables cursor and bitmap accelerations. Use this setting to
troubleshoot mouse pointer problems or corrupt images. |
| Full | Enables all acceleration features. This setting is recommended
if your computer has no problems. |
To change hardware acceleration (These steps apply to Windows XP®. Windows Vista® may differ slightly):
- Right-click the desktop, and then click Properties.
- In the Display Properties dialog box, click the Settings tab, and then click the Advanced button.
- Click the Troubleshoot tab, and then choose the desired level of hardware acceleration. For best results choose Full.
NOTE: If you use multiple monitors, changing hardware acceleration settings affects all monitors.
Video Card Drivers
The color card must be DirectX® 11.0 compatible. The latest video drivers should be
installed. Most video card manufacturers provide the ability to download drivers from
their website. If you know which card you are using you can, in most cases, access driver
updates by answering a few simple questions.
nVIDIA® chipset drivers can be downloaded here.
ATI® chipset drivers can be downloaded here.
If unsure about how to update the video drivers there are other steps available that
can automatically update the system (These steps apply to Windows XP®. Windows 7 may differ slightly):
- Select start
- Select Control Panel
- Switch to Classic View
- Select Administrative Tools
- Select Computer Management
- From the tree in the dialog that has opened select Device Manager
- Expand Display Adapters
- Right-click on the current adapter
- Select Properties
- From the Driver tab the "Update Driver..." button can be chosen to install the current Microsoft provided driver.
Another method available that can automatically update the system
These steps apply to Windows XP®. 7 may differ slightly
- Select start
- Select Control Panel
- Switch to Classic View
- Select Display
- Select the Settings tab in dialog that has opened
- Select the Advanced button. Depending on your video card and existing driver setup there may be a tab specifically suited for configuring maintaining it. From this tab it may be possible to update the driver from the supplier’s web site.
- From the Driver tab the "Update Driver..." button can be chosen to install the current Microsoft provided driver.
Diagnostics
The Microsoft DirectX® Diagnostic Tool gives information about the DirectX® application
programming interface (API) components and drivers on your system. It enables you to test sound
and graphics output and Microsoft DirectPlay service providers. It also enables you to disable some
hardware acceleration features.
You can use the diagnostic tool to gather information for a technician during a support call.
You can save the information gathered by the tool and paste it into an e-mail message.
To run the Microsoft DirectX Diagnostic Tool:
- Click start
- Click Run…
- A dialog will appear. Type “dxdiag” and select the OK button
The Diagnostic tool will load and scan the system for information. When finished it
will display similar information as in figure 1. In most cases it would be best to review
what version of DirectX® is installed, 4.09.0000.0904 or later is required.
Figure 1The second tab in the diagnostic tool dialog checks the validity of the DirectX® file
set. Optimally the Notes at the bottom of the dialog should report that there are no
problems found as show in Figure 2. If problems are found, it is recommended, depending
on the note itself, that DirectX® be reinstalled.
Figure 2The third tab in the diagnostic tool dialog checks the color card device, its driver,
and provides testing tools. Optimally the Notes at the bottom of the dialog should report
that there are no problems found as show in Figure 3. From this dialog it is important to
verify that the minimum video requirements are met. Direct3D® should also be tested. When
the Test Direct3D button is pressed the system will offer to test the three different
hardware-accelerated interfaces. Although interface 9 is the requirement, testing
interface 7 and 8 is recommended. At the bottom of the dialog the test results will be
listed offering useful information.
Figure 3The last tab in the diagnostic tool dialog offers additional troubleshooting tools (Figure 4). Selecting
the Troubleshoot button will attempt to diagnose problems using a wizard-style process.
If all the diagnostics fail to offer a solution then it is recommended that the "Save All Information..."
button be chosen to generate a detailed system description that can be sent to the appropriate support
provider to evaluate.
Figure 4 |