Transition Guide

Mastercam X6 Transition GuideOctober 2011

Be sure you have the latest information!

Information might have been changed or added since this document was published. The latest version of this document is installed with Mastercam or can be obtained from your local Reseller. The ReadMe file (ReadMe.htm) includes the latest information about Mastercam features and enhancements.

II • MASTERCAM X6 TRANSITION GUIDE

Mastercam® X6 Transition Guide

Date: October 2011Copyright © 2011 CNC Software, Inc.— All rights reserved.First Printing: October 2011Software: Mastercam X6

TERMS OF USE Use of this document is subject to the Mastercam End User License Agreement. A copy of the Mastercam End User License Agreement is included with the Mastercam product package of which this document is part. The Mastercam End User License Agreement can also be found at: www.mastercam.com/legal/licenseagreement/

Mastercam X5 to X6 Transition

IMPORTANT: If you are updating to Mastercam X6 from a version prior to Mastercam X5, see the Mastercam X5 Transition Guide, available from your Reseller.

This guide is designed to help you quickly and easily update your Mastercam X5 files for use in Mastercam X6. A standard installation to the default locations is assumed. If you need assistance with a non-standard installation you should contact your local Reseller. Use the information included here to automatically migrate the majority of your files, manually copy any files not included automatically, and to get up and running with your newest version of Mastercam.

Before You BeginMastercam X6 includes a powerful, yet straightforward, migration utility. The vast majority of your files are updated to the current version simply by using two check-boxes and setting two destination locations. Some of the Mastercam X5 files updated by this utility are:

Part files

Defaults files

Operation and Tool libraries

Control Definitions

Machine Definitions

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Numerous other file types are updated as well. Click the Help button from the Migra-tion Utility dialog box for a complete listing. Remember that only files in the Mastercam X5 format are migrated.

A number of factors will effect the amount of time needed for the migration utility to run. The largest of these is the number of part files you have stored in your personal (\My Mcamx5) and shared (\Shared Mcamx5) locations. You may choose to relocate your part files to shorten the migration process. Updating them at a later time is accomplished simply by opening each file as needed, or by running the Update Folder utility.

Running the Migration UtilityRun the migration utility the first time you launch Mastercam X6 and before you begin to make changes to the X6 setup.

1 Launch Mastercam using your preferred method.

2 Select File, Migration Utility.

The X5 to X6 Migration Utility dialog box opens.

MASTERCAM X5 TO X6 TRANSITION / Running the Migration Utility • 3

3 Select both \My McamX5 and \Shared McamX5 to migrate all available files from Mastercam X5.

4 The default locations should be used for a standard installation of Mastercam.

Windows XP users are defaulted to a structure beneath C:\Documents and Settings. Windows 7 users are defaulted to a structure beneath C:\Users.

5 Click OK to begin the migration process.

The time needed for the process to complete varies from user to user. The main vari-able is the number of part files being migrated. If it encounters any errors, the Migra-tion Utility will halt the process until you take appropriate action.

IMPORTANT: If you are logged on as an administrator, the Migration Utility processes the nethasp.ini file (..\Program Files\Mcamx6\) at this time.

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Handling Remaining FilesCertain files are not migrated through the utility and must be manually copied into the X6 structure. These include files that are outside of the default installation loca-tions as well as the following:

Machine Simulation FilesMachine Simulation files are located in your ...\Shared McamX5 \ModuleWorks \Machsim folder. If you have created any custom machines or layouts you should bring them into X6. Simply copy the entire Machsim folder, including all sub-folders and files, into your ...\Shared McamX6 \ModuleWorks folder.

Cimco Machine FilesCimco Machine files are located under your \Program Files folder. In order to copy files into this location for your X6 installation you must be logged in as an administrator. Copy all of the files with a MCH extension from /to the locations shown:

Note: Mastercam X5 is found in the \Program Files(x86) folder when installed on a system running a 64-bit operating system.

Miscellaneous FilesMiscellaneous files include:

Graphics files (i.e. JPG, BMP)

NC and NCI files

Native format files from other applications (i.e. DWG, STL)

MASTERCAM X5 TO X6 TRANSITION / If You Need More Help • 5

These file types should simply be copied from their location in the X5 structure to a corresponding location within the X6 structure. They do not need to be run through any kind of update process.

Note: Use the Update Folder utility to update files in non-standard loca-tions. Select File, Update folder to see which file types are supported.

This should complete your transition from X5 to X6. Launch Mastercam X6 and enjoy the upgrades and enhancements.

If You Need More HelpUse the following websites to find information on Mastercam:

For assistance with installing Mastercam, its HASP or NetHASP, or to obtain more information on using Mastercam, contact your local Mastercam Reseller. If your Reseller is unavailable, you can call CNC Technical Support Services Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m., USA Eastern Standard Time.

When calling CNC Software for technical support, please follow these guidelines:

Be sure you have already tried to contact your Mastercam Reseller.

Provide the serial number of your HASP or NetHASP.

Be ready to describe the problem in detail. Write down what happened, particularly if you cannot call immediately after the problem occurs.

Be in front of your computer when you call.

If possible, try to duplicate the problem before calling. Our Support Services technician may require you to duplicate the problem while you are on the phone.

When you call, have ready a complete description of your hardware, including your operating system (OS), central processing unit (CPU), graphics card and settings, and memory.

www.emastercam.com Mastercam global user forum

www.mastercam.com CNC Software, Inc. corporate website

www.mastercamedu.com CNC Software, Inc. Educational Division website

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You can also leave a message for CNC Support Services twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week via our email or website addresses. When sending email, please include:

The serial number of your HASP or NetHASP

Telephone number and contact information where you can be reached

Files required to reproduce an issue, such as MCX and post files

TIP: Use Mastercam’s Zip2Go utility to gather Mastercam part data into a compressed .Z2G file. This utility makes it easy to provide your Reseller or CNC Support Services with a file attachment that contains the information they need. Zip2Go scans the machine groups in your current part file and captures information such as your Mastercam configuration, machine definition, and post files. For more information on using Zip2Go, please refer to the Mastercam Help.

Mastercam DocumentationMastercam installs the following documents in the \Documentation folder of your Mastercam installation:

Mastercam X6 Quick Start

Mastercam X6 Administrator Guide

Mastercam X6 Transition Guide

Important Contact Information

Address CNC Software, Inc.671 Old Post RoadTolland, Connecticut, 06084-9970USA

Phone (860) 875-5006Fax (860) 872-1565FTP Address ftp://ftp.mastercam.comInternet Address http://www.mastercam.comemail support@mastercam.com

MASTERCAM X5 TO X6 TRANSITION / Mastercam Documentation • 7

Mastercam X6 Quick Reference Card

Mastercam X6 File Location Card

Mastercam X6 Post Debugger User’s Guide

Contact UsFor questions about this or other Mastercam documentation, contact the Technical Documentation department by email at techdocs@mastercam.com.

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Attention! Updates may be available. Go to Mastercam.com/Support for the latest downloads.