[kolias]

I have a hard time understanding the MCx5 Block window (Create / Primitives / Block)

I click the Solids radio button and where I want my anchor to be but I can't figure out what axis the Length, Width and Height represents on the Block window

If I have my object in the front view I would say that the Length is my X axis, the Width is my Y and the Height is my Z but following this my object is not drawn correctly.

Any help?

[poolrod2]

Creating in isometric view is easier. I just use rectangle shapes, rectangle, extrude in solids. I hope this helps. cheers.

[kolias]

Looks like to be the easiest way, thanks for the help

[poolrod2]

Sure, any questions, just ask. I'm new on here and work for Boeing.

[kolias]

Thanks mate for the help

Don’t know very much about MC but I design my new cnc in MCx5 and I learn as I go along

When I stumble again I will ask

Much appreciated

[poolrod2]

Sounds good. Cheers.

[kolias]

Thank you Rod, thats what I did

[poolrod2]

Perfect.

[kolias]

Very nice example cadcam to create a solid

Thank you

[kolias]

Got my problem resolve by trial and error

[poolrod2]

I see you got it, I use translate, then from one point, and select the top corner of the part I want to move, then the corner I need it to go to. That might be what you did too. Rod.

[kolias]

I dont think I have too many lines but I will double check

To make a solid first I use Xform / Translate, then select my lines and then on the DeltaY I put my depth. Then I use the command "Create / Surface / Flat Boundary" for each surface.

I will try the solid extrude and surface draft now

Thank you

[ObrienDave]

It works properly from TOP view.
You are correct.
X is length.
Y is width.
Z is height.
People with SolidWorks experience have a hard time with Mcam because the default screen is 90 degrees off from what they're used to.

[kolias]

Every time I want to exit MCx5 I'm getting this annoying message "Are you sure you want to exit MC"

Is there a setting somewhere to disable it?

[poolrod2]

It is annoying, I agree, and I'm sure there are a few ways to lose it, after all, there are a few ways to draw a line,lol. It is a good feature to have though, with all the icons everywhere, in case you hit exit by mistake. Just a thought.

[kolias]

The other message which says "Save before Exit" is important but I thought after I save and hit exit I dont have to be reminded again if I want to exit. Not very important but I thought it could be something easy on the settings which I might have missed.

Thanks anyway

[ObrienDave]

Unless Mcam has made changes to the exit routines in the last 20 years or so, then no, AFAIK, there's no way to get rid of that particular message.

[kolias]

Got this 3/8" thick two pc solid pipe clamp but cant convert to a solid. When I try to make a surface on the round part, it makes a surface everywhere except where I want it (thats the green part you see on the picture.

Any idea why?

[poolrod2]

Is there double lines, usually made by accident?, that can cause the software to not find the area to extrude into solid.
Maybe from the other drawing overlapping possibly.

[Superman]

Got this 3/8" thick two pc solid pipe clamp but cant convert to a solid. When I try to make a surface on the round part, it makes a surface everywhere except where I want it (thats the green part you see on the picture.

Any idea why?

You have too many lines on the screen

- to create a solid, you only need the outline geometry, ( on your drawing ) that is on the Z zero plane
- you seem to have selected the entire geometry on all vertices ( edges ).

Go..... Solid, extrude, ( select the outline chain ) [ it must be a fully closed chain ), accept ( green button ), the arrow indicates the extruding direction ( L-click on that chain will reverse the arrow, if the wrong way ), Extrude dialog appears, set extrude distance to 0.375", & accept ( -HINT.. change colour to make wireframe different to solids, it stands out better )

- to create a surface ( many methods available )
Go.... Surface draft, ( select the outline chain ), accept, ( set the extrude distance, set draft angle to zero ), accept ( extrude direction is perpendicular to the construction plane )

Use dark colours for wireframe, light pastel colours for surfaces & solids.....gives better print shading & the wireframe entities do stand out better over the light coloured solid entities )