There are many places in Mastercam where you can enter a work offset number so that a particular work offset will be activated when an operation is performed. For example, you can associate a work offset with a named view so that it will be activated whenever the view is selected, or you can enter an offset code as part of the operation parameters for an individual toolpath.
Many users associate work offsets with specific Gcodes, most commonly G54, G55, etc. However, because different machine tools and controls use many different offset numbering schemes, Mastercam requires that you specify work offsets in a generic format. Offsets are identified starting with the number zero and incremented by one for each successive offset. For example, in Fanuc controls, 0=G54, 1=G55, 2=G56, etc., while in Fadal controls 0=E1, 1=E2, and 2=E3. Your post processor should be configured to output the proper codes when you post the operation. The NCI file will contain the generic codes.
Most posts are configured so that entering -1 in the offset field will result in no offset code being generated, while 0 will output the lowest or first offset code. Use the Work System page in the control definition to tell Mastercam more about your work offset scheme.
Use the Toolpath Coordinate System dialog box to enter a work offset for a specific toolpath or operation (select the Planes button on the Toolpath parameters tab). Select the check box to activate work offsets, and enter the code for the desired offset.
Note: When you enter an offset as part of the operation parameters, it will override an offset that has been activated elsewhere. For example, if an offset has been activated because it is associated with a view that has been selected, you can override it by selecting a new offset in the toolpath parameters. You can cancel the offset by entering an offset code of -1 for the toolpath.