Sorry if this sounds idiotic, but I am a part-time user of Sprutcam, not a pro. If FAQ thread exists for folks like me doing SC upgrades, please post a link.
I've had SC since version 7, when I got my Tormach 1100. I've just done my 3rd upgrade, bringing me to version 10. When I upgrade, however, I still keep the older versions, and I'll explain why. More often than not, projects that I did in an older version will break in the new version. If I want to work from an older project and just modify it a little, I find that when I bring it up in a newer version of SC, it won't "run" in the machining tab without generating errors. Usually collisions with the part or gouges.
This is happening *before* any modifications are made. So, here's what I've done so far in the "upgrade/load old project" process:
1. upgrade to SC10
2. In the machining tab, select the machine, right click and select "parameters". Select the proper machine.
3. Load up one of my simpler projects.
4. click "Run" in the machining tab, and it fails. Doh! Forgot to export tools library and select it in this version. So...
5. double-click one of the machining operations and the "Operation:" window appears.
6. select the "Library selection" tab, select the tools file copied over from previous SC version. Verify that my tools are all there. Verify also that my project is still using the correct tools, feeds, speeds, etc. They are.
7. click "Run" in the machining tab (with the machine line selected so all operations will be run) Many "part gouge" errors occur.
The project is an engraved tag. The operations are, a: spot 2 holes, b: drill the spotted holes, c: engrave a bunch of text to a depth of .007 inches in 4 steps, and d: repeat c, but with only 1 step (cleanup pass).
This does not happen with a copy of the project in SC7. I found a parameter in SC10 that has something to do with it. In the machining tab, I select the machine. Then in the box below the operations, under "Simulation Method" there is a parameter called "Gouge detection tolerance" which defaults to .002. If I increase this value to .008 (greater than the absolute depth of any engraving step), the errors do not occur. Unfortunately, I am unable to find this parameter (or its setting) in SC7, so I have nothing to compare it to.
Anyone else have problems like this upon upgrading? What exactly is meant by "gouge"? I could understand errors resulting from doing a rapid into a part or trying to "cut" without having the spindle on. I don't like the idea of just telling SC to "never mind and just do it" without understanding what's going on. The idea of doing this and then running the result on the actual machine makes the hair on my neck stand up. It also makes my wallet flinch. Can anyone help me out? Thanks.
-Mark