Introduction
This document provides information on the feature set referred to as plug-ins. Plug-ins are built into the system to provide enhanced functionality. They were created as a quick and flexible response to common feature requests. This document is intended to be a supplement to the full range of GibbsCAM manuals as the plug-ins are targeted as various sections of the system such as Geometry Creation, Mill, and SolidSurfacer. Users are expected to be familiar with these manuals before using the plug-ins.
There are currently 26 plug-ins available in GibbsCAM. There are also 5 "Distribution Only" plug-ins available:
Allows for the customization of a 3D controller device.
Automatically creates coordinate systems based on the faces of a solid.
Build Machine
Provides for defining the relationship of solid bodies within Machine Simulation. Described in the Machine Simulation manual.
Changes feedrates and spindle speeds for operations.
Deletes duplicate geometry within specified tolerances.
Creates D- or double D-shaped geometry.
Creates a plunge rough operation on solids.
Creates spiral geometry that may be machined or projected onto solids.
Creates geometry for a tapered thread.
Custom Macros
Custom Process Manager
Controls the visibility of the Custom Processes shown on the Machining Palette.
Diamond Insert
Creates custom diamond inserts.
Find Ops
This feature is a search tool. It finds operations by the operation type, the tools used, geometry or solids that get machined.
Provides several basic functions for breaking geometry into smaller components.
Get Draft Angle
Informs the user of the draft angle of a selected face.
Provides information on the version of Granite used by the system.
Helix Bore
Creates a helical toolpath for round shapes.
Helix Builder
Creates helical geometry.
HSM Plug-in
This will extend the toolpath and / or put loops on the lace cut toolpath necessary for high speed machining.
Provides for quick and/or bulk importing of custom material data into the Material database.
Import VNC
Imports any VNC file with operations into any open operation in the system.
Displays various MDD and VMM information.
Machine Sim
Activates the Machine Simulation rendering. Described in the Machine Simulation manual.
Mirror Ops
This feature mirrors selected geometry and toolpath.
Model Associativity
Designed for use when a model has changed and you want to update the operations.
Allows for the addition of custom code to posted output.
Allows for the Addition, Subtraction or Union of more than 2 bodies simultaneously.
A group of shortcuts to important folders and files.
Pinch Turning
Assists in the rough turnings of a part on a twin turret lathe by using two tools simultaneously.
PostHASTE
Provides an APT/CL-based generic posting solution.
Project onto Solids
Modifies the shape and or depth of geometry to lie on a body.
Reporter `97, 2000, and XP
Generate an array of reports on part files and are fully customizable.
Rotary Rough
This is designed to work with solids in Mill Turn or Advanced Mill. Rotary Rough can create three types of toolpath, Linear, Rotary and Helical along all of the axis.
Provides for the use of an alternative application and window for G-code output.
Show Face Normals
Displays Face Normals across selected faces to highlight the curvature across each face.
Provides for position inquiries on rendered parts.
Provides information about the faces of a selected body.
Allows for the manipulation of the position of solid models.
TMS
Activate the Tombstone Management System. Described in the TMS manual.
Allows toolpath to be quickly rotated, duplicated, or repositioned.
Generates trochoidal toolpath (circular toolpath with small fast cuts).
Z Ramp Contour
Takes any closed contour and creates a continuous spiraling tool path in Z.
Distribution Only plug-ins:
Custom Process Manager
A utility for managing custom processes, e.g. 4AS, which are found in the CAM palette.
Creates a process to clean up selected edges of parts.
Extracts geometry from the intersection between a solid and the HV or HD planes.
Creates workgroups of points based on where selected lines intersect and where they would leave the Workspace boundary.
MDD Power Tools:
This has three basic functions, Show Toolgroup CSs, MDD Information List and Preferences
Changes the approach moves of a turning tool.
The plug-ins that are installed on your system will depend on the product options installed. For example, if you do not install a solids product, the plug-ins associated with solids will not be installed. However, there are several plug-ins that are installed (in a separate folder and not immediately available) that may apply to a function you do not have. These are the "Distribution Only" plug-ins. The Distribution Only plug-ins are items that were developed to fit a particular need but may be of use elsewhere. These items often do not adhere to the GibbsCAM look and feel and are not considered a normal part of the system. Feel free to move them from the Extras folder to the PlugIns folder and try them out. Note that the Distribution Only plug-ins are automatically installed on Japanese systems, there is no need to move them.
Except for a few functions, the plug-ins are arranged in a pre-sorted hierarchical structure within the Plugins folder that groups the plug-ins by general function for ease of access. You may rename and re-order the folders and contents as you wish. Several plug-ins (Machine Info, Show Position and Transform Toolpath) are not in sub-folders because they are frequently accessed.
† There are other plug-ins, folders and DLLs in the plugins folder. These items should not be moved or renamed. Only the items in the table above may be modified.
The Plug-Ins menu in GibbsCAM displays the plug-ins alphabetically, based on the plug-in DLL name. As already stated, the menu's contents may be customized to display the plug-ins in any order (by renaming the file) and can also be grouped into sub-menus by renaming the containing folder. To accomplish this, go to the PlugIns folder inside the GibbsCAM install directory, (most of the DLLs found in this folder may be renamed, see the previous table for a list of the items that may safely be renamed). You may create folders in the Plug-ins directory and place the DLLs in the folders as you prefer. The next time you start the system, the Plug-Ins menu will reflect your changes.
The plug-ins are supported by Balloons. Check the Balloons item under the Help menu to activate this feature. Then place the cursor in any text field within the plug-in and Balloons will appear when mousing over text fields and radio buttons (the plug-ins Balloons resemble Windows™ Tooltips rather than the standard GibbsCAM Balloons).
