Big rework of user interface
New users get started faster with the Outlook-style toolbox, the wizard-based feature creation, and step-by-step nature of the new interface. This also minimizes the number of buttons that must be displayed to run FeatureCAM.
Each step of the Steps toolbox provides a new wizard or groups options of the program that were previously spread throughout the interface.
Stock wizard presents specifying the stock, UCSs and creating setups.
Feature wizard clearly presents walks the user through the steps of the feature-based automation.
Learn the program more easily because the entire program can be controlled with single clicks of the mouse. The need for double clicking, click-and-drag, and right-mousing has been removed. (This functionality also supports touch screens.)
New Part View
Explorer-like hierarchical view of the entire part.
Each setup is listed separately with the features listed underneath.
Clicking on a feature highlights the feature in the graphics window. Users no longer need to use the process plan dialog box to identify overlapping features.
Other functionality includes including and excluding features, changing setups and reordering features.
View a list of all curves and surfaces of the model.
Easily create new toolbars or rearrange the buttons of the FeatureCAM screen.
Change the appearance of the buttons from flat to 3D, or from large to small.
Menu commands now display toolbar icons to help users learn the program faster.
Experienced users have more control over their part with the hierarchical Explorer-like part view.
User interface is laid out more efficiently, presenting only those toolbar choices that make sense at any particular moment (examples of this are the geometry toolbar, the manufacturing window, and the simulation controls).
Never move another dialog box out of your way to pick geometry -- dialog boxes fly out of the way automatically when picking objects from dialog boxes.
Regain your screen real estate -- the manufacturing report window and the new Outlook-style Toolbox can be easily minimized and restored at the click of a button.
Animated clips are now included in new dialog boxes to help you learn new portions of the program.
Graphics
Better control of colors . Colors are settable on each object on the screen.
Now dynamically view shaded models up to 5 times faster than with version 5. Dynamic rotation/zoom of shaded surfaces and features has also been added. Models no longer revert to line drawings during viewing.
New shading options including use of graphics cards and point light sources. Graphic details are now view dependent.
Graphic details are view dependent (Refresh command). Objects that are farther away are rendered less accurately to improve graphics speed. Zoom in on the object and refresh the view to more accurately represent an object.
Animated changes between principal views provide smooth transitions using the new View Animation setting. Now viewing can be performed smoothly rather than an abruptly.
Now toolpaths are properly hidden behind shaded surfaces or features with the Z buffer lines option.
Now easily perform a 3D simulation of multiple setups using the new Part View interface.
Display of arc and circle centers are now optional based on the Snap to Center snap setting.
Show/hide capability has been added for points and vertical surfaces.
Post Processor /NC Code Changes
New NC program commenting options including, post processor header , operation comments, operation types, tooling names and tooling comments.
Valid range of fixture Ids are now in .cnc files and setup IDs are automatically generated.
You can now use TOOL ID instead of tool slot number in NC code.
Tool, Comp, and Offset numbers are now 6 digits.
Saving NC code now provides you with more control over what is saved. Now conveniently save the NC code, part documentation, tooling and materials database or default attribute settings. The entire environment can now be saved for complete archiving of your FeatureCAM part.
Miscellaneous Productivity Features
Now you can create multiple configurations of default attributes.
Automatic centering action for stock.The stock can automatically be resized to fit all the objects on the screen with the press of a button.