In the Main
toolbar click 
and make settings in the Options
dialog that opens.
(You can also open this dialog from the Simulator
Shortcut menu.)
In the Main
toolbar click and make settings in the Options
dialog that opens.
(You can also open this dialog from the Simulator
Shortcut menu.)
Many of the options are explained within the dialog itself; here are
some additional notes where needed:
General tab
Use EdgeCAM View - Check this for EdgeCAM Simulator to open with the same view selected as EdgeCAM.
Maximised - The simulator window will occupy the whole of the screen, until you use Minimize or Restore Down (in the top right hand corner).
Always on top - The simulator window will be on top of the windows for other applications, until you use Minimize (in the top right hand corner).
Toolpath/Stock/Fixture Color - Can be set to be the same color as EdgeCAM, or another color.
Metallic - Renders stock surfaces with metallic look (see an example).
Background Colour 1 - The background colour for the top of the Graphics area, blending into...
Background Colour 2 - The background colour for the bottom of the Graphics area.
Display tab (restart the Simulator after changing these options)
Enable Swap Area - Update the smallest area of the screen possible, to increase performance.
Software Render - Bypass your graphics card's OpenGL acceleration. You should leave this unchecked for faster rendering, unless you have problems with your graphics card driver.
Full Screen Anti-Aliasing - Pixels are inserted to reduce the 'staircase' effect on sloping lines, for example. You may find that anti-aliasing is set as a property of your graphics card, affecting all applications, so this setting would have no effect.
Advanced Open GL - Use the advanced features available on your graphics card. You need to uncheck Software Render (see above) for this setting to have an effect.
Multiple Light Sources - Check this if the area you want to view is too shaded at your required viewing angle; there will be fewer shaded areas.
Show CPL - Shows (checked) or hides (unchecked) the CPL marker in the Graphics Area. Hiding the CPL marker is useful if you want to record a cleaner AVI, for example. The new setting comes into effect on re-opening EdgeCAM Simulator, or clicking Rewind.
Tolerances tab - see the information on these options displayed in the dialog. Also see these further explanations:
Interior faceting explanation (for faster simulation you should leave Use Interior Faceting unchecked. In (very) limited 2D situations, where cuts are orthogonal, you may want to check this option to give an more accurate simulation).
Collisions
tab - Collisions
are undesired contacts between solids, for example the cutter hitting
(cutting) a fixture, or the tool holder hitting the stock. Collisions
are listed in the Output window in
the Warnings tab.
(Note that collision checking can only include the tool shank and holder
if they are displayed and
tool holder collision checking is switched on.)
Flash Solids Red - All the colliding solids are displayed in red during a collision. This includes the cutter. The cutter cuts through all solids, including fixtures, but the shank and holder do not.
This option (or Change Solids Red), is the best option to use if speed is a priority.
Change Solids Red - On colliding, the colliding solids change to red and stay red. This includes the cutter. The cutter cuts through all solids (including fixtures) but the shank and holder do not. This option (or Flash Solids Red) is the best option to use if speed is a priority.
Cut Solid - The cutter, shank and holder all cut solids they collide with, including fixtures. There is no 'flash red' or 'change to red' indication. The calculation of the removed material potentially slows down the simulation, especially for large and/or complex forms.
Ignore - There is no collision indication. You might find this useful for demonstration purposes.
Animation tab - Settings for recording AVIs.