Dynamically monitor design changes and automatically update all necessary toolpaths.

1. Create a model in SolidWorks and save the file.

2. Open the SolidWorks file in SURFCAM, and create cutting operations on the model.

3. In SolidWorks, change the model and save the file again.

4. Return to the SURFCAM window. The following message appears.
   
   Original file filepath/filename.SLDPRT has been modified. Update current model? YES/NO

5. Click YES to replace the current model with the modified model.

6. Open the Operations Manager. Any operations that use edited geometry display a red circle.

7. Right click on the NC Project or on any Setup that contains operations with red circles. Click Update All.
   
   
   
   This regenerates all operations with red circles, to match the edited geometry. The red circles change to green. Regenerate All regenerates all toolpaths, even those with green circles. Regenerate All is typically used only in API applications.

Options

From the menus, click Tools > Options. In the left pane, click Files > Read. The following options appear.

• Do not Update Any Operations when Updating a Model - This is the default option, and behaves as shown in the above example.

• Repair All Operations when Updating a Model - After you click YES, this option automatically applies Repair All, as shown in the above example.

• Regenerate All Operations when Updating a Model - After you click YES, this option automatically applies Regenerate All.

1. Create a model in SolidWorks and save the file.

2. Open the SolidWorks file in SURFCAM.

3. Rename, move, or delete the SolidWorks file. You must first close the file in SolidWorks.

4. Return to the SURFCAM window. The following message appears.
   
   Original File: pathname/filename.SLDPRT is not found in its original location!
   . . . with the following buttons.

• Browse - displays the Open dialog. Open the file to renew the association.

• Postpone - exits the dialog. The dialog reappears the next time you open the file.

• Disable - disables the association with the SolidWorks file.

 

From the menus, click Tools > Options. In the left pane, click Files > Read > Solid Works. The following options appear.

Display Options Each Time a SolidWorks File is Read

If checked, these options appear each time SURFCAM reads a Solid Works part or assembly file.

Part/Assembly Units

Set this to the units of the Solid Works part or assembly file. SURFCAM scales the file as needed.

Read Solid Bodies

If checked, SURFCAM reads the surfaces from the Solid Works file.

Use Body Colors

If checked, SURFCAM uses the attributes from the Solid Works file to color the surfaces.

Body Color

If you do not check Use Body Colors, SURFCAM uses this color for the surfaces. Click the color button to change the color.

Place Assembly Components on Separate Layers

If checked, the SURFCAM places each component on a separate layer. SURFCAM begins with the first available layer. Each layer uses the component name.

Single Part Layer

This is the number of the layer that receives the single part bodies.

Read Wireframe Geometry

If checked, SURFCAM reads the wireframe geometry from the Solid Works file.

Use Wireframe Geometry Colors

If checked, SURFCAM uses the attributes from the Solid Works file to color the wireframe geometry.

Wireframe Geometry Color

If you do not check Use Wireframe Geometry Colors, SURFCAM uses this color for the wireframe geometry. Click the color button to change the color.

Place Assembly Geometry on Separate Layers

If checked, the SURFCAM places each component's geometry on a separate layer. SURFCAM begins with the first available layer. Each layer uses the component name.

Single Part Geometry Layer

This is the number of the layer that receives the single part geometry.

Add Centerlines and Points to Cylinder

If check, SURFCAM creates centerlines and points at every cylinder.

Projection Method

Set to UV or XYZ.

Projection Tolerance

SURFCAM ignores distances smaller than this value.

Repair Bodies

Check to repair gaps or overlaps between bodies.

Repair Tolerance

SURFCAM ignores any body gaps or overlaps smaller than this value.

Trim Body Edge

SURFCAM trims body edges greater or equal to this value.