Copyright (C) 1986-2008 by Daniel H. Hudgins, All Rights Reserved.
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To view or use the current version of this Web page you may need to reload or refresh the display of this page by your browser. Just clicking on the browser's [Reload] or [Refresh] icon may not be enough to insure that all of the page's most current contents have been cached and displayed. Some browsers may have additional commands to help display the page's most current contents such as: holding down the [Shift] key and clicking on the [Reload] icon, holding down the [Control] key and clicking on the [Refresh] icon, holding down the [Control] and [Shift] keys and clicking on the [Refresh] icon, pressing the [Control] and [F5] keys, pressing [Control] and the [R] key, or some other combination of keys or clicks. Check to see which commands your HTML browser uses to load the most current page contents into its cache and then to display them onto the screen.
This Web site is dedicated to the thousands of "users" of my programs, those who have helped test my programs over the last 22 or so years, and especially those who shared their experiences with me.
You must read this notice: This is a licensed Web site (HTML document and associated files). You must read and agree to be legally bound in contract by the Terms of Use and conditions given in the End User License Agreement ("EULA"), Legal Notices, Instructions, Warnings, Disclaimers, and all other text in "SECTION: 0" of "This Web Site" (HTML document and associated files) before reading or using any of the information, software programs, and or files, contained in, linked to, and or associated with, "This Web Site" (HTML document and associated files). Any use or "Beta Testing" of "This Web Site" constitutes your acknowledgment of your full agreement with the current End User License Agreement ("EULA") and your decision to have this current license supersede all prior and contemporaneous agreements and understandings. Information and files in "This Web Site" (HTML document and associated files) have been placed here so that long time users of "The Author's" programs DANCAD3D.COM (tm) , DANCAM.EXE (tm) , or DANPLOT.EXE (tm) could help proofread the text of the documentation files or screens displayed, and also help test data files, example files, and or any software programs that might be made available from time to time, to aid "The Author" in finding mistakes, bugs, and other errors, omissions, defects, mistakes, and faults. Everything in "This Web Site" (HTML document and associated files) is "Beta Test", "Beta Code", Experimental, Preliminary, requires proofreading, or is being evaluated for possible revision, and is NOT warranted to be free of defect. To help "The Author" report any bugs, foul-ups, defects, or mistakes that you find, see "SECTION: 8" for instructions. "This Web Site" (HTML document and associated files) and all other files and programs by Daniel H. Hudgins are made available "AS IS" without warranty of any kind express, expressed, or implied. All offers and specifications are subject to change or discontinuation without notice of any kind. Please read "SECTION: 8" of "This Web Site" (HTML document and associated files) before trying to contact "The Author."
This section has text mostly about revisions to the "Beta Test" version v2.7E of my CAD and v2.74 CAM programs, and might be looked to for updated information relating to changes from v2.7D, regarding some of the revised or added program features. There may be changes made in versions subsequent to the revisions of the version of v2.7E that alter what is described in this section as it applies to that subsequent version. See also any other documentation files, and pages in this Web site (HTML document) for additional and or any more recent information.
The HTML documentation in this SECTION: 3.3.7.5 was derived from the text in the file INFOV27E.TXT that is, or was at one time, included in my *.ZIP file archive DANCAD3D.ZIP (tm). You may find the current revision of DANCAD3D.ZIP (tm) to download by going to SECTION: 9.70.51.0. My file DANCAD3D.ZIP (tm) may also archive some other types of files like the ones described in this section, so check the current *.ZIP file in its current revision to see what exactly might be in it.
You may not distribute, sell, rent, share, or give away these HTML documentation files or printed copies of them. You may not extract text from these HTML documentation files for distribution, sale, rent, sharing, or giving away. You can use the [Print] option in your browser to make one copy for yourself to mark up in order to help me proofread the text for mistakes.
Documents may be available to download from time to time, you can check SECTION: 9 to see what the current situation with regard to downloadable files is. The names of these documentation files may change, and they may be edited, combined, or eliminated in the future, without notice.
You may need to adjust your browser for best viewing of the pre- formatted text by changing the "font" size using the commands in your browser (see the help in your browser, or use the pull-down menus in your HTML browser.) If some letters in words on the screen appear to be missing or scrambled try changing the font size in your browser as this sometimes happens even though the words are spelled correctly in the HTML code.
Use the "Edit, Find in page Ctrl+F" or "Edit, Find (in this page)... Ctrl+F" command in your browser to search for keywords within the documentation text in this HTML page. You will need to search over again in the other pages in this HTML document for the same keyword since your browser may not search for a keyword beyond the current page that is loaded.
My current file DANCAD3D.ZIP (tm) is a *.ZIP file that holds the current "Beta Test" versions of my programs and associated files for "Beta Testing." This section refers to the preliminary revision of the v2.7E version of the programs, look for other sections or documentation relating to any subsequent revisions.
The use and copying of these programs and files are governed by my current Terms of Use and End User License Agreement ("EULA") which are located in SECTION: 0 of this "Beta Test" Web site. You must read and fully agree to be legally bound by the current End User License Agreement ("EULA") before you use or "Beta Test" any of the files in my file DANCAD3D.ZIP (tm). If you are unable to read and agree to the current End User License Agreement ("EULA") do not use or "Beta Test" any of the files in my program distribution, the DANCAD3D.ZIP (tm) archive file.
Be sure that you scan the programs and files in my DANCAD3D.ZIP (tm) for virus or other contamination since you are responsible for checking them before you use them. These programs and this information are made available "AS-IS" and are without warranty of any kind express, expressed, or implied. Since these programs are "Beta Test" you must agree to become a "Beta Tester" before you make any use of them, see the End User License Agreement ("EULA") in this "Beta Test" Web site for more information. Be sure to read the current instructions in this "Beta Test" Web site regarding procedures for reporting program bugs and other such problems.
On some systems the *.ASC data files, or *.MAC macro files, may be able to be renamed *.TXT to avoid certain kinds of file type misinterpretation by text editor type programs and such. Thank you for helping test these "Beta Test" CAD and CAM programs.
A *.TXT file version, similar to some of the text in this S0303075.HTM Section, may be included in the v2.7E revision of my DANCAD3D.ZIP (tm) file (see the "downloads" SECTION: 9 of this "Beta Test" Web site). See the text in any files like README.*, FILES.TXT, and INFOV27E.TXT stored in my current DANCAD3D.ZIP (tm). You should check for the current types of document files because they may be more up-to-date than this *.HTM file, or it is possible that this HTML file could be more up to date, depending on which one got worked on last.
Below is text from file INFOV27E.TXT that was written to be included in a preliminary revision of version v2.7E of my DANCAD3D.ZIP (tm) distribution for preliminary information about changes in version v2.7E of the CAD and v2.74 of the CAM programs. You should read this information before you try to use or "Beta Test" the revised programs. This information is in addition to the previous documentation, i.e. a supplement to, and does not go into detail about many of the previously documented features, so you should therefore review the other sections and documentation as well.
The text of INFOV27E.TXT was derived from some notes I made to myself as I worked on the code for v2.7E, so you should check this document, and the other documentation, against the programs before you do any "serious" testing of the programs since there may be some differences between the descriptions here and the current state of development of commands and features in the programs. Please report any discrepancies between the documentation and the programs or files that you find. Some of the text from this section may have been incorporated into the other sections of this Web site, in doing that some of the text may have been further revised, and so may contain additional information, therefore after reading through all of this section you should also read through all of the other portions of this Web site, even those portions that might seem to be duplicates.
I have kept this preliminary information in one long file so that you can use the "find in page" feature of your HTML browser to search for a keyword relating to some new command or feature you are looking for more information about, otherwise you might have to search through more files.
See also the This Section and About DANCAD3D.ZIP (tm) sub-sections above, as well as SECTION: 9.70.0.0 and SECTION: 9.70.51.0 for more information about v2.7.
DOCUMENT: INFOV27E.TXT
Copyright (C) 2003 by Daniel H. Hudgins, All Rights Reserved.
Terms of use: This "Beta Test" document may only be used in accord and within
the limitations imposed by the current End User License Agreement "EULA" posted
at the author's Web site www.DANCAD3D.com (sm) in file S0000000.HTM, any other
use or copying is prohibited. This document is provided "AS IS" without
warranty of any kind express, expressed, or implied. Mistakes, errors, and
omissions should be reported according to the instructions in SECTION: 8 of the
current "On-Line" version of my Web site www.DANCAD3D.com (sm).
This preliminary document has some brief descriptions of changes made to my CAD
and CAM programs DANCAD3D.COM (tm), DANCAD87.COM (tm), DANCAM.EXE (tm), and
DANPLOT.EXE (tm) between the release of v2.7D and the "Beta Test" release of
v2.7E. This file is meant to be included in the initial "Beta Test" v2.7E
distribution to help long time users acquaint themselves with some of the many
changes that have been made to the programs. If you are not a long time user
you will most probably need to read all of the text located at my "Beta Test"
Web site www.DANCAD3D.com (sm) before you read this document in order to make
practical use of it. This document is not a complete list of changes made to
the programs, and may not reflect the operation of the version of the program
accompanying it in all respects. The programs may be still undergoing change,
so the results obtained from any of the commands may be different than
expected, and the operation of older commands may have changed as well. Since
so many changes have been made to the programs you should not expect any of the
commands to operate as you have used them in the past, and you should
frequently back-up and save what you are working on so that you do not lose
everything when the program crashes. All specifications, descriptions, and
instructions are subject to change without notice.
Be sure to see also the file INFO16.TXT that is in archive DANCAD16.ZIP (tm).
I would like to thank the thousands of users of my programs who have helped
"Beta Test" the many revisions of my programs since about 1986, I hope you will
enjoy checking out some of the newer program features that I have spent so many
years working on. Best wishes for success in your projects.
---
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES ABOUT CHANGES IN V2.7E0 JANUARY 22, 2003
DANCAD3D.COM (tm) and DANCAD87.COM (tm) were revised with some internal changes
to the Files Save Industry Gcode command. The menu version of the Save Gcode
command is now designed to select the DRIVERS\GSAV????.CFG driver without
having to enter and exit the Files Save Industry Gcode Install command each
time before saving the G code file.
The Write command in the CAD programs should now scroll the screen more
smoothly on computers with VGA video boards, and perhaps some others as well.
Some internal changes were made to the CAM programs: DANCAM.EXE and DANPLOT.EXE
in the program boot-up portion.
I should remind you that the key used for the screen redraw interrupt command
was changed from the key used in older versions, you now need to press the
[Ctrl] or [Control] key on your keyboard to interrupt the re-drawing of the
screen in the Drawing Editor, Preview command, and some other parts of the CAD
programs. In some cases you may need to press the [Ctrl] and [X] keys at the
same time in order to interrupt the re-drawing of the screen, e.g. such as when
triangles are being sorted and such.
Macro files that you write should now begin with the VERSION v2.7E0 macro
command to flag the associated version. ASCII files made in v2.74 of the CAM
programs should only be edited in v2.7E of the CAD programs.
The files SIMLATHE.MAC, GSAVDFLT.CFG, and GSAVTEMP.CFG that are included in the
DANCAD3D.ZIP (tm) distribution were revised. The information that was in file
INFOV27D.TXT is now only at the "Beta Test" Web site in Section: 3.3.7.4, this
newer INFOV27E.TXT file replaces it in the distribution.
The INSTALL.BAT file was changed, and the CAD programs were changed, so that
the use of the *.DIK flag file would not cause unnecessary error messages if
you accidentally ran the INSTALL.BAT file in its file installing mode twice,
without extracting all of the files from DANCAD3D.ZIP (tm) before selecting the
install option. When you run INSTALL.BAT by entering INSTALL.BAT at the prompt
it just displays some information and does not install the files and sub-
directories. In order to actually install the files and sub-directories you
need to enter INSTALL INSTALL at the prompt, the command line parameter INSTALL
tells the INSTALL.BAT batch file to do the installation. DANCAD3D.COM (tm) is
designed to try to detect if the installation was done and if not tell you that
you need to do it before you use the programs and begin "Beta Testing".
Be sure that you also read all of the information at the "Beta Test" Web site
in Sections: 3.3.7.1, 3.3.7.2, 3.3.7.3, 3.3.7.4, and 3.3.7.5 regarding changes
to the programs over recent revision cycles, as well as all of the other
information there, since this file only covers a few of the more recent changes
to the programs. Be sure to check the download section at least once a month
to see if any revised versions have been posted, so that you know that you are
working with and "Beta Testing" only the most current revisions.
---
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES ABOUT CHANGES IN V2.7E1 JANUARY 30, 2003
A new Helix command has been added to the drawing editor's [3]D shapes sub-
menu. This Helix command in this revision has three modes. Mode 1 works like
the [P]olygon command, but with extra settings for making Helix, Spiral, Taper,
and similar tool path shapes for threading, boring, chamfering, beveling,
facing, or just making a drawing element. Mode 2 works like the G14 and G15 G
code Helix commands in that you enter the number of repetitions rather than the
total sides, as in Mode 1, to control the length of the Helix. The third mode
uses the Load G code command to create the element in the workspace, and saves
the G code commands G14 and G15 directly to the G code output file. If you do
not use the third mode, the element would need to be converted into G01
movements by the Save G code command if you want to save the Helix part of the
tool path in G code.
For making tool path files for use with my CAM program DANCAM.EXE (tm) any of
the Helix modes can be used, since the ASCII file type is saved from the lines
in the drawing workspace.
The centering of the Helix is different in the three modes, in Modes 1 and 2
the Helix is centered on the workspace center when it is generated, and the
OFFSET command is used to move the element to its desired position, as was done
with the POLYGON command. In the drawing editor Helix command the Offset,
Rotate, and Magnify commands are included in the Helix command's prompts for
Modes 1 and 2 as a convenience, the Offset command centering the Helix around
the point marked with the drawing cursor. When the "third" mode, i.e. the G
code G14 and G15 version of the Helix command, is used, the Helix is offset so
that the starting point of the Helix is at the drawing cursor or the last X Y
and Z point set in the G code interpreter. Since the value of the radius, i.e.
I, changes the starting point from the left to right side of the Helix's center
the position of the Helix depends on the sign of the radius in the "third"
mode. In the first and second modes the center of the Helix stays in the same
place and the start just moves from one side to the other side when you change
the sign of the radius.
In Modes 1 and 2 the ROTATE command can be used to rotate the start of the
Helix element to any point, not just right or left of the Helix center. In
Mode 1 the Sides total drawn can be adjusted to have the Helix end at a point
not on the same side as the start of the Helix.
When you want to make a Square or Rectangular "spiral" for facing or milling a
pocket, you can use Helix Mode 1, and set the Lead pitch to 0, along with
setting the two radius values to different values, e.g. setting one of the
radius values to 0. Since the Square spiral made would start at 3 o'clock or 9
o'clock you would want to add 45 degrees of rotation on the Z axis with the
Rotate command to orient the square spiral, then use Magnify to "stretch" the
"spiral" into the rectangle you need. By changing the sides per 360 degrees in
Mode 1 you can make triangle, hexagon, and other shaped spirals for milling
pockets of various shapes, e.g. for making honeycomb recesses, lightening, and
such.
Modes 1 and 2 of the Helix command have a Macro equivalent, described below and
in Appendix B.
PURPOSE: To make a new element in the work-space in the shape of a Helix,
Spiral, Taper, Helical thread cutting path, Facing path that is
triangular, square, rectangular (when used with Magnify and
Rotate), hexagonal, octagon, quasi-circular and such. There are
two modes, Mode One works like the POLYGON command, but has more
options so various shapes can be generated, Mode Two works like
the G code commands G14 and G15 to generate a Helix for Helical
thread cutting. The LOAD GCODE command can also be used to
generate a Helix by using its G14 and G15 commands. The version
of this command in the drawing editor, i.e. [3]D shapes [H]elix,
has three options, Mode 1, Mode 2, and outputting directly to the
G code output file in the form of G14 and G15 commands. This
command was added in revision v2.7E1.
MAIN MENU: [D] ... [3] [H]
KEYWORD: HELIX
PARAMETERS: Mode 1: 11, Mode 2: 10.
TYPE: Mode 1:
i......... mode, 1 for this mode.
i......... sides in 360 degrees, 3 or more.
i......... sides total, 1 or more.
r......... radius 1, radius at start, n+, n-, or 0.
r......... radius 2, radius at end, n+, n-, or 0.
r......... lead pitch per 360 degrees, n+, n-, or 0.
l......... direction, C = CW, R = CCW.
i......... line color 0 to 127.
i......... line width 1 to 255.
i......... line shape attribute, normally 0.
i......... line style attribute, normally 0.
Mode 2:
i......... mode, 2 for this mode.
i......... sides in 360 degrees, 72 or more.
r......... radius, n+, n-.
r......... lead pitch per 360 degrees, n+, n-, or 0.
i......... number of repetitions of the lead, 1 or more.
l......... direction, C = CW, R = CCW.
i......... line color 0 to 127.
i......... line width 1 to 255.
i......... line shape attribute, normally 0.
i......... line style attribute, normally 0.
EXAMPLE: ; Mode 1
HELIX 1 4 40 0 2 0 R 14 1 0 0 ; Square spiral
HELIX 1 400 4000 0 2 0 C 6 1 0 0 ; Round spiral
HELIX 1 360 3420 1 .5 .1 C 3 1 0 0 ; Taper
HELIX 1 72 1440 .625 .625 0.05 R 9 1 0 0 ; Helix
; Mode 2
HELIX 2 360 0.75 0.0625 32 C 4 1 0 0
NOTE: Positive radius values start the Helix or Spiral at the 9 o'clock
position, Negative radius values start the Helix or Spiral at the
3 o'clock position, so use negative radius values to start like
the POLYGON command's positive radius value (POLYGON does not
accept negative radius values, you just use the ROTATE command to
move the starting point).
HINT: See also the POLYGON and LOAD GCODE commands. In Helix Mode 1 if
you set the radius 1 and radius 2 parameters to different values
you can make a Tapered helix. If you set Radius 1 or Radius 2 to
Zero you can make a cone. If you set Radius 1 or 2 to Zero and
set the Lead pitch to Zero you can make a Spiral. If you set the
sides per 360 degrees to 3 you can make a triangular spiral, to 4
a square spiral, to 6 a hexagonal spiral, to 3600 a quasi-
circular spiral, and so on. The flat spirals can be reshaped
with the Magnify and Rotate options to make rectangular facing
cuts, or for use in making odd shaped pockets. If radius 1 is 0
the spiral will work from the center out, and if radius 2 is the
one that is 0 the spiral will work from the outside inward.
Helix Mode 2 is used for making a simple helix that has an even
number of loops, in Mode 1 you can select the total sides drawn,
and so control the ending. Mode 2 is like the G14 and G15 G code
commands, and might be used for Helical thread cutting in a
vertical milling machine. If you wish to use the Helix command
through the LOAD GCODE command rather than the macro interpreter
you might add G14 or G15 to your G code file with the Write
command, or use the Helix command in the drawing editor to output
G14 or G15 automatically into the selected G code output file,
see the [3]D shapes and [N]C sub-menus in the drawing editor. In
the G14 and G15 G code commands I is the radius, K is the Helix
lead pitch, L is the number of repetitions a.k.a. turns around
360 degrees, and F is the feed rate that gets converted to line
colors as was setup in the LOAD GCODE feed rate to line color
table. The sides per 360 degrees in G14 and G15 is taken from
the value used by G02 and G03 in the Load Gcode configuration
file for the arc commands. When making boring or pocketing
cycles you should create two elements, since the helix or spiral
does not make a complete turn on its start or end you should
begin and or end the movement with a polygon of "constant" radius
to outline the shape, i.e. dwell on the outline of the hole or
pocket.
In the G code version of Helix G14 or G15 are followed by values assigned to I
K L and F in the same block. The Helix is generated at the end of the block.
Other commands should not be in the same block, the setup for the starting
point X Y and Z values should come in the preceding block, e.g. by use of G01.
G14 is for CW Helical thread cutting, and G15 is for CCW Helical thread
cutting. The Helix made can be used for boring or milling threads.
I is set to the radius in decimal, positive values locate the Helix right of
the starting point with the starting point at the 9 o'clock position, and
negative values locate the Helix to the left of the starting point with the
starting point at the 3 o'clock position.
K is set to the Lead Pitch in decimal for the Helix, positive values end the
Helix at a greater Z value, and negative values end the Helix at a lesser Z
value.
L is set to the number of repetitions, i.e. the number of times the Helix goes
around 360 degrees, and is a positive integer value without a decimal point.
G14 only works in the G17 plane, and G02 and G03 cannot be active at the same
time.
The G02 and G03 ijk mode is not designed to effect G14 and G15 directly. The
sides per 360 degrees is taken from the value in the configuration file for the
G02 and G03 arc commands.
See also the more versatile Helix macro command in Appendix: B that can be used
to make Spiral, and Tapered helix for facing cuts, countersinking, and such.
The G14 and G15 commands need to be preceded by a another movement command,
such as G00 or G01, to locate the current X Y and Z values to the starting
point for the Helix.
EXAMPLE: %
O0001
G90
G00 X-3. Y-2. Z2.5 F10.
G00 X1. Y1. Z1.
G14 I-.5 K-.1 L16 F1.5
G91
G01 X-.5 F3.
G01 Z2.
G90
G00 X-3. Y-2. Z2.5 F10.
M30
%
When the G code file is executed in the v2.7E1 G code interpreter in the Load G
code command you should not use G40, G41, and G42 for cutter radius
compensation at the same time as G14 and G15 for Helical thread cutting. Also
you should be careful about the starting and ending points of the Helix since
the going into or out of radius compensation may move the tool path line's end
points around. Since G14 and G15 are now assigned, if you have used G14 or G15
for a user assigned canned cycles you should change the assignment of those
canned cycles to some other unused G code number.
Some changes were made to how the lines leading into and out of G41 and G42 are
processed. The last point of the line preceding is now adjusted to correspond
to the first point in the compensated portion. The first point of the line
following the compensated portion is now adjusted to correspond to the last
point in the compensated portion.
EXAMPLE: %
O0001
N0001 G90
N0002 G00 X1. Y1.5 F10.
N0003 T01
N0004 M98 P0002 L1
N0005 T02
N0006 M98 P0002 L1
N0007 T03
N0008 M98 P0002 L1
N0009 M30
O0002
N0001 G90
N0002 G01 X1. Y1.5 F2.
N0003 G01 X2. Y1.5
N0004 G01 X2.5 Y1.
N0005 G41
N0006 G91
N0007 G01 Y-2.
N0008 G40
N0009 G90
N0010 G01 X2. Y-1.5
N0011 G01 X1. Y-1.5
N0012 G00 Y1.5 F100.
N0013 M99
%
In order to see what the example above does, you need to make a copy of the
GCODDFLT.CFG driver in the DRIVERS\ sub-directory, then use the Files Load
Industry Gcode Install command to alter the Tool table, so that the radius for
tool number 1 is 0.25, for tool number 2 is 0.5, and for tool number 3 is 0.75
then load the example using your altered copy of the driver. If you change the
tool radius values for tools 1, 2, and 3, and reload this example file you
should see the associated lines following the compensated line's new position,
this prevents gaps from forming when the too radius is altered in the tool
table, but the G code file is not edited to adjust the starting and ending
points for the compensation. If the G code file was already set properly for
the starting and ending points of the compensated part the result should be
about the same as before, but you should inspect the loaded lines to be sure.
NEW JUMP TO LAST POINT ON LAST ELEMENT
A new [J]ump command option has been added that can be of assistance while
drawing tool paths, and other elements that have a continuous flow of line
segments, such as the chains of lines used with the Betweens and Weave
commands.
When you are in the parts of the drawing editor that have you move the drawing
cursor, such as in the [D]raw sub-menu, you can press [J] to bring up the Jump
cursor prompt, then press [Ctrl] and [L] to have the drawing cursor jump to the
last point of the last line segment, of the last element in the drawing
workspace. If you need to move the cursor to re-center the zoom in order to
zoom in or out this new command lets you jump the cursor right back to the end
point of the element so you can continue adding more line segments or elements
from where you left off.
---
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES ABOUT CHANGES IN V2.7E2 FEBRUARY 1, 2003
Some internal changes have been made to the CAD and CAM programs. Some of
these changes have been made to improve, hopefully, stability when the programs
are run under DOS, or a DOS like OS, on very fast computers. Some other
changes have been made to the internal structure to deal with some other issues
of a similar nature. You should probably replace whatever version you are now
testing with these updates.
If you experience problems with running the programs on computers faster than
1GHz that do not show up on slower computers be sure to report the nature of
the issue by following the instructions in Section: 8, that way I can know if I
am making improvements in this arena. Be sure to say what OS version you are
using while testing the programs.
It would probably be a good idea to check the "What's New" section at the "Beta
Test" Web site at least once a month to see if any new revisions are available
for testing.
When trying to run the v2.74E2 CAD programs, DANCAD3D.COM (tm) and DANCAD87.COM
(tm), under DOS you need to make adjustments to the CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT
files in order to get as much free disk space as you can, which means that you
may not be able to load the CD-ROM or Sound Board drivers, and you may need to
use a different mouse driver. You may need to have the DOS utilities loaded
into high memory in order to free more of the 640KB for the CAD program. The
CAD programs seem to run just fine in a Windows 95 (tm) DOS prompt operating in
full screen mode. Do not try to run the CAD programs in one of those small
Window's (tm) windows that you can drag around the screen, the mouse operation
is probably peculiar and the text screens are probably slower. You can use the
DOS utility CHKDSK to read the free DOS memory before you run the CAD program.
Under Windows 95 (tm) CHKDSK reports about 602848 bytes of DOS memory free.
When trying to run the revised v2.74 CAM programs, DANCAM.EXE (tm) and
DANPLOT.EXE (tm), under DOS you probably should load the high memory manager
and enable the EMS. The overlay manager in v2.74 of the CAM programs tries to
load the overlay into EMS memory if the memory is available, EMS is not
required but the performance of some CAM program features may be better when
EMS is available, particularly if an older hard disk is used without a disk
cache.
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MISCELLANEOUS NOTES ABOUT CHANGES IN V2.74 AND V3.74 FEBRUARY 10, 2003
Changes where made to the CAM programs DANCAM.EXE (tm) and DANPLOT.EXE (tm).
There are now two versions of DANCAM.EXE (tm), i.e. v2.74 and v3.74. There are
also two versions of DANPLOT.EXE (tm), i.e. v2.74 and v3.74.
The CAM programs v2.74 were revised to deal with some issues that related to
running the programs on a computer that has just a floppy drive, or a slower
harddisk, and only 640KB of DOS memory and no high memory. These changes made
the v2.74 EXE files slightly larger and so the programs require some more DOS
memory to be free. The Jog and Teach commands should now work better on
computers that have a slow harddisk, or just a floppy drive, and no high
memory.
Because of the DOS memory requirements in v2.74, it may not be possible to run
v2.74 along with all of the needed drivers for the CD-ROM, Mouse, and Sound
Board's Joy-Stick port. I have therefore introduced a new v3.74 of the CAM
programs that loads the CAM programs into the computer's high memory and lets
the programs run on computer's with much less DOS memory free. I am not sure
exactly how much DOS memory needs to be free, but the programs seem to load
satisfactorily with as little as about 256KB of DOS memory free on a computer
that also has about 2MB or more of high memory.
The new v3.74 versions are located in a new Zip file called DANCAD16.ZIP (tm)
that was placed in download Section: 9.70.61.0 at the "Beta Test" Web site.
The name of the new Zip file comes from the fact that the v3.74 programs are
compiled for use with 16 bit processors in Protected memory mode. Details
about v3.74 are in the file INFO16.TXT in DANCAD16.ZIP (tm) and in the
corresponding new HTML Section: 3.3.7.30 at the "Beta Test" Web site.
Since there are not v3 CAD programs at this time, the files in DANCAD16.ZIP
(tm) are an add on to the file in DANCAD3D.ZIP (tm). You should extract and
install DANCAD3D.ZIP (tm) before you extract and install DANCAD16.ZIP (tm).
Installing DANCAD16.ZIP (tm) overwrites and erases v2.74 of the CAM programs.
EXAMPLE: C:\DC27\INSTALL INSTALL
C:\DC27\INST16 INSTALL
The two install batch files, i.e. INSTALL.BAT from DANCAD3D.ZIP (tm) and
INST16.BAT from DANCAD16.ZIP (tm) require that you follow their name on the
command line with the word INSTALL in order for them to actually do the
installation. If you just enter the name of the batch file it will display a
screen of information, but not do any installing.
If the computer you are going to be using with my CAM programs is a 80286 or
better processor and has 2MB or more of high memory, v3.74 would probably be
the preferred version to "Beta Test". Since there are probably few users still
using 8088 or 8086 computers, development may continue in parallel on v2.74 and
v3.74 for a time, and then concentrate on Protected memory mode versions that
load the programs into high memory. If you are collecting junk computers for
use with my programs in the not too distant future you should probably consider
a 80386 with 16MB memory and VGA graphics to be the defacto minimum
requirement.
If you try running my programs under FREEDOS (tm) and the cursor just jumps
back to the command prompt without an error message, it probably means that
there was not enough free DOS memory. Use the utility MEM.EXE, e.g.
C:\FDOS\BIN\MEM.EXE, to check the amount of memory free on your computer. The
Protected memory mode revisions of my programs are probably better suited to
use under FREEDOS (tm) since they do not demand as much free DOS memory,
provided also that the computer has enough high memory free. See the notes
about using FREEDOS (tm) in INFO16.TXT in DANCAD16.ZIP (tm).
If you press the [Ctrl] and [H] keys while in the Jog command, in both the main
menu and the motor testing menu options of the Jog command, in both the revised
v2.74 and v3.74 versions, while the motors are not being used, the program will
probably display the amount of memory free on the heap. The heap is in DOS
memory in v2.74, and in the high memory in v3.74. You should adjust your
system settings to get a reading of about 80KB or more free. You can use this
new command to see how much memory is free on the heap after the program has
started running. The program uses some more memory from time to time while
running, so you can now check that there is some free memory for it to use.
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MISCELLANEOUS NOTES ABOUT CHANGES IN V2.74 MARCH 16, 2003
The DXF support in the CAD programs was revised. The CAD programs may now load
and save 3D DXF symbol or drawing files that use the 3DFACE entity to describe
triangle elements. Some "free" 3D DXF symbol files using the 3DFACE entity may
be available from the internet, e.g. places like www.3DCAFE.com, that you might
try in your drawings or animations.
In additions to the new commands in the Files Load Industry and Files Save
Industry menus two new macro commands have been added, the LOAD DXF command,
and the SAVE DXF3DFACE command. Changes were made to the SAVE DXF2D and SAVE
DXF3D commands to allow them to save the line color using DXF color codes.
When saving drawings by using the SAVE DXF2D command set the display scale to 1
if you want the distance units saved in the DXF file to correspond to the
distance units in the element being saved, e.g. like when using the SAVE 2D
command.
The translation of colors used in the DXF files and the colors used in my CAD
programs is done using two table files that are kept in the DRIVERS sub-
directory. DRIVERS\DXFLOAD.CCT is the color conversion table used by the LOAD
DXF command, it is a text file you can edit if you need to change the color
conversion, the left column of numbers 0 to 256 is the color number used after
the DXF file's code 62, and the numbers in the right column is the default
color number in my CAD programs, i.e. 0 to 15. Do not change anything other
than the numbers in the right column, which can range from 0 to 127 for my CAD
line color values (which are converted to 0 to 15 by the screen palette table
in the drawing editor's set-up sub-menu.) If you do not want a particular DXF
color converted to my color you can set the right column to -2 and the default
color will be used (probably light yellow). You can change the color of whole
elements with the LINETYPE command. When saving drawings to DXF files using
the SAVE DXF2D, SAVE DXF3D, and SAVE DXF3DFACE commands the 0 to 127 line
colors in my CAD programs (e.g. 0 to 15 screen colors) are converted by using
the DRIVERS\DXFSAVE.CCT color conversion table. In DXFSAVE.CCT the left column
is the line color number in my CAD programs, and the number in the right column
is the DXF color number, do not change anything in DXFSAVE.CCT other than the
values in the right column. If you do not want the DXF line color output to
the DXF file being saved you can set the DXF color value for a given
DANCAD3D.COM (tm) line color index to -2. When the PLOT command is used to
save DXF data the line color is not saved, so use the SAVE DXF2D command to
save 2D drawings as DXF LINE entities when you want the color saved for each
line segment.
The format for the new SAVE DXF3DFACE macro command is:
PURPOSE: To save an element as 3D triangle data in DXF experimental file
format. This command saves the 3D triangle element by using the
DXF 3DFACE entity. If you want to save 2D line elements, i.e.
for simple line drawings, use the SAVE DXF2D command listed
above, since this command is only for 3D triangle elements for 3D
hidden-line and shaded display. Added in later revisions of
v2.7E.
MAIN MENU: [F] [S] [I] [?] [D] [T]
KEYWORD: SAVE DXF3DFACE
PARAMETERS: 2
TYPE: f......... Filename for DXF data.
i......... mode
1 = convert to single 3DFACE triangles.
2 = convert to back-to-back triangles.
FORMAT: SAVE DXF3DFACE i f
EXAMPLE: SAVE DXF3DFACE 1 SOMEFILE.DXF
SAVE DXF3DFACE 2 SOMEFILE.DXF
NOTE: This is an experimental command and may not work with other
programs that read DXF triangle data. To export drawings see
also SAVE STL, SAVE BMP, and PLOT for saving HPGL or POSTSCRIPT
(tm). The conversion of the line colors is made by using the
conversion table in file DRIVERS\DXFSAVE.CCT. You can edit the
numbers in the right column in that file to adjust how the line
color numbers are converted, the left column numbers are my 0 to
127 line color indexes, and the right column are the DXF palette
color code numbers. Changes to the screen palette can upset the
colors displayed, the *.CCT table files assume the default screen
palette is being used.
HINT: The STL file format can save triangle data, and so may be more
useful in some cases. It is important that you draw the triangle
elements properly in order for them to display as you would like
in some other program. The triangle's normals need to point in
the correct direction, i.e. outside of the element, or you will
see "holes" in the element when it is displayed as hidden-line or
shaded solid and such. In cases where holes appear when the DXF
file is displayed in some other program even in those elements
that display properly in my CAD programs while using the shaded
display modes, you might try mode 2 which saves two triangles
back to back with normals pointing both ways, in that way
hopefully any "holes" will be filled in when the element is
displayed in the other program. If you want to use my CAD
programs to create 3D triangle elements, and then render the
elements in some other programs for special applications, saving
the elements by using the DXF 3DFACE entity may be your best
choice. Some programs may ignore the DXF colors and edge
attributes, so you may need to fiddle with things in the other
program to restore the look you are after. See also the LOAD DXF
file command to load 3DFACE type elements, e.g. from
www.3DCAFE.com and such.
The format for the new LOAD DXF macro command is:
PURPOSE: To load an element from DXF LINE, 3DLINE, and 3DFACE entities.
This command is experimental. This command can load a 3D
triangle element by using the DXF 3DFACE entity. Added in later
revisions of v2.7E.
MAIN MENU: [F] [L] [I] [?] [A]
KEYWORD: LOAD DXF
PARAMETERS: 2
TYPE: f......... Filename with DXF data.
i......... mode
0 = load LINE and 3DLINE entity, or 3DFACE as
a wire-frame line element.
1 = load 3DFACE to single triangles.
2 = load 3DFACE to back-to-back triangles.
FORMAT: LOAD DXF i f
EXAMPLE: LOAD DXF 0 SOMEFILE.DXF
LOAD DXF 1 SOMEFILE.DXF
LOAD DXF 2 SOMEFILE.DXF
NOTE: This is an experimental command and may not work with other
programs that save DXF triangle data. The conversion of the line
colors is made by using the conversion table in file
DRIVERS\DXFLOAD.CCT. You can edit the numbers in the right
column in that file to adjust how the line color numbers are
converted, the left column numbers are the 0 to 256 DXF line
color indexes, and the right column are my CAD program line color
code numbers. Changes to the screen palette can upset the colors
displayed, the *.CCT table files assume the default screen
palette is being used.
HINT: The STL file format can also load triangle data, and so may be
more useful in some cases. It is important that the triangles in
the DXF file were drawn properly in order for them to display as
you would like in my CAD programs. The triangle's normals need
to point in the correct direction, i.e. outside of the element,
or you will see "holes" in the element when it is displayed as
hidden-line or shaded solid and such. In cases where holes
appear even in elements that display properly in other CAD
programs using the shaded display modes, you might try mode 2
which loads two triangles back to back for each 3DFACE in the
file with normals pointing both ways, in that way hopefully any
"holes" will be filled in when the element is displayed. If you
want to use my CAD programs to load 3D triangle elements drawn
with some other program, and then animate the elements for
special applications, loading the elements by using the DXF
3DFACE entity may be your best choice. Some programs may ignore
or not save the DXF colors and edge attributes, so you may need
to fiddle with things in order to restore the look you are after,
see the LINETYPE command to change the color of an element. See
also the SAVE DXF3DFACE command to save 3DFACE type elements,
e.g. like ones from www.3DCAFE.com and such. Since triangle
elements drawn using other programs may not have been drawn
properly for display in my CAD programs you may need to load them
using mode 2 to make back-to-back triangles, and then use the
DIVIDE command to sub-divide the triangles loaded so that the
triangles are smaller than the distances between them so that
they will sort in the proper order. In extreme instances of
badly drawn triangle elements you may need to sub-divide the
triangles so that they are only about the size of a single pixel
on the graphics screen when they are displayed. In instances
where all of the triangles in the DXF file to be loaded are drawn
backwards the REVERT BOTH command may be able to be used to
revert all of the triangles and normals in the element, so that
you do not need to resort to loading back-to-back triangles,
which will take more space in the workspace and display more
slowly.
The SAVE DXF2D command has been substantially revised, be sure to see the
revised description in Appendix: B regarding changes to the parameter list and
such.
The REVERT command has two new modes: mode E for swap the edge line attributes
for the p2 to p3 and p3 to p1 lines of each triangle in a triangle element, and
mode A for revert all i.e. triangles, normals, and edge attributes. See also
the [H]idden sub-menu in the drawing editor's [R]evert command and the macro
REVERT command description in Appendix: B. When loading or saving DXF triangle
data you might need to swap the edge attributes for some display modes, so this
new option could have use for that as well as in editing triangle data that is
not drawn the right way around.
An example macro file named DXFTEST1.MAC has been added to DANCAD3D.ZIP (tm)
that shows various combinations of SAVE and LOAD DXF commands, it also makes
some sample files that you might use for testing file compatibility. Select
[R]un from the CAD program's main menu to run the example macro files.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Please visit my Web site On-Line at: http://www.DANCAD3D.com/ for additional
information. Please report bugs, mistakes, or other problems with this
document or the programs, see SECTION: 8 at the current On-Line version of my
Web site for current instructions.