CAM Wizard N/C Programming Software

CAM - Geometry Program

The CAM-Wizard programming system is made up of five standard programs and any number of optional programs. The first program used in programming a part is the geometry program which is run from the system by typing CAM at the system prompt (C:\CAM>).This program allows the programmer to describe the part's geometry as a series of points, lines, circles and shapes (PolyLines). Each piece of geometry can then be moved, rotated, and inverted to modify the existing object or create a new object. Geometry objects are automatically plotted on the screen as they are defined, and can be optionally labeled to help in their identification. Many commands are available in this program. These commands are described in this manual. A help utility also exists to aid in the use of this system. To view the help screens, simply type HELP at the program prompt (>). The source code editor (SOURCE) and the tape editor (TAPE) can be run from the geometry program by simply typing their names. To exit to the system at any time, the operator must type Ctrl-C or use the SYSTEM command.

This screen shows how the CAM screen comes up before any geometry has been entered. The top line is the status line which displays the cursor position, current layer, and drawing scale. The horizontal dotted line is line 0, (L0) and the point is point 0, (P0). P0 is located at X and Y zero and L0 passes through P0 at an angle of zero degrees. In the lower left corner of the screen is the command processor prompt. The menu also appears on the right side of the screen. The bottom line of the screen shows the result of calculations and geometry inquiries using the "?" command and also the progress of the SHAPE mode. This graphic display can be altered to change the size and centering of the display. Commands are available for controlling the auto-labeling and plotting functions as well. Graphic screens complete with text can be dumped to the printer at any time by pressing [PrtScrn] when an appropriate driver such as GRAFPLUS is loaded.

The command line in this program can be altered using the cursor keys on the numeric key pad to the right of the keyboard. The [Back Space] key will back up one space and delete the previous character. The [Ins] and [Del] keys can be used to insert and delete characters in the command line and the [Esc] key will Clear the command line. The commands input to the system are stored in a command queue. These commands can be recalled by scrolling back and forth through the queue with the Up and Down arrow keys. Using these editing features, it is possible to correct mistakes and enter similar geometry definitions with less typing than would otherwise be necessary.

Geometry Types

There are several types of geometry objects which can be combined to represent all required geometry. These include points, lines, circles, and shapes. Lines may extend to infinity in both directions, or may be line segments, which go between two X/Y points. Circles may be full 360 degree circles, or may be circular arcs. Shapes (referred to in some CAD systems as PolyLines) are combinations of connected line segments and circular arcs defining contours to be machined. All Geometry types also have Z dimensions, and color and line type attributes.

Geometry can be created and altered using such commands as "MOV", " ROT", "INV", "FILET", "CHAMFER", and "DEL". "MOV", "ROT", and " INV" can be appended with a 'N which will create new geometry instead of only modifying existing geometry. Math expressions including square roots, trig functions, addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division can be imbedded in any commands. These commands, linked with the command editing features, create a powerful programming environment when describing patterns.

The MOUSE and MENUS

The mouse can perform many functions when used inside of a computer program. The general purpose of the mouse is to input X/Y positional information to the program. The mouse buttons can cause an action, such as pick the nearest geometry, or execute the command pointed to by the mouse. In CAM-Wizard, the buttons on the mouse are used for these general operations:

LEFT                             - Input Current Mouse X/Y Location
CENTER                       - Select Existing Geometry
RIGHT                          - Choose Last Menu Selection or Default Value

When on the menu, any mouse button will select the highlighted menu item. When not on the menu, and not answering a question in the bottom left corner of the screen, the left mouse button will create a point at the X/Y position of the mouse; the center button will select a geometry object and display its location; and the right button will select the highlighted menu item. In SHAPE mode, however, the left button will act as if you had picked an existing point at the X/Y mouse location, and the center button will " GOTO" the geometry object picked.

The "MENU" command will enable or disable the menu mode.

Command Syntax:

MENU                                     - Run MAIN menu
MENU menuname                  - Run menu menuname
MENU OFF                             - Turn menu mode off

Menus are displayed at the right of the screen. Menu items are selected by moving the mouse cursor to that item and pressing any mouse key, or pressing the right mouse button (or F3) to select the highlighted item. While executing a menu selection, the system will prompt you for parameters such as geometry selection, names, and X/Y locations. The standard menu prompts are described in the Following paragraphs.

"X/Point ?" asks the user for an X dimension. This dimension can be typed in on the keyboard, selected with the left button of the mouse, taken as the X coordinate of the object picked with the center button of the mouse, or as the default X0 by pressing either [Enter] or the right mouse button.

"Y/Point ?" asks the user for an Y dimension. This dimension can be typed in on the keyboard, selected with the left button of the mouse, taken as the Y coordinate of the object picked with the center button of the mouse, or as the default Y0 by pressing either [Enter] or the right mouse button.

"XY/Point ?" asks the user for an XY position. This position can be typed in on the keyboard, selected with the left button of the mouse, taken as the X/Y coordinate of the object picked with the center button of the mouse, or as the default X0/Y0 by pressing [Enter]. An [intersection] option is also available as indicated at the bottom right of the screen. This option is selected with the right mouse button. The user is then prompted for two selections, the X/Y input being taken as the intersection of the two.

"Angle ?" asks the user for an angle. The angle can be typed in on the keyboard, or a line can be selected with any mouse button. The angle of the line is then taken as the input angle.

"Radius ?" asks the user for an radius. The radius can be typed in on the keyboard, or a circle can be selected with any mouse button. The radius of the circle is then taken as the input radius.

"Distance ?" asks the user for a distance. The distance can be typed in on the keyboard, or a point can be digitized with the left mouse button, or an existing point picked with the center mouse button, and the distance from X0/Y0 will be the input distance. If either [Enter] is pressed or the right mouse button is pressed, then the default distance is used.

"Point ?", "Line ?", " Circle ?", " Shape ?", and " Layer ?" ask the user for an existing geometry object. The point, line, circle or shape number can be typed in on the keyboard (such as 3 for P3, L3, C3, SHAPE3, or LAYER3), or the object can be selected with either of the left two mouse buttons. The last point, line, circle, or shape can be selected by pressing the right mouse button or [Enter].

"Object ?" asks the user for an existing piece of geometry. This geometry object name can be typed in on the keyboard as it would normally be specified (such as P2 for point number 2), or selected with any mouse button. A [window] option also exists as indicated at the bottom right of the screen. This option is selected by pressing the right mouse button and then inputting the two points defining the window. When window is selected, all objects in the window are chosen.

In addition to these commands, other menu prompts will ask for file names, numeric values, etc. These menu prompts can be user defined by editing the standard menu files as shown in the appendix.

The Standard MENUS

CAM-Wizard comes with a standard set of menu files These menus are described in this manual, but may be modified by the user to customize the geometry program's user interface and add commands to the menus as shown in the appendix. The menus included in the standard menu files are the MAIN, SCREEN, MODE, COLOR, LAYER, BLOCK, EDIT, UTIL, POINT, LINE, CIRCLE, and SHAPE menus. Menu items which bring the user to another menu are Capitalized on the standard menus. Other menu items execute commands which are available from the command line, while inputting parameters such as X,Y position, object selection, file names, etc. Pan and Zoom, along with the POINT, LINE, CIRCLE, and SHAPE menus are on most of the standard menus. Pan allows the user to select the XY point to be centered on the display. Zoom allows the user to select a window whose contents will make up the entire display.

The MAIN menu allows the user to go to any other menu. The SCREEN menu is used for changing the screen appearance without changing any geometry. The Plot menu item plots objects in the foreground color. The MODE menu is used for changing the operating modes and settings of CAM, such as snap mode, Status Ln, and automatic labeling. The LAYER menu is used for working with layers, including moving objects between layers, and naming layers. The BLOCK menu is used for manipulating the block. The EDIT menu is used for modifying geometry by moving, rotating, inverting or deleting it. Other items on this menu include Convert, Offset, Chamfer, and Filet, which are used to modify shapes.

Defining Points

The simplest type of geometry used in this system is the point. Points can be used for point to point milling, drilling, tapping, boring, reaming, and positioning by the post processor. Points can also be used to describe other types of geometry such as lines, circles, and shapes. Points are referred to in this system by "P". Therefore, "P1" refers to point number one. As with other geometry types, the number associated with "P" can be left out. In this case the point number is the last point defined unless it is the point being defined in which case it will be the next point.

Points can be created by selecting the menu items at the top of the POINT MENU. Points can also be created by entering commands on the command line. The command line defining a point normally begins with "P", however, there are two exceptions to this. If the X and/or Y absolute or incremental coordinates are given, the " P" need not be input. Absolute X and Y coordinates can be input as "X" or " Y". Incremental X and Y are input as "IX" or " IY". Incremental X and Y dimensions are taken from the last point defined using X and Y dimensions. Command lines creating new points by moving, inverting or rotating existing points do not begin with "P".

Points may also be defined as the center of a circle ( C) or as the intersection of any combination of lines and circles. If there is more than one intersection and the mouse was not used to input or select the geometry used in defining the point, then the two possible points are shown and the user is prompted for a choice. Pressing [Enter] will cause no point to be defined.

 Command Syntax:

Xnn Ynn Znn                            - pt as absolute X and Y
IXnn IYnn Znn                         - pt as incremental X and Y
IXnn Ynn Znn                          - pt as incremental X and absolute Y
Pn INT Ln Ln Znn                  - pt as intersection of line and line
Pn INT Ln Cn Znn                  - pt as intersection of line and cir
Pn INT Cn Cn Znn                  - pt as intersection of cir and cir
Pn Cn Znn                                - pt as ctr pt of cir

This screen shows defining a point using absolute X and Y coordinates. If the X or Y coordinate had been omitted, then that coordinate would have the value of the last point defined using X and Y coordinates.

This screen shows defining a point incrementally. "IX" and "IY" denote incremental X and Y coordinates. Both absolute and incremental modes can be combined on the same line. Here, the same Y is used as the previous point's Y dimension, and the X dimension is -2.25 from the previous pint.

This screen shows a point being created by moving an existing point. The last point is specified as just "P". It is moved -2 in the Y direction, since "X" is not specified, the new X coordinate will be the same as the original point. " 'N" creates a new point rather than modify the existing point.

This screen demonstrates the "INV" command. This command inverts geometry about a line. The default line (used in this case) is X0 Y0 A90. The "'N" causes  a new point to be created rather than relocate the original point. Since no inversion line was specified with "CL" or "Xnn Ynn Ann", the default line at X0 Y0 A90 is used.

Defining Circles

Circles are geometry objects used primarily for construction in describing shapes. These shapes can be machined by using tool offsets which are generated by the post. Circles can also be machined directly as circular shapes. They can also be used to describe other types of geometry such as lines and points. Circles are referred to in this system by " C". Therefore, " C1" refers to circle number one. As with other geometry types, the number associated with " C" can be left out. In this case the circle is the last circle defined unless it is the one being defined in which case it will be the next circle.

Circles can be created by selecting the menu items at the top of the CIRCLE MENU. Circle can also be created by entering commands on the command line. The command line defining a circle normally begins with " C". Circles can be defined by the X and Y coordinates of the center of the circle and the radius (R). If the radius is left out of the command, then the radius of the circle is taken as the last radius specified. The starting and ending angles can also be specified using "A". Angles go from start to end in a counter-clockwise direction. Circles can be defined by two points - the first being the center and the second being a point on the circle, or as three points, all on the circle. Circles can also be defined as tangent (TAN) to two circles or two lines or a line and a circle.

This screen shows a circle being defined by X and Y coordinates of the center and a radius. The circle number was not stated, so it became the next unused circle.

Command Syntax:

Cn Xnn Ynn Rnn Znn             - X and Y ctr with radius
Cn Pn Rnn Znn A0 A90          - ctr at pt and arc from 0° to 90°
Cn Pn Pn Znn                          - ctr at 1st pt and 2nd pt on Cn
Cn Pn Pn Pn Znn                     - through three pts
Cn TAN Cn Cn Rnn Znn        - tangent to two cirs
Cn TAN Ln Cn Rnn Znn        - tangent to line and existing cir
Cn TAN Ln Ln Rnn Znn         - tangent to two lines

This screen shows a circle being defined as a center point and a radius. A circle can also be defined by the center point and a point on the circle or by three points on the circle.

This is a circle being created using the "ROT" command.all geometry, including circles, rotates around a point at X0 and Y0 unless otherwise specified.

This screen shows defining a circle as tangent to two lines. If the mouse wasn't used then the screen clears and all circles tangent to the two lines are displayed and the system asks for a choice If no choice is selected, the screen will be re-plotted, and no definition will be created.

Defining Lines

Lines are geometry objects used primarily for construction in describing shapes. These shapes can be machined using tool offsets which are generated by the post processor. Lines can also be used to describe other types of geometry such as circles and points. Lines are referred to in this system by "L". Therefore, " L1" refers to Line number one. As with other geometry types, the number associated with " L" can be left out. In this case the line number is the last line defined unless it is the line being defined in which case it will be the next line.

Lines can be created by selecting the menu items at the top of the LINE MENU. Lines can also be created by entering commands on the command line. The command line defining a line object normally begins with " L". Lines can be defined as X and Y coordinates and an angle (A). An existing point can also be used for the X and Y. Lines can be defined as two points, in which case the line will be a segment going from one point to the other, the points can either be existing points or X/Y pairs. Lines can also be defined as parallel (PAR) to an existing line at a distance (D). Lines can be defined as tangent (TAN) to two circles or tangent to one circle and through a point. If a line is vertical or horizontal, then the line may be defined simply by its "X" or "Y" respectively. Lines may also be defined as tangent to a circle at an angle.

Command Syntax:

Ln Xnn Ynn Znn Ann              - line as X and Y of point and angle
Ln Xnn Ynn Xnn Ynn Znn     - line segment as X/Y and X/Y
Ln Pn Ann Znn                       - line as point and angle
Ln Pn Pn Znn                          - line as two pts
Ln PAR Ln Dnn Znn              - line parallel to existing line at distance
Ln TAN Cn Cn Znn                - line tangent two cirs
Ln Pn TAN Cn Znn                - line through pt tangent to cir
Ln Xnn Znn                              - line at X dimension angle = 90°
Ln Ynn Znn                              - line at Y dimension angle = 0°
Ln TAN Cn Znn Ann              - line tangent to cir at angle nn

This screen shows defining a line tangent to two circles. If the mouse wasn't used, then the screen clears and all possible lines are plotted along with the two circles and the system asks for a choice and displays the location of all possibilities. If no choice is made, no new geometry will be defined.

Defining Shapes

Shapes are normally defined by using the mouse. Start is first selected from the SHAPE MENU. The shape then proceeds around existing geometry objects as they are picked using the center button on the mouse. The shape continues around these geometry objects in the direction chosen by the mouse. When the shape is completed, End is selected from the SHAPE MENU.

Shapes can also be defined from the command line, but cannot be defined in a single command. The "SHAPE" command is given to enter the shape mode. While in this mode, the "GOTO" command with lines or circles will define the next object of the current shape as continuing in the current direction to that object. With each "GOTO", the shape will be drawn along the object previously defined to the new object. The first two references in the shape description serve to define the start point of the shape with the start point being the intersection of the two objects. The shape will then proceed along the second object. Shapes follow circles in a direction determined by how the shape enters the circle, but this default direction can be overridden by the "CW" or "CCW " parameter. When more than 1 possible point exists for a given reference, the user will be prompted for a choice. The "END" command is used to exit shape mode, ending the shape definition. The complexity of each shape is limited only by the computer's memory.

While in shape mode, the user cannot define any new lines, circles, or points. Geometry can be altered using the "MOV", "ROT", "INV", "FILET", "CHAMFER", and "DEL" commands while in the shape mode, but altering the present shape while in the shape mode will have undefined effects.

The message line will display a different prompt in shape mode depending on the progress through defining the shape. If the shape has just been started and no objects have been selected, the prompt will read "Select the first element of Shape (Use the center button)". This is reminding you that if you want an existing geometry object, you can select it using the center mouse button. (You can always digitize an X/Y position as the next point on a shape by using the left mouse button or typing "GOTO Xnn Ynn".) Once the first element has been selected, the prompt will read "Select the Second element of Shape (Use the center button)". Once the second element has been selected, the prompt reads "Xnn Ynn Select the next element ofShape (Use the center button)". This message shows the current X/Y position of the shape and the shape the number of the shape being defined. A command of "SHAPE?" will display the location of the present shape when in the shape mode.

A command used only in the shape mode is "BAK". "BAK" is used to back up a number of elements in the shape and has the form "BAKn". BAKn will back up all the way to the point where there is no start point to the shape if it has less than n elements.

Command Syntax:

BAKn                                       - backup n elements
GOTO Ln {CW/CCW}             - goto line n (cw or ccw)
GOTO Cn {CW/CCW}            - goto cir n (cw or ccw)

This screen shows what the CAM screen displays after entering the SHAPE mode. The display at the lower right of the screen shows what shape is being defined and the display at the lower left shows the status of the shape being defined.

This screen shows the shape after a start point has been defined. This was defined by first entering L1, then L2. The second command entered determines what element the shape is to proceed along. The status line has also changed. Note that the lines can also be picked with the middle button of the mouse.

This screen shows the start of the shape being drawn on the screen. Entering of "C1" on the command line causes a line to be drawn from the start point to circle 1. C1 can also be picked with the middle button on the mouse.

In this situation, the default direction, determined by the system, was overridden by the "CW" at the end of the command line. This caused the next segment of the shape to be created differently from the default. When picking geometry with the mouse, the direction will be in the shortest direction to get to the mouse position.

Since the last command caused the shape to go the wrong way, the "BAK" command can be used to undo the last command. The "BAK" command can be used to back up any number of elements, but the default  is one.

After the "BAK" command, the default direction changes to the direction commanded to get to that point instead of the original default direction. Therefore, " CCW" must be specified in order to go around the circle in the desired direction, or the direction around the circle will be determined by the mouse position as explained earlier.

The shape mode is exited typing the "END" command, or selecting " END" from the menu. Upon leaving the shape mode, the shape status line disappears and the display returns to normal.

Command Files

Command files are files having a .CMD extension. When the DO command is used or an unknown command is given, CAM searches for the appropriate .CMD file and executes commands stored in that file just as if they were typed in at the command prompt (>). Parameters may also be passed to these command files by using standard CAM-Wizard variables, and setting them equal to "?" in the command file. X, Y and A can be passed to command files using x1, y1, and a1 respectively. NOTE: command files are case-sensitive. Command files are most useful in creating shapes such as SLOTS and RECTANGLES. Both SLT.CMD and RCT.CMD are included with this system to demonstrate how to create a command file. These command files create shapes which are slots or rectangles.

Slots are defined by the center of the slot (X and Y), length ( L), radius(R), and angle(A)

Rectangles are defined by the center (X and Y), width ( W), height (H), radius (R), and angle( A).

Command Syntax:

SLT Xnn Ynn LGnn Rnn Ann                      - Making a slot
RCT Xnn Ynn Wnn Hnn RnnAnn             - Making a rectangle

Geometry Editing Functions

The geometry functions allow the programmer to modify defined geometry and to create new geometry with a single command.These functions include the "MOV", "ROT", "INV", "FILET", "CHAMFER ", "CONVERT", and 'N commands.

Moving Geometry

The "MOV" command will move any geometry object or range of geometry objects in the X and Y directions the amount specified by "X" and "Y" in the command line. Any or all types of geometry may be included in the same command line. Either the block or a layer may also be specified using "BLOCK" or the layer name respectively. The moved geometry will be exactly like the original object of geometry, except for the X and Y location of that object. The "MOV" command can also be used to increase or decrease the radius of a circle using "R". This command can create new geometry or modify existing objects depending on whether "'N " is used. The default values for X and Y are 0.

Command Syntax:

MOV Pn/Ln/Cn/SHAPEn {Pn/Ln/Cn/SHAPEn} Xnn Ynn Rnn {'N}
MOV BLOCK Xnn Ynn {'N}
MOV LAYERn Xnn Ynn {'N}


EX:

MOV P1 P2 X.1875 MOV SHAPE X.125 Y.125
MOV C R.1875 MOV BLOCK X-1.5

Rotating Geometry

The "ROT" command will rotate any geometry around any reference point. This command will rotate that object or range of geometry objects around the reference point the specified number of degrees, and any angle relating to that object will change accordingly. Any or all types of geometry may be included in the same command line. Either the block or a layer may also be specified using " BLOCK" or the layer name respectively. The reference point can be specified using "CP", or as X and Y coordinates. The default reference point for most geometry is point 0. Geometry rotated can be modified by the " ROT" command, or new geometry can be created by adding " 'N" to the command line. A series of objects can be rotated in the same command by specifying the 1st and last objects to be rotated.

Inverting Geometry

The "INV" command will invert any object or range of geometry objects. Any or all types of geometry may be included in the same command line. Either the block or a layer may also be specified using "BLOCK" or the layer name respectively. Inverted geometry will be an exact duplicate of the original geometry, except that it will appear to be "flipped over" the reference line. The default reference line is a line through X0,Y0 at an angle of 90 degrees. The reference line can be specified by the X and Y of a point on the line and the angle of the line. It may also be specified as "CL". " INV" can create new geometry using the "'N" parameter.

Deleting Geometry

The "DEL" command can be used to delete any geometry object or range of geometry objects. The deleted object(s) no longer exist, and the following objects change reference number to reflect this. (If you delete P1 then the old P2 is now P1.)

Filleting a Shape

The "FILET" command will "round off" the corner of a shape. This command will ad a radius to the intersection of the two shape elements closest to the X/Y position specified as long as the specified radius can fit and be tangent to both existing elements. This command , if successful, will increase the number of elements of the shape by one.

Chamfering a Shape

" CHAMFER" is similar to " FILET", except that a short line segment instead of a radius, is added at the intersection and the existing elements are shortened by the specified distance. This command , if successful, will increase the number of elements of the shape by one.

Converting a Shape

The "CONVERT" command is used to convert an existing shape to the equivalent line segments and circular arcs of its elements. These segments and arcs will have the same attributes as the original shape, including color, line type, and layer. The original shape will not be altered. This command is useful for modifying existing shapes, or breaking up shapes imported from a CAD system.

Offsetting a Shape

The "OFFSET" command is used to create a shape which is an offset of an existing shape. The new shape will be identical to the path of a tool of radius D milling the original shape. This new shape may be used to determine how much material will be left after cutting a very complex shape without having to run the POST. If the shape to offset is chosen with the mouse, then the offset shape created will be offset to the inside or outside depending on the mouse position used to select that shape (i.e. if the mouse was inside the shape, then the new offset will be offset to the inside).

Reversing a Shape

The "REVERSE" command is used to reverse the direction of an existing shape. This command makes it easier to modify the beginning of a shape without having to backup all the way to the start point.

Display Commands

The "COLOR" command is used to set the current color. The Background color can also be specified by using the "ON" parameter. There are 16 possible colors that a geometry object can have, they are Red, Blue, Green, Yellow, Cyan, Magenta, White, Black, Lt Red, Lt Blue, Lt Green, Lt Yellow, Lt Cyan, Lt Magenta, Bright, and Gray.

The "PLOT" command is used to force the plotting of any or all geometry objects in the current scale. The "PLOT" command can be given the objects to plot or it will also re-plot the entire screen if no objects are specified.The color and line type can also be specified. Possible line types are Solid, Dot, Dash, and Dotdash.

The "HIDE" command can be used to erase any geometry object or range of objects from the screen. The "HIDE" command does not change or delete any geometry objects. To redisplay hidden geometry, use the "PLOT" command.

The "SCALE" command specifies the scale at which to plot the screen. Either a numeric value may be specified, or no value can be given, in which case the program automatically scales the screen to fit all geometry objects on the screen.

The "ZOOM" command specifies the two X/Y points to appear at alternate corners of the screen, changing the center and scale to do so. If both points are equal, ZOOM will auto-scale as if just " SCALE" had been typed.

The "LABEL" command is used to plot and label any or all geometry objects. Automatic labeling of all newly created geometry can be enabled with the " LON" command and disabled with the "LOFF" command.

The "CLEAR" command is used to remove the label on any or all geometry objects.

The "CENTER" and "CORNER" commands specify the point that will be either centered on the screen or in the lower left corner of the screen. Both of these commands force the screen to be re-plotted.

The "ORG" command will temporarily display the X0 and Y0 axis. This command is useful for showing where to set X and Y zero for setting up the N/C machine.

Inquiry Commands

Any Command ending with "?" will cause the system to display the specified information on the message line at the bottom of the screen. Since CAM-Wizard automatically does any mathematical calculations, this function provides a calculator function. The mathematical expression can be typed ending in "?", and the result will be displayed on the message line. Other information can also be obtained with this function. The "?" command will return the location / description of a specified geometry object on the message line. The value returned can be used to verify that piece of geometry and can also be called up to the command line to be input to the system as a valid command. The only exception to this is the shape, which cannot be defined in one line.

Command Syntax:

Pn?                                           - show location of point n
Ln?                                           - show location of line n
Cn?                                           - show location of circle n
SHAPEn?                                  - show location of shape n
LAYER?                                  - show current layer name
TIME?                                     - show date and time
MEM?                                     - show amount of memory left
exp?                                          - show value of exp

EX: 3.5*2? - returns "7"

Utility Commands

I/O Commands

The "READ" command is used to read in new geometry from a file previously written to. The new data from the file will be appended to that already existing. In this way, different geometry files can be combined.

Command Syntax:

READ "filename.ext"

The "WRITE" command is used to write existing geometry to a file. That file can then be read at a later date to recover what geometry had been written to it. This is a secondary method for storing files, since the system saves the information used by each program when exiting that program.

Command Syntax:

WRITE "filename.ext"

The "NEW" command is used to delete all existing geometry and start new. This is a very powerful and dangerous command. If new has been executed accidentally, all geometry previously saved to the disk can be restored by issuing the command "READ GEO.TMP".

The "LIST" command will list the geometry in readable format on the system printer. Geometry listings from "LIST" match the format of the "?" command's output.

Hard copies of the geometry as it appears on the screen can be obtained on the system printer or plotter by using the " PRINTER" and "PLOTTER" commands respectively. Additionally, a screen dump giving an exact copy of the screen contents including ORG, menus, and mouse cursor can be made on the printer using the [PrnScrn] key if a suitable print screen driver, such as GRAFPLUS, is loaded.

SOURCE, TAPE, and POST programs can be run from CAM by typing their names as commands. Other utility programs such as file conversion programs can also be run by typing their names as long as the file CAM.CFG has their names listed as utility programs at the end of the file.

Mode Commands

The "DIGITS" command is used to specify the precision used in displaying numeric values. The minimum tolerance becomes ten divided by the number of decimal places specified.

The "SNAP" command is used to set the snap distance and turn the snap mode on and off. Snap is a function which tells the system what increments to use in tracking the mouse. If all dimensions of a particular part are in no less than nn units, then the snap mode will enable the dimensions to be input to that precision without having to worry about whether the mouse is exactly at the proper dimension, thus dimensions of the part can be input by simply clicking the mouse at approximately the right position.

The "CURSOR TYPE" command toggles the mouse cursor between either a small cross cursor or a full screen cursor. The full screen cursor can be used to find X/Y positions orthogonally from existing positions easily, but is sometimes inconvenient while selecting geometry, or defining a shape. Another related command is " STATUS", which toggles the displaying on the screen of the current mouse coordinates as they would be interpreted by the program, along with the current layer and scale.

Layers

There are 256 named layers in CAM-Wizard. Every piece of geometry described in this system belongs to a particular layer, and geometry can be referred to by layer names in most cases. When a layer name is used, all geometry belonging to that layer is acted upon. Commands that can use layer designations include "MOV", "ROT", " INV", "DEL", "PLOT", "HIDE", "LABEL",and " CLEAR". Geometry grouped on different layers can also be machined by layer name in the POST. This makes it easy to tell the post to machine a group of objects by using the descriptive name of the layer. Additional commands exist for modifying layers and layer assignments. The current layer can be changed by simply typing the layer name at the CAM prompt.

The "NAME" command is used for changing the name of a particular layer

The "MOV" command can also change the layer assignment of an existing piece of geometry using the "NEWLAYER" parameter

The "LAYER OF" function is used to refer to a layer by on of the geometry object assigned to it.

EX: MOV P1 NEWLAYER OF P2

Blocks

The block is used for grouping geometry objects as one unit. Blocks have handles, which are X/Y reference points, and can be inserted moved and copied in arrays while scaling position, X and Y size, and angle. In CAM-Wizard, there is one active block at a time. The " MOV", "ROT", "INV", " DEL", "PLOT", "HIDE", "LABEL", and "CLEAR" commands can operate on the block by using the parameter "BLOCK" in the command line.

The "SETBLOCK" command is used to add geometry objects to the block. This command alters the geometry only in that it designates it as part of the block.

The "UNBLOCK" command is used to remove geometry objects from the block definition.

The "HANDLE" command is used to define the X and Y position of the block reference point, or handle.

The "SAVE" command is used to save the block to disk by name so that it can be recalled later by the "INSERT" command. All geometry defining the current block is saved to the disk file around the reference point of X0 Y0. Therefore, block files can be created with the "WRITE" command, and the reference point will be taken as X0 Y0.

The "INSERT" command is used to insert a block by name which has been stored on disk. The block name refers to the file name used to save the block, and the block can be scaled in X and Y, and rotated as it is inserted.

The "COPY" command is used to copy the block to a new position creating new geometry while changing the size, X and Y scale, and angle of the block's geometry. This command does not change the current block, but creates new geometry objects based on the block, therefore, the block remains unchanged after this command.

The "ARRAY" command is a powerful command for creating X/Y arrays of the geometry defining the block. The block's geometry recreated as if the " COPY" command had been used to many times to create the array. In this way, complex arrays of geometry can be created using a couple of commands to define or insert the block, and then "array" it.

Letter

The LETTER command provides a simplified method of defining shapes in the form of Alpha-numeric characters. These character shapes can be created in different fonts and sizes and can be defined at any angle. LETTER also will let the user define these parameters as those of a rectangle. If a shape is specified, LETTER will center the letters in the shape with the height and angle of that shape. These letter shapes are then normal shapes and can be moved, inverted, and rotated like any other shape.

New character fonts can be created by simply making shapes of the letters needed and writing them to a file named with the font name and the particular letter as the extension. Point 1 in this file will specify the amount of space taken up by that character. The exceptions to this naming rule are "SPACE", "STAR", "QUESTION", "POINT", "SLASH", "BKSLASH", "QUOTE", "LBRACKET", "RBRACKET", "COLON", "SEMICOL", "BAR", "LESS", "GREATER", "PLUS", "EQUALS", and "COMMA".

The following special command is used with LETTER:

FONT=$$ - used to specify the font style (default="BLOCK")

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