Use this Preferences dialog to specify your turning preferences for working in PartMaker.
The following settings are available:
Setup Parameters
- Face Window Name — Enter the default name for the Face window that is displayed when you start PartMaker.
Boundaries — PartMaker uses the part boundaries you specify here as default values for the Face boundaries in theSetup dialog. Enter the values in the currently selected input units (inch or metric).
- Length — Enter the default length of the finished stock.
- OD — Enter the default outside diameter of the stock.
- Z Face — Enter the default Z coordinate of the finished, front face.
- ID — Enter the default inside diameter of the stock.
- Excess Stock — Enter the default amount of excess stock.
Grid
- Horizontal Step — Enter the default interval for horizontal grid lines in Face windows.
- Vertical Step — Enter the default interval for vertical grid lines in Face windows.
Family of Parts Programming
- Parametric Input — Select to enable parametric input, so you can create geometry in parametric form using PartMaker's Family of Parts Programming feature.
- Parametric Output — Select to create the output G-code in parametric form. This option is displayed only if the content and formatting of the pm_param.prm file in the PartMaker installation folder allows for parametric output.
Process Table Time Units
- Process Table Time Units — Select the default time units for displaying cycle times in the Process Table.
NC Program Editor — Click to display the NC-Program Editor dialog, where you can select the application (for example, Notepad) to use for editing NC Programs.
Input Units
- Input Units — This area displays the input units (Inch or Metric) you selected during the PartMaker installation.
Miscellaneous options
- Prompt to Enter Face Window Verification Options — Select to display the Face Window Verification Options dialog before starting to verify the toolpaths in the Face window.
- Auto Save Files — Select to enable PartMaker to automatically save the current .job file every few minutes.
- Show Setup Dialog on Startup — Select to display the Setup dialog when PartMaker starts.
- Display Group Numbers — Select to display the group number, as well as the group name, for groups listed in the Job Explorer pane, the Process Table and the Process Parameters dialog.
- Display Axis Symbol — Select to display an XY axis in lower left corner of the Face window.
Colors
- Face Window Background — Select the type of background used in the Face window (Gradient, Black or White).
- Top Color — Select the top color for a gradient background.
- Bottom Color — Select the bottom color for a gradient background.
- Sample Color — Select the default color used for new hole or profile groups.
- Contrast Color — Select the color used to display the axis, boundaries, grid, toolpaths and dimensions displayed in the Face window.
- Set Default Background for All Windows — Click to apply the default background to Face, Simulation, and Solids windows.