Preferences dialog - Milling (PartMaker)

Use this Preferences dialog to specify your milling 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.
• Box Stock — Use this option to control the display of boundaries for Box stock.
  • Selecting this option displays boundaries as square or rectangular (depending on the x1, x2, y1 and y2 values set in the Setup dialog).
  • De-selecting this option displays boundaries as round.

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).

• x1 — Enter the default left boundary for a part in a Face window.
• y1 — Enter the default bottom boundary for a part in a Face window.
• x2 — Enter the default right boundary for a part in a Face window.
• y2 — Enter the default top boundary for a part in a Face window.
• Height — Enter the default height.

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.

Check Holes Location

• In Part Boundaries — Select to specify that holes created in PartMaker must be fully contained within the Face boundaries.
• Overlap — Select to specify that holes created in PartMaker cannot overlap other holes.

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.
• Hide Hole Patterns Icons — Select to hide Hole Patterns icons when programming milling operations in CAM mode.
• Autolock Toolpath — Select to automatically lock toolpaths when you verify them, generate the process table, generate NC code or run a simulation. When a toolpath is locked, PartMaker does not recalculate it even if its settings on the Profile Group Parameters dialog change.

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.