ViewMill panel

Use the ViewMill panel to specify how the stock is displayed during simulation.

The Simulation tab > ViewMill panel contains the following:

• On — Click to turn on ViewMill and load the stock.
• Off — Click to pause the ViewMill simulation.
• Exit ViewMill — Click to exit ViewMill without saving the stock model.
• Mode:
  • No Image — Click to undraw the stock image:

    

  • Rotatable — Click to display the stock in low resolution, which enables you to alter the view during simulation:

    If you try to manipulate the view of a high resolution option, PowerMill automatically changes the mode to Rotatable to enable graphic manipulation.

    When you have selected the view orientation, you can revert to a high resolution view. Click View tab > Views panel > Refresh to update the high resolution view with the new orientation.

    

  • Fixed Direction — Click to display the stock in high resolution. The view is fixed to the orientation of your model when you click Simulation tab > ViewMill panel > On. If you attempt to alter the view the view mode automatically changed to Rotatable.
• Shading:
  • Plain — Click to simulate using a high resolution plain-rendered image. It shades the part in a matt finish:

    

  • Shiny — Click to simulate using a high resolution shiny-rendered image. It shades the part in a shiny finish:

    

  • Rainbow — Click to simulates using a high resolution rainbow-rendered image. It shades each successive toolpath in a different colour so you can see the effect of each toolpath on the part:

    

  • Cut Direction — Click to simulate using a high resolution plain-rendered image. It shades the climb and conventional cuts in different colours:

    

  • Kinematic — Click to display when a machine tool axis is reversed during a cutting move. It shades the part in one colour when cutting in a positive direction, and in another colour when moving in a negative direction. This is useful when multi-axis machining as axis reversal often leads to surface marks. The axis reversal depends on the machine tool that is loaded.
• Store — Click to save the current state of the stock as a restore point.
• Restore — Click to restore the stock to the state saved when you click Simulation tab > ViewMill panel > Store.
• Export — Click to save the current state of the simulation as a *.dmt (triangle file).
• Remaining Material — Click to display the Remaining Material tab. Use the options on the tab to visualise excess material and gouges for a simulation state.

Note: You can load saved ViewMill models as, for example, an arbitrary block for rest roughing.