User Preferences
Autodesk CAMplete TruePath uses a variety of configuration settings that are managed through the User Preferences dialog. This can be used to configure file IO options, database locations and other configuration data.
In the Manage tab of the Ribbon interface, click Options:
The User Preferences dialog will be displayed:
User Preferences – Environment Page
This page controls the main settings for the TruePath Environment
Command Stack (For Undo/Redo):
Control the level of Undo/Redo for editing operations such as drag and drop etc.
Max Commands – The maximum number of commands for the command stack.
Max. Bytes – The maximum memory usage for commands on the command stack. -1 means that this setting will not be used
Units:
Control the units of the document.
Default Document Units – Sets the default document units when creating a blank document. This will be overridden when loading a CAM system that has its own units specified
Autosave:
Control the Autosave settings for TruePath. Autosave automatically saves the current project to a backup file after the specified interval has passed.
Enable Autosave – Turn the Autosave feature ON and OFF.
Autosave Interval – The number of seconds between each Autosave. This ONLY happens if the document has been modified.
International Options:
Control the language options of TruePath.
Language – Select the language that the application appears in. Set this to Default to use the default language for your OS.
Files and Directories:
Manages the various files and directories used by TruePath.
Preferences – The name of the file or directory.
Browse – Click to edit the name/location of the file or directory.
Value – The file name or directory. This can be edited by double clicking the item.
Status – The status of the file or directory. This will tell you whether the item exists, if it is Read-Only or if there are Windows file permissions issues.
Open Folder – Open the given directory with Windows File Explorer.
The various settings that appear here are:
Autosave Directory – The folder where Autosave files are located.
Axis Set File Name – The name of the file which stores axis sets (this is for backwards compatibility with older machine models).
Custom Machining Setup Geometry Path – The location of any machine option geometry files. These are installed with your machine module and include items such as tool measurement lasers or sensors.
Default Backup Directory – The location where backup files will be saved.
Default File Path – The default location for using File > Open when the application is first started. (This will change as you use the software)
Default Machine Cycle Export Path – The default location for exporting machine cycles in the advanced machining setup editing.
Default Machine Cycle Import Path – The default location for importing machine cycles in the advanced machining setup editing.
Default Summary Options Directory – The default location for the project summary XML files.
Default Tool Path Export Path – The default location for exporting tool paths.
Default Tooling Export Path- The default location for exporting tooling models.
Default Tooling Import Path- The default location for importing tooling models.
Logfile Directory – The location for the application log files.
Machine Tool Geometry Path – The location of any machine model files. These are installed with your machine model.
Machining Setup File Path – The location of your machining setup files. These are installed with your machine model.
Object Clipboard Directory – The location of files for the object clipboard.
Pallet Changer Path – The location of the pallet changer files (for backwards compatibility only).
Resource Components – The location of any tooling resource components (for backwards compatibility only).
Temporary Directory – The location where any temporary files are saved during the operation of TruePath.
Temporary filename for screenshots – The temporary file name that is created for generating screen shots from the application.
Tool Geometry Path – The location of cutting tool geometry for “solid body” tools such as turning tools.
User Preferences – Databases Page
This page manages the various databases used by TruePath
Database – The name of the database.
Path – The file location and file name for the database.
Status – The status of the file. This will tell you if the file is Read Only or Read Write (meaning that it can be edited by the user).
The databases are:
Tool Database – The database that contains the tool assemblies and cutting tools that you created inside of TruePath.
User Options Database – Provided for backwards compatibility.
NC Format Database – The database that contains the NC formats that you have created inside of TruePath.
Machine Database – The database of your machines.
Browse – Change the database file. Select an entry in the grid and click browse. Then select a new DB file or create a new one.
Keep All Databases In The Same Folder – When this option is enabled, if you switch to a different folder, all databases will be created in that new folder. Note that they are NOT copied to the new folder. New entries will simply be created there.
User Preferences – Extensions Page
This page manages the various file extensions used by TruePath
Extension – The file extension being used.
File Type – The actual file type that TruePath will use to handle this file.
Is Default – Specifies if this is the default handler for this file type.
The options are:
Edit – Edit the extension. This will allow you to change the file type and the Is Default setting.
New – Create a new file extension entry.
Delete – Delete the selected file extension entry.
Reset Defaults – Restore all file extension settings to their defaults.
Warning: Do not make changes to this page unless instructed to do so by a CAMplete Technical support.
User Preferences – File Types Page
This page manages the various file type configuration options for CAM files:
Select the file type to modify using the drop list.
Extensions controls which file extensions are used for the given file type:
a. The current extensions for the file type are list in the grid.
b. Add - To add an extension for the file type, type the new extension into the edit box and click Add.
c. Delete - To remove one, select it in the list and click Delete.
The file Input reference is controlled by the Default Tool Ref:
a. Tip – The incoming tool data will be treated as the tool tip for tool length.
b. Center – The incoming tool data will be treated as the tool ball center for tool length.
The default units for the file type are controlled through the Units section:
Always Open Files Of This Type Using The Default Units Below – Forces the units of the file to always be what the Default Units drop list is set to.
Always Prompt Me For Units When Loading This Type Of File – TruePath will always ask you for the units when you load this type of file.
Try To Figure Out The Units From The File Data, Otherwise Use Default Units Below – If TruePath can determine the units from the data in the file, it will use that. If it cannot be determined from the file, it will default to the units selected in the Default Units drop list.
Try To Figure Out The Units From The File Data, But Prompt Me If That Fails – If TruePath can determine the units from the data in the file, it will use that. If it cannot be determined from the file, it will prompt the user for the units.
Default Units – The default units to use, depending on the selection above.
The Additional Options grid provides custom settings for that file type:
Select the Preference to change in the grid. Then its value can be adjusted in the edit box at the bottom. Different file types will have different settings in this grid.
User Preferences – Logging Page
This page manages the various log files used by Autodesk CAMplete TruePath:
Enable Logging To File – Enables logging of the application status text to a log file.
Browse Logs – Opens up the current logging location so that the log files can be read.
User Preferences – 3D Display Page
This page manages the various 3D display options:
Default Surface and Curve Display controls how Nurbs curves and surfaces are displayed:
Curve Chordal Deviation – The allowable deviation for Nurbs curves. A smaller value makes a more accurate curve.
Allowable Surface Deviation – The allowable deviation for Nurbs surfaces. A smaller value makes a more accurate surface representation (but can slow down processing).
Isoline/Boundary/Tesselated – Set how the surface is displayed by default.
Default Colors controls the colors of display items:
Default Display Color – The default color for newly imported objects. (Part and fixture geometry have their own custom colors).
Highlight Color – The color for selected items in the 3D view.
Default View Tools controls the behavior of the mouse and keyboard controls in the 3D view:
Middle Mouse Button Activates – Set what the middle mouse button does. By default, it orbits the view. Other options include Zoom Window, Pan, Rotate, Spin and Dynamic Zoom.
SHIFT key Activates – Set what the SHIFT key does. By default, it pans the view. Other options include Zoom Window, Orbit, Rotate, Spin and Dynamic Zoom.
CTRL key Activates – Set what the CTRL key does. By default, it does nothing. Options include Zoom Window, Pan, Orbit, Rotate, Spin and Dynamic Zoom.
Reverse Zoom Directions – Reverse the direction of the zoom when the mouse wheel is used.
Zoom to mouse location – Controls whether the view stays centered on the mouse pointer when the mouse wheel is used.
Wheel Scale Factor – Control how much the view will zoom when using the mouse wheel. A larger value will make the view zoom more when the wheel is turned.
Dynamic View Transitions controls how the view behaves when the view is switched with the view drop list:
Use Dynamic View Transitions – When this is enabled, the view will transition smoothly from one view to the next. Otherwise, it immediately changes with no transition.
Speed (deg/sec) – Set the transition speed for changes in the view direction.
Maximum Time (s) – The maximum time for the transition in seconds.
Selection Options controls how items are selected and highlighted in the 3D View:
Select Only Visible Objects – Only selects the top objects rather than ALL objects under the mouse pointer.
Shade Selected Objects – Apply lighting and shading to the selected objects (which will be drawn in the highlight color).
The 3D Overlay Icons are controlled in the grid:
Use 3D Overlay Icons – Enable/disable ALL 3D overlay icons.
Show Icon – Enable/Disable the given icon in the list.
The default tool 3D colors are controlled in this section:
Adaptor Color – Set the color of the tool holder.
Tool Shank Color – Set the color of the shank portion of the cutting tool.
Cutting Surface – Set the color of the cutting portion of the cutting tool.
The default part and fixture 3D colors are controlled in this section:
Part Color – Set the color of the part geometry.
Fixture Color – Set the color of the fixture geometry.
Stock Color – Set the default color of the un-cut stock.
Stock Cutting Color – Set the default color of the cut stock.
User Preferences – 3D Rendering Page
This page manages the various 3D Rendering options:
3D Hardware Acceleration controls integration with the computer’s GPU:
Polygon Drawing Mode – The drawing mode for polygons. This can be:
Acceleration Off – No hardware acceleration will be used.
Acceleration Mode Medium (OpenGL Polygon Vertex Mode) – Medium drawing mode when maximum mode is not supported by your GPU.
Acceleration Mode Maximum (OpenGL Display List Mode) – Use the OpenGL legacy display list rendering with the maximum acceleration settings.
Acceleration Mode Maximum (OpenGL Shader Mode) – Use the OpenGL Shader Language for maximum GPU drawing speed and realism. This is the default mode and works the best on modern GPU’s.
Anti-Aliasing* – The Anti-Aliasing mode for smoother drawing of jagged lines. This can be set to Off, 2X, 4X and 8X. The higher the number, the smoother the drawing. Use Off if the GPU does not support Anti-Aliasing.
Use Intel Card* – If your computer only contains an Intel 3D graphics card, enable this mode to get the maximum amount of performance for this card.
Control the Background of the 3D display:
Background Color – Sets the background main color.
Gradient Color – Sets the Gradient color.
Use Gradient – Draws the background with a blend of the main color and the gradient color.
Draw Background Image – Allows you to specify a Windows Bitmap (BMP) file to use for the background image in the 3D view.
Image – Specify the BMP file to use for the background image.
Browse – Select the BMP file to use.
Draw Location – Controls where the bitmap is located within the 3D view.
Control the OpenGL Shader mode drawing options:
Environment Map – Set the HDR file that can be used for reflection modelling. Click Browse to select the file. Once and HDR is added, it can be selected from the drop list.
Use Outline For Selection – Renders the selected objects with a 3D “glow” for better visibility using the highlight color.
Use Outline For Collision – Renders the colliding objects with a 3D “glow” for better visibility using the collision color.
Use Outline For Overtravel – Renders the over-travelled objects with a 3D “glow” for better visibility using the over-travel color.
Control the Edge Drawing options:
Default To Edge Drawing– Will draw the edge lines of objects in the 3D view for newly loaded objects. If CS4 documents were saved with the edge drawing on for specific objects, that setting will be maintained.
Edge Drawing On
Edge Drawing Off
Auto-Generate Lines For Polygon Objects – Will generate edge lines for objects that don’t have them by default, such as objects created from STL.
User Preferences – Errors Page
This page manages the various Post Processing and Simulation error and warning codes:
Error – The name of the error or warning.
Level – The type of error:
Critical Error – The simulation will be stopped.
Error – The error will be reported to the status view, but the simulation will not be stopped.
Warning – The error will be reported as a warning to the status view, and the simulation will not be stopped.
Check – Controls whether the error is checked or not.
Halt Simulation – Controls whether the simulation will be stopped.
Description – A description of the error/warning.
User Preferences – Op Naming Page
This page manages the naming of Operations:
Import Tool Path Operation – Naming of the Import Operation.
Operation – The name of the operation.
Tool Path Name – The name of the tool path.
Optimization Operation – Naming of the Optimization Operation.
Operation – The name of the operation.
Tool Path Name – The name of the tool path.
Warning: This page is provided for backwards compatibility with older machine models. You should not usually need to modify these settings.
User Preferences – Project Navigation Page
This page manages the project tree display in the Project view:
Default Tree States – Control which items are expanded or collapsed by default.
Project Tree – Control the display mode of the Project tree.
Tool Path Tree – Control the display mode of the Tool Path tree.
User Preferences – Simulation Options Page
This page manages the simulation options.
Warning: DO NOT MAKE CHANGES TO THIS SECTION UNLESS INSTRUCTED TO DO SO BY CAMPLETE SOLUTIONS TECHNICAL SUPPORT.
The Tool Move Mode interpolation options:
Use Interpolation For Tool Moves – Controls whether the tool motion is simulated with interpolated points. WARNING: Do not turn this OFF unless instructed to do so by CAMplete Solutions Technical Support.
Maximum Interpolation Points – Set the maximum number of interpolation points that will be simulated between each programmed position.
Maximum Linear Motion – The maximum amount of linear motion between the interpolated points.
Maximum Angular Motion – The maximum amount of angular motion between the interpolated points in Degrees.
The Machine Move Mode interpolation options:
Use Interpolation For Machine Moves – Controls whether the tool motion is simulated with interpolated points. WARNING: Do not turn this OFF unless instructed to do so by CAMplete Solutions Technical Support.
Maximum Interpolation Points – Set the maximum number of interpolation points that will be simulated between each programmed position.
Maximum Linear Motion – The maximum amount of linear motion between the interpolated points.
Maximum Rotary Motion – The maximum amount of rotary motion between the interpolated points in Degrees.
Redraw Tolerance (For Collision Checking) controls how often the display is updated. This works in conjunction with the collision checking update settings on the Collision Check tab of the Ribbon.
Update The Views For Every Step In The Program – The views will be updated for every single point that is being checked, including interpolated points. This will be the smoothest playback mode showing the most detail. However, it will also be the slowest mode.
Update Based On Time – The views will be updated based on the elapsed time set in the Update Time edit box.
Update Based On Distance – The view will be updated based on the distance the tool moves.
Maximum Number Of Points – The maximum number of interpolation points before the views are updated.
Maximum Linear Motion – The maximum cumulative distance moved before the views are updated.
Maximum Angular Motion – The maximum cumulative angular distance moved before the views are updated.
Simulation Flow Control controls how the simulation handles cycles.
Skip ‘Pecks’ When Simulating Drilling Cycles – The simulation will only simulate the move to the bottom of the hole instead of simulating each peck. This will speed up collision checking time but can lead to inaccurate cycle time estimates when there are a lot of peck movements.
Simulation Warning/Error Colors controls the 3D highlight colors when collisions or over-travels occur.
Enable Collision And Overtravel Highlighting – When this mode is active, the colliding or over-travelled geometry will be highlighted with the given colors in the 3D view.
Collision Display Color For Geometry – The collision highlighting color.
Overtravel Display Color For Geometry – The over-travel highlighting color.
User Interface Options controls some of the simulation UI elements (for backwards compatibility with older UI designs).
Use Dynamic Tool Motion Update – Will show only the currently simulating tool motion in the 3D view during simulation. This option is available on the Simulation View tab of ribbon interface.
Dock Simulation Tool Bar On Side Of Tool Path Tree – This will show the small simulation toolbar on the side of the ToolPaths tree in the Project Navigator view.
Document Startup Options controls the autoscaling that occurs when a new project is created:
Initial View Scaling – Control the autoscaling and orbit centering.
Autoscale on All Objects – Autoscales on all objects and sets the orbit center to the all geometry (including the machine).
Autoscale to Part – Autoscales to the part geometry and sets the orbit center to the part geometry.
Autoscale to Part and Fixture – Autoscales to the part and fixture geometry and sets the orbit center to the combined part and fixture geometry.
Autoscale On All, Center on Part – Autoscales to the all geometry (including the machine) but sets the orbit center to the part. This is the default startup mode.
Autoscale On All, Center on Part and Fixture – Autoscales to the all geometry (including the machine) but sets the orbit center to the combined part and fixture.
User Preferences – Editor Page
This page manages the Program Editor view options:
The Column Display grid controls the various columns that appear in the editor.
Show – Controls whether the column will appear in the editor.
Column – The name of the column.
Width – The default width of the column.
Disable – Disable the column from calculations (can improve regeneration time).
Maximum – The maximum value (for error checking) for calculated values.
Minimum – The maximum value (for error checking) for calculated values.
Disable Data Calculations – Will disable the calculation of the data columns, which can improve processing time and memory usage.
Restore Column Settings – Restore the column settings to their defaults.
Move Up – Move the selected column up in the order.
Move Down – Move the selection column down in the order.
Allow Tool Paths To Be Exported To Multiple Files From Editor – Enables multi-file export from the editor.
The Error Search Options controls how the search window deals with finding errors in the Program Editor view.
Ignore Errors from Data Calculations – When searching for path errors, data calculation errors (ie. Calculated values that are out of range) will be ignored. Simulation errors are NOT included in this option.
The Auto Post Processing Options controls how program regeneration is handled.
Automatically Regenerate Programs Immediately After Changes – Whenever changes are made, the affected programs will be regenerated. (See Program Editor – Page 6)
User Preferences – Coord Systems Page:
This page manages the defaults for the machine coordinate systems:
Color – Set the item of the coordinate system.
Item – The Coordinate System.
User Preferences – Sampler Page
This page manages the preferences for handling extremely large files (over 10 million lines) using a data Sampler.
WANRING – DO NOT MODIFY THESE SETTINGS UNLESS INSTRUCTED TO DO SO BY A CAMPLTE SUPPORT ENGINEER.
Minimum Total Linear Distance – The tolerance for breaking up linear moves.
Max Total Orientation Change (Deg) – The tolerance for orientation changes (for 5-axis paths)
Max Number Of Points – The maximum number of sampler points for the segment.
Linear Deviation – The tolerance for linear deviation from a true arc.
Max Trajectory Angle Change (deg) – The maximum allowed trajectory angle change for the segment.
File Types – Lists the file types that support segment sampling. Use the Enable Sampling column to turn on this feature. Consult with CAMplete before using these options.
User Preferences – Summary Page
This page manages the preferences for the PDF/HTML project summary output:
Header – Set the default header text for the PDF summary document.
Head Image – Select a JPEG to use in the header as a company logo.
Footer – Set the default footer text summary.
User Preferences – Tooling Page
This page manages the preferences for the tooling names:
Default Tool Assembly Name Format – Controls how the tool is named. The default is to use the cutter name and the tool holder name.
Default Tool Holder Name Format – Controls how the tool holder is named. The default is to use machine side name and the tool side name.
User Preferences – Advanced Page
This page manages the advanced preferences for the app.
Find Preference – Searches through the preference tree to find items that contain the given text. Type in the text you are looking for and click Find Prev or Find Next. The search is not case sensitive.
Export – Export the selected preference(s) to a Windows .REG file.
Export All – Export all of the preferences to a Windows .REG file.
Reset Default – Reset the selected preference to its default.
Save All – Forces the registry settings to be written to the Windows registry. This happens whenever the preference window is closed and when the application is closed.
Backup Installation – Create a backup ZIP file of all of your current settings. This can also be done through the Backup Installation button on the Manage tab of the Ribbon.