Basic 3 DDesign Tutorial X5

Basic 3D
Design
mastercam x getting started tutorials
Basic 3D Design
October 2010
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II • BASIC 3D DESIGN
Mastercam® X5 Basic 3D Design

Date: October 2010
Copyright © 2010 CNC Software, Inc.— All rights reserved.
First Printing: October 2010
Software: Mastercam X5
Part Number: X5-PDF-TUT-3D
TERMS OF USE Use of this document is subject to the Mastercam End User License Agreement. A
copy of the Mastercam End User License Agreement is included with the
Mastercam product package of which this document is part. The Mastercam End
User License Agreement can also be found at:
www.mastercam.com/legal/licenseagreement/
III
Contents
Introduction ......................................................................................... 1
 Tutorial Goals ................................................................................... 1
 Before You Begin ............................................................................. 1
 If You Need More Help.................................................................... 3
 Additional Documentation .............................................................. 3
1. Geometry Translation ................................................ 5
 Lesson Goals.................................................................................... 5
 Exercise 1: Setting Up the Part ................................................. 5
 Exercise 2: Creating the Drill Holes........................................... 8
 Exercise 3: Creating the Pocket and Slot ................................ 10
 Exercise 4: Creating the 3D Outside Perimeter ....................... 15
 Exercise 5: Completing the Wireframe Model ........................ 16
2. Dynamic Planes ........................................................ 21
 Lesson Goals.................................................................................. 21
 Exercise 1: Creating the Text Plane ........................................ 21
 Exercise 2: Creating the First Set of Letters............................ 26
 Exercise 3: Creating the Second Set of Letters....................... 29
3. Surface Creation....................................................... 33
 Lesson Goals.................................................................................. 34
 Exercise 1: Preparing for Surface Creation.............................. 34
 Exercise 2: Creating the Top Flat Boundary Surface ............... 35
 Exercise 3: Creating the Bottom Flat Boundary Surface ......... 38
 Exercise 4: Creating the Middle Flat Boundary Surface .......... 42
 Exercise 5: Creating Ruled/Lofted Surfaces ............................ 43
 Exercise 6: Creating Draft Surfaces ........................................ 48
 Exercise 7: Creating the Final Ruled/Lofted surface ................ 53
4. Creating the Tool Holder Part ................................... 59
 Lesson Goals.................................................................................. 60
IV • BASIC 3D DESIGN
 Exercise 1: Drawing the Tool Holder, Part 1 ............................ 60

 Exercise 6: Creating the Surface ............................................. 76
Conclusion ........................................................................................... 80
INTRODUCTION
After you have mastered drawing parts with Mastercam’s 2D functions, you are ready to move onto
3D part drawing. Drawing in 3D opens a whole new world of possibilities. In this tutorial, you learn
many 3D drawing techniques as you construct the connector and tool holder parts, shown in the
following pictures.
The tutorial titled Basic 2D Design covers 2D drawing with Mastercam. Before attempting this 3D
tutorial, you must be familiar with the 2D techniques demonstrated in the 2D tutorial.
Tutorial Goals
 Use construction planes in a 3D environment.
 Create 3D geometry from 2D parts using translation and offsetting.
 Define custom views using 3D Dynamic Planes.
 Use levels to organize 3D geometry.
 Generate 3D surfaces.
 Use construction lines as reference geometry.
 Use Mastercam’s Trim features to clean up your part.
TIP: If you have trouble with an exercise, use Mastercam’s undo function ([Ctrl+Z]) to
return to a point where the part is correct and start again from there. If undo does not help,
go back to the beginning of the exercise, load the supplied file for that exercise, and start
again.
Before You Begin

This is a module of the Mastercam Getting Started Tutorial Series. The series introduces general
Mastercam functions and teaches basic skills for getting started with Mastercam. Other tutorial
series include:
 Focus Series: Focuses on a specific Mastercam feature—for example, Setup Sheets or FBM
Drill, and teaches basic and advanced skills.
2 • BASIC 3D DESIGN
 Exploring Series: Explores a single Mastercam product—for example, Mill, Solids, or Wire,
and teaches in-depth skills for working with the product.
The Mastercam tutorial series is in continual development, and we will add modules as we
complete them. For information and availability, please contact your local Mastercam Reseller.
IMPORTANT: Screen colors in the tutorial pictures were modified to enhance image
quality; they may not match your Mastercam settings or the tutorial results. These color
differences do not affect the lesson or the exercise results.
General Tutorial Requirements

All Mastercam tutorials have the following general requirements:
 You must be comfortable using the Windows® operating system.

 The tutorials cannot be used with Mastercam Demo/Home Learning Edition (HLE). The
Demo/HLE file format (EMCX) is different from Mastercam (MCX), and basic Mastercam
functions, such as file conversions and posting, are unavailable.
 Each lesson in the tutorial builds on the mastery of preceding lesson’s skills. We
recommend that you complete them in order.
 Focus Series and Exploring Series tutorials require, at minimum, a mastery of the basic
Mastercam skills taught in the Getting Started Series modules. A general knowledge of
machining principals and practices is also required.
 You must have a seat of Mastercam X5 Design or higher to complete most of the tutorials in
the Getting Started Series.
 The Basic 2D Machining module in the Getting Started Series requires, at minimum, a seat
of Mill Entry or Router Entry.
 The Basic 3D Machining module in the Getting Started Series requires Mill Level 3 or Router
Pro.
 Additional files may accompany a tutorial. Unless the tutorial provides specific
instructions on where to place these files, store them in a folder that can be accessed from
the Mastercam workstation, either with the tutorial or in any location that you prefer.
 The Getting Started Series tutorials are available in an Adobe® Flash® compatible video
format. Additional tutorial videos may also be available. Contact your local Mastercam
Reseller for more information.
 You must install Adobe Flash Player to display tutorial videos. You can download Adobe
Flash Player from www.adobe.com.
 You must configure Mastercam to work in metric units. Complete the instructions in the
following section Preparing for a Tutorial to set Mastercam to metric.
Preparing for a Tutorial

Before you start a tutorial, be sure you have completed the following tasks:
1 Start Mastercam using your preferred method:
INTRODUCTION • 3
 Double-click Mastercam’s desktop icon.

Or
 Launch Mastercam from the Windows Start menu.
2 Select the metric configuration file:
a Select Settings, Configuration from

Mastercam’s menu.
b Choose ...\mcamxm.config <Metric>
from the Current drop-down list.
c Click OK.
If You Need More Help

There are many ways to get help with Mastercam, including the following:
 Mastercam Help—Access Mastercam Help by selecting Help, Contents from Mastercam’s
menu bar or by pressing [Alt+H] on your keyboard. Also, most dialog boxes and ribbon
bars feature a Help button that opens Mastercam Help directly to related information.
 Online help—You can search for information or ask questions on the Mastercam Web
forum, located at www.emastercam.com. You can also find a wealth of information,
including many videos, at www.mastercam.com and www.mastercamedu.com.
 Mastercam Reseller—Your local Mastercam Reseller can help with most questions about
Mastercam.
 Technical Support—CNC Software’s Technical Support department (860-875-5006 or
[email protected]) is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. USA
Eastern Standard Time.
 Documentation feedback—For questions about this or other Mastercam documentation,
contact the Technical Documentation department by email at [email protected].
 Mastercam University—CNC Software sponsors Mastercam University, an affordable
online learning platform that gives you 24/7 access to Mastercam training materials. Take
advantage of more than 180 videos to master your skills at your own pace and help prepare
yourself for Mastercam Certification. For more information on Mastercam University,
please contact your Authorized Mastercam Reseller, visit www.mastercamu.com, or email
[email protected].
Additional Documentation
You can find more information on using Mastercam in the following materials, located in the
\Documentation folder of your Mastercam installation:
 Mastercam X5 Installation Guide

 Mastercam X5 Administrator Guide
 Mastercam X5 Quick Start
 Mastercam X5 Reference Guide

 Mastercam X5 Transition Guide
 Mastercam X5 Quick Reference Card
 Mastercam X5 Wire Getting Started Guide
 Version 9 to X Function Map
 Mastercam X5 NCI & Parameter Reference
 Mastercam X5 Post Debugger User’s Guide
LESSON 1
Geometry Translation
1
By translating existing 2D geometry, you can create a 3D part with minimal effort. This lesson takes
the completed 2D part from the Basic 2D Design tutorial and shows how to use geometry
translation to convert it into a full 3D part. The final 3D part is then used as the source file for the
Basic 3D Machining tutorial, the next book in this tutorial series.
This lesson includes the following files, which you can use as needed:
 CONNECTOR_START.MCX-5: The file you load to start this tutorial.
 CONNECTOR_L01EX01.MCX-5: The part file after the completion of Lesson 1, Exercise 1. You
can use this file to start Exercise 2.
can use this file to start Lesson 2, Exercise 1.
Lesson Goals
 Set up the part for 2D to 3D conversion.
 Use translation to create new geometry.
 Define views for setting the Cplane.
 Toggle between 2D and 3D drawing modes.
Exercise 1: Setting Up the Part

In this exercise, you prepare the 2D part for conversion to 3D. This process includes positioning the
part on the screen, setting the construction plane, and creating a new level for the geometry you
create in subsequent exercises.
1 Load the CONNECTOR_START.MCX-5 part file, which is supplied with this tutorial.
Note: If Mastercam warns you that you are changing units of measurement, click the message’s
OK button to continue.
2 From Mastercam’s menu bar, choose File, Save As, and save the part as
CONNECTOR_WORK.MCX-5.
By saving the file under another name, you avoid accidentally overwriting the original file.
3 In the Gview menu on the status bar, select
Isometric (WCS).
TIP: You can also select a Gview from Mastercam’s toolbars. For example, to select the
Isometric view, click the Isometric (WCS) button ( ) in the Graphics Views toolbar.
4 From the toolbar, choose Fit and Un-zoom

.8.
The part now displays at a convenient
position and size.
5 In the WCS menu on the status bar, select
View Manager.
The View Manager dialog box opens.
GEOMETRY TRANSLATION • 7
6 In the View Manager dialog box, click

where the FRONT row intersects with the C
column, and then click OK.
Mastercam sets the construction plane (Cplane) to the Front orientation. The changes you
make to the part now are relative to the Front plane.
7 On the status bar, click inside the Level drop-down box, type 4:3DGEOM, and then press
[Enter].
Note: Although the Level drop-down places spaces on both sides of the colon, you do not need to
type the spaces when selecting or creating a level.
Mastercam creates a new level 4 and names it 3DGEOM. Geometry you create in the
following steps will now go on the 3DGEOM level. You can manage your file’s levels in
Mastercam’s Level Manager (shown in the picture below). For more information on levels,
refer to Mastercam Help.
8 Choose File, Save to save your work to

disk.
Exercise 2: Creating the Drill Holes

The part has four holes that must be drilled. In this exercise, you use translation to create copies of
the four holes at their required depth. You can continue with the file you started in Exercise 1, or
you can start this exercise by loading CONNECTOR_L01EX01.MCX-5. If you choose to load
CONNECTOR_L01EX01.MCX-5, be sure to save it under a new name, so that you do not overwrite the
original file.
1 From Mastercam’s menu, select Xform,
Translate.
2 Select the four small circles, as shown.
The order in which you select the holes is

unimportant.
3 Click End Selection on the ribbon bar.
Mastercam sets the circles as the currently selected geometry, which is the geometry that
gets translated in the following step.
4 In the Translate dialog box, do the

following:
a Select Copy.
b Set Y to -30.
c Click OK.
Mastercam creates copies of the selected
geometry, 30 mm down the Y axis.
5 On the toolbar, click Clear Colors.
Mastercam sets the new geometry to the default color. The following image shows the part
at this point.
6 Choose File, Save to save your work.

Exercise 3: Creating the Pocket and Slot

The connector part features a large pocketed area, as well as a wide slot at its rounded end. In this
exercise, you use translation and offsetting to create additional geometry for these features. You can
continue with the file you worked on Exercise 2, or you can start this exercise by loading
CONNECTOR_L01EX02.MCX-5. If you choose to load CONNECTOR_L01EX02.MCX-5, be sure to save it
under a new name, so that you do not overwrite the original file.
 Creating New Geometry for the Pocket

1 From the MRU function bar (located on
the right side of Mastercam’s window),
select Xform Translate.
The MRU toolbar provides a convenient
way to select functions that you have used
recently in the current Mastercam session.
2 On the General Selection ribbon bar, set

the selection mode to Chain.
You can now use the chaining function to
select the geometry to translate.
3 Click the inner pocket, as shown in the following picture, and then click End Selection on
the ribbon bar.
The Translate dialog box opens.


following:
a Select Copy.
b Set Y to -10.
c Click OK.
Mastercam creates copies of the selected geometry 10 mm down the Y axis, as shown in the
following picture.
Mastercam removes the colors used to

show the translation results.
 Creating New Geometry for the Slot

1 From the MRU Function Bar, select Xform
Translate.
2 Hold down [Shift], click the slot, as shown,

and then choose End Selection on the
ribbon bar.
Holding down [Shift] is another way to
choose the chain selection mode.

following:
a Select Move.
b Set Y to -10.
c Click OK.
This time, Mastercam moves, rather than

copies, the selected geometry down the Y
axis by 10 mm.
4 On the status bar, select Planes, Top (WCS).
Mastercam sets the Cplane to Top.

5 From Mastercam’s menu, select Xform,
Offset Contour.
The Chaining dialog box opens.
6 Click the slot where shown to chain it counterclockwise, and then click OK in the Chaining
dialog box.
The Offset Contour dialog box opens.
TIP: If you click in the wrong place and Mastercam chains the geometry clockwise (as
indicated by the arrow on the selected geometry), click the Reverse button in the Chaining
dialog box. Mastercam then reverses the chaining direction.
7 In the Offset Contour dialog box, do the

following:
a Select Copy.
b Set Distance to 2.
c Set Height to -20.
d Click OK.
Mastercam first creates a copy of the
selected loop and offsets it 2 mm from the
original. Mastercam then translates the
copy 20 mm down the Z axis.
The following image shows the part at this point.

Exercise 4: Creating the 3D Outside Perimeter

In this exercise, you create the connector’s 3D outer faces. You can continue with the file you
worked on in Exercise 3, or you can start this exercise by loading CONNECTOR_L01EX03.MCX-5. If
you choose to load CONNECTOR_L01EX03.MCX-5, be sure to save it under a new name, so that you
do not overwrite the original file.
1 Select Xform Translate.
2 Hold down [Shift] while clicking the part’s

outside perimeter, and then click End
Selection in the ribbon bar.
The Translate dialog box opens.

following:
a Select Join.
b Set Z to -30.
c Click OK.
Mastercam not only creates a copy of the
geometry 30 mm down the Z axis, but also
connects the copy with the original,
forming a 3D shape.
4 Click Clear Colors.
The part now looks like the following image.

Exercise 5: Completing the Wireframe Model

The final feature to create on the connector part is a small hole on the Front plane. As you create the
hole, you learn how the status bar’s 2D/3D button affects drawing functions. You can continue with
the file you worked on Exercise 4, or you can start this exercise by loading
under a new name.
 Draw the Interior hole

1 Select Planes, Front (WCS) from the status bar
Although the part view in the graphics window is unchanged, your construction plane is
now aligned with the part’s front view.
2 On the status bar, toggle the 2D/3D button
to 3D.
In 3D mode, you can work unconstrained by the current Cplane and Z depth.
3 Set the level to 5:HOLE.
Mastercam will now place new geometry onto level 5.

4 From Mastercam’s menu, select Create,

Line, Endpoint.
5 Click the lower pocket contour where

shown, on the line’s midpoint.
6 Click the upper pocket contour on the line’s midpoint, as shown in the following picture.
Mastercam draws a line between the two midpoints.

7 Click OK on the ribbon bar

Arc, Circle Center Point.
9 Click the midpoint of the new line, as shown in the picture below.
10 On the ribbon bar, set Radius to 3.
11 Click the ribbon bar’s OK and Apply

buttons.
Mastercam creates a 6 mm circle that is

centered on the line.
 Draw the Exterior Hole

1 On the status bar, set the 2D/3D button to
2D.
Mastercam now constrains geometry you create to the current Cplane and system Z depth
(shown in the status bar).
2 Select the new line’s midpoint again.
3 Set Radius to 3, and click OK twice.
You should now have the circles shown to

the right.
4 Delete the construction line using the

Delete Entities tool.
The following picture shows the connector part as it looks at this point. In the next lesson, you learn
about Dynamic Planes as you place lettering on the part.
LESSON 2
Dynamic Planes
2
With Dynamic Planes, you use your mouse to visually specify views in Mastercam’s graphics
window. You learn to use Dynamic Planes in this lesson, as you add 3D lettering to the connector
part.
 CONNECTOR_L02EX03.MCX-5: The part file after the completion of Lesson 2, Exercise 3.
Lesson Goals
 Use Dynamic Planes to create custom views.
 Align geometry on custom views.
 Add 3D lettering to the part.
Exercise 1: Creating the Text Plane

In this exercise, you use Dynamic Planes to create a view that represents the correct orientation of
the first set of letters. Creating such a view makes it easy to align your construction plane as needed.
Start with the part from your completedLesson 1. Alternatively, you can load Lesson 1’s
CONNECTOR_L01EX05.MCX-5 file, which is supplied with this tutorial. If you choose to load
CONNECTOR_L01EX05.MCX-5, be sure to save it under a new name, so that you do not overwrite the
original file.
The following picture shows the part in Mastercam’s graphics window at the start of this lesson.
 Defining the Custom View

1 Set the 2D/3D button to 3D.
Mastercam now allows you to pick locations anywhere in the 3D coordinate system,
without being constrained by the current plane and view.
2 From the status bar, select Planes,
Dynamic Planes.
The Dynamic Planes dialog box opens.
TIP: You can also use Dynamic Planes to manipulate the WCS. To do this, click WCS on the
status bar, and then choose Dynamic WCS from the menu that opens. Please refer to
Mastercam Help for more information about the WCS.
DYNAMIC PLANES • 23
3 In the graphics window, place the origin of the Dynamic Planes icon on the line
intersections shown in the following picture, and click.
Mastercam anchors the gnomon where you clicked.

4 Click the gnomon’s X leg between the X
and the arrowhead, as shown.
Mastercam displays a scale for rotating the
X axis around Z.
TIP: Where you click the Dynamic Planes gnomon determines how you can manipulate the
axes. Each of the gnomon’s “legs” has five clickable areas:
Please refer to Mastercam Help for more information.

5 Click the line midpoint, where shown.
Mastercam positions the X axis on the

selected line.
6 Click the gnomon’s Y label.
A scale for rotating the Y axis around X

appears.
7 Select the upper endpoint of the vertical

line, as shown.
Mastercam positions the Y axis on the
selected line.
8 Change the view’s name from NEW VIEW (8) to TEXT PLANE, and click OK to close the
Dynamic Plane dialog box. .
You have now used Dynamic Planes to create a new view named TEXT PLANE. In the
following steps, you use the new TEXT PLANE view to position a line of text on the part.
 Selecting the Custom View

1 From the status bar, select Gview, Named Views.
The View Selection dialog box opens.

2 In the View Selection dialog box, choose

TEXT PLANE, and click OK.
Mastercam aligns the view in the Graphics
window with the selected plane.
3 In Mastercam’s toolbars, select Fit and Un-

zoom .8.
The geometry in your graphics window should now look like the following picture.
Exercise 2: Creating the First Set of Letters

The finished part has lettering on two of its surfaces. In this lesson, you create a set of letters that
reads MASTERCAM. Continue with the part file you worked on in Exercise 1, or you can load
CONNECTOR_L02EX01.MCX-5. If you choose to load CONNECTOR_L02EX01.MCX-5, make sure to save
it under another name.
 Preparing for the Lettering

1 Set the 2D/3D button to 2D.
2 Click the word Level on the status bar.
The Level Manager dialog box opens.
3 In the Level Manager, do the Following:
a Set level Number to 6.
b Change the level’s name to TEXT.

c Click OK.
This is another way of starting a new level. Mastercam will now place the text that you
create on the level named TEXT.
4 In the status bar, click the System color
box.
The Colors dialog box opens.
5 In the Colors dialog box, select color 9, and
click OK.
Mastercam will now use the selected color
for the lettering that you create in the
following steps.
 Creating the Lettering

1 From Mastercam’s menu bar, select
Create, Letters.
The Create Letters dialog box opens.
2 In the dialog box, do the following, as shown in the following picture.
a Type Mastercam into the Letters box.
b Set Font to MCX (Box) Font.

c Set Height to 5.0.
d Set Spacing to 1.0.
e Click OK.
3 Type x6 y12 z0, and then press [Enter] followed by [Esc].
Note: When you click OK to dismiss the Create Letters dialog box, Mastercam waits for you to
type the X, Y, and Z coordinates for the lettering. Be sure to type lowercase letters.
Mastercam creates the lettering (in the color you selected in Step 5) and places it at the
position you typed.
Exercise 3: Creating the Second Set of Letters

The second set of letters gets placed on the Front plane. Because Front is a standard Mastercam
view, you do not need to create a custom view as you did for the first set of letters. In this exercise,
you use the Front view to create the final lettering for the part.
Continue with the part file you worked on in Exercise 2, or you can load
CONNECTOR_L02EX02.MCX-5. If you choose to load CONNECTOR_L02EX02.MCX-5, make sure to save
it under another name.
1 From the status bar, select Planes, Front
(WCS).
Mastercam sets the construction plane to
the Front view.
2 Select Gview, Front (WCS).
Mastercam sets the graphics view to Front.

You are now looking at the part in the same
orientation that you set for the Cplane.
3 From Mastercam’s menu bar, select

Create, Letters.
The Create Letters dialog box opens.
4 In the Create Letters dialog box, do the following:
a Type 3D Basics into the Letters box.
b Ensure that Height is 5.0.

c Ensure that Spacing is 1.0.
d Click OK.
5 Type x25 y-18 z15, and then press [Enter], followed by [Esc].
Mastercam places the second set of letters on the part, as shown in the following picture.
TIP: If you type the lettering incorrectly, you must delete the lettering geometry, and try
again from Step 3.
In the next lesson, you complete the part by creating various types of surfaces on the wireframe
model.
LESSON 3
Surface Creation
3
In this lesson, you complete the part by creating surfaces on the wireframe model. These surfaces
form the part’s top, bottom, and many side walls.
Note: As you work though this tutorial, your surfaces may display differently than those shown
in the illustrations. In wireframe display mode, Mastercam draws surfaces with a set of lines.
The number of lines drawn on a surface is determined by the Surface drawing density setting.
The higher the drawing density setting, the more lines Mastercam uses to display a surface in
wireframe mode. The picture on the left shows a surface with a drawing density of 2. The picture
on the right shows the same surface with a drawing density of 10. To change surface drawing
density, select Settings, System Configuration. The surface drawing density setting is located
on the CAD Settings page
can use this file to start Lesson Exercise 6.
 CONNECTOR_L03EX07.MCX-5: The part file after the completion of Lesson 3, Exercise 7.
Lesson Goals
 Create Flat Boundary surfaces.
 Create Ruled surfaces.
 Create Lofted surfaces.
 Create Draft surfaces.
 Trim surfaces to curves and other surfaces.
Exercise 1: Preparing for Surface Creation

If necessary, load the part file from your completed Lesson 2. Alternatively, you can load Lesson 2’s
CONNECTOR_L02EX03.MCX-5 file, which is provided with this tutorial. If you choose to load
CONNECTOR_L02EX03.MCX-5, remember to save it under a different file name so that you do not
overwrite the original file.
The part should look like the one shown in the picture below.
Note: If Mastercam opens a dialog box showing the message “Switching system units from
English to Metric,” just click OK to accept the default settings.
1 On the status bar, create a new level by

typing 7:SURFACES and pressing [Enter].
Mastercam will now place new geometry on level 7.

2 Also in the status bar, do the following:
a Click the System color box.
b Select color 3 in the Colors dialog box.

c Click OK.
Mastercam will now use the selected color
to display newly created geometry.
SURFACE CREATION • 35
3 Click the Level label in the status bar.
The Level Manager dialog box opens.
4 Click the X in level 6’s Visible column, and

then click OK.
Mastercam hides the lettering, keeping it
out of the way of the geometry you will
work with in the following steps.
TIP: If you can not turn off level 6, it is probably set as the main level. To proceed, click the 1
in the Number column, which makes level 1 the main level. You can now turn off level 6.
Alternatively, turn off the Make main level always visible option, and then turn off level 6.
Exercise 2: Creating the Top Flat Boundary Surface

In this exercise, you create a Flat Boundary surface that forms the part’s top. Flat Boundary surfaces
are trimmed NURBS surfaces created within a boundary you select. The boundary is defined by a
closed, planar chain. As you will see, when Mastercam creates the surface, it trims it to the
boundaries of all of the chained entities
Continue with the part file from the previous exercise. Alternatively, you can load the file
CONNECTOR_L03EX01.MCX-5, which is included with this tutorial. If you choose to load
1 In the status bar, select Gview, Isometric

(WCS).
Mastercam displays the part in the
isometric orientation.
2 From Mastercam’s menu, select Create, Surface, Flat Boundary.

3 In the Chaining dialog box, select C-Plane.
Mastercam now constrains chaining to

entities that are parallel to the current
construction plane and at the same Z
depth as the first entity you chain.
4 Chain the following geometry. (The

chaining order and direction is
unimportant.)
a The upper perimeter
b The upper, inner pocket

c The four upper circles
Your selected geometry should match the following picture.
5 Click OK in the Chaining dialog box.
Mastercam creates a surface based on the

selected geometry. Specifically, the upper
perimeter you selected is the outer
boundary of the surface. The selected
circles are nested within this perimeter

and so form holes in the flat boundary
surface.
6 Click the Shaded button to better see your
new surface.
Mastercam displays the part as a shaded model.
7 On the ribbon bar, click OK.
Exercise 3: Creating the Bottom Flat Boundary Surface

CONNECTOR_L03EX02.MCX-5, remember to save it under a different file name.

Surface, Flat Boundary.
2 In the Chaining dialog box, select C-Plane.
Mastercam constrains chaining to entities

that are parallel to the current
3 Chain the following geometry:
a The lower outside perimeter
b The lower four circles

As you can see on one of the circles in the
picture to the right, a chained entity
displays a chaining arrow. The arrow
remains on the entity only until you chain
the next entity.
TIP: If clicking the outside perimeter results in an incomplete chain, and Mastercam tells
you that a branch point has been reached, then you forgot to select the C-plane option in
the Chaining dialog box. To fix your mistake, first click the Unselect button ( in the
Chaining dialog box) to remove the selected geometry from the chain. Then select the
dialog box’s C-plane option ( ), and try chaining again.
4 Click the OK button in the dialog box and the ribbon bar.
You now have a surface on the bottom of the part, as seen in the following picture.
5 Select Create, Surface, Trim, To Curves.
6 Click the lower surface, and press [Enter].

7 Click the lower slot contour as shown, and

click OK in the Chaining dialog box.
IMPORTANT: In the following step, you are instructed to click twice on a surface. Do not
move your mouse off of the surface between the two mouse clicks. On the first click, an
arrow indicating the surface normal appears. On the second click, the cursor returns to its
default arrow. At that point, you can again move your mouse.
8 Click twice outside of the slot contour, as

shown, and then click OK on the ribbon
bar.
Mastercam trims the slot, leaving the geometry as it is shown in the following picture.
Note: You could have chained the lower slot with the other geometry in Step 3. This tutorial,
however, left the slot to demonstrate the Trim to Curves function, which you used in Steps 5
through 8.

Exercise 4: Creating the Middle Flat Boundary Surface

under a different file name.
1 In the MRU Function Bar (shown
undocked in the picture on the right),
select Create Flat Boundary Surface.
2 Click the lower pocket contour and the

upper slot boundary as shown.
Note: In this case, the chaining direction does

not matter. That is, the arrow on the chained
geometry can point in either direction.
The picture to the right shows the properly

chained geometry.
3 Click OK in the Chaining dialog box and

the ribbon bar.
Mastercam creates a surface on the area between the selected chains, as shown in the
following picture.
Exercise 5: Creating Ruled/Lofted Surfaces

In this exercise, you create Ruled and Lofted surfaces to form walls on the part. Ruled and lofted
surfaces blend a minimum of two curves or chains of curves. Although the two types of surfaces are
similar, a ruled surface is a linear blending of the curves, whereas a lofted surface is a smooth
blending of the curves.
CONNECTOR_L03EX04.MCX-5, remember to save it under a different file name. If the part displays as
a wireframe model, click the Shaded button to better see the part’s surfaces, as shown in the picture
for Step 3 in the previous exercise.
 Creating the first side wall

1 Select Create, Surface, Ruled/Lofted.

2 Click the upper and lower pocket contours

where shown, and click OK in the chaining
dialog box. (Make sure that both contours
are chained in the same direction.)
3 In the ribbon bar, select the Lofted button,

and then click Apply.
Mastercam creates a surface on the sidewall between the selected contours, as shown in
the following picture.
 Creating walls on the holes

1 Click the Wireframe button.
Mastercam switches the display to wireframe, which better shows the drill-hole geometry.
The following picture shows the wireframe model.
2 Select the first set of drill holes as shown,

and click OK in the Chaining dialog box.
Make sure that you chain the holes in the
same direction. Otherwise, your surface
will be twisted.
TIP: To reverse a chain’s direction, click the Reverse button ( ) in the Chaining dialog
box.
3 On the ribbon bar, click Ruled and then

Apply.
Mastercam creates a wall with a Ruled

Surface between the two selected circles.
Then the Chaining dialog box reopens.
4 Use the same procedure to create surfaces

on the other three sets of drill holes, always
clicking Apply on the ribbon bar, rather
than OK.
The picture to the right shows all four holes
and their surfaces.
 Creating walls on the slot

1 Select the upper and lower slot contours as
shown, and click OK in the Chaining dialog
box.
2 In the ribbon bar, click Lofted and then

OK.
Mastercam creates a sidewall with a Lofted
Surface between the selected contours.
3 Click the Shaded button to better examine
the new surfaces.
The following picture shows the part at this point.

TIP: Use Dynamic Rotation ( ) to examine the holes on the back of the part. Then set
your view back to isometric. You can also rotate the part by moving your mouse while
holding down the middle button.

Exercise 6: Creating Draft Surfaces

In this exercise, you create a Draft Surface that defines the wall of the part’s side drill hole. A Draft
Surface is an angled, extruded surface or a tapered wall formed from one or more chains of curves.
The amount of taper is specified by the surface’s Angle setting. In the following steps, however, you
create a Draft Surface with an angle of 0, which results in no tapering.
CONNECTOR_L03EX05.MCX-5. If you choose to load CONNECTOR_L03EX05.MCX-5, remember to
save it under a different file name.
 Creating the surface

1 Click the Wireframe button.
In wireframe display mode, you can better

see the geometry you work with in the
following steps.
2 In Mastercam’s tool bars, click the Zoom
Window button.
3 Click and drag around the area shown (the

side hole), and then release the mouse
button. Click a second time to set the
opposite corner for the zoom window.
Mastercam magnifies the selected area.
4 From the status bar, select Planes, Front

(WCS).
Mastercam aligns the construction plane
with the Front view.
5 Select Create, Surface, Draft, as shown in the following picture.

6 Select the inner hole, as shown, and click

OK in the Chaining dialog box.
The Draft Surface dialog box opens.
7 In the dialog box, do the following:
a Select the Length option.
b Set the length drop-down to 20.

c Click OK.
Mastercam creates a cylindrical surface

that extends from the selected circle, as
shown in the picture to the right.
Note: In this step, you created a draft surface.

However, because its angle is 0, the surface does
not taper.
8 Click the Shaded button.
Mastercam applies shading to the

wireframe model, which provides a better
view of the surfaces, as shown to the right.
Note: This tutorial has you extend the surface

by 20 mm to better demonstrate the Trim to
Surfaces function in the following steps.
Typically, you would not need to extend the
surface this far.
 Trimming the hole

Surface, Trim, To Surfaces.
2 Click the first surface where shown, and

press [Enter].
This is the surface that Mastercam will
trim.
3 Click the second surface where shown, and

press [Enter].
This is the surface to which the first surface
will be trimmed.
IMPORTANT: In the following step, you are instructed to click twice on a surface. Do not
move your mouse off of the surface between the two mouse clicks. On the first click, an
arrow indicating the surface normal appears. On the second click, the cursor returns to its
default arrow. At that point, you can again move your mouse.
4 Click twice where shown to select the

portion of the surface to keep.
Now Mastercam will trim only the portion
of the side wall surface that blocks the
hole.
5 In the ribbon bar, select the 1 button (not to be confused with the First Surface button,
which has a “1” on it).
Mastercam is now set up to trim only the side wall surface.

6 Click the ribbon bar’s OK button.
Mastercam performs the trim function. However, you can not yet see the trimmed area.
7 On Mastercam’s toolbar, click the Fit
button.
Mastercam resizes the part so that it fits on the screen.

8 Use your mouse to rotate the part to see
the completed hole.
The following picture shows the part so far.
9 Use the Isometric (WCS), Fit, and Un-zoom .8 commands to reposition the part on the
screen.
10 Save your work.
Exercise 7: Creating the Final Ruled/Lofted surface

 Creating the surface

1 From the status bar, click Planes, Top
(WCS).
Mastercam aligns the construction plane
with the Top view.
2 Select Create, Surface, Ruled/Lofted.
The Chaining dialog box displays.
3 In the Chaining dialog box, select the C-

plane option.
Mastercam now constrains chaining to
entities that are parallel to the current
4 Click the part’s upper and lower outer
perimeters as shown, and then click OK in
the dialog box and in the ribbon bar.
Mastercam creates a surface for the part’s

outer wall.
 Trimming the drill hole surface

1 Click the Wireframe button, and then
zoom to the side drill hole.
2 Select Create, Surface, Trim, To Surfaces.
3 Click the side drill hole where shown in the

picture to the right, and press [Enter].
You have now selected the first surface to
trim
4 Click the outer surface where shown, and

press [Enter].
You have now selected the second surface.
to trim.
5 On the ribbon bar, click the Both button.
Mastercam is now set up to trim both the

cylindrical and side-wall surfaces.
IMPORTANT: In the following two steps, you are instructed to click twice on a line. Do not
move your mouse between the two mouse clicks. On the first click, an arrow indicating the
surface normal appears. On the second click, the cursor returns to its default arrow. At that
point, you can again move your mouse.
6 Click twice on the line between the circles

on the part’s wall, as shown in the picture.
You have now selected the portion of the
cylindrical surface to keep after trimming.
7 Click twice on the same line you clicked in

Step 4.
Mastercam trims the surfaces to leave

behind the side drill hole.
8 Click OK in the ribbon bar, resize the part to fit, and turn on shading.
The following picture shows the completed part.

9 Save your work.
You have now completed the connector part. (The tutorial book titled Basic 3D Machining shows
how to prepare the connector for machining by creating various types of toolpaths on the part.) The
next lesson in this tutorial demonstrates other 3D drawing techniques, as you create a tool holder
part.
LESSON 4
Creating the Tool Holder Part

4
In this lesson, you draw the tool holder shown in the following blueprint. Along the way, you
discover powerful drawing techniques, such as using construction lines and offsetting geometry. In
the tutorial book titled Basic 3D Machining, you learn to create toolpaths for this part.
 TOOLPATH01.MCX-5: The part file after the completion of Lesson 4, Exercise 1. You can use
this file to start Exercise 2.
 TOOLPATH06.MCX-5: The part file after the completion of Lesson 4, Exercise 6.
Lesson Goals
 Use construction lines as reference geometry.
 Offset lines from reference geometry to create part geometry.
 Trim geometry to clean up your part.
 Use rotation to form 3D geometry.
 Create Net surfaces on wireframe geometry.
Exercise 1: Drawing the Tool Holder, Part 1

Most of the geometry you draw in this lesson is relative to a set of temporary construction lines. You
delete such construction lines when they are no longer needed. In this exercise, you draw the
vertical and horizontal construction lines on which most of the geometry is based.
1 Start Mastercam in metric mode.
2 Press [F9] to display the axes in the graphics window.
3 Choose Create, Line, Endpoint.
4 Draw any length vertical line upward from

the origin. (Do not click Apply or OK yet.)
5 In the ribbon bar, while the line is still live,

set the line’s length to 150 mm, its angle to
90, and click Apply.
6 Similarly, draw a Horizontal line from the
origin to the right.
7 Set this line’s length to 35, its angle to 0,
and click OK.
CREATING THE TOOL HOLDER PART • 61
8 Choose View, Fit, and then View, Un-

Zoom Previous / .5.
Now the geometry is conveniently sized
and positioned on the screen.
9 Save your part as ToolHolder01_WORK.mcx-5.

Start this exercise with the part you worked on in the previous exercise, or you can load
Toolholder01.mcx-5, which is supplied with this tutorial. If you choose to load
Toolholder01.mcx-5, be sure to save it under another file name so that you do not overwrite the
original file.
 Creating the New Geometry

1 Choose Xform, Offset.
The Offset dialog box opens.

2 Choose the Copy option, and set the offset
to 15.
3 Click the vertical construction line (VCL)

to select it.
4 Click to the right of the VCL to specify the

offset direction, and click Apply in the
dialog box.
IMPORTANT: Make sure that you click

Apply and not OK. (If you do click OK, you
must choose Xform, Offset again to
redisplay the Offset dialog box.)
A copy of the line appears, offset to the

right of the VCL by 15 mm, as shown in the
picture to the right.
5 In the Offset dialog box, change the offset to 31.5.
6 Repeat Step 3 and Step 4 to create another

offset line.
The picture to the right shows the result.
7 In the Offset dialog box, change the offset to 150.

8 Click the horizontal construction line

(HCL) to select it.
9 Click above the HCL to specify the offset

direction.
A copy of the line appears, 150 mm above

the HCL, as shown in the picture to the
right.
10 Click OK to apply your last offset and to

dismiss the Offset dialog box.
Note: For the remainder of this lesson, when you are instructed to offset a line, use the same
procedure you used in the previous steps, as reviewed below. Remember to click Apply or OK
after each offset operation.
1 Open the Offset dialog box.
2 Set the Copy option.
3 Set the offset length.
4 Click the line to copy.
5 Click in the graphics window to choose the offset direction
 Trimming the New Geometry

1 Select Edit, Trim/Break, Trim/Break/
Extend.
2 In the ribbon bar, select the Divide/Delete

option.
3 Click the three locations shown in the

picture to the right, and then click OK on
the ribbon bar.
Mastercam deletes the selected line

segments, leaving the geometry shown in
the picture to the right.
4 Save your part as ToolHolder02_WORK.mcx-5.


Start with the part you worked on in the previous exercise, or you can load Toolholder02.mcx-5.
If you choose to load Toolholder02.mcx-5, be sure to save it under another file name.
TIP: Use the MRU Function Bar to easily access commands that you use often in these
exercises. The MRU Function Bar is located on the right edge of Mastercam’s window, but
for even faster access to the bar’s commands, drag and drop it onto the graphics window,
close to the geometry you are working on.
1 Offset the HCL twice upward by 141 mm

and 131 mm.
2 Choose Trim/Break/Extend and make sure

that the Divide/Delete button is still
selected.
3 Click the right-hand vertical line between

the two new HCLs, and then click the
ribbon bar’s OK button.
Mastercam removes the selected line

segment from the geometry, as shown in
the picture.
4 Click both of the HCLs you created in

Step 1, and press [Delete].
Mastercam deletes both lines from the
geometry.
5 Offset a copy of the original HCL upward

126 mm.
6 Use Trim/Break/Extend, Divide/Delete to

delete the right-hand vertical line below
the new HCL.
Note: From now on, exercise steps describe Trim operations by showing the trim command to
use, followed by the name of the ribbon bar button to select, as seen in Step 6. To perform the
Trim operation, do the following:
1 Select the command.
2 Click the ribbon bar button.
3 Click the geometry indicated in the step.
4 Click the ribbon bar’s OK button to end the Trim operation.
7 Use Xform Offset to copy the VCL 26.5 mm

to the right.
8 Xform Offset two copies of the HCL 138.5

mm and 133.5 mm upward.
9 Choose View, Zoom Window (or just press

[F1]), and draw a rectangle around the
lines at the top of the part.
Mastercam magnifies the selected area, so
that you can better see the details.
10 Select Trim/Break/Extend, Trim 3 entity

and click the three lines in the order shown
in the picture.
The picture to the right shows the upper

geometry so far.
11 Save your part as ToolHolder03_work.mcx-5.


Start with the part you worked on in the previous exercise, or you can load Toolholder03.mcx-5.
If you choose to load Toolholder03.mcx-5, be sure to save it under another file name.
1 Offset the original VCL to the right by 28
mm.
2 Select Trim/Break/Extend, Trim 1 entity,

and click lines A, B, and C (see picture) in
the order A, B, C, B.
Mastercam trims lines A and C to the single
entity, line B.
3 Delete the offset line you created in Step 1,

as well as the longer horizontal
construction line.
Your part’s upper geometry now looks like

the picture to the right.
4 Zoom in on the lower portion of the part,

and create the following offset lines:
a Offset the VCL to the right by 16 mm.
b Offset the HCL upward by 38 mm.

c Offset the HCL upward by 29.75 mm.
d Offset the HCL upward by 17.5 mm.
5 Select Trim/Break/Extend, Divide/Delete,

and then click the lines shown, followed by
OK in the ribbon bar.
segments.
6 Delete the three horizontal construction

lines you created in Step 4.
You now have the lower geometry shown to

the right.
7 Create the following offset lines:
a Offset the original VCL to the right by

12.5 mm.
b Offset the original VCL to the right by 15
mm.
c Offset the original HCL upward by 26.5
mm.
d Offset the original HCL upward by 18.5
mm.
8 Select Trim/Break/Extend, Divide/Delete,

and then click the lines shown, followed by
OK in the ribbon bar.

segments from the part.
9 Delete the VCL at X = 15 mm and the HCL

at Y = 26.5 mm.
10 Save the part as ToolHolder04_WORK.mcx-5.


You can start with the part you worked on in the previous exercise, or you can load
Toolholder04.mcx-5. If you choose to load Toolholder04.mcx-5, be sure to save it under
another file name.
1 Create the following offset lines:
a Offset the VCL to the right by 11.5 mm.
b Offset the VCL to the right by 6 mm.

c Offset the HCL upward by 3 mm.
2 Select Trim/Break/Extend, Trim 1 entity,

and then click the lines in the order A, B, A,
C, D, E, followed by OK in the ribbon bar.
3 Press [F9] to turn off the axes, so that you

can better see the changed geometry,
4 Delete the VCL at X = 6 mm, the VCL at X =

11.5, the HCL at Y = 3 mm, and the original
VCL.
The picture to the right shows the resulting

lower geometry.
5 Zoom out so that you can see the full geometry.

6 Use Create, Line, Endpoint to connect all

of the line segments, as shown to the right.
7 Select Create, Fillet, Chains, and chain

from the bottom of the geometry as shown.
Note: When you click OK to dismiss the

Chaining dialog box, you may, depending on
the Fillet Chain ribbon bar settings, get
warnings. Just click OK to dismiss them. In the
next step, you enter the settings that create the
correct fillets.
8 In the ribbon bar, set the following options,

and then click OK:
a Radius to 0.5
b Direction to All Corners
c Style to Normal
d Trim button selected
9 Save the file as ToolHolder05_WORK.mcx-5.

Exercise 6: Creating the Surface

Start with the part you worked on in the previous exercise, or you can load Toolholder05.mcx-5. If
you choose to load Toolholder05.mcx-5, be sure to save it under another file name.
 Rotating the Geometry

1 On the status bar, click Planes, and then
select Front (WCS).
2 From Mastercam’s menu bar, select Xform,

Rotate.
3 Select all of the geometry in the graphics

window, and click End Selection.
The Rotate dialog box opens.
4 In the dialog box, do the following:
a Select Join.
b Set # to 3.
c Set Angle to 180.
d Select Total sweep.
e Click OK.
Mastercam rotates the geometry as

specified in the dialog box, giving the result
5 In Mastercam’s toolbars, click Clear

Colors.
Mastercam redraws the part in the default
colors.
6 In the status bar, click Gview, and then
select Isometric (WCS).
Mastercam displays the tool holder in
isometric view.
7 Use the Fit and Un-Zoom .8 commands to

fit the part to the screen.
 Creating the Net Surface

1 From Mastercam’s menu bar, choose
Create, Surface, Net.
2 In the dialog box, click the Window

button, and then select all geometry in the
graphics window.
3 Click the point shown in the picture.
4 Click OK in the dialog box and OK on the ribbon bar.
Mastercam creates a Net surface on the selected geometry.

5 Press [Alt+S] to turn on shading.
Mastercam changes the part’s display from wireframe to fully shaded, as seen in the
following picture.
6 Save the part as Toolholder06_WORK.mcx-5.
You have now completed the tool holder part. The tutorial book titled Basic 3D Machining shows
how to prepare the tool holder for machining by creating various types of toolpaths on the part.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You have completed the Basic 3D Design tutorial. Now that you have mastered the
skills in this tutorial, we encourage you to explore Mastercam’s other features and functions.
Additional tutorials may be available in this or other series. Please contact your authorized
Mastercam Reseller for further training.
Attention! Updates may be available.
Go to Mastercam.com/Support for the latest downloads.
671 Old Post Road

Tolland, CT 06084 USA
www.mastercam.com
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Basic 3D

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Mastercam® X5 Basic 3D Design

 Exercise 1: Drawing the Tool Holder, Part 1 ............................ 60

Before You Begin

General Tutorial Requirements

 You must be comfortable using the Windows® operating system.

Preparing for a Tutorial

 Double-click Mastercam’s desktop icon.

a Select Settings, Configuration from

If You Need More Help

 Mastercam X5 Installation Guide

 Mastercam X5 Reference Guide

Exercise 1: Setting Up the Part

4 From the toolbar, choose Fit and Un-zoom

6 In the View Manager dialog box, click

8 Choose File, Save to save your work to

Exercise 2: Creating the Drill Holes

2 Select the four small circles, as shown.

The order in which you select the holes is

3 Click End Selection on the ribbon bar.

4 In the Translate dialog box, do the

5 On the toolbar, click Clear Colors.

6 Choose File, Save to save your work.

Exercise 3: Creating the Pocket and Slot

 Creating New Geometry for the Pocket

2 On the General Selection ribbon bar, set

The Translate dialog box opens.

4 In the Translate dialog box, do the

5 On the toolbar, click Clear Colors.

Mastercam removes the colors used to

 Creating New Geometry for the Slot

2 Hold down [Shift], click the slot, as shown,

3 In the Translate dialog box, do the

This time, Mastercam moves, rather than

4 On the status bar, select Planes, Top (WCS).

Mastercam sets the Cplane to Top.

The Offset Contour dialog box opens.

7 In the Offset Contour dialog box, do the

8 On the toolbar, click Clear Colors.

The following image shows the part at this point.

9 Choose File, Save to save your work.

Exercise 4: Creating the 3D Outside Perimeter

2 Hold down [Shift] while clicking the part’s

3 In the Translate dialog box, do the

4 Click Clear Colors.

The part now looks like the following image.

5 Choose File, Save to save your work.

Exercise 5: Completing the Wireframe Model

 Draw the Interior hole

Mastercam will now place new geometry onto level 5.

4 From Mastercam’s menu, select Create,

5 Click the lower pocket contour where

Mastercam draws a line between the two midpoints.

7 Click OK on the ribbon bar