GETTING STARTED

GUIDE

TekSoft, Inc.
An Company
www.teksoft.com
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PC26c April, 2002
Table of Contents
CHAPTER 1 GETTING STARTED 1-1
Starting ProCAM II and Opening a Part File ............................................... 1-2
Understanding the ProCAM Window .......................................................... 1-3
Toolbars .................................................................................................. 1-3
Insert Toolbars................................................................................... 1-4
Modifier Toolbar ............................................................................... 1-4
Snap Toolbar ..................................................................................... 1-4
Utility Toolbar ................................................................................... 1-5
System Toolbar.................................................................................. 1-5
View Toolbar..................................................................................... 1-6
Menus...................................................................................................... 1-6
Part Manager ........................................................................................... 1-6
Work Area............................................................................................... 1-7
Prompt Line............................................................................................. 1-7
Cursor Coordinates ................................................................................. 1-8
Zoom Buttons.......................................................................................... 1-8
Finding Answers and Learning More About ProCAM II ....................... 1-8
Online Help ....................................................................................... 1-8
Tutorials............................................................................................. 1-9
Learning the Basics .................................................................................... 1-10
Using the Mouse ................................................................................... 1-10
Button Functions ............................................................................. 1-10
Keyboard Operation .............................................................................. 1-11
Providing Information ..................................................................... 1-11
Shortcut Keys .................................................................................. 1-11
Correcting Mistakes .............................................................................. 1-12
Erasing Entities and Using Oops..................................................... 1-12
Selecting Entities................................................................................... 1-12
When There are Multiple Entities at a Pick Location ..................... 1-12
Window Picking Multiple Entities .................................................. 1-13
Using the Unselect Command ......................................................... 1-14
Controlling the Part Display.................................................................. 1-14
Zooming .......................................................................................... 1-15
Rotating ........................................................................................... 1-16
Panning ............................................................................................ 1-17
Calculating ............................................................................................ 1-17
Using Auto-Calculation................................................................... 1-17
Using the Calculator ........................................................................ 1-18

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Table of Contents

Customizing ProCAM........................................................................... 1-19

Changing the Screen Display .......................................................... 1-19
Arranging Toolbars ......................................................................... 1-19
Resizing the Window and Part Manager ......................................... 1-20
Controlling the Axis Display........................................................... 1-20
Interactively Changing the Surface Display.................................... 1-20
Specifying Units of Measurement ................................................... 1-21
CHAPTER 2 USING SNAP COMMANDS 2-1
Digitizing ...................................................................................................... 2-2
Specifying X,Y,Z Coordinates ..................................................................... 2-3
Picking the Endpoint of an Entity................................................................. 2-4
Picking the Midpoint of an Entity ................................................................ 2-5
Picking the Double Intersection ................................................................... 2-6
Inserting an Entity Tangent to a Circle......................................................... 2-7
Inserting an Entity at the Center of a Circle ................................................. 2-8
Capturing Information .................................................................................. 2-9
CHAPTER 3 WORKING IN 3D 3-1
Locating Entities in 3D Space ...................................................................... 3-2
Coordinate Systems and Cplanes ............................................................ 3-2
Creating a Cplane.................................................................................... 3-3
Deleting a Cplane.................................................................................... 3-6
CHAPTER 4 MANIPULATING ENTITIES 4-1
Trimming Entities......................................................................................... 4-2
Editing Entities ............................................................................................. 4-5
Changing the Color of Entities ............................................................... 4-5
Changing the Line Type of Entities and the Text Font........................... 4-5
Changing the Location and Size of Entities............................................ 4-6
Editing Splines.............................................................................................. 4-7
Modifying Spline Nodes ......................................................................... 4-7
Editing Parametric Spline Node Tangency Vectors................................ 4-9
Changing the Direction of a Tangency Vector.................................. 4-9
Changing the Magnitude of a Tangency Vector.............................. 4-10
Copying a Tangency Vector ............................................................ 4-11
Mirroring .................................................................................................... 4-12
Mirroring Entities About a Line............................................................ 4-12
Mirroring Entities About a Plane .......................................................... 4-13
Rotating ...................................................................................................... 4-14
Rotating Entities.................................................................................... 4-14
Rotating Entities Multiple Times.......................................................... 4-15
Rotating Entities About a Line.............................................................. 4-15

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Moving........................................................................................................ 4-17
Moving and Copying Entities ............................................................... 4-17
Moving Copies to Multiple Locations .................................................. 4-18
Moving to a Different Cplane ............................................................... 4-19
Copying and Extruding Entities ............................................................ 4-20
Scaling ........................................................................................................ 4-22
Scaling Entities ..................................................................................... 4-22
Grouping and Ungrouping.......................................................................... 4-23
Grouping and Ungrouping Entities ....................................................... 4-23
Breaking and Exploding ............................................................................. 4-24
Breaking an Entity................................................................................. 4-24
Breaking Text into Line Entities........................................................... 4-25
CHAPTER 5 WORKING WITH PARTS 5-1
Using Layers................................................................................................. 5-2
Selecting Layers ...................................................................................... 5-2
Creating a New Layer ............................................................................. 5-2
Using Pick Layers On / Off..................................................................... 5-3
Using the Measure Utility to Show the Layer......................................... 5-3
Moving Entities to a Different Layer...................................................... 5-4
Setting a Pick Mask ...................................................................................... 5-5
Setting and Using a Pick Mask ............................................................... 5-5
Using the Pick Mask Library .................................................................. 5-6
Changing Picking Options............................................................................ 5-7
Combining Parts ........................................................................................... 5-8
Inserting a Part File ................................................................................. 5-8
INDEX

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Table of Contents

iv
Chapter 1 Getting Started

ProCAM II uses the graphical user interface of Microsoft Windows® to provide an

intuitive, efficient work environment for designing and drafting parts and for generating NC
code. Before you start using ProCAM II, you should be comfortable navigating in the
Windows graphical environment. If you are a new Windows user, you should learn basic
Windows skills first before attempting to understand ProCAM II.

Getting Started 1-1

Starting ProCAM II and Opening a Part File

Starting ProCAM II and Opening a Part File

When you install ProCAM, the Setup program creates a folder (Procad\CadII) that contains
the ProCAM II program and lists the ProCAM II programs on the Start menu. The following
steps are one method for starting the program. You may prefer to use a different method. For
more information, see the Microsoft Windows documentation or the online help.
EXERCISE 1. Select Start on the taskbar.
The Start menu displays.
2. Select Programs.
The Programs menu displays.
3. Select TekSoft CAD_CAM.
A list of programs displays.
4. Select ProCAM II.
The ProCAM II window displays.
5. Click the Open button on the File toolbar.
6. In the Open dialog box, change the current folder to \procad\pcii\learn\CAD-Surf.
When you run the Setup program to install ProCAM, the program automatically creates a
\procad\pcii\learn folder with sub folders that contain sample parts.
7. Make sure the File of type option is set to ProCAM Files (*.pcii).
In addition to drawing and saving parts in ProCAM II format (.pcii), you can also import
files that are in other formats such as, ProCAM format prior to ProCAM II (.3d),
ProCAM 2D format (.prt), Parasolid® solid model (x_t, x_b), AutoCAD® Drawing
Interchange File (.dxf), and AutoCAD® Drawing File (.dwg), Initial Graphics Exchange
Specification (.igs).
8. Scroll through the list of files and double-click Surface Curve1.pcii.
At the top of the ProCAM window, the left side of the title bar identifies the file name
when you open or save a part. Also on the left is the TekSoft icon, which can be used to
access the Control menu. The Minimize, Maximize/Restore and Exit buttons are on the
right.
9. Locate the CAD toolbar
shown on the right and
click the Point button.
10. Position the pointer in the work area where the part is displayed and click the left mouse
button (BUTTON 1).
A point displays.
11. Move the pointer and click again.
12. Insert several points (see the figure on the next page).

1-2 Getting Started

 Understanding the ProCAM Window

Understanding the ProCAM Window

The ProCAM window is divided into several areas. Each area is explained briefly below.
You will learn how to use the features and functions as you go through the exercises in this
manual and in the tutorials.
Note that the layout in the figure below has been customized and may look different from
your ProCAM window. You will learn how to customize the layout later in this chapter.

Toolbars

Work area

Part Manager

Prompt line Axis, Origin and Cplane Cursor coordinates

Zoom buttons

Toolbars
ProCAM toolbar buttons show a picture of a command. For example, you inserted points in
the previous exercise by clicking the button with the picture of a point. Some of the toolbars
are used to access the ProCAM functions for inserting and editing CAD and CAM entities.
Others toolbars are used to set up ProCAM so you can insert entities and work with parts,
view parts and manage files.
The ProCAM toolbars that are used to access the ProCAM functions for inserting and editing
entities are shown in the second and third row of toolbars in the above figure.

Getting Started 1-3

Understanding the ProCAM Window

Everything you need for ProCAM functions is presented on four toolbars:

Use to . . .
Insert toolbar commands (CAD, Surfacing, insert CAD or CAM entities.
2½ Axis Mill, Multi-surface Machining)
Modifier toolbar commands specify more options on how to complete the
current command (which type of entity). Not
all commands have modifiers.
Snap toolbar commands select the method of locating positions (where
to place the entity).
Utility toolbar commands modify what you have inserted (manipulate
entities after they are inserted).
Insert Toolbars
EXERCISE 1. Position the mouse pointer
on the first button of the
CAD toolbar and let the
pointer rest there for a second. The function of the button displays.
2. Move the pointer across the CAD toolbar buttons pausing to view the functions. These
buttons are used to insert CAD entities.
3. Move the pointer across the four buttons on the right side to view the functions. These
buttons start the Solids Machining, 2½ Axis Mill, Surfacing, and Multi-surface
Machining modules. When you click one of these buttons, the applicable toolbar displays
the functions for that module.
Modifier Toolbar
EXERCISE 1. Locate the toolbar shown on the right.
After you clicked the Point button on the CAD toolbar, two
buttons displayed on a toolbar that was previously blank. This is the Modifier toolbar,
which currently displays the options you can use with the Point command. The first
button is highlighted indicating this option is selected.
Modifiers are used to enhance a command. If there is more than one way to execute a
command, a Modifier toolbar displays when you select the command. For example, you
can use the Point modifiers shown here to insert a point at a coordinate or to insert
multiple points on existing entities. If no options are available for an insert command, the
Modifier toolbar remains blank.
2. Position the mouse pointer on the first button and let the pointer rest there for a second.
3. Click the next modifier button. A series of additional modifiers display on the toolbar.
Snap Toolbar
EXERCISE 1. Locate the Snap toolbar shown on the right and
move the pointer over the buttons to view the
functions. The Snap commands are used to define the position of entities.

1-4 Getting Started

 Understanding the ProCAM Window

Utility Toolbar
EXERCISE 1. Locate the Utility toolbar shown on the
right and move the pointer over the
buttons to view the functions. These commands change or edit entities after they have
been drawn in the work area. For example, you can use these buttons to move, rotate,
copy and scale entities.
Did You Know ...
You have been using ScreenTips to identify the functions of the buttons. A ScreenTip
ending in two greater than symbols (>>) indicates the button is a toggle that has
additional options. Click the button again to view the next modifier. When you click a
toggle button, move the pointer off the button, then back on to display the ScreenTip.
System Toolbar
The System toolbar contains the items explained below.

Cplane View

MCS Identifies the current Machine Coordinate System (G-code program zero point).
The use of an MCS is optional.
Cplane Identifies the current construction plane. A construction plane is a two
dimensional plane that entities can be constructed on. This plane can lie
anywhere in 3D space at any orientation. ProCAM provides 8 permanent
Cplanes. You can select a different Cplane by clicking the down arrow and
selecting a Cplane from the list. ProCAM also includes tools to create, modify
and delete up to 256 Cplanes.
View Identifies the current View (the perspective the part is looked at from your
vantage point). You can select a different View by clicking the down arrow and
selecting a View from the list. Views allow you to visualize parts from different
angles. Every Cplane has an associated View. Cplanes and Views can be set
independently of each other. In other words, you can be viewing the part from
one View while working on a different Cplane.
Line Type Shows the line style ProCAM will use to display entities you insert. To change
the line type, click the down arrow and click a style from the list. You can use
the Edit utility to change the line type of entities after inserting.
Color Indicates the color ProCAM will use to display entities you insert. To change the
color, click the arrow to the right of the box, then click one of the colors. You
can use the Edit utility to change the color of entities after inserting.
Allows you to turn the Pick Mask function on (highlighted and indented) and
Pick Mask off. The Pick Mask dialog box is accessed by right clicking in the work area and
selecting Pick Mask on the shortcut menu.

Getting Started 1-5

Understanding the ProCAM Window

EXERCISE 1. Click the down arrow to the right of the current View (7 ISO 1), select 1 Top and notice
the part display in the work area.
2. Change the View several times to see the difference in the part display.
3. Click the down arrow to the right of the current color selection and select a different
color.
4. Insert several points (click the Points button on the CAD toolbar again, if necessary). The
points are inserted in the color you selected.
View Toolbar
ProCAM provides numerous methods for changing the display of the part in the work area.
The View menu provides a complete list of the commands. The View
toolbar contains the most frequently used commands.
EXERCISE 1. Locate the View toolbar and move the pointer over the buttons to view the functions. You
will use these commands later in this chapter.
Menus
The menu bar provides access to ProCAM commands that display dialog boxes and activate
some functions. Some of the frequently used menu commands are also available on toolbars.

EXERCISE 1. Click each of the menu names and look at the commands on the menus.
Note that the Solids menu is enabled when you open a Parasolid file in x_t or x_b format
or Parasolid solid model that has been saved in ProCAM (pcii) format.
2. Select some of the commands and look at the dialog boxes. The online Help contains
complete information for each of the commands.
Part Manager
The Part Manager on the left side of the window is a Windows Explorer-style panel that
contains three tabs: InfoBar, Layers, and Operations. When you clicked the Point button on
the CAD toolbar and inserted points, you were digitizing
(sketching) and the InfoBar tab displayed the X,Y,Z origin of each
point as it was inserted.
InfoBar Tab

The InfoBar tab displays the parameters when ProCAM

requires you to enter a system parameter or graphic value (such as X, Y and Z coordinates).
The keyboard input displays in the InfoBar tab at the I-beam cursor location. When you right
click in an input box, the shortcut menu lists the available functions (e.g., Cut, Copy, Paste).
The InfoBar tab displays the X,Y,Z values and parameters of all graphic entities when you
insert entities. The InfoBar tab also contains the 3D/2D button and the Depth input box.
These options are explained in the CAD/Surf online Help.

1-6 Getting Started

 Understanding the ProCAM Window

Layers Tab
EXERCISE 1. Click the Layers tab at the bottom of the Part Manager.
The layers defined for the active part display and the current
layer is identified by a red box around the layer icon. This is
the layer that entities will be inserted on.
2. Right click in the Layers tab. A shortcut menu displays commands that allow you to
quickly create a new layer, change the current layer, turn a single layer or all layers on or
off and delete unused layers. These commands are the same as the options in the Layers
dialog box.
3. Click the check box next to the Cross Sections layer. The entities on this layer display on
the part in the work area.
4. Click the check box again to remove the check mark. The entities are removed from the
part display.
Operations Tab
EXERCISE 1. Click the Operations tab at the bottom of the Part
Manager.
The Operation tree displays. The graphical display in the tree makes it easy to define
operations and see how the part will be machined. The tree provides an outline view of
the controller, tools and operations you set up to machine the part using 2½ Axis Mill or
Multi-surface Machining.
2. Right click anywhere in the tree.

A shortcut menu provides a list of applicable commands. After you define operations,
right clicking an operation in the tree will display a list of applicable commands: New
Operation, Edit Operation, Rerun Current, etc.
Note that in Solids Machining, you work with a different Operation tree.
Work Area
To the right of the Part Manager is the work area where the part displays. The default
background color is black. You can customize the background color. In the figure on page
3-3, the axis marker displays at the origin point and identifies the direction for the X, Y and
Z axes. The current Cplane (construction plane) displays beneath the axis marker. If the axis
does not display on your screen, the display may be turned off. You learn how to customize
the ProCAM interface on page 3-19.
Prompt Line
At the bottom of the Part Manager, DIGITIZE coordinate for point displays. This is the
prompt line, which tells you what you need to do to start or complete an action. Whenever
the prompt line says ENTER, type the requested information, then press the ENTER key.
Any time you are not sure what ProCAM is looking for or what you should do next, READ
THE PROMPT LINE.

Getting Started 1-7

Understanding the ProCAM Window

Cursor Coordinates
ProCAM uses the Cartesian coordinate system. The cursor coordinates are located to the
right of the prompt line at the bottom of the ProCAM window.
EXERCISE 1. Move the pointer around the work area.

The numbers that display are the coordinates of the pointer position relative to X0,Y0,Z0.
The intersection of the axes is called the origin or zero position. The coordinates are
dependent on the construction plane (Cplane) in which you are working.

Zoom Buttons
The In, Out and All buttons, located on the right side at the bottom of the ProCAM window
provide quick ways to change the display of entities in the work area.
EXERCISE 1. Click the All button.

The All button fits all the entities into the work area.
2. Click the In and Out buttons.

The In and Out buttons enlarge or reduce the display.

Finding Answers and Learning More About ProCAM II

The information and exercises in this chapter are an introduction to ProCAM II.
Comprehensive online Help and tutorial manuals are provided to answer your questions and
to help you learn the features and functions available in ProCAM II.
• Information is available when you are working in ProCAM II by selecting Help on the
menu bar or clicking the Help button in a dialog box.
• The tutorials are provided in Adobe PDF files in the \procad\manuals\ProCAM II folder
on your computer.
Did You Know ...
ProCAM 2.5 Axis Mill and Surface Machining exercises are included in this manual.
For Solids Machining, you can find exercises in the ProCAM II Solids Machining
Tutorial, which is on your PC in electronic format, as explained on the next page.
Online Help
Online Help in ProCAM is similar to Help in other Windows applications. Help supplies
information about commands, dialog boxes, keys and basic procedures for various tasks.
EXERCISE 1. Click Help on the menu bar and select the CAD/Surf Help command.

The Help Topics window displays. The Contents tab provides a tree-structured
arrangement of books and topics. The Index tab provides a keyword search. The Find tab
enables a full-text search of the Help system.
2. Double-click one of the books on the Contents tab, then double-click one of the topics in
the list of topics.

1-8 Getting Started

 Understanding the ProCAM Window

− The topic window displays. The menus and buttons at the top of the Help window
allow you to find specific information quickly; move easily to related topics; and
print, annotate or bookmark the topic.
− You can access additional information by clicking on text (hyperlinks) or graphical
"hot spots". When you click words or phrases underlined with a solid line, the topic
explaining those words displays. When you click words or phrases with a dotted
underline, a pop-up window displays the definition. Click the mouse button again or
press any key to return to the topic.
− To print the current help topic, click the Print button or choose Print Topic on the File
menu. If the information you want to print is in a pop-up window, place the cursor in
the window, then click the right mouse button and select Print Topic.
3. Because Help is an application, you need to close the window when you are done. Either
click the Close button in the right corner of the title bar, double-click the Help icon in the
left corner of the title bar, or press Alt + F4.
Tutorials
When you install ProCAM II from the ProCAM CD, a complete set of ProCAM II manuals
is copied into the \Procad\Manuals\ProCAM II folder on your PC. These tutorials are Adobe
Portable Document Format (PDF) files that can be viewed, searched and printed using the
Acrobat Reader. The following manuals are provided:
− ProCAM II CAD-Surf Tutorial.pdf
− ProCAM II 2.5 Axis Mill Tutorial.pdf
− ProCAM II Multi-surface Machining Tutorial.pdf
− ProCAM II Solids Machining Tutorial.pdf
To start the Reader and open a tutorial file, you would:
1. Start Windows Explorer.

2. Click the + (plus sign) next to the Procad folder in the tree to expand the folder.

3. Click the + (plus sign) next to the Procad\Manuals folder, then double-click the ProCAM
II folder.
4. Double click one of the files (for example, ProCAM II CAD-Surf Tutorial.pdf).

If the file opens, you can search and print the exercises as required. If the file does not
open, you need to install the Adobe Acrobat Reader either from the ProCAM CD or from
the Adobe web site (www.adobe.com).

Getting Started 1-9

Learning the Basics

Learning the Basics

This section explains some of the basic procedures you will use repeatedly, such as
correcting mistakes, selecting entities, zooming, rotating and panning. Exercises also show
you how to customize the interface to suit your requirements.
Using the Mouse
The operation of the mouse is similar in all Windows applications. Note that if you are using
a left-handed mouse, the buttons described below are reversed. The mouse actions you need
to know are described below.
Action Description
click Quickly press and release the left mouse button (BUTTON 1) once while the
mouse pointer is on an object, such as a menu, command, icon, or button.
double-click Position the pointer on an item, then quickly press and release the left
mouse button (BUTTON 1) twice. This action is often a shortcut for carrying
out a command.
right-click Position the pointer on an item in the tree or in the work area, then quickly
press and release the right mouse button (BUTTON 3) to display a shortcut
menu.
drag Position the pointer, then hold down the left mouse button (BUTTON 1)
while moving the mouse, and then release the button.
point Move the mouse pointer directly to a specific location, such as a menu
command, icon, or button.
Button Functions
For normal Windows operation, the left mouse button (BUTTON 1) is used. For example, you
can use the left mouse button (BUTTON 1) to choose toolbar buttons and menu commands,
select options in dialog boxes, and manipulate windows (move, resize, maximize, etc.).
When you are working with parts in ProCAM II, each mouse button has a specific function:
Button Function Description
BUTTON 1 Pick Picks items in the work area (e.g., CAD entities, tool
left button paths). Use BUTTON 1 whenever the prompt line at the
bottom of the window says PICK.
BUTTON 2 Done Indicates you are finished with a particular function.
middle button This button also tells ProCAM to accept the input or
execute a command.
Right-handed mouse BUTTON 3 Zoom Zooms in on the selected portion of the drawing when
right button you hold down the right button and window pick.
Display Displays a shortcut menu when you right-click in the
menu work area, on items on the Part Manager tabs and on
toolbars.

1-10 Getting Started

 Learning the Basics

Did You Know ...

The Space Bar is used for the middle mouse button when you are using a 2-button mouse.
When using a 3-button mouse, the Space Bar serves as a shortcut key for the middle mouse
button functions.

Keyboard Operation
Providing Information
The keyboard is used to provide information and to carry out some menu commands or
actions. Keyboard input is required for many operations in ProCAM. When you need to
provide information, the prompt line at the bottom of the Part Manager indicates what you
must enter. The I-beam cursor on the InfoBar tab indicates a text area. A blinking vertical bar
identifies where the data you type will display. Press ENTER to move from field to field on
the InfoBar tab. Keyboard input in dialog boxes is similar to all Windows applications.
Shortcut Keys
Shortcut Keys for Menu Commands
Shortcut keys are listed to the right of some ProCAM menu commands. You can use these
key combinations to carry out the command instead of opening the menu and choosing the
command. For example, pressing CTRL + U is a shortcut to display the Units dialog box. If you
use these keys, make sure the focus is in the work area. You may have to click in the work
area before pressing the shortcut key.
Shaded / Wire Frame Display Shortcut Keys
When working with a part in Surfacing, Surface Machining or Solids Machining, quickly
toggle between shaded and wire frame display by pressing the W (wire frame) and S
(shaded) keys on the keyboard. Note that you may have to click in the work area first to set
the focus.
Cplane and View Shortcut Keys
Function keys are assigned to the permanent Cplanes and corresponding Views to provide a
quick and easy way to change Cplanes and Views.
Orientation Cplane Key View Key
1 Top Ctrl + F9 F9
2 Front Ctrl + F2 F2
3 Back Ctrl + F3 F3
4 Bottom Ctrl + F4 F4
5 Right Ctrl + F5 F5
6 Left Ctrl + F6 F6
7 ISO 1 Ctrl + F7 F7
8 ISO 2 Ctrl + F8 F8

Shortcut Keys for Viewing

There are a number of shortcut keys for viewing parts quickly and easily. These are
explained in the Controlling the Part Display section.

Getting Started 1-11

Learning the Basics

Correcting Mistakes
The Erase Utility allows you to erase something you put in the work area either by selecting
individual entities or putting a window around them.
The Oops Utility allows you to undo the last sequence of steps you did one step at a time.
Whenever you start a particular command, ProCAM opens an Oops file. This file keeps
track of what you did and in what order for the current function only. When you click the
Oops button, the last step you did is undone. When you select another command, the Oops
file is cleared and starts recording again.

Erasing Entities and Using Oops

EXERCISE 1. Open the part file Basic.pcii in the \procad\pcii\learn\CAD-Surf folder.
If a message displays asking if you want to save changes, click No.
2. Click the Erase button on the Utility
toolbar.
3. Pick line 1 by positioning the pointer over
the line and clicking the left mouse button
(BUTTON 1). The selected entity is erased.
4. Pick line 2, then line 3. The lines are
erased.
5. Click the Oops button on the Utility
toolbar.
Line 3 is put back in the work area.
6. Click the Oops button again. Line 2 is put back in the work area.
7. Click the Oops button again. Line 1 is put back in the work area.
8. Click the Oops button again. ProCAM beeps to inform you that there is nothing else
to undo.

Selecting Entities
The term "pick" is used in ProCAM when referring to selecting an individual entity or a
group of entities in the work area. In the previous exercise using the Erase Utility, you
picked an individual entity by positioning the pointer over a line in the work area and
clicking the left mouse button (BUTTON 1). This is the procedure for selecting an individual
entity.
When There are Multiple Entities at a Pick Location
The Pick Entity function is enabled whenever you are required to pick an entity (moving,
erasing, editing, etc.). This function enables you to select an entity when there are multiple
entities at a pick location.

1-12 Getting Started

 Learning the Basics

For example, when a part has a cross section entity inserted on CAD entities, using the Pick
Entity function enables you to quickly select either the cross section entity or a CAD entity
without having to set up the Pick Mask.
EXERCISE 1. Continue using the part in the work area.

2. Click the Erase button on the Utility toolbar.

3. Position the pointer on the intersection of two of the lines.
4. Hold down the ALT key and click the left mouse button.
The Pick Entity dialog box displays the list of entities at the pick location.
5. Highlight one of the entities in the list.
The corresponding entity is highlighted in the work area.
6. Click OK to exit the dialog box.
The entity you selected is erased.
7. Click the Oops button on the Utility toolbar to restore the entity.
Window Picking Multiple Entities
As you work in ProCAM, you will need to select multiple entities to perform a function on
them. In most cases, you can do this with window picking.
EXERCISE 1. Continue using the part in the work area.

2. Click the Erase button on the Utility

toolbar.
3. Position the pointer in the upper left
corner of the work area.
4. Press and hold down BUTTON 1 and drag
the pointer to the lower right corner. As
you move, you see a selection rectangle.
5. End the window so that some of the
entities are not completely in the selection rectangle.
6. Release BUTTON 1. All entities that are completely within the selection rectangle are
erased. When you window pick entities, the entities must be completely within the
selection rectangle or they will not be picked.
7. Click the Oops button. The entities you just erased are put back in the work area. In
this exercise, the entities are all put back in the work area at the same time. Oops is an
"undo." If you erase entities one at a time, Oops will undo them one at a time. If you
erase a group of entities, Oops puts the group back in the work area.

Getting Started 1-13

Learning the Basics

Using the Unselect Command

The Unselect command on the Options menu allows you to exclude (unselect) entities that
are selected when you window pick multiple entities.
EXERCISE 1. Continue using the part in the work area.

2. Click the Move button on the Utility toolbar.

3. Window pick all the entities, then click the middle mouse button (BUTTON 2).
Clicking BUTTON 2 indicates you are finished with a particular function. This button also
tells ProCAM to accept the input or execute a command. Note that you can press the
Space Bar instead of clicking BUTTON 2.
4. Select Unselect on the Options menu (you can also use the shortcut key: CTRL + E).
The prompt line reads: PICK entity to unselect (button 2 when done).
5. Pick one of the lines, then click BUTTON 2.
The prompt line reads: DIGITIZE coordinate to move from.
6. Click the work area near the lines.
7. For the coordinate to move to, click anywhere on the right side of the work area.
All the entities are moved except the one line that you unselected.

Controlling the Part Display

ProCAM provides a choice of tools that you can use to dynamically change the display of the
part in the work area.
• CTRL and the Mouse: You can dynamically rotate, pan and zoom by holding down the
CTRL key and a mouse button:
CTRL + Function Description
Button 1 (left button) Rotate View Turn a part around in the work area.
Button 2 (middle button) Pan View Move the part horizontally or vertically.
Button 3 (right button) Scale View Scale View (Zoom in and out).

• Hold down BUTTON 3 (right button) and window pick area: The quickest method to
zoom in on an area of a part is to use BUTTON 3 (the right button) to window pick the area
you want to enlarge.
• Work Area Shortcut Menu: When you right-click in the work area, a shortcut menu
displays commands to rotate, pan and zoom.
• View toolbar: This toolbar contains frequently used zoom, rotate and pan commands.
• Zoom buttons at bottom of ProCAM window: The All button located at the bottom
right of the ProCAM window restores a complete view of the part. In and Out buttons
enlarge or reduce the display of the entities in the work area.
• View menu: The View menu contains zoom, rotate and pan commands and associated
shortcut keys.

1-14 Getting Started

 Learning the Basics

Zooming
The zoom functions do not physically alter the size of the entities, only how they are
displayed in the work area.
EXERCISE 1. Open the part file Basic.pcii in the \procad\pcii\learn\CAD-Surf folder.

If a message displays asking if you want to save changes, click No.

2. Position the pointer in the upper left corner of the work area.

3. Press and hold down BUTTON 3 (the right mouse button), then drag the selection rectangle
until it encloses the large circle.
4. Release the button.

The area that you window-picked should be enlarged in the work area.
Start Here

Work Area After Zooming

End Here
Selection Rectangle for Zoom Area

5. Click the Zoom All button on the View toolbar.

− The Zoom All command fits all the entities you have drawn into the work area. You
will use this option frequently to restore a complete view of the part after zooming in
on a section and to display entities that are inserted outside the currently displayed
work area.
− You can also click the All button in the lower right corner of the ProCAM window,
press CTRL + A, choose Zoom All on the View menu or right click in the work area
and select Zoom All on the shortcut menu.
6. Click the Last View button on the View toolbar. The previous view displays.
You can also press CTRL + F or choose Zoom Last on the View menu.
7. Click the Last View button again on the View toolbar. The previous view displays.
8. Click the Zoom button on the View toolbar.
9. With the pointer in the work area, hold down the left mouse button and move the pointer
upward. The part is enlarged.

Getting Started 1-15

Learning the Basics

10. Continue holding down the button and drag the pointer downward. The part is reduced.
11. Press CTRL + X (or choose Zoom Out on the View menu). The part display is reduced by
50%.
12. Press CTRL + X (or choose Zoom Out again on the View menu) to reduce the part display
by an additional 50%.
13. Right click in the work area and select Zoom All on the shortcut menu.
Rotating
The following exercises show some of the methods you can use to dynamically turn a part
around in the work area.
View toolbar Rotate button:
EXERCISE 1. Continue working with the part in the work area (Basic.pcii).

2. Click the Rotate button on the View toolbar.

3. With the pointer in the work area, hold down the left mouse button and move the
mouse up and down. The part is rotated about a horizontal axis.
4. Move the mouse left and right to rotate the part about a vertical axis.

5. Move the mouse diagonally. The part is rotated diagonally.

6. On the System toolbar, change the View from Non-Std to 1 Top. The part displays in the
original orientation.
Ctrl key and the mouse:
EXERCISE 1. With the pointer in the work area, press and hold down the CTRL key, press mouse button
1 (the left button).

2. Move the pointer in the work area.

Coordinates at the bottom of the ProCAM window:
EXERCISE 1. To rotate the entities around a fixed axis, click the X coordinate at the bottom right of the
work area.
2. Position the pointer in the work area and press mouse button 1 (left button).

3. Move the pointer in the work area to rotate the entities about the X axis.

Rotate Entity command on View menu:

EXERCISE 1. Select Rotate Entity on the View menu.

2. Pick a line in the work area.

3. Hold down mouse button 1 (left button) and move the pointer in the work area. The part
rotates around the selected line.

1-16 Getting Started

 Learning the Basics

You can also use the following shortcut key combinations to rotate the part:
Up/Down Arrow = Rotate about a horizontal axis through the center of the work area.
Right/Left Arrow = Rotate about a vertical axis through the center of the work area.
Shift + Up/Down = Rotate 90 degrees about a horizontal axis through the center of the
Arrow work area.
Shift + Right/Left = Rotate 90 degrees about a vertical axis through the center of the
Arrow work area.
Panning
The Pan commands allow you to dynamically move the part around in the work area:
EXERCISE 1. Continue working with the part in the work area or open the part file Basic.pcii.

2. With the pointer in the work area, hold down the CTRL key and press BUTTON 2 (middle
button).

3. Move the pointer in the work area. The part moves in the direction of the pointer.
You can also select one of the following, then hold down mouse BUTTON 1 (left button) and
move the pointer around the work area:
• The Pan button on the View toolbar
• The Pan command on the View menu
• The Pan shortcut key: CTRL + H
• The Pan View command on the work area shortcut menu (right click in the work area)

Calculating
ProCAM provides an InfoBar auto-calculation feature and a Calculator utility that help you
eliminate the chance of a math error.
Using Auto-Calculation
You can use the InfoBar tab auto-calculate feature to let ProCAM do the math to calculate
end points, diameters, etc. If the print drawing is a diameter, let the system do the work. This
way you eliminate the chance of a simple math error or transposed numbers.
You can have ProCAM add, subtract, multiply and divide to Key Function
calculate information requested on the InfoBar tab including + addition
diameter, radius, X and Y start, end, center, and origin.
- subtraction
Use the keys on the right to indicate the operation you want
* multiplication
ProCAM to perform.
/ division
EXERCISE 1. Select New on the File menu to clear the work area.

Do not save the entities in the work area.

2. Click the Line button on the CAD toolbar.
3. Click the Keyboard button on the Snap toolbar.

Getting Started 1-17

Learning the Basics

4. Type 8.0149+2.437/2 in the X Start text box.

ProCAM calculates the numbers. Note that including spaces to separate numbers and
function symbols is optional. If you were using the value that is currently in the text box,
you would not have to retype the number. Instead, click at the end of the number either
before or after the unit type indicator (" or mm) and type the function symbol and
numbers.
5. Press ENTER. ProCAM performs the calculation and displays 9.2334" in the InfoBar.
Using the Calculator
The Calculator button on the Utility toolbar activates the Microsoft Calculator utility
with standard and scientific functions. The View menu on the Calculator's menu bar allows
you to select either Standard or Scientific.
Values can be transferred directly to the InfoBar tab using the copy and paste commands on
the Calculator’s Edit menu. For more information on operating the Calculator, you can click
Help on the Calculator menu bar.
EXERCISE In the following exercise, you copy and paste between the Calculator and the InfoBar tab.
Copy the calculate result from the Calculator to a text box in the InfoBar tab:
1. Click the Line button on the CAD toolbar.
The prompt line reads: DIGITIZE coordinate for line start.
2. Click the Calculator button on the Utility toolbar. The keypad displays.
3. Add 1.3468 + 3.5721.
4. Click Edit on the Calculator menu bar and select
Copy.
The calculated result is copied temporarily to the
Clipboard.
5. Click the Keyboard button on the Snap toolbar.
The Calculator is minimized on the Windows
Taskbar.
6. Right click in the X start text box on the InfoBar and
select Paste on the shortcut menu.
The value 4.9189 is inserted (pasted).
Copy a number from the InfoBar tab to the Calculator.
7. Press ENTER.

8. Type 5.2597 for the Y Start.

9. Double-click the Y Start text box, right click in the text box and select Copy on the
shortcut menu. The number is copied temporarily to the Clipboard.
10. Click the Calculator button on the Taskbar to restore the Calculator window.

1-18 Getting Started

 Learning the Basics

11. Select Edit on the Calculator menu bar, then select Paste. The number is inserted into the
Calculator.
12. Click the Close button in the top right corner of the calculator’s title bar to close the
Calculator.

Customizing ProCAM
The ProCAM user interface can be customized to suit your needs. The following are some of
the items that can be changed:
• Toolbar layout
• Work area background and highlight colors
• Size of the window and width of the Part Manager
• Axis display
• Surface display
• Units type
When you exit ProCAM, the current settings are saved and restored automatically when you
start ProCAM again.
Changing the Screen Display
EXERCISE 1. Click the New button on the File toolbar to clear the work area.
2. Select Screen Display on the Setup menu.
The Screen Display dialog box displays. The Top layout is the default. Optionally, you
can change the layout and find one you are comfortable using. You can also move the
toolbars after selecting one of these layouts as explained below.
3. Select the desired background and highlight colors.
4. When you have selected the options you want to use, click the Apply button.
Arranging Toolbars
ProCAM provides flexibility for positioning and displaying the toolbars to customize your
working environment. Toolbars can be docked or floating and you can show or hide
individual toolbars to suit your needs. You can use one of the standard toolbar layouts
provided with ProCAM or you can move the toolbars as desired.
Initially, the ProCAM toolbars are docked at the top of the window. You can dock a toolbar
below the title bar or to the left, right, or bottom edge of the window. When you drag a
toolbar to an edge, the toolbar outline snaps into place along the length of the window edge.
Toolbars can also be floating. A floating toolbar is not attached to a window edge.
EXERCISE 1. Position the pointer on an area of the View toolbar where there is no button. This toolbar
is currently docked.
2. Hold down the left mouse button, drag the toolbar to the work area,
then release the button.

Getting Started 1-19

Learning the Basics

The outline of the toolbar displays to help you position the toolbar.
The View toolbar is now a floating toolbar with a title bar.
3. Click the X button in the right corner of the title bar. This is a
quick way to hide a floating toolbar.
4. Select Tools on the menu bar. The list of toolbars displays. There is no check mark next
to the View toolbar.
5. Pick the View toolbar to show it.
6. Drag the View toolbar to different locations.
Note that when you move a docked toolbar, the move might affect the location and size
of other toolbars in the same row.
7. Select Screen Display on the Setup menu.
8. Pick the Top layout and click Apply.
Did You Know ...
You can double click in a blank area of a docked toolbar to undock it or double-click in
the title bar of an undocked toolbar to dock it.

Resizing the Window and Part Manager

You can use standard Windows procedures to adjust the size of the ProCAM window and the
width of the Part Manager.
Controlling the Axis Display
When you work with some parts, you may find that turning off the axis display in the work
area or changing the axis color makes it easier to see entities.
EXERCISE 1. Select Setup on the menu bar, then select the Axis command.

The Axis dialog box displays the following options:

− Axis Color - Allows you to change the color of the axis display in the work area.
− Axis On - Allows you to turn on the axis display in the work area. When this option is
selected, the axis marker displays at the current 0,0,0 location.
− Display Cplane Name - Allows you to turn on/off the Cplane name display in the
work area. When this option is selected, the Cplane name displays only when Axis On
is also selected.
2. Select the options you want, then click OK.
Interactively Changing the Surface Display
When you work with parts that have surfaces, the options in the Surface Display dialog box
allow you to customize the surface display.
EXERCISE 1. Open the part file Surface Curve1.pcii in the \procad\pcii\learn\CAD-Surf folder.

Do not save the entities in the work area.

1-20 Getting Started

 Learning the Basics

2. Position the pointer in the work area and click the left mouse button, then press the W and
S keys on the keyboard. You can switch the surface display quickly between Wire Frame
and Shaded mode using these shortcut keys.
3. Select Display Options on the Options menu.
4. Change the Display Options to see the result on the part. The controls in the Surface
Display dialog box are interactive and the part is updated immediately to reflect the
changes you make in the dialog box.
− Wire Frame displays the complete wire frame that simulates the surfaces with lines,
arcs and splines.
− Hidden Line displays only the wire frame and toolpaths that are visible at the current
angle (this option cannot be selected if Shaded is checked).
− Shaded displays the surfaces shaded.
− Display Arrows controls the display of surface arrows. Surface arrows define the side,
direction and corner to start cutting for UV finishing and which side to place a fillet
on intersecting surfaces.
− Pick Arrows displays surface arrows only when a function requires you to pick a
surface and you move the pointer
over the surface.
5. Change the Light Position slide bars and
notice the light changes on the part.
These options determine the location of
the light source, which controls the
amount and angle of light striking the
surface. Use the slide bar to locate the
light source at X,Y, and Z positions.
6. Change the Shading Quality slide bars.
7. Change the Shade Color options.
You can use the surface color or you can
click the Use Shade Color option and
click the Edit Color button to select a
shade color.
8. When you are finished, click Default to return to the original settings, then click OK.
Specifying Units of Measurement
The distance between two coordinate points is measured in units. You can specify the output
format for these units as English decimal, metric decimal, engineering, architectural or
scientific. The output format determines how numerical values are displayed for the
coordinates and distance values in the InfoBar tab and dialog boxes. You can also choose the
degree format (decimal degrees or degrees/minutes/seconds), the number of decimal places
used, and the largest denominator desired.

Getting Started 1-21

Learning the Basics

Changing the Units Type

EXERCISE 1. Open the part file Basic.pcii in the \procad\pcii\learn\CAD-Surf folder.
Do not save the entities in the work area.
2. Choose Units on the Setup menu.

3. In the Units dialog box, make sure the English Decimal option is selected, then click OK.

4. Click the Measure button on the Utility toolbar.

5. Pick a line on the part and notice that the values on the InfoBar tab are in English
Decimal.
6. Move the pointer around the work area and notice that the coordinates at the bottom of
the work area are in English Decimal.
7. Choose Units on the Setup menu, select Metric Decimal, then click OK.
8. Pick the line again and notice that the values on the InfoBar tab are now metric.
9. Move the pointer around the work area and the coordinates at the bottom of the work area
now display in metric.
Did You Know ...
You can change the Units Type at any time. For example, if you have a print that is in units
that you normally do not use, change the Units Type to correspond to the print, draw the
part, then change the Units Type back to your normal setting. ProCAM performs the
conversion automatically.
Using the InfoBar Auto-convert Feature
If you have mixed units (e.g., several metric units have been included on a print with mostly
English decimal units), you can type the number from the print in the InfoBar tab and have
ProCAM convert the units to the current system units. This eliminates doing the conversion
manually. Type the number on the print followed by a lowercase mm to convert metric to
English decimal or type a double quotation mark (") to convert English decimal to metric.
EXERCISE Your system should be set to Metric Decimal from the previous exercise.

1. Click the Line button on the CAD toolbar.

2. Click the Keyboard button on the Snap toolbar.
3. For the X start, type 1" and press ENTER.
ProCAM converts the value and displays the metric equivalent in the InfoBar tab.
4. For the Y start, type 2" and press ENTER.
The metric value displays.
5. If you were drawing a part from a print, you would continue entering the English decimal
values to insert the line.
6. Choose Units on the Setup menu, select English Decimal and click OK.

1-22 Getting Started

 Learning the Basics

Changing the Degree Format

When you type degrees, minutes and seconds, use the following symbols:
• Degrees: Use a carat ( ^ ) to indicate degrees. To input the degrees: type the numbers,
then press the carat (^) key or hold down the shift key on the keyboard, and press the
number 6 key on the main keyboard. DO NOT USE the 6 key on the numeric keypad.
• Minutes: Use an apostrophe (') to indicate minutes. To input the minutes: type the
numbers, then press the apostrophe (') key.
• Seconds: Use a double quotation mark (") to indicate seconds. To input the seconds:
type the numbers, then hold down the shift key and press the apostrophe/quotation mark
key.
EXERCISE 1. Choose Units on the Setup menu.
2. Make sure the Deg Min Sec option is selected, then click OK.
3. Click the Line button on the CAD toolbar twice.
The first click turns off the function, the second click selects it.
4. Click the Angle modifier button.
The prompt line reads: ENTER angle of line.
5. Type 33.56 and press ENTER.
In the InfoBar tab, the 33.56 Decimal Degrees now displays as 33^ 33' 36''.
Even though you currently have Deg Min Sec selected, you can still input an angle as
decimal.
6. Choose Units on the Setup menu, select Decimal Degrees in the Units dialog box, then
click OK.
7. Click the Angle modifier button twice.
8. Type 15^ 26' 30" and press ENTER.
The InfoBar tab reads 15.4417^.
9. If you want the default setting to be Deg Min Sec, choose Units on the Setup menu,
change the option to Deg Min Sec, then click OK.

Getting Started 1-23

Learning the Basics

1-24 Getting Started

Chapter 2 Using Snap Commands

The Snap toolbar provides a number of commands for defining specific geometry cases for
entities that are being inserted or changed. For example, you can insert a line tangent to a
specified circle, or insert an arc through the midpoint of a line.
For many ProCAM functions, you use a Snap command to select a coordinate or location.
You can use a combination of these commands. For example, when you insert a line, you can
start a line with X,Y,Z coordinate input using the Keyboard Snap command and end it with
the Endpoint Snap, or start with the Endpoint Snap and end with the Midpoint Snap.
The exercises in this chapter show you how to use the Snap commands.

Using Snap Commands 2-1

Digitizing

Digitizing
The Digitize command on the Snap toolbar is a "sketch" command that allows you to select
a coordinate using point and click. This method does not provide accurate input and is
normally used for sketching purposes. When you insert CAD and CAM entities, you have
known coordinate positions and you will use other Snap commands to define a specific
location.
Did You Know ...
DIGITIZE is the prompt line indicator that means you need to pick the appropriate
Snap command.

EXERCISE In this exercise, you use the Digitize command on the Snap toolbar to insert lines.

1. Click the New button on the File toolbar to clear the work area.
2. Click the Line button on the CAD toolbar.
On the Snap toolbar, the Digitize button is highlighted.
The prompt line reads: DIGITIZE coordinate for line start.
3. Using the figure on the right as a guide, move the pointer to
point 1 and click BUTTON 1 (the left mouse button).
A small point indicates the start of the line.
The prompt line reads: DIGITIZE coordinate for line end.
4. Move the pointer to point 2 and click BUTTON 1, then to point
3 and click BUTTON 1.
Each line starts where the previous line ended. As long as the
point is on the end of the previous entity that you inserted, the
next entity will start there.
5. Continue inserting lines between the following points:
− 3 and 4
− 4 and 5
− 5 and 6
6. Click BUTTON 2 (the middle mouse button).
Did You Know ...
BUTTON 2 is the DONE button. When you are finished drawing lines connected from
one point to another and you want to start drawing lines from a different place, you
tell ProCAM you are finished by clicking BUTTON 2.

2-2 Using Snap Commands

 Specifying X,Y,Z Coordinates

Specifying X,Y,Z Coordinates

The Keyboard Snap command allows you to enter X,Y,Z data from the keyboard. You can
input known dimensions from your part drawing.

EXERCISE 1. Open the part file Snap.pcii in the \procad\pcii\learn\CAD-Surf folder.

2. Click the Line button on the CAD toolbar.

3. Click the Keyboard button on the Snap toolbar.
The prompt line reads: ENTER X coordinate for line start and the X start text box is
highlighted in the InfoBar tab.
4. Type 33.16 (for X start) and press ENTER.
The prompt line changes to: ENTER Y coordinate for line start and the Y start text box is
highlighted in the InfoBar tab.
5. Type -59.06 (for Y start) and press ENTER.
6. Press ENTER to accept the default 0 for Z start.
The prompt line changes to: ENTER X coordinate for line end.
7. Type 27.54 (for X end) and press ENTER.
The prompt line changes to: ENTER Y coordinate for line end.
8. Type 14.195 (for Y end) and press ENTER.
9. Press ENTER to accept the default 0 for Z end.
The line is inserted. After you have entered the
end points for the line, the prompt line reads:
ENTER X coordinate for line end. ProCAM
assumes the next line starts at the end of the
previous line (the highlighted point).
10. Type -24.53 (for X end) and press ENTER.
11. Type 56.82 for Y end and press ENTER.
12. Press ENTER to accept the default 0 for Z end.
Your part should look similar to the figure on
the right.
13. Click BUTTON 2 twice.
The first BUTTON 2 exits the InfoBar tab. The second tells ProCAM you are finished with
this line. If you had more X,Y coordinates on your part, you would continue to input
them while still in Keyboard Snap mode.

Using Snap Commands 2-3

Picking the Endpoint of an Entity

Picking the Endpoint of an Entity

The Endpoint Snap command allows you to pick the endpoint of an entity for geometric
definition. For example, you may want to draw a line from the endpoint of a line already in
the work area to the endpoint of another line.
Did You Know ...
Snap commands work with all entities. Endpoint means the endpoint of an entity, not just
the endpoint of a line.
EXERCISE Insert a line starting at the endpoint near 1 to the endpoint of the line you inserted in the
previous exercise:
1. Continue using the part in the work area (Snap.pcii).
Pick endpoint
2. Click the Endpoint button on the Snap toolbar. for line end
3. For the line start, position the pointer anywhere
above the midpoint of the line between 1 and 2
and pick the line with BUTTON 1.
A point displays at the endpoint and the prompt
line reads: PICK endpoint for line end.
ProCAM determines which end to snap
according to which side of center you pick. If
ProCAM snaps to the wrong end, click the Oops
button and start again.
4. Pick the upper half of the other line.
ProCAM inserts a line between the two
endpoints.

EXERCISE Insert a line from the endpoint near 6 to the endpoint near 3:
1. Click BUTTON 2.
The prompt line reads: PICK endpoint for line
start.
2. On the line between 6 and 5, position the
pointer left of center near 6 and click BUTTON 1.
New line
The prompt line reads: PICK endpoint for line
end.
3. On the line between 3 and 2, position the
pointer left of center near 3 and click BUTTON 1.
ProCAM inserts a line between 6 and 3.
4. Click BUTTON 2.

2-4 Using Snap Commands

 Picking the Midpoint of an Entity

Picking the Midpoint of an Entity

When you use the Midpoint Snap command, you can pick anywhere on the entity. ProCAM
finds the midpoint automatically. In the case of a circle, the start of the circle is always at a
location that corresponds to 3 on a clock and the midpoint corresponds to 9.

EXERCISE 1. Continue using the part in the work area (Snap.pcii).

2. Click the down arrow next to the current color on the System toolbar and select a
different color.
3. Click the Midpoint button on the Snap toolbar.
− The prompt line should read: PICK midpoint for line start.
− If the prompt line does not read correctly, click BUTTON 2.
Insert a line from the midpoint of the line between 5 and 6 to the midpoint of the line
between 2 and 3:
4. Pick anywhere on the line between 6 and 5.

The prompt line changes to: PICK midpoint for

line end.
5. Pick anywhere on the line between 3 and 2.
ProCAM snaps a line between the midpoints.
6. Insert a line from the endpoint of the line near 4
to the midpoint of the line between 3 and 2.
7. Click BUTTON 2.

2 lines added

Midpoint
Do not use the Midpoint Snap command to find the
center of a circle or arc. If you use the Midpoint Snap
command on a circle or arc, ProCAM finds the midpoint
along the arc or circle as shown.
Use the Entity Origin Snap command to find the center
of a circle or arc (the center of a circle or arc is an
origin).

Using Snap Commands 2-5

Picking the Double Intersection

Picking the Double Intersection

The Double Intersection Snap command allows you to pick the intersection of two entities
for geometric definition.
EXERCISE Insert a line from the intersection of the two lines marked as 9 in the figure below to the
intersection of the two lines marked as 10:
1. Continue using the part in the work area (Snap.pcii).

2. Click the Double Intersection button on the Snap toolbar.

The prompt line reads: PICK 1st intersecting entity
for line start.
3. Pick anywhere on the line between 3 and 6.
The prompt line changes to: PICK 2nd
intersecting entity for line start.
9
4. Pick anywhere on the line between 7 and 8.
A point displays at the intersection.
5. For the second intersecting entity for line end,
pick the line 3 and 2.
The prompt line changes to: PICK 2nd 10
intersecting entity for line end.
6. Pick the line between 4 and 5.
ProCAM inserts a line between the two
intersections you defined as shown in the figure.

EXERCISE ProCAM also has the ability to find theoretical intersections.

1. Click BUTTON 2 so you can start a new line.
The prompt line reads: PICK 1st intersecting entity for line start.
2. Pick the line that you just added.
The prompt line reads: PICK 2nd intersecting entity for line start.
3. Pick the line between 1 and 2.
A point displays at the theoretical intersection point. Even though these lines do not
actually touch, they intersect theoretically and ProCAM finds the intersection point.
4. Click the Endpoint button on the Snap toolbar.
5. Pick near the 7 on the line between 7 and 8.
6. Try inserting more lines using different the Snap commands for the start and end points.
For example: start at the Endpoint and end at the Midpoint, then start at the intersection
of two lines and end at a known X,Y,Z position.

2-6 Using Snap Commands

 Inserting an Entity Tangent to a Circle

Inserting an Entity Tangent to a Circle

The Tangent Snap command allows you to draw an entity tangent to a circle or arc.

EXERCISE In the following exercise, you insert lines tangent to circles. However, you can use the
Tangent command to insert a circle tangent to another circle or tangent to an arc and a line,
etc.
1. Continue using the part in the work area (Snap.pcii).

2. Click the Layers tab at the bottom of the Part Manager.

3. On the Layers tab, double-click the check box to turn on Layer 1 and make it the current
Layer, then click the check box to turn off Layer 0.
4. Click the Line button on the CAD toolbar.
5. Click the Tangent button on the Snap toolbar.
The prompt line reads: PICK tangency location for line start.
6. Pick the top of the circle near the number 1.
To insert a line tangent, you need to pick
the circle somewhere near where you want the
line. You do not have to be exact, just on the
correct side of center.
The prompt line reads: PICK tangency location
for line end.
7. Pick anywhere at the top of the small circle to
the right.
ProCAM inserts a tangent line between the
two circles.
Notice that the prompt line is again asking for
line end.
8. Click BUTTON 2 to tell ProCAM you are
finished with the previous line.
9. Insert a tangent line at the bottom of the
circles.

Using Snap Commands 2-7

Inserting an Entity at the Center of a Circle

Inserting an Entity at the Center of a Circle

You can use the Entity Origin Snap command to insert an entity at the center of a circle or
arc without having to type in the X,Y,Z coordinates.
For example, you may want to insert a line starting at the endpoint of an entity and ending at
the center of a circle.
EXERCISE 1. Continue using the part in the work area (Snap.pcii).

You should have Layer 1 turned on and current. Layer 0 should be turned off.
2. Click the Entity Origin button on the Snap toolbar.
− The prompt line reads: PICK entity origin for line start.
− Remember to click BUTTON 2 if the prompt is not correct.
Did You Know ...
The prompt means to actually pick the circle, not the center of the circle. This is a
Snap command and by picking the actual entity, ProCAM automatically snaps to the
center.

3. Pick the big circle at the bottom center of the

screen.
A point displays in the center.
The prompt line changes to: PICK entity origin
for line end.
4. Pick the small circle above 8.
ProCAM inserts a line between the centers of
the two circles.
5. Insert more lines between centers.

2-8 Using Snap Commands

 Capturing Information

Capturing Information
The Capture Snap command allows you to capture information about an entity that can be
used to insert other entities.
Capture can be used only when ProCAM is prompting you to input information. If nothing
is highlighted in the InfoBar tab, Capture does not work.

EXERCISE This part has an arc with no known center and no known diameter. In this exercise, you use
the Capture command to insert the circle, which is dimensioned from the center of the arc.
1. Open the part file Capture.pcii in the \procad\pcii\learn\CAD-Surf folder.

2. Click the Circle button on the

CAD toolbar.
3. Make sure the Known Center
modifier button is highlighted.
4. Click the Diameter modifier
button.
5. Type 22.225 and press ENTER.
6. Click the Keyboard button on the Snap toolbar.
The prompt line reads: ENTER X coordinate for circle center.
7. Click the Capture button on the Snap toolbar.
The Capture modifiers display in place of the Snap toolbar buttons. In this exercise, you
need to capture the X location of the circle, which is the horizontal location.
8. Make sure the Capture X Value modifier button is highlighted.
9. Click the Entity Origin modifier button.
The prompt line continues to read: ENTER X coordinate for circle center. ProCAM does not
prompt you to pick anything to capture.
10. Pick the small arc at the right side of the part.
The Capture modifiers are replaced by the Snap toolbar. In the InfoBar tab, the X
coordinate of the arc you captured is in the X center text box (146.0032).
11. Click after the numbers in the X center text box to position the input cursor, then type
-88.9 and press ENTER.
The 22.225mm diameter circle you want to insert is 88.9mm to the left, so in this step
you subtract this amount from the X location of the arc.
12. Type 0 (for Y) and press ENTER.
13. Type 0 (for Z) and press ENTER. The circle is inserted.

Using Snap Commands 2-9

Capturing Information

2-10 Using Snap Commands

Chapter 3 Working in 3D

When working with 3D parts, an understanding of the concepts of coordinate systems

(WCS/UCS) and construction planes (Cplanes) is critical. This chapter explains these
concepts.

Working in 3D 3-1
Locating Entities in 3D Space

Locating Entities in 3D Space

Coordinate Systems and Cplanes
The location of an entity is defined by the following:
• A two-dimensional construction plane called the Cplane.
The construction plane may lie anywhere in 3D space at any orientation. ProCAM
provides 8 permanent Cplanes. The permanent Cplanes are described as top, front, right,
left, bottom, etc. You can also define up to 256 Cplanes.
• The X,Y,Z position of the entity relative to the coordinate system's origin point (0,0,0)
and axis direction.
ProCAM provides two choices for coordinate system (called Axis Mode): World
Coordinate System (WCS) and User Coordinate System (UCS). Both of these coordinate
systems provide a default origin point for each Cplane. To make drawing easier, you can
offset (move) the origin for a given Cplane.
Initially, it may be confusing to decide which coordinate system to use and when to change
Cplanes. The use of 3D modeling systems is increasing. However, most design work is still
represented by 2D constructs oriented at angles in 3D space. When creating each view of an
orthographic presentation, the designer or drafter normally defines a zero point for the view
and works in a horizontal/vertical (X,Y) frame of reference. ProCAM allows you to control
the XYZ coordinate system to make the 3D modeling task easier.

EXERCISE 1. Open part file 3D Entities.pcii in the \procad\pcii\learn\CAD-Surf folder.

Notice that on the System toolbar the current View is 7 ISO 1. If you were to place the
part on a glass table and walk around it looking at the top, sides and bottom, this would
be your view. In order to insert entities on the part, you select the correct side (called the
Cplane). The View and Cplane function independently of each other as shown in these
exercises.
2. Select the Axis command on the
Setup menu.
The Axis dialog box indicates that the
current coordinate system is World. In
the World coordinate system, the
direction of XYZ is always absolute,
which means X, Y and Z always point
in the same direction regardless of the
Cplane. In the figure on the right, the
axis marker displays at the current
0,0,0 point and identifies the direction
for the current X, Y and Z axes.

3-2 Working in 3D
 Locating Entities in 3D Space

3. Change the Cplane to Front.

Notice that the axis marker remains the same. If you want to control the direction of the
XYZ axis, you can use an alternate axis mode called the User Coordinate System (UCS).
4. Select the Axis command on the Setup menu.
5. In the Axis dialog box, change the Axis Mode to UCS and click OK.
The axis marker changes so that the X and Y axes are parallel to the current Cplane
(Front). X positive is horizontal and Y positive is vertical and up. Z positive is defined by
the right hand rule. Using the right hand rule, Z positive would point straight out of the
screen.
To use the right-hand rule: Y
1. Extend your thumb in the positive X axis direction.
2. Point your index finger toward the positive Y axis direction.
3. Bend the other fingers halfway down as shown in the figure
Z X
for the approximate Z positive axis direction.

6. Change the Cplane to 1 Top.

Notice the axis changes. The coordinate system (World or UCS) and construction plane
(Cplane) are used together in ProCAM. Every Cplane contains a coordinate system (i.e.,
an origin and axis direction).
7. Select Axis on the Setup menu.
8. In the Axis dialog box, change the Axis Mode to World and click OK.

Creating a Cplane
Eight pre-defined permanent Cplanes (and corresponding Views) are always available.
ProCAM also provides tools to create, modify, and delete up to 256 Cplanes. User-defined
Cplanes can be used with either World or UCS axis modes and have corresponding Views
just like the permanent Cplanes.
The current part in the work area depicts a canted plane. In order to create geometry on this
plane, you need to create a construction plane parallel to this canted face.
EXERCISE In this exercise, you create a new Cplane by specifying three points, then insert a circle and
rectangle on the canted plane.
1. Continue using the part in the work area.
Make sure the Cplane is set to 1 Top and the Axis Mode is set to World in the Axis
dialog box.
2. Click View on the menu bar and select Cplane on the View menu.

Working in 3D 3-3
Locating Entities in 3D Space

3. Select Create on the cascading Cplane menu.

Leave the Three Coordinates modifier button highlighted.
This modifier allows you to create a new Cplane by specifying three points. The first
point establishes the origin. The second point establishes the positive horizontal direction
(X if in UCS mode) and the third point establishes the positive vertical direction (Y if in
UCS mode). In UCS mode, positive Z is determined by the right-hand rule.
The prompt line reads: DIGITIZE coordinate for Cplane origin.
4. Click the Endpoint button on the Snap toolbar.
The prompt line reads: PICK endpoint for Cplane origin.
5. For the origin of the Cplane, pick the
endpoint labeled Pt 1 in the figure.
The prompt line reads: PICK endpoint for
Cplane + horizontal dir.
6. Pick Pt 2 as the + horizontal direction.
The prompt line reads: PICK endpoint for
Cplane + vertical dir.
7. Pick Pt 3 as the + vertical direction.
The third point does not need to be
perpendicular to the line created
between points 1 and 2. Any point in
the positive direction will work.
The Save Cplane/View dialog box
displays.
8. Type 25 for the Name and press TAB.
The name can be a maximum of 7 alphanumeric characters. The eight permanent names
(1-8) cannot be used for user-defined Cplanes.
9. Type Canted for the description.
The description can be a maximum of 12 alphanumeric characters. ProCAM displays a
maximum of 19 characters for the combined name and description.
10. Remove the check marks for the options to make the new Cplane and View current.
Both of these options are selected by default.
11. Click OK.
The Cplane and corresponding View are created.
12. On the System toolbar, select 25 Canted in the drop down list of Cplanes.
The axis display moves to Pt 1, which is now 0,0,0. Notice the axis directions. Because
the Axis Mode is set to World, the axis directions are absolute (i.e., they are not aligned
with the new Cplane). Creating geometry using XYZ input to locate features would be
difficult.

3-4 Working in 3D
 Locating Entities in 3D Space

For example, the hole center would be

input as X1.0872, Y1.6787, Z2.500
(rather than 2, 2.5, 0). These numbers
were derived by hand calculation.
An easier, but still time-consuming
approach in World mode would be to
create additional construction
geometry.
13. Select Axis on the Setup menu.
14. In the Axis dialog box, change the Axis
Mode to UCS (User Coordinate
System), then click OK.
Now the XY axis is aligned with the
new Cplane and it is easy to insert the
geometry by entering X,Y,Z values.

EXERCISE Using the dimensions in the figure, insert the circle and rectangle as if it was 2D geometry
from the UCS triad 0,0,0:
1. Click the Circle button on the
CAD toolbar.
2. Click the Diameter modifier
button.
The prompt line reads: ENTER circle
diameter.
3. Type 2 and press ENTER.
The prompt line reads: DIGITIZE
coordinate for circle center.

4. Click the Keyboard button on

the Snap toolbar.
The prompt line reads: ENTER X
coordinate for circle center.
5. Type 2 and press ENTER.
The prompt line reads: ENTER Y coordinate for circle center.
6. Type 2.5 and press ENTER.
The prompt line reads: ENTER Z coordinate for circle center.
7. Type 0 and press ENTER.
The circle displays on the Cplane you created.
8. Insert the rectangle to the dimensions shown in the figure.

Working in 3D 3-5
Locating Entities in 3D Space

Did You Know ...

The View does not have to be the same as the Cplane to create the geometry.

9. Change the View on the System toolbar to

25 Canted to look at the geometry.
10. Click the Measure button on the
Utility toolbar.
11. Pick the circle.
The XYZ center locations should be X2.0,Y2.5,Z0.0.
12. In the Axis dialog box, change the Axis Mode to World.
13. Measure the circle again.
Notice that relative to World axis mode, the XYZ center location is different.
Deleting a Cplane
EXERCISE 1. Continue using the part 3D Entities.pcii currently in the work area.
2. Click View on the menu bar and select Cplane on the
View menu.
3. Choose Delete on the Cplane cascading menu.
The Delete Cplane/View dialog box displays a list of
all user-defined construction planes. The Cplane you
defined in the last exercise is listed.
4. Click the name to highlight it, then click OK.
The Cplane and the corresponding View are deleted.
Notice that any geometry created on Cplane 25 is not
deleted.

3-6 Working in 3D
Chapter 4 Manipulating Entities

ProCAM provides a number of utilities for manipulating entities after you have inserted
them. The following commands on the Utility toolbar are discussed in this chapter: Trim,
Edit, Mirror, Rotate, Move, Scale, Group, Break and Erase.

Manipulating Entities 4-1

Trimming Entities

Trimming Entities
You can use the Trim utility to shorten or lengthen entities such as lines, arcs, or circles.
In this exercise, you remove the portion of line 1 between 2 and 3, then trim around the part.
EXERCISE 1. Open the part file Basic.pcii in the \procad\pcii\learn\CAD-Surf Folder.

Do not save the changes to the part in the work area.

2. Click the Trim button on the Utility
toolbar.
3. Click the Trim to Cut modifier.
This modifier removes the part of the
entity or entities selected.
4. Click the Multiple Trim modifier.
The prompt line reads: PICK entities to trim
(button 2 when done).
5. Pick line 1, then click BUTTON 2.
The prompt line reads: PICK intersection location to trim from.
6. Pick line 2.
The prompt line reads: PICK intersection location to trim to.
7. Pick line 3.
Line 1 is trimmed between line 2 and line 3.
EXERCISE The Continuous (Profile Trim) modifier trims/extends in a continuous chain by selecting
each entity in order one after the other. Depending on the selection of the Trim to Keep or
Trim to Cut modifier, the portion of the entity picked is either kept or discarded. This is the
most frequently used trim method.
In this exercise, you use the Continuous Trim modifier to trim around the part.
1. Continue using the part in the work area.

2. Click the Trim to Keep modifier.

3. Click the Continuous modifier.
4. The prompt line reads: PICK first entity to trim.

4-2 Manipulating Entities

 Trimming Entities

5. Pick line 6.
The prompt line reads: PICK second entity
to trim.
6. Pick circle 7 near the location of the 7 in
the figure.
The prompt line continues to read: PICK
second entity to trim.
7. Pick segment 1, then 2, 3, 4, circle 5
(near the 5 in the figure) and line 6 again,
then click BUTTON 2.
The part should look like the figure on the
right.

EXERCISE In this exercise, you use the Trim One modifier.

1. Open the file Basic.pcii again.
Do not save the changes to the part
currently in the work area.
2. Click the Trim button on the Utility
toolbar.
3. Click the Trim to Keep modifier.
4. Click the Trim One modifier.
5. Pick line 1, then line 2.
ProCAM trims 1 at the intersection of
line 2 and leaves line 2 unchanged.

Manipulating Entities 4-3

Trimming Entities

EXERCISE Use the Trim Two Entities modifier to trim two lines:
1. Open the file Basic.pcii again.
Do not save the changes to the part
currently in the work area.
2. Click the Trim button on the Utility
toolbar.
3. Make sure the Trim to Keep
modifier is highlighted.
4. Click the Trim Two modifier button.

5. Pick line 1, then pick line 2.

ProCAM trims both lines.

4-4 Manipulating Entities

 Editing Entities

Editing Entities
The Edit Utility allows you to modify most entities after they are inserted.
The System toolbar contains options
that can be used with the Edit utility to
select a different color or line type. Line Type Color

Changing the Color of Entities

You can use the Color modifier to change the color of an entity in the work area.
EXERCISE 1. Open the part file Layer2.pcii in the \procad\pcii\learn\CAD-Surf folder.

2. Click the Edit button on the Utility toolbar.

3. Click the Color modifier button.
4. Click the down arrow next to the current selection on the System toolbar
and pick a different color.
You can select a color either before or after you pick the entities you
want to edit.
5. Pick an entity in the work area.
You can also window pick entities. ProCAM highlights the selected
entity to show you picked it.
6. Click BUTTON 2.
The entity displays in the new color.
7. Pick a different color.
8. Pick the text entity ABC and click BUTTON 2.
The text changes to the color you picked.
Changing the Line Type of Entities and the Text Font
You can use the Fonts modifier to edit the line style of entities in the work area and to
change the font of text that has been inserted.
EXERCISE 1. Continue using the part in the work area (Layer2.pcii).

2. Click the down arrow next to the Line Type selection on the System toolbar
and pick the dashed line.
3. Click the Edit button on the Utility toolbar.
4. Click the Fonts modifier button.
5. Pick the top horizontal line, then click BUTTON 2.
ProCAM changes the line from solid to dashed.

Manipulating Entities 4-5

Editing Entities

6. Select Text on the menu bar, then select Fonts on the menu.
The dialog box displays either the TrueType or TekSoft fonts.
7. Pick a different TrueType or TekSoft font, then click OK.
8. With the Fonts modifier still highlighted, pick the text ABC on the part, then click
BUTTON 2.
The text displays in the font you selected.

Changing the Location and Size of Entities

The Entities modifier allows you to change the location and size of entities. For text entities
that have been inserted, you can also change the angle.
EXERCISE 1. Continue using the part in the work area.

2. Click the Entities modifier button.

3. Pick the bottom horizontal line on the part.
− The InfoBar tab displays the X,Y,Z start and end, the angle and the length of the line.
− ProCAM displays points at each endpoint and at the midpoint of the line.
− The prompt line reads: PICK edit point. ProCAM needs to know which of the three
points you want to edit.
4. Pick the left endpoint.
5. Click the Endpoint button on the Snap toolbar.
The prompt line reads: PICK endpoint for new point.
6. Pick the bottom of the hexagon.
The line changes to that endpoint.
7. Click the Oops button to undo the line location.
8. Click some of the other Snap modifiers to see how the line can be modified.
9. Click BUTTON 2 when you are finished.
10. Pick the text entity ABC.
The InfoBar tab lists the current settings for Text, Angle, Height, Width, X origin, and Y
origin.
11. Double-click the Angle text box, type 30 and press ENTER.
12. Type .5 for the Height and press ENTER.
13. Change the Width to .5 and press ENTER.
14. Click BUTTON 2.
The angle and size of the text is changed.
15. Pick some of the other entities to see how they can be modified.

4-6 Manipulating Entities

 Editing Splines

Editing Splines
The Edit Utility with the Entities modifier allows you to modify parametric and NURB
splines after they are inserted.

Modifying Spline Nodes

EXERCISE 1. Click the New button on the File toolbar to clear the work area.
2. Insert a parametric spline (starting on the left) similar to the parametric spline in the
figure.
3. Insert a NURB spline (starting
on the left) similar to the NURB
spline in the figure.
4. Click the Edit button on the
Utility toolbar.
NURB
5. Make sure the Entities Parametric
modifier button is highlighted.
The prompt line reads: PICK entity to be edited (button 2 when done).
6. Pick the parametric spline.
The Insert Node modifier is highlighted.
The parametric spline is highlighted and points display at the node locations that define
the original spline.
The prompt line reads: PICK node to insert before.
7. Pick a node to insert a new node before.
The prompt line reads: DIGITIZE coordinate to insert node.
8. Digitize a new node location.
The spline curvature is modified so that the curve fit passes through the original nodes
and the new node.
You can use any of the Snap commands to specify the location.
9. Click BUTTON 2.
10. Pick the NURB spline.
The NURB spline and control points highlight and points display at the node locations
that define the original NURB spline.
11. Click the Insert Node modifier button.
12. Pick a node to insert a new node before.
The prompt line reads: DIGITIZE coordinate to insert node.

Manipulating Entities 4-7

Editing Splines

13. Digitize a new node location.

The NURB curvature is modified so that the curve fit is controlled by the original nodes
and the newly inserted node.
14. Insert additional nodes to see the effect on the NURB spline curvature.

EXERCISE The Add node modifier allows you to modify a spline by appending nodes at the end of the
spline. The end of the spline is determined by the last node defined when the spline was
created.
1. Continue using the splines in the work area.

2. Click the Edit button on the Utility toolbar.

3. Make sure the Entities modifier button is highlighted.
4. Pick the parametric spline.
5. Click the Add Node modifier button.
The prompt line reads: DIGITIZE coordinate to append node.
The node at the right end of the spline was defined last when the spline was created.
6. Digitize a location to the right of the last node on the right to specify the added node
location.
You can also use any Snap command to specify the location.
The spline curvature is modified so that the curve fit passes through the original nodes
and the newly added node.
7. Add additional nodes to see the effect on the spline curvature, then click BUTTON 2.
8. Pick the NURB spline and add a node to the last node on the right.
9. Add additional nodes to see the effect on the spline curvature, then click BUTTON 2.

EXERCISE The Erase Node modifier allows you to modify a spline by deleting existing node locations.
1. Continue using the splines in the work area.
2. Pick the parametric spline.
3. Click the Erase Node modifier button.
The prompt line reads: PICK node to be deleted.
4. Pick a node to delete.
The spline curvature is modified so that the curve fit passes through the remaining nodes.
5. Erase additional nodes to see the effect on the spline curvature, then click BUTTON 2.
6. Pick the NURB spline and delete a node.
The spline curvature is modified so that the curve fit is controlled by the remaining
nodes.
7. Click BUTTON 2.

4-8 Manipulating Entities

 Editing Splines

EXERCISE The Move Node modifier allows you to modify a spline by moving an existing node
location.
1. Continue using the splines in the work area.

2. Pick the parametric spline.

3. Click the Move Node modifier button.

The prompt line reads: PICK node to move.
4. Pick a node to move.
The prompt line reads: DIGITIZE coordinate to move to.
5. Digitize or use any Snap button to specify the new node location.
The spline curvature is modified so that the curve fit passes through the original nodes
and the newly moved node.
6. Click BUTTON 2.
7. Move additional nodes to see the effect on the spline curvature.
8. Pick the NURB spline, then pick a node to move.
The prompt line reads: DIGITIZE coordinate to move to.
9. Digitize or use any Snap command to specify new node location.
The NURB spline curvature is modified so that the curve fit is controlled by the original
nodes and the newly moved node.
10. Click BUTTON 2.
11. Move additional nodes to see the effect on the NURB spline curvature.

Editing Parametric Spline Node Tangency Vectors

Changing the Direction of a Tangency Vector
EXERCISE The Tangency Vector Direction modifier allows you to change the direction of the tangency
vector of an existing parametric spline node location.
1. Click the New button on the File toolbar to clear the work area.
Do not save the entities in the work area.
2. Insert a parametric spline with five nodes similar to the spline in the figure on the
next page.

Manipulating Entities 4-9

Editing Splines

3. Click the Edit button on the Utility

toolbar.
4. Pick the parametric spline.
The spline is highlighted with points at the
node locations that define the original
spline.
5. Click the Tangency Vector Direction
modifier button.
Tangency vectors display at the node
locations and the prompt line reads: PICK
node to change direction of tangent vector.

Did You Know ...

Tangency vectors have direction and magnitude. The direction is determined by
specifying a start point and an end point anywhere in 3D space.
6. Pick the first node on the left to change the direction of the tangency vector.
The prompt line reads: DIGITIZE coordinate for tangent vector start.
7. Digitize or use any Snap command to specify the start point of a new direction vector.
The prompt line reads: DIGITIZE coordinate for tangent vector end.
8. Digitize or use any Snap command to specify the end point of a new direction vector.
The parametric spline curvature is modified to reflect the change in the direction of the
tangency vector at that node location.
9. Change the direction of tangency vectors of additional nodes to see the effect on the
parametric spline curvature.
Changing the Magnitude of a Tangency Vector
EXERCISE The Tangency Vector Magnitude modifier allows you to change the magnitude of a tangency
vector of a parametric spline node location.
1. Click the Tangency Vector Magnitude modifier button.
The prompt line reads: PICK node to change magnitude of tangent vector.
2. Pick the second node from the left.
3. Type 2 for the Mag parameter (magnitude) on the InfoBar tab and press ENTER.
The parametric spline curvature flattens through the node location.
4. Pick the second node again.
5. Type .1 for magnitude and press ENTER.
The parametric spline curvature sharpens through the node location.
6. Change the magnitude at additional nodes to see the effect on the parametric spline
curvature.

4-10 Manipulating Entities

 Editing Splines

Copying a Tangency Vector

EXERCISE The Copy Tangency Vector modifier allows you to modify a parametric spline or polynomial
curve by copying the tangency vector from one existing node to another.
1. Click the Edit button.
2. Pick the parametric spline.
3. Click the Copy Tangency Vector modifier button.
The prompt line reads: PICK tangent vector to copy.
4. Pick the last node on the right.
The prompt line reads: PICK tangent vector to copy to.
5. Pick a node to copy the tangency vector to.
The spline curvature is modified to reflect the change of the tangency vector at that node
location.
6. Copy tangency vectors of additional nodes to see the effect on the spline curvature.

Manipulating Entities 4-11

Mirroring

Mirroring
The Mirror Utility is used to mirror-or mirror/copy entities about a selected axis or plane.

Mirroring Entities About a Line

EXERCISE Mirroring entities about an axis results in the entities being flipped across the axis to create a
mirror image or right and left hand.
1. Open the part file Mirror-Rotate.pcii in the \procad\pcii\learn\CAD-Surf folder.

2. Click the Mirror button on the Utility toolbar.

The prompt line reads: PICK entities to mirror (button 2 when done).
3. Click the Mirror/Copy modifier button.
The prompt line reads: PICK entities to mirror (button 2 when done).
4. Pick the entities of the wire frame part.
5. Click BUTTON 2 when done.
The prompt line reads: DIGITIZE coordinate for 1st mirror plane loc.
6. Click the Endpoint button on the Snap toolbar.
The prompt line reads: PICK endpoint for 1st mirror plane loc.
7. Pick the left endpoint of
Line 1.
The prompt line reads:
PICK endpoint for 2nd
mirror plane loc.
8. Pick the right endpoint
of Line 1.
The prompt line reads:
PICK endpoint for 3rd
mirror plane loc. (button 2
if none).
9. Click BUTTON 2.
A mirror image of the
entities is mirrored
about Line 1.

4-12 Manipulating Entities

 Mirroring

Mirroring Entities About a Plane

When entities are mirrored about a plane, the entities are flipped about a plane defined by
three coordinates or two lines to create a mirror image.
EXERCISE Mirror entities about a plane to create a mirror image of the original entities:
1. Open the part file Mirror-Rotate.pcii again.

Do not save the changes made in the previous exercise.

2. Click the Mirror button on the Utility toolbar.
3. Click the Mirror Original modifier button.
The prompt line reads: PICK entities to mirror (button 2 when done).
4. Pick the entities of the wire frame part and click BUTTON 2.
The prompt line reads: DIGITIZE coordinate for 1st mirror plane loc.
5. Click the Endpoint button on the Snap toolbar.
The prompt line reads: PICK endpoint for first mirror plane loc.
6. Pick the left endpoint of Line 1.
The prompt line reads: PICK endpoint for second mirror plane loc.
7. Pick the right endpoint of Line 1.
The prompt line reads: PICK endpoint for 3rd mirror plane loc. (button 2 if none).
8. Pick the right endpoint of Line 2.
− Three coordinates define the plane.
− A mirror image of the entities is flipped about the plane defined by Lines 1 and 2.

Part Before Mirroring Part After Mirroring About a Plane

Manipulating Entities 4-13

Rotating

Rotating
The Rotate Utility is used to rotate entities around an X,Y,Z coordinate or about a line by a
specified angle.
Rotating Entities
EXERCISE In this exercise, you use the Rotate Original modifier to rotate the small circle up 22.5
degrees.
1. Open the part file Rotate.pcii in the \procad\pcii\learn\CAD-Surf folder.

If this was a bolt circle that had the first hole rotated
off at 22.5 degrees, it would be much easier to put the
first hole at zero degrees using known X,Y,Z
coordinates than it would be to calculate the X,Y,Z
coordinates at that angle.
2. Click the Rotate button on the Utility toolbar.
3. Make sure the Rotate Original modifier is
highlighted.
This modifier rotates entities by a specified angle.
The original entities are moved from their original
position and no copies are created.
The prompt line reads: PICK entities to rotate (button 2 when done).
4. Pick the small circle, then click BUTTON 2.
The prompt line reads: DIGITIZE coordinate for axis rotation start.
5. Click the Entity Origin Snap button.
The prompt line reads: PICK entity origin for rotation axis start.
6. Pick the big circle and click BUTTON 2.
The prompt line reads: ENTER angle of rotation.
In the InfoBar tab, the Angle text box is
highlighted.
7. Type 22.5 and press ENTER.
The small circle should now be at 22.5
degrees.
8. Click BUTTON 2.

4-14 Manipulating Entities

 Rotating

Rotating Entities Multiple Times

EXERCISE Rotate and copy the small circle so there are seven holes. Since it is not easy to determine the
angle, you can have ProCAM do the math for you.
1. Click the Rotate/Copy Repeat modifier button.
The prompt line reads: PICK entities to rotate (button 2 when done).
2. Pick the small circle, then click BUTTON 2.
3. Make sure the Entity Origin Snap button is highlighted.
4. Pick the big circle for the entity origin for the rotation axis start.
− The prompt line reads: ENTER angle of rotation.
− The Angle text box still displays 22.5 degrees (or 22^30”).
Did You Know ...
Whatever angle you input while you are in Rotate mode remains in the InfoBar tab
until you change it. Always be sure the angle is correct before you rotate entities.

5. Type 360/7 in the Angle text box and press ENTER.

This tells ProCAM to divide 360 degrees by the 7
holes.
The Angle text box now displays 51.4286 (or
51^25’43”).
6. For the Repeat, type 6 and press ENTER.
Because you have the Rotate/Copy Repeat modifier
selected, you want to tell ProCAM to repeat the
rotation 6 times. The 6 repeats plus the original
give you the 7 holes.
7. Click BUTTON 2.

Rotating Entities About a Line

You can rotate entities about a line defined by two coordinates to create a rotated image.
This method uses the "right-hand rule" to determine the direction of positive rotation: roll the
fingers of the right hand toward the palm and point the thumb away from the palm; then,
point the thumb along the direction from the first point defining the rotation axis to the
second point. The fingers now curl in the positive rotation direction.
EXERCISE Rotate entities about an axis of rotation of 180 degrees.
1. Open the part file Mirror-Rotate.pcii in the \procad\pcii\learn\CAD-Surf folder.

2. Click the Layers tab at the bottom of the ProCAM Manager.

3. Turn on Layer 1 – Axis of Rotation.
4. Click the Rotate button on the Utility toolbar.

Manipulating Entities 4-15

Rotating

5. Make sure the Rotate

Original modifier is
highlighted.
The prompt line reads: PICK
entities to rotate (button 2 when
done).
6. Pick the entities of the wire
frame, then click BUTTON 2.
7. Click the Endpoint button
on the Snap toolbar. Axis of Rotation
The prompt line reads: PICK
endpoint for rotation axis start.
8. Pick the left endpoint of the axis of rotation line.
The prompt line reads: PICK endpoint for rotation axis end (button 2 if none).
9. Pick the right endpoint of the axis of rotation line.
In the InfoBar tab, the Angle
text box is highlighted.
The prompt line reads: ENTER
angle of rotation.
10. Type 180 and press ENTER.
11. Click BUTTON 2.
The entities are rotated 180
degrees about the axis of
rotation.

4-16 Manipulating Entities

 Moving

Moving
The Move Utility is used to move entities or copies of entities to a new location.

Moving and Copying Entities

EXERCISE Instead of drawing the two filleted rectangles and all the slots in this part, you can draw one
rectangle and one slot, then move and copy them to the correct locations.
1. Open the part file Move.pcii in the \procad\pcii\learn\CAD-Surf folder.

2. Click the Move button on

the Utility toolbar.
3. Click the Move/Copy
modifier button.
The prompt line reads: PICK
entities to move (button 2 when
done).
4. Window pick the filleted
rectangle on the lower tab,
then click BUTTON 2.
The prompt line reads:
DIGITIZE coordinate to move from.
Since both rectangles are in the same position relative to the tabs, you can use Endpoint Snap
to copy the rectangle:
5. Click the Endpoint button on
the Snap toolbar. Endpoint to move to
The prompt line reads: PICK
endpoint to move from.
6. Pick the endpoint marked on the
lower tab.
The prompt line changes to: PICK
endpoint to move to.
7. Pick the endpoint on the upper tab
indicated by the arrow in the figure.
The rectangle is copied to the upper
tab.
8. Click BUTTON 2.

Manipulating Entities 4-17

Moving

Moving Copies to Multiple Locations

EXERCISE To insert the 9 slots in each row, you can move and copy the slot once to the row above, then
move and copy the two slots across the rows.
1. Leave the Move/Copy modifier button highlighted.
2. Pick the slot to move, then click BUTTON 2.
3. Click the Entity Origin button on the Snap toolbar.
You use this Snap command to move the slot from the center of the bottom circle.
The prompt line changes to: PICK entity origin to move from.
4. Pick the arc (indicated by the arrow).
5. Click the Keyboard button on the Snap toolbar.
The prompt line reads: ENTER X coordinate to move to.
6. Press ENTER, since you are only moving the slot up in the Y axis.

7. Click after .5 in the Y to text box, then type + 4.750 and press ENTER.

This moves and copies the slot to the

correct position in the row above.
8. Click BUTTON 2.

You can now move and copy the 2 slots to

have 9 slots in each row:
9. Click the Move/Copy Repeat
modifier button.
10. Pick both slots to move.
11. Click the Entity Origin button on
the Snap toolbar.
12. For the entity origin to move from, pick the same arc that you picked in step 4.
13. Click the Keyboard button on the Snap toolbar.
− The prompt line reads: ENTER X coordinate to move to.
− In the InfoBar tab, the X to text box should read 11.75" (which is the coordinate of the
arc).
14. Click to the right of the 11.75", then type -.75 and press ENTER.
15. You do not want to move the slot in the Y axis, so press ENTER for the Y axis move to
position.
The prompt line reads: ENTER X increment. This is the distance to move the slot in the X
axis. The X increm text box in the InfoBar tab should read -.750, which is the amount you
told ProCAM to move the slot.

4-18 Manipulating Entities

 Moving

16. Press ENTER to accept this value and the

Y axis increment.
17. At the prompt to enter number of
repeats, type 8 and press ENTER.
This is a REPEAT command. You
already have 1 slot and you want to
repeat this slot 8 more times, giving you
a total of 9.
Your part should look like the figure on
the right.

Moving to a Different Cplane

EXERCISE In this exercise, you use the Move to Cplane modifier to copy entities from the Top Cplane
to the Front Cplane:
1. Open the part file Move to Cplane.pcii in the \procad\pcii\learn\CAD-Surf folder.

2. Click the Move button on the Utility

toolbar.
3. Click the Move to Cplane modifier button.
4. Click the Move/Copy modifier button.
The prompt line reads: PICK entities to move.
5. Pick the entities in the Top Cplane.
The entities highlight.
6. Click BUTTON 2 when done.
The prompt line reads: DIGITIZE coordinate to
copy from.

7. Click the Endpoint button on the Snap

toolbar.
The prompt line reads: PICK endpoint to copy from.

Manipulating Entities 4-19

Moving

8. Pick point 1.
The prompt line reads: SELECT a view to move
from.
The Cplane dialog box displays.
9. Select 1 Top, then click OK.
The prompt line reads: PICK endpoint for to copy
to.
10. Pick point 2.
The prompt line reads: SELECT a view to move
to.
11. In the Cplane dialog box, select 2 Front, then
click OK.
A copy of the entities is moved to the Front
Cplane.

Copying and Extruding Entities

EXERCISE In this exercise, you use the Move/Copy and Extrude modifiers to make the rough stock
block (6" x 6" x 1.5" or 152.4mm x 152.4mm x 38.1mm) that a surfacing mold part could be
machined from.
Did You Know ...
A three-dimensional box can be created by inserting a polygon using the Corner Points
modifier and specifying a value other than zero for the Z coordinate for the second
location. This is the easiest method for creating rough stock; however, there may be
parts where you need to copy and extrude entities as explained in this exercise.
1. Click the New button on the File toolbar to clear the work area.
Do not save the part in the work area.
2. Click the Polygon button on the CAD toolbar.
3. Leave the Two-Corner Points modifier button highlighted. This is the default.
4. Click the Keyboard button on the Snap toolbar.
The prompt line reads: ENTER X coordinate for 1st location on box.
5. Press ENTER three times to accept the defaults for the X, Y, Z coordinates for the box start:
The prompt line reads: ENTER X coordinate for 2nd location on box.
6. For the X,Y,Z coordinates for the box end, type the following:
− 6 (for decimal) or 152.4 (for metric) and press ENTER
− 6 (for decimal) or 152.4 (for metric) and press ENTER
− 0 and press ENTER

4-20 Manipulating Entities

 Moving

A 6" x 6" or 152.4mm x 152.4mm

rectangle is inserted in the
construction plane described by
Cplane 1 Top at a depth in Z of 0".
Extrude a copy of this rectangle down
1.5" or 38.1mm in Z:
7. Change the View to 7 ISO 1.

8. Choose Zoom Views on the View

menu.
9. Click the Move button on the Utility toolbar.
10. Select the following modifier buttons:
Move
Move/Copy
Extrude
The prompt line reads: PICK entities to move (button 2 when done).
11. Pick the four sides of the rectangle.
The entities are highlighted.
12. Click BUTTON 2.
The prompt line reads: DIGITIZE coordinate to move from.
You can either pick geometry or enter specific absolute locations using a Snap command,
or enter an incremental movement using the Keyboard Snap command.
13. Click the Keyboard button on the Snap toolbar.
The prompt line reads: ENTER X coordinate to move from.
You want to move a copy of the rectangle incrementally from (0,0,0) to (0,0,-1.5 or
0,0,-38.1); no movement in either X or Y,
but -1.5" or -38.1mm down in Z.
14. Type 0 and press ENTER for the X, Y, Z
coordinates to move from:
15. Type the following X, Y, Z coordinates to
move to:
− 0 and press ENTER
− 0 and press ENTER
− -1.5 (for decimal) or -38.1 (for metric)
and press ENTER

Manipulating Entities 4-21

Scaling

Scaling
The Scale Utility is used to scale entities around an X,Y,Z coordinate location.

Scaling Entities
EXERCISE 1. Open the part file Utility.pcii in the \procad\pcii\learn\CAD-Surf folder.

2. Click the Scale button on the Utility

toolbar.
The prompt line reads: PICK entities to scale
(button 2 when done).
3. Window pick the entities in the center of the
part and click BUTTON 2.
The prompt line reads: DIGITIZE coordinate
to scale around.

4. Click the Entity Origin button on the

Snap toolbar.
5. Pick circle 5.
The prompt line reads: ENTER scale factor.
Scale factors of less than 1 make the entities smaller; scale factors greater than 1 make
the entities larger. Scale factors equal to 1 make the entities the same size.
6. Type 1.5 and press ENTER.
The entities are enlarged in the work area.
7. Click BUTTON 2.
8. Click the Scale button again.
9. Repeat steps 3 through 6 using .5 for the Scale Factor.
This time the size of the entities is reduced.

4-22 Manipulating Entities

 Grouping and Ungrouping

Grouping and Ungrouping

The Group Utility is used to define an associated relationship between graphic entities that
are grouped together. Any type of graphic entity can be included in a group. Once grouped,
if one member of a group is picked, the entire group is picked. However, entities within a
group can be picked and modified separately when using functions that allow windowing,
such as the Edit, Measure, and Mirror Utilities and Insert Dimension.
Grouping and Ungrouping Entities
EXERCISE 1. Open the part file Utility.pcii in the \procad\pcii\learn\CAD-Surf folder.

2. Click the Group button on the Utility toolbar.

The Group modifier is highlighted. This is the default.
The prompt line reads: PICK entities to group (button 2 when done).
3. Pick circles 1 and 2, then click BUTTON 2.
The two circles now comprise a group.
4. Click the Erase button on the Utility
toolbar and pick circle 1.
Both circles are erased because you have
grouped them.
5. Click the Oops button on the Utility
toolbar.
6. Click the Group button again.
7. Click the Ungroup modifier button.
8. Pick the same circles, then click BUTTON 2.
The circles are now ungrouped.
9. Erase circle 1.
Only that circle is erased.

Manipulating Entities 4-23

Breaking and Exploding

Breaking and Exploding

The Break Utility allows you to break an entity into multiple entities or to explode patterns
or text into multiple entities.
Breaking an Entity
EXERCISE 1. Open the part file Utility.pcii in the \procad\pcii\learn\CAD-Surf folder.
If this part is already open in the work area, do not save the changes.
2. Click the Break button on the Utility toolbar.
Leave the Break modifier highlighted.
3. For the entity to break, pick the top
horizontal line.
ProCAM highlights the line.
4. Click the Midpoint Snap button.
The prompt line reads: PICK midpoint for
break location.
5. Pick the line again.
A point displays at the break location.
6. Click BUTTON 2.

Break circle 5 at the intersections of the lines:

7. At the prompt, PICK entity to break, pick the
circle.
ProCAM highlights the circle.
8. Click the Single Intersection Snap button.
The prompt line reads: PICK intersection for break location.
9. Pick one of the lines that intersects circle 5.
10. Break the circle at the other 3 lines by picking each line.
Follow the prompt line.
11. Click BUTTON 2 when you are finished.
The circle is broken in four places and the entities are now arcs.
12. Click the Measure button on the Utility toolbar.
13. Pick anywhere on circle 5.
The prompt line identifies the entity as an arc.

4-24 Manipulating Entities

 Breaking and Exploding

Breaking Text into Line Entities

When you insert text, it is treated as one entity. The Explode modifier allows you to break up
text into multiple entities. If you use a TekSoft font, text is broken into only line entities. If
you use a TrueType font, text is broken into line and spline entities.
TrueType fonts are recommended if you are inserting text for engraving. TrueType fonts are
composed of lines and splines, which will generate smooth cuts with few retracts. TekSoft
fonts will not produce the same results.
EXERCISE 1. Click the New button on the File toolbar to clear the work area.
2. Make sure the View is set to 1 Top.
3. Select Text on the menu bar.
4. Select Font on the Text menu.
If the Teksoft fonts are displayed in the dialog box, click the TrueType button.
5. Select a TrueType font and click OK.
6. Click the Text button on the CAD toolbar and insert the text ProCAM anywhere in
the work area.
7. Click the Measure button on the Utility toolbar and pick the text.
The prompt line identifies the entity as text.
8. Click the Break button on the Utility toolbar.
9. Click the Explode modifier button.
10. At the prompt to pick entity to explode, pick the text, then click BUTTON 2.
11. To see that the text is no longer one entity, click the Measure button and pick any
where on the text.
The prompt line identifies the entity as a spline or a line.

Manipulating Entities 4-25

Breaking and Exploding

4-26 Manipulating Entities

Chapter 5 Working with Parts

ProCAM provides a number of features that make viewing and working with parts easier.
This chapter explains how to use the following features:
• Layers
• Pick Mask
• Picking Options
• Combining Parts

Working with Parts 5-1

Using Layers

Using Layers
ProCAM allows you to insert entities on different layers. These layers can be turned on and
off so that you can easily view and pick entities. ProCAM has 256 layers. There are no
restrictions on what can be on a layer.
Selecting Layers
EXERCISE 1. Open the part file Layer1.pcii in the \procad\pcii\learn\CAD-Surf folder.

2. Click the Layers tab at the bottom of the Part Manager.

The Layers tab shows that the entities in this part are on
seven layers.
The red box around the Layer 1 icon identifies the current
layer. This is the layer that entities will be inserted on.
The check marks indicate the layers that are turned on.
3. Click the check box for Layer 4 to remove the check mark.
The 45 degree cross hatching no longer displays.
4. Remove the check mark from Layer 5 to turn off the 135 degree cross hatch and notice
the difference in the part display.
5. Right click anywhere on the Layers tab and select All Off on the shortcut menu to turn
off all layers.
Layer 1 remains on. You cannot turn off all the layers. The current layer will always be
turned on. If you want to turn off the current layer, first pick a different layer to be the
current layer.
Creating a New Layer
EXERCISE In this exercise, you insert .437 counterbores on a new layer.
1. Continue using Layer1.pcii in the work area.
2. Right click anywhere on the Layers tab and select Create New on the shortcut menu.
The Layers dialog box displays.
3. In the empty Layer # text box below layer 7, type 8 and press TAB.
Notice that Layer 8 becomes the current layer. When you create a new layer, it
automatically becomes the current layer.
4. Type Counterbores in the Description text box.
5. Click the All Off button.
6. Click the check box for Layer 7 (1/4-20 screws) to turn it on, then click OK.
Turning off all the layers, then selecting the ones you want on may be easier than turning
off individual layers.

5-2 Working with Parts

 Using Layers

The layer information is updated on the Layers tab. Except for creating new layers, all the
layers functions can be accessed either on the Layers tab or in the Layers dialog box.
7. Click the Circle button on the CAD toolbar.
8. Click the Diameter modifier button.
9. Type .437 for the circle diameter and press ENTER.
10. Click the Entity Origin button on the Snap toolbar.
The prompt line reads: PICK entity origin for circle center.
11. Pick the ¼" holes, then click BUTTON 2.

Using Pick Layers On / Off

EXERCISE 1. Continue using Layer1.pcii in the work area.
2. Right click on the Layers tab and select the All On command on the shortcut menu.
3. Right click in the work area and select Pick Layers Off on the shortcut menu.
The prompt line reads: PICK entity (button 2 when done).
4. On the left side of the part where the purple cross hatch extends beyond the green bottom,
pick the purple cross hatch.
On the Layers tab, the layer containing this cross hatch is turned off and the cross hatch is
removed from the work area.
5. Pick the purple cross hatch in same area of the part, then click BUTTON 2.
Notice that the status of this layer is now off.
6. Right click in the work area and select Pick Layers On on the shortcut menu.
All entities that are currently off are displayed and entities that are currently on are
temporarily turned off. This is so you can pick easily from the entities that are off.
7. Pick one of the cross hatches, then click BUTTON 2.
All entities that were on before are turned back on and the cross hatch you picked also
displays.

Using the Measure Utility to Show the Layer

EXERCISE You can use the Measure Utility to show what layer an entity is inserted on.
1. Continue using Layer1.pcii in the work area.
2. Click the Measure button on the Utility toolbar.
3. Pick any line in the work area.
The InfoBar tab displays the layer number the entity is inserted on and the X,Y,Z start
and end points, X,Y Z direction, angle, and length.

Working with Parts 5-3

Using Layers

Moving Entities to a Different Layer

EXERCISE In this exercise, you create a new layer and use the Edit Utility with the Layers modifier to
move the two hexagons in the part to the new layer.
1. Open the part file Layer2.pcii in the \procad\pcii\learn\CAD-Surf folder.

Do not save the changes to the part in the work area.

2. Click the Layers tab at the bottom of the Part Manager.

In this part, each entity type was inserted on a different layer.
3. Right click anywhere on the Layers tab and select Create New on the shortcut menu.
4. In the Layers dialog box, type 7 in the blank Layer # text box and press TAB.
5. Type Hexagon for the Description, then click OK.
6. Click the Edit button on the Utility toolbar.
7. Click the Layers modifier button.
The prompt line reads: PICK entities to be edited (button 2 when done).
8. Window pick the hexagons and click BUTTON 2.
The hexagons are now on layer 7.
9. Right click on the Layers tab and select All Off on the shortcut menu.
The hexagons should be the only entities in the work area.

5-4 Working with Parts

 Setting a Pick Mask

Setting a Pick Mask

The Pick Mask function allows you to set "masks" for picking entities in the work area. A
pick mask allows you to restrict entity picking by entity type, color, layer, font, and whether
it is a CAD or CAM entity. The pick mask restricts all picking in every command. Any
combination of these masking characteristics can be used to control which entities are
picked.
Did You Know ...
The Pick Mask is operational only when the Pick Mask button is highlighted on the
System toolbar. When you are finished using the Pick Mask, make sure you click the
Pick Mask button to remove the highlighting.
Pick Mask can be very helpful when you have numerous entities in the work area. You can
make your job easier if you do some planning before starting a complex part. Plan layers,
color, line fonts, etc., before you draw your part.

Setting and Using a Pick Mask

EXERCISE 1. Open the part file Layer2.pcii in the \procad\pcii\learn\CAD-Surf folder.
2. Right click in the work area and select Pick Mask on the shortcut menu or choose Pick
Mask on the Options menu.
The Pick Mask dialog box displays the CAD entities.
3. Click the All Off button, then click the circle.
4. Click the Color button.
The dialog box shows the colors that can be masked.
Only the colors used in the part are displayed.
5. Click the yellow color, then click OK.
The pick mask is now set to pick only yellow circles.

6. Click the Pick Mask button on the System toolbar.

Note that you can also choose the Pick Mask On command on the Options menu.
When the Pick Mask is on, the Pick Mask button is indented and highlighted.
7. Click the Erase button on the Utility toolbar and window pick the entire part.
The yellow circles are the only entities that are erased.
8. Click Oops to put the circles back in the work area.
9. Right click in the work area and choose Pick Mask on the shortcut menu.
10. Click the All On button to turn on all CAD selections.

Working with Parts 5-5

Setting a Pick Mask

11. Click the Color button, then click the All On button.
12. Click the Line button.
13. Turn off all line types, then click the dashed line to
turn it back on.
14. Click OK.
15. Window pick the entire part.
Only the dashed lines are erased.
16. Click Oops to put the lines back in the work area.
17. Click a blank toolbar button to exit the Erase utility.

Using the Pick Mask Library

After you have created a pick mask, you can use the Pick Mask Library to save the setup.
You can retrieve and use a mask that is saved in the library, which eliminates the need to re-
set the mask for operations you perform repeatedly.
EXERCISE 1. Continue using Layer2.pcii in the work area.

2. Right click in the work area and select Pick Mask on the shortcut menu or choose Pick
Mask on the Options menu.
3. Click the Color button, turn off all colors, then select red.

4. Click the Line button.

Leave the dashed line turned on (from the previous exercise).

5. Click the Library button.

6. In the Pick Mask Library dialog box, type RED DASH and click Save.

7. Click OK to exit the Pick Mask Library dialog box.

8. Click OK to exit the Pick Mask CAD dialog box.

9. Open Layer2.pcii again.

Do not save the changes.

10. Right click in the work area and select Pick Mask on the shortcut menu.

11. Click the Library button.

12. In the Pick Mask Library dialog box, pick RED DASH and click Open.

13. Click OK.

14. Click OK to exit the Pick Mask dialog box.

15. Click the Erase button on the Utility toolbar and window pick the entire part.
Only the red dashed entities are erased.
16. Before you continue, click the Pick Mask button on the System toolbar to turn it off.
When you click the Pick Mask button, the check mark is automatically removed from the
Pick Mask On option on the Options menu.

5-6 Working with Parts

 Changing Picking Options

Changing Picking Options

The Picking command on the Options menu allows you to customize the way entities are
picked in the work area and the color of the selection window.
EXERCISE When you window picked entities in previous exercises, all the entities inside the selection
window were picked. This is the default setting. You can change this option to pick all
entities outside the selection window.
1. Open the part file Layer2.pcii in the \procad\pcii\learn\CAD-Surf folder.

If this part is in the work area from the previous exercise, do not save the changes.
2. Choose Picking on the Options menu.

The Picking dialog box displays options to change the color of the selection window and
the way entities are picked.
3. Change the Rubber Band Color to a different color.

4. Change Window Picking to Outside Window, then click OK.

5. Click the Erase button on the Utility toolbar.

6. Window pick the entities
shown in the figure.
The prompt line reads: PICK
is set to windows out
continue?
In the InfoBar tab, Yes/No
displays with Yes in the text
box.
7. Click BUTTON 2 or press
ENTER to select Yes.
8. All entities outside the
window are erased.
9. Change the Window Picking
back to Pick Inside Window.

Working with Parts 5-7

Combining Parts

Combining Parts
When you have a configuration that is repeated in multiple parts, you can insert the entities
once, save them in a file, and then insert the file into any other part.
The Insert command on the File menu allows you to combine files to make one part. You can
insert files that are in the following formats: ProCAM 3D (.3d), .IGES (.igs), .CADkey (.cdl)
and AutoCAD (.dxf and .dwg).

Inserting a Part File

EXERCISE This part is a cutout for a DB25 connector, which is found on the back of your PC. This part
could be inserted into any other part at a specified location.
1. Open the part file Insert File.pcii in the \procad\pcii\learn\CAD-Surf folder.

2. Choose Insert on the File menu.

3. In the Insert File dialog box, select DB25.3d in

the \procad\pcii\learn\CAD-Surf folder, then
click Open.
The modifier toolbar displays two modifiers:
Maintain Original Layers inserts the entities in the file on the same layers as the
original part.
Insert on Current Layer inserts the entities in the file on the current layer.
4. Leave the Insert on Current Layer modifier highlighted.
ProCAM prompts you to digitize a location for the inserted entities.
5. Click the Endpoint button on the Snap toolbar.
6. Pick the left side of the bottom horizontal line.
The part is inserted.
7. Click BUTTON 2 when you are done inserting the part.
You have to click BUTTON 2 before you can go on to anything else.
8. Try inserting the part at different locations.

5-8 Working with Parts

 Index

Index cursor coordinates 1-8

.pcii, ProCAM II file extension 1-2 D/E
.pdf, file extension for manuals 1-9 degree display, changing format 1-23
A/B Delete Cplane/View dialog box 3-6
Adobe Acrobat Reader 1-9 Digitize Snap command 2-2
arc Double Intersection Snap command 2-6
inserting an entity at the center of 2-8 Edit utility
inserting an entity tangent to 2-7 changing entity color 4-5
axis changing entity location 4-6
color 1-20 changing entity size 4-6
customizing display 1-20 changing font 4-5
labels 1-7 changing line type 4-5
Axis dialog box 1-20 moving entities to different layer 5-4
Break utility Endpoint Snap command 2-4
breaking an entity 4-24 entities
exploding text 4-25 breaking 4-24
C changing color 4-5
CAD toolbar 1-2 changing line type 4-5
calculating changing location and size 4-6
using auto-calculation feature 1-17 extruding 4-20
using Calculator utility 1-18 grouping/ungrouping 4-23
Calculator utility 1-18 mirroring 4-12
Capture Snap command 2-9 moving to different Cplane 4-19
circle picking 1-12
inserting an entity at the center of 2-8 rotating 4-14
inserting an entity tangent to 2-7 scaling 4-22
color trimming 4-2
changing axis 1-20 unselecting 1-14
changing existing entity 4-5 Entity Origin Snap command 2-8
changing highlight 1-19 Erase utility 1-12
changing work area background 1-19 extruding entities 4-20
selecting 4-5 F
color, selecting 1-5 File menu
construction plane See Cplane Insert command 5-8
coordinate system 1-8, 3-2 File menu, Open command 1-2
correcting mistakes 1-12 files
Cplane inserting 5-8
basics 3-2 opening/importing 1-2
creating 3-3 font
current on System toolbar 1-5 changing existing text 4-5
definition 3-2 using TrueType for engraving 4-25
deleting user-defined 3-6 G
shortcut keys 1-11 grouping entities 4-23

i
Index

I P
InfoBar tab 1-6 panning 1-17
Insert toolbars 1-4 parametric spline
Insert, File menu 5-8 changing tangency vector direction 4-9
K changing tangency vector magnitude 4-10
keyboard copying tangency vector 4-11
shortcut keys 1-11 part display
using in ProCAM 1-11 controlling 1-14
Keyboard Snap command, specifying X,Y,Z panning 1-17
coordinates 2-3 rotating 1-16
zooming 1-15
L
layers Part Manager 1-6
creating new layer 5-2 InfoBar tab 1-6
moving entities to different layer 5-4 Layers tab 1-7, 5-2
Part Manager tab 1-7, 5-2 Operations tab 1-7
selecting 5-2 parts
using 5-2 inserting 5-8
using Measure utility to show layer 5-3 opening/importing 1-2
using Pick Layers On/Off 5-3 parts used in exercises
Layers dialog box 5-2 3D Entities.pcii 3-2, 3-6
line type basic.pcii 1-12, 1-15, 1-16, 1-17, 1-22
changing existing entity 4-5 Basic.pcii 4-2
option on System toolbar 4-5 Capture.pcii 2-9
line type, option on System toolbar 1-5 DB25.3d 5-8
locating entities in 3D space 3-2 Insert File.pcii 5-8
Layer1.pcii 5-2, 5-3
M Layer2.pcii 4-5, 5-4, 5-5, 5-7
Measure utility, showing layer 5-3 Mirror-Rotate.pcii 4-12, 4-13, 4-15
menu bar 1-6 Move to Cplane.pcii 4-19
menus, shortcut keys 1-11 Move.pcii 4-17
Midpoint Snap command 2-5 Rotate.pcii 4-14
Mirror utility 4-12 Snap.pcii 2-3, 2-4, 2-5, 2-6, 2-7, 2-8
mistakes, correcting 1-12 surface curve1.pcii 1-2, 1-20
Modifier toolbar 1-4 Utility.pcii 4-22, 4-23, 4-24
mouse Pick Entity dialog box 1-12
button functions 1-10 Pick Layers On/Off 5-3
using 2-button mouse 1-11 pick mask
using in ProCAM 1-10 setting 5-5
Move utility turning on 5-5
extruding entities 4-20 using library 5-6
move/copy multiple times 4-18 Pick Mask dialog box 5-5
moving entities to different Cplane 4-19 pick mask, turning on 1-5
moving/copying entities 4-17 Picking dialog box 5-7
O picking entities 1-12
online help 1-8 picking, changing options 5-7
Oops utility 1-12 Picking, Options menu 5-7
Operations tab on Part Manager 1-7

ii
 Index

ProCAM II text
customizing interface 1-19 changing font 4-5
manuals 1-9 exploding into lines 4-25
Setup program 1-2 toolbars
starting 1-2 arranging 1-19
window 1-3 CAD 1-2
prompt line 1-7 description 1-3
R Trim utility, using 4-2
Rotate utility 4-14 U
rotating UCS 3-2
about an entity 1-16 undo 1-12
about an X,Y,Z coordinate 1-16 ungrouping entities 4-23
shortcut keys 1-16 Units dialog box 1-22
S units of measure
scale entities 4-22 changing degree format 1-23
Screen Display dialog box 1-19 changing type 1-22
screen display, customizing 1-19 using auto-convert 1-22
ScreenTips 1-5 Unselect command (Options menu) 1-14
Setup menu Utility toolbar 1-5
Screen Display command 1-19 Break 4-24
Units command 1-21 Calculator 1-18
Setup program 1-2 Edit 4-5, 4-7
shading surfaces 1-21 Erase 1-12
shortcut keys 1-11 Group 4-23
Snap toolbar 1-4 Measure 5-3
Capture 2-9 Mirror 4-12
Digitize 2-2 Move 4-17
Double Intersection 2-6 Oops 1-12
Endpoint 2-4 Rotate 4-14
Entity Origin 2-8 Scale 4-22
Keyboard 2-3 Trim 4-2
Midpoint 2-5 V
Tangent to 2-7 View
spline, editing 4-7 changing 1-5
start ProCAM II 1-2 shortcut keys 1-11
stock, creating by extruding entities 4-20 View toolbar 1-6
Surface Display dialog box 1-21 pan 1-17
surfaces rotate 1-16
customizing display 1-20 zoom 1-15
shaded/wire frame shortcut keys 1-21 View, current on System toolbar 1-5
System toolbar 1-5 W
color 4-5 WCS 3-2
line type 4-5 window picking options 1-12
Pick Mask button 5-5 work area 1-7
T
Tangent to Snap command 2-7

iii
Index

X
X,Y,Z coordinates, using Keyboard Snap command
2-3
Z
zooming
buttons at bottom of window 1-8
buttons on View toolbar 1-15
methods 1-15
using button 3 1-10, 1-15

iv