If I need shut off surfaces, control sketches, or fixtures you can do it all right inside the CAM assembly with associativity to the reference model. I also like the fact that I can have all of my machining data separate from my CAD model when I send the model to customers or other shops I work with.

I personally never change the model while in Solidcam. It does say it works on parts and assemblies, so I guess the CAM data is stored in the assembly if that is what you start with. So I can’t say exactly how it works, but I do know I see this option every time I create a new milling project. I’m still using the old way, probably because I’ve been using it this way for too many years lol. Solidcam did add a new option to store all CAM data inside the SolidWorks model. This can also be used for programming from a DXF, if you want to import a 2D DXF and type in all your depths.Ģ. If you type in a number or pick some arbitrary line or a face that is not aligned with your coordinate system, then it’s a “dumb number” as you say. When you pick a plane or vertices the text box changes in color and it will automatically update to model changes. In solidcam depths are associative to selected “planes and vertices”. I have been using Solidcam since 2004, and like any software has had many changes over the years.ġ.

I am seeing a lot of bad or mis information here regarding Solidcam and some of the functionality. Overall the power of iMachining didn't make up for the rest of the interface, so we went HSMWorks. They want you to work in the model is done, throw it over the wall mentality. You shouldn't be making real time model updates while you are programming or it will do bad things. They make a copy and it starts to create a mess of your file management. They also don't store the CAM in the CAD model. Automatic speeds and feeds with dynamically changing stepover and feed based on model geometry, it is really nice. It has lots of power and options, but with a crappy interface to make it all work. If you change the model is doesn't update because the value is dumb. It wasn't totally tied to the model like they said, for example: setting your Z planes, you can go and select these from the model directly, but it just plugs a measured value into a dumb field.

The interface was a bit clunky, the solidworks integration is only OK.

Solidcam in solidworks