AC2017 - What's New in ArtCAM (ALL)

Autodesk ArtCAM 2017
What's New
Autodesk ArtCAM 2017
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Contents
What's New in ArtCAM 2017 1
Summary of new features ................................................................................... 2
ArtCAM rebrand .................................................................................................. 4
ArtCAM redesign ................................................................................................ 5
Zooming in the 2D View window ......................................................................... 7
Creating layers, sheets, and relief groups in the Project Tree ............................ 8
Creating shortcuts for Toolbox add-ins ............................................................... 9
Editing keyboard shortcuts ....................................................................... 10
Creating polylines ............................................................................................. 12
Previewing fonts when creating vector text ....................................................... 13
Dragging selected vectors ................................................................................ 15
Exporting vectors .............................................................................................. 16
Enhancements to the sculpting tools ................................................................ 17
Sculpting using the lazy brush .................................................................. 18
Mirroring sculpting moves......................................................................... 20
New live tools .................................................................................................... 22
Fading a relief........................................................................................... 23
Creating an angled plane ......................................................................... 26
Creating a 3D blend ................................................................................. 29
Adding and editing bridges ............................................................................... 31
Creating sharp corners in a profiling toolpath ................................................... 33
Working with assemblies .................................................................................. 34
Identifying items in the View window ........................................................ 34
Selecting and managing multiple items .................................................... 34
Cutting, copying, pasting, and deleting items ........................................... 35
3D Printing ........................................................................................................ 37
3D Printing Platform item.......................................................................... 38
3D Printing menu...................................................................................... 52
Miscellaneous changes..................................................................................... 53
Index 55
Autodesk ArtCAM 2017 Contents • i

What's New in ArtCAM
2017
ArtCAM 2017 offers all the original features of ArtCAM 2015 R2, but
with numerous improvements. This document describes the most
significant improvements.
Autodesk ArtCAM 2017 What's New in ArtCAM 2017 • 1

Summary of new features
ArtCAM 2017 contains the following new features and
enhancements:
 ArtCAM rebrand (see page 4) — ArtCAM uses new branding and is
available in three different tiers.
 ArtCAM redesign (see page 5) — The ArtCAM interface has been
updated and includes a new and intuitive, full-screen starting
page.
 Zooming in the 2D View window (see page 7) — You can now
right-click zoom in the 2D View window.
 Creating layers, sheets, and relief groups in the Project Tree (see
page 8) — You can create layers, sheets, and relief groups direct
from the Project Tree.
 Creating shortcuts for Toolbox add-ins (see page 9) — You can
now create up to 12 shortcuts for add-ins available on the
Toolbox panel.
 Creating polylines (see page 12) — You can now create nodes
that are aligned to the previous node's X- or Y-axis.
 Previewing fonts when creating vector text (see page 13) — There
is now a preview of the selected font in the Tool Settings: Text
Tool panel.
 Dragging selected vectors (see page 15) — You can now paste
copied vectors onto the active vector layer as you drag them in
the View window.
 Exporting vectors (see page 16) — There is new option available
to preserve colours assigned to vectors layers when exporting to
an EPS file.
 Enhancements to the sculpting tools (see page 17) —
Improvements to the sculpting tools enable you to sculpt more
smoothly and to mirror sculpting moves across the model.
 New live tools (see page 22) — The Fade Relief, Create Angled
Plane, and 3D Blend tools now work in real-time.
 Adding and editing bridges (see page 31) — The layout of the
panels used when adding or editing bridges for vectors is
reorganised to improve usability.
 Creating sharp corners in a Profiling toolpath (see page 33) — You
can now create a Profile toolpath with sharp corners.
2 • What's New in ArtCAM 2017 What's New

 Working with assemblies (see page 34) — There are several
improvements to the way in which you can select assembly
items.
 3D Printing (see page 37) — The 3D printing function has been
redesigned and enhanced to improve usability.
 Miscellaneous changes (see page 53) — ArtCAM includes several
various small changes and enhancements, such as, providing
support for using the SpaceMouse, making it easier to move
relief clipart, and providing quicker access to inlay toolpaths.

ArtCAM rebrand
ArtCAM has new branding and is available in three tiers: the free
version of ArtCAM, ArtCAM Standard, and ArtCAM Premium. The
features available in ArtCAM depend on the tier you are using.
ArtCAM Standard and ArtCAM Premium are supplied under the
Autodesk licensing system. Details of the license are available in the
About panel.
To open the panel, select the Help > About Autodesk ArtCAM menu
option.

ArtCAM redesign
The ArtCAM interface has been updated to provide a more
contemporary look and feel. This includes redesigned buttons, as
well as new toolbars to reflect the features available in the different
ArtCAM tiers. For detailed information about the interface, see the
Reference Help.
The starting page

A significant change to the interface is the removal of the Start
panel. The panel has been replaced with a new and intuitive, full-
screen starting page. When you start ArtCAM, the screen layout is
as follows:
Menu bar — Click an entry to display a menu of options,

which can contain sub-menus.
Most of the options become active only when you create

a model or project.

Welcome — Click this entry to display the Welcome page,
which enables you to create and open models and projects.
Click:
 New Model to create a model.
 New Project to create a project.
 Open to open a model or project.
Recent Models — Click this entry to display the Recent
Models page, which lists the last four ArtCAM Model (*.art)
files or ArtCAM Project (*.3dp) files you have been working
on. Click a file on the page to open it.
Options — Click this entry to display the Options panel,
which specifies the settings and defaults for ArtCAM.
Help — Click this entry to display the Help page, which
includes access to help and online resources.
Icons — Click an icon to check the Internet for more
information about ArtCAM.
When you create or open a model, ArtCAM displays the model
layout. To display the starting layout again, select the File > Close
Model menu option.
When you create or open a project, ArtCAM displays the project
layout. To display the starting layout again, select the File > Close
Project menu option.
The Face Wizard continues to be available on the Toolbox

panel. To display the Toolbox panel, right-click the Menu bar,
then select Toolbox in the context menu.

Zooming in the 2D View window
You can now right-click zoom in the 2D View window. This is
particularly useful if you use ArtCAM on a Wacom tablet.
To enable right-click zooming in the 2D View window:
1 Select the Edit > Options menu option. The Options panel is
displayed.
2 In the 2D View section, select the Allow right-click zooming check
box.
Some options in the dialog might not be available in your

version of ArtCAM.
3 Click Apply to save your changes.
4 Click Close to close the panel.
To right-click zoom in the 2D View window:
1 Display the 2D View window.
2 To zoom in, press and hold down the Ctrl key and right-click in
the window.
3 To zoom out, press and hold down the Shift key and right-click in
the window.

Creating layers, sheets, and relief
groups in the Project Tree
New icons next to items in the Project Tree make it simpler to
create layers, sheets, and relief groups.
To create a layer or sheet:

1 Display the Project panel.
2 Click the:
 New Vector Layer icon next to the Vectors item to create
a vector layer.
 New Bitmap Layer icon next to the Bitmaps item to create
a bitmap layer.
 New Relief Layer icon next to the Front Relief item, the
Back Relief item, or a Relief Group item to create a relief layer.
 New Sheet icon next to the Sheets item to create a sheet.
ArtCAM creates the layer or sheet and adds it to the Project Tree,
above the previously active layer or sheet.
To create a relief group:
1 Display the Project panel.
2 Click the New Relief Group icon next to the Front Relief item,
the Back Relief item, or a Relief Group item.
ArtCAM creates the relief group and adds it to the Project Tree,
above the previously active relief layer. By default, a new relief
group contains one relief layer.

Creating shortcuts for Toolbox add-ins
You can now create up to 12 keyboard shortcuts and menu options
for add-ins available on the Toolbox panel.
To create a Toolbox shortcut:
1 Select the Window > Toolbox Shortcuts > Manage menu option.
The Toolbox Shortcuts panel is displayed.
2 Enter a Name for the shortcut.

3 Select the HTML Document (.htm) file for the add-in:
a Click . The Open dialog is displayed.

b In the Toolbox folder of your ArtCAM installation, select the
index.htm file of the add-in for which you want to create the
shortcut.

c Click Open to close the dialog. The name of the folder in which
the file is located is displayed in the Location field on the
Toolbox Shortcuts panel.
To cancel your changes, click Reset.

4 Click Apply to save your changes.
5 Repeat steps 2 to 4 to continue creating shortcuts.
6 Click Close to close the dialog. ArtCAM creates the keyboard
shortcut and adds an option to the Window > Toolbox Shortcut
sub-menu.
You can also use the Toolbox Shortcuts panel to edit and manage
the shortcuts you create. To:
 delete a shortcut, delete its Name and Location.
 edit the key combination for a keyboard shortcut, click Customise
to display the Customize dialog (see page 10).
 import shortcuts from an XML (.xml) file, click Import. In the Open
dialog, enter the File name of the file containing the shortcuts you
want to import, and then click Open.
 save all shortcuts to an XML (.xml) file, click Export. In the Save
As dialog, select a folder in which you want to save the file, enter
a File name, and then click Save.
Editing keyboard shortcuts

To edit the key combination for a Toolbox keyboard shortcut:
1 On the Toolbox Shortcut panel (see page 9), click Customise. The
Customize dialog is displayed.
2 Select the Keyboard tab.
3 In the Category list, select Window.
4 In the Commands list, select the menu option whose keyboard
shortcut you want to change.
5 In the Current keys field, select the key combination.
6 Click Remove to delete the key combination.
7 Enter a new key combination in the Press new shortcut key field.
8 Click Assign.
9 Repeat steps 4 to 8 to continue editing keyboard shortcuts.
To restore all keyboard shortcuts to their default key

combinations, click Reset All.
10 Click Close to save your changes and close the dialog.

Creating polylines
Previously, when creating polylines using the cursor, you could
create nodes that were aligned with the start node's X- or Y-axis.
This has been extended so you can also create nodes that are
aligned with the previous node's X- or Y-axis.
To create a polyline using the cursor:
1 Select the vector layer on which you want to create the polyline.
2 Click the Create Polyline button. The Tool Settings: Polyline

Creation panel is displayed and the cursor changes to .
3 In the View window, click to create the polyline's start node.
4 Continue to click in the View window to create further nodes:
 To create a node that is aligned with the previous node's X- or
Y-axis, move the cursor until it changes to or , and then
click. For example:
and
 To create a node that is orthogonal to the previous node and
the start node, move the cursor until it changes to , and
then click. For example:
5 Complete the polyline:

 To create a closed vector, click the start node.
 To create an open vector, right-click.

Previewing fonts when creating vector
text
When creating vector text, you can now preview fonts.
To create vector text:
1 Click the Create Vector Text button. The Tool Settings: Text
Tool panel is displayed.
2 In the Style section, select a Font in the list.
The list displays examples of each font next to the font name.
For example:
When you select a font, an example of the font is shown in the

Preview field. For example:
3 Complete the panel.

4 Click in the View window and type the vector text.

5 On the Tool Settings: Text Tool panel, click Create to create the
vector text and close the panel.

Dragging selected vectors
You can now paste copied vectors onto the active layer as you drag
them in the View window.
To copy a vector onto the active vector layer:
1 In the View window, select the vectors you want to copy.
2 Press and hold the Ctrl key, then click and drag the vectors to
create a copy of them.
3 Press the Shift key when you release the mouse button to paste
the copies into the active vector layer.

Exporting vectors
ArtCAM 2017 contains a new export option when saving vectors to
an EPS (.eps) file. This is selectable from the Save Vector Layers,
Vector Export, and Save Vectors dialogs, so you can easily change
the setting each time you save a vector to file.
To save vectors to an EPS file:
1 In the Project Tree, select the vector layers you want to save.
2 Right-click and select Export in the context menu. The Save
Vector Layers dialog is displayed.
3 Select the folder in which you want to save the vectors.
4 Enter a File name.
5 In the Save as type list, select EPS (*.eps).
6 To export the vectors and preserve colours assigned to the
vector layers, select the Use vector layer colours check box. To
export the vectors in black and white, as in previous versions of
ArtCAM, deselect the Use vector layer colours check box.
7 Click Save to save the vectors and close the dialog.

Enhancements to the sculpting tools
There are improvements to the sculpting tools: You can now:
 use the lazy brush to sculpt more smoothly (see page 18).
 mirror your sculpting moves across the model in real-time (see
page 20).

Sculpting using the lazy brush
When you use the Smooth, Smudge, Deposit, Carve, Erase, or
Transfer tools on a relief, you can now specify a distance between
the cursor and the point at which you start to sculpt. This delay,
known as the lazy brush, can enable you to sculpt more smoothly.
To sculpt using the lazy brush:
1 Select a sculpting tool. The Tool Settings panel for the tool is
displayed.
2 In the Behaviour section, select the Lazy brush distance check
box, then enter a distance by which the sculpting tool trails the
cursor. For example:

4 In the 3D View window, click and drag the cursor to start
sculpting. ArtCAM displays the outline of the sculpting tool and a
line between the cursor and the centre of the tool. For example:

When the distance between the cursor and the centre of
the tool is less than the specified lazy brush distance, no
sculpting occurs.
5 When you have finished sculpting, close the Tool Settings panel.

Mirroring sculpting moves
When you use a sculpting tool other than Putty, you can now mirror
sculpting moves across the model in real-time. This enables you to
sculpt quicker and is useful when applying sculpting to symmetrical
features.
To mirror sculpting moves:
1 Select a sculpting tool. The Tool Settings panel for the tool is
displayed.
2 In the Behaviour section, select the:
 Mirror X check box to mirror sculpting moves horizontally
across the model.
 Mirror Y check box to mirror sculpting moves vertically across
the model.
Select both check boxes to mirror sculpting moves

horizontally and vertically across the model at the same
time.
4 In the 3D View window, click and drag the cursor to start
sculpting. Any existing asymmetry on a model is not mirrored.

If you selected the Mirror X check box, ArtCAM mirrors the moves
horizontally across the model. For example:
If you selected the Mirror Y check box, ArtCAM mirrors the moves
vertically across the model. For example:
If you use the Deposit or Carve tools and a sculpting move

intersects its mirrored move, ArtCAM doubles the adding or
removing of material at the point of intersection. To
prevent this, select Limit in the Mode list.
5 When you have finished sculpting, close the Tool Settings panel.

New live tools
Three more relief tools now work in real time, enabling you see the
effects of your changes instantly in the View window:
 The Fade Relief tool (see page 23)
 The Create Angled Plane tool (see page 26)
 The 3D Blend tool (see page 29).

Fading a relief
The Fade Relief tool now works in real-time and its panel has been
replaced with the Tool Settings: Fade Relief panel. In addition, when
fading a relief linearly or radially, control points are now positioned
automatically and their position can be changed interactively in the
View window.
To fade a relief:
1 In the Project Tree, select the relief layer containing the reliefs
you want to fade.
2 On the Relief Editing toolbar, click the Fade Relief button to

display the Tool Settings: Fade Relief panel.
3 In the Fade strength field, enter a percentage for the strength of
the fade effect.
Alternatively, click and drag the slider.

4 To fade the relief in the opposite direction, select the Reverse
fade direction check box.
5 Choose a Fade type.

 Linear — Select this option to fade along a line between two
control points. ArtCAM displays two control points in the View
window, representing the Fade from and Fade to points. Click
and drag the control points to change their position.
Alternatively, change the control points' position by

specifying the X and Y coordinates in the panel.
 Radial — Select this option to fade outwards from a control
point to a selected, closed vector. ArtCAM displays a control
point in the View window. Click and drag the control point to
change the point's position, and use the control handles and
nodes on the vector if you want to modify the vector's shape.

Alternatively, change the control point's position by
 Between boundaries — Select this option to fade from an inner,
closed vector to an outer, closed vector. In the View window,
select the outer vector, and then select the inner vector. Use
the control handles and nodes on the vectors if you want to
modify the vectors' shape.
6 Click Apply to apply your changes.

7 Click Cancel to close the panel.

Creating an angled plane
The Create Angled Plane tool now works in real-time and its panel
has been replaced with the Tool Settings: Angled Plane panel. In
addition, when you create an angled plane, control points are now
positioned automatically and their position can be changed
interactively in the View window.
To create an angled plane:

1 Select the relief layer on which you want to create an angled
plane.
2 If you want to create the angled plane within a vector boundary,
select a closed vector.

3 On the Relief Creation toolbar, click the Create Angled Plane
button to display the Tool Settings: Angled Plane panel. Two
control points and two arrows are shown in the View window. For
example:
4 If you want to add a third control point, select the Use third point
check box.
5 Click and drag the control points to change their position.
Alternatively, specify the X and Y coordinates in the panel.

6 Click and drag the arrows to change the Z height of the relief
under the control points.
Alternatively, specify the Z coordinates in the panel.
7 If you selected a closed vector, use the control handles and

nodes on the vector if you want to modify the vector's shape.

8 Select a Combine mode to determine how the plane combines
with the current relief.

Creating a 3D blend
The 3D Blend tool now works in real-time and its panel is replaced
with the Tool Settings: 3D Blend panel. In addition, if specifying the
centre of the blended shape, a control point is now positioned
automatically and its position can be changed interactively in the
View window.
To create a 3D blend:
1 In the Project Tree, select the relief layer on which you want to
create the blended shape.
2 Select the vector to set the outline of the blended shape.

3 On the Relief Creation toolbar, click the 3D Blend button to
display the Tool Settings: 3D Blend panel.
4 Specify the settings in the Profile, Blend to, and Heights areas.
5 If you selected the Select point with cursor option in the Blend to
section, a control point is displayed at the centre of the selected
vector. Click and drag the control point to change the position of
the centre of the blend.
Alternatively, change the control point's position by

6 If you want to modify the shape of the selected vector, use the
vector's control handles and nodes in the View window.
7 Select a Combine mode to determine how the blended shape
combines with the selected relief.

Adding and editing bridges
Adding bridges to vectors and editing bridges has been improved to
enhance usability. There are now two options available to switch
between automatically adding bridges and updating existing
bridges. These options are available on the Tool Settings: Create
Bridges panel, and in the Add bridges section on the Profiling, Bevel
Carving, Female Inlay and Male Inlay panels.
For example, to add bridges to vectors or edit existing bridges using
the Create Bridges tool:
1 In the View window, select the vectors you want to work with.
2 In the Project Tree, select the Toolpaths item. The Toolpaths
panel is displayed below the splitter bar.
3 On the Toolpaths panel, click the Create Bridges button.

The Tool Settings: Create Bridges panel is displayed.
4 If you want to add bridges to the selected vectors:
a Select Auto Add Bridges.
b Specify the settings, then click Add to create the bridges.

5 If you want to edit all existing bridges:
a Select Update Bridges.
b Edit the settings, then click Update all to update all bridges.
6 Close the panel.

Creating sharp corners in a profiling
toolpath
You can now create a profiling toolpath with sharp corners.
To create a profiling toolpath with sharp corners:
1 Display the Profiling panel.
2 In the Profile Type & Vector Association section, select the Sharp
corners check box.
3 Complete the panel, then click Calculate Now to calculate the

toolpath.
When using a tapered tool to machine a model from a toolpath
containing sharp corners, the base and the top of the corners will be
sharp. For example:
Sharp corners selected Sharp corners deselected

Working with assemblies
There are several improvements when working with assemblies. You
can now:
 identify items in the View window by selecting them in the
Project Tree (see page 34).
 select and manage multiple items in the Project Tree and in the
View window (see page 34).
 cut, copy, paste, and delete items in the View window using
standard keyboard shortcuts, and paste items as reliefs in a
model (see page 35).
Identifying items in the View window

When you select items in the Project Tree, the corresponding items
in the View window are now outlined in pink, enabling you to quickly
identify them. For example:
Selecting and managing multiple items

You can now select multiple items in the Project Tree and in the
View window, and manage them as you would a single selected item
in previous versions of ArtCAM.
To select multiple items in the Project Tree:
1 Press and old the Ctrl key while selecting the items.

2 To manage the selected items, right-click, and select an option in
the context menu. For example:
3 Use the buttons on the panel below the splitter bar to manage
the selected items further. Click:
to move, rotate, and scale the selected items.
to enable object selection in the View window.
to snap the selected items to the top of the 3D printing

platform.
This button is available only if the selected items are

associated with a 3D Printing Platform item (see page 37).
To select multiple assembly items in the View window:
1 Press and hold the Shift key while selecting the items.
Alternatively, click and drag to draw a box over the items.

2 To manage the selected items, right-click, and select an option in
the context menu.
To view the total dimensions for the selected items, select

Properties in the context menu.
Cutting, copying, pasting, and deleting items

You can now use standard Windows keyboard shortcuts to cut,
copy, paste, and delete items in the View window:
 Press the Ctrl+X keys to remove the selected items and copy
them to the clipboard.

 Press the Ctrl+C keys to copy the selected items to the clipboard.
 Press the Ctrl+V keys to paste the selected items from the
clipboard.
You can copy objects from PowerShape and use this

keyboard shortcut to paste them into an assembly in
ArtCAM.
 Press the Delete key to remove the selected items.
Pasting as a relief in a model

There is a new Paste Mesh option on the context menu that is
displayed when you right-click a Model item in the Project Tree.
Use this option to paste assembly objects from the clipboard as
reliefs in a model.

3D Printing
To improve usability and reduce set-up time, the 3D printing
function has been redesigned and enhanced for ArtCAM 2017. New
features in this release include:
 3D Printing Platform items (see page 38) to group together all the
elements required for a print job.
 A Printers Library (see page 40) to specify and manage your 3D
printers.
 Selecting a printer to display its build space (see page 42).
 A Platform Settings panel (see page 43) for controlling the nesting
and alignment of parts.
 3D Printing Structures items (see page 45) for managing support
structures.
 Contact Points Templates (see page 47) to enable quicker creation
of regularly used contact point groups.
 Additional Batch Assembly options (see page 50) for the
management of 3D printing jobs.
 A 3D Printing menu (see page 52) to provide quick access to
export functions and the libraries used to set up printing jobs.

3D Printing Platform item
The 3D Printing Platform item is new for ArtCAM 2017. As well as
enabling you to manage 3D printing jobs in one place, 3D Printing
Platform items can automatically align and nest parts within the
printer's build space when you import them. All the parts you want
to print must be imported into a 3D Printing Platform item.
To create a 3D Printing Platform item:
1 In the Project Tree, right-click the Assembly item you want to
print, and select Create New 3D Printing Platform from the menu.
A 3D Printing Platform item is listed below the Assembly item in
the Project Tree.
2 Select the 3D Printing Platform item in the Project Tree. The 3D
Printing Platform panel is displayed.
3 If you want to specify the details of a new printer, click

and enter the details in the Printers Library (see page 40).
4 Click Select Printer (see page 42) and choose the printer to
manufacture the assembly.
5 Click to automate the positioning of parts (see page 43)

when you add them to the 3D Printing Platform item.
6 Using the following methods, add the parts you want to print:
 drag items from the Project Tree and drop them on the 3D
Printing Platform item.
 right-click the 3D Printing Platform item and select Import to
import assemblies from file.
 click the Components Library button and add parts from

the library.
7 Use the buttons in the Positioning, Children, and 3D print sections
to complete the item. Click:
to display the Platform Alignment panel. Click an

arrow to move all the parts to a corner or the
centre of the platform.
to adjust the position of the selected platform
when multiple platforms are displayed in the View
window.

to create multiple copies of the assembly for batch
printing (see page 50).
to change the settings for the selected printer.
to create copies of the platform when not all the

parts will fit into a single build space.
8 Click the Create New 3D Printing Structures (see page 45)

button to specify supports for the part.
9 When you have specified all the settings for the 3D printing
platform item, click the Print button:

 If you selected a Spark printer in step 4, the Spark Printing
panel is displayed. Select the print settings; enter an export
location; then click Export to Printer. ArtCAM exports the
assembly as a tar.gz file.
 If you selected an STL printer in step 4, the Local STL Printing
panel is displayed. Enter an export location, then click Export.
ArtCAM exports the assembly as an .stl file.
10 Load the file onto the target printer and run it.

Specifying 3D printers
The Printers Library panel is new for ArtCAM 2017. Use it to specify,
organize, and maintain the 3D printers that are available for
manufacturing, and to view and edit the type, dimensions, and
other details of each printer.
To add a printer to the library:
1 In the 3D Printing Platform panel, click the Printers Library

button. The Printers Library panel is displayed.
Alternatively, click the Edit Library button on the Printer

Selector panel, or select the 3D Printing > Printers menu
option.
2 If you want to add a new section to the panel:
a Click New Section. A section is added to the panel, and the
panel is re-ordered alphabetically.
b Right-click the section's title bar, select Rename from the
menu, and enter a name.
3 In the section where you want to locate the printer, click New
File. A printer icon is added to the section.

4 Right-click the new icon, select Rename from the context menu,
and enter a name for the printer.
5 Click the new icon. The Printer Editing panel is displayed.
6 If you want to change the icon used for the printer, click Change
Icon, select an image file, and click Open.
7 Enter a Name for the printer.
This name is displayed only in the Printer Editing panel.

8 In the Printer type list, select the file format required by the
printer.
9 In the Dimensions section, enter the Width, Length, and Height of
the printer's build space. These values determine the size of the
build space (see page 42) displayed in the View window.
10 If you selected a Printer type of Spark, enter the Resolution of the
images from which parts will be manufactured.
11 Click to save your changes and close the Printer Editing panel.
To change the details of a printer, click its icon in the library and
edit the details in the Printer Editing panel. To delete a section or a
printer from the Printers Library panel, right-click the item, and
select Delete.

Selecting a printer
Previously, you could only select a 3D printer after preparing an
assembly for printing. In ArtCAM 2017, you can select a printer as
part of creating a 3D Printing Platform item (see page 38). This
enables ArtCAM to display the printer's build space in the View
window so you can see how well the parts fit the platform.
To select a printer for a 3D printing Platform item:
1 In the 3D Printing Platform panel, click Select Printer. The Printer
Selector panel displays the currently specified printers.
2 In the Printer Selector panel, click the printer with which you
want to manufacture the parts. The Printer Selector panel closes,
and the printer is displayed in the 3D Printing Platform panel.

In addition, the View window displays a grey platform,
representing the printer's build plate; and a box, representing
the limits of the build space.
To hide the build space, click in the 3D Printing Platform item.

To redisplay the build space, click the icon again.
Specifying the platform settings

Use the Platform Settings panel to control the automatic positioning,
nesting, and alignment of the parts you add to a 3D Printing Platform
item (see page 38).
To specify the platform settings for a 3D Printing Platform item:

1 In the 3D Printing Platform panel, click the Platform Settings
button. The Platform Settings panel is displayed.
Alternatively, click the Platform settings icon of the 3D

Printing Platform item in the Project Tree.
2 To position imported parts above the platform:
a Select the Adjust height when importing check box.
b Enter a value in the Height box.
c If you want to apply the height adjustment to previously
imported parts, click Readjust heights now.
3 To automatically align the Z axes of imported parts with the Z
axis of the platform, select Orient parts automatically.
4 To automatically nest imported parts:
a Select Arrange parts automatically.
b Choose an option in the Select nesting type list. Select:
Basic box to nest the parts as though a bounding box
surrounds each one.
Silhouette to base the nesting on the parts' outlines.
c In the Spacing box, enter the minimum separation between
each part.

d In the Border box, enter the minimum separation between the
platform edge and the parts.
e In the Resolution box, enter the maximum distance by which
nesting can vary from the Spacing value. Lower values reduce
the distance between parts, but increase the time required for
calculating nesting.
f If you selected a nesting type of Silhouette, enter the
minimum angle by which ArtCAM can rotate the parts while
nesting. Smaller angles reduce the distance between parts
and increase the calculation time.
g To apply the arrangement settings to previously imported
parts, click Rearrange now.
5 To automatically create more platforms when the parts do not fit
the build space, select Overspill onto new platform.
Deselecting this option can restrict the number of copies

created by Batch Assembly items (see page 50).
6 To use the current settings as the defaults when you create more
3D Printing Platform items, click Set as default.
3D Printing Structures item

Previously, when supports were required to steady an assembly
during printing, they were created and managed through the 3D
Printing Job panel. In ArtCAM 2017, supports are managed using 3D
Printing Structures items, which can be specified for individual
assemblies or 3D Printing Platform items (see page 38). This
provides the flexibility to create one structure for all the parts in a
platform item, or to create different structures for different parts of
the job.
To create a 3D Printing Structures item:
1 In the 3D Printing Platform panel, click the Create New 3D Printing
Structures button. A 3D Printing Structures item is added to

the Project Tree.

Alternatively, to create a structure for an individual item
right-click the item, and select Create New 3D Printing
Structures in the context menu.
2 Select the 3D Printing Structures item in the Project Tree. The 3D
Printing Structures panel is displayed.
3 In the Distance from base to bottom field, enter the distance from
the bottom of the part to the top of the base. Alternatively, if you
are creating a structure for a 3D Printing Platform item, select
Rest on platform to automatically calculate the distance between
the part and the base.
4 In the Base thickness field, enter the depth of the base. The base
must be thick enough to support the part, and there must be
sufficient space between the part and the base to create
supports.
5 To create an outline base, select Silhouette base. To create a
rectangular base, deselect Silhouette base and enter a value in
the Border thickness field to specify how far the base should
extend beyond the edges of the part. For example:
Silhouette Base Silhouette Base

selected deselected
6 Use the buttons in the Contact Points and Supports section, to

create and manage contact points and supports. Click:

to create supports.
to automatically generate contact points.
to create supports from contact point groups.
to create a contact point group.
to load contact point groups from a template.
to display the Contact Points Template Library panel (see

page 47).
to display the Support Library panel.
Contact point templates

Contact point groups organize contact points by the type of support
they create. For example, one group can contain points that create
supports at the bottom of a part; another group can contain points
that create supports on a part's side.
Because it can take time to create and maintain groups you use
repeatedly, ArtCAM 2017 includes the ability to create Contact Point
templates. These enable you to save the settings of one or more
contact point groups so you can quickly generate the groups you
regularly use in print jobs.
To create a contact points template:
1 In the 3D printing Structures panel, click the Contact Points Library
button.
Alternatively, click the Edit Library button on the Contact

Points Selector panel, or select the 3D Printing > Contact
Points Templates menu option.

2 In the section in which you want to create the template, click the
New File icon. A New File icon is displayed.
3 Click the icon you created. The Contact Point Group Editor panel is
displayed.
4 Enter a Name for the contact point group. This is the name used
to create the group in the Project Tree when you apply the
template to a project.
5 Click the Select colour button and choose an option in the Color
dialog to specify an identification colour for the contact point
group.
6 Click Select Support Type to specify the type of support you want
the group to contain. The Support Type Selector panel is
displayed.

7 Click an icon to specify the type of support to be created by this
group. The icon and its name are displayed in the Contact Point
Group Editor panel.
8 To restrict the group's contact points to an area of the part:

a Click Limit region.
b In the Maximum height field, enter the maximum height for
the group’s contact points as a percentage of the part height.
c In the Minimum height field, enter the minimum height for the
group’s contact points as a percentage of the part height.
9 To add another group to the template, click Add Group. The
settings of a new contact point group are displayed below those
of the previous group. Repeat steps 4 to 8 to specify the details
of the new group.
Click Delete Group to remove a contact point group from the

template.
10 When you have specified the details of all the groups you want to
include in the template, click to return to the Contact Points
Library template:
To create contact points groups from a template:
1 Select the 3D Printing Structures item in which you want to create
the contact point groups.
2 On the 3D Printing Structures panel, click the Load Contact Point
Groups from Template button. The Create Contact Point

Groups panel is displayed.

3 Click Select Template. The Contact Points Selector panel is
displayed.
4 Click the template for the groups you want to create. The Create
Contact Point Groups panel is displayed.
If you close the Contact Points Selector panel without

returning to the Create Contact Point Groups panel, the
Contact Points Selector panel is displayed when you next
click the Load Contact Point Groups from Template button.
5 Click Create Groups. The contact point groups specified in the
template are added to the 3D Printing Structures item and are
listed in the Project Tree. You can now generate supports from
the groups.
Creating batch assemblies for 3D printing

The Batch Assembly panel contains a new Layout type for creating
multiple copies of an assembly within a 3D Printing Platform. Use it
to ensure all the assemblies are positioned within the build space
(see page 42).
To create a Batch Assembly item using the new layout type:
1 In the 3D Printing Platform panel, click the Batch Assembly

button. A Batch Assembly item is added to the 3D printing
Platform item in the Project Tree.
2 Select the Batch Assembly item in the Project Tree. The Batch
Assembly panel is displayed.

3 In the Layout type list, select Platform Nesting.
4 Use the copies settings to control how many assemblies are

created:
 To create the maximum number of parts that can fit on the
3D Printing Platform, select Maximize copies.
 To create a specified number of parts, enter a value in the
Number of copies field. When Overspill onto new platform is
selected in the Platform Settings panel (see page 43), ArtCAM
automatically creates the specified number, and creates more
platforms if all the parts do not fit in the printer's build space;
when Overspill onto new platform is deselected, ArtCAM creates
only as many parts as it can fit on the original platform.
In addition to the new Layout type, the Positioning section of the
Batch Assembly panel contains a new Snap to Platform button.
Click the button to reposition the selected parts to rest on the top of
the platform.

3D Printing menu
The File > 3D Printing submenu has been replaced by a new,
extended 3D Printing menu on the menu bar. As before, you can use
it to export models for printing, but it now also enables you to
access the libraries used to manage print settings. Select:
 Print Relief to export the selected relief or relief layer to file for
printing. The 3D Print panel is displayed, in which you can specify
the type of printer to be used and its details.
 Print Project to export the visible project assemblies to file for
printing. The 3D Print panel is displayed, in which you can specify
the type of printer to be used and its details.
 Supports to manage and organize the types of support that can
be used in print jobs. The Supports Library panel is displayed,
from which you can create, view, and modify support types.
 Print Settings to manage and organize the templates used to
apply printer settings to a job. The Print Settings Library panel is
displayed, from which you can create, view, and modify the
templates.
 Printers to select the printer with which you want to print the
relief or assembly. The Printers Library panel (see page 40) is
displayed from which you can select a pre-defined printer. You
can also use the panel to enter the dimensions and resolutions of
new printers.
 Contact Point Templates to manage and organize the templates
used to create contact point groups in 3D Printing Structures.
The Contact Points Template Library panel (see page 47) is
displayed, from which you can create, view, and modify contact
point templates.

Miscellaneous changes
ArtCAM 2017 includes the following miscellaneous changes and
enhancements:
 You can now use the SpaceMouse to move around the 3D View
window.
 File dialogs have been updated to a more modern style. An
example is the Open dialog when you open a model.
 Information about tutorials is now available from the new
starting layout (see page 5).
 You can now click and drag relief clipart directly when using the
Select tool, rather than having to click and drag the relief outline.
 The Inlay option on the Toolpath > New 2D Toolpath sub-menu is
renamed New Inlay Toolpath. Select the renamed option to
display a sub-menu of options for quicker access to the Female
Pocket, Female Inlay, Female Stepped Pocket, Female Stepped
Inlay, Male Insert, and Male Stepped Insert panels.
 The Toolbox panel is no longer tabbed on the right docking area.
To display the panel, right-click a docking area and select
Toolbox in the context menu.
 The relief clipart provided with your ArtCAM installation is now
accessed online. If you want to download the reliefs, click Get
More Clipart in the Relief Clipart Library panel.

Index
3 E
3D blend • 29 Exporting • 16, 34
3D printing
Contact points • 45, 47, 52
Platform • 34, 38, 40, 42, 43, 45, 50 F
Settings • 40, 52 Fade relief • 23
Structures • 45, 52 File dialogs • 53
Font style • 13
A
About panel • 4 I
Add-in • 9, 10 Inlay toolpaths • 53
Angled plane • 26
Assemblies • 34, 35, 38, 45, 50, 52
K
B Keyboard shortcuts • 9, 10, 35
Batch assembly • 50
Bitmap layer • 8 L
Bridges • 31
Layout • 5
Lazy brush • 18
C License • 4
Contact point templates • 47, 52
Contact points • 45, 47, 52 M
Create bridges • 31
Mirroring • 20
D
N
Drag vectors • 15
Nodes • 12
Autodesk ArtCAM 2017 Index • 55

O U
Options panel • 7 Use vector layer colours • 16
P V
Paste mesh • 35 Vector layers • 8, 15
Platform alignment • 38 Vector text • 13
Platform settings • 43 Vectors • 13, 15, 16, 31
Polyline creation • 12 View window • 7, 34
Polylines • 12
Printer settings • 40
Printers library • 40 Z
Printing platform • 38 Zooming • 7
Profile toolpath • 33
Profiling panel • 33
Project Tree • 8, 34, 35
R
Relief clipart • 53
Relief group • 8
Relief layer • 8, 23, 26, 29, 35, 52
S
Sculpting tools • 17, 18, 20
Select • 42
Sharp corners • 33
Sheets • 8
Shortcuts • 9, 10, 35
Snap to platform • 50
Space mouse • 53
Start panel • 5
Starting page • 5
T
Text tool • 13
Tool Settings panel
3D blend • 29
Angled plane • 26
Create bridges • 31
Fade relief • 23
Polyline creation • 12
Text tool • 13
Toolbox • 9, 10
Toolpaths • 33, 53
56 • Index What's New

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Autodesk ArtCAM 2017

Autodesk ArtCAM 2017 Contents • i

Autodesk ArtCAM 2017 What's New in ArtCAM 2017 • 1

2 • What's New in ArtCAM 2017 What's New

Autodesk ArtCAM 2017 What's New in ArtCAM 2017 • 3

4 • What's New in ArtCAM 2017 What's New

The starting page

Menu bar — Click an entry to display a menu of options,

Most of the options become active only when you create

Autodesk ArtCAM 2017 What's New in ArtCAM 2017 • 5

The Face Wizard continues to be available on the Toolbox

6 • What's New in ArtCAM 2017 What's New

Some options in the dialog might not be available in your

Autodesk ArtCAM 2017 What's New in ArtCAM 2017 • 7

To create a layer or sheet:

8 • What's New in ArtCAM 2017 What's New

2 Enter a Name for the shortcut.

a Click . The Open dialog is displayed.

Autodesk ArtCAM 2017 What's New in ArtCAM 2017 • 9

To cancel your changes, click Reset.

Editing keyboard shortcuts

To restore all keyboard shortcuts to their default key

10 • What's New in ArtCAM 2017 What's New

2 Click the Create Polyline button. The Tool Settings: Polyline

5 Complete the polyline:

12 • What's New in ArtCAM 2017 What's New

When you select a font, an example of the font is shown in the

3 Complete the panel.

Autodesk ArtCAM 2017 What's New in ArtCAM 2017 • 13

14 • What's New in ArtCAM 2017 What's New

Autodesk ArtCAM 2017 What's New in ArtCAM 2017 • 15

7 Click Save to save the vectors and close the dialog.

16 • What's New in ArtCAM 2017 What's New

Autodesk ArtCAM 2017 What's New in ArtCAM 2017 • 17

3 Complete the panel.

18 • What's New in ArtCAM 2017 What's New

Autodesk ArtCAM 2017 What's New in ArtCAM 2017 • 19

Select both check boxes to mirror sculpting moves

20 • What's New in ArtCAM 2017 What's New

If you use the Deposit or Carve tools and a sculpting move

Autodesk ArtCAM 2017 What's New in ArtCAM 2017 • 21

22 • What's New in ArtCAM 2017 What's New

2 On the Relief Editing toolbar, click the Fade Relief button to

Alternatively, click and drag the slider.

Autodesk ArtCAM 2017 What's New in ArtCAM 2017 • 23

Alternatively, change the control points' position by

24 • What's New in ArtCAM 2017 What's New

6 Click Apply to apply your changes.

Autodesk ArtCAM 2017 What's New in ArtCAM 2017 • 25

To create an angled plane:

26 • What's New in ArtCAM 2017 What's New

Alternatively, specify the X and Y coordinates in the panel.

Alternatively, specify the Z coordinates in the panel.

7 If you selected a closed vector, use the control handles and

Autodesk ArtCAM 2017 What's New in ArtCAM 2017 • 27

28 • What's New in ArtCAM 2017 What's New

Autodesk ArtCAM 2017 What's New in ArtCAM 2017 • 29

Alternatively, change the control point's position by

30 • What's New in ArtCAM 2017 What's New