Autodesk ArtCAM 2018.2 Update
December 2017
Version: 2018.2.0
Build: 2017-12-07-1854-b336f4842
Autodesk ArtCAM 2018.2 Update Readme
Autodesk, Inc.
In a continuing effort to provide high-quality products, Autodesk has released the ArtCAM 2018.2 Update. This readme highlights significant new improvements and contains information about the fixes included in this update.
* [F] denotes Free, [S] denotes Standard & [P] denotes Premium.
Interface
- Welcome page's Instructables ArtCAM Class renamed and redirected to Instructables ArtCAM Premium Class. [P]
- Notes moved to Project panel. [F] [S] [P]
- Display/Hide Notes button removed from File toolbar. [F] [S] [P]
- Model > Display/Hide Notes menu option removed. [F] [S] [P]
- New Change Simulation Colour swatch displayed by each calculated toolpath in Project tree. [F] [S] [P]
- Toggle 2D Simulation Visibility control in Project tree renamed as Toggle Simulation Colour Visibility. [F] [S] [P]
- New Toggle Colour Simulation Visibility controls for 3D toolpath groups and 3D toolpaths in Project tree. [S] [P]
- Options panel's Toolpath Simulation swatch in 2D Drawing Colours category moved to new Toolpath Simulation category and renamed Default Toolpath Simulation Colour. [F] [S] [P]
- Options panel's Toolpath Simulation swatch in 3D Drawing Colours category moved to new Toolpath Simulation category and renamed Simulation Block Material. [F] [S] [P]
File Handling
- Ensured chosen file format is stored when importing and exporting. [F] [S] [P]
Toolpaths
- Enhanced colour toolpath simulation. [F] [S] [P]
- Added SCM Pratika (MM) (*.xxl) option to Save Toolpaths dialog's Machine file format list. [F] [S] [P]
- Added Anderson Exxact Duo Left Table Spindle1 Inch (*.nc) option to Save Toolpaths dialog's Machine file format list. [F] [S] [P]
- Added Anderson Exxact Duo Left Table Spindle2 Inch (*.nc) option to Save Toolpaths dialog's Machine file format list. [F] [S] [P]
- Added Anderson Exxact Duo Right Table Spindle1 Inch (*.nc) option to Save Toolpaths dialog's Machine file format list. [F] [S] [P]
- Added Anderson Exxact Duo Right Table Spindle2 Inch (*.nc) option to Save Toolpaths dialog's Machine file format list. [F] [S] [P]
- Added Anderson Exxact Duo SYNC Table Spindle1 Inch (*.nc) option to Save Toolpaths dialog's Machine file format list. [F] [S] [P]
- Added Anderson Exxact Duo SYNC Table Spindle2 Inch (*.nc) option to Save Toolpaths dialog's Machine file format list. [F] [S] [P]
Interface
- Improved distinction between available and unavailable settings in Tool Settings: Shape Editor Tool panel. [S] [P]
- Improved distinction between available and unavailable settings in Vector Doctor panel. [F] [S] [P]
- Ensured Start page is displayed when cancelling exiting ArtCAM then closing model. [F] [S] [P]
- Prevented tools from becoming inaccessible and view becoming blanked grey when Node Editing vectors. [F] [S] [P]
Toolpaths
- Ensured bridges created on active sheet do not remain displayed in 2D View after changing active sheet. [S] [P]
- Ensured toolpath output files using Biesse, Busellato or Fanuc pmoptz post processors are correct. [S] [P]
Interface
- Ensured specified Background colour in Lights & Material panel is applied to view. [S] [P]
- Ensured stacking order of relief groups in Project tree can be set by clicking and dragging. [S] [P]
File Handling
- Ensured vectors in EPS format can be imported to centre of model area. [F] [S] [P]
Modelling
- Ensured Create Triangle Mesh tool creates correct mesh when closing with back relief. [S] [P]
- Ensured mesh is drawn correctly in view when selecting Create Triangle Mesh tool's Wireframe drawing mode. [S] [P]
Assembly
- Prevented visible meshes from being temporarily hidden while twiddling or rotating view. [S] [P]
- Ensured Material is applied to assembly using Edit Object Shading tool. [P]
- Ensured correct outline is displayed in view when assembly item is selected in Project tree. [P]
Toolpaths
- Added updated Datron Neo Next Arc Cutter Comp ISO (MM) (*.ISO) option to Save Toolpaths dialog's Machine file format list. [F] [S] [P]
- Added CR_Onsrud Fanuc (*.nc) option to Save Toolpaths dialog's Machine file format list. [F] [S] [P]
Interface
- Ensured tools have independent Tolerance settings. [F] [S] [P]
- Ensured toolbars are preserved when Windows display settings are 175%. [F] [S] [P]
- Ensured panel's buttons are accessible when Windows display settings are above 100%. [F] [S] [P]
Modelling
- Ensured meshes created by Create Triangle Mesh tool aren't flipped. [S] [P]
Toolpaths
- Prevented gouge in 2D Area Clearance toolpath. [S] [P]
- Prevented hanging when toggling 2D visibility of toolpaths using Custom Form tools. [S] [P]
User Experience
- Extended support for Intel and AMD graphics. [F] [S] [P]
- Implemented new online help system. [F] [S] [P]
Interface
- Triangle Mesh and Quadrangle Mesh options added to Export Mesh As dialog; displayed when saving mesh in OBJ format. [S] [P]
- New Toolpath > New 2D Toolpath > Smart Engraving menu option. [S]
- OpenGL Drawing Mode settings removed from 3D Graphics Options panel. [F] [S] [P]
- Use FrameBuffer Objects check box removed from 3D Graphics Options panel's Offscreen Rendering settings. [F] [S] [P]
- Added Welcome page to Start screen. [P]
- Added Explore category to Start screen's Welcome page. [F] [S]
- Repositioned New Model, New Project and Open options to left of Start screen. [P]
- Added thumbnails for files in Start screen's Recent Models list. [F] [S] [P]
- Start screen's Help option displays new online help in new browser window. [F] [S] [P]
- New View > Share > New Shared View menu option. [S] [P]
- New View > Share > Shared Views menu option. [S] [P]
- New Shared Views panel. [S] [P]
- Help > Help menu option replaces Help > Contents and Help > What's New menu options; displays online help in new browser window. [F] [S] [P]
- Help > Autodesk ArtCAM Home Page menu option renamed Help > Home Page. [F] [S] [P]
- Help > Autodesk ArtCAM Forum menu option renamed Help > Forum. [F] [S] [P]
- New Help > Tutorials menu option; displays ArtCAM YouTube channel in new browser window. [F] [S] [P]
- Scale Relief Height dialog replaced with Tool Settings: Scale Relief panel; displayed when creating relief from bitmap layer. [S] [P]
- Replaced Active Files ScreenTip with Views ScreenTip for tabbed views. [F] [S] [P]
- Updated Vector Layers panel's content to be consistent with Project tree. [S] [P]
- Replace text referring to Exchange with Autodesk Manufacturing Data Exchange Utility. [F] [S] [P]
- Replaced Selected and Not Selected text labels with check mark and cross icons in Texture Flow and Texture Toolpath panel's settings. [S] [P]
Exporting
- This update includes a new feature, Shared Views, which allows collaboration on a representation of a relief within a web browser. Using a link provided by you, anyone can view and comment on a Shared View without needing to have an Autodesk product installed. Shared Views is only available to subscription users. [S] [P] * Subscription only
- New option to save a quadrangle mesh in OBJ format using the Create Triangle Mesh tool. [S] [P]
Relief Creation & Editing
- Extended options when creating relief from bitmap layer. [S] [P]
Toolpaths
- New Smart Engraving toolpath. [S]
- Removed 3-character limit for toolpath output file extensions. [F] [S] [P]
- Added Sec Velocity 3X (*.sec) option to Save Toolpaths dialog's Machine file format list. [F] [S] [P]
- Added Smoothie_Arc_MM_TC (*.NGC) option to Save Toolpaths dialog's Machine file format list. [F] [S] [P]
- Added Biesse Rover A BH660 mm Absolute (*.ISO) option to Save Toolpaths dialog's Machine file format list. [F] [S] [P]
- Added Torchmate_Inch (*.gm) option to Save Toolpaths dialog's Machine file format list. [F] [S] [P]
- Added Flexicam Toolchanger with Drill Banks Stealth III (*.GC) option to Save Toolpaths dialog's Machine file format list. [F] [S] [P]
- Added ULI-CNC Indexer (mm) (*.CNC) option to Save Toolpaths dialog's Machine file format list. [F] [S] [P]
Interface
- Ensured panels do not become inaccessible after closing model. [F] [S] [P]
- Ensured visibility status of relief groups in Project tree is stored when saving model. [S] [P]
- Ensured correct Undo options are included in Edit menu when deleting vectors. [F] [S] [P]
- Ensured Start screen's text labels are displayed correctly in all language versions. [F] [S] [P]
- Ensured Tool Settings: Text Tool panel's content is displayed correctly in Turkish language version. [F] [S] [P]
- Ensured Apply button in Tool Settings: Transform panel's Origin Position settings is sized correctly in Japanese, Chinese & Korean language versions. [F] [S] [P]
- Ensured toolbar ScreenTips displayed correctly. [F] [S] [P]
- Ensured correct context menu is displayed when right-clicking selected radiused rectangles. [F] [S] [P]
- Ensured selected overlapping vectors are shown as selected in 3D View. [F] [S] [P]
- Ensured Options panel is sized to display all categories. [F] [S] [P]
- Ensured only selected library is highlighted in Relief Clipart Library panel's Choose Library list. [S] [P]
- Prevented white flashing in interface framework. [F] [S] [P]
- Ensured custom keyboard shortcuts call same tool command between 2D and 3D View. [F] [S] [P]
Bitmap Creation & Editing
- Ensured swatches in Colour Palette can be linked by dragging and dropping. [F] [S] [P]
- Ensured all selected custom colours are added to Colour Palette using Add New Colour to Palette dialog. [F] [S] [P]
Vector Creation & Editing
- Prevented crash when nesting vectors with Nesting panel's Send to vector library check box selected. [S] [P]
- Ensured mirroring model horizontally does not change structure of vectors comprising arc spans. [F] [S] [P]
- Ensured vectors resulting from Block and Copy Rotate tool are drawn correctly in 2D View. [F] [S] [P]
- Ensured correct Undo options are included in Edit menu when deleting vectors. [F] [S] [P]
- Ensured correct context menu is displayed when editing radiused rectangles. [F] [S] [P]
- Ensured selected overlapping vectors are shown as selected in 3D View. [F] [S] [P]
Relief Creation & Editing
- Ensured status of Spin tool's Sweep 360 degrees check box is acquired. [S] [P]
- Ensured visibility status of relief groups in Project tree is stored when saving model. [S] [P]
File Handling
- Ensured vectors exported from ArtCAM in EPS format are re-imported in their original position. [F] [S] [P]
Vector Creation & Editing
- Ensured Vector Shadow tool creates vectors according to specified Stepover. [S] [P]
Toolpaths
- Ensured filleted vectors are machined accurately by Smart Engraving toolpath. [P]
- Prevented misplaced plunge moves in V-Bit Carving toolpath. [S] [P]
- Ensured crescent shapes are machined accurately by V-Bit Carving toolpath. [S] [P]
File Handling
- Ensured structure of vector characters is preserved when importing EPS files. [F] [S] [P]
- Prevented crash resulting from ArtCAM starting with WinTab Services Not Available error. [F] [S] [P]
Modelling
- Ensured undoing cropping of model to vector does not offset model. [F] [S] [P]
File Handling
- Prevented crash when auto-saving model while print preview is displayed. [F] [S] [P]
Vector Creation & Editing
- Prevented crash when drag-selecting text on a curve while using Create Vector Text tool. [F] [S] [P]
Relief Creation & Editing
- Prevented crash when closing model while Create Angled Plane tool is selected. [S] [P]
- Prevented crash when changing Paste Combine Mode associated with floating relief clipart. [S] [P]
- Prevented crash when deleting relief layer when Scale Relief tool is selected. [S] [P]
- Ensured Scale Relief panel's settings update when active relief layer changes while tool is selected. [S] [P]
Toolpaths
- Ensured Feature Machining toolpath machines in expected order. [S] [P]
- Prevented crash when transforming toolpaths. [S] [P]
Interface
- Prevented crash when showing cursor information and manipulating view. [F] [S] [P]
Relief Creation & Editing
- Ensured Shape Editor creates accurate circular and elongated shapes. [S] [P]
3D Printing
- Ensured PNG output files are named and numbered correctly when 4-digit Layer Numbers check box is selected. [S] [P]
Toolpaths
- Prevented crash when calculating Smart Engraving toolpath. [S] [P]
Interface
- Ensured interface colour scheme is preserved when opening models. [F] [S] [P]
- Added PNG option to Printer Editing panel's Printer Type list. [S] [P]
- Added Mirror PNG Layers in Y check box to Printer Editing panel, displayed when PNG type is selected. [S] [P]
- Added 4-digit Layer Numbers check box to Printer Editing panel, displayed when PNG type is selected. [S] [P]
- Renamed 3D Print panel's Spark option to Spark/PNG. [S] [P]
- Ensured Dimensions header is hidden on Project panel when multiple assembly items are selected in tree. [P]
File Handling
- Prevented crash when creating and opening models. [F] [S]
- Ensured origin zero position is stored in exported Simple Relief Format files (*.srf). [S] [P]
Vector Creation & Editing
- Prevented crash when using Vector Shadow tool without a relief. [S] [P]
- Prevented crash when copying and pasting vectors between vector layers. [S] [P]
- Ensured cursor is not lost when holding down Ctrl key while in Transform mode. [F] [S] [P]
Relief Creation & Editing
- Ensured specified and applied strength values reposition Smooth Relief and Fade Relief tool sliders. [S] [P]
- Ensured unwanted holes are not created in relief. [S] [P]
- Prevented crash when closing model while Smooth Relief tool is selected. [S] [P]
- Ensured cursor is not lost when holding down Ctrl key while in Transform mode. [F] [S] [P]
3D Printing
- Implemented option to control whether slices are mirrored when printing to PNG printer types. [S] [P]
- Implemented option to control how slices are numbered when printing to PNG printer types. [S] [P]
Toolpaths
- Improved accuracy of Smart Engraving toolpath. [P]
- Prevented gouge resulting from Feature Machining toolpath. [P]
- Prevented crash when calculating V-Bit Carving toolpath with a Roughing tool. [S] [P]
- Prevented crash when simulating toolpaths. [F] [S] [P]
- Ensured toolpath bridges in legacy ArtCAM Model files (*.art) are preserved. [S] [P]
We thank all of our customers who identified these issues and reported them
to Autodesk. These reports give us the opportunity to improve the product and
provide you with the best solutions for artistic modelling and manufacture. Autodesk also thanks
you for your continued support and feedback regarding the content of this update release.
Respectfully,
Autodesk ArtCAM Product Team
Copyright © 2017 Autodesk, Inc.