FeatureCAM Version 9 and above comes with the ability customize
and enhance the software to your particular requirements.
Some sample addins come with FeatureCAM right out of the box, and
you'll find them in Program Files\FeatureCAM\Addins. But there
are additional addins that you can download from this web page.
Some of these addins are simple examples to help you learn how to
program FeatureCAM yourself. Others are useful in their own
right.
You can learn to write your own FeatureCAM applications by consulting the FeatureCAM API help file that comes with V9.3
and later.
You can install addins using the Addin menu item in the Options
menu of FeatureCAM. Choose the Add-Ins menu item in the Options
menu. This brings up the Add-ins dialog that lists the add-ins
available to you. The add-ins you see in the screen grab below
are the ones that are installed with FeatureCAM. These are
the .bas files that are installed in the C:\Program Files\FeatureCAM\ADDINS
folder (there may be more of these since this screen grab was
taken). In order to install an addin that you've downloaded
from our website, you need to press the folder icon just to the
left of the OK button. The folder icon will allow you to browse
your hard drive in order to find the addin that you downloaded.
If you don't remember where you put the file, then download it again
paying special attention to where you are putting the file so that
you can find it later when you visit the Addins dialog box.
| Addin |
Required FeatureCAM Version |
| CustomViews.bas
This macro shows how you can manipulate the view using
the SetViewVector method. This macro creates a "Views"
toolbar and populates it with buttons. Requires 9.2.0.06.
Posted 1/10/03 |
9.2.0.06 and Above |
| HorizontalViews.bas
This macro set views (left, right, isometric, top, front)
as if viewed on a horizontal spindle machine. Creates a
toolbar and buttons. Requires 9.2.0.06. Posted
10/20/04 |
|
Add stock and tool info to NC code.bas -- Automatically
adds the stock information and tool list to the beginning
of the NC code.
This link will
take you to a tech tip that explains the use of this API.
Requires V9.3.0.16. Posted 1/7/03 |
9.3.0.16 and Above |
| Setup notes.bas
-- Adds setup notes to NC code. Each setup has its
own dialog to enter notes. Each line input into the dialog
is inserted as a line in the NC code. NOTE: this macro uses
the same technique as the "add tool list" macro, and uses
the pseudo reserved word "Setup-Info" in the post. (See
"add tool list" macro above for post specifics). Default
comments can be specified or changed by editing the macro.
Look for a comment "modify this section for default setup
info" for the place to make the change. Creates "setup
notes" toolbar and button. Click button to access setup
dialog.
Posted 2/15/05 |
|
Volume and cg of solids.bas -- Returns
volume and center of gravity for each solid in the
.fm document. Requires V9.3.0.16 or greater.
Posted 1/6/03 |
9.3.0.16 and Above |
|
DrillRetractGougeCheck.bas -- Automatically run
through all the operations of a part, using the simulation
to figure out which operations need to lift up to the retract
plane and which ones can stay down low at the plunge clearance.
Posted 8/22/02. |
9.2.0.09 and Above |
|
FindShortestExposedLength.bas -- For every operation,
search through the entire tool database looking for the
tool with the shortest exposed length that does not cause
a tool holder gouge. Updated 2/06/03. |
11.0.0.04 and Above |
|
PostToAgie.bas,
AGIE-DIE.CNC
& AGIE-ISO.CNC
-- Create NC output files (ISO, SBR, SBL) that can be sent
directly Agie Wire machines. |
9.2.0.04 and Above |
|
FadalMacroTopOfFile.bas -- Uses the Application_PostNCCreate
hook to save macros at the top of the file for Fadal style
posts (and others). You need this example post:
Fadal with subroutines.cnc |
Lasted tested with 10.3.0.07 |
|
SaveAndSend.bas -- Save the NC code and then
send it to HyperTerminal, all in one button click.
Here is a sample
HyperTerminal
configuration file. |
9.3.0.14 and Above |
| CenterIndexedStock.bas -- Center the stock about
the stock axis for purpose of indexing. Located in
the Addins folder of your FeatureCAM installation. |
9.0.2.11 and Above |
| MakeHexagon.bas -- Make lines that form a hexagon
around the selected arc or circle. Located in the
Addins folder of your FeatureCAM installation. |
9.0.2.11 and Above |
| MakeStockGeometry.bas -- Make geometry (lines)
that coincide with the stock. Located in the Addins
folder of your FeatureCAM installation. |
9.0.2.11 and Above |
| MoveSetupToUL.bas -- Move the setup to the upper
left corner of the stock (against the hard jaw). Located
in the Addins folder of your FeatureCAM installation. |
9.0.2.11 and Above |
| NewDocumentLayers.bas -- Automate shop practice
by initializing a new document with particular layers.
Located in the Addins folder of your FeatureCAM installation. |
9.0.2.11 and Above |
| SelectHeight.bas -- Select surfaces and faces
at a height that matches a selected object. Located
in the Addins folder of your FeatureCAM installation. |
9.0.2.11 and Above |
| WordSheet.bas
-- Create a custom operations sheet using Microsoft Word. |
9.3 and Above |
|
Lathe Tool Details.bas -- Creates a custom tool
list for turning setups using Microsoft Word. Details include
tool name, tool slot, insert angle, tip radius, setup name,
program name, date and part file name. |
| SetupSheet.bas
-- Create a custom operations sheet and custom tool sheet
using HTML. |
9.3 and Above |
|
lineFromPoint2YWithAngle.bas -- A geometry constructor.
Allow user to create a line from a point to a Y coordinate
with an angle. |
10.0.3.01 and Above |
|
Cincinnati Probing.bas -- Probing cycles.
Also requires special posts
850probe.cnc,
850SXTProbe.CNC,
ac2100Probe.cnc. |
10.1.0.06 and Above |
|
Time Sheet.bas -- Track the time spent working
on a part. Created 8/11/2003, posted 10/13/2003. |
10.2.1.03 and Above |
|
SetHoleToZRapid.bas -- This macro is intended to
be run on a part that has holes that have "combine holes
in macro" checked. By default, when you check this, all
of the holes retract to the plunge clearance (G99). This
macro will set all hole operations to retract to the initial
plane (G98 - Z rapid). Creates a toolbar and button when
loaded. Button/bar will be removed when macro is unloaded.
Created 5/1/03. |
9.3.0.24 and Above |
| DeleteAllDimensions.bas
-- This macro iterates through each model object and if
it is a dimension, selects it. After all dimensions are
selected, The selected items are deleted. Creates a CAD
toolbar if one does not exist and populates it with a DeleteDimensions
button. Removes button/deletes bar if empty when macro is
unloaded. Created 10/21/03. |
|
|
ConvertSelectedHolesToThreaded.bas
-- Convert the selected plain holes to be tapped or threaded
features. A dialog box comes up that asks you what you want
to do. Created 12/12/04. |
|
|
post crib sim config mat chooser.bas
-- This macro gives the user the ability to switch between
post options, tool cribs, simulation options, machining
configfurations and materials by visiting just one place.
Works with both milling and turning. Updated 5/4/2006. |
|
|
LineExtendToAnotherLine.bas -- A geometry constructor.
First you pick two lines. Then you call this macro.
This macro extends the first line to the intersection of
the two lines. If the lines don't actually intersect,
then it extends the first line to the imaginary intersection.
Created 1/27/04. |
Developed & Tested in 10.4.0.05, but probably works
in earlier versions. |
|
LoadConfigForMaterial.bas -- When the material
is changed, the macro looks for a matching configuration
file. These files must be created by the user for each material.
The files are loaded from the FeatureCAM directory structure,
typically "C:\Program Files\FeatureCAM\Configurations. |
|
|
CopyMyConfiguration.bas -- This macro copies
the "My Configuration" configuration to the current document. |
|
|
tapped hole recognition by tap drill diameter .bas --
Creates tapped hole features during hole feature recognition
if the recognized diameter is a tap drill size. Also sets
TPI based on tap drill size. Inch threads only at this time |
10.4.0.01 and Above |
|
BlamNCCode.bas -- Ever get tired of clicking
Show Centerline and then the NC Code tab just to get the
code? This macro runs the show centerline under the covers
and displays the code in the NC Results Window with a single
click. Note: You'll have to put up your own button and assign
the macro to it. (see "How to Run The Examples" in the FeatureCAM
API Help) Posted 2/15/2005 |
|
|
Remove all tool slot overrides in the current crib --
This macro will remove any tool slot assignments for
all tools in the current crib. With the introduction of
V2005 tool mapping changes a quick method of unsetting all
overrides was needed. This macro satisfies that need.
Creates a toolbar and button when activated |
11.2.0.23 May work in earlier versions. |
User Defined Features and User Defined Operations (UDFs and UDOs)
may be programmed using FeatureCAM. They require version 10.
User Defined Features can be found here.
These examples require Microsoft VB6.
| Addin |
Required FeatureCAM Version |
ReadNumbersFromTextFile.bas -- An example that
shows how to read a comma-separated list of doubles from
a text file.
SampleNumbers.txt -- A sample data file for ReadNumbersFromTextFile.bas. |
9.0.2.11 and Above |
|
RotateFeatures.bas - An example that illustrates
how to program the transform functions. This example
rotates all of the features in the part by 135 degrees. |
9.1.0.03 and Above |
FS.bas
-- A small example that illustrates how to use the MillFeedSpeed
hook to compute custom feed/speed values. In this
example the hook queries a Microsoft Access database.
By using the feed-speed hook, you can create any feed-speed
calculation that you desire.
FSdrilldata.mdb -- A sample Microsoft Access
database for FS.bas.
FSExcel.bas
-- A connection string for connecting to Excel instead of
Access.
FSdrilldata.xls
-- A sample Microsoft Excel spreadsheet for FS.bas and FSExcel.bas |
This version has been tested with 10.4.0.01 |
| HoleRecog.bas -- Example event handlers for hole
recognition that support colored surfaces. Located
in the Addins folder of your FeatureCAM installation. |
9.0.2.11 and Above |
|
RemoveAllToolOverrides.bas -- Remove all of the
tool overrides in the current setup. |
9.2.0.05 and Above |
|
ProgressBarTest.bas -- Illustrates how to implement
a progress bar for your applications that take a long time
to run. Created 8/9/02. |
9.2.0.07 and Above |
| FMWindowDemo.bas -- Control the windows of FeatureCAM. |
10.1.0.06 and Above |
|
ProjectPointsToSurface.bas -- Learn how
to project points onto a surface using the API. |
10.1.0.06 and Above |
| CurvePtListTest.bas -- Learn how to draw a curve using the API. |
10.1.0.06 and Above |
|
TaperedPocketFromCurveAtBottom.bas -- A simple
example that lets you create a tapered pocket by specifying
the bottom of the pocket instead of the top. |
10.1.0.06 and Above |
| PlaySoundOnGouge.bas -- A fun little example that plays a special sound when
a gouge is encountered in the 3D simulation.
Download the sound file
it's looking for here. (remember the "Save file as"
technique). |
10.0.3.01 and Above |
|
CurveToGeometryTest.bas -- An example that illustrates
how to examine the arcs and lines that make up a curve. |
11.2.0.06 and Above |
| tooledit.bas
-- An example that illustrates how to edit tools in the
tool database using automation. |
11.2.0.06 and Above |
|
tool holder.bas -- An example that illustrates how
to determine which tool holder is being used by a particular
tool in an operation. |
|
|
SetAttributeExample.bas -- An example that illustrates
how to get and set attributes in all manner of ways. |
|
|
FaceFeatureTest.bas
-- An example of how to make face features using the API. |
11.2.0.06 and Above |
|
SideTest.bas
-- An example of how to make side features using the
API. |
|
|
WireCutLengthStartPoint.bas -- An example that illustrates how
to determine the Cut Length and Start Point for wire EDM
operations. |
13.0.1.23 and Above |
