Transition Guide

Mastercam X6
Transition Guide
October 2011

Be sure you have the latest information!

Information might have been changed or added since this document was
published. The latest version of this document is installed with Mastercam or
can be obtained from your local Reseller. The ReadMe file (ReadMe.htm)
includes the latest information about Mastercam features and enhancements.

II MASTERCAM X6 TRANSITION GUIDE

Mastercam X6 Transition Guide

Date: October 2011
Copyright 2011 CNC Software, Inc. All rights reserved.
First Printing: October 2011
Software: Mastercam X6

TERMS OF USE

Use of this document is subject to the Mastercam End User License Agreement.
A copy of the Mastercam End User License Agreement is included with the
Mastercam product package of which this document is part. The Mastercam
End User License Agreement can also be found at:
www.mastercam.com/legal/licenseagreement/

Mastercam X5 to X6 Transition
IMPORTANT: If you are updating to Mastercam X6 from a version prior
to Mastercam X5, see the Mastercam X5 Transition Guide, available
from your Reseller.
This guide is designed to help you quickly and easily update your Mastercam X5 files
for use in Mastercam X6. A standard installation to the default locations is assumed.
If you need assistance with a non-standard installation you should contact your local
Reseller. Use the information included here to automatically migrate the majority of
your files, manually copy any files not included automatically, and to get up and
running with your newest version of Mastercam.

Before You Begin

Mastercam X6 includes a powerful, yet straightforward, migration utility. The vast
majority of your files are updated to the current version simply by using two checkboxes and setting two destination locations. Some of the Mastercam X5 files updated
by this utility are:

Part files
Defaults files
Operation and Tool libraries
Control Definitions
Machine Definitions

2 MASTERCAM X6/ Transition Guide

Numerous other file types are updated as well. Click the Help button from the Migration Utility dialog box for a complete listing. Remember that only files in the
Mastercam X5 format are migrated.
A number of factors will effect the amount of time needed for the migration utility to
run. The largest of these is the number of part files you have stored in your personal
(\My Mcamx5) and shared (\Shared Mcamx5) locations. You may choose to relocate
your part files to shorten the migration process. Updating them at a later time is
accomplished simply by opening each file as needed, or by running the Update
Folder utility.

Running the Migration Utility

Run the migration utility the first time you launch Mastercam X6 and before you
begin to make changes to the X6 setup.
1 Launch Mastercam using your

preferred method.

2 Select File, Migration Utility.

The X5 to X6 Migration Utility

dialog box opens.

MASTERCAM X5 TO X6 TRANSITION / Running the Migration Utility 3

3 Select both \My McamX5 and \Shared McamX5 to migrate all available

files from Mastercam X5.

4 The default locations should be used for a standard installation of

Mastercam.
Windows XP users are defaulted to a structure beneath C:\Documents and
Settings. Windows 7 users are defaulted to a structure beneath C:\Users.
5 Click OK to begin the migration process.

The time needed for the process to complete varies from user to user. The main variable is the number of part files being migrated. If it encounters any errors, the Migration Utility will halt the process until you take appropriate action.
IMPORTANT: If you are logged on as an administrator, the Migration
Utility processes the nethasp.ini file (..\Program Files\Mcamx6\) at this
time.

4 MASTERCAM X6/ Transition Guide

Handling Remaining Files

Certain files are not migrated through the utility and must be manually copied into
the X6 structure. These include files that are outside of the default installation locations as well as the following:

Machine Simulation Files

Machine Simulation files are located in your ...\Shared McamX5 \ModuleWorks
\Machsim folder. If you have created any custom machines or layouts you should
bring them into X6. Simply copy the entire Machsim folder, including all sub-folders
and files, into your ...\Shared McamX6 \ModuleWorks folder.

Cimco Machine Files

Cimco Machine files are located under your \Program Files folder. In order to
copy files into this location for your X6 installation you must be logged in as an
administrator. Copy all of the files with a MCH extension from /to the locations
shown:

Note: Mastercam X5 is found in the \Program Files(x86) folder when

installed on a system running a 64-bit operating system.

Miscellaneous Files
Miscellaneous files include:

Graphics files (i.e. JPG, BMP)

NC and NCI files
Native format files from other applications (i.e. DWG, STL)

MASTERCAM X5 TO X6 TRANSITION / If You Need More Help 5

These file types should simply be copied from their location in the X5 structure to a
corresponding location within the X6 structure. They do not need to be run through
any kind of update process.
Note: Use the Update Folder utility to update files in non-standard locations. Select File, Update folder to see which file types are supported.
This should complete your transition from X5 to X6. Launch Mastercam X6 and
enjoy the upgrades and enhancements.

If You Need More Help

Use the following websites to find information on Mastercam:
www.emastercam.com

Mastercam global user forum

www.mastercam.com

CNC Software, Inc. corporate website

www.mastercamedu.com

CNC Software, Inc.

Educational Division website

For assistance with installing Mastercam, its HASP or NetHASP, or to obtain more
information on using Mastercam, contact your local Mastercam Reseller. If your
Reseller is unavailable, you can call CNC Technical Support Services Monday
through Friday, 8:00 a.m.5:30 p.m., USA Eastern Standard Time.
When calling CNC Software for technical support, please follow these guidelines:

Be sure you have already tried to contact your Mastercam Reseller.

Provide the serial number of your HASP or NetHASP.
Be ready to describe the problem in detail. Write down what happened,
particularly if you cannot call immediately after the problem occurs.
Be in front of your computer when you call.
If possible, try to duplicate the problem before calling. Our Support Services
technician may require you to duplicate the problem while you are on the
phone.
When you call, have ready a complete description of your hardware,
including your operating system (OS), central processing unit (CPU),
graphics card and settings, and memory.

6 MASTERCAM X6/ Transition Guide

You can also leave a message for CNC Support Services twenty-four hours a day,
seven days a week via our email or website addresses. When sending email, please
include:

The serial number of your HASP or NetHASP

Telephone number and contact information where you can be reached
Files required to reproduce an issue, such as MCX and post files
TIP: Use Mastercams Zip2Go utility to gather Mastercam part data into
a compressed .Z2G file. This utility makes it easy to provide your
Reseller or CNC Support Services with a file attachment that contains the
information they need. Zip2Go scans the machine groups in your current
part file and captures information such as your Mastercam configuration,
machine definition, and post files. For more information on using
Zip2Go, please refer to the Mastercam Help.

Important Contact Information

Address

Phone
Fax
FTP Address
Internet Address
email

CNC Software, Inc.

671 Old Post Road
Tolland, Connecticut, 06084-9970
USA
(860) 875-5006
(860) 872-1565
ftp://ftp.mastercam.com
http://www.mastercam.com
support@mastercam.com

Mastercam Documentation
Mastercam installs the following documents in the \Documentation folder of your
Mastercam installation:

Mastercam X6 Quick Start

Mastercam X6 Administrator Guide
Mastercam X6 Transition Guide

MASTERCAM X5 TO X6 TRANSITION / Mastercam Documentation 7

Mastercam X6 Quick Reference Card

Mastercam X6 File Location Card
Mastercam X6 Post Debugger Users Guide

Contact Us
For questions about this or other Mastercam documentation, contact the Technical
Documentation department by email at techdocs@mastercam.com.

8 MASTERCAM X6/ Transition Guide

Attention! Updates may be available.

Go to Mastercam.com/Support for the latest downloads.

671 Old Post Road

Tolland, CT 06084 USA
www.mastercam.com
Printed in the USA on 100% Post Consumer Waste, FSC Stocks