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Overview

What is CAMWorks Virtual Machine?

CAMWorks Virtual Machine is a new Machine Simulation application and part of the CAMWorks suite of licensed modules.
This application is available as a CAMWorks licensed module from CAMWorks 2013 SP3 onwards.

Which editions of CAMWorks Virtual Machine application are available?

The CAMWorks Virtual Machine application is available in three editions:
z Standard
- Can be launched only from within the CAMWorks application.
- Simulates toolpaths records (and not the G-code).
z Professional
- Can be launched only from within the CAMWorks application.
- Simulates G-code.
z Premium
- Can be launched from within CAMWorks and also as a standalone application.
- Simulates G-code.
- Can be used to assemble/create/modify machines.

Which are the features supported in each edition of CAMWorks Virtual Machine?
All the editions share the same interface. All commands will appear in all the editions of CAMWorks Virtual Machine. However, if
certain commands are not supported within a particular edition, then those commands will be disabled.
The Premium edition of CAMWorks Virtual Machine supports all the features while the Standard edition supports limited features.
The feature to create/modify or assemble machines is available only in the Premium edition.
Tabular comparisons of all the key features across the different editions have been provided.
To view comparison of Key Features, click here.
To view detailed comparison of major Features, click here.

How do I procure the CAMWorks Virtual Machine application?

CAMWorks Virtual Machine application is sold as a separate licensed module of the CAMWorks suite. If you are an existing user or
new user of CAMWorks, you need to procure a separate license for this application from your local CAMWorks Reseller.

How do I verify the CAMWorks Virtual Machine edition that I am licensed to run?
In order to verify the CAMWorks Virtual Machine module version that you are licensed to run, you can use any one of the following
methods:
z Click Help on the SOLIDWORKS/ CAMWorks Solids menu bar and then select CAMWorks 201X>>Help>>License Info. This
action displays the CAMWorks License Info dialog which list all the modules of CAMWorks that you are licensed to run. If you
have procured a valid license for the CAMWorks Virtual Machine application, then the license for the same will be listed in the
CAMWorks License Info dialog as 'CAMWorks Virtual Machine' followed by the edition name (Standard, Professional or
Premium).
z Open the CAMWorks License Manager utility (Start>>Programs>>CAMWorks License Manager>>CW License Manager) and
click on the Authorized Modules tab of the displayed dialog. If you have procured a valid license for the CAMWorks Virtual
Machine application, then the license for the same will be listed in the Authorized Modules tab as 'CAMWorks Virtual Machine'
followed by the edition name (Standard, Professional or Premium).
z After the CAMWorks Virtual Machine application is launched, click on the 'About' dialog in the menu bar. This dialog contains
details about the CAMWorks Virtual Machine edition that you are licensed to run.

Comparison of Key Features of CAMWorks Virtual Machine

Legend
Feature is available

Feature is not available

Limited Editing is available for the feature

STD Standard Edition of CAMWorks Virtual Machine

PRO Professional Edition of CAMWorks Virtual Machine

PREM Premium Edition of CAMWorks Virtual Machine

OPTIONS STD PRO PREM

Full 3D simulation

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Material removal simulation

Verification of neutral G-code programs

Can be launched from within CAMWorks

Can be launched as standalone application

Program editing

Automatic collision detection

Virtual JOG

Multi Document Interface

Simulation of multi spindle machines

Simulation of synchronized and multi-channel systems

Verification of complex G-code programs

Comparison of cut to design model

Precise time computation

Automatic reporting

Verification of probing routines

Out of limits verification

External File Open (Standalone only)

Toolpath optimization

Measuring

Integrated machine assembling module

Arc-fitting and line-fitting functionalities

Integrated tool database

Stock export module

Controller status view

Coordinate systems and tool references visualization

Detailed Comparisons of Features across different editions

Detailed tabular comparisons of all the key features across the different editions (Standard, Professional and Premium) have been
provided.
Click on the below links to view these detailed Feature comparisons:
Comparison of File Menu Commands
Comparison of View Menu Commands
Comparison of Modify Menu Commands
Comparison of Simulation Menu Commands
Comparison of Settings Menu Commands
Comparison of Functions Menu Commands
Comparison of Help Menu Commands
Comparison of Editor Toolbar Commands
Comparison of Editor Context Menu Commands
Comparison of Machine Kinematics
Comparison of Node Assembly Features

Note:
All commands will appear in all the editions of CAMWorks Virtual Machine. However, if certain commands are not supported with
the current licensed edition, then those commands will be disabled.
In the case of File menu commands, these commands will be active only in the Premium edition.
In the case of Editor Context Menu commands, these commands will be active only in the Premium edition.
In the case of Node Assembly features, the features are enabled only in the Premium edition.

Detailed Feature Comparisons

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Detailed Comparisons of Features across different editions

Detailed tabular comparisons of all the key features across the different editions (Standard, Professional and Premium) have been
provided.
Click on the below links to view these detailed Feature comparisons:
Comparison of File Menu Commands
Comparison of View Menu Commands
Comparison of Modify Menu Commands
Comparison of Simulation Menu Commands
Comparison of Settings Menu Commands
Comparison of Functions Menu Commands
Comparison of Help Menu Commands
Comparison of Editor Toolbar Commands
Comparison of Editor Context Menu Commands
Comparison of Machine Kinematics
Comparison of Node Assembly Features

Comparison of File Menu Commands

Legend
Feature is available

Feature is not available

Feature available when CAMWorks Virtual Machine is launched as a Standalone application

STD Standard Edition of CAMWorks Virtual Machine

PRO Professional Edition of CAMWorks Virtual Machine

PREM Premium Edition of CAMWorks Virtual Machine

Sr.
ICON MENU COMMAND STD PRO PREM
No.
New project
1. File
Closes the current project and create a new empty project.

Load project
2. File
Loads a project from file.

Save project
3. File
Saves the current project.

Load program
Loads the main program. If there are more channels the
program will be loaded in the channel selected in the controller
4. File bar.

Save all programs

5. File Saves all programs and subprograms of any machine and any
controller channel.

Save tools database

6. File Saves the current content of the tools database on the
correspondent file.

Save Backup
Saves a backup of the current project. A backup folder will be
7. File
created. This folder will contain a copy of all the files involved in
the simulation. It is useful for remote debugging.

Save project as..

8. File
Saves the project as a different file.
Report..
9. File
Creates a report in HTML or EXCEL.

Note:

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All commands will appear in all the editions of CAMWorks Virtual Machine. However, if certain commands are not supported with
the current licensed edition, then those commands will be disabled.
In the case of File menu commands, these commands will be active only in the Premium edition.

Comparison of View Menu Commands

Legend
Feature is available

Feature is not available

Feature available only for axes and position

Limited Editing available for the feature

STD Standard Edition of CAMWorks Virtual Machine

PRO Professional Edition of CAMWorks Virtual Machine

PREM Premium Edition of CAMWorks Virtual Machine

Sr. No. ICON MENU COMMAND STD PRO PREM

Zoom all
1. View
Changes the zoom in order to fit the whole scene.

Zoom Window
2. View
Changes the zoom in order to fit a selected area.

Orthographic view
3. View
If checked, enables the orthographic view.

Isometric view
4. View
Changes the camera to have an isometric view.

Front view
5. View
Changes the camera to have a front view.

Left view
6. View
Changes the camera to have a left view.

Rear view
7. View
Changes the camera to have a rear view.

Right view
8. View
Changes the camera to have a right view.

Top view
9. View
Changes the camera to have a top view.

Bottom view
10. View
Changes the camera to have a bottom view.

Virtual camera
11. View
If checked enables the control of the virtual camera.

Kinematics structure bar

12. View
Shows the kinematics bar.

Machine setup bar

13. View
Shows the machine setup.
Message bar
14. View
Shows the message bar.

MDI
15. View
Opens the MDI window.

JOG
16. View
Opens the jog window.

Controller status window

17. View
Shows the controller status window.
Program window
18. View
Shows the program window.

Main toolbar

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19. View Shows the main toolbar.

Simulation history bar
20.
View Shows the simulation history bar.
Controller bar
21. View
Shows the controller bar.
Simulation bar
22. View
Shows the simulation bar.

Workpiece view
23. View Selects the workpiece view. The workpiece view is a predefined view
where only the workpiece shapes and the tool shapes are shown.

Machine view
24. View Selects the machine view. The machine view is a predefined view
where all the shapes are shown.
Custom views
25. View
Opens the custom view window.
Options
26. View
Opens the application options window.
View\
Single view
27. Windows
Creates a layout with only one view.
Layout
View\
2 views
28. Windows
Creates a layout with two views.
Layout
View\
3 views
29. Windows
Creates a layout with three views.
Layout
View\
4 views
30. Windows
Creates a layout with four views.
Layout

Note:
All commands will appear in all the editions of CAMWorks Virtual Machine. However, if certain commands are not supported with
the current licensed edition, then those commands will be disabled.

Comparison of Modify Menu Commands

Legend
Feature is available

Feature is not available

STD Standard Edition of CAMWorks Virtual Machine

PRO Professional Edition of CAMWorks Virtual Machine

PREM Premium Edition of CAMWorks Virtual Machine

Sr. No. ICON MENU COMMAND STD PRO PREM

Undo
1. Modify
Performs the undo operation.

Redo
2. Modify
Performs the redo operation.

Cut
3. Modify
Performs the cut operation.
Paste
4. Modify
Performs the paste operation.

Copy
5. Modify
Performs the copy operation.

Note:
All commands will appear in all the editions of CAMWorks Virtual Machine. However, if certain commands are not supported with
the current licensed edition, then those commands will be disabled.

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Comparison of Simulation Menu Commands

Legend
Feature is available

Feature is not available

STD Standard Edition of CAMWorks Virtual Machine

PRO Professional Edition of CAMWorks Virtual Machine

PREM Premium Edition of CAMWorks Virtual Machine

Sr. No. ICON MENU COMMAND STD PRO PREM

Show/Hide toolpath traces
1. Simulation
If checked, the toolpath traces are shown.

Enable/Disable collision detection

2. Simulation
If checked, the collision detection is enabled.

Break simulation
3. Simulation
Breaks the running simulation.
Simulate all
4. Simulation
Play the simulation.
Simulate line
5. Simulation
Simulates line by line.

Terminate simulation
6. Simulation
Terminates the current simulation session.

Simulate line/procedure
7. Simulation Simulates line by line. If the line is a procedure call, the procedure will
be simulated entirely.

Simulate procedure
8. Simulation If the simulation is running inside a procedure, the procedure will be
simulated until its end, returning in the calling program.

Restart simulation
9. Simulation
Restarts the simulation. It can be used also to start the simulation.

Simulate without 3D display

10. Simulation Plays the simulation without updating the 3D content. This gives the
maximum simulation speed.

Simulate without updating stock

11. Simulation Plays the simulation without updating the stock. This speeds up the
simulation.

Neglect breakpoints
12. Simulation
If checked, the simulation does not stop on breakpoints.

Demo mode
13. Simulation If checked, when the simulation reaches the end, it restarts
automatically.

Note:
All commands will appear in all the editions of CAMWorks Virtual Machine. However, if certain commands are not supported with
the current licensed edition, then those commands will be disabled.

Comparison of Settings Menu Commands

Legend
Feature is available

Feature is not available

STD Standard Edition of CAMWorks Virtual Machine

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PRO Professional Edition of CAMWorks Virtual Machine

PREM Premium Edition of CAMWorks Virtual Machine

Sr. No. ICON MENU COMMAND STD PRO PREM

Tools database
1. Settings
Opens the Tools database window.

Macro list
2. Settings
Opens the macro list window.

Axes parameters
3.
Settings Edits the controlled axes parameters.

Machining parameters
4. Settings
Opens the machining parameters window.

Warning settings
5. Settings
Opens the warning/error settings window.

Project Scripts
6. Settings
Opens the project scripts window.

Settings\ Millimeters
7.
Units Selects millimeters as current units.

Settings\ Inches
8.
Units Selects inches as current units.

Toolpath Traces
9. Settings
Opens the toolpath traces settings window.

Coordinate systems/Tool references

10. Settings
Opens the coordinate systems/tool references settings window.

Initial work offsets

11. Settings
Opens the initial work offsets window.

Base offset
12.
Settings Opens the base offset window.

Note:
All commands will appear in all the editions of CAMWorks Virtual Machine. However, if certain commands are not supported with
the current licensed edition, then those commands will be disabled.

Comparison of Functions Menu Commands

Legend
Feature is available

Feature is not available

STD Standard Edition of CAMWorks Virtual Machine

PRO Professional Edition of CAMWorks Virtual Machine

PREM Premium Edition of CAMWorks Virtual Machine

Sr. No. ICON MENU COMMAND STD PRO PREM

Snapshot
1. Functions
Takes a snapshot of the current view.
Measures
2.
Functions Opens the Measures window.
Compare machined stock with finished
3. Functions
Stock vs. Design model comparison.

Activate Tool Length Optimization

4. Functions
Activates the tool length optimization mode.

Save Tool Length Opt. Report

5. Functions
Saves the tool length optimization report.

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Apply Tool Length Opt. Changes

6. Functions
Applies the tool length optimization changes to the tool database.

Note:
All commands will appear in all the editions of CAMWorks Virtual Machine. However, if certain commands are not supported with
the current licensed edition, then those commands will be disabled.

Comparison of Help Menu commands

Legend
Feature is available

Feature is not available

STD Standard Edition of CAMWorks Virtual Machine

PRO Professional Edition of CAMWorks Virtual Machine

PREM Premium Edition of CAMWorks Virtual Machine

Sr. No. ICON MENU COMMAND STD PRO PREM

Product info
1. Help
Opens the product info window.
Help
2. Help
Opens the Application help.

Note:
All commands will appear in all the editions of CAMWorks Virtual Machine. However, if certain commands are not supported with
the current licensed edition, then those commands will be disabled.

Comparison of Editor Toolbar Commands

Legend
Feature is available

Feature is not available

STD Standard Edition of CAMWorks Virtual Machine

PRO Professional Edition of CAMWorks Virtual Machine

PREM Premium Edition of CAMWorks Virtual Machine

Sr. No. ICON COMMAND STD PRO PREM

Toolpath preview
1. If checked and if supported by the controller module, a toolpath preview will be
created starting from the selected lines.

Editor settings
2.
Opens the editor settings window.
Zoom in
3.
Performs a zoom in operation in the editor window.
Zoom out
4.
Performs a zoom out operation in the editor window.
Go to line
5.
Moves to a given line.
Save program as
6.
Saves the program as a new file.
Save program
7.
Saves the program on the correspondent file.
Cut
8.
Performs a cut operation.
Paste
9.
Performs a paste operation.
Copy

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10. Performs a copy operation.

Insert/Remove breakpoint
11.
Inserts or removes a breakpoint at the cursor line.
Remove all breakpoints
12.
Removes all breakpoints.
Find
13.
Finds a text.
Replace
14.
Replaces a text with a new text.
Undo
15.
Performs an undo operation.
Redo
16.
Performs a redo operation.

Note:
All commands will appear in all the editions of CAMWorks Virtual Machine. However, if certain commands are not supported with
the current licensed edition, then those commands will be disabled.

Comparison of Editor Context Menu Commands

Legend
Feature is available

Feature is not available

STD Standard Edition of CAMWorks Virtual Machine

PRO Professional Edition of CAMWorks Virtual Machine

PREM Premium Edition of CAMWorks Virtual Machine

Sr. No. COMMAND STD PRO PREM

Cut
1. Performs a cut operation.
Paste
2.
Performs a paste operation.
Copy
3. Performs a copy operation.
Insert rapid movement
4. Inserts a line with a rapid-movement command in the controller language.
Insert movement at feed rate
5. Inserts a line with a feed-movement command in the controller language.
Set next line
6. Sets the next line to be simulated.
Restart from here
7. Performs a hidden simulation, without material removal and collision detection, up to the
pointed line and sets the line as the new starting line.

Insert file..
8. Insert a whole text file over the pointed line.

Insert/Remove breakpoint
9. Inserts or removes a breakpoint at the pointed line.
Remove all breakpoints
10. Removes all breakpoints.

Line fitting
11. Performs a line-fitting optimization (if supported by the controller).
Arc fitting
12. Performs an arc-fitting optimization (if supported by the controller).
Renumber
13. Performs an renumbering operation (if supported by the controller).

Note:
All commands will appear in all the editions of CAMWorks Virtual Machine. However, if certain commands are not supported with
the current licensed edition, then those commands will be disabled.

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In the case of Editor Context Menu commands, these commands will be active only in the Premium edition.

Comparison of Machine Kinematics

Legend
Feature is available

Feature is not available

STD Standard Edition of CAMWorks Virtual Machine

PRO Professional Edition of CAMWorks Virtual Machine

PREM Premium Edition of CAMWorks Virtual Machine

Sr.
COMMAND STD PRO PREM
No.
Simplified View
1.
Shows a simplified view of the kinematics structure.
Properties
2. Edits the node properties.
Save the machine as file
3. Saves the machine node as a file.
Load a machine from file
4. Loads a machine node from file.
Machine tool
5. Creates a machine tool node and attaches the new node to the current selected node.

Subsystem
6. Creates a subsystem node and attaches the new node to the current selected node.
Subsystem nodes are used to define controller channels or tasks.
Fixed link
7. Creates a fixed link node and attaches the new node to the current selected node.
Reference frame
8. Creates a reference frame node and attaches the new node to the current selected node.

Spot light
9. Creates a spot light node and attaches the new node to the current selected node.
Rotary axis
10. Creates a rotary axis node and attaches the new node to the current selected node.
Linear axis
11. Creates a linear axis node and attaches the new node to the current selected node.

Spindle
12. Creates a spindle node and attaches the new node to the current selected node.
Controlled spindle
13. Creates a controlled spindle node and attaches the new node to the current selected node.

Generic turret
14. Creates a turret node and attaches the new node to the current selected node.
Turret wizard
15. Opens a turret wizard dialog and creates the turret structure.
Workpiece
16. Creates a workpiece node and attaches the new node to the current selected node.
Tool
17. Creates a tool node and attaches the new node to the current selected node.
Tool Warehouse
18. Creates a tool warehouse node and attaches the new node to the current selected node.

Fixture
19. Creates a fixture and attaches the new node to the current selected node.
Sensor
20. Creates a sensor and attaches the new node to the current selected node.
Delete
21. Deletes the current selected node.
Show all node shapes
22. Shows all shapes belonging to the current selected node.
Hide all node shapes

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23. Hides all shapes belonging to the current selected node.

Compare machined stock with finished
24. Stock vs. Design model comparison. Available only on workpiece nodes with valid stocks.

Note:
All commands will appear in all the editions of CAMWorks Virtual Machine. However, if certain commands are not supported with
the current licensed edition, then those commands will be disabled.

Comparison of Node Assembly Features

Legend
Feature is available

Feature is not available

STD Standard Edition of CAMWorks Virtual Machine

PRO Professional Edition of CAMWorks Virtual Machine

PREM Premium Edition of CAMWorks Virtual Machine

Sr. No. COMMAND STD PRO PREM

Cube
1. Adds a cube shape.
Cylinder
2. Adds a cylindrical shape.
Cone
3. Adds a cone shape.
Sphere
4. Adds a sphere shape.
Shape from file
5. Adds a shape from file.
Shape of revolution
6. Adds a shape defined revolving a 2D profile.
Extruded shape
7. Adds a shape defined extruding a 2D profile.
Double extruded shape
8. Adds a shape defined extruding a 2D profile and cutting it with another 2D profile on
orthogonal plane.

Copy
9. Performs a copy operation.
Paste
10. Performs a paste operation.
Cut
11. Performs a cut operation.
Properties
12. Edits the shape properties.
Rename
13. Modifies the shape name.
Save as file
14. Saves the shape as a new file.
Select as finished
15. Selects the shape as finished (available only for workpiece nodes).
Reset to original shape
16. Recover the original shape of the stock (available only for stock shapes).
Assemble
17. Open the Assemble window.
Select as stock
18. Selects the shape as stock (available only for workpiece nodes).

Note:
All commands will appear in all the editions of CAMWorks Virtual Machine. However, if certain commands are not supported with
the current licensed edition, then those commands will be disabled.
In the case of Node Assembly features, the features are enabled only in the Premium edition.

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