QUICK REFERENCE CARD

Icon Function
Analyze entities

Keyboard Shortcut Icon Function

F4

Keyboard Shortcut

Mastercam version, SIM serial number

Alt+V

AutoSave Alt+A

Motion controller rotation point

C-Hook or user app

Alt+C

Pan

Configure Mastercam

Alt+F8

Paste from clipboard

Ctrl+V

Copy to clipboard

Ctrl+C

Redo an event that has been undone

Ctrl+Y

Cut to clipboard

Ctrl+X

Regenerate screen

Delete entities

F5

Alt+F12
Arrow keys

Shift+Ctrl+R

Repaint F3

Drafting global options

Alt+D

Rotate

Exit Mastercam

Alt+F4

Select all

Ctrl+A

Fit geometry to screen

Alt+F1

Selection grid options

Alt+G

GviewBack Alt+3

Shading on/off

Alt+S

GviewBottom Alt+4

Show/hide all axes (WCS, Cplane, Tplane)

Alt+F9

GviewFront Alt+2

Show/hide coordinate axes

GviewIsometric Alt+7

Show/hide displayed toolpaths

Alt+T

GviewLeft Alt+6

Show/hide Operations Manager pane

Alt+O

GviewPrevious

Undo the last creation or event

Alt+P

Alt+Arrow keys

F9

Ctrl+U, Ctrl+Z

GviewRight Alt+5

Unzoom to 80% of original

Alt+F2

GviewTop Alt+1

Unzoom to previous or 50% of original

Help Alt+H

Zoom around target point

Hide entities

Alt+E

Zoom with window selection

Level Manager

Alt+Z

Zoom/unzoom by 5%

F2
Ctrl+F1
F1

Page Up/Page Down

Main attributes, set from entity Alt+X

Customizing Mastercam
Create your own keyboard shortcuts.
Choose Settings > Key mapping.
Save sets of shortcuts to different key map files
(.KMP).
Open .KMP files in any text editor.

Customize the right-click menu.

Choose Settings > Customize > Drop downs/
Right mouse button to
add your own functions
(.MTB file).

Change toolbar layouts.

Choose Settings > Customize.
Name sets of toolbars and save them to different
toolbar files (.MTB).
Choose Toolbar States to hide or display toolbars.

Use drop-down menus.

Choose Settings >
Customize > Drop
downs tab to add dropdown menus to toolbars.

Operations Manager
The Toolpath and Solids Managers share the Operations Manager pane on the left side of your window.
Use them to review, edit, and manage toolpath and solid operations. Drag the right border to resize it, or click
and drag the Operations Manager title bar to undock it anywhere on your desktop. Press [Alt+O] to hide it
completely. Most functions will work on multiple operations if more than one is selected.
Toolpath Manager
The Toolpath Manager lists all toolpath operations in the current part file, grouped by machine definition.
Select all operations.
Select all invalid operations, which must be regenerated before
posting.
Regenerate all selected operations.
Regenerate all invalid operations.
Backplot selected operations, or click the icon in the operation list to
backplot a single operation. Shows tool movements and positions.
Verify the selected operations; shows the stock model.
Opens Backplot/Verify Options.
Post selected operations. (Opens Sync Manager - Mill-Turn only)
Highfeed machining; optimize for machine dynamics and constant
chip load.
Start a new operations list; delete all operations and tools from the
part file.
Lock the operation from changes. Edit geometry but protect the
toolpath from changing.
Toggle selected toolpath display in the graphics window.
Disable selected toolpath posting. (Ghosted)
Display toolpaths only when selected.
Display only the geometry associated with the selected toolpaths.
Opens Tool setup. (Mill-Turn only)

Working with geometry

Click the Geometry icon to edit
or reselect geometry for an
operation, or drag it to another
operation.
Using the insertion point
The insertion point shows where
the next operation will be placed,
which also determines the active
machine and control definition.
Move insertion point up
or down.
Position insertion point
immediately after the currently
selected operation.
Automatically scroll Toolpath
Manager so that the insertion
point is visible.

Toolpath uses surfaces or wireframe

geometry.
Toolpath uses solids or surfaces.
Select drive/check surfaces, start
points, and containment boundaries.
Hot keys

Right-click menu
Create new machine and
toolpath groups.
Select operations that match
criteria, such as the same
tool.

E Expand/collapse all operations.

Sort/renumber operations and

tools.

L Lock or unlock selected

operations.

Display options, customize

operations, and properties.

P Toggle posting on selected

operations.

Import/export library
operations.

T Toggle toolpath display for

selected operations.

Post batch jobs.

[Ctrl+X], [Ctrl+C] Cut or copy

selected operations.
[Ctrl+V] Paste operations at the
insertion point.

Create job setup sheets.

Code Expert
Code Expert contains several applications, including Sync Manager. Use Sync Manager to synchronize
multi-stream Mill-Turn operations. To launch the application, click
on Mastercams Toolpath Manager
toolbar. While you work in Sync Manager, leave Mastercam open with your part loaded to maximize
efficiency. For more information, press the [F1] key or click
.

Use standard Mastercam shortcut

keys in this window to change the
view.

To create sync points, either drag the

selected operation to another operation in
the Operations pane or, in the timeline, drag
and drop operations between the streams.

Function
Shortcut
Delete selected sync Ctrl+Delete
Delete sync group
Delete

While you are working in the Sync Manager, icons in the Status Bar show the status of your file in Code
Expert and Mastercam.
This file is linked to Mastercam with
no edits made.

This file has no link to Mastercam.

This file is linked to Mastercam with

edits made in Sync Manager.

This file is currently not editable in

Sync Manager.

Tool Manager
Mastercams Tool Manager allows you to manage tools and tool holding components, and create tool
assemblies to use in Mastercam. Tool Manager also integrates work material and cut parameter data so
that you can accommodate a manufacturers cutting recommendations. You can launch Tool Manager
separately from Mastercam by choosing Start > Mastercam > Tool Manager. For more information, press
the [F1] key or click
.

1. File / Home / View Tabs - Use the File Tab to

open or save a document, or to configure the
options. The Home ribbon bar holds the
applications main functions. Select View to set
up your workspace and how the program
appears.
2. Search button - Opens the Search Window
where you can search the database by diameter,
feed rate, manufacturer, name, and more.
3. Holder button - Opens the Holder Wizard where
you can create a new holder based on the
geometric parameters that you define.

6. Document workspace - Displays documents

that organize specific types of data such as
tools, holders, and assemblies. This workspace
uses a tab-style interface to present multiple
documents.
7. Properties Grid - Displays properties for
selected cutting tools, assemblies, holders,
extensions, materials, and cutting parameters.
8. Assembly Tree - Use this to open, create, and
edit assemblies in the open TOOLDB database.
Drag and drop components from the datagrids in
the documents to create an assembly.

4. Tool icons - Select a tool icon to start up the

9. Graphics Window - Use this pane to view a
Tool Wizard. Use this to create a new tool based
graphical representation of what you have
on the geometric parameters that you define.
selected in the document datagrid.
5. Database Explorer - Use this to navigate to and
access content in tool database files (TOOLDB).

Mastercam Simulator
Use Backplot or Verify in Mastercam Simulator to examine your toolpaths before sending them to the
machine. In the Toolpath Manager toolbar, click
to backplot or
to verify toolpaths. Mastercam
Simulator opens in a separate window that can be docked on another monitor. For more information,
press the [F1] key or click .
1. File tab - Enters the Backstage view where you can save as an STL and edit options.
2. Backplot/Verify tab - Shows options to customize the backplot or verification based on your mode.
3. Playback options - Sets when to pause, indicates collisions, or determines what tool components
can remove material. Color Loop changes the color of the toolpath or cut stock by operation or by tool
change. Choose File, Options to set the colors.
4. Visibility options - Turns component display on or off. Stock can be on, off, or translucent.

4
Navigation Shortcuts
To pan, hold [Ctrl] and
press the arrow keys.
To rotate, hold [Alt] and
press the arrow keys.

Shortcuts

B Move back one move.

S Step forward one move at a time.

R Toggle continuous run mode. N Advance to next stop.

P Go back to previous stop.

Mastercam is a registered trademark of CNC Software, Inc. Copyright 2013 CNC Software, Inc. All rights reserved. March 2013.

Solids Manager
The Solids Manager lists each solid body in the current part file. Expand the solid body to see the solid
operations used to create it and the toolpath operations that machine it. Click an operation to select it.
Mastercam highlights the feature in your part model.

Stock Model
Generate an initial stock model by choosing Toolpaths, Stock Model from the Mastercam menu. When
created, the stock model operation appears in the Operations Manager along with your parts other operations. Click Parameters in the operation to display the Stock model dialog box.
Use the Stock Definition page to create a name for
the model, set the color, and set the basic shape
parameters.
Use the Source Operations page to select the
operations to process against the defined stock
in the stock model operation.
Use the Stock Compare page to set the stock
model to display leftover material.

Did you know that the Mastercam community is an invaluable technical

resource to help you when youre stuck? Navigate to the websites below to access all of
the support you may need to improve your Mastercam experience.
Mastercam University Online Training:
MastercamU.com

Mastercam Learning Tools:

Tinyurl.com/MCAMLearning

Mastercam Blog:
Blog.mastercam.com

Mastercam Reseller Locator:

Mastercam.com/Resellers

Selecting Geometry
Use the General Selection ribbon bar to select or pre-select geometry.
Selection masks.
Set selection
criteria: Only the
entities that match,
or All matching
entities.

Invert selection.
Toggle
between selected or
unselected entities.

Standard selection.
Click an entity to select
it or drag a selection window.
[Shift+click] to select a chain.
[Shift+click] again to end a
partial chain. [Alt+click]
to drag a selection vector.

Selecting multiple entities

Solid selection. Activates

solid selection mode. Select
edges, faces, or solid bodies.

Choose Select from back to select

hidden edges or faces.

Use these tools in all selection modes:

Chain. Select entities that form

a chain.

Select last. Reselect selections

from the previous operation.

Window. Drag a rectangle to

select all the entities inside it.
Choose how boundary entities
are included.

Verify selection. When many

entities are close together, highlight
one after another. Click when the
one you want is displayed.

Polygon. Draw an irregular shape and choose boundary options.

Cancel selection. Unselect all

entities.

Single. Select one entity at a time.

End selection. Accept selection.

Area selection. Select entities inside a closed boundary.

Vector. Drag a line to select all entities that intersect it. Create a
compound vector by clicking each corner; double-click when done.
Quick Masks
Use Quick Masks (QM) to mask by entity type:
By default, QM functions are docked vertically to
the right of the graphics window.
Left-click a QM function to toggle selection of all
matching entities.
Right-click a QM function to allow selection of only
matching entities. Right-click again to clear the list.

Points

Splines

Lines

Surface Curves

Arcs

Surfaces

Level

Drafting

Solids

Results

Clear Masking

Wireframe

Group

NamedGroup

Color

Chaining Geometry
Enable dynamic start and end point selection.
1 Chain wireframe geometry.
2 Chain solid edges or faces.
3 C-plane - Chain entities in the
same plane as first chained entity.
3D - Manually select when multiple
entities share an endpoint.
4 Select all continuous entities.
5 Chain all entities inside window.
6 Create a chain from a single entity.
7 Chain all entities intersecting a
vector (simple or compound).
8 Chain a single point.
9 Chain all entities inside a closed
boundary.
10 Draw polygon and chain all
entities inside.

1
11 Partial chaining. Select first and last
3
entity to chain everything in between.
12 Re-select chain from previous
4
operation.
5
13 End current chain and begin another.
6
(Only used in certain modes.)
7
14 Unselects the last chain.
15 Unselects all entities you selected
during the current chaining function.
12
16 Reverse chain direction.
14
17 Set attributes for feature chaining.
16
18 Chain features with specified attributes. 17
19 Access advanced options and
19
settings.

2
8
9
10
11
13
15
18

AutoCursor
AutoCursor is automatically activated whenever you need
to specify a location in the graphics windowfor example,
when creating geometry. Use AutoCursor to snap to
geometry positions, to sketch points in space, or to
type coordinate positions.

FastPoint mode. Type the coordinate

position and press [Enter].
AutoCursor settings. Set the kinds of
locations you want to snap to, and activate
power key shortcuts for selection modes.
AutoCursor Tips
Press [Spacebar] to enter
FastPoint mode.
Hold [Ctrl] to temporarily
release all snap settings
and free-sketch point
locations.
[Shift+click] a location to
enter relative coordinates.
Right-click a selection
option to lock it as the
selection mode. Press
[Esc] to unlock.
Double-click AutoCursor
to undock it, or drag it
anywhere in the window.
If you close AutoCursor,
Mastercam automatically
displays it again when it is
needed.

To select a single
location based
on part geometry,
choose the type
of location from
the drop-down list,
and then click on
the entity in the
graphics window.

AutoCursor Visual Cues

AutoCursor uses the icons at left to tell
you the type of location it is snapping to.
Data Entry Shortcuts
Built-in calculator
Fields that take number values have a built-in calculator. Enter
formulas or mathematical expressions; Mastercam will use the result.
Automatic inch/metric conversion
In inch mode, type a metric value followed by mm, cm, or m;
Mastercam will convert it. In metric mode, follow an inch measurement
with in or ft to convert it.
Reading values from geometry
Mastercam can read dimensions, coordinate positions, and other
values directly from geometry in the graphics window.
Right-click in the field or type ? to see the complete list of shortcuts.
Select a shortcut from the menu or type the hot key.
Type X, Y, Z, press [Tab] or [Enter], select point.
Dynamic Gnomon
Displayed with certain functions
(Dynamic Plane, Dynamic Xform) to
orient entities or planes in the graphics
window. Select specific positions on
the gnomon to control function.

1 Origin - Place the axis origin; translate XYZ/polar.

2 First leg Move/translate along the selected axis.
3 Axis label (X, Y, Z) X rotates about Y; Y and Z
rotate about X.
4 Second leg Z rotates about Y; X and Y rotate
about Z.
5 Axis arrowhead Align axis with existing
geometry.