Compressed CAM-Part

SolidCAM provides you with the Compressed CAM-Part feature. This feature enables SolidCAM to save all the CAM-Part data in one file compressed using the ZIP technology.

SolidCAM saves all the CAM-Part data in ZIP-archive file. During the SolidCAM session this file is extracted in the specific temporary location, and the software works with the extracted CAM-Part data. When the CAM-Part is closed, the content of the ZIP file has to be replaced with the updated CAM-Part data. When the update process is finished, SolidCAM deletes the extracted CAM-Part from the temporary location.

  • SolidCAM supports simultaneous work with both file formats – compressed CAM-Part and non-compressed CAM-Part.

  • Each newly created CAM-Part can be created either in compressed mode or in non-compressed mode, depending on the SolidCAM Settings.

  • Each CAM-Part can be converted from open to compressed mode depending on the SolidCAM Settings.

Compressed CAM-Part file format

The SolidCAM Compressed CAM-Part format is the ZIP file (compatible with WinZIP application). This file has extension *.prz and contains all the CAM-Part data.

Creating a new compressed CAM-Part

When you confirm the CAM-Part creation in the External mode using the New Turning Part dialog box, SolidCAM creates the empty compressed CAM-Part file in the location specified in the Directory field with the name specified in the Name field. SolidCAM also creates the <Name>.prt file and <NAME> folder in the SolidCAM Temporary folder.

The SolidCAM Temporary folder is automatically created by SolidCAM. You can choose your own location for the SolidCAM Temporary folder via SolidCAM Settings.

If the compressed CAM-Part already exists in the location defined in the Directory field, you cannot define a new CAM-Part with the same name. SolidCAM offers you to choose an alternative name or location.

After the CAM-Part definition, SolidCAM works with the CAM-Part data located in the SolidCAM Temporary folder. When the CAM-Part is being closed, SolidCAM will update the compressed CAM-Part with the CAM-Part data. After the update, the non-compressed copy will be removed from the SolidCAM Temporary folder.

Converting CAM-Parts to Compressed mode

SolidCAM enables you to work with both types of the CAM-Parts; compressed and non-compressed. Each non-compressed CAM-Part can be converted to the compressed mode in the opening process (according to the SolidCAM Settings). During this operation, SolidCAM compresses all CAM-Part data to the compressed CAM-Part. After these operations SolidCAM removes the original CAM-Part.

Opening/Closing Compressed CAM-Parts

When opening a compressed CAM-Part, SolidCAM extracts all its content into the SolidCAM Temporary folder and loads the non-compressed CAM-Part.

When closing a CAM-Part, SolidCAM updates the corresponding compressed CAM-Part with the data from the SolidCAM Temporary folder. After the update the non-compressed data will be removed from the SolidCAM Temporary folder.

The smart algorithm of opening compressed CAM-Parts enables SolidCAM to prevent data loss in case the CAM-Part session was not completed correctly.

If the CAM-Part session was not completed correctly and the Compressed CAM-Part was not updated successfully, the non-compressed data will not be removed from the SolidCAM Temporary folder. In this case, in the next Compressed CAM-Part, SolidCAM finds the corresponding non-compressed data and displays the following dialog box.

  • Continue with Temporary Folder version. In this case the compressed CAM-Part will be updated with the non-compressed data from the SolidCAM Temporary folder.

  • Continue with compressed CAM-Part version. In this case the non-compressed data in the SolidCAM Temporary folder will be updated with the content of the compressed CAM-Part.

Exit enables you to cancel the operation and solve the problem manually.