Working with operations
Some of the operation commands affect all existing operations, others can only be applied to one or more selected operations. SolidCAM produces different menus, depending on whether you right-click the Operations header in the CAM Manager or an existing operation in the tree.
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In the CAM Manager, right-click the Operations header. The operations menu contains the following commands: Add Operations from Process Template SolidCAM Simulator (Beta) Apply feeds/spins from Tooltable
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If you right-click an existing operation, the following operation commands are displayed: Add Operations from Process Template SolidCAM Simulator (Beta) Apply feed/spins from Tooltable
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Add Machining Process
This command enables you to use a previously created Machining Process in your CAM-Part.
Create Template
This command displays the Template Manager dialog box that enables you to save operation data as a template.
When this option is applied to several selected operations, a process template is created with all the selected operations included.
Edit
This command enables you to view or change the definition and parameters of an existing operation. If you select this command, the corresponding operation dialog box will be displayed and you can change the operation definition.
Calculate/Calculate All
Before you will be able to generate GCode for your CNC-machine, you have to perform the tool path calculation. Based on the geometries, machining strategy and technological parameters you have defined and saved in the operation, SOLIDWORKS will calculate the movements of the tool.
If a long tool path calculation time is expected, it is advisable to define your operations, save them and postpone the tool path calculation. This function enables you to calculate large CAM-Parts with many operations in a batch routine e.g. overnight.
Calculate & GCode All
This command enables you to calculate all the operations in your CAM-Part and generate the GCode.
Synchronize/Synchronize ALL
These commands enable you to synchronize CAM-Part parameters.
Tool path
The Show/Hide tool path commands toggle the display of the tool path of selected operations on the solid model.
GCode Simulators
This command contains a list of the standard GCode simulation software packages integrated with SolidCAM. It is available only when the simulator parameters are defined in CAM Settings.
CAM tree view
These options enable you to control the appearance of CAM Manager: the display of tool information, operation numbers, machining time, etc.
File
This option enables you to append a ASCII file with a GCode to your CAM-Part.
Operation Group
An Operation Group is a set of separate operations with a defined order in the sequence. The operation group menu enables you to control operation groups.
Apply feeds/spins from Tooltable
This command enables you to updated the feeds and spins in all selected operations according to the feeds and spins in the tool table.
Cut/Copy/Paste
SolidCAM enables you to cut, copy and paste operations.
Copy. This command copies the selected operations into the clipboard.
Paste. This command inserts the operations from the clipboard after the selected operation. The pasted operations are marked by an asterisk; they must be calculated to obtain the tool path.
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If the clipboard is empty, the Paste command is disabled. |
Cut. This command enables you to cut the operations and copy them into the clipboard. When the operations are pasted from the clipboard, the source operations are removed.
Delete/Delete all
This command enables you to delete operations from the operation list of your CAM-Part.
- Select an operation. To delete several operations at a time, select them using the Shift and Ctrl keys.
- Right-click the operations and choose the Delete command.
- To delete several operations at a time, click Yes to all in the confirmation message.
Rename
This command enables you to rename a specific operation. The operation name is displayed in the editing mode enabling you to change it.
Documentation (DPP)
This section enables you to generate or edit documentation using a Doc-processor file (*.dpp).
Change Submachine to
This command enables you to change the Submachine for the selected operations directly from the CAM Manager.
The same command is available by right-clicking the Submachine subheader. All operations appearing under the selected submachine will be changed.
Change Tool
This option enables you to change the tool used in a particular operation directly from CAM Manager. The Tool dialog box is displayed so that you can choose another tool.
Font&Color
This command enables you to change the operation appearance in the CAM-tree interface. You can choose bold or italic typeface and select the color for the operation name. Click the Use tool simulation color button to assign to the operation the same color that is used for the tool in the simulation.
Suppress/Unsuppress GCode
SolidCAM enables you to suppress the GCode generation for any operation. All other functionalities of the operation are not affected.
In the CAM Manager tree, the name of the operation with the suppressed GCode appears in a black rectangle.
Customize
All shortcut menus in CAM Manager can be customized to suit your needs.
You can deselect the items you rarely use and want to hide and keep selected
the items you want shown. Use 
to view
the entire list of menus available including the Customize option.