When you run CAM Assist from GibbsCAM, the part's configuration has extra settings that choose which GibbsCAM process types CAM Assist creates for roughing and finishing.
Where to find them
Open the part's configuration: click Configuration at the top of the Setups, Feature planning or Tools stage, or the pencil next to Configuration in the Assessment stage. Then:
- Roughing tab: the Roughing Type group.
- Finishing tab: the Process preference group.
Settings
| Setting | What it does | Default | Options |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roughing (in Roughing Type) | Process type for roughing operations. Slotting passes aren't affected. | Volumill [High performance toolpaths] | Volumill [High performance toolpaths], Standard Roughing [Standard toolpaths, faster to generate in GibbsCAM] |
| Offset flat boundaries | Controls how CAM Assist handles the edges of flat machining regions. Enable offsets the boundary where the tool can't stay inside the face, keeping the toolpath within the intended area. Disable uses the face boundary as is. | Enable | Enable, Disable |
| Contour flat | Enable adds contour-following passes for small or narrow flat regions, such as ledges, before the flat finishing pass. | Enable | Enable, Disable |
| Freeform | Process type for freeform (3D surface) finishing. | Surface | Contour, Adv3D, Surface |
When some options are missing
| What you see | Why |
|---|---|
| No Freeform setting | Your GibbsCAM license doesn't include the PRO milling option. Freeform finishing then always uses Contour. |
| No Adv3D option | You're using GibbsCAM 2027, which doesn't support it. A part saved with Adv3D uses Surface instead. |
Where they're saved
They're saved with the configuration. When you save, choose Save to this part only to use them for this part, or Update configuration or Save as new configuration to keep them for other parts too. See Configuration settings.
When to change them
Standard Roughing is faster to generate in GibbsCAM than Volumill. Offset flat boundaries and Contour flat depend on the part's shape rather than the material or machine: start with the defaults, then adjust them if the toolpaths near flat areas need it.
Videos
These CloudNC Academy videos were recorded with an earlier version of CAM Assist, so some screens may look different.