CamBam - Getting Started

Opening Files

CamBam currently supports opening the following files:

CamBam native file format (*.cb)

Autodesk DXF files (*.dxf)

3DStudio files (*.3ds)

GCode files (*.tap,*.nc)

Any other file extensions are presumed to be GCode files.

Use the File->Open menu option to open the required file.

CamBam will also attempt to open any files passed to the application via the command line.

If the MSI installer is used to install CamBam, Windows Explorer file associations should be automatically configured.

If manually installed using the binary only release, Windows Explorer can be used to associate various files types with the CamBam application by using Explorer's 'Open With' command then selecting the CamBam executable.

Rotating and Panning the 3D View

Rotation

The 3D view is rotated by holding down the ALT key whilst dragging the left mouse button.
Alternatively, for users familiar with CAD products such as Catia, changing the Tools->Options RotationMode to Left_Middle will enable rotation by holding down the middle mouse button then dragging the left mouse button.

Translation

The view is translated by dragging the center mouse button.

Zooming

Scrolling the mouse wheel will zoom in and out. The geometry under the mouse cursor will be use as a reference point when zooming.

Resetting

ALT + double click will reset the view orientation. If Left_Middle RotationMode is used, holding the middle mouse button whilst left double clicking will reset the view.

The view can also be reset by selecting the View->Zoom To Fit menu option.

Selecting Objects

Objects can be selected by clicking on them in the view window, or by selecting them from the tree view on the left of the screen.
CTRL+click will select multiple objects.
Clicking on empty space will clear any selections.

CTRL+A will select all visible objects.

Multiple objects can be selected by dragging the left mouse button to form a selection rectangle. To be selected the entire object must be inside the rectangle.

Once selected, object properties can be viewed and modified in the property browser in the lower left.

Objects can be deleted by selecting them then pressing the delete key.

Drawing Dimensions / Units

The program was initially designed for Metric use, but there is some Imperial support. Easier unit selection and control is planned for the next major release.

Selecting the root of the object browser tree view selects the current drawing and shows it's properties in the property browser. One of the properties is called Scale

Scale = 1 denotes metric, where 1 drawing unit = 1mm

Scale = 25.4 denotes Imperial, where 1 drawing unit = 25.4mm

Currently, any scale other than 1 will write a G20 (Inches) code to any generated gcode and Scale=1 will write a G21 (Metric).

To change the default drawing units, select Tools->Options and change the DocScale property. Don't forget to do Tools->Save Settings or Tools->Save Settings on Exit.

Generating Toolpaths and GCode

CamBam uses CAM machining operations to generate toolpaths and machining instructions.   CAM operations are sometimes referred to as MOPs (machining operations).

The following CAM operations are currently supported:

2.5D Profile - creates toolpaths offset from selected geometry.

Pocketing - Fills a region bounded by geometry to create a pocket.

Engraving - Used to insert toolpaths that follow selected geometry.

Drilling - Creates drilling instructions from point list objects.

3D Surfacing - (Still in development)

GCode - Gcode files can be imported as machining instructions (Still in development)

For more detail on creating and using these CAM operations I recomend working through some of the tutorials.

Once the CAM operations are defined, GCode is generated by right clicking the Machining object in the tree view and selecting Create GCode File.

NOTE: The Create GCode File option is also available by right clicking on each CAM operation. This will generate gcode from just the select CAM operation.