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Working with Vericut Files

Introduction to Using Vericut Files

In the following discussion the term Vericut, for example Vericut Files, used in the following sections is synonymous to Vericut Composite Simulation.

This section introduces you to files commonly used in Vericut, and how to work with them. For a complete list of Vericut files with detailed descriptions, see Vericut File Descriptions in the Getting Started section of Vericut Help.

Configuring Vericut to start with a custom Project file

By default, Vericut starts with either the "vericut.VcProject" (inch sessions) or "vericutm.VcProject" (mm sessions) Library file. You can change the project file Vericut starts with by setting the CGTECH_VCPROJECT environment variable in the "vericut" batch file prior to the entry that executes Vericut. The command files are located in the "platform\commands" folder, where "platform" represents the computer type on which Vericut is running (e.g. "windows64\commands")

Example edited "vericut" batch file (added the CGTECH_VCPROJECT entry):

set CGTECH_VCPROJECT=C:\myfolder\myproject.vcproject

%start_cmd% "%CGTECH_JRE%\bin\javaw" %ARG_SPLASH% -Dsun.java2d.noddraw=true -Xms128m -Xmx512m -Xss6m -classpath "%CGTECH_CLASSES%;%CGTECH_CLASSES%\Vericut.jar;%CGTECH_CLASSES%\iText.jar;%CGTECH_CLASSES%\iTextAsian.jar;%CGTECH_CLASSES%\acrobat.jar;%CGTECH_CLASSES%\MRJToolkitStubs.zip" Vericut %ARGSTR%

:end_cgtech

endlocal

Where Vericut looks for referenced files

Vericut looks in the places listed below (in listed order) when trying to find files referenced in Vericut files. An example follows.

Look in the folder specified by the path stored in the Vericut file.

  1. If not found, look in the current Working Directory.

  2. If not found, look in the parent folder (the folder where the file containing the referenced file came from).

  3. If not found, look in the Vericut Library as specified by the CGTECH_LIBRARY environment variable.

Example

Consider the following:

Vericut is run from the M:\mydirectory location.

The command file used to run Vericut defines CGTECH_LIBRARY to point to C:\Program Files\Vericut [version #]\library.

Using File tab > Open, you navigate to D:\projectfiles and select a project file that contains a reference to a Vericut Tool Library file stored in E:\NCparts.

Vericut looks in the following locations to find the Tool Library file.

  1. E:\NCparts — specified by the path stored in the Vericut file

  2. M:\mydirectory — the current Working Directory

  3. D:\projectfiles — parent folder where the Project file came from
  4. C:\Program Files\Vericut [version #]\library — specified by the CGTECH_LIBRARY environment variable

Vericut quits looking as soon as a file is found. If all locations are checked without findinging the referenced file, an error is issued.

Summary of Vericut File Types

The sections that follow provide information about the files Vericut uses and typical file extensions.

Types of Vericut files

Files provided by Vericut to assist with simulating NC programs and machine tool motions can be divided into two categories:

Library files — General purpose files for configuring Vericut to simulate NC programs and machine motions. Library files are included in every installation, and include:

Vericut default files — Default files opened by Vericut. The files are configured to perform a short simulation when Play is pressed. Two sets of files provide demonstrations for inch (vericut.VCProject) and metric (vericutm.VCProject) environments.

Vericut initialization files — Initialization files opened by Vericut via File tab > New Project. Two sets of files provide initialization for inch (init.VCProject) and metric (initm.VCProject) environments.

Machine and Control files — NC machines and controls intended to help you configure Vericut for simulating G-Code NC programs that run on popular NC machining centers.

For information about all of these files, see Library Files section of Vericut Help.

Sample files — Files used to demonstrate Vericut capabilities and options. Sample files are included with Vericut software on the CD, and are available to all users who choose to load them.