Version 14 : September 2020

Probing
Proprietary Notice
This document contains proprietary information of 3D Systems, Inc. (“3DS”) and is to be used only
pursuant to and in conjunction with the license granted to the licensee with respect to the
accompanying licensed software from 3DS. Except as expressly permitted in the license, no part of
this document may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored in a retrieval system, or
translated into any language or computer language, in any form or by any means, electronic,
magnetic, optical, chemical, manual or otherwise, without the prior expressed written permission
from 3DS or a duly authorized representative thereof.

It is strongly advised that users carefully review the license in order to understand the rights and
obligations related to this licensed software and the accompanying documentation.

Use of the computer software and the user documentation has been provided pursuant to a 3DS
licensing agreement.

Copyright © 1993 – 2020 3DS. All rights reserved. The Gibbs and GibbsCAM logos, GibbsCAM,
Gibbs, Virtual Gibbs, and “Powerfully Simple. Simply Powerful.” are either trademark (s) or
registered trademark(s) of 3DS in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademark(s)
belong to their respective owners.
Portions of this software and related documentation are copyrighted by and are the property of Siemens Digital
Industries Software.
Microsoft, Windows, and the Windows logo are trademarks, or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the
United States and/or other countries.
Contains PTC Creo GRANITE® Interoperability Kernel by PTC Inc. All PTC logos are used under license from PTC
Inc., Boston, MA, USA. 3DS is an independent Software Provider.
Portions of this software © 1994–2020 Dassault Systèmes / Spatial Corp.
Portions of this software © 2001–2020 Geometric Software Solutions Co. Ltd.
Contains Autodesk® RealDWG™ kernel by Autodesk, Inc., © 1998-2020 Autodesk, Inc. All rights reserved.
DMG MORI Models provided in conjunction with GibbsCAM © 2007–2020 DMG Mori Seiki Co., Ltd.
Contains VoluMill™ and VoluTurn™ software by Celeritive Technologies, Inc. © 2007–2020 Celeritive Technologies,
Inc. All rights reserved.
This Product includes software developed by the OpenSSL Project for use in the OpenSSL Toolkit
(http://www.openssl.org/). This Product includes cryptographic software written by Eric Young ([email protected]).

Portions of this software © MachineWorks Ltd.

Portions of this software and related documentation are copyrighted by and are the property of Electronic Data
Systems Corporation.
Other portions of GibbsCAM are licensed from GibbsCAM licensors, which may not be listed here.

3D Systems, Inc.
Modified: Monday, October 05, 2020 01:40
Contents
INTRODUCTION TO PROBING 5
Basic Probing 5
GibbsCAM Generic Probing Cycles 6
Probing User Guide 6

TOOL TYPES FOR PROBING 7

Ball Tool for Probing 7
Disc Tool for Probing 8
Cylinder Tool for Probing 8
2D and 3D Form Tools for Probing 8

INTERFACE 9
Probe Tab 10
Parameters for All Probe Types 10
Depths diagram 10
Other basic parameters 11
Parameters for Generic Probe Types 11
Probe Shape (Generic) 11
Corners (Generic) 13
Rotate Tab for Probing 15

USING MACROS TO CREATE A

CUSTOM PROBE CYCLE 16
Macro Paths, Folders, and Files 16
Files Used by Macros for Probing 16
Macro Filename: Visible.txt 17
Macro Filename: ProcessData.txt 17
Sample Code for ProcessData.txt 18
Macro Filename: ProcessVars.txt 18
Sample Code for ProcessVars.txt 18
Macro Filename: Process.mac 19
Macro Filename: Process.dlg 19
Tab Label, Feedrate, Probe Touch Time, and Rapid In 19

3
 Macro Filename: AllowDoIt.mac 20
Sample Code for AllowDoIt.mac 20
Macro Filename: Toolpath.mac 20
Toolpath Commands 20
Commands and Variables Specifically for Probing 21
Sample Code for Toolpath.mac 21

CONVENTIONS 23
Text 23
Graphics 23

LINKS TO ONLINE RESOURCES 24

INDEX 25

4
 Introduction to Probing

Introduction to Probing
GibbsCAM Probing was introduced as a new product option in 2020, with GibbsCAM 14.

Please Note: This feature requires a post upgrade. To request a post upgrade, contact your
Reseller or the Gibbs Post Department.

Basic Probing
Basic Probing includes all the following:
• Probing tools: ball, disk, cylinder, 2D Form, and 3D Form

• User interface for setting basic probing parameters, including G-code format: Fanuc/generic,
Siemens 840D, or Heidenhaim

• Framework for generating probing operations

• Machine simulation of probing operations
• API library for third-party vendors to create plug-ins and macros

5
 Introduction to Probing

GibbsCAM Generic Probing Cycles

GibbsCAM Generic Probing is available by using Plug-In Manager to enable a plug-in named
GibbsCAM.Probing.Generic.dll. This plug-in provides Basic as well as several generic probing
cycle types, including: Single Surface, Rectangle Pocket, Circular Pocket, Rectangle Boss, and
Circular Boss .

Probing User Guide

This document provides a guide to Basic Probing, the generic probing cycles, and using macros to
create a custom probing cycle. It does not cover additional cycles or options that may have been
provided by your vendor. If you have these additional capabilities, please consult the third-party
documentation.

6
 Tool Types for Probing

Tool Types for Probing

GibbsCAM supplies five tool types for Probing:
• Ball: See Ball Tool for Probing below
A ball probe is the simplest type of probe and the one most often used. It is suitable for most
probing applications.
• Disc: See “Disc Tool for Probing” on page 8
Disc probes are used to probe undercuts and grooves within bores. When the disc's edges are
spherical, the results are equivalent to probing with a ball probe, but a disc provides more
clearance above and below the probed point.
• Cylinder: See “Cylinder Tool for Probing” on page 8
Cylinder probes are used for probing holes in thin parts and for probing threaded holes and
similar features. The cylinder assures a uniformity of measurement where a ball probe might
provide different measurements for different Z depths.
• Forms : See “2D and 3D Form Tools for Probing” on page 8

Ball Tool for Probing

1. Shank diameter
2. Shank taper length
3. Shank neck diameter
4. Probe tip diameter
5. Overall tool length
6. Shank taper angle
7. Shank neck length
8. Probe tip length

7
 Tool Types for Probing

Disc Tool for Probing

1. Shank diameter
2. Shank taper length
3. Shank neck diameter
4. Probe tip diameter
5. Overall tool length
6. Shank taper angle
7. Shank neck length
8. Probe tip length

Cylinder Tool for Probing

1. Shank diameter
2. Shank taper length
3. Shank neck diameter
4. Probe tip diameter
5. Overall tool length
6. Shank taper angle
7. Shank neck length
8. Probe tip length

2D and 3D Form Tools for Probing

As with other 2D and 3D form tools, you create the tool by:
• (2D Form Tool): Selecting a 2D shape that forms a body of revolution when spun about a
central axis.
• (3D Form Tool): Selecting a 3D body.

8
 Interface

Interface
Tools. User interface controls for Probing tools use a standard tool diagram. For complete
information, see “Tool Types for Probing” on page 7.
Processes. The Probing process dialog presents one or two tabs: the main probing tab — either
Basic Probing or Probe Shape (Generic) — and, optionally, Rotate.
• The Basic Probing page presents a depths diagram for the tool, and also a few other
parameters you can specify, such as Cycle Time, Machining CS, and Comments.
For parameters and their meanings, see Parameters for All Probe Types.

• If your license includes cycles beyond Basic Probing, further parameters are presented.
• If you are licensed for Generic Probing and if GibbsCAM.Probing.Generic.dllis enabled,
the Basic Probing page is replaced by the Probe Shape (Generic) page. See Parameters for
Generic Probe Types.
• The Rotate page appears if your DCD supports at least one programmable rotary axes suitable
for machining. The page presents choices for CS's and/or spindles. For complete information,
see Rotate tab for Probing.
Utility Operation. Use the GoTo utility operation if you want to use
Result > Measurement >Undersize or Oversize > GoTo.

9
 Interface

Probe Tab
Most controls presented in the main page of the Probing process dialog depend on the product
(Basic or Generic) and, for Generic, the choice of Probe Type (Probe Shape or Corners).
Several basic parameters are shared across all probe types.

Process: Basic Probing Process: Generic Probing

Parameters for All Probe Types

Feedrate
Specifies the speed (in either ipm=inches per minute or mmpm=millimeters per minute) for the
move between the clearance plane and the workpiece or material.
Rapid In
When this checkbox is available and selected, the probing tool will use a rapid move, rather than
a feed move, to go between the transition plane and the selected point.
Cycle Time (Basic)
Cycle Time is the length of time, in seconds, for the entire G-Code block to execute.

Probe Touch Time

Probe Touch Time is the length of time, in seconds, that must elapse for a probe encounter to be
considered a touch. A value of 0 is acceptable, and means that no further time for probe travel is
added to the time computed for the moves.

Depths diagram
The items in this section of the Probing process dialog define the clearances and depths for the
toolpath of the probe tool.

10
 Interface

1. Entry Clearance Plane

2. Exit Clearance Plane
3. Feedrate (unavailable if
Rapid In is selected)

Entry Clearance Plane

Also called CP2, the Entry Clearance Plane specifies the plane (normally Z height) where the
probe tool will rapid to before feeding to the start point of the toolpath.
Exit Clearance Plane
Also called CP3, the Exit Clearance Plane specifies the plane (normally Z height) where the
probe tool will rapid to after completing the toolpath.

Other basic parameters

Machining CS
Select the correct CS from the list.
Comment
You can enter text that can record your choices or remind you or others of helpful information.
When the operation is generated, this text is stored in operation data Op Comment field.

Parameters for Generic Probe Types

Additional parameters are available if you are licensed for Generic Probing and if
GibbsCAM.Probing.Generic.dll is enabled:

• For Probe Shapes (Generic), see Probe Shape (Generic), below.

• For Corners (Generic), see “Corners (Generic)” on page 13.

Probe Shape (Generic)

Cycle Types for Probe Shape (Generic)
Choose a cycle type from the pull-down list from among the following. The graphic changes to
match to the cycle type you select.

Single Surface — Use this cycle to probe a single surface cut. In addition to the standard
parameters, this cycle type offers controls for Clearance and Axis.

Rectangle Pocket — Use this cycle to probe a cut that has made a rectangular pocket.
In addition to the standard parameters, this cycle type offers controls for Axes.

11
 Interface

Circular Pocket — Use this cycle to probe a cut that has made a circular pocket.
In addition to the standard parameters, this cycle type offers controls for Points: either
Four Point or Three Point.
Rectangle Boss — Use this cycle to probe a cut that has formed a rectangular boss.
In addition to the standard parameters, this cycle type offers control for Boss Clearance
and Axes.
Circular Boss — Use this cycle to probe a cut that has formed a circular boss. In addition
to the standard parameters, this cycle type offers controls for Boss Clearance and Points.

Parameters for all cycle types for Probe Shape (Generic)

Result
Choose what to do upon a probe touch:
• Set Workfixture — Designate the result as a workfixture whose index you specify.

• Measurement — Register the result as a measurement.

Undersize / Oversize
To the right of the pull-down list, you can choose a system action to take if the probe determines
that the cut was Undersize (insufficient to meet the tolerance specified) or Oversize (went
farther than the tolerance specified):
- Continue — Instructs the system to continue without interruption.

- Alarm — Instructs the CNC machine to stop and to throw an alarm that alerts the operator to
the out-of-spec condition.
- GoTo — Instructs the system to jump to a GoTo utility operation that you specify and to
execute subsequent operations. The GoTo utility process is available in the Select
Process Type flyout, Utility section.
Note: In a probe operation that specifies a GoTo, ensure that no MTM sync intervenes
between that probe operation and its GoTo target.
Two Touch
Enabling this checkbox specifies that the probing tool must touch twice for a hit to register.
Probe Depth
The Z depth where you want the probe to touch the part. For example, you might select geometry of
a top surface that may have burs and use a negative value for Probe Depth to touch the probe farther
down a cut wall.

Parameters for specific cycle types for Probe Shape (Generic)

Clearance (for cycle type Single Surface)

Specify a minimum distance for the probe to keep away from the surface.

12
 Interface

Axis (for cycle type Single Surface)

You can specify any of the three axes (normally X, Y, or Z, but possibly H, V, or D) and the direction:
From Positive Side or From Negative Side.

Axes (for both Rectangle cycle types)

Designate which axis or axes should be used — for example, X and Y, X Only, or Y Only.
Boss Clearance (for both Boss cycle types)
Specify a minimum distance for the probe to keep away from a shape you are probing from the
outside.
Points (for cycle types Circular Pocketing or Circular Boss)

Four Point

Choose Four Point to probe at the extreme maximum and minimum values of the V
(vertical, often Y) direction and H (horizontal, often X) direction.

Four Point

Three Point Bore/Boss

Choose Three Point to designate three points. Angles are measured counterclockwise from the
positive H+ direction (often X+). For example:

0, 120, -120 0, 90, -120 30, 120, -90 45, 150, -60 60, 180, -60 45, 90, 135

Corners (Generic)
Cycle Types for Corners (Generic)
Choose a cycle type from the pull-down list from among the following. The graphic changes to
match the cycle type you select.

Outside Corner — Use this cycle to probe a %%%. In addition to the standard
parameters, this cycle type offers controls for X, Y, and Z Distance.

Outside Corner with Angle — Use this cycle to probe %%%. In addition to the standard
parameters, this cycle type offers controls for X, Y, and Z Distance.

Single Surface from Corner (Z) — Use this cycle to probe %%%. In addition to the
standard parameters, this cycle type offers controls for Probe Depth and Axis.

13
 Interface

Parameters for all cycle types for Corners (Generic)

Set
Choose what to do upon a probe touch:
• Workfixture — Designate the result as a workfixture whose index you specify.

• Workplane — .

XY Clearance
Specify a minimum distance for the probe to keep away from workfixture in the XY plane.
Z Clearance
Specify a minimum distance for the probe to keep away from workfixture the Z direction.
Two Touch
Enabling this checkbox specifies that the probing tool must touch twice for a hit to register.

Parameters for specific cycle types for Corners (Generic)

XY Clearance (for cycle types Outside Corner and Outside Corner with Angle)
Enter theminimum distance in the XY plane for the probe to keep away from the workpiece.
Z Clearance (for cycle types Outside Corner and Outside Corner with Angle)
Enter the minimum distance in the Z direction for the probe to keep away from the workpiece.
Probe Depth (for cycle type Single Surface from Corner (Z))
Enter the Z depth where you want the probe to touch the part. For example, you might select
geometry of a top surface that may have burs and use a negative value for Probe Depth to touch the
probe farther down a cut wall.
Axis (for cycle type Single Surface from Corner (Z))
You can specify any of the three axes (normally X, Y, or Z, but possibly H, V, or D) and the direction:
From Positive Side or From Negative Side.

14
 Interface

Rotate Tab for Probing

The controls presented in the Rotate page of the Probing process dialog ...

15
 Using Macros to Create a Custom Probe Cycle

Using Macros to Create a Custom

Probe Cycle
Probing processes support the use of macros to create a custom probe cycle. You can use macros
to customize the probe process dialog and to create your own probing toolpath.

Macro Paths, Folders, and Files

Each macro that defines a custom probe cycle resides in its own separate folder. Each macro folder
is stored within the ProbeProcesses\ folder in the global data folder. By default, this is:
C:\ProgramData\3D Systems\GibbsCAM\<version> \Macros\ProbeProcesses\

For example, if you want to create a probe cycle called MyProbeCycle to be used in GibbsCAM
version 14.0.48, you would put the files in this folder:
C:\ProgramData\...\14.0.48\Macros\ProbeProcesses\MyProbeCycle\

Files Used by Macros for Probing

For custom probe cycles, each macro folder contains the following files:
• “Macro Filename: Visible.txt” on page 17 — Optional. Specifies the MDDs that are supported by
this macro. If the file is not present, all MDDs are supported.
• “Macro Filename: ProcessData.txt” on page 17 — Specifies process parameters used by this
macro.
• “Macro Filename: ProcessVars.txt” on page 18 — Lists all variables and default values used by
the process dialog that is defined by the macro.
• “Macro Filename: Process.mac” on page 19 — Optional. Specifies one or more macros to be
called before the process dialog is displayed to the user.
• “Macro Filename: Process.dlg” on page 19 — Defines the controls to be displayed to the user in
the process dialog, and also specifies the field's width and height.
• “Macro Filename: AllowDoIt.mac” on page 20 — Optional. Specifies the circumstances in which
the DoIt and ReDo buttons are available to the user.
• “Macro Filename: Toolpath.mac” on page 20 — Creates the operation toolpath. Can call other
macros.

16
 Using Macros to Create a Custom Probe Cycle

Macro Filename: Visible.txt

The Visible.txt file specifies the MDDs that are supported by this macro. It contains one line per
MDD. Each line contains the actual name of the MDD, such as VMill5a.mdd. It can also specify
any or all of these categories (one per line):

ANY_MILL
ANY_LATHE
ANY_MTM
If the MDD used by the current part file is not on this list, then the macro for this probe process is
unavailable to the current part.
The file Visible.txt is optional. If it does not exist, then the probe process will be available to any
MDD.

Macro Filename: ProcessData.txt

The ProcessData.txt file specifies process parameters used by this macro. Each line in the file
must be in the following format:
<data> = <value>

The acceptable values for <data> are listed in the left column of the following table.

data note value

PROCESS_NAME 1 Name of the probe process.

DISPLAY_NAME 1 Used when displaying the process name.
SHORT_PROCESS_NAME 1 Used when GUI displays a short process name.
LONG_PROCESS_NAME 1 Used when GUI displays a long process name.
PROCESS_ICON 1 Name of *.ico file used for the process.

NEED_FEEDRATE 2 YES | NO : Does this process dialog show the Feedrate

textbox?
USE_RAPID_IN 2 YES | NO : Does this process dialog show the Rapid In
checkbox?
NEED_TOUCH_TIME 2 YES | NO : Does this process dialog show the controls for
Touch Time?

CS_USE_TYPE 3 Must be one of the following values:

NONE
NORMAL
PART_STATION_ALIGNED

17
 Using Macros to Create a Custom Probe Cycle

data note value

PATH TYPE 3 Must be one of the following values:

FULL_PATH_NO_GEO
FULL_PATH_WITH_GEO
POINT_EXPANSION
Notes:
1 — Value must be enclosed between doublequotes.
2 — Value must be either YES or NO.
3 — Value must be one of items in supplied list.

Sample Code for ProcessData.txt

A sample ProcessData.txt file might consist of these <data>= <value> pairs:

PROCESS_NAME = "MYPROBEPROCESS"
DISPLAY_NAME = "MYPROBEPROCESS"
SHORT_PROCESS_NAME = "MYPRPROC"
LONG_PROCESS_NAME = "MY PROBE PROCESS "
PROCESS_ICON = "MYPROBEPROCESS "
NEED_FEEDRATE = YES
USE_RAPID_IN = NO
NEED_TOUCH_TIME = YES
CS_USE_TYPE = NORMAL
PATH_TYPE = FULL_PATH_WITH_GEO

Macro Filename: ProcessVars.txt

The ProcessVars.txt file lists all variables and default values used by the process dialog that is
defined by the macro.
Each line contains the variable name and the default value. These variables are saved with the
operation that is created, and they will be available to the toolpath macro and to the post processor.

Sample Code for ProcessVars.txt

A sample ProcessVars.txt file might consist of these <data>= <value> pairs:

VERSION = 1
OPT1 = 2 ! DEFINES WHICH RADIO BUTTON IS SELECTED
Z_CLEAR = 3.5 ! CLEARANCE ABOVE SELECTED GEOMETRY
Z_DEPTH = -2.2 ! DEPTH BELOW SELECTED GEOMETRY TO PROBE

18
 Using Macros to Create a Custom Probe Cycle

Macro Filename: Process.mac

The Process.mac file (optional) specifies one or more macros to be called before the process
dialog is displayed to the user.
You might want to use this macro to check the values of each variable used by this probe cycle. For
example, you could check if a probe Z plane height is below a clearance plane height.

Macro Filename: Process.dlg

The Process.dlg file defines the controls to be displayed to the user in the process dialog, and
also specifies the field's width and height. You use this as you use other macro dialog file, except
that it addresses the controls and text field of the Probing dialog.
The Process.dlg file uses the following subset of dialog commands:

LABEL
INPUT
CHECK
RADIO

You can define up to ten of each control type. All radio buttons must be in the same group.
You must include the DIALOG command to define the size of the free field (red area in the
illustration). The format for this command is not the same as for regular macro dialogs. Instead, it
simply defines the width and height of the area. For example:

WIDTH 300, 200

Tab Label, Feedrate, Probe Touch Time, and Rapid In

Four special fields and controls are as follows:
• The value for LABEL is the text to display for the tab name.

• The Feedrate textbox is displayed only if the ProcessData.txt file has this line:

NEED_FEEDRATE = YES
• The Probe Touch Time control is displayed only if the ProcessData.txt file has this line:

NEED_TOUCH_TIME = YES
• The Rapid In checkbox is displayed only if the ProcessData.txt file has this line:

USE_RAPID_IN = YES

19
 Using Macros to Create a Custom Probe Cycle

Macro Filename: AllowDoIt.mac

The AllowDoIt.mac file (optional) specifies the circumstances in which the DoIt and ReDo buttons
are available to the user. If this file is not present, then the buttons will always be enabled for the
process. Like all *.mac files, the AllowDoIt.mac file can call other macros.
As with other macros, setting the variable to 1 enables it. For example:

PROBE_ALLOW_DO_IT = 1

Sample Code for AllowDoIt.mac

As an example of when and how you would use this, imagine a situation where you want to check if
the user has one geometry feature selected and the selected feature is a circle, but in all other
cases, you want to disable the DoIt and ReDo buttons.
A sample AllowDoIt.mac file might include the following snippet of code:

PROBE_ALLOW_DO_IT = 0

GET_NUM_FEAT_SELECTED INUMFEAT
IF INUMFEAT<>1 THEN GOTO END

GET_SELECTED_GEO_REF 1, IREF
GET_FEAT_TYPE IREF, IFEATTYPE
IF IFEATTYPE<>FEAT_TYPE_CIRCLE THEN GOTO END

PROBE_ALLOW_DO_IT = 1

:END

Macro Filename: Toolpath.mac

The Toolpath.mac file creates the operation toolpath. Like all *.mac files, it can call other macros.

Toolpath Commands
You can use any regular macro commands in this file, but to create the toolpath, you must use
commands from the following list.

Command <parameters> Meaning

START <xs> <ys> <zs> Toolpath start position

RAPID <xe> <ye> <ze> Rapid in x, y, z
RAPID_X <xe> Rapid in x

20
 Using Macros to Create a Custom Probe Cycle

Command <parameters> Meaning

RAPID_Y <ye> Rapid in y

RAPID_Z <ze> Rapid in z
FEED <xe> <ye> <ze> Feed in x, y, z
FEED_X <xe> Feed in x
FEED_Y <ye> Feed in y
FEED_Z <ze> Feed in z
ARC <xe> <ye> <ze> <xc> <yc> <dir> Arc

Commands and Variables Specifically for Probing

Command

CYCLE_START
CYCLE_END
MOVE_ENABLE
MOVE_DISABLE
TOUCH_MARKER

None of the probe commands have any parameters, but the CYCLE_START command will add extra
data to the toolpath for use by the post processor. This data comprises 17 different variables with
values that are set using the SET_PROBE_PROCESS_CYCLE_START_DATA command.

Probing-specific variables are as follows:

H, V, D, Radius, Distance, Over_Tol, Under_Tol,
Val1, Val2, Val3, Val4, Val5, Val6, Val7, Val8, Val9, Val10

Any value that is not defined is set to zero.

Sample Code for Toolpath.mac

If you want to tell the post processor the values for H, V, Radius, and Over tolerance, you might
use these commands:

SET_PROBE_PROCESS_CYCLE_START_DATA H, 20
SET_PROBE_PROCESS_CYCLE_START_DATA V, 16.75
SET_PROBE_PROCESS_CYCLE_START_DATA RADIUS, 3.5

21
 Using Macros to Create a Custom Probe Cycle

SET_PROBE_PROCESS_CYCLE_START_DATA OVER_TOL, 0.002

22
 Conventions

Conventions
GibbsCAM documentation uses two special fonts to represent screen text and keystrokes or
mouse actions. Other conventions in text and graphics are used to allow quick skimming, to
suppress irrelevancy, or to indicate links.

Text
Screen text. Text with this appearance indicates text that appears in GibbsCAM or on your monitor.
Typically this is a button or text for a dialog.
Keystroke/Mouse. Text with this appearance indicates a keystroke or mouse action, such as
Ctrl+C or right-click.
Code. Text with this appearance indicates computer code, such as lines in a macro or a block of
G-code.

Graphics
Some graphics are altered so as to de-emphasize irrelevant information. A “torn” edge signifies an
intentional omission. Portions of a graphic might be blurred or dimmed to highlight the item being
discussed. For example:

Annotations on a graphic are usually numbered callouts (as seen above), and sometimes include
green circles, arrows, or tie-lines to focus attention on a particular portion of the graphic.
Faint green borders that outline areas within a graphic usually signify an image map. In online help
or a PDF viewer, you can click a green-bordered area to follow the link.

23
 Links to Online Resources

Links to Online Resources

Link URL Action / Description
Go http://www.GibbsCAM.com Opens the main website for GibbsCAM.

Opens a restricted website containing

materials available for download. Requires a
Go https://online.gibbscam.com
GibbsCAM Online Services account; to set
up an account, contact GibbsCAM Support.

Opens the website for the GibbsCAM

Go https://store.GibbsCAM.com
Student Store.

Opens a wiki containing documentation and

Go https://GibbsCAMMacroWiki.3DSystems.com examples of GibbsCAM macros. Requires a
GibbsCAM account.

Opens a Knowledge Base article, Contour

Operations Using Thread Mill Tools, that
Go http://kb01.GibbsCAM.com
explains in detail the correct way to program
Contour processes using Thread Mill tools.

Runs your email client to create a new

message addressed to the 3D Systems
Go mailto:[email protected]
Technical Support department for
GibbsCAM.

Runs your email client to create a new

Go mailto:[email protected] message addressed to the 3D Systems
Registration department for GibbsCAM.

Runs your email client to create a new

Go mailto:[email protected] message addressed to the 3D Systems
Sales department for GibbsCAM.

Opens an external website that provides

Go http://www.autodesk.com/inventor more information on Autodesk Inventor
products.

Opens an external website that provides

more information on VoluMill Ultra High-
Go http://www.celeritive.com
Performance Toolpath (UHPT) from
Celeritive Technologies.

Opens an external website that provides

more information on a CNC editor and a
Go http://www.predator-software.com
virtual CNC viewer from Predator Software,
Inc.

24
 Index

P
Probe tab 10
Probing tabs
Probe 10
Probing tools, listed 5

T
tabs, Probing interface
Probe tab 10
tools for Probing, listed 5

- 25 -