Hello from us at the cncsimulator.com developer team, we have exciting news!

First of all, we hope every one of you is safe in these crazy times. Our hearts go out to all of those affected by this crisis.

We have been using this time to work on the new and exciting version 3.2 of CNCSimulator Pro. There is a lot to talk about so here we go:

So what is new in version 3.2? A lot!

Here is a list:

• We have been in contact with Microsoft and got the false virus alert removed. McAfee still thinks we are bad guys though. We will contact them later.
• Mouse movements were sometimes lagging in SimCam, this has been improved now.
• This is a big one! We have added functionality that lets the user create their own canned cycles and G-codes using codes as $DefineModalMacro and $DefineNonModalMacro. These definitions can be hidden in include files that run in the background, so that the user-defined codes act just like the built-in ones. You can also define your own popup help to these codes, making them even more like the standard codes in the simulator. We have included an example to show how all this is done.

• A new $-command has been added that lets you jump to labels in the code: $GotoLabel.
• We have added a code that can be added to G-codes to tell the simulator that it should run the original G-code and not the redefined one, this will be clear when you look at the example.
• As user-defined canned cycles often are based on macro-programming, we have added a $-command to activate the macro interpreter directly from the code: $ActivateMacroInterpreter.
• You can right-click on include-file calls to directly open the file in the editor. You can also return to the main program by right-clicking and select return in the menu. This makes it much easier to jump back and forth between the files when developing custom cycles and G-codes.

• We have added a setting so that you can have pause points saved in the CNC-program.
• We have made many changes to the lighting of machines and workpieces. It looks much more alive now.

• We have added a function to simplify CNC-programs. It will, for example, make canned cycles into their basic G00, G01, G02, and G03 components. This is a way to make a program compatible with almost any machine.

• If the main window was in full-screen mode when you exited the program, it will now return to full-screen mode at the next start.
• Lathe machines now have a feature to show chips while cutting.
• Some machines have been updated with a more modern look and more details.
• The Feeds and Speeds Tool now works for turning machines as well.
• We have added materials that can be user-defined in the Feeds and Speeds Tool.
• We have added a “machine” that is a game meant to teach beginners basic G-codes. You run a car through a track with the help of G00 to G03. Road signs help the user to get the car to the garage.

• We have fixed a couple of bugs regarding prefabricated milling workpieces.
• We have added a new tool called Zeropoint Helper. It will assist you in finding the zeropoint you want in milling machines.

• We have fixed a bug that sometimes created two copies of the settings in memory. It created some confusion.
• We have fixed a bug that created problems when using R arcs in combination with radius compensation and inches units.
• We have added G15 and G16 polar coordinates G-codes. There is also a new example showing how these works.

• SimCam’s workspace was visible in the 2D view. That has been fixed now.
• The type of file list you have in the file browsers is saved now so you do not have to change them every time.
• The Full 3D milling buffer now supports layer coloring as well. ($Color)
• Speaking of colors, we have added a new $-command that automatically assigns colors to different depth layers. $AutoColorMode. We have also included a new example file for this.

• We have added a new G-code called G52 local zero point shift as well as a new example file demonstrating it.

• We have fixed some issues with the virtual jog controller.
• The simulator runs at a higher speed now. We have optimized some of the code to gain more speed.
• We have added something called Project Files. It is a type of file that saves everything: your CNC code, the SimCam document, your settings, tools, workpieces, etc. A project file is like a time machine that lets you go back to the status of your simulator at the point in time you saved it. This is also very useful for the support team as they can ask you to send a project file to make troubleshooting a problem much quicker.
• Machine Info and Codes now show the tool change position as well.
• The default background for all machines is now a blue gradient. You can still set your own background color though.
• We have added a function to display the machine coordinates while simulating. It can be helpful when looking for an issue with the CNC code.
• We have fixed an issue with uploading SimCam documents to the cloud.
• We have added new command prompt commands to help with support.
• We have added support for vises in milling machines. They come with collision detection too!

A big thanks to each one of you that has contributed with ideas, feedback, and suggestions helping us with this new update.

The installer will soon be up on our download page but until then, you can download it from this link:

https://cncsimulator.com/downloads/Ver3_2/CncSimProSetup3_2.exe

Stay safe everybody, stay at home and simulate!

We have more exciting news regarding the upcoming version 3.2.

Improved machines, lighting, and graphics.

Support for vises with collision check.

Stay tuned for more!

Version 3.1 is finally here. You can download it from our download page. Here is a list of some of the changes and fixes done in this version:

• Fixed problem with absolute centers in lathes.
• Fixed problem with 2D view + lathes + R-arcs + abs center.
• Fixed problem with turning cycles with certain contours.
• Fixed issue with mill drilling cycle in incremental mode.
• Implemented U and W positive/negative direction for G71.
• Fixed bug with inches + tool reg + radius comp. Values were read as mm.
• Fixed crash in SimCam when drawing guide circle followed by guide line and start pos.
• Fixed issue with last G00 Z when postprocessing with a stock mtrl with non zero Z origin.
• Deleted last unnecessary Z movement in the milling PP.
• Fixed: Analyze function did not see tool changes when M6 was not used.
• Disabled error for T0 tool calls.
• Added alarm for arcs with incorrect endpoint.
• Fixed crash when a firewall blocked traffic to cncsimulator.com.
• Added keyboard shortcut ALT – U to open user CNC files.
• Fixed some problems with the Analyze function (NaN values).
• Changed the embedded PP for turning and milling so that F and S are reset at each tool change.
• Fixed formatting problems for some G76 parameters in the turning PP.
• Fixed formatting problems for $AddDefinedPart in cultures that uses decimal comma.
• Changed the standard milling PP so that outputs T instead of DT (using $ReadTasDefinedTool).
• Changed the Analyze function so that T0 does not count as a tool change.
• Fixed a bug in the milling PP script regarding zero points.
• Fixed Image Maker errors with file paths containing spaces.
• Added Translate CNC code function.
• Fixed problem with Heidenhain arcs in 2D view.
• Fixed problems with Image Maker in cultures using decimal comma.
• Fixed problem with Heidenhain arcs + inches + 2D-view.
• Fixed error “Window could not be resized” at start.
• Swapped M00 and M01. They where incorrect defined before. Now M01 is optional stop.
• Added new $-commands to create stock material and tools at run-time.
• Fixed problem with rough cut cycle, when it “missed” the programmed contour it went to -1000.
• Fixed problem with DPI scaling on high-res monitors with non 100% dpi setting.Fixed alarm when inverting workpiece in lathes using inches.
• Catching errors when reading simulator settings.
• Fixed issue with Analyze function and lathes with custom material. Mtrl price was wrong because it read the emb. price.
• Fixed so that M6 is ignored when having auto.toolchange in settings to avoid some problems.
• Fixed issue with Analyze and G71 in lathes. Path distance was doubled.
• Deleted “ugly” ET from examples and instead using $ReadTasEmbeddedTool.
• Added file associations for .cnc files.
• Updated a lot of intellisense popups.
• Changed engrave function so that arcs with an extreme small radius is treated like lines to avoid problems.
• Fixed some spelling errors.
• Fixed a problem in the Mill Tool editor where shaft was enabled by default.
• Fixed issues when pressing Enter in SimCam output settings text boxes. It closed the form.
• Fixed some issues with SimCam dimension settings.
• Fixed thumbnail issue with SimCam contour – rectangle.
• Fixed issue with help labels in SimCam menu “Click start of line” for the endpoint.
• Fixed problem with “Red Arcs” and inches.
• Fixed issue with CAM – Engrave on contours created by Image Maker.
• Fixed problem with Tutorial in inches.
• Fixed issue with new arc check so that arcs with a radius less than .5 mm is ignored.
• Fixed Misc – Insert command – Cutting for lathes. It always made a command for milling before.
• Fixed SimCam issue with arc tangenting two arcs. It created a guide circle.
• Fixed thumbnail issues with Import DXF, Image Maker and Frame Maker.
• Fixed crash in SimCam – Analyze and fix…
• Fixed problem when saving things in the Inventory browser while jumping back and forth betw. inches and mm.

We are currently beta testing our next release of the worlds most popular CNC simulator.
This version contains a lot of bug fixes, improvements and tweaks enabled by the feedback we have collected from you guys.

Here is a list with updates so far. Stay tuned for the release date!

We have updated the online-help to reflect the new functionality and changes in version 3.0.
Let us know if you find any mistakes or anything that is missing. Thanks!

We are proud to announce version 3.0 of CNCSimulator Pro! This version is as always based on feedback from our users. Thank you to everyone that contributed!

What is new?

Quick Simulate to next tool
You can now do a quick simulate to the next tool change. Press CTRL-N to continue to skip to the next tool change. Very useful when you want to focus on a certain part of the program.

Lathe tools presentation
Lathe tools are now correctly presented when switching between lathes that has the tool coming from the front or from the top. This was confusing in previous versions.

Improved support functions
We have added a range of functions (available from the command prompt) that will help us give you better support when there are issues. Users can upload packages containing CNC code, SimCam projects, settings etc. so we can troubleshoot better.

DPI scaling
We have fixed some issues with non 100% dpi scaling in Windows. Using Windows 10 and version 3, it is now possible to run the simulator with other scaling than 100%.

Large editor Font
We have a new setting to enlarge the font in the editor.

View whitespaces, tabs and line breaks
You can now view these normally invisible characters in the editor. This is especially helpful when communicating with machines via the serial interface.

SimCloud
This is a big one! Users can now store files in the cloud. Files can be private or public. Share your work and reach it from anywhere.

Make Portable
We have improved this function and it now also works for lathe CNC programs.

Define Lathe Tools
Lathe tool geometry can now be defined in the program just like as with milling tools.

Improved SimCam speed
Zooming and panning in SimCam has been made a lot faster in this version. Especially with large documents.

Improved algorithm for lathe grooving
This function has been improved and bugs have been fixed.

Fixed postprocessor bug
The standard milling postprocessor was not outputting separate feed rates for Z movements. It is fixed now.

Background bitmap stays
SimCam background bitmaps stays between starts now.

Hide/ show background bitmap
You can now hide/ show the background bitmap in SimCam.

Improved contour finding algorithm
The function that is responsible for automatically finding contours in SimCam has been improved.

SimCam documents saved on crashes
If the program crashes, the SimCam document you are working on is automatically saved. You will be asked if you want to recover it upon the next start.

Image Maker
Another big one! With this new maker you can trace bitmaps and quickly create CNC code from logotypes, signs and/or images you find on the Internet.

Favorite values
In the Cutting Operation Parameters for milling machines, you can now save favorite values. A little help to speed up work.

DXF Import
We have completely swapped out the function library used for DXF import. Compatibility with other programs and versions have been greatly improved.

Simplify
We have added a simplification function for DXF and SVG import to reduce the number of drawing objects. This conserves memory and creates smaller CNC programs.

Manipulate box
We have added a manipulation box to SimCam groups for quick and easy manipulations.

SimCam view commands
You can now hide/ show the grid, endpoint nodes as well as highlighted arcs in SimCam.

Rectangle function
SimCam has got a rectangle function beside lines, arcs, circles and points.

New setting
SimCam has got a new setting to control how many objects can be in a group for it to have snap points.

Analyze and fix problems
This new function will help you find issues in a SimCam document. These can be very close endpoints that are not connected, doublets  and extremely small objects.

Improved Layers panel
The layer panel now redraws much faster. This is especially noticeable when working with documents that has many layers.

Frame Maker
Another new maker that helps you create frames for signs etc.

Selectable SimCam contours
You can now CTRL-click SimCam contours to select and drag them together.

Polar Array
You can now create polar arrays of groped objects in SimCam.

Background Bitmap opacity
Users can now set the opacity of background bitmaps in SimCam.

Snap to Groups
A checkbox has been added that allow users to control if snapping to individual group objects should be on or off.

Grid snap checkbox
We have added a checkbox to control the grid snap faster. No need to open the grid snap window just for this.

Huge CNC programs
We have added a new setting that will suggest the ultra fast backplotting function for huge CNC programs.

Right-click to delete
You can now right-click a layer in SimCam to delete it.

New postprocessors
We have added customized postprocessors for GRBL (Arduino) controllers as well as for Chinese Laser cutters.

New machines
We now offer 29 machines divided in 6 categories.

Integrated BlockScript editor
We have included our editor for BlockScripts in version 3. BlockScipt is a graphical programming language that allows advanced users to create custom postprocessors, interpreters and plugins.

These new features and many more improvements and bug fixes are ready for you at the download page. What are you waiting for? Go grab it now!

We are known for our fast and helpful support. But we want to get even better. We have therefore added a lot of debugging and support features in Version 3. Users that have issues will be able to upload files, screenshots and settings directly to our support team. This will help us help you even faster!