Dimensioning 3D models for MasterCAM

[patricksalvador]

Is there a way to dimension a 3D model that will appear in Mastercam?  

We are toying with the idea of eliminating 2D drawings.  I would like to dimension and tolerance a 3d model and send the model to the machine shop.  When they open the model in MasterCam to programme their CNC they should see the dimensions.  They will also use this to verify their parts after machining.

Is it possible to do this with Inventor or some add-on software?  This would work very well for HSMworks if I can dimension the 3D model.

[mcgyvr]

They started playing around with it a few years ago.. and as far as I know it never made it out of the labs..

http://labs.blogs.com/its_alive_in_the_lab/2010/07/3d-annotation-for-inventor-now-available.html

Inventor is WAY behind on this IMO.. I saw it in SwX way before Autodesk did anything about it.

3D PMI is the future... 

Not possible at this time AFAIK..

I CAN'T WAIT FOR 3D PMI

[chad38]

Agreed. Edge has it as well. I can't even begin to think of how many ways this will be useful, but it's usefulness just in modeling was amazing.

[JDMather]

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@mcgyvr wrote:
... I saw it in SwX way before Autodesk did anything about it.

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...and I think I saw it in Pro/E Wildfire before SWx.
I followed this for a while (6 or 7 yrs ago) thinking it would catch on quickly, but haven't done much research myself lately.

I could be wrong, but I think Creo is still ahead of SWx or Inventor on this and my impression is that the (r2013) SWx implimentation isn't particularly noteworthy.

In any case I think as soon as you go to a 3rd party (like MasterCAM), all is lost.  If I am wrong and out-of-date on my information - those in the know, please enlighten.  As I stated, I haven't followed this topic (Y14.41) in a while, especially as it would translate between CAD and CAM from different vendors.

[blair]

It was in the beta for IV2014 but never made it into the production version of IV2014. Don't know what will be coming down the pipeline.

[pcrawley]

Can't disagree with any of the above regarding 3d annotation, but what about looking at the problem from a different angle...

Have you had a look at "the future" of CAM?  (Sorry - couldn't resist - someone mentioned "the future" being 3d annotations earlier in the thread.)

http://cam.autodesk.com/hsm

[lune_riezebos]

Hi guys,

Is the tool that used to be in labs still availlable and will it work with never versions of inventor?

Luné