TopSolid CAM 7 Assessment for Mill/Turn

TopSolid CAM 7 Assessment

Ui

The <strong>TopSolid UI</strong> is incredibly instinctive. The Project Manager to the right handles any files for each project. Entity Manager to the left takes care of all the features, shapes, solids, constraints plus much more.

The TopSolid User Interface is most likely the most intuitive interface I've ever put into use. It's laid out extremely well and really targets on minimizing the numbers of area toolbars, command option and collapsible windows take up. The UI includes the following great features: <ul> <li>You are setup with a <strong>roject Manager</strong> on the right-hand side, an <strong>Entities and Operation Manager</strong> on the left and <strong>Advanced Search/Preview</strong> area down below.</li> <li>Each are collapsible, adjustable and dockable to extra areas of the screen. </li> <li><strong>Rotating and Zooming</strong> use the middle mouse button, <strong>Panning</strong> uses the right mouse button. <strong>Panning</strong> can also be a context menu that adjusts the command set to whatever you click with your mouse or whatever command you are currently in.</li> </ul>

My big UI criticism is that it doesn't include regular Full-screen mode (F11) service. Also, it doesn't emphasize the selected part in the Entities tree when chosen on-screen. Except for that, it is remarkably fluid for a modeling work flow.

TOPSOLID CAM

I don't have the CAM portion loaded, but if I had, you will observe it is thoroughly integrated inside the interface. It really is fast to set up toolpath (provided you have the proper tools loaded), mainly because it creates the toolpath automatically after you select the tool.

TOPSOLID Modeling

Modeling in TopSolid is much like other 3D software - create a sketch, extrude, increase the features. Sketches have relations automatically added and you can edit dimensions without getting in the sketch. You have the typical solid features, but also have the ability to increase machine features like pockets, grooves and slots along with drilling and threading operations.

TOPSOLID Rendering TopSolid has some practical rendering options but with a realistic visualization option when doing work on your model. The best I can relate it is to the RealView option in SolidWorks. It gives you a realistic material appearance and sets us up for what you get in the rendering. It uses ray-tracing for the rendering, but does not use real-time raytracing for the Realistic Rendering or when you are preparing the options to export your image. Nevertheless, the render output is fast and with the right light settings, a better presentation structure than the Shaded option alone.

Wrap-up

This is just a simple glimpse at what TopSolid has to offer. If you're looking for for MCAD software that brings integrated CAD, CAM and PDM together in a lightweight package, I do not think TopSolid can be bettered. I'm astounded at how well considered the interface is. It makes project management more easy. It's also completely noticeable how it was developed together to make for a cohesive workflow. I'm astonished it's not getting more attention but it's got a clogged space to compete in. With many talk of platforms shifting toward mobile or cloud-enabled offerings - If you're evaluating software now and looking for for a solution that incorporates CAD, CAM and Data Management with visualization and more, TopSolid is almost as solid a answer as I can recommend.

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