Software for Machinists and CNC Programmers FAQ


Software for machinists and CNC programmers
Frequently Asked Questions

When I try to download I get this message: "the software is not commonly downloaded and could harm your computer". What is the explanation for this, and how do I download the program?
You have downloaded an older version of EditCNC. Download the latest version from our website (click "Demo" in the navigation menu above). All of our software is now signed by Symantec-VeriSign for your protection.
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I would like to enable the "Home" & "End" keys on the keyboard to get to the end and the beginning of the program. Some of the code I write is a few Mb long and that is a great plus.
The Ctrl+Home and Ctrl+End key combinations will move the insertion point to the beginning and end of the program.
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I would like to open EditCNC by clicking on a CNC progam file name. How can I set this up?
Click here for the directions.
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Your instructions in the Help file regarding Absolute to Incremental conversion are not clear. Can you rewrite them?
Please click here for the better instructions.
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How do we get the network drive to show in the "Open File" dialogue?.
Our network mapped drives are not visible at all. They are visible when I open a file from office 2013. We use a mapped network drive to keep all our machine and part codes. We can move the code to the desktop and from there open the file in edit cnc fine. However This process is tedious for our machinists. Before Windows 10 we were able to open the files from the mapped network drive from within EditCNC.
Please try the resolution in this article: https://technet.microsoft.com/en-ca/library/ee844140(v=ws.10).aspx
Since this is a registry change you should make a backup of your current registry before you make any changes (You can learn how to do that here: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/322756).
The article states it's a fix for Windows Vista and 7, but it also affects Windows 10.
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I am getting a Run-time error'339' mscomet2.ocx a file is missing or invalid., Can you help or should I just unload the program? Maybe it did not take for some reason.
The Windows operating system has a large library of .dll, .ocx, etc. files that must be present to run most software, including ours.
The later versions of our software have all required files included in the setup executables. Go to the appropriate website and get the most recent version.
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I get an "Error reading setup initilzation file"" message when trying to install a demo.
This error is usually the result of an unsuccessful download. Sometimes an installer package will have appeared to have downloaded successfully, because no error message was given about the download; however, you will not always receive an error message when the entire file was not downloaded successfully. When you run the exe file, it has enough information available to start running, but it will only get far enough to provide the error message shown above. Since it does not have the complete file content, it will not be able to read the setup inititializaton file.
You need to download the file again.
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We have machines that run programs that are identical, except that the older ones don't use decimal points. For example: X10.0 is X100000
Can we easily convert from one to the other?
Yes. To convert from a program with decimal points, follow this procedure:
Firstly, go to the Tools menu, choose Options, and check the "Put decimal 0" option.
This forces trailing zeros according to the precision you've chosen. Click "OK"
Secondly, open the Shift dialog. Set the increment to 0.0, and check all the adresses (X,Y,Z, etc.) that are in the program. Click "OK".
Lastly, use the Replace function to change all the decimal points to nothing.

To convert from a program with no decimal points do this:
Uncheck the "Put decimal 0" box in the Options dialog.
Open the Scale/Mirror dialog and set the scale factor to .0001 for four decimal places, or .001 for three decimal places. Check the addresses in the program, then click "OK".
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Can I use the software on more than one computer? I am the only user, one at home and one for work
Each seat of our software is licenced to one computer only. See the statement on our Licence Info page. We have put a low price on the software so that it would be reasonable to pay per computer.
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What happens if I format the HD in the future, or if I install the software on a new PC? Do I need another code?
It is very important that you follow the instructions on our Licence Info page. Go to the section on Transferring the Licence
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Does any of your software run on a mobile device?
We have a version of Machinist's Calculculator for mobile devices. See the Machinist's Calculator website for more information.
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We want to use single DNC for two machines. Can we send/receive different programs at the same time?
You may transfer as many CNC programs as you have COMM ports, or USB ports (with a serial/USB converter). Simply launch ConnectCNC for each transfer. You'll probably have to drag the ConnectCNC panels around the desktop so you can see them all. If you are launching ConnectCNC from within EditCNC, click the ConnectCNC button on the toolbar once for each program you need to transfer, then minimise the editor. The ConnectCNC panels will be on the Desktop.
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Can we use a USB port to send or receive g-code files?
You can use a properly installed USB to serial converter to transfer files between your PC and CNC control, we have many customers using these devices, ConnectCNC will see the USB as a COMM port.
Search online for "USB serial converters" to get more information (we don't do endorsements).
More Info:
You may have to use the Device Manager in Windows to see what number port to use if ConnectCNC lists more than one (see below).

Checking that the converter is properly installed, and the number of the COMM port:

1. Search for the device manager on your computer.
2. Expand the “Ports (COMM & LPT)” listing. If you don’t see a “Ports” listing the converter is not properly installed.
The converter should now show which COMM port number to use. If it doesn’t the converter is not properly installed.

If you are using Windows 8 or 10 make sure that your USB-COMM converter is compatible. We have had reports that some converters don’t work with Windows 7, 64 bit, but will work with Windows 7, 32 bit.
You can, of course, use the thirty-day trial period of ConnectCNC to make sure you can get it working before you consider purchasing a licence.
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How do I get all programs with all extensions to show up when I open up a folder in EditCnc?
To show all types of files in a "File Open", "File Save", etc. dialog.
In the menu bar click "Tools", then "Options".
Delete everything in the File Extensions box and type in "*" (without the quotation marks).
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I have downloaded the demo but when I try to install it, I ancounter an error. The error is:
"Setup is unable to decompress and copy all of the program filesneeded to proceed with the installation. Contact your software vendor ERROR 112". What is the problem?
The most probable cause to this problem can be found on the Microsoft web site at
https://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;326678
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I have been trying to install a demo for the 30 day trial. I get a box INSTALLSHIELD saying "...instmsia.exe not found"
The version of Microsoft's Installer on your PC is out of date. Please use one of the links below to download and install the MSI version that is appropriate for your PC.
Instmsia.exe for Windows 98 or Windows Millennium Edition: https://download.microsoft.com/download/WindowsInstaller/Install/2.0/W9XMe/EN-US/InstMsiA.exe
-or-
Instmsiw.exe for Windows NT, Windows 2000 or Windows XP: https://download.microsoft.com/download/WindowsInstaller/Install/2.0/NT45/EN-US/InstMsiW.exe
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Can I install your demos on a computer that is not connected to the internet?
You'll need access to an online computer that has a CD-rom writer, or usb port. Go to the download page for the particular software you're interested in:
EditCNC, ConnectCNC, or Machinist's Calculator for PC.
When you click the "Download" link you'll be given a choice to Run or Save. Choose "Save", and save it to your desktop or the folder where you usually save your downloads.
Locate the file you've just saved and copy it to a writable CD-rom or usb data stick.
Place the CD into your offline computer, open Windows Explorer to the CD drive or usb port and double-click on the demo exe filename. Follow the directions that appear to install the demo.
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When we receive files from the CNC, the program is in one long line.
In ConnectCNC: edit the configuration for the CNC, click the "Receive" tab.
In the "End of line sequence" frame check "Replace" and enter "10,13" (without the quotes) into the text box.
We have listed suggested settings for various CNC controls, follow this link.
Please contact us if you still have a problem.
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"Port configurations won't be saved" message.
See the solution here.
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What, and where are the MID and Site codes we need to send to get an activation code?
When you download and install a free thirty day demo of any of our software for PCs, you'll see this panel. The MID and Site codes are in the red text boxes.
These instructions do not apply to Machinist's Calculator, see this page for new procedure.
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How do I back up my DNC port settings?
You can make a backup of the port configurations.
In your Windows Explorer (or click "My Computer"), navigate to the EditCNC or ConnectCNC folder:
"C:/Program Files/CNC Consulting/EditCNC/"
Or
"C:/Program Files/CNC Consulting/ConnectCNC/"
Copy the file "port.cfg" to any removable medium to save it.
If you need to reinstall the software at any time, just copy port.cfg into the appropriate folder.
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We have trouble up or downloading files with a Windows 7,8 or 10 computer. Is there a fix?
Please see this page for the solution.
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General Questions

EditCNC Questions

ConnectCNC Questions

Machinist's Calculator Questions