QuickStart missing Relief and shape options

[BobHill]

’m new to most 3d application software and particularly to MeshCam and have downloaded and am trying the Demo version. I am not a novice when it comes to either vector or raster graphics, and have updated versions of Corel, Adobe, and Xara products and over 20 years experience with them. I have about three weeks more before the MeshCam2 Demo bomb disallows me further use.

So far, from what I’ve read and seen, MeshCam2 looks like the software that will not only do what I wish to do, but also is something I can afford. IF I can get it to work as I’ve seen in the videos etc.

However, after installing and trying both the examples (particularly the Rosette.png) and a couple of my own clipart I created in CorelDraw (X4), I’m having trouble with either understanding, setting up, or at least getting the RELIEF option. I note that when I first open MeshCam’s opening window I get the TOOLPATH options. At this time if any of them are clicked, one gets the message that “No file is loaded”

When a raster file is opened (Rosette-pro,png) and the settings are given as indicated in the Image Settings option, then Inches is established as measurement setting,

Whereas the Quickstart “Help” item calls for us to “Click RELIEF->FLATTEN RELIEF” the open Relief option is only to SMOOTH which does not give me any of the color selections as shown in the dialog, nor am I able to bring up any of the SHAPE options.

Where am I going wrong or aren’t these options available in the Demo version?

Bob Hill

[Randy]

Bob, welcome to the forum. I've moved your post over to MeshCAM Art, because the functions you talk about are in the Art version of MeshCAM, and not in the basic version. The behavior you're getting from MC indicates that your demo license does not include the Art option. I think the best thing to do is send an email to support@grzsoftware.com and ask for a demo license that includes Art. Robert, I'm sure, will be understanding and issue you a new demo license.

Randy

[BobHill]

Randy,
Stilll nada, zip, zero, no go, nothing. I received another code (similar but not the same as my first one) in email, and I even downloaded the Demo version again. I noted that it said that MeshCam download also included MeshCam Art which means the same license should cover the requirement. My Demo version Is 7283. Is there a direct suport contact somewhere except perhaps here on the forum to work out the problem? I'm now down to, 19 days it says, and stil can't use the Demo.
Bob Hill

[Randy]

Bob, first take a deep breath. Don't worry, Robert (Mr. MeshCAM) is a great guy and will make sure you'll have a full 30 days to try the program once the demo is functional.

Second, you're sure you downloaded Art ( http://www.grzsoftware.com/downloadart.php ) instead of standard MeshCAM ( http://www.grzsoftware.com/download.php ) ? If so, you should have gotten the proper demo license--the program itself is common to both standard MeshCAM and MeshCAM Art, but the license you get depends on the page from which you download. If that is not the case, let Robert know about it.

Third, the direct support email is shown on the Contact page off the main MeshCAM site ( http://www.grzsoftware.com/contact.php ). I'm not showing it here in case there are bots watching the forum (and from behind-the-scene spam killing I know there are. )

Randy

[jeffD]

Bob,

As usual Randy is right And Robert is far more than reasonable
A MC Art demo license is nice, for me it even works on MC3v5 (but no promises) Separate download (news part of the main site) and install to a different folder (need to enter license info again but v2 and v3 can coexist) V3 is better from my experience.

All the advice I can offer now, I'm not about to extract v3 from either machine for tests, too old for playing with demo stuff but I sure do love beta releases.

[BobHill]

Randy,
I went to your URL and here is the download options. Note that it states that MeshCam AND MeshCam Art are both included, but since when it's install only MeshCam is identified, I'm assuming that it's included into the same program (always bad to assume, but even the Program files do not list any other .EXE file). I did use the latest code they sent which was in response to my message concerning MeshCam Art, and also I am using version 7283, but also I might note that I also have MeshCam 3 (which I imagine was the Beta download), but it doesn't matter as that does the same thing with a raster sample image (rosett-pro.png).
Getting a tad frustrating, as I've examined all the sources I've come across, especiall in all the HELP items and still can't use it.
Bob Hill

[Randy]

I went to your URL and here is the download options. Note that it states that MeshCam AND MeshCam Art are both included,

Not on the page to which I referred you, Bob. Let's take this step by step.

When I go to http://www.grzsoftware.com/downloadart.php I get the following screen:

screen1.gif (30.73 KiB) Viewed 1518 times

After I type in my (bogus in this case!) information I get the following screen:

screen2.gif (31.69 KiB) Viewed 1518 times

You need to click on "Get MeshCAM Art license".

The only place it states "MeshCam AND MeshCam Art are both included" is on http://www.grzsoftware.com/v2dl.php to which I specifically didn't refer you.:

screen3.gif (40.55 KiB) Viewed 1518 times

"MeshCam AND MeshCam Art are both included" only refers to there being a single installation executable. You still need a MeshCAM Art-specific license to enable the extra Art functions. From your description, you don't have that license yet. You are probably best off uninstalling whatever you have installed, use CCleaner or similar to clean out your registry, obtain a known Art license and start from scratch.

Randy

[BobHill]

Randy, JeffD,
Exactly right, I needed a special license, that somehow wasn't too clear to my tired old brain. I did receive another email from Robert containing an ART license and VOILA, it now works. Thanks to you guys for getting me on the right track. Hiopefully others wishing to partake of the Demo version won't be as dim witted as I and have less trouble in it's use.
Thanks again to you both,
Bob Hill

[Randy]

Not a problem, Bob, glad to help. Though slowing down and reading the screens carefully never hurts. I hope your trial goes well!

Randy