Chapter 1: Introduction to FabriWIN
What is FabriWIN?
FabriWIN is a sophisticated CAD/CAM application. It allows you to automate your designs and
actual part production, thereby reducing development and delivery times. METALSOFT cooperates
with machine manufactures and experienced NC programmers to develop specific machine
drivers. These machine drivers are developed for particular machine models and allow FabriWIN
to take full advantage of your machine’s capabilities. FabriWIN is easy to use, and has features
that are superior any other CAD/CAM system.
System Requirements
FabriWIN requires the following hardware and software:
CPU
Intel Pentium® II or higher CPU
Memory
32 megabytes RAM minimum (64 megabytes or more recommended).
Storage
300 megabytes free hard disk space.
CD-ROM
Pointing Device
Video
Protection Block
A CD-ROM drive is required for installation.
Serial or bus mouse.
A graphics card capable of supporting a minimum resolution of 800 x 600.
You cannot install or operate FabriWIN without the protection block.
Operating System
Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows Me, Windows 2000, or Windows NT.
Multimedia
An optional sound card, computer speakers or headphones are
recommended for the METALSOFT TRAINING CD.
Technical Support
If you encounter problems during the installation or training process, the METALSOFT, INC.
technical support staff can assist you. Technical support is available on a contractual basis. A
preliminary service contract is provided with most new purchases and upgrades. If you are
unsure if you have a valid service contract, please call the technical support staff. They can
inform you whether your contract is valid, or instruct you on how to renew your contract.
Technical Support:
714-549-0112
Fax Phone:
714-549-0246
Web Site:
Technical Support Hours:
Fax Line Hours:
http://www.metalsoft.com
6:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time
24 Hours per day, 7 days per week
You should also use these numbers if you believe that you have found a software bug, or if you
have a suggestion in regards to FabriWIN.
Chapter 1: Introduction to FabriWIN
Installation Instructions
New Installation
To install a new FabriWIN system:
NOTE: If you are installing FabriWIN under Windows NT or Windows 2000, you must install the
Sentinel driver prior to installation. The installation program will attempt to detect the Sentinel
driver. If the installation program cannot detect the Sentinel driver, it will prompt you to install it
and restart the computer. You may then install the software by following the steps below.
1. Install the protection block on the printer port of the computer (LPT1).
2. Insert the installation CD into the CD-ROM drive. The installation utility should automatically
start. If the installation does not automatically launch, select the Run command from the
Start menu to open the Run dialog box. Type D:SETUP (or the drive letter that represents
your CD drive letter) and press <Enter>.
3. The Welcome dialog box appears. Click Next > to continue.
4. The Select Options dialog box appears. If a check mark appears next to an option, that
program will be installed. Click Next > to continue.
5. The Chose Destination Location dialog box appears. The software will be installed to the
default directory of C:\FabriWIN. If you want to use the default directory, click Next > to
continue.
NOTE: To select a pre-existing directory for FabriWIN, or to use a directory other than the default,
click the Browse button, or type the name of the directory that you wish to use.
NETWORK NOTE: If you are planning to run FabriWIN on a network, assign the default
FabriWIN directory to the local drive of each workstation. The Machine, Parm, Toolinv, Spectool
and Turrets directories should also be assigned to the local drive of each workstation. You can
assign the remaining directories (Parts, Sheets, Reverse, Macro and Material) to a network drive
for sharing purposes.
6. The Choose Update or Full Installation
dialog box opens. Select Update if you
want to upgrade your current FabriWIN
system, or select Full Installation if you
want a new installation. Click Next > to
continue.
7. The CAD/CAM Default Directories dialog
box opens, listing the default path
assignments for the different file types.
You can edit these paths to store certain
files on a network server or in alternate
directories. Click Next > after you have
finished
specifying
the
path
assignments.
8. If you are installing FabriWIN on a network, assign the default FabriWIN directory to the local
drive of each workstation. The Machine, Parm, ToolInv, Spectool, and Turrets directories
should be assigned to the local drive of each individual workstation. You can assign the
remaining directories (Parts, Sheets, Reverse Engineering, Macro and Material) to a network
drive for sharing purposes.
9. Respond to the remaining prompts to complete the installation.
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Chapter 1: Introduction to FabriWIN
FabriWIN Upgrade Installation
If you are upgrading from a previous version of FabriWIN:
1. You should back up all files that you have created in the previous version using the backup
option in the software. If you are installing the upgrade on a new computer and your previous
version is on a different computer, you will need to backup all of your parts, sheets, macros,
tool inventories, machine setups, etc. from the old system to floppy disk, a tape backup, or a
network drive. It is especially important if you are upgrading from version 4.395 or earlier to
use the backup options in the previous versions of your software.
2. Install the protection block on the printer port of the computer (LPT1).
3. Insert the installation CD into the CD-ROM drive. The installation utility should automatically
start. If the installation does not automatically open, select the Run command from the Start
menu to open the Run dialog box. Type D:SETUP (or the drive letter that represents your CD
drive letter) and press <Enter>.
4. The Welcome dialog box appears. Click Next > to continue.
5. The Select Options dialog box appears. If a check mark appears next to an option, that
program will be installed. Click Next > to continue.
6. When prompted, select the Upgrade
option. This allows you to maintain the
existing file structure.
7. The CAD/CAM Default Directories
dialog box opens, listing the default path
assignments for the different file types.
You can edit these paths to store certain
files on a network server or in alternate
directories. Click Next > after you have
finished
specifying
the
path
assignments.
8. Respond to the remaining prompts to
complete the installation.
Important Notes
•
Files that are created in a new version of FabriWIN are not backward compatible with
previous versions of FabriWIN. For example, if you create a part in version 7.0, you cannot
import it into version 6.0.
•
You can import files created in a previous versions of FabriWIN or FabriCAM into a newer
version of FabriWIN. However, versions prior to 5.1 require using the Convert File Names
option found on the File menu. Please see Chapter 2: Getting Started. The Convert File
Names option allows you to convert files that use the Virtual Directory file format to the 32-bit,
long filename format. You can then copy the files into the appropriate directory after
conversion.
•
To Convert File Names, files must be backed up using the File Stuff/Backup option in the
previous version of software.
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Chapter 1: Introduction to FabriWIN
Directory Structure & File Types
The following subdirectories are created after installing FabriWIN. The files stored in each
directory are dependent on their types. The files are identified by their filename extensions.
Directory
File Type
Adobe
The Adobe folder contains the Adobe Acrobat 4.05 Reader installation
program. If you want to view and print the *.pdf manual files stored in the
Manual folder, double-click the ar405eng.exe icon to install Acrobat
Reader.
FC2001
This is where NC Code files are stored. This directory may be placed
anywhere on the local system or on a network drive.
Jobs
The AutoNEST module uses this directory.
Machine
The machine drivers or *.dri files are stored in this directory. A machine
driver generates machine code. The directory should be assigned to the
workstation’s local drive to accelerate code-generating process.
Macro
This is where macros, or pattern group files, are stored. The filename
extension is *.mcr. This directory can reside on the local drive or on a
network drive.
Manual
The Manual folder contains the FabriWIN 7.0 manual. The Table of
Contents, Index, and individual chapters have been converted to the
Portable Document Format, and have the filename extension of *.pdf.
Material
This is where the material files are stored. Material files have the
extension of *.mat. This directory can reside on the local drive or on a
network drive.
Parm
The Parm directory contains information that allows FabriWIN to initialize
itself. The directory must reside on the local drive and is always a
subdirectory of the FabriWIN directory.
Parts
The individual part drawings are stored in this directory. Part files have the
extension of *.prt. You can create sub-directories within this directory for
different customers or projects. You can assign this directory to the local
drive or specify a network drive.
Reverse
The Reverse Engineering module uses this directory.
Sheets
Sheet files have the extension of *.sht, and contain punching and cutting
sequence information. This directory may be assigned to the local drive or
a network drive.
Spectool
Drawings of special or user-defined tools are stored in this directory. The
extension is *.spt. This directory should be assigned to the local drive in
the FabriWIN directory.
Toolinv
Tool inventories, or *.inv files, are stored in this directory. Tool inventories
contain information about all of the tools that are available for your
machines. This directory should be assigned to the local drive in the
FabriWIN directory.
Turrets
This directory contains machine setup or *.mac files. These files contain
physical information about your machines such as table size, over-travels,
turret station information, etc. You should assign this directory to the local
drive.
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Chapter 1: Introduction to FabriWIN
Editing Path Assignments
You can modify path assignments after installation by editing the WIN.INI file. The WIN.INI file is
located in the Windows directory. The path assignments are listed under the [FabriCAM] section
header. You can edit WIN.INI using either the MS-DOS Editor or Notepad application.
Machine Setup & Driver
The Machine Setup and the Machine Driver come on a 3.5” diskette entitled, Machine Setup &
Driver. The disk has an installation utility. After installing FabriWIN, insert the Machine Setup &
Driver disk in the appropriate drive. To install the files, select Run from the Start menu to open
the Run dialog box. Type A:SETUP, and then press <Enter>. Use the appropriate drive letter as
required. You will be prompted when the installation is complete. Refer to the installation
documentation that comes with the driver disk.
Network Installation Notes
FabriWIN requires the following for network installation:
•
Long Name Support – You must enable or implement long filename support. If the network
does not support long file names, you must use the 8.3 file naming convention, or upgrade
your network operating system to a version that supports long filenames.
•
Network Privileges – Network privileges in all FabriWIN directories and subdirectories must
include read, write, modify, delete (or erase) and search. Each FabriWIN user must have
these properties associated with their network login name. Also, a user installing FabriWIN on
a network drive must have the necessary permissions to create directories.
•
Protection Block – Install the protection block on the local LPT1 port for each workstation
that will use FabriWIN. The block must remain on the workstation at all times to run
FabriWIN.
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