Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] CNC 101 was Re: what is POSTPROCESSOR? a fundamental question

Hi Ballendo:
I am puzzled by the comment you made (snipped below).

> The post processor is what "decided" to use the wide overlapping
> circles instead of the back and forth rows to cut the lawn. It had to
> consider the needs of BOTH the part geometry AND the machine
> capabilities to create the necessary mowpath (toolpath).
>

My understanding was that the post processor merely translates the toolpath
information from the CAM output into G code, and that the operator creates
the inputs via dialogue boxes to set the cutting strategy.
I further assumed, that the internal calculator within the CAM program
(ahead of the post processor) was what determined the actual places that the
tool was intended to go, and in what order.
That certainly appears to be how Mastercam and Featuremill and Work NC
operate (these are the CAM programs with which I have the most experience)
Mastercam, for example, creates an intermediate file called an "NCI" file
containing all the position and tool parameter information that is then
translated to G code by whatever post I choose.
I still have to choose to make parallel vs circular cuts, and I do so by
accessing dialogue boxes on the GUI in the CAM program (not in the post)
and selecting my preferences.
Are there programs out there that do this differently?
I always assumed that they were all essentially alike.
Cheers

Marcus