Welcome to ProtoMAX^®

ProtoMAX LAYOUT: Computer Aided Design / Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAD/CAM) software.  LAYOUT is used to:

• Import and convert files from other drawing systems
• Edit or draw new parts from scratch
• Create tool paths (OMX files)
  

ProtoMAX MAKE: The controller for the machine.  MAKE is used to:

• Test and simulate tool paths
  
• Position the cutting tool
• Run tool paths to do the cutting

• Find important tutorials, support, and updates on the web
• Join the community for help and support at community.protomax.com
• Get the latest software from protomax.com/software
• For system requirements and installation instructions, see the ProtoMAX ReadMe file
  

ProtoMAX Software Revision History

Version 32.0, Patch #8

Changes made to Intelli-MAX Proto since version 32.0, Patch #7, which was released on 2/5/2021

MAKE

• Inches per step in X and Y can now be changed for ProtoMAX users via INI file. Users should not change the values unless advised to do so.

• Pump pressure bug has been fixed

Version 32.0, Patch #7

Changes made to Intelli-MAX Proto since version 32.0, Patch #6, which was released on 7/13/2020

OMAX Monitor

• Enhanced data collection

• Automatic update of data collection software

Version 32.0, Patch #6

Changes made to Intelli-MAX Proto since version 32.0, Patch #5, which was released on 1/7/2020

Device Driver and Firmware

• The digital signature for the driver/firmware package has been updated to support Windows 10 Build 2004.
  

Bug Fixes

• Fixed a bug in MAKE where material thinner than 0.25 in. (6.35 mm) was being cut at incorrect high speeds. Cutting times are now more accurate for thin material and the cutting speed profile is much smoother--especially when using tilt forward in small corners.

Version 32.0, Patch #5

Changes made to Intelli-MAX Proto since version 32.0, Patch #4, which was released on 7/7/2019

General

• Updated external reference used in setting TimeStamp for signed files. This ensures that digital signatures in the software distribution are all up to date. (Digital signatures are used throughout the software to help ensure that when it is installed, it has not been corrupted or tampered with; digital signatures also reduce the chances of antivirus programs detecting false positives and rejecting the installation or files within our software.)

Bug Fixes

• Corrected Language-specific web site links. (For some non-English versions of the software, links to OMAX web sites were pointing to older out-of-date locations.)
• Fixed an issue in MAKE where the timers and counters were not tracked correctly when the path was paused. Previous to this bug fix, not all running hours were being counted in some instances, which could cause confusion about the actual runtime of the pump, abrasive, and other accessories.
• Fixed a bug in MAKE where a delay between "end of cut" and traverses was missing in some cases. This fixes a case where the jet may not have fully cooled down as the traverse starts, potentially resulting in a blemish on the part at the start of traverses on machines that do not have dual on/off valves, machines with slow responding on/off valves, or when using “brittle mode” to turn the jet on and off at the pump.

Version 32.0, Patch #4

Bug Fixes

• Fixed a critical bug in MAKE where finishing a path would cause the interface to freeze and the pump to remain on, preventing any more control from the application.
• Fixed a bug in MAKE where the pump turned on at the end of a drawing that had no cutting entities.

Version 32.0, Patch #3

Changes made to Intelli-MAX Proto since version 32.0, Patch #2, which was released 4/2/2019

MAKE

• MAKE now supports etching. This is programmed in LAYOUT with the new Etch Quality. For details, see the LAYOUT section.
  
  
• In the OMAX Path Control Dialog (appears when you click Begin Machining), the tooltip now explains that double-clicking the progress bar displays the path's progress in a large window. (This is helpful if you want to view the progress from a distance.)
  
  
• Updated Material Thickness edit box
  The edit box for entering material thickness now turns yellow if you enter a thickness greater than 3 in. (76 mm). This helps prevent errors such as entering '100' instead of '1.00'.
  

LAYOUT

• Introducing Quality of Etch
  Etch Quality is used to mark into a material without cutting all the way through. While the results are unrefined, etching can be quite useful in creating bending lines, reference spots as a “center-punch,” and grooves or texture on the surface of a part. It can also be used to add artistic features to a part, add a part number, or other such purposes. Please see the Help for important tips and information.
  
  
• New Etch Fonts
  Four fonts have been added to LAYOUT. They are MIK Alba Stick, MIK New Roman Stick, STICK, and STICK ETCH.
  

• Introducing XData #14, to override the speed of an entity
  With this advanced feature, one can force portions of the tool path to be an exact speed. Advanced users may find this particularly useful to help control the depth of etching, and allow different etches to occur at different depths.
  

Scripting

• Added a sample script to demonstrate how dimensioning or other information can be included for machine operators.

Bug Fixes

• Fixed a bug in MAKE where, at the completion of a tool path, the Path Control dialog would display the message, "Less than one minute remaining" when the tool path was complete. 

Version 32.0, Patch #2

General

• Trademark-related updates were made.
  

Version 32.0, Patch #1

Changes made to Intelli-MAX Proto since version 32.0, which was released 1/21/2019

General

• Modified the “Check for updates” feature to properly notify users of software patches in addition to major version number changes.

Bug Fixes

• Corrected translation issues (missed strings) and decimal/comma handling in foreign languages.
• Fixed a bug in MAKE where very slow cutting speeds (very thick and/hard material) could have caused a perceived delay before the pierce.
  
• In LAYOUT, fixed the spelling of a settings file associated with the Advanced Tool Offsetter.

Version 32.0

LAYOUT

• Arc - Two Points and Radius plugin: A new plugin allows a user to define an arc by clicking two points, and then specifying a radius that would fit between those points.
  
• Cosmetic change to the Advanced AutoPath Dialog: The buttons and text in the AutoPath dialog have been updated to clearly show which AutoPath strategies are turned on and off.
  
• Added new sample file showing how to use “generative design” to make 2D OMAX parts.
• Updated the AutoPath dialog’s Strategies section so that it is more obvious as to what is active and what each strategy button does.

MAKE

• Updated how events are displayed in the System Status Tab. The titles are more descriptive and users can immediately see more information regarding the event.

Installer

• The installer has been updated to automatically close more OMAX applications that should not be running when the installer is running. This helps prevent the user from trying to install the OMAX software when that software is in use. 
  Tip: A best practice is to always close out all applications from all sources prior to running software installers.

Scripting

• Updated some demo scripts with minor improvements and clarifications.
  

General

• Revision 84 Firmware: New firmware has been released for the controller cards for various OMAX products. The firmware will help improve tolerance of interference between the computer and the controller card.

Bug Fixes

• Fixed a critical bug that could result in MAKE locking up while running extremely slow paths, such as when cutting exceptionally thick and hard materials. This can happen in any path using slow motion; including waiting for delays used to control the pump, jet, and abrasive.
• In LAYOUT, fixed a bug where the Smooth command would occasionally crash if cancelled during processing.
  
• Fixed a bug that could cause an error when rendering in LAYOUT, which happened if a computer had not been rebooted for several days.
• In LAYOUT, some strings for the Advanced Tool Offsetter were translated.
• In MAKE, fixed the behavior of the pump warmup delay to accommodate initialization of the variable frequency drive.
• Fixed a bug in MAKE that could have caused an error when right-clicking on Begin Machining and selecting Go to Spot on Path, or when restarting after clicking Pause.
• Fixed a bug in MAKE that could cause an exception error when printing to a file: when right-clicking on the Statistics tab and choosing Quick Print to, then clicking Cancel on the File Save dialog.
• Fixed a bug in MAKE that could cause an error when launching the Path Controller when the estimated time for the tool path is longer than 49 days. With this fix, the display for the time remaining and time estimate in that dialog will simply be “NA” (Not Available) when the error condition occurs.
  
• In MAKE, updated the warning message that displays when pressing the Spacebar to pause the ProtoMAX.
  
• Fixed a rare “Range Check Error” that could occur when importing OMAX Routed Data (ORD) files that were generated by software other than OMAX LAYOUT.
  
• In MAKE, in the Change Path Setup dialog, fixed a bug where the Tool Offset tooltip would not show the smallest inside radius in the tool path. It is useful to know the smallest inside radius when debugging tool offset problems--trying to force a large diameter tool into a small radius is a frequent cause of tool offset problems. However, the Tool Offsetter will attempt to autocorrect such instances when possible.
• Slightly improved the Tool Offsetter to work better in some rare edge cases relating to arc-to-arc intersections where they form an infinitely sharp point. The fix improves many of these rare cases.
• Fixed a bug in LAYOUT when importing DXF files from Pro Engineer (and possibly other systems) that could cause the wrong font to be used when importing True Type text.
• Fixed a bug in the installer where the log file was not being properly created at the start of installation, causing the log file to miss events that occurred at this point.
• Fixed a bug in LAYOUT where the Preview button for the Smooth command could be in the wrong spot when the dialog was resized.
• Fixed a bug in Tech Support Reports where the report would not indicate which branch of source code the installer was built from.
• Fixed a bug in LAYOUT’s Clean command where the “convert near circles to true circles” option would sometimes convert non-circlular shapes into circles.
• Fixed a bug in LAYOUT’s file importer that could cause some text to not properly convert, in particular from title blocks from Pro Engineer files, but possibly others.
• Fixed a bug where the text “To reach tech support…” was not translated to the language of the application.
  

Version 31.0

Device Driver and Firmware Changes

• Windows 10 drivers are now Windows Hardware Quality Labs (WHQL) certified. This means that Intelli-MAX software was evaluated, passed the required tests, and digitally signed. The WHQL signature is necessary to install Windows 10.
• Changes to the drivers and firmware had caused a layer of buffering around the signals, causing severe but temporary disruptions in communication.
• It is not necessary to replace drivers that are already installed.
• For details, please refer to the OMAX Windows Machine Tool USB Device Driver ReadMe at C:\Program Files (x86)\OMAX Corporation\OMAX_LAYOUT_and_MAKE\Drivers.
  

LAYOUT

• The smooth command has been replaced with a completely new version that provides for much improved results 

• Minor improvements to DXF and DWG file importing have been made.

• Automatic Backup.dxf saves faster
  On some version of Windows, there could be a conflict between Windows Search Indexing and saving to the automatic backup file in LAYOUT. This would cause the backup process to be slower (seconds--the normal speed is in milliseconds).
  The automatic backing up is now handled differently to prevent Windows Search from interferring and slowing down the process.
  

MAKE

• Machine defaults
  Added machine resolution and jerk settings to default parameters. Now the user can switch to a different machine type and still maintain all pitch corrections.
  
• Faster motion on small outside corners
  Improved motion on small outside corners to where the machine does not slow down as much.
  
• Added more logging throughout the software to help with remote diagnosis of issues.
  
• Vastly improved USB error correction
  The USB subsystem has been completely reworked, and can now handle quite severe noise and USB disconnect conditions.  As part of the USB standard, USB hardware already has quite robust error correction and data recovery systems.  We have taken that one step further by wrapping this system with a software layer that buffers the data, and re-connects the system even in the case of a momentary disconnect of the cable, without interrupting or corrupting the tool path in progress.   In addition, we have added additional logging of USB events to improve USB troubleshooting.
• Tool tips on the Change Path Setup, Preview, Test Pump, and Cut off Saw buttons are now more descriptive for beginning users.
• Advanced Override in Intelli-VISOR: Allows a user in advanced/debug mode to force a module to a specified value.

Installer

• Additional logging has been added to the installer for testing and diagnostic purposes.
• If .NET has not been installed on the computer, then the portions of .NET that are required for the updated driver/firmware changes will automatically be installed. This slightly increases the size of the installer.
• The installer now automatically closes more OMAX processes when installation or uninstallation occurs. This prevents applications that were accidentally left open from interfering with the installation process. It is good practice to always close all running applications prior to running the OMAX installer.

Scripting

• In the Script Editor, point to the gutter (gray numbered column) to display the caret's XY position in the text editor.
• A new command, “OMAX_RedrawSelectedThick” redraws all selected entities with a thickness specified in inches. This is useful, for example, for previewing kerf.
• Added new sample files and updated some existing ones.
• Based on user feedback, the OMAX Scripting manual has been updated with new information and changes for clarity. New sample scripts have been added and existing ones have been updated.
  
• Folders to house file filter scripts are now auto-created as part of the installer. This makes it easier to find the right folder to place file filter input scripts into, and prevents making a typo in the folder names.

Scripting Engine

• Added some new example scripts to learn from, and updated some of the existing scripts to be more useful and informative.
• Improved the Help text for some of the scripting commands.
  

General

• The tool offsetter in both LAYOUT and MAKE now accepts single-entity tool paths.
  
• Minor tweaks have been made to visual elements to improve appearance, better fit international text, and more.
  
• Tech Support Reports now include additional information useful to diagnose issues remotely.
  
• A few minor cosmetic changes were made to various dialogs, and some minor tweaks were also made to a couple of the optional visual themes used to change how the software looks.
  To change themes, see C:\Program Files (x86)\OMAX Corporation\OMAX_LAYOUT_and_MAKE\OMAX_ThemeSwitcher.exe.
  
• The installer has been updated to install more prerequisite files in order to ensure compatibility with older operating systems that may not be as up to date as needed by the Intelli-MAX software.

Bug Fixes

• Fixed a bug in LAYOUT that could cause an Access Violation Error if the “Install a Plugin” command was run while a script (or a LAYOUT command that runs a script) was running.
  
• Fixed bugs in LAYOUT and MAKE that could cause an exception error if a) no printer is set up or b) the user clicks Cancel at the Save Print Output As dialog when printing to a file.
  
• Fixed an issue in MAKE where a quality frame could have been overwritten.
• In LAYOUT, fixed a bug where the Clean command was not fixing arcs (such as removing overlaps or duplicates).
• In LAYOUT, fixed a rare bug in AutoPath that could otherwise cause gouging at a lead location.
• In LAYOUT, fixed a bug that could cause an error when canceling the AutoPath tool.
• In LAYOUT, fixed a bug in the Path Preview dialog box where a possible collision would not be properly highlighted if that collision was the very last entity in the tool path.
• Fixed a bug in the Installer that could force a reboot after installation when a reboot was unnecessary (for example, a simulated machine).
  
• In the Installer, improved automatic cleanup of desktop icons after un-installing non-English versions of the software.  This will help prevent "phantom icons" from remaining on the desktop after the software they point to has been removed.
• Fixed a bug that could cause an exception error with the Inquire command if the tool path interpolator failed to compile a path.
• Fixed a bug in MAKE where, in certain non-English translations, the buttons in the Path dialog box would overlap.
• Fixed a bug in MAKE so that Help on Homes links to the correct Help topic.
• Fixed a bug in LAYOUT where a parenthesis in a file name could cause an “unrecognized opcode error” when importing files.
• Fixed a bug that could cause a DLL to not properly register when running the installer on a computer that is missing some prerequisites.
• Fixed a bug in LAYOUT and MAKE where clicking Save in the Technical Support Report would produce duplicate information in the RTF file.
• Fixed a bug that could cause unnecessary “File in use” or “I/O 32” error messages when opening some files that are in use by other applications, such as when opening a file from an email attachment. The message now clearly states that the file is in use in another application.
• Fixed a bug in Scripting where OMAX_KeyboardState would not return results if the Shift or Ctrl keys were pressed.
• Fixed a bug in the Tech Support Report generator that could cause Czech language to not correctly be reported.
• Fixed a bug in LAYOUT that could cause the caption of the Inquire dialog to be too large and not display.
• Removed a file from Tech Support Reports that is no longer necessary for the report, and could cause some email systems to block the report as suspicious.
• Fixed a bug in the Installer where the final dialog may not show up after launching the device driver sub-installer.
  

Version 30.0

Bug Fix

• Fixed a critical bug that could prevent the firmware and device driver from properly installing when installing the software to a computer for the first time.

Version 29.0

LAYOUT

• The Clean command now reports how many zero length entities it has removed.
• EPS Support: The file importers will now allow importing of EPS files.
• The "Render" command now produces higher fidelity results, but no longer renders to the screen until it is finished.  An option to toggle between a draft (fast) render and a "precise" render is available as a right-click option on the "Render" button.

MAKE

• For the test pump stopwatch, the mouse pointer automatically moves onto the "Stop" button after it has been static for ten seconds.
• All machine position displays now update faster (on 50ms intervals instead of 100ms), and they now update while the machine is decelerating. This results in a smoother more fluid feeling when watching the display while jogging and similar.
• The Sensor Dashboard now displays values up to four decimal places.
• The Absolute home position has changed to be approximately 0.030" (0.75mm) away from the physical limit of the machine, instead of approximately 0.002" (0.05mm).   If you have any square fixtures or other dependencies on absolute machine position, you may have to make a slight adjustment after this upgrade, but for most users this change should go unnoticed with no consequence.
• MAKE no longer launches Intelli-VISOR (a subsystem used to monitor the pump) when on an offline/office PC.  This reduces the number of background tasks running unnecessarily.
• Improvements to machine communication: it  is now possible to plug the controller USB cable into the computer while MAKE is running.  This will force MAKE to reboot and establish communication with the device.
• Additional USB logging is reported to Tech Support Reports.
• Added additional logging to MAKE to help diagnose some issues easier.
• Improved some USB related error messages to be more useful for diagnostics.
• There is an improved consistency of taper prediction in the cutting model.
• Improved auto calculation of the K-factor for multiple connected nozzles.

Scripting & Script Editor

General

• All digital signatures have been updated, as the old were set to expire.  OMAX digitally signs installers, executables and some other supporting files to help ensure that the files you are installing indeed came from OMAX and that they have not been tampered with.
• A few help links have been updated to point to improved help topics.
• Improved the installer to do a better job of cleaning up old icons.
• Improved auto closing of Intelli-VISOR background services so that it will no longer run when it is not needed.  (So it's not using any computer resources when not being used.)
• Improved what used to be an "I/O 32" error message to now say "File is in use in another application" to help reduce confusion when one attempts to open a file in the OMAX software that is locked in use by another application.
• For LAYOUT, MAKE, and other places, in the Print dialog box, clicking Print also saves your selections in the Options section.

Bug fixes

• Fixed a bug in MAKE where certain readings for the System Status tab could be pulled from the wrong part of an array, which would cause an exception error.
• Fixed a bug in MAKE where the System Status Description of issue did not change to reflect an extreme event change (e.g., from very low to very high temperature).
  
• Fixed a bug in MAKE where the System Status Description of issue could accidentally be edited by the user.
• Fixed a bug in MAKE where an inactive event in the Status Tab would have an improper label if the event were to become active again. 
  
• Fixed a bug in LAYOUT that would cause a particular SVG file to not import correctly.
• Fixed a bug in the installer where an old version of the OMAX Touch Utility was being distributed instead of the latest.  This in turn fixed a bug where the Touch utility was launching the wrong help topic.
• Fixed a bug in the File/Import command of LAYOUT that could cause errors when importing files that have parentheses in the file name.
• Fixed a bug in the installer where some icons were not being removed from the desktop when removing non-English versions of the software.
  
• Fixed a bug in LAYOUT that would allow the "Render" command button to be active, even when there were no entities to render.
  
• Fixed a bug in LAYOUT that would allow users to enter in a pipe symbol into the comment string for the XData Comment on Entity, which would result in that string parsing incorrectly next time it is displayed.
  
• Fixed a bug in LAYOUT and MAKE that could cause XData information to be corrupted after loading and resaving .OMX files on computers that used commas for decimal separators instead of periods.
• Fixed a bug in LAYOUT that could cause the window that shows measurement results to go behind LAYOUT when LAYOUT is minimized and then restored.
• Fixed a bug in LAYOUT and MAKE where multiple RTF files could be included in Tech Support Reports if multiple Tech Support Reports were generated in a row without exiting MAKE.
  
• Fixed a general cosmetic bug where the "Cancel" button on some progress dialogs would overlap the bottom of the window, or the progress bar.  Also, fixed a few other miscellaneous cosmetic issues.
• Fixed a bug in LAYOUT's Shell command that could, in rare cases, cause a "Range Check" error.
• Fixed a bug in the Script Editor where Ctrl+Mouse Wheel zooming of the text could cause the text to scroll, and sometimes not exit zoom mode when the  user finishes.
• Scripting: Fixed a bug where OMAX_Is_Locale_Brazil and OMAX_Is_Locale_Germany would cause an error instead of returning a result.
  
• LAYOUT: Fixed a bug that could allow some Layers from other CAD systems to import into LAYOUT as Qualities that simply do not exist, which could confuse tool pathing operations later on.
  
• LAYOUT: Fixed a bug that would cause the "Select Special" dialog to stretch larger than necessary, and then not stretch the components on it that needed to stretch with it.
  
• LAYOUT:  Fixed a bug in the Tab feature that could cause an exception error after upgrading from earlier versions.
• MAKE: Fixed a bug where bitstream files were not being attached to Tech Support Reports.  This resulted in the inconvenience of important motor position diagnostic information not easily making it to technical support.
• Scripting: Fixed a bug where OMAX_Client_SendMessage could return a result of "True" when it should have returned "False".  This affects those who may have written custom scripts that use this command.
• MAKE: Fixed a bug that could cause the arrow key graphics on the screen to inappropriately show in the "down" state when jogging with the mouse, causing a slight rare irritation to the user.
• Fixed bug that would prevent starting the Bitstream Viewer from MAKE debug menu.
• Fixed an issue where changing the Z-axis type was not functioning properly.
• Fixed an issue with Z-axis jogging when two Z-axes were connected.
• The restart quality for Etch was changed from 'Lead-in' to 'Etch'.
• Fixed bug in the restart-array that could have caused input-output signals to be set wrong (for example, no low pressure).
  

Version 28.0

LAYOUT

• Minor updates and improvement to file filters for importing from other CAD systems.

MAKE

• No significant changes made for this release.

Scripting & Script Editor

General

• International Languages:  This version of software is now available in 19 different languages.  Find your preferred language at protomax.com/software

Bug fixes

• Faster Launch: Layout now launches about 20% faster.
• Improved Shell command: The "complex" option for the "Shell" command is now faster, more reliable, and can handle more data at once.   It also has improved handling when working with partial selections of geometry, offsetting to the proper side in context to surrounding entities.

MAKE

Scripting & Script Editor

General

• Updated pump constants impacting initial pump motor speed.
  
• Refined controller temperature operating thresholds based on experimental data.
  
• Implemented Auto Reset for automatically resetting faults at the pump motor drive.
  
• The installer will now place a shortcut on the Windows Desktop to a folder that contains additional documentation files.
  
• Tool Tips (the hints when you mouse over a user interface element) will now show for a longer time, if the text of the tip is longer.)
• There is now a Square Fixture tool path.  A Square Fixture is made by clamping some material into the machine and then using the machine to cut an L shape into it.  Since the machine cut the L, it is known to be true and square to the machines X and Y axes and can therefore be used as a precision reference, or simply a convenient spot to push material up against.  Full instructions on how to use this option are in the help screens.
• A new SolidWorks Macro is available for SolidWorks 2016 through 2018.  This allows importing a 2D face of a solid model from SolidWorks directly into LAYOUT or MAKE.  For additional information and instructions, consult relevant documents that are kept in the C:\Program Files (x86)\OMAX Corporation\OMAX_LAYOUT_and_MAKE\SolidWorksMacro\Documentation\ folder.
  

Bug fixes