4. The Inventory Browser
Materials
The Materials section allows you to assign material properties to your workpieces for more realistic simulation.
Available Materials
Metals
- Aluminum - Light gray, soft, easy to machine
- Steel - Dark gray, durable
- Stainless Steel - Silver, corrosion resistant
- Brass - Golden yellow, good machinability
- Copper - Reddish, high conductivity
- Titanium - Metallic gray, lightweight and strong
Plastics
- ABS - Black or white, impact resistant
- Nylon - Cream white, self-lubricating
- Delrin/POM - White, high precision
- Polycarbonate - Transparent, durable
- PTFE - White, low friction
Other Materials
- Wood - Brown with grain
- Graphite - Black, for electrodes
- Foam - For models and prototypes
Assigning a Material
- Select the workpiece in the 3D view
- Open the Inventory Browser (F4)
- Go to the "Materials" section
- Double-click the desired material
Simulation Effects
The assigned material affects:
- Visual appearance - Color and reflection in 3D view
- Chip removal - Realistic machining visualization
- Parameter suggestions - Recommended speeds and feeds
Note: Material selection is primarily for visualization. Cutting parameters should be verified with tool manufacturer specifications.