Link to External Files from the Machine Explorer

Normally, all of the individual files listed in the Machine Explorer are serialized into the .machine file and are all saved together. However, some users prefer to use tool libraries, defaults files, or other resources that are stored on a server or central workstation. For these cases, Mastercam 2026 lets you include a link to the external file in your .machine file, rather than the file itself.

This functionality is supported for the following file types:

• Tool libraries (*.tooldb)
• Operation libraries (*.mcam-operations)
• Component libraries (*.mcam-gmd)
• Operation defaults files (*.mcam-defaults)

To create the link, right-click on the file that you wish to replace, and choose Add linked file. In this example, the metric tool library is being replaced.

Mastercam prompts you to select the new file. When you return to Code Expert, Mastercam displays the file with a special icon.

• You can replace each of the U.S. (inch) and metric files individually.
• Users with a Consumer license can add links to files even though they cannot normally edit or replace the original.

The original files remain in the .machine file. If a user loads the .machine file and Mastercam cannot find or access the linked file, the original file will be used as a fallback.