---
title: Mastercam X9 vs Mastercam 2020
description: Looking at the new Mastercam 2020 and comparing it to Mastercam X9. X9 is still a popular release since it was the last version on the old interface.
image: https://blog.caminstructor.com/hubfs/X9%20vs%202020%20thumb.bmp
---

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## [Mastercam X9 vs Mastercam 2020](https://blog.caminstructor.com/mastercam-x9-vs-mastercam-2020)

 6/26/19, 6:00 AM / by [camInstructor Mike](https://blog.caminstructor.com/author/caminstructor-mike)

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This video takes a look at the new Mastercam 2020 and compares it to an older version, Mastercam X9. Mastercam X9 is still a popular release since it was the last version on the old interface. This video looks at some of the new chaining options in 2020 and compares them against X9.

<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OZhE6pTVY_Q" title="YouTube video player" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen style="position: absolute; top: 0px; left: 0px; width: 100%; height: 100%; border: medium none;" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0"></iframe>

---

Lots of changes in this release of Mastercam 2020, too many to list in a single blog post. In this video I was just looking at pointing out *some* of added benefits of updating to the latest release. Some are still sticking with X9 to avoid having to hop into the new Mastercam interface, here you'll see some benefits.

To start, I apply the 2D Dynamic Mill toolpath to several features in X9. I encounter a few points in the geometry selection for the toolpath that slow me down, even encounter two open edges in one of the toolpaths which is not allowed in versions prior to 2020. After the toolpath creation in X9, I compare the same toolpath creation in 2020.

In 2020, Mastercam has new solid selection options, Outer Edges, Open Edges, Bosses, and Cavities. These options will greatly increase the workflow speed buy automatically selected those areas for you...this really cuts down on linking edges and partial chaining, which can be tedious sometimes.

Although not a new for 2020 feature, the Preview Chains is not available in X9, this allows you to preview the geometry you are giving the toolpath to see what parts are machinable, air, or avoidance regions. Very helpful in knowing what you are giving the toolpath before you spend a bunch more time setting toolpath parameters and processing the toolpath.

Again, we are only scratching the surface of the new functions in 2020. If you are still on the old interface, hopefully this video can show you some of the time improvements you will see. 

I also did a comparison between Mastercam X3 and Mastercam 2020, here is a link to that post...

[X3 vs 2020](https://blog.caminstructor.com/mastercam-x3-vs-mastercam-2020)

---

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---

 

 Topics: [Mastercam Dynamic Milling](https://blog.caminstructor.com/topic/mastercam-dynamic-milling), [Mastercam](https://blog.caminstructor.com/topic/mastercam), [Mill](https://blog.caminstructor.com/topic/mill), [Mastercam 2020](https://blog.caminstructor.com/topic/mastercam-2020), [Mastercam X9](https://blog.caminstructor.com/topic/mastercam-x9)

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#### Written by [camInstructor Mike](https://blog.caminstructor.com/author/caminstructor-mike)

camInstructor Mike is Mike Wearne, an avid machinist, cnc programmer and overall connoisseur of all things machining. Mike is one of camInstructor's resident cad/cam/cnc experts and works part time at his local college teaching aspiring machinists how to program CNC Machines of all types.

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