Copyright: Copyright ® 1996-2000, Giddings && Lewis, LLC


DesignMax Help Contents

 Overview

 How To

 Basic CAD Functionality

 Windows, Menus and Buttons


DesignMax Help Contents

 Overview

 Introduction

 Help File Conventions

 How To

 Basic CAD Functionality

 Windows, Menus and Buttons


DesignMax Help Contents

 Overview

 How To

 Access Common Windows

 Calibrate a Tip at a Location Other Than the MEA Position

 Establish a Part Alignment

 Export a Part Design

 Modify Default Measurement Settings

 Read Data Points Collected Elsewhere into DesignMax

 Reverse Engineer a "Box"

 Reverse Engineer the "Square-Circle-Triangle" Part

 Basic CAD Functionality

 Windows, Menus and Buttons


DesignMax Help Contents

 Overview

 How To

 Basic CAD Functionality

 Concept

 Construction Basics

 Transform Basics

 Windows, Menus and Buttons


DesignMax Help Contents

 Overview

 How To

 Basic CAD Functionality

 Windows, Menus and Buttons

 Windows

 Pull-Down Menu Commands


Introduction

DesignMax is a comprehensive real-time reverse engineering software package that runs on Microsoft Windows '95 and Microsoft Windows NT.  It allows the user to easily create a CAD model of a part and export it directly to a CAD system.  The interface supports feature creation via measurement, construction as well as projection, rotation and translation.  Applications for reverse engineering include capturing engineering data from parts designed for aesthetic appeal; replicating worn, broken or after market parts for reproduction; and determining if a mold is wearing.

DesignMax is targeted for prismatic parts with projected 2D geometry.  Surface points collected by another means, such as via MeasureMax, can also be brought into DesignMax and included as part of the CAD model.  Results of the reverse engineering process can be exported in IGES, DXF and STEP formats.  This makes it very easy to import into almost any CAD system.
This on-line help system will provide information about every feature in the system, as well as general information about metrology principles.


Help File Conventions

The DesignMax help files contain information about every window and every task you can perform with DesignMax.  Composed of multiple help files, the help system is constructed so that you, the user, can easily navigate from one help topic to another.

Commands are entered into DesignMax via pull-down menus, hot keys, plus tool box and edit bar buttons.  The help files are organized as they appear in the pull-down menus.

The help files are cross-linked so that as you are examining one section of help, you may see a word that you don't quite understand.  If it is green with a dotted underline, clicking on it causes a pop-up window to be displayed with an explanation.  If it is green with a solid underline, clicking on it causes help to jump to another area in the help file, or maybe even another help file, where there is more information about that word or words.


Access Common Windows

There are some windows in the application that are common to other measuring applications.  Access to these windows varies depending on whether you are running DesignMax or another application.  Specific directions for accessing the windows in DesignMax are below:

Part Alignment/Reference Frame Windows

To access any of the reference frame windows, select the appropriate command from the Part Alignment Menu.

Probe Tip Windows

Select Tip Window - From the CMM Menu, select Probes, Select Tip.

Locate Calibration Sphere Window - From the CMM Menu, select Probes, Locate Sphere.

Calibrate Tip Wizard - From the CMM Menu, select Probes, Calibrate Tip.

Machine Monitor Windows

XYZ Display - From the CMM Menu, select Display, XYZ Display.

Measure Windows

Measure Windows are used and accessed when establishing a reference frame.


Calibrate a Tip at a Location Other Than the MEA Position

To calibrate a tip at a location other than the MEA position is a three step process.  First, calibrate tip 0 at the MEA position.  This can be done via the command CMM / PROBES / CALIBRATE TIP.  After tip 0 is calibrated, the second step is to move the MEA sphere to a new location and have DesignMax locate it.  This is done via the command CMM / PROBES / LOCATE SPHERE.  DesignMax now has enough information about the sphere at this location so that a tip can be calibrated at this location.  Therefore, the third step is done via the command CMM / PROBES / CALIBRATE TIP and you calibrate the desired tip name / number at this new location.


Establish a Part Alignment

The command CMM / PART ALIGNMENT / ESTABLISH is used to align the part.  It is not always necessary to align the part.  If all of the geometry data is going to be collected in one session and if you are sending this design data to a CAD designer who will want to establish his own part origin and alignment, then it may not be necessary for you to align the part.  If geometry data is going to be collected from the part in multiple sessions, then it is necessary to align the part so that all collected geometry data is in the same coordinate or reference system.  Once you align the part, you can save the alignment via the CMM / PART ALIGNMENT / SAVE command.  This alignment can be recalled, or made active, by the CMM / PART ALIGNMENT / RECALL command.

The establish part alignment command activates the part alignment wizard.  This is a three-step process whereby the user first auto levels the part, establishes an offset and then establishes the origin.  You can auto level to a plane, a cylinder or a cone.  Auto level is the process of leveling the selected active working plane to the measured feature.  The next step is to establish an offset angle.  You can measure either a line or two circles to do this.  The line or the line constructed through the center of the two measured circles determine the offset angle.  Lastly, the origin is established.  This is done by measuring either a point or a line.  Depending on the features measured this sets the origin for one or two of the axes.


Export a Part Design

To export design information from DesignMax, select FILE / EXPORT.  You will be presented with three options: IGES, DXF and STEP.  IGES is the Initial Graphics Exchange Specification, which is an ASME/ANSI standard.  Its purpose is to provide compatible exchange of design definition data for CAD and CAM systems.  DXF is the AutoCad data exchange format.  STEP is the Standard for the Exchange of Product Model Data and is an integrated suite of ISO, or international, standards.

Once you select the export format, a dialog box will appear allowing you to select the file to export.  These files are in DesignMax format.  Lastly, you will select the location where the export file should reside.  At this point the translation takes place and the export file is created.


Modify Default Measurement Settings

There are four default measurement settings that can be modified: maximum number of measured points, CMM qualify mode, engineering units and mouse pick confirmation mode.

Maximum Number of Measured Points

If you select an entity to measure via the pull-down menus or by clicking on the appropriate geometry button in the Tool Box, you can take as many points that you want to measure this entity within a certain range.  The minimum number of point in this range is the minimum number of points required to construct this entity type.  For a line, this would be 2 points, for a circle, this would be 3 points, etc.  After this minimum number of points is taken, you can complete the measurement process by either pressing <Rtn to Screen> on the RCU or by pressing the <Return> key on the keyboard.  If you take the maximum number of points for this entity type, the measurement process is completed automatically and no button needs to be pushed.

The maximum number of measured points is set from the pull-down menu item "Configure / Max. Number of Meas Pts.".  After you select this item, a dialog box is presented containing a list of entity types.  Next to each entity type is the current setting for the maximum number of points.  To the right of that is the minimum number.  You can not set the maximum to a value less than the minimum.  If you change one of these values and click <OK>, this value will be used for this session of DesignMax.  If you click <Save>, this value will be the new maximum value for future sessions of DesignMax.

CMM Qualify Mode

There are two settings for this selection: qualify and non-qualify.  If you want to validate each measurement point recorded before it is received by DesignMax, then select Qualify Mode.  With Qualify Mode, DesignMax does not receive the point when the probe is triggered.  After the probe triggers the user must validate that this is a good point by pressing the <Record> button on the RCU.  Only then does DesignMax receive the measured point.  This is very handy when measuring in areas where you may unexpectedly touch the part and record points that are not wanted.

With Non-Qualify Mode, DesignMax sees each point as the probe is triggered.  No additional user intervention is required to get the data into DesignMax.  This is a valuable option for quick measurements.

Unit

There are two settings for this selection: metric and inch.  The initial setting is retrieved from the Control Center settings.  By clicking on the button to the left of the desired setting, this setting becomes the current engineering units.  This control is only available when no entity data has been entered.  While entity data exists, this control is unavailable, or "grayed out".  Changes made to the engineering units setting from this control are reflected in the settings at the Control Center.

Mouse Pick

There are two settings for this selection:  Confirmation Mode and Non-confirmation Mode.  This affects all operations that require the user to pick individual entities, such as delete or construct.  In non-confirmation mode, whatever entity DesignMax thinks that the user has selected is the entity selected and there is no opportunity to modify the selection except to start the process again.  In confirmation mode, if there is more than one entity in close proximity to the mouse click, the entity is highlighted and a dialog box entitled "Scroll Picked Entities" appears with five buttons.  If you click on <Accept>, the highlighted entity is the selected entity.  If you click on <Cancel>, the operation is canceled.  If you click on <Help>, this will take you to the Help System for this operation.  Otherwise, DesignMax maintains a queue of entities in close proximity to the mouse click.  By clicking on <Next> or <Prev>, this highlights the next or previous entity in the queue.  Click on either of these buttons until the correct entity is highlighted, then click on <Accept> to make the highlighted entity the selected entity.


Read Data Points Collected Elsewhere into DesignMax

DesignMax can read a file of points, containing either x,y or x,y,z data.  The file format can be either comma separated values or space delimited data.  Although this data can originate from any software program, an example is data collected via a MeasureMax part program that collects surface contour information.  Rather than forcing DesignMax to measure the same data points again, the Read Points capability allows the external data points to become part of the DesignMax design data.

To do this, select FILE / READ POINTS.  Select the file extension type (.dat, .csv or all files) and then select the location (disk and directory) where the file resides.  When you click OK the data is read into DesignMax as a point cloud.
Note that DesignMax allows you to construct several feature types from other features.  For example, you can use CONSTRUCT / POINT / CLOUD, and convert each of the points in the point cloud (which is handled as a unit) into individual points.  If you know that the data represents a spline, you can also use CONSTRUCT / SPLINE / CLOUD to convert the point cloud into a spline entity.


Reverse Engineer a Box
Reverse Engineer a "Box"

This procedure provides a step-by-step instruction on how to use DesignMax to capture the design of a box.  Any small square or rectangular shaped object can be used for this exercise as long as it fits on the CMM work table with room for the probe to maneuver around it.  This exercise will use probe calibration, part alignment, geometry measurement, projection and file exporting to accomplish the task.

1.0  Setup

1 	Control Action:  Position the part in the center of the table.  Approximately align the part with the CMM's x and y axes.  Secure the part to the table.

Expected Results:  Part is secured to a location approximately in the center of the table.

2 	Control Action:  With DesignMax running, execute the command:  FILE / NEW

Expected Results:  System is initialized and ready to reverse engineer a part.

3 	Control Action:  CONFIGURE / UNIT  Set the engineering units to your preference, either metric or inch, then click <OK>.

Expected Results:  The status bar indicates the selected engineering units.

4 	Control Action:  CONFIGURE / CMM QUALIFY MODE  Select Qualify mode, then click <OK>.

Expected Results:  No observable results.

2.0  Probe Calibration

1 	Control Action:  CMM / PROBES / CALIBRATE TIP

Expected Results:  The probe calibration wizard is started.  The first screen of the wizard, Machine Configuration, is presented.

2 	Control Action:  Verify Machine Configuration is correct, then press NEXT>.

Expected Results:  The second screen of the wizard is presented where the user enters the probe name, etc.

3 	Control Action:  Make sure that the probe name is "0", that the number of points is 10, and that the PH9/10 A angle is 0 and B angle is 0, the press NEXT>.

Expected Results:  The third screen of the wizard, Calibration Mode, is presented.

4 	Control Action:  Make sure that the Calibration Mode is set to "Automatic", then press NEXT>.

Expected Results:  The fourth screen of the wizard, the sphere information screen, is presented.

5 	Control Action:  Enter the calibration sphere diameter.  It is usually found on a calibration sticker on the sphere.  If it is a ¾" sphere and you are in metric, the value should be approximately 19.05 mm.  Also make sure that the sphere position is set to MEA, then press NEXT>.

Expected Results:  The fifth screen of the wizard, the approach vector screen, is presented.

6 	Control Action:  Click on the option button next to -Z, then click on NEXT>.

Expected Results:  The sixth screen of the wizard, the probe / stylus changer screen, is presented.

7 	Control Action:  For this exercise, we are assuming that we are not using a probe changer or a stylus changer; therefore, click NEXT>.

Expected Results:  The seventh screen of the wizard, the data acquisition screen, is presented.

8 	Control Action:  Place the calibration sphere in the MEA position.
Place the probe approximately ¾" above the calibration sphere.  Press <AUTO> on the RCU.  Press <RECORD> on the RCU.

Expected Results:  The CMM moves the probe to touch the sphere one.  It then touches the sphere in four locations to find its approximate center.  It then takes 10 touches on the sphere to determine the calibration information for the probe tip.

9 	Control Action:  After all points have been taken, press <FINISH> to complete the wizard.

Expected Results:  The wizard completes and no probe calibration screens are presented.

3.0  Part Alignment

1 	Control Action:  CMM / PART ALIGNMENT / ESTABLISH

Expected Results:  The first screen of the Part Alignment Wizard, Step 1 Auto Level, is presented.

2 	Control Action:  The xy plane and the Plane button should already be selected.  If not, select them.  Select NEXT>.

Expected Results:  The Auto Level data acquisition screen is presented.

3 	Control Action:  Take 3 points on the top of the box.  Make sure that the points are spread out over the top of the box and that the three points do not lie in a straight line.

Press <RECORD> on the RCU after each point so that the Part Alignment Wizard can receive the point data.

Expected Results:  There are two numbers displayed: points needed and points taken.  They start out set to 3 and 0.  As you take a point and push the <RECORD> button, the points taken increments.  When it increments to 3, meaning that all of the points for auto level have been taken, the Step 2 screen, Offset, is displayed.

4 	Control Action:  Make sure line button is selected.  If it is not, select it.  Select NEXT>.

Expected Results:  The Offset data acquisition screen is presented.

5 	Control Action:  Measure two points along the front of the box.  Take the first point toward the left side of the part and the second point toward the right side of the part so that the alignment reflects the entire part.

Press <RECORD> on the RCU after each point.

Expected Results:  There are two numbers displayed: points needed and points taken.  They start out set to 2 and 0.  As you take a point and push the <RECORD> button, the points taken increments.  When it increments to 2, meaning that all of the points for offset have been taken, the Step 3 screen, Set Origin, is displayed.

6 	Control Action:  Make sure point button is selected.  If it is not, select it.  Select NEXT>.

Expected Results:  The Set Origin data acquisition screen is presented.

7 	Control Action:  Measure one point on the left face of the part.  Press <RECORD>.

Expected Results:  As soon as the point is recorded, the wizard completes and no part alignment screens are presented.

4.0  Verify Part Alignment

1 	Control Action:  CMM / DISPLAYS / XYZ DISPLAY

Expected Results:  XYZ Display is made visible.

2 	Control Action:  Using the RCU, move the probe so that it is approximately over the front, top, left corner of the part.

Expected Results:  The XYZ Display should read approximately 0,0,0.

3 	Control Action:  Using the RCU, move the probe so that it is approximately over the rear, top, left corner of the part.

Expected Results:  The XYZ Display should read approximately 0 in X and Z and a positive value in Y which is approximately the length of the box.

4 	Control Action:  Using the RCU, move the probe so that it is approximately over the front, top, right corner of the part.

Expected Results:  The XYZ Display should read approximately 0 in Y and Z and a positive value in X which is approximately the width of the box.

5.0  Establish Projection Plane

1 	Control Action:  GEOMETRY / SET PLANE / MEASUREMENT  Measure 3 points on the CMM table top.  Take one point to the left of the part, one point to the front of the part, and one point to the right of the part.
Press <Return> on the keyboard.

Expected Results:  As each point is measured, it is displayed as a +.  When the <Return> key is pressed, all are erased.

6.0  Measure Four Lines

1 	Control Action:  GEOMETRY / LINE (or click on the line button in the Tool Box)  Measure 3 points on the left face of the part.

Expected Results:  A green vertical line is displayed.  If it is not, press <CTRL>-A to auto scale the view so that the line can be viewed.

2 	Control Action:  Click on the line button, if it is not already selected.  Measure 3 points on the back face of the part.

Expected Results:  A green horizontal line is displayed.

3 	Control Action:  Click on the line button, if it is not already selected.  Measure 3 points on the right  face of the part.

Expected Results:  A green vertical line is displayed.

4 	Control Action:  Click on the line button, if it is not already selected.  Measure 3 points on the front face of the part.

Expected Results:  A green horizontal line is displayed.  If all four green lines are not viewable, press <CTRL>-A to auto scale the view so that the lines can be viewed.

7.0  Trimming the Lines

1 	Control Action:  EDIT / TRIM/EXTEND BOTH (or click on the Trim/Extend Both button in the Edit Bar)
Click on the left line and then the back line.

Expected Results:  Both lines are extended to form a corner.

2 	Control Action:  Click on the Trim/Extend Both button.  Click on the left line and then the front line.

Expected Results:  Both lines are extended to form a corner.

3 	Control Action:  Click on the Trim/Extend Both button.  Click on the right line and then the back line.

Expected Results:  Both lines are extended to form a corner.

4 	Control Action:  Click on the Trim/Extend Both button.  Click on the right line and then the front line.

Expected Results:  Both lines are extended to form a corner.  One layer of the box is complete.

8.0  Create the Depth of the Part

1 	Control Action:  GEOMETRY / SET PLANE / OFFSET (or click on the Set Plane / Offset button in the Tool Box  Measure one point on the top of the box.

Expected Results:  This moves the projection plane to the top of the box and parallel with the projection plane established on the CMM table in Step 5.

2 	Control Action:  Click on the point button in the Tool Box.  Measure 3 points.

Expected Results:  Points are displayed in Graphical Viewing Area.

3 	Control Action:  TRANSFORM / PROJECT / JOIN  For the entities to project, click on each of the four green lines.  For the method of defining the projection plane, click on the "3 Points" button in the Tool Bar, then click on each of the three points.

Expected Results:  The four lines are projected up into a plane defined by the three points.  Sine you are in the top view, there is no observable results.

4 	Control Action:  Click on the Views button, then select isometric.

Expected Results:  A three-dimensional view of the part is displayed.  You can now observe the part depth created from the previous step.

5 	Control Action:  Click on the Delete button in the Edit Bar.  Next click on the three points.

Expected Results:  The three points are deleted.

9.0  Save the Design in a File

1 	Control Action:  FILE / SAVE AS  Select the appropriate disk and directory, then type BOX for file name.

Expected Results:  Design information is saved in DesignMax format on the disk and in the directory selected by you in a file called BOX.SMD.  You can verify this by using Windows Explorer and verifying that the file exists in the selected directory on the selected disk.

2 	Control Action:  FILE / EXPORT / IGES  Select the appropriate disk and directory, then type BOX for file name.

Expected Results:  Design information is saved in IGES format on the disk and in the directory selected by you in a file called BOX.IGS.  You can verify this by using Windows Explorer and verifying that the file exists in the selected directory on the selected disk.

10.0 Exit

1 	Control Action:  FILE / EXIT

Expected Action:  DesignMax completes and exits.  Control is returned to Windows.


Reverse Engineer the Square Circle Triangle Part
Reverse Engineer the "Square-Circle-Triangle" Part

1 	Control Action:  CMM :: PROBES :: CALIBRATE TIP  --  Calibrate tip 0.

Expected Results:  Tip 0 is calibrated and selected.  "0" displayed in Status Bar.

2 	Control Action:  CMM :: PART ALIGNMENT :: ESTABLISH  --  Align to center of the cylinder, the front edge and the top surface.

Expected Results:  The origin is established using the cylinder in the center of the part as the primary datum, the front edge of the part (line) as the secondary datum, and a point on the top surface of the part as the tertiary datum.

No observable results.

3 	Control Action:  ENTITY :: CURRENT SETTINGS  --  Set current layer to 1 and current color to green.

Expected Results:  Current layer is set to 1 and the current color to green.

No observable results.

4 	Control Action:  GEOMETRY :: SET PLANE :: MEASUREMENT  --  Take 3 point on the CMM table top.

Expected Results:  Projection plane is established at the CMM table top.

No observable results.

5 	Control Action:  GEOMETRY :: LINE  --  Take 2 points on each face of the four sides of the lower square of the part.

Expected Results:  Four green lines will be displayed.

6 	Control Action:  EDIT :: TRIM/EXTEND BOTH -- Using the mouse click on 2 adjacent lines.  Continue selecting pairs of adjacent lines until all four corners are formed.

Expected Results:  Each 2 line pair  will be extended to form a corner for a total of four corners.

7 	Control Action:  GEOMETRY :: SET PLANE :: OFFSET -- Take 1 point on top of the lower square.

Expected Results:  This moves the projection plane to this level.

No observable results.

8 	Control Action:  GEOMETRY :: POINT -- Take 3 points on top face of the lowest square on the part.

Expected Results:  Three green X's will be displayed.

9 	Control Action:  PROJECTION :: PROJECT :: JOIN -- Using the mouse, select each of the four lines.  For the method of defining a projection plane, select 3 PNTS.  Using the mouse, select each of the 3 green points.

Expected Results:  The third dimension is displayed for the square.

10 	Control Action:  EDIT :: DELETE - Select the 3 green points.

Expected Results:  The 3 points marked by the three green X's will be deleted.

11 	Control Action:  ENTITY :: CURRENT SETTINGS - Set the current layer to 2 and the current color to blue.

Expected Results:  Current layer is set to 2 and the current color to blue.

No observable results.

12 	Control Action:  GEOMETRY :: SET PLANE :: OFFSET -- Take 1 point on top of the second lowest square.

Expected Results:  This moves the projection plane to this level.

No observable results.

13 	Control Action:  GEOMETRY :: LINE -- Take 2 points on the four faces of the second lowest square of the part.

Expected Results:  Four blue lines will be displayed.

14 	Control Action:  EDIT :: TRIM/EXTEND BOTH -- Using the mouse click on 2 adjacent lines.  Continue selecting pairs of adjacent lines until all four corners are formed.

Expected Results:  Each 2 line pair  will be extended to form a corner for a total of four corners.

15 	Control Action:  PROJECTION :: PROJECT :: JOIN -- Using the mouse, select each of the four blue lines.  For the method of defining a projection plane, select 2 LINES.  Using the mouse, select the 2 adjacent green lines from the top of the bottom square surface.

Expected Results:  The third dimension is displayed for the second lowest square.

16 	Control Action:  GEOMETRY :: SET PLANE :: OFFSET -- Take 1 point on top of the top square.

Expected Results:  This moves the projection plane to this level.

No observable results.

17 	Control Action:  ENTITY :: CURRENT SETTINGS - Set the current layer to 3 and the current color to red.

Expected Results:  Current layer is set to 3 and the current color to red.

No observable results.

18 	Control Action:  GEOMETRY:: LINE -- Take 2 points on each face of the four sides of the top square of the part.

Expected Results:  Four red lines will be displayed.

19 	Control Action:  EDIT :: TRIM/EXTEND BOTH -- Using the mouse click on 2 adjacent lines.  Continue selecting pairs of adjacent lines until all four corners are formed.

Expected Results:  Each 2 line pair  will be extended to form a corner for a total of four corners.

20 	Control Action:  PROJECTION :: PROJECT :: JOIN -- Using the mouse, select the four red lines.  For the method of defining a projection plane, select 2 LINES.  Using the mouse, select 2 adjacent blue lines from the top surface of the second lowest square.

Expected Results:  The third dimension is displayed for the top square.

21 	Control Action:  GEOMETRY :: CIRCLE -- Take 3 points in each of the four holes which are in the top square.

Expected Results:  Four circles will be displayed.

22 	Control Action:  PROJECTION :: PROJECT :: JOIN -- Using the mouse, select each of the four circles.  For the method of defining a projection plane, select 2 LINES.  Select 2 adjacent green lines from the bottom surface of the lowest square.

Expected Results:  The third dimension is displayed for the four red holes making them cylinders.

23 	Control Action:  ENTITY :: CURRENT SETTINGS - Set the current layer to 4 and the current color to yellow.

Expected Results:  Current layer is set to 4 and the current color to yellow.

No observable results.

24 	Control Action:  GEOMETRY :: SET PLANE :: OFFSET -- Take 1 point on top of the large circle.

Expected Results:  This moves the projection plane to this level.

No observable results.

25 	Control Action:  GEOMETRY :: CIRCLE-- Take 3 points on the exterior of the large circle.

Expected Results:  A yellow circle will be displayed.

26 	Control Action:  PROJECTION :: PROJECT :: JOIN -- Using the mouse, select the large yellow circle.  For the method of defining a projection plane, select 2 LINES.  Select 2 adjacent red lines from the top surface of the top square.

Expected Results:  The third dimension is displayed for the large yellow circle.

27 	Control Action:  ENTITY :: CURRENT SETTINGS - Set the current layer to 5 and the current color to cyan.

Expected Results:  Current layer is set to 5 and the current color to cyan.

No observable results.

28 	Control Action:  GEOMETRY :: SET PLANE :: OFFSET -- Take 1 point on top of the triangle.

Expected Results:  This moves the projection plane to this level.

No observable results.

29 	Control Action:  GEOMETRY :: LINE -- Take 2 points on each face of the three sides of the triangle.

Expected Results:  Three cyan lines will be displayed.

30 	Control Action:  EDIT :: TRIM/EXTEND BOTH -- Using the mouse click on 2 adjacent cyan lines.  Continue selecting pairs of adjacent lines until all three corners of the triangle are formed.

Expected Results:  Lines will be extended to form 3 corners of the triangle.

31 	Control Action:  PROJECTION :: PROJECT :: JOIN -- Using the mouse, select each of the three cyan lines of the triangle.  For the method of defining a projection plane, select ENTITY.  Using the mouse, select the top section of the yellow circle.

Expected Results:  The third dimension is displayed for the triangle.

32 	Control Action:  GEOMETRY :: CIRCLE-- Take 3 points on the interior of the center hole.  Next, take 3 points on the interior of the 3 holes in the triangle.

Expected Results:  A cyan circle will be displayed first.  Then, three smaller cyan circles will be displayed.

33 	Control Action:  PROJECTION :: PROJECT :: JOIN -- Using the mouse, select the center hole.  For the method of defining a projection plane, select 2 LINES.  Select 2 adjacent green lines from the bottom surface of the bottom square.

Expected Results:  The third dimension is displayed for the center cyan circle.

34 	Control Action:  PROJECTION :: PROJECT :: JOIN -- Using the mouse, select the 3 holes in the triangle.  For the method of defining a projection plane, select 2 LINES.  Select 2 adjacent red lines from the bottom surface of the top square.

Expected Results:  The third dimension is displayed for the three smaller cyan holes.

35 	Control Action:  FILE :: EXPORT :: IGES - Export this file to a floppy disk.  Name the file SQUARE.IGS.

Expected Results:  Use Windows Explorer and see that file SQUARE.IGS exists.

36 	Control Action:  FILE :: EXPORT :: DXF - Export this file to a floppy disk.  Name the file SQUARE.DXF.

Expected Results.  Use Windows Explorer and see that file SQUARE. DXF exists.

37 	Control Action:  FILE / EXIT

Expected Results:  The application terminates.


Concept

It is not the intent of DesignMax to replicate a CAD System.  Even on a PC, CAD systems today offer both power and flexibility.  Along with this comes a degree of complexity that is not desired in the easy-to-use user interface of DesignMax.  There are certain functions that are better left to the CAD designer after the part geometry has been captured.  Therefore, DesignMax has only included in its capability that which is pertinent to the task of reverse engineering.  It is capability to make the data "whole" or complete so that the data is understandable.  However, capability that does not fit into this category but which would make it a better CAD system has been left out.  The main question in determining whether to include or exclude requested capability is based on the question, "Would this capability help the reverse engineering task?", or "Would this capability further the notion that DesignMax is a CAD or CAD-like system?".

Basic construction and transform capabilities have been included.  The following details this functionality.


Construction Basics

There are seven different constructions that can be performed, six features plus constructing a projection plane based on existing features.  This paper addresses these seven scenarios.  All constructed features will have the current settings as their characteristics (layer, color, etc.).  They do not inherit the settings of the features used in the construction.

A Construction tool bar will be used.  It has six buttons in the tool bar:  point, endpoint, midpoint, center point, intersection and point cloud.  When a button is not a logical choice, it will remain but be grayed out, or disabled.

Point

Line

Circle

Arc

Fillet

Spline

Projection Plane


Point

When Point is selected, the Construction tool bar is displayed with none of the 6 buttons disabled.  A  point can be constructed by the following methods:

1 	Midpoint of two points - The user clicks on two points and the new point is created, which is the midpoint of the two points.

2 	Endpoint of a line, arc or spline - The user clicks on a line, an arc or a spline and the end point closest to the location of the user click is designate as the selected endpoint.  A point is constructed at the selected end of the feature.

3 	Midpoint of a line - The user clicks on a line and a point is constructed at the midpoint of the line.

4 	Center of a circle or an arc - The user clicks on a circle or an arc and a point is constructed at the center of the feature.

5 	Intersection of two features --  The user clicks on two features.  These features can only be a line, circle, arc, spline and fillet (which can be treated as an arc).  A point is created at the intersection of these two features.

6 	Point Cloud --  The user clicks on a point cloud.  This point cloud is converted into individual point entities.


Line

A line can be constructed using two points or a point cloud.  If a point cloud is selected, the line is constructed from all points in the point cloud and there is no second selection.  If a point cloud is not selected, the line is constructed using two points, where each of the points can be from items 1 through 5 below.  Section 6 describes the point cloud option.

1 	An existing point feature - The user clicks on a point and is used as one of the construction points for the line.

2 	Endpoint of a line, arc or spline - The user clicks on a line, arc or spline and the end point closest to the location of the user click is designate as the selected endpoint.  This point is used as one of the points to construct a line.

3 	Midpoint of a line  -- The user clicks on a line and the midpoint is used as one of the construction points for the line.

4 	Center of a circle or an arc - The user clicks on a circle or an arc and the center of the feature is used as one of the points to construct a line.

5 	Intersection of two features --  The user clicks on two features.  These features can only be a line, circle, arc, spline and / or fillet (which can be treated as an arc).  A point is calculated at the intersection of these two features and is used as one of the construction points for the line.  If there are more than one intersection points, select the point that is closest to the location where the user clicked with selecting the feature.

6 	Point Cloud --  The user clicks on a point cloud.  This point cloud is converted into a line entity.


Circle

A circle can be constructed using three points or a point cloud.  If a point cloud is selected, the circle is constructed from all points in the point cloud and there is no second or third selection.  If a point cloud is not selected, the circle is constructed using three points, where each of the points can be from items 1 through 5 below.  Section 6 describes the point cloud option.

1 	An existing point feature - The user clicks on a point and is used as one of the construction points for the circle.

2 	Endpoint of a line, arc or spline - The user clicks on a line,an arc or spline and the end point closest to the location of the user click is designate as the selected endpoint.  This point is used as one of the points to construct a circle.

3 	Midpoint of a line  -- The user clicks on a line and the midpoint is used as one of the construction points for the circle.

4 	Center of a circle or an arc - The user clicks on a circle or an arc and the center of the feature is used as one of the points to construct a circle.

5 	Intersection of two features --  The user clicks on two features.  These features can only be a line, circle, arc, spline and / or fillet (which can be treated as an arc).  A point is calculated at the intersection of these two features and is used as one of the construction points for the circle.

6 	Point Cloud --  The user clicks on a point cloud.  This point cloud is converted into a circle entity.


Arc

An arc can be constructed using three points or a point cloud.  If a point cloud is selected, the arc is constructed from all points in the point cloud and there is no second or third selection.  If a point cloud is not selected, the arc is constructed using three points, where each of the points can be from items 1 through 5 below.  Section 6 describes the point cloud option.

1 	An existing point feature - The user clicks on a point and is used as one of the construction points for the arc.

2 	B. spline and the end point closest to the location of the user click is designate as the selected endpoint.  This point is used as one of the points to construct an arc.

3 	Midpoint of a line  -- The user clicks on a line and the midpoint is used as one of the construction points for the arc.

4 	Center of a circle or an arc - The user clicks on a circle or an arc and the center of the feature is used as one of the points to construct an arc.

5 	Intersection of two features --  The user clicks on two features.  These features can only be a line, circle, arc, spline and / or fillet (which can be treated as an arc).  A point is calculated at the intersection of these two features and is used as one of the construction points for the arc.

6 	Point Cloud --  The user clicks on a point cloud.  This point cloud is converted into an arc entity.


Fillet

A fillet can be constructed using two points and a radius entered by the user, where each of the two points are along a line where an arc of given radii intersects both lines.  The lines and the fillet are trimmed at their intersections.


Spline

The following splines can be constructed only from existing point entities or a point cloud.  If the user clicks on a point cloud as his first selection, a spline is constructed through all the points in the point cloud.  If the user selects a point as his first selection, the user can continue to click on points to be used as for the construction for the spline.  If the first selection is a point, only points can be selected.  For example, the point cloud is no longer a legal selection.


Projection Plane

The following projection planes can be constructed:

1 	Two lines  --  The user clicks on two lines.  These two lines are used to define a new projection plane.  The two lines must be co-planar, or an error will be generated.

2 	A line and a point - The user clicks on a line and a point (or a circle).  If a circle was selected, the center is used as a point.  These two features are used to define a new projection plane.

3 	Three points  -- The user clicks on three points.  Any of the points can be defined by clicking on a circle and using the center of the circle as a point.  These three points are used to define a new projection plane.

4 	Circle or Arc - The user clicks on a circle or an arc.  It is used to define a new projection plane.

5 	Ellipse - The user clicks on an ellipse.  It is used to define a new projection plane.


Transform Basics

The Transform menu has the following menu items:  delta, old-new, project and rotate.  The following describes each of these four menu items.

For each of these operations the user starts by selecting the pull down menu item, then selecting either Move, Copy or Join.  The user then begins selecting entities by clicking on them.  As they are selected, they are highlighted.  The user terminates the selection of entities by pressing <Return> on the keyboard.  Next, the steps specific to the selected function is performed as described below.

Each of these commands support the Move, Copy and Join operation.  They are defined as follows.

Move --  Apply the transformation directly to the selected entities.  All entity attributes are maintained.

Copy --  Apply the transformation to a copy of the selected entities.  We will only support one copy.  In other words, if the user wants multiple copies of these entities, this operation would need to be performed multiple times.  The copy is created in the active layer; however, all other entity attributes, such as color, are that of the original entities.

Join --  Apply the transformation to a copy of the selected entities.  We will only support one copy.  In other words, if the user wants multiple copies of these entities, this operation would need to be performed multiple times.  The copy is created in the active layer; however, all other entity attributes, such as color, are that of the original entities.  Additionally, new line entities are created that join the copied entities.  These lines assume the current default entity attributes.  Coincident positions generate only one joining entity.

•	Point - generates a line at its position

•	line, arc, spline - generates a line at its endpoints

•	circle, ellipse - generates a line at the zero degree position

•	fillet - not joined.  The line entities at the end of the fillet will be joined.

Delta

Old-New

Project

Rotate


Delta

This allows you to translate or shift entities from one location to another along a specified vector.

1 	The user is prompted to enter the translation vector via prompts, such as "dX =", "dY =" and "dZ =".

2 	The selected entities are translated by the delta x, y and z values in the current part coordinate system.


Old New
Old-New

This allows you to translate or shift entities by indicating the position of the transformed entities relative to that of the original entities.

1 	The user clicks on one entity to define the old base.  For a line, this could be either an end point or a midpoint.  For a spline, this could be an end point.  For a circle, arc, or ellipse, this could be the center point.  This could also be a point entity.

2 	The user next clicks on one entity to define the new base.  For a line, this could be either an end point or a midpoint.  For a spline, this could be an end point.  For a circle, arc, or ellipse, this could be the center point.  This could also be a point.  A translation vector is created from the old base to the new base.  The selected entities are translated by the translation vector.


Project

This allows you to project entities onto a specified plane along a specified vector.  This vector will always be normal to the projection plane.

1 	The user clicks on one or more entities to define the projection plane.  Only one entity is required if it is a circle, arc or ellipse.  Other legal combinations to define the projection plane include a line and a point, two co-planar lines, and three points.  For non-parallel planes, new feature types are converted to either a segmented ellipse or a spline.

2 	The entities are then projected onto the projection plane defined by the entity or entities along a vector normal to the projection plane.


Rotate

This allows you to rotate entities about a specified axis by a given number of degrees.

1 	The user clicks on an entity to define the rotation axis.  This can be any entity that can resolve to a point.  This includes: a point, the end point or the mid point of a line, the center of a circle, arc, or ellipse, or the end points of a spline.

2 	The user clicks on one or more entities to define the projection plane.  Only one entity is required if it is a circle, arc or ellipse.  Other legal combinations to define the projection plane include a line and a point, two co-planar lines, and three points.  For non-parallel planes, new feature types are converted to either a segmented ellipse or a spline.

3 	The rotation axis is then defined as a vector normal to the projection plane through this point defined by the entity.

4 	The user next responds to a prompt to enter the degrees of rotation and direction.


Windows

CMM Qualify Mode Window

Current Settings Window

Default Settings Window

Entity Attributes Window

Expanded Probe Tip Data Window

Export DXF File Window

Export IGES File Window

Export Step File Window

Main Window

Maximum Number of Measurement Points Window

Mouse Pick Confirmation Window

Read Points Unit Window

Read Points Window

Rectangular Pattern Window

Show / Hide Layers Window

Unit System Window


CMM Qualify Mode Window

Description

The user has the option of having DesignMax capture points immediately as they are taken or wait until the user confirms the point by pressing the <Record> button on the RCU.  Having the user confirm each point is called Qualify mode and capturing the data immediately as it is taken is Non-Qualify mode.  This is the window where the user selects either Qualify or non-qualify mode.

Access

Access to this function is via the Configure / CMM Qualify Mode.


Current Settings Window

Description

This window displays what is known as the Current Settings.  There are the attributes that new entities will inherit.  Any changes made on this window will be reflected in the Status Bar and these are the attributes for any new entity.  If you click on the "Use Default" button, these attributes will be changed to whatever has been set up as the default settings.

Access

Access to this function is via the Entity / Current Settings menu.


Default Settings Window

Description

This window displays the default entity attributes.  These are the attributes that become the current attribute settings whenever a File / New is performed or whenever the "Use Default" button is clicked in the Current Settings Window.

Access

Access to this function is via the Entity / Default Settings menu.


Entity Attributes Window

Description

The selected entity has the indicated color attribute and layer attribute.  By changing these settings, the attributes for this entity will be changed.  This provides the capability to change an entity's color and / or layer.

Access

Access to this function is via the Entity / Attributes menu.


Expanded Probe Tip Data Window

Description

This window provides detailed information about the active probe tip.  It first lists its name and any description provided at the time of calibration, the time and date it was last calibrated, the tip offsets, any PH-9 rotation information, any probe / stylus changer information, plus its calibrated probe radius.  For tip 0, the tip offsets is the vector length from the MEA position to the center of the probe tip.  In general the MEA position is a the bottom of the probe shaft.  For tips other than tip 0, the tip offsets is the vector length from tip 0 to the center of the current active tip.

Access

Access to this function is via the CMM / Displays menu.


Export DXF File Window

Description

This window is used to specify the name of the file and the location where it is stored.  The file extension defaultsto .dxf.  Use the drop down list box, the Up One Level control and the New Folder control to specify the location where the file is to be saved.  The default file name is the part design file name with the .dxf extension.  The entire design is exported, not just the current view.

Access

Access to this function is via the File / Export  / DXF menu.


Export IGES File Window

Description

This window is used to specify the name of the file and the location where it is stored.  The file extension defaultsto .igs.  Use the drop down list box, the Up One Level control and the New Folder control to specify the location where the file is to be saved.  The default file name is the part design file name with the .igs extension.  The entire design is exported, not just the current view.

Access

Access to this function is via the File / Export / IGES menu.


Export Step File Window

Description

This window is used to specify the name of the file and the location where it is stored.  The file extension defaultsto .stp.  Use the drop down list box, the Up One Level control and the New Folder control to specify the location where the file is to be saved.  The default file name is the part design file name with the .stp extension.  The entire design is exported, not just the current view.

Access

Access to this function is via the File / Export  / STEP menu.


Main Screen Layout

Description

Since DesignMax is both an MS Windows 95 and an MS Windows NT application, the layout of the top of the screen should look familiar to those who have previously operated this type of application.  At the top is the Title Bar containing the product title as well as controls to minimize, normalize / maximize and close the application.  Below this are the Pull Down Menus where every DesignMax command can be found.  Next is the Edit Bar.  This bar contains buttons for the most frequently used editing commands.

On the left edge of the screen is the Tool Box.  This contains short cut buttons for the most frequently used measurement and viewing functions.  At the bottom of the screen is that Status Bar.  The Status Bar contains five panes or areas where information can be displayed.  The first pane is for the HelpTips.  It also doubles as an area where prompts can be displayed.  The second pane contains information about the current reference frame.  The third pane contains the name of the active probe tip.  The fourth and fifth panes show the current time and date.

The center of the screen is the Graphic Display Window.  This includes most of the screen and contains graphical information which is updated in real time as the part is measured.  Along three sides of the Graphic Display Window are scroll bars.  These allow the user to modify the view of the part.  These scroll bars can control either translation or rotation, depending on which feature is selected.  If rotation is selected, the Set Rotation Pivot button determines the pivot point around which to rotate.


Maximum Number of Measurement Points Window

Description

When the user chooses to measure a specific entity type (e.g. line) by clicking on a geometry button in the Tool Box or by selecting the entity type from the Geometry pull down, the user need only measure the minimum number of points required to define this entity type.  For example, since a line can be described by 2 points, the user only need to measure 2 points to define a line.  However, he may take more up to the maximum.  This window is where the user defines the maximum number of points per entity type.  Once this number of points are measured, DesignMax automatically computes the entity.

Access

Access to this function is via the Configure / Max. Num. Of Meas.


Mouse Pick Confirmation Window

Description

This is the window where the user selects whether or not mouse clicks should be confirmed.  Confirming a Mouse Click means that when there is more than one entity in close proximity to the selection area, a list is made and <Previous>, <Next> and <OK> buttons are presented.  The selected entity is highlighted.  If the highlighted entity is not the entity that the user wants to select, he can go the next or previous entity in the list by clicking on <Next> or <Previous>.  When the desired entity is highlighted the user clicks <OK>.

If the selection is Non-Confirmation Mode, this window of buttons is not presented and the entity selected by DesignMax is the selected entity.  This is a situation of speed versus accuracy in selecting entities.

Access

Access to this function is via the Configure / Mouse Pick.


Read Points Unit Window

Description

The main purpose of this window is to allow the user to specify the engineering units for the data in the input file.  The data file can be x,y points or x,y,z points.  There is no engineering unit indication within the file. Therefore, the user must specify to DesignMax to what engineering units to input this data.

Access

Access to this function is via the File / Read Points pull down menu item.


Read Points Window

Description

The main purpose of this window is to select a file of points to read into DesignMax.  The default file extensions are .dat and .csv; however, the user can change the filter extension so that all file names can be visible, or only .dat files or only .csv files.  The file can be x,y points or x,y,z points.  The user does not have to specify the file format. It will read either comma separated values or space separated data.  Once the data is read into DesignMax, it is in the form of a point cloud.  Construct functions can then be used to convert the point cloud into points, a line, a circle, an arc, or a spline.

Access

Access to this function is via the File / Read Points pull down menu item.


Rectangular Pattern Window

Description

This window is used to set up the parameters for a grid pattern mapping of a well-behaved surface.  This is done in three steps.  First, click on the Measure button and teach three points.  The first point is the Start Point, which will be one corner of the rectangular grid.  The second point is the Direction Point.  The first scan slice starts at the Start Point in the direction of the Direction Point.  The third point measured is the Ending Point.  This represents the point at the opposite corner from the Start Point in the rectangular grid.  The second step is to enter the distance between points and the total number of scans.  An example of a distance between points is 5 mm.  Remember that the value entered is in current engineering units so please verify in the status bar if DesignMax is set to MM or IN.  The third step is to click on the Start button.  When this occurs, this window disappears and is replaced by a <Cancel> button in the upper left corner of the screen.  Click on this to prematurely terminate the data collection process.

After the data is collected it is in a group called a Point Cloud.  You can use the Construction functions to convert this point cloud into Construct functions can then be used to convert the point cloud into points, a line, a circle, an arc, or a spline.  If you want to convert this point cloud into multiple entities, first use Construct / Point to convert the point cloud to individual points, then use one of the Construct functions to construct entities based on the individual points.

Access

Access to this function is via the Geometry / Rectangular Pattern menu.


Show Hide Layers Window
Show / Hide Layers Window

Description

Use this window to cause selected layers of data to be shown or hidden from view.  Note that the current layer is noted twice.  First, it is identified in a text box at the bottom of the window.  Changing the value in this text box is the same as changing it in Entity / Current Settings and is reflected in the Status Bar.  In the grid of numbers, the current layer is also noted by a "C" preceding its layer number.

There are four control buttons which are used to determine what data should be viewed.  Additionally, an individual layer can be toggled to either Hide or Show by clicking on its number in the grid. If the layer number is displayed, the layer will be shown.  If the grid (layer) number is replaced by "***", this indicates that this layer is to be hidden from view.

Show toggles the highlighted layer to the show state.

Hide toggles the highlighted layer to the hide state.

Show All toggles all layers to the show state.

Hide All toggles all layers to the hide state.

Access

Access to this function is via the View / Show/Hide Layers menu.


Unit System Window

Description

DesignMax will operate in either of two engineering units: millimeters or inches.  This window is used to make this selection. Note that while entity data exists, these controls are "grayed out" or not available.  Therefore, they are only available when DesignMax first starts or after a File / New.

Access

Access to this function is via the Configure / Units menu.


Pull Down Menu Commands
Pull-Down Menu Commands

There are ten major functions in the Pull Down Menu System.  This section addresses each individually plus any commands associated with each of these major functions.

File Menu

Geometry Menu

Edit Menu

Construct Menu

Transform Menu

View Menu

Entity Menu

CMM Menu

Configure Menu

Help Menu


File Menu

•	New  --  Clear the graphic display window and set up the data base for a new part.

•	Open  --  Present a File / Open dialog box and allow the user to select a part file.  A filter is used so that only files with certain extensions are displayed in the file list.  The default filter is .smd for Sheffield Measurement Design.  When the file is selected, the part is displayed in the graphic display window.  Part of the stored information is the display window pattern and the views in each window of the pattern so that the initial display is the layout of the screen when this part was last saved.

•	Close  -- Clear the graphic display window and set up the entity storage for a new part.  If the current part has changed since it was last saved, the user is prompted to see if the part should be saved before clearing the graphic display window.

•	Save  --  If a file name and path is already associated with this part, the part data and ancillary information is stored in a file in DesignMax format.  If a file name and path is not already associated with this part, it performs a Save As.  The default file extension is .smd.

•	Save As  --  Present a dialog box where the user can select / enter a file name and extension.  The part data and ancillary information is stored in a file in DesignMax format.  The default file extension is .smd.

•	Read Points  --  Only 2D (e.g. xy) and 3D (e.g. xyz) points can be imported.  No other feature type can be imported into DesignMax.  This function allows the user to select the file to read.  DesignMax determines the format for the data points.  It reads the points individually as temporary features into a point cloud and displays them in the graphic display window.  Points are projected onto the projection plane as the third axis data or onto a computed best fit plane.  The default data file extensions are .dat and .csv.

•	Export --  This function translates data saved in DesignMax format into IGES, DXF or STEP formats and writes it to a file.  The entire data model is exported, not just the view entities.

•	Print  --  Prints the graphical data of the active view port to the default MS Windows printer as presented in the view port.

•	Print Preview  --  This function previews on the screen the graphical data that is to be printed.  It includes functionality so that the user can zoom in and out on the graphical data.

•	Print Setup  --  This function allows the user to set up the printer to be used by the File / Print function.

•	Recently Used File List  --  This is a list of recently used files preceded by a number; for example, 1 part0502.  This is an easy way to select recently used files.  Since the number (in this case 1) is underlined, it is the Short Cut key.

•	Exit  --  Performs the necessary housekeeping to perform an orderly shut down of DesignMax.  If data has been added, deleted or in any other way modified since it was last saved, a dialog box indicating this is presented to the user giving him an opportunity to save his data before exiting.  This helps to preclude inadvertent loss of data.


Geometry Menu

For all of the feature measurements that follows, the operation can be aborted by pressing the <ESC> key on the keyboard.  The configuration menu item is where the maximum number of points for each feature type is defined.  After the user takes the minimum number of points required for a feature, he can terminate the measurement operation by pressing <ESC> or <Return> on the keyboard or <Rtn to Screen> on the RCU.  If the user terminates with the <ESC>, the feature is lost.  If the user terminates with the <Return> or <Rtn to Screen>, the feature is maintained.  When any of these 2D features are selected, if the set plane has not been established, a message is displayed to that effect.  2D measurement can not proceed until the set plane has not been established.

•	Point  --  This is a repetitive operation.  When this function is selected a command is sent to the MP for a manual point measurement.  When the point is taken (configuration allows for qualified and non-qualified points), the point data is automatically projected onto the set plane and displayed in the graphic display window.  Another manual point measurement command is then sent to the MP.  This continues until the user terminates the operation by pressing <ESC> or <Return> on the keyboard.

•	Line  --  This is a repetitive operation.  When this function is selected a command is sent to the MP for manual point measurements.  Points for a line are taken (configuration allows for qualified and non-qualified points) until the maximum number of points for a line are taken or until the minimum number of points for a line (i.e. 2) are taken and the user terminates the feature measurement by pressing the <Return> key on the keyboard or <R or <Rtn to Screen> on the RCU.  When either of these occur,  the line data is automatically computed and projected onto the projection plane and displayed in the graphic display window.  Another manual point measurement command is then sent to the MP.  This continues until the user terminates the operation by pressing <ESC> or <Return> on the keyboard.

•	Circle  -- This is a repetitive operation.  When this function is selected a command is sent to the MP for manual point measurements.  Points for a circle are taken (configuration allows for qualified and non-qualified points) until the maximum number of points for a circle are taken or until the minimum number of points for a circle (i.e. 3) are taken and the user terminates the feature measurement by pressing the <Return> key on the keyboard or <Rtn to Screen> on the RCU.  When either of these occur, the circle data is automatically computed and projected onto the set plane and displayed in the graphic display window.  Another manual point measurement command is then sent to the MP.  This continues until the user terminates the operation by pressing <ESC> or <Return> on the keyboard or <Rtn to Screen>.

•	Arc  -- This is a repetitive operation.  When this function is selected a command is sent to the MP for manual point measurements. Points for an arc are taken (configuration allows for qualified and non-qualified points) until the maximum number of points for an arc are taken or until the minimum number of points for an arc (i.e. 3) are taken and the user terminates the feature measurement by pressing the <Return> key on the keyboard or <Rtn to Screen> on the RCU.  When either of these occur, the arc data is automatically computed using the first and last points as the boundary points for the arc, and the direction from the first point to the second point as the direction, the arc is then projected onto the set plane and displayed in the graphic display window.  Another manual point measurement command is then sent to the MP.  This continues until the user terminates the operation by pressing <ESC> or <Return> on the keyboard or <Rtn to Screen>.

•	Spline  --  This is a repetitive operation.  When this function is selected a command is sent to the MP for manual point measurements.  When the point is taken (configuration allows for qualified and non-qualified points), the point data is automatically projected onto the set plane and displayed in the graphic display window as a point.  Another manual point measurement command is then sent to the MP.  This continues until the maximum number of points for a spline are measured or until the user terminates the operation by pressing <ESC> or <Return> on the keyboard or <Rtn to Screen> on the RCU.  If terminated by pressing the <Return> or <Rtn to Screen>, a 2D spline is fit to the points and the displayed point data are replaced by a graphic of the 2D spline.  A dialog box is displayed with three buttons: more fit, less fit and OK.  More fit and less fit increment and decrement, respectively, n on the nth degree polynomial and the graphical display visually depicts the result of adjusting n.  When the user is satisfied with the degree of fit, pressing OK causes the points to be deleted and replaced with only the graphic of the spline.  Another manual point measurement command is then sent to the MP which will be the first point for the next spline.  This continues until the user terminates the operation by pressing <ESC> or <Return> on the keyboard.

•	Ellipse  -- This is a repetitive operation.  When this function is selected a command is sent to the MP for manual point measurements.  Points for an ellipse are taken (configuration allows for qualified and non-qualified points) until the maximum number of points for an ellipse are taken or until the minimum number of points for an ellipse (i.e. 5) are taken and the user terminates the feature measurement by pressing the <Return> key on the keyboard or <Rtn to Screen> on the RCU.  When either of these occur, the ellipse data is automatically computed and projected onto the set plane and displayed in the graphic display window.  Another manual point measurement command is then sent to the MP.  This continues until the user terminates the operation by pressing <ESC> or <Return> on the keyboard or <Rtn to Screen>.

•	Set Plane  --  This is not a repetitive operation.  When this function is selected a command is sent to the MP for a manual plane measurement.  When the points for a plane are taken (configuration allows for qualified and non-qualified points), they are displayed as + in the graphical display area.  When all of the points are measured, a plane is established.  All 2D features are projected onto this plane before being displayed.  There is also an option to create a new plane parallel to the existing projection plane.  In this case only one point is required to establish a new depth.

•	Rectangular Pattern --  This provides the capability to map a rectangular area at a specified longitudinal and latitudinal delta distance.  The user enters or teaches three points: a start point, a direction point and an end point.  From this a rectangle is formed and points are taken incrementally within this rectangle.  When completed, it looks like a grid mapping.

•	Shape --  This provides the capability to trace an unknown open or closed shape.  First you enter or teach a starting point.  For closed shapes you click on the button to copy the starting point to the ending point.  If it is an open shape you next teach the ending point.  Next you enter an incremental value.  When you tell it to start it will incrementally walk the unknown surface until it reaches the end point.


Edit Menu

For all of these Editing functions the mouse is used to select the entity or entities which will be used in the editing functions.  Prompts are displayed in the first panel of the status bar, called the Help Tips panel.  The graphic is updated in real time as the editing takes place.  If a multiple view panel is in use, entities can be selected from any or all of the view panels.

•	Undo  --  This reverses the results of the last editing function.  Not all editing functions are reversible.

•	Trim / Extend First  -- The first selected entity is trimmed or extended until its endpoint intersects with the second entity or the second entity, if it were extended.

•	Trim / Extend Both  --  Both the first and second selected entities are trimmed or extended until they intersect.

•	Break  --  This is a specific case of the Divide.  This function breaks the first entity into two entities.  The break point is where the first and second entities intersect.  Note that the first entity can not be a circle since intersecting a circle at a single point once does not produce two entities.

•	Divide  --  This is a general case of the Break.  This function breaks the first entity into two or three entities.  The break points are where the second and third entities intersect with the first.  The second and third entities can be the same; for example, if a line intersects a circle at two different points.

•	Position  --  This function breaks the first entity into two entities at a point closest to the cursor point when the mouse button is clicked.

•	Delete  --  This function asks the user to select a entity or a series of entities.  When he acknowledges, these entities are deleted.

•	Copy to Clipboard  --  This function copies the entire display to the clip board in bit map format.  If there are multiple panels displayed, all panels and views are copied to the clip board.


Construct Menu

All of these constructions can use any logical feature from the list of point, line, circle, arc, ellipse and spline.  A non-logical feature would be to construct a point at the intersection of two points.  In general, intersections, end points, center points and mid points are used.  For example, construct a line where the first point is the end point of a line and the second point is the center of a circle.

•	Point  --  This function creates a new point entity that is constructed from two features.  This can be done by intersection, mid point of a line, mid point of two points, center point, point cloud,  and / or end point.

•	Line  --  This function creates a new line entity that is constructed from two features or feature relations, each of which defines one of the two points to construct the line.  A line is always constructed from two points.  This can be done by a point, intersection, mid point of a line, center point, point cloud, and / or end point.

•	Circle  -- This function creates a new circle entity that is constructed from three features or feature relations, each of which can define one of the three points to construct the circle. A circle is always constructed from three points.  This can be done by a point, intersection, mid point of a line, center point, point cloud, and / or end point.

•	Arc  -- This function creates a new arc entity that is constructed from three features each of which can define one of the three points to construct the arc.  The first and third points are the boundary points and the direction from the first point to the second point defines the direction.  This can be done by a point, intersection, mid point of a line, center point, point cloud, and / or end point.

•	Fillet  --  This asks for a radius and creates an arc (fillet) between two lines or between an arc and a line.  The two features are trimmed or extended so that the line, arc and line or arc all intersect.

•	Spline  --  This only works with points.  This creates a smooth curve passing through or close to the specified points with continuity of slope and curvature at all points.

•	Construct Projection Plane  --  This function creates a new projection plane that is constructed from one (e.g. circle), two (e.g. lines) or three (e.g. points) features.  This can be defined by two lines, a line and a point, a circle, an arc, an ellipse or three points..  This becomes the projection plane for 2D geometry measurements.


Transform Menu

These functions move or copy selected entities after transforming or projecting their geometric data.  The transformation is in the form of a function from 3D space to 3D space.  They have the Move, Copy and Join options.  Move applies the transformation directly to the selected entities.  Copy maintains the original selected entities, but creates a copy that is transformed.  The new entities created via the Copy are created in the current active layer and not the layer of the original entities.  Join is exactly like Copy plus it also creates line entities that connect like entities from the original to the copy.

•	Delta  --  This function allows the user to translate or shift entities from one location to another along a specified vector.  The user can enter a delta X, a delta Y and/or a delta Z.

•	Old-New  --  This function allows the user to transform geometric entities by indicating the position and orientation of the transformed geometry relative to that of the original geometry.

•	Project  --  This allows the user to project geometric entities onto a specified plane along a specified vector.  The user specifies the plane by selecting features that define the plane.  The vector is normal to the original features.

•	Rotate  --  This function allows the user to rotate entities about a specified axis by a given number of degrees.  The user selects features to define the rotation plane and the center of rotation.


View Menu

•	Zoom In  --  This function enlarges the part graphic in the graphic display window to provide a "closer look".

•	Zoom Out --  This function shrinks the part graphic in the graphic display window to provide a more distant or overview look.

•	User Window  --  This function allows the user to define via the mouse a section of the part graphic that he wants to enlarge and fill the entire graphic display window.

•	Auto-Scale  --  This function scales the part graphic so that the entire part fits into the graphic display window.

•	Redraw  --  This function redraws the graphic display window using the current view and scaling.

•	Show / Hide Layers --  This function presents the user with a grid of layer numbers and the opportunity to turn the display of these layers ON and / or OFF.  There is also capability to SHOW ALL and HIDE ALL layers.  You can not hide the active layer.  For complex parts, this is a way of hiding sections of the part that need not be seen at that point in time.  For a new part, the initial setting is to have all layers turned ON.

•	Patterns  --  There are eight predefined patterns:  a single view port, two vertical view ports, two horizontal view ports, a single view port on top and a double view port on the bottom, a double view port on top and a single view port on the bottom, a single view port on the left and a double view port on the right, a double view port on the left and a single view port on the right, and a double view port on the left and right.  This function allows the user to select one of these patterns which will be used in the graphic display window.

•	Views  --  There are eight predefined patterns:  top, front, back, bottom, right, left, isometric and axonometric.  Additionally, the user can define a view.  This function allows the user to select one of these views for each view port in the graphic display window.  A menu item also exists so that a user defined view can be saved.

•	Part Axis  --  Turns ON or OFF the display of the XYZ datum axes.
Orientation Axis  --  Turns ON or OFF the display of the XYZ orientation axes.

•	View Scale  --  Turns ON or OFF the display of the scale indicator.


Entity Menu

There are two entity attributes: color and layer.  Each entity has these attributes.  The discussion holds for all entity attributes.

•	Attributes  --  Use this function to change or view an entity attribute (e.g. color or layer) for an existing entity.

•	Current Settings  --  Use this function to set up the current entity attributes.  As entities are measured or constructed, they inherit these attributes.

•	Default Settings  --  Use this function to revert the current settings back to the system default settings.  Also use this function to review or change the system default settings for entity attributes.


CMM Menu

•	Probes  --  This selection has four options:  Select tip, calibrate tip and locate sphere.  Select tip allows the user to select a probe tip that has already been calibrated.  Calibrate tip activates a wizard that leads the user through the steps to calibrate a probe tip.  Tip 0 must be calibrated with the calibration sphere located at the MEA position on the CMM table.  This is why it is suggested that tip 0 be a probe tip pointing in the -Z direction, since the MEA position can be reached by a probe tip in this orientation.

However, not all probe tips / probe angles can be calibrated with the calibration sphere located at the MEA position on the table.  To calibrate tips of this type, the calibration sphere must first be relocated using the Locate Sphere command.  This measures the sphere at the new location using tip 0.  DesignMax now has the information it needs to calibrate other tips at this location.

•	Displays  -- This selection has three options:  XYZ Display, Active Tip information and Error Display.  XYZ Display activates the XYZ Display Monitor.  Active Tip Info displays information about the currently selected tip.  Error Display activates the Error Monitor.

•	Part Alignment  --  This selection has three options:  Save, Recall and Establish.  Establish activates a wizard to lead the user through the steps required to establish a part coordinate system (alignment) using features of the part.  Once this alignment has been established, it can be saved via the Save command and later recalled via the Recall command.

•	Clear MP Error  --  This function clears any existing MP error.


Configure Menu

This is where system configuration information is established There are four default measurement settings that can be modified: maximum number of measured points, CMM qualify mode, engineering units and mouse pick confirmation mode.

•	Maximum Number of Measured Points:  If you select an entity to measure via the pull-down menus or by clicking on the appropriate geometry button in the Tool Box, you can take as many points that you want to measure this entity within a certain range.  The minimum number of point in this range is the minimum number of points required to construct this entity type.  For a line, this would be 2 points, for a circle, this would be 3 points, etc.  After this minimum number of points is taken, you can complete the measurement process by either pressing <Rtn to Screen> on the RCU or by pressing the <Return> key on the keyboard.  If you take the maximum number of points for this entity type, the measurement process is completed automatically and no button needs to be pushed.

The maximum number of measured points is set from the pull-down menu item "Configure / Max. Number of Meas Pts.".  After you select this item, a dialog box is presented containing a list of entity types.  Next to each entity type is the current setting for the maximum number of points.  To the right of that is the minimum number.  You can not set the maximum to a value less than the minimum.  If you change one of these values and click <OK>, this value will be used for this session of DesignMax.  If you click <Save>, this value will be the new maximum value for future sessions of DesignMax.

•	CMM Qualify Mode:  There are two settings for this selection: qualify and non-qualify.  If you want to validate each measurement point recorded before it is received by DesignMax, then select Qualify Mode.  With Qualify Mode, DesignMax does not receive the point when the probe is triggered.  After the probe triggers the user must validate that this is a good point by pressing the <Record> button on the RCU.  Only then does DesignMax receive the measured point.  This is very handy when measuring in areas where you may unexpectedly touch the part and record points that are not wanted.

With Non-Qualify Mode, DesignMax sees each point as the probe is triggered.  No additional user intervention is required to get the data into DesignMax.  This is a valuable option for quick measurements.

•	Unit:  There are two settings for this selection: metric and inch.  The initial setting is retrieved from the Control Center settings.  By clicking on the button to the left of the desired setting, this setting becomes the current engineering units.  This control is only available when no entity data has been entered.  While entity data exists, this control is unavailable, or "grayed out".  Changes made to the engineering units setting from this control are reflected in the settings at the Control Center.

•	Mouse Pick: There are two settings for this selection:  Confirmation Mode and Non-confirmation Mode.  This affects all operations that require the user to pick individual entities, such as delete or construct.  In non-confirmation mode, whatever entity DesignMax thinks that the user has selected is the entity selected and there is no opportunity to modify the selection except to start the process again.  In confirmation mode, if there is more than one entity in close proximity to the mouse click, the entity is highlighted and a dialog box entitled "Scroll Picked Entities" appears with five buttons.  If you click on <Accept>, the highlighted entity is the selected entity.  If you click on <Cancel>, the operation is canceled.  If you click on <Help>, this will take you to the Help System for this operation.  Otherwise, DesignMax maintains a queue of entities in close proximity to the mouse click.  By clicking on <Next> or <Prev>, this highlights the next or previous entity in the queue.  Click on either of these buttons until the correct entity is highlighted, then click on <Accept> to make the highlighted entity the selected entity.


Help Menu

•	Contents  --  This function presents a Table of Contents for the Help System.  It will be consistent with MeasureMax and MaxLite.

•	Search  --  This function presents a mechanism to search the NASCAR Help System for a specific subject matter.  It will be consistent with MeasureMax and MaxLite.

•	How to Use  --  This function presents a mechanism to search the Windows Help System for a specific subject matter.  It will be consistent with MeasureMax and MaxLite.

•	About  --  This function presents an About Box containing the NASCAR version number as well as a copyright notice.  It will be consistent with MeasureMax and MaxLite.