### Step1: Starting and Connecting the Software

After installing NC Gage application, launch the NC Gage application by either selecting it from the program group or by using the Window's Start button and pointing to All Programs and then selecting the PC-DMIS NC Gage program icon from the defined program group:

The main screen for NC Gage opens.

When you first launch NC Gage, it attempts to connect to your machine tool. Information regarding this connection will appear in the Status area.

Also, if the Status icon on the middle of the Navigation Bar is red, then the software has not been able to connect to the machine:

Once NC Gage connects with the machine, it will then display the probe location coordinates on the screen and the Status icon on the Navigation Bar and in the Status area will show "Connected":

If this is your first time starting NC Gage, the Calibration: message in the System Messages area reads, "--None--"; in addition, the Measure and Move soft keys on the Navigation bar at the bottom of the screen are disabled (grayed out and unavailable for selection). These indicate that you need to take some preliminary steps before you can use the software to create a part program and measure the part.

The next item you need to resolve is listed in the Warning: message of the System Messages area.