### Path Definition Tab

Sample Path Definition tab from a Scan that Supports the Spline Path Area

Note: Only some scans support the Spline Path area. These include: Linear Open, Linear Closed, Patch, Section, and Freeform. On other scans the Spline Path area will not appear.

The Path Definition tab has at most two areas, Theoretical Path and Spline Path. You can use these areas to generate a theoretical pathway for your scan, and, on supported scans, you can fit the theoretical data points to a secondary path, called a spline path. This essentially filters the number of theoretical points.

To create a theoretical pathway and fit it to a spline path:

1. Select a scan type that supports a spline path (Linear Open, Linear Closed, Patch, Section, or Freeform).

2. Select the Path Definition tab.

3. Define the theoretical path. In most cases you can use the Read File button to import a preexisting set of theoretical data points, or click the Generate button. The Generate button automatically generates a set of theoretical data points in between your starting point and ending point from the existing CAD data.

Note: In the case of the Freeform scan, the Generate button does not exist, instead you click your mouse on the CAD itself to select the theoretical points.

4. The points appear sequentially in the list, showing their XYZ, an IJK data. As long as you have more than five points in the Theoretical area, you can fit it to a spline path using the Calculate button in the Spline Path area. You don't have to fit the theoretical path to a spline path, but the initial data in the theoretical list generally may contain many more hits than you need.

5. Define a spline path to which you will fit the theoretical path. Determine whether or not the theoretical points will form an open or a closed path, whether the path's calculation is interpolated or approximated, whether or not the points have a weight, and whether the spacing of the points is controlled by a defined density or a certain number of hits.

6. When both areas are filled out click Calculate in the Spline Path area. PC-DMIS changes the theoretical data to fit the parameters specified in the Spline Path. An orange dot will appear in the Graphics Display window on the part for each point. If you have several points, these dots may mesh together to form an orange-colored band.

7. When you have the points as you like them, click Create to generate the scan.

More:

Theoretical Path Area

Spline Path Area