## Version Enhancements

This topic lists the main enhancements for this version, v2010, through the last previous major version.

- v2010 Main Enhancements (Shown Below with a White Background)

- v2009 Main Enhancements (Shown Below with Gray Background)

#### v2010 Main Enhancements

This describes some of the more prominent enhancements available in PC-DMIS 2010. If you want a more comprehensive list of all the changes that went into this version, consult the readme.txt file in your PC-DMIS installation directory; it lists all the enhancements made.

Graphics and Graphics Display Window

- Save Specific CAD Transformations - Using an improved CAD Assembly dialog box a new Replace Component right-click shortcut menu option in the tree view for the assembly allows you to import a new model on a selected node, replacing whatever model was existing on that node. The newly imported model will retain whatever transformation was in the old node. See "Working with Assemblies of Parts" in the "Editing the CAD Display" section.

- Limited CAD Selection for Generic Features - With the Construct Generic Feature dialog box open you can now select wireframe line or point features. See "Description of the Construct Generic Feature Dialog Box" in the "Creating Generic Features" section.

Path and Path Lines

- Moving in Only 1 or 2 Axes - You can now lock one or more axes of a MOVE/POINT command in the Edit window's Command mode by deleting that axis value. Motion in those axes are then ignored. See the "Inserting a Move Point Command" topic in the "Inserting Move Commands" section.

- Clear Point Move - A new Clear Point tab in the Parameter Settings dialog box lets you define a safe point to which the arm as well as the form of the move. See the "Parameter Settings: Clear Point tab" topic in the "Setting Your Preferences" section.

User Interface

- Many Toolbar Icons Updated - Many of the toolbar icons have been updated to provide consistency and additional clarity of purpose.

- Help Button for PC-DMIS Settings Editor - A help button now makes it more clear that the PC-DMIS Settings Editor contains its own help file documentation. See the "PC-DMIS Settings Editor" documentation. In addition, the user interface was slightly modified removing the Cancel and OK buttons replacing them with a single Close button which will then display a save/discard dialog box for any changes that weren't already saved when you clicked Close.

- Additions to Probe Settings Dialog Box - Two new boxes have been added to the Probe Settings dialog box that were previously only available via the PC-DMIS Settings Editor. See the Clearance distance along the tip shank vector during qualification and Minimum number of calibrated tip orientations for size averaging boxes discussed in the "Probe Setup" topic of the "Defining Hardware" section.

- Additions to Edit Probe Data Dialog Box - The Edit Probe Data dialog box has been expanded to accommodate changes for both the Tip Size averaging enhancement and the Fast Probe Mode enhancement. See the "Edit Probe Data" topic of the "Defining Hardware" section.

- Additions to the Measure Probe Dialog Box - The Measure Probe dialog box has been sized and reorganized to allow for the addition of the new Reset tips to Theo at start of calibration check box and the new Tips to Use if None Explicitly Selected area. See the "Calibrating Probe Tips" topic in the "PC-DMIS CMM" documentation.

- New "Reset Tips" Button - This new button, added to the Probe Utilities dialog box, lets you reset selected tips to their theoretical (non-calibrated) state. See the "Reset Tips" topic of the "Defining Hardware" section.

Export and Import

- XML Export - A new XML Export menu item allows you to export your part program in XML format. See "Exporting to an XML File" in the "Using Advanced File Options" section.

Laser

- Clip laser Data Both Horizontally and Vertically - Some Auto Features now support the ability to not only clip feature data in the horizontal direction but also vertically as well. See the "Feature Based Clipping Parameters" topic in the "PC-DMIS Laser" documentation.

Vision

- Pixel Size Verification - At the end of the optics calibration, PC-DMIS will now display the pixel size results. See the "Calibrate Optics" topic in the "PC-DMIS Vision" documentation.

- Magnification and Illumination Buttons on Live View - The Live View tab now contains buttons directly on that tab to control magnification and illumination. See the "Live View Controls" topic in the "PC-DMIS Vision" documentation.

Hardware Support and Hardware Settings

- Total Station - You can now use Total Station laser devices with PC-DMIS Portable. In addition, Total Station devices have the ability to not only move to a feature but they can point the laser beam to specific areas on the part to identify out-of-tolerance dimension information. See the "Move Feature (Move To / Point To) topic" in the "Using Total Station" section of the "PC-DMIS Portable" documentation.

- Total Station: Toward / Away Compensation - Total Station devices support the ability to choose a normal vector on 3D circle of slot features that compensates toward or away from the device. See the "Total Station Probe Compensation topic" in the "Using Total Station" section of the "PC-DMIS Portable" documentation.

- Fast Probe Mode - A new fast probe mode command can be inserted into the part program. This speeds up how analog probes on certain machines take individual hits. See "Using Fast Probe Mode" in the "Using the Edit Window" section.

- PEM Extension Support - You can now define a clearance distance to support using empty PEM extensions inside a probe changer. See the See the "Tool Changer ACR3 Key Clearance" topic in the PC-DMIS Settings Editor documentation.

Dimensioning

- Bidirectional Positional Tolerancing - True Position FCF dimensions now support the bidirectional positional tolerancing in the form of Radial Arc or Right Angle to Radial Planar Tolerance axes. See "Planar Tolerance" discussed in the "GD&T - Feature Control Frame Tab" topic in the "Using Feature Control Frames" section.

- Unequal Tolerance Zones - Profile FCF dimensions now allow you to define unequal plus or minus tolerances and use the Unequal Tolerance Zones symbol. See the "Using Unequal Tolerance Zones with Profile Feature Control Frame Dimensions" topic in the "Using Feature Control Frames" section.

- Square Area Symbol - Flatness FCF dimensions now support the square area symbol for per unit flatness defined in the ASME Y14.5 2009 standard. See the "Per Unit check box" discussed in the "GD&T - Feature Control Frame Tab" topic in the "Using Feature Control Frames" section.

Reporting

- Two New Automation Methods: AddControl and ItemControl - These automation methods in the ReportConrols object return a new object type that allows you to reference additional properties previously unavailable. See the "ReportControls Members" topic in the "Automation Objects" documentation.

- Comments now allow image and movie media files - Full-screen comments now support the display of image and movie files. See the "Inserting Programmer Comments" topic in the "Inserting Report Commands" section.

Constructed Features

- 2D / 3D Features - Circle, Ellipse, and Slot constructed features now support constructing those feature as either 2D or 3D features. See the "Constructing New Features from Existing Features" section.

Languages

- Help Files Localized - The following now have the 2009 Core help file translated into their language:

- Traditional Chinese

- Italian

- German

- French

- Czech

#### v2009 Main Enhancements

This describes some of the more prominent enhancements available in PC-DMIS 2009. If you want a more comprehensive list of all the changes that went into this version, consult the readme.txt file in your PC-DMIS installation directory; it lists all the enhancements made.

Graphics and Graphics Display Window

- Improved CAD Assembly - An updated CAD Assembly dialog box now lets you work with levels (layers) directly in the dialog box as well as save and recall assembly tree states. See "Working with Assemblies of Parts" in the "Editing the CAD Display" section.

- Area to Datum Target - PC-DMIS now supports the display of area for datum targets in the CAD database.

- User Interface Control for Animation Speed - A new slider control, added to the General tab of the SetUp Options dialog box, lets you dynamically set the animation speed. See "Setup Options: General tab" in the "Setting Your Preferences" section.

- Clearplane Visualization - A new icon on the Graphics Items toolbar shows clear planes as semi-transparent images in the Graphics Display window. See "Viewing Clearance Planes" in the "Editing the CAD Display" section.

- Machine Volume Visualization - When viewing virtual machines in the Graphics Display window, a new check box shows the machine volume as a transparent yellow cube. See "Displaying Existing Machines in the Graphics Display Window" in the "Defining Hardware" section.

- Machine Limit Modification (MR1) - You now have the ability to modify the limits of animated machines that ship with PC-DMIS, not just custom-created machines. This provides you with greater flexibility when working with existing animated machines. See "Creating or Selecting a Machine for Display" in the "Defining Hardware" section.

- Screen Counters - A new icon on the Graphics Modes toolbar displays the mouse pointer's part coordinates in small red text directly in the Graphics Display window. See "Displaying Mouse Coordinates in Screen Counter Text" in the "Editing the CAD Display" section.

- Create Probe Tip Angles Dynamically - A new Select Tip toolbar, lets you modify tip angles dynamically within the Graphics Display window and update the TIP/ command in the part program automatically. See "Select Tip Toolbar" in the "Using Toolbars" section.

- Graphic View Based on Probe Orientation - A new icon on the Graphics View toolbar rotates and pans the part's CAD model as needed to center the view, using the current probe's AB tip angle orientation. See the "Graphic View Toolbar" topic in the "Using Toolbars" section.

- Center in Graphics Display - This right-click shortcut menu item for a feature in the Edit window pans and rotates the part's CAD model as needed to center the current feature in the Graphics Display window. See "Command Mode Shortcut Menu" in the "Using Shortcut Keys and Shortcut Menus" section.

- Trihedron Color Modification - You can modify the line and pointers for each axis on the trihedron in the Graphics Display window. See "Changing Trihedron Colors" in the "Editing the CAD Display" section.

- Mouse Wheel Zoom Centers Part on Pointer - If you zoom in and out on your part using the track wheel PC-DMIS performs some dynamic centering of the part so that it centers on your pointer location.

- Better CTRL + Right-Click Rotation Support - When in Program mode and the animated probe is displayed, holding down CTRL + right-click dragging with your mouse will now rotate the part.

- CAD and Graphic Setup - Many color and display options (Screen Color, OpenGL Options, Display Symbols, and Trihedron Colors) are now consolidated onto a single tabbed dialog box. See "Applying Lighting and Materials to the CAD Display" in the "Editing the CAD Display" section.

- Draw Less Than 10% on Rotate - The Rotate Options dialog box allows less then 10% of remaining points to draw when rotating. See "Changing Rotation and Other Motion Options" in the "Editing the CAD Display" section.

- Rotation Options Stored with Part Program - Changes made to the Rotate Options dialog box are applied to the current part program. See "Changing Rotation and Other Motion Options" in the "Editing the CAD Display" section.

- Modify CAD's Tolerances - A new CAD Tolerances dialog box lets you modify a CAD's resolution and precision tolerances. See "Changing CAD Tolerances" in the "Editing the CAD Display" section.

- Change Anti-aliasing for Speed or Quality - You can turn on or off anti-aliasing for wireframe or surface objects thereby optimizing for speed or quality in your CAD display. See "Modifying Display Symbols" in the "Editing the CAD Display" section.

- Ability to Work with CAD GD&T Callouts - Some CAD models have GD&T callouts embedded inside the CAD. This enhancement lets you show, hide, move, or filter those callouts. See "Working with CAD GD&T Callouts" in the "Editing the CAD Display" section. Also, see the GD&T callouts area on the Rotate Options dialog box (see "Changing Rotation and Other Motion Options").

- Verify CAD Information - The new CAD Verify dialog box lets you verify hat the model is accurate. See "Verifying CAD Information" in the "Editing the CAD Display" section.

- Scan Line Indicator (MR1) - When using a laser probe in PC-DMIS, a colored scan line indicator appears on the Graphics Display window to show the position and distance of the beam. See "Using the Scan Line Indicator" in the "PC-DMIS Laser" documentation.

- Visualization Tools (MR1) - When using a laser probe in PC-DMIS, colored graphical overlays appear in the Graphics Display window to provide you with a visual perspective for matching colored parameters or settings in the Probe Toolbox and in the Auto Feature dialog box. See "Understanding the Visualization Tools" in the "PC-DMIS Laser" documentation.

Path and Path Lines

- Move Path Lines (MR1) - You can easily click a path line segment in the Graphics Display window and move its center point to a new location. See "Moving Path Lines" in the "Editing the CAD Display" section.

- Select Feature from Edit Window or Graphics Window - For path optimization, this lets you choose the starting or ending feature by either clicking on the feature in the Graphics Display window, Edit window, or feature combo box in the Path Optimization dialog box. See "Performing the Path Optimization" in the "Using Inspection Plans in PC-DMIS" section.

- Limit Path Line Display - You can choose a range of feature commands in your part program and create path lines for only those selected features instead of the entire part program. See "Showing, Animating, and Moving Path Lines" in the "Editing the CAD Display" section.

Editing

- Protected Mode - A new menu item protects your part program from unauthorized edits. See "Using Protected Mode to Protect Part Programs from Edits" in the "Editing a Part Program" section.

- Quick Editing of Auto Features from CAD window - You can now open up the Auto Feature dialog box for an auto feature by right-clicking on the ID label in the Graphics Display window and selecting Edit.

- Use ID Prefix for Patterns - When working with patterns, a new Use Default Prefix check box in the Pattern Offsets dialog lets you determine whether or not PC-DMIS will use a default prefix when pasting a pattern. See "Pattern Offsets" in the "Editing a Part Program" section.

User Interface

- User Interface Improvements - Nearly all dialog boxes have been brought up to standards with improved positions for controls and so on.

- Dock or Float the Probe Readout Window (MR1) - You can switch between docking or floating the Probe Readout window. See "Using the Probe Readout Window" in the "Using Other Windows, Editors, and Tools" section.

Export and Import

- Import JT CAD - You can now import JT CAD models. See "Importing a JT File" in the "Using Advanced File Options" section.

- Export as Datalog (MR1) - You can now export your measured data as a Datalog text file. See "Exporting to a Datalog File" in the "Using Advanced File Options" section.

- Export as XAML (MR1) - You can now export your model files as wireframe or solid XAML formats. See "Exporting to an XAML Model File" in the "Using Advanced File Options" section.

Vision

- MultiCapture Mode Speeds up Execution- This mode bundles features in a single Live View together for a group capture (execution) of those features. See "Setting up the Live View" in the "PC-DMIS Vision" documentation.

Scanning

- Section Cut Scan - This lets you define a cut plane that intersects with the CAD model, along the intersection line you can create a scan. See "Working with Section Cuts" in the "PC-DMIS CMM" documentation.

Hardware Support and Hardware Settings

- SpacePilot Support - PC-DMIS now supports the SpacePilot® motion controller from 3DConnexion. See "Configuring a SpaceBall, SpaceMouse, or SpacePilot Device" in this section.

- Average Tip Angle Errors - A new Use tip size averaging check box in the Probe Setup dialog box can, in some cases, improve overall accuracy by averaging errors between all AB tip angles that use a single physical tip. See "Print List" in the "Defining Hardware" section.

- Separate Slot Clearance Distances - You can now define separate slot clearance distances before dropping off and before picking up the probe. This helps avoid collision with the rack. See "About Slot Clearance Distances" in the "Setting Your Preferences" section.

- Probe-specific Slot Clearance Distance (MR1) - PC-DMIS supports the ability to define a slot clearance distance that is tied to a specific probe. This provides additional flexibility when using slot clearance distances. See "Using Probe-Specific Slot Clearance Distances" in the "Setting Your Preferences" section.

- Separate Deviations for Discrete and Scanned Measurements (MR1) - For machines with supported interfaces, you can now follow a procedure to create separate radial deviations for discrete and scanned measurements when using contact-based analog scanning probes. This addresses occasional size discrepancies during post-calibration measurement. See "Using Separate Deviations for Discrete and Scan Measurements" in the PC-DMIS CMM documentation.

- PowerLock for Leica Tracker (MR1) - When using supported Leica Tracker machines with PC-DMIS Portable, you can now quickly reestablish a broken beam by simply pointing a reflector at the Tracker. You do not need to catch the beam with the reflector. See "Tracker Menu" in the "PC-DMIS Portable" documentation.

- CMS (MR1) - You can now use CMS laser probes with PC-DMIS. See the "PC-DMIS Laser" documentation.

Dimensioning

- True Position In-Between Dimension - This dimension type computes an in-between true position deviation and deviation angle from two specified True Position dimensions. See "Dimensioning True Position In-Between" in the "Dimensioning Features" section.

- Y14.5 Straightness for Lines using FCF Dimensions - PC-DMIS now supports the Y14.5 standard for straightness. Legacy form dimensions still calculate the least squares form. See the introductory topic in the "Using Feature Control Frames" section.

- Support for Per Unit Straightness - FCF dimensions now support the ability to define and display straightness per a unit length. See the description of the Per Unit check box in "GD&T - Feature Control Frame Tab" in the "Using Feature Control Frames" section.

- Improved Planar Zone Support - Orientation FCF dimensions, Angularity, Parallelism, and Perpendicularity, now support planar zones. See the Planar Zone description in "GD&T - Feature Control Frame Tab" in the "Using Feature Control Frames" section.

- Improved Editing of Tolerances and Nominal Values - The Location dimension's dialog box has been enhanced to display a grid for simplified editing of tolerances and nominal values. See "Tolerances for Location Dimensions" in the "Dimensioning Features: Introduction" section.

- Support for Profile of Line - Both FCF and legacy dimension now support Profile of Line (formonly) when the considered feature is a constructed curve based on a linear scan. See "GD&T - Feature Control Frame Tab" in the "Using Feature Control Frames" section and see "Control Options for Line Profile Dimensions" in the "Dimensioning Features" section.

- Half-Angle Support - You can now display the angle axis (A) for Location Dimensions at half its usual value. See "Half Angle for Location Dimensions" in the "Dimensioning Features" section.

- Specify Projection Length - You can specify a projection length/width for the FCF parallelism of a plane. See "GD&T - Feature Control Frame Tab" in the "Using Feature Control Frames" section.

Reporting

- Save Report and Label Templates to Previous Versions - When you choose File | Save As for a label template or report template, PC-DMIS lets you save it back to a previous version. See "Saving a Template to an Earlier Version" in the "Reporting Measurement Results" section.

- Add Point Info Boxes inside Analysis Objects of a Custom Report (MR1) - Analysis objects in the Custom Report editor now have additional properties to support the display of Point Info boxes. See "Analysis Object" in the "Reporting Measurement Results" section.

- Visualize Duplicated Pages from Original (MR1) - A small red cross icon appears at the top left of a duplicated page in the Report window. See "Shortcut Menus in the Report Window" topic in the "Using Shortcut Keys and Shortcut Menus" section.

Auto Features

- Measurement Strategies - PC-DMIS now includes some optional strategies you can select that change how it executes some auto features. See "Working with Measurement Strategies" in the "PC-DMIS CMM" documentation.

Constructed Features

- Easier Offset Constructed Plane - You can now construct an offset plane feature from a single plane feature as the input. See "Constructing an Offset Plane" in the "Constructing New Features from Existing Features" section.

Fixtures

- Easier Fixture Sharing - You can now save and load fixture files using the Quick Fixture dialog box. See the Save and Load buttons in the "Using the Quick Fixture Dialog Box" in the "Defining Hardware" section.

Languages

- More Language Support - The PC-DMIS user interface now supports these languages: Czech, Hungarian, and Turkish. See "Changing the Language" in the "Using Basic File Options" section.