### Importing an ASCII File

ASCII files are text files that contain part program information output from virtually any third party CMM software. You can import these file types into PC-DMIS by using File | Import | ASCII to automatically create a part program.

For this menu item to appear, your port lock must have been programmed to support the "Inspection Planner" module.

PC-DMIS's Generic Parser (GP) is designed to parse the ASCII output from other CMM systems (like Metrolog). The ASCII output (file) may contain file header, comments, feature commands, file footer, etc. As long as the info is written line by line in the ASCII file, GP can parse it according to the user-defined rules provided through the Rule Set Wizard. After parsing it, GP will make calls to Planner to translate all the filtered-through info (like feature commands) and import into the active part program.

Note: Nine PC-DMIS feature types are supported by GP because they are also supported by PC-DMIS Planner. The supported features are: POINT, EDGEPOINT, LINE, PLANE, CIRCLE, CYLINDER, SPHERE, SQSLOT (Square Slot) & RDSLOT (Round Slot). See "Step 3: Feature Field Assignment and Mapping" topic.

To begin importing an ASCII file as an inspection plan:

1. Select File | Import | ASCII File. An Open dialog box appears letting you select the needed ASCII file.

2. Browse to the directory containing your ASCII file.

3. Select the ASCII file, and click Import.

The Importing dialog box for your ASCII file opens. Create a rule set and complete process of parsing your ASCII file with the following steps:

- Using the Importing Dialog Box

- Step 1: Excluding Data

- Step 2: Defining Delimiters

- Step 3: Feature Type Mapping and Field Assignment

- Previewing the ASCII File