Current Help System: PC-DMIS CMM (View Core Help)

## Creating an Auto Line

The Line measurement option allows you to define a nominal line that the CMM will use to measure the line defined.

To access the Line option, access the Auto Feature dialog box for a Line (Insert | Feature | Auto | Line).

Auto Feature dialog box - Line

With the dialog box open, depending on your situation, use one of these methods to create the feature:

Creating by Using Surface Data on the Screen

To generate an auto line on the screen using surface data:

1. Select Yes or No from the Bounded list.

2. Define the auto line:

- If you selected Yes from the Bounded list, take two clicks on the desired surface to define the line's start and end points respectively. PC-DMIS will snap the points to the nearest intersection with another surface, placing the points along the intersection line. PC-DMIS will draw the start point location, the end point location, and line and edge vectors.

- If you selected No from the Bounded list, take one click on the desired surface to define the line's start point. PC-DMIS will snap the point to the nearest intersection with another surface, placing it along the intersection line. Next, define the length of the line by typing it in the Length box. PC-DMIS will draw the start point location, a line that matches the length, and line and edge vectors.

Sample Bounded Auto Line Showing the Start and End points and the Edge Vector (A) and the Line Vector (B)

3. Modify any other options in the dialog box as needed.

4. Modify any items in the Contact Properties tab of the Probe Toolbox as needed.

For example, from the you might want to change the Hits value and the Depth value:

Similar Auto Line Showing Extra Hits, A Depth Value of 3 mm, and an Edge Vector of 0,-1,0

Or, you might want the line to be measured along the other surface. You could accomplish this by modifying the Edge Vector:

Auto Line with a Modified Edge Vector of 0,0,1 and a Depth of -1 mm

3. Click Create. PC-DMIS generates the auto line.

Creating by using Wire Frame Data on the Screen

To generate a line on the screen using wireframe data:

1. Select Yes or No from the Bounded list.

2. Select two edges (wires) of the surface where the target points will be (if bounded by a second point, otherwise just click once) by clicking on the desired wires with the left mouse button. These wires should be on the same surface.

3. PC-DMIS will draw the start location and, if creating a bounded line, the end point location. It will also draw the line and edge point vectors.

4. Verify that the correct wires have been selected.

5. Modify any other options in the dialog box and the Contact Path Properties tab of the Probe Toolbox as needed.

6. Click Create. PC-DMIS generates a line.

Creating by Using Wire Frame Data with the CMM

To generate a line using wire frame data:

- The first hit that is taken will indicate the X, Y, Z nominal start point. A second hit (needed if you've selected Yes from the Bounded list) will generate the end point for the line. After the second hit, PC-DMIS will also display the I, J, K line vector and the I, J, K edge vector.

- Any additional hits will be equally spaced along the line's length. The approach vector will also be updated to reflect an average of all previous hits (does not include the most recent hit) for the vector point.

The displayed data can be accepted at any time after the second hit is taken.

The Find Noms option should be selected from the Mode list for this measurement method. See the "Mode List" topic in the PC-DMIS Core documentation for additional information on nominals.

Creating without Using CAD Data

If the line is to be generated without the use of CAD data:

1. Select Yes or No from the Bounded list.

2. If you are creating a bounded line, take two hits. If you are creating an unbounded line, take one hit.

3. Alter any other items on the dialog box and the Contact Path Properties tab of the Probe Toolbox as needed.

4. Click Create.

Creating by Keying in the Data

This method allows you to key in the values needed to create an auto line:

To Create a Bounded Line

1. Select Yes from the Bounded list.

2. Type the number of hits in the Hits box.

3. Type the depth for the line in the Depth box on the Contact Properties tab of the Probe Toolbox.

4. Type the X, Y, Z values for the Start and End points.

5. Type the I, J, K vectors.

6. Fill out any other options as needed in the dialog box.

7. Click Create. PC-DMIS will generate a line based on the values you keyed into the dialog box.

To Create an Unbounded Line

1. Select No from the Bounded list.

2. Type the number of hits in the Hits box.

3. Type the depth for the line in the Depth box on the Contact Properties tab of the Probe Toolbox.

4. Type the X, Y, Z values for the Start point.

5. Type the I, J, K vectors.

6. Type the length of the line in the Length box.

7. Fill out any other options as needed in the dialog box.

8. Click Create. PC-DMIS will generate a line based on the values you keyed into the dialog box.