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

## Creating an Auto Plane

The Plane auto option allows you to define a plane measurement. At least three hits are necessary to measure a plane.

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

Auto Feature dialog box - Plane

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 a square slot using surface data:

1. Click on the Surface Mode icon .

2. Using the mouse, click once on the surface where you want the plane. PC-DMIS fills in the dialog box with information collected from the model.

3. Make any other modifications to the dialog box as needed.

4. Click Create.

Creating by Using Wire Frame Data on the Screen

Wire frame CAD data also can be used to generate an auto plane.

To generate the plane:

1. Access the auto feature Plane dialog box (Insert | Feature | Auto | Plane).

2. Click at least three times on the surface.

3. Verify that the correct feature has been selected. The probe approach is always perpendicular to the feature, as well as perpendicular to the current probe centerline vector. The dialog box will display the value of the plane's center point and vector.

4. Make any other modifications to the dialog box and the Contact Path Properties tab of the Probe Toolbox as needed.

5. Click Create.

Creating by Using Wire Frame Data with the CMM

To generate a plane using wire frame data with the CMM:

1. Access the auto feature Plane dialog box (Insert | Feature | Auto | Plane).

2. Take one hit on the surface where you want to create the plane. PC-DMIS will pierce the CAD surface closest to where the probe touched. The displayed X, Y, Z values reflect the center value for the plane. The I, J, K reflects the surface normal vector.

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

4. Press the Done button on the jog box (or click the Create button from the dialog box).

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

To generate the plane without the use of CAD data:

1. Access the auto feature Plane dialog box (Insert | Feature | Auto | Plane).

2. Take at least three hits on a surface.

3. Take additional hits if needed. PC-DMIS will use the data from all of the measured hits. The X, Y, Z that is displayed is the calculated center of the plane.

4. Make any other modifications to the dialog box and the Contact Path Properties tab of the Probe Toolbox as needed.

5. Click Create button.

Creating by Keying in the Data

This method allows you to key in the desired X, Y, Z, I, J, K center value for the plane.

1. Access the auto feature Plane dialog box (Insert | Feature | Auto | Plane).

2. Key in the X, Y, Z, I, J, K values.

3. In the Probe Toolbox, Contact Properties tab, key in the Hits and Levels values.

4. Make any other modifications to the Auto Features dialog box and Probe Toolbox.

5. Click Create.

PC-DMIS will then generate the proper number of hits using the pattern specified. See the "Mode List" topic in the PC-DMIS Core documentation for additional information on nominals.