#### Dimension Format

PC-DMIS's print capability is one of its most powerful features. A dimension can be calculated many different ways until the results are acceptable. Only if the dimension is marked for printing will the data appear on the inspection report.

The FORMAT command allows you to create more than one dimensional format within a part program. This allows you to show or hide the information that stored in any dimension that follows the FORMAT command.

For example, for some dimensions, you may not want the nominals printed, such as with certain types of zone tolerances that always have a nominal of zero. In these cases, it is unnecessary to print the NOM. Later in the part program you might want to display the nominals for a different type of dimension, such as Location or Position. The FORMAT command lets you easily control these manipulations.

The default FORMAT command will print out all of the columns and column headings. It will also create the statistics XSTATS11.TMP file.

Command line in the Edit window:
FORMAT/TEXT,OPTIONS, ,HEADINGS,SYMBOLS, ;NOM,TOL,MEAS,DEV,OUTTOL, ,

TEXT = This field controls whether or not additional text appears in the dimension's command block.

HEADINGS = This field controls whether the dimensions that follow the FORMAT command will have column headings above the numbers.

OPTIONS = This field controls whether or not option fields are displayed. These options include the following:

GRAPH = This shows or hides graphical analysis of the dimension.

TEXT = This shows or hides textual analysis of the dimension

MULT = This sets the multiplier for deviation arrows and tolerance zone used in the Graphics Display window. This is only used if GRAPH = YES.

OUTPUT = This determines where to send dimensional output. Options are statistics, report, both statistics and report, or none.

SYMBOL = This field controls whether the deviation symbols will be printed. This field can be toggled on or off. A blank field indicates that this command is off.

NOM,TOL,MEAS,MAXMIN,DEV,OUTTOL = These fields appear after the semi-colon character (;). They control which columns get printed for dimensions following the FORMAT command. You can toggle any combination of these columns on or off. To turn a field off, press F8 or F7 until the field becomes empty. They can also be displayed in any order. Simply type the desired command in the order needed. (The order will be numerically displayed in the Parameters Dimension dialog box.)

For more information consult the "Dimensioning Features" section.

You can easily show or hide the different information fields, by pressing TAB to highlight the desired field and then by pressing F7 or F8 to toggle that field on or off.