## Organization of the PC-DMIS Core Documentation

This help file is divided into numerous main sections and some supplemental sections.

To give you an idea of the online help's layout, the following list provides a brief description of each section.

- "Using the Online Help" describes how to find the help you need by using the Help menu.

- "Getting Started: An Overview" is the section you are currently reading. It gives a brief overview of the contents of the PC-DMIS Help file.

- "Navigating the User Interface" describes the PC-DMIS user interface and how it can be customized to suit your needs.

- "Using Basic File Options" discusses the basic file operations you can perform using PC-DMIS, such as starting a new part program, saving, and exiting PC-DMIS.

- "Using Advanced File Options" discusses the more advanced file operations such as importing and exporting CAD files and executing your part program.

- "Setting your Preferences" describes how you can use the setup options in the Edit menu to set your desired preferences. It also describes how to insert and modify part program parameters.

- "Editing the CAD Display" describes how you can use the options in the Graphics menu with the Graphics Display window to edit the display of your CAD file.

- "Editing a Part Program" describes how you can use the options in the Edit menu with the Edit window to edit your part program.

- "Using the Edit window" describes how to use PC-DMIS's built in editor to create, debug, edit, and execute your part program

- "Using Other Windows, Editors, and Tools" discusses some additional windows, editors, and tools available from the View menu.

- "Using Toolbars" discusses the toolbars available to the Graphics Display window and how each toolbar icon can aid you in the various aspects of creating or editing your part programs.

- "Defining Hardware" covers the Hardware Definition submenu found on the Insert menu. Using the Hardware Definition submenu you can define Probes, Machines, or Quick Fixtures to use with PC-DMIS. This section also describes tip calibration.

- "Creating Auto Features" describes how to use the Insert | Feature | Auto option to create Auto Features and then measure those auto features in your part program.

- "Creating Measured Features" describes how to use the Insert | Feature | Measured option to create measured features into your part program.

- "Constructing New Features from Other Features" describes how to construct features and put them into the part program by using the Insert | Feature | Constructed option.

- "Creating Generic Features" describes how to insert a ReadPoint command and how to create Generic Features by using the Insert | Feature | Readpoint and Insert | Feature | Generic options.

- "Creating and Using Alignments" describes how to create and save alignments by using the Insert | Alignment submenu.

- "Dimensioning Features" describes how to dimension your features by using the Insert | Dimension submenu.

- "Using Feature Control Frames" describes how to dimension your features using Feature Control Frames and symbols from the GD&T standard.

- "Scanning Your Part" describes scanning and how to create basic or advanced scans by using the Insert | Scan submenu.

- "Inserting Move Commands" discusses various move commands that can be placed in your part program by using the Insert | Move submenu.

- "Branching by Using Flow Control" discusses a myriad of commands that can be used to control the flow of your part program by using the Insert | Flow Control submenu.

- "Tracking Statistical Data" explains how to track and use statistics in your part program.

- "Reporting Measurements Results" walks you through the creation of Report and Label Templates, Custom Reports, and the usage of Forms.

- "Inserting Report Commands" discusses the report commands you can insert into your part program by using the Insert | Report Command submenu.

- "Using File Input / Output" explains how to work with file input / output in your part program, allowing you to open files for either reading, writing, and other operations by using the Insert | File I/O Command submenu.

- "Using Expressions and Variables" describes how to create expressions and how to assign expression results to variables.

- "Adding External Elements" covers using external applications, scripts, part programs, and other objects in your part program to further enhance its capability.

- "Using Multiple Arm Mode" describes how to use PC-DMIS with dual arm CMMs.

- "Navigating and Displaying Multiple Windows" describes how to easily navigate between and view the open windows by using the Window menu.

In addition to the above sections, PC-DMIS provides several supplemental sections documenting the following:

- "Working in Off-line Mode"

- "Using Inspection Plans in PC-DMIS"

- "Translating a Part Program into PC-DMIS"

- "Using a Wrist Device"

- Working in Operator Mode"

- "Using Shortcut Keys and Shortcut Menus"

- "Modifying Registry Entries"

- "Error Codes"

There is also context sensitive online Help available.

More:

Conventions