#### Feature List box

Feature List box

The Feature List box contains a list of the available features within a part program. PC-DMIS uses selected features to define alignments, construct new features, create dimensions, and other such tasks. You can select features by following the instructions given in the "Selecting Features Using the Graphics Display Window" topic in the "Editing the CAD display" chapter.

A feature displayed in red text with an asterisk (*) to the left of it represents a feature that has been skipped during program execution.

Selected (highlighted) features can be deselected using the Clear or Clear List button.

If you are attaching an external part program (see "Attaching an External Part Program" in the "Adding External Elements" chapter), PC-DMIS also lists the variable (or pointer) used to reference the attached part program. A plus sign (+) appears to the left of the pointer. Clicking this plus sign expands or collapses a view of all the features in the attached part program.

Sorting the Features

Clicking the drop-down arrow button located at the top of the Feature List box displays the various sorting methods available as shown below.

Feature List Sort menu

Once a selection is made, the list is automatically sorted based on the selected option. As new items are added to the list, clicking on the Sort button will re-sort the list based on the currently sorted options shown on the button. Re-clicking the button will sort the list in reverse as shown be the up or down arrow to the right of the displayed sorting method.

Sorting options defined

- ID - Sorts the list alphabetically based on feature ID.

- Type - Sorts by feature type. In this case, the feature's ID is used as a secondary sort criteria.

- Program - Sorts the list based on the order the feature appears in the program.

- Time - Sorts the list based on the times the features were last measured.