## Creating and Using Alignments: Introduction

Once a tip has been activated and features measured, a coordinate system (or alignment) can be created. PC-DMIS provides you with a variety of tools for creating and managing coordinate systems. To access the tools that allow you to work with alignments, select the desired menu options available from the Insert | Alignment submenu.

The major topics discussed in this chapter describe how to use these tools to effectively create and manage alignments in your part program. These topics include:

- Alignment Overview

- Alignment Command Format

- Description of the Alignment Utilities Dialog Box

- Creating a 3-2-1 Alignment

- Creating an Iterative Alignment

- Creating a Best Fit Alignment

- Saving an Alignment

- Recalling an Existing Alignment

- Using an Alignment Inside Loops or Branches

- Equating an Alignment

- Equating CAD to Measured Part Data

- Performing a LeapFrog Operation

- Changing Alignment Nominal Values

- Updating Dependent Commands When the Alignment Changes

Bundle Alignments

If you have a Leica Laser Tracker configuration, you can also perform a Bundle alignment. This special type of alignment is discussed in the PC-DMIS Portable documentation.