## Constructing a Point Feature

Construct Point dialog box

There are a number of ways to construct a point using PC-DMIS. The following table lists the various types of constructed points, along with their necessary inputs. Some features may require no inputs while others may require three inputs or more. In the table, the term 'Any' indicates that the construction can take any type of feature as input for construction. PC-DMIS allows the features to be selected in any order.

CONSTRUCT FEATURE TYPE | SYMBOL IN EDIT WINDOW | # OF INPUT FEATS | FEAT #1: | FEAT #2: | FEAT #3: | COMMENTS
Cast Point | CAST | 1 | Any | - | - | Constructs point at centroid of input feature
Corner Point | CORNER | 3 | Plane | Plane | Plane | Constructs point at the intersection of 3 planes
Drop Point | DROP | 2 | Any | Cone, Cylinder, Line, Slot | - | First feature is dropped onto the second line feature
Intersect Point | INTOF | 2 | See topic below for valid features. See topic for valid features. | See topic below for valid features. See topic for valid features. | - | Constructs point at the intersection of the linear attribute of 2 features
Mid Point | MID | 2 | Any | Any | - | Constructs Mid Point between centroids of the inputs
Offset Point | OFFSET | 1 | Any | - | - | Requires 3 offsets corresponding to X,Y, & Z
Origin Point | ORIGIN | 0 | - | - | - | Constructs point at alignment origin
Pierce Point | PIERCE | 2 | See topic below for valid features. See topic for valid features. | See topic below for valid features. See topic for valid features. | - | Constructs point where one feature pierces the surface of another feature.
Vector Distance Point | VECT_DIST | 2 | Any | Any | - | Constructs point at a distance from the second feature along the line from the two input features.
Project Point | PROJ | 1 or 2 | Any | Plane | - | 1 input feature will project point to work plane

Note: If you select inappropriate feature types, PC-DMIS displays "Cannot construct [feature]. Combination of input features not accepted." on the Status Bar.

To construct a point:

1. Access the Construct Point dialog box (Insert | Feature | Constructed | Point).

2. Input the desired features.

3. Select the method of construction. Available options include:

- Cast Point

- Corner Point

- Drop Point

- Intersect Point

- Mid Point

- Offset Point

- Origin Point

- Pierce Point

- Vector Distance Point

- Project Point

4. Click the Create button.

The Edit window command line for a sample point construction would read:
feature_name=FEAT/POINT,TOG1
THEO/x_cord,y_cord,z_cord,i_vec,j_vec,k_vec
ACTL/x_cord,y_cord,z_cord,i_vec,j_vec,k_vec
CONSTR/TOG2,TOG3,......\

Note: The actual Edit report will be displayed in all CAPS.

TOG1= POLR or RECT

TOG2 = POINT

TOG3 = CAST / CORNER / DROP / INTOF / MID / OFFSET / ORIG / PIERCE / PROJ

The first three lines displayed in the Edit window will be the same for all constructed points. The fourth line will be slightly different, according to the type of feature being constructed. You can switch between the different types of points by placing the cursor on TOG3 and pressing F7 or F8. (See "Command Mode Keyboard Functions" in the "Using the Edit Window" chapter.)

When two or more features are involved, PC-DMIS automatically determines the necessary order of the input features. This improves the accuracy of the measurement process.

AUTO is the default method of construction. This option automatically determines the best way to construct a point using the input feature(s). See "Auto Point Construction". | The following paragraphs describe the available options for constructing a point.

More:

Constructing a Cast Point

Constructing a Corner Point

Constructing a Drop Point

Constructing an Intersect Point

Constructing a Mid Point

Constructing an Offset Point

Constructing a Point at the Origin

Constructing a Pierce Point

Constructing a Vector Distance Point

Constructing a Projected Point

Auto Point Construction