## Creating Tab Vector Points

The Insert | Tab Vector Points menu item displays the Tab Vector Points dialog box.

Tab Vector Points dialog box

Similar to the Slot Edge Points functionality, this dialog box lets you create vector points along a section cut polyline that bisects a tab feature.

This provides you with a way to create vector points precisely along the middle line of a tab feature like this:

Two points on the middle line (A) between CAD boundaries (B)

Dialog Box Items

The dialog box contains these items:

Select edge point 1 - This lets you define the first edge point. This check box is initially marked and deactivated when you first access the dialog box. After you click once on the CAD model, however, the check box clears and becomes active so that you can choose a different start location if needed.

Use arc length - If marked and you click on the CAD model, Planner will create a point along the cut plane's polyline at the defined distance from the nearest surface edge. The surface edge used is the one closest to the location clicked on the CAD model.

Points list - The list contains the tab vector points as you click to define them in the Graphics Display window. The columns display each point's location (XYZ columns) and vector (IJK columns). You can use this list to delete existing points or flip their vectors. Use SHIFT and CTRL keys while clicking with the mouse to select multiple points. Once you have selected the desired points, right-click on the selection and a small popup menu appears with these options:

Flip Vector - This flips the vector of all the selected points.

Delete - This deletes all of the selected points.

Create - This button creates any tab vector points you selected from the CAD model and adds them to the inspection plan. It becomes activated the moment you click on the CAD to select your first edge point.

Close - Closes the dialog box without adding any point features into the inspection plan.

Example of Creating Two Tab Vector Points

To create vector points on a tab similar to those shown in the image above, follow this procedure:

1. Click on one side of the tab, near the edge of the surface. A point appears on the surface edge. The model also displays a section cut through this point, perpendicular to the surface edge.

Example of the first point and the initial section cut

2. Click on this section cut near the opposite side of the tab. A second point appears. Planner uses an imaginary midpoint between these two points to generate a second section cut passing through the midpoint, perpendicular to the first section cut.

Example of the second point and the second section cut, perpendicular to the first

3. You can now click anywhere on the second section cut. Each click draws an arrow on the section cut at the clicked location. These arrows represents where vector point features will be created when you click Create. Alternatively, you can specify an arc length distance. Similar to arc length used in the Perimeter Points functionality, the arc length adds a point at the specified distance from the nearest surface edge. Any vector point along this second section cut also appears inside the Tab Vector Points dialog box. You can use the dialog box to delete selected points or flip their vectors.

Example of the two points created along the second section cut

4. Click Create to add the vector point features to the current plan. The dialog box remains open for additional tab vector points.

Example of the two created points added to the plan