Brown & Sharpe

Chapter One: Getting Started:

An Overview

Introduction
The term "PC-DMIS" is PC-DMIS for Windows is a full-featured, geometric measurement package. It
derived from the acronym translates the high-level commands required to measure parts into the detailed steps
"DMIS" which stands for: necessary to drive a Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM). PC-DMIS for
Dimensional Measuring Windows incorporates Microsoft's Windows interface to create, as well as execute
Interface Standard. part programs. The user can easily begin the measurement process by taking
advantage of the drop-down menus, dialog boxes, and icons. The versatility of PC-
DMIS's interface also provides an easy way to customize the software to meet
individual specifications.
The primary goals driving the design of PC-DMIS for Windows were flexibility and
user friendliness. To meet these goals, PC-DMIS provides a flexible environment
allowing for real-time error correction as opposed to the long, tedious debugging
process characteristic of other geometric software packages. It is dimension oriented
to reduce the need to analyze and interpret the results of CMM measurements. The
techniques used for part programming on a CMM are straightforward and, with
practice, systematic. This manual does not attempt to completely describe the
dimensional inspection process. If additional information is needed on the
fundamentals of dimensional inspections, please contact your Brown & Sharpe
representative.
The main topics in this chapter include:
• Version Enhancements
• Organization of Manual
• CAD Links
• Using a Mouse
• Automating PC-DMIS
• Software Configurations

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Version Enhancements
This topic briefly discusses the new enhancements added to this version of PC-
DMIS. Where necessary, you will be referred to the appropriate chapter or
appendixfor additional information on the new enhancement.

Language Enhancements
With this version you can now:
Use PC-DMIS and its accompanying documentation in these newly supported
languages:
• Chinese
• Japanese
• Korean
See "Changing the Language" in the "Using Basic File Options" chapter for
information on viewing PC-DMIS in different languages.

User Interface Enhancements

With this version you can now:
• Use the new user interface layout and menu structure. In order to find
menu options or dialog boxes in this new user interface, follow the
instructions given in the "Using the Road Map" appendix.
• Customize menus, toolbars, and shortcut keys. See "Customizing the
User Interface" in the "Navigating the User Interface" chapter for
additional information.
• Float the Edit window over the Graphics Display window, or dock it to
the top, bottom, or sides of the screen.
• View features from an attached part program in Feature List boxes.
See "Feature List box" in the "Navigating the User Interface" chapter.

File Options Enhancements

With this version you can now:
• Keep measured features and associated tolerances together in an output
file when sending Edit window content to a DMIS output file. See
"Output as a DMIS Output File" in the "Using Basic File Options"
chapter.
• Import files much quicker than prior versions.
• Associate one CAD file with multiple part programs. See "Referencing
One CAD file for Multiple Part Programs" in the "Using Advanced File
Options" chapter.
• Translate the following CAD types to use within PC-DMIS. So, if don't
have the CAD software for these CAD types, you can still translate and
use them in PC-DMIS:

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‰ STL files. See "Importing an STL File" in the "Using Advanced

File Options" chapter.
‰ CATIA files. See "Importing a CATIA File" in the "Using
Advanced File Options" chapter.
‰ Pro/ENGINEER files. See "Importing a Pro/ENGINEER File" in
the "Using Advanced File Options" chapter.
‰ Unigraphics files. See "Importing a Unigraphics File" in the
"Using Advanced File Options" chapter.
‰ MMIV File. See "Importing an MMIV File" in the "Using
Advanced File Options" chapter.
Some of these CAD types were previously only available through
Direct CAD Interfacing.
• Select from all available coordinate systems within a given DCI.
• Execute from the cursor's location for master and slave modes. See
"Executing Part Programs" in the "Using Advanced File Options"
chapter.

External Command Enhancements

With this version you can now:
• Select an external command by using a browse button.
• Determines whether or not PC-DMIS displays a message box when
executing an external command. This message box essentially pauses
the continuation of the part program execution until you click OK.
See "Inserting an External Command" in the "Adding External Elements" chapter.

Probe Enhancements
With this version you can now:
• Perform an automatic probe calibration of all probes in a probechanger.
See "AutoCalibrate Probe" in the "Defining Hardware" chapter.
• Perform an automatic tip calibration. See "To Automatically Calibrate a
Single Tip" in the "Defining Hardware" chapter.
• Create named Parameter Sets for probe calibration. This allows the user
to save calibration specific info. such as prehit, move speed, and
associate them with a specific probe file. See "Parameter Sets" in the
"Defining Hardware" chapter.
• Preview your current probe's configuration, including components, AB
angle positions, and a general 3D rotation around the probe drawing.
See "Previewing your Probe Configuration" in the "Defining
Hardware" chapter.
• Use a new mode called ManDCC when calibrating your probe. See
"System Mode" in the "Defining Hardware" chapter.
• View new documentation on calibrating probes for Faro arms. See
"Faro—Probe Calibration Utilities" in the "Defining Hardware"
chapter.

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• Add new AB angles for your probe, from a grid by simply clicking
with your mouse. See "Selecting Angles with the Mouse" in the
"Defining Hardware" chapter.
• Save your existing probe file to a format that's compatible with
previous versions of PC-DMIS. See "File Format" in the "Defining
Hardware" chapter.

Alignment Enhancements
With this version you can now:
• Easily see which axes are not constrained for undefined created
alignments.
• Perform Best fit routines and re-pierce CAD to find better nominals.
• Edit a SAVE/ALIGNMENT command through a dialog box by
pressing F9.
• Control which alignments are displayed in the Alignments list on the
Settings toolbar. See the "Alignments List" topic in the "Using
Toolbars" chapter.
See the "Creating and Using Alignments" chapter for information on these
enhancements.

Statistics Enhancements
With this version you can now:
• Use a Database Wizard to easily create or register ODBC compliant
databases.
• Use a third party statistical package built into PC-DMIS.
• Send statistical data in the XSTATS11.TMP file to any ODBC
database on the fly.
• Delete the XSTATS11.TMP file on the fly. See the "Delete Current
Stats File" in the "Tracking Statistical Data" chapter.
• Added the ability to put a limit on the number of characters that can be
entered into a trace field value.
• View updated documentation on statistics. New items include a tutorial
that walks you through the process of capturing and displaying
statistical data using SPC-Light™. It also includes an in-depth
documentation on using a variety of SPC charts to display your
statistical data.
See the "Managing Statistics Using SPC-Light" tutorial, the "Accessing or Reading
SPC Databases" topic, and the "Creating SPC Statistical Charts" topic in the
"Creating and Using Alignments" chapter.

Toolbar Enhancements
With this version you can now:
• Quickly perform most of PC-DMIS's standard routines using a
simplified Tutor-like user interface on a toolbar named the Quick

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Start toolbar. See the "Quick Start Toolbar" in the "Using Toolbars"
chapter.
• Create your own toolbars from custom programs or existing PC-DMIS
routines, or you can modify existing toolbars. See "Customizing the
User Interface" in the "Navigating the User Interface" chapter for
additional information.
• Store your Edit window position and toolbar layouts, using the new
Layouts toolbar. See "Window Layouts Toolbar" in the "Using
Toolbars" chapter.

Construction Enhancements
With this version you can now:
• Construct ellipse features. See "Constructing an Ellipse Feature" in the
"Constructing New Features from Existing Features" chapter.
• Construct intersection points between an ellipse and a line. See
"Constructing an Intersect Point" in the "Constructing New Features
from Existing Features" chapter.
• Construct arcs and lines from scans. See "Constructing an Arc from
Part of a Scan" in the "Constructing New Features from Existing
Features" chapter.
• Display constructed features from an attached part program in a
Feature List box. See "Feature List box" in the "Navigating the User
Interface" chapter.

Dimensions Enhancements
With this version you can now:
• Perform symmetry dimensions. See "Dimensioning Symmetry" in the
"Dimensioning Features" chapter.
• Determine how True Position deviations are performed or displayed in
the Edit window. See "Deviation" in the "Dimensioning Features"
chapter.
• Save the state of datum conditions for True Position dimensions for
repetitive dimensioning of similar features. See documentation on the
Recall button in the "Material Conditions" topic of the "Dimensioning
Features" chapter.
• Display a colored contour plot directly on the CAD model in the
Graphics Display window for Patch scans used for profile dimensions.
See "Displaying Profile Contour Plots" in the "Dimensioning Features"
chapter.
• Have PC-DMIS find the nominal reference angle to use for Angularity
dimensions involving two features. See "Reference Angle" in the
"Dimensioning Features" chapter.
Additionally, PC-DMIS automatically:
• Displays dimensions from an attached part program in a Feature List
box. See "Feature List box" in the "Navigating the User Interface"
chapter.

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• Displays only those types of features or dimensions that are appropriate

for the dimension you're working on.
• Shows only those dimensions in the report that fall within a specific
percentage of the defined tolerance. See the Show Dimensions
Within Limits check box, discussed in the "Defining the Edit Window
Layout" topic of the "Setting Your Preferences" chapter.
• Forces Point Info and Dimension Info boxes to re-draw when the
underlying dimensions are updated in learn mode.

Sheet Metal Enhancements

With this version you can now:
• Control the amount of each radius measured on Round Slots in Auto
Features. See the "Creating an Auto Round Slot" topic in the "Creating
Auto Features" chapter.
• Use Find Vector (Vector Point) for a group of box-selected points
instead of just one point. See the "Find Vector for a Vector Point" topic
in the "Creating Auto Features" chapter.
• Show or hide complex options on the Auto Features dialog boxes by
clicking the Advanced and Basic buttons respectively. See the
"Advanced / Basic Buttons" topic in the "Creating Auto Features"
chapter.
• Edit feature hits directly in the Graphics Display window for certain
auto features. See the "Display Hits for Auto Features" topic in the
"Creating Auto Features" chapter.

Scanning Enhancements
With this version you can now:
• Perform Rotary scans. See "Performing a Rotary Advanced Scan" in
the "Scanning Your Part" chapter.
• Scan with FINDNOMS, RELEARN and no CAD to construct a curve
from the new data and compare the closest points of the curve to the
original scan points. This allows a continuous scan with a comparison
to a previous data set. See "Nominals Mode" in the "Scanning Your
Part" chapter.
• Reset boundary points back to zero. This is particularly useful when
creating consecutive patch scans with many boundary points. See
"Clearing Boundary Points" in the "Scanning Options" chapter.
• Maintain the current hit increment from the end of a patch scan's line to
the beginning of the next line segment. This produces smoother data for
surfacing and reverse engineering applications. This only works with
touch trigger probes (TTP). See "Patch Scans Maintain Last Increment"
in the "Setting Your Preferences" chapter.
• Use Auto Moves on all scan types. See "Auto Move" in the "Scanning
Options" chapter.

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• Use the NULLFILTER Method for all scan types except Perimeter
scan. See the "NULLFILTER Method for LinearOpen" topic in the
"Scanning Options" chapter.

Preferences Enhancements
With this version you can now:
• Store any changes made to PC-DMIS's settings, parameters, or user-
interface customizations, by specific users. See "A Note on Storing
Settings for Multiple Users" in the "Setting Your Preferences" chapter.
• Control how PC-DMIS responds sets of probe hits when measuring an
Edge Point. See "Edge Point Only Mode" in the "Setting Your
Preferences" chapter.
• Determine whether or not PC-DMIS maintains the current hit
increment from the end of a patch scan's line to the beginning of the
next line segment. See "Patch Scans Maintain Last Increment" in the
"Setup Options" chapter.
• Display an automotive deviation letter after the deviation number for
location and true position dimension reports. See "Use Automotive
Deviation Letters" in the "Setting Your Preferences" chapter.
• Change Application, Graphic, and Edit window fonts from one central
location. See "To Customize User Interface Fonts" in the "Navigating
the User Interface" chapter.
• Perform an Automatic Calibration of the master and slave arms on dual
arm machines. See "Performing an Automatic Calibration" in the
"Using Master / Slave Mode" chapter.

Graphics Enhancements
With this version you can now:
• Delete dimensions using a dialog box showing all the dimensions in the
part program. See "Deleting Dimensions" in the "Editing the CAD
Display" chapter.
• Mirror and keep the old CAD data so that we can get both halves of a
symmetrical part. See "Mirroring the CAD" in the "Editing the CAD
Display" chapter.
• Tessellate the image of a Direct CAD Interface part even if the CAD
license is not currently available. See "Tessellating a Part without a
CAD License" in the "Using Advanced File Options" chapter.
• Display a colored contour plot directly on the CAD model regardless of
the types of scans or features used for profile dimensions. See
"Displaying Profile Contour Plots" in the "Dimension Options" chapter.

Editing Enhancements
With this version you can now:

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• Edit feature hits for certain measured and auto features directly in the
Graphics Display window. See "Display Hits" in the "Creating
Measured Feature" chapter.

Edit window Enhancements

With this version you can now:
• Float the Edit window over the Graphics Display window, or dock it to
the top, bottom, or sides of the screen.
See "Using the Edit Window" chapter.

HyperView Enhancements
With this version you can now:
• View more complete documentation on how to use Objects and
Controls in HyperView reports. See "Using Objects and Controls in
HyperView Reports" in the "Creating HyperView Reports" chapter.
• View more complete documentation on how to use the Layout bar to
organize your HyperView report. See "Using the Layout Bar to
Organize your Report" in the "Creating HyperView Reports" chapter.

Master / Slave Enhancements

With this version you can now:
• Perform an Automatic Calibration of the master and slave arms on dual
arm machines. See "Performing an Automatic Calibration" in the
"Using Master / Slave Mode" chapter.

Expression Enhancements
With this version you can now:
• Use a new variable type called Structures. To facilitate the needs of the
tutor translator, a new variable type has been added to the PC-DMIS
expression language: PC-DMIS variables can now be structures,
meaning that you can identify a sub-element of a variable. See the
"Structures" topic in the "Using Expressions and Variables" chapter.
• Use the new TutorElement function. See the "TutorElement Function"
topic in the "Using Expressions and Variables" chapter.

Pcdlrn.ini / Registry Enhancements

With this version of PC-DMIS the Pcdlrn.ini file was phased out and all user-defined
settings were stored in the Windows registry. With this version you can now:
• Edit any of PC-DMIS's user-defined registry entries through a custom
dialog box that safeguards you from inadvertently changing system-
critical settings. See "Editing a PC-DMIS registry Entry" in the
"Modifying Registry Entries" chapter.
• Edit Auto Feature parameter entries.

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• Determine whether or not points should get displayed as spheres using

the DrawPointsAsSpheres registry entry. See "Draw Points as
Spheres" in the "Modifying Registry Entries" appendix.
• Edit global/part entries.
• Edit many other added entries.
See the new "Modifying Registry Entries" appendix for more information.

Direct CAD Interface Enhancements

With this version of PC-DMIS, a new CAD type is supported for PC-DMIS's ability
to directly interface with various CAD types:
You can now interface directly with the SolidWorks CAD type.
See the "Installing and Using SolidWorks Direct CAD Interface for PC-DMIS 3.5 or
Higher" topic in the "Directly Interfacing with a CAD File" appendix.

Organization of Manual
This resource manual is divided into numerous main chapters and some
supplemental appendices.
To give you an idea of the manual's layout, the following list provides a brief
description of each chapter.
Chapter 1 "Getting Started: An Overview" is the chapter you are
currently reading. It gives a brief overview of the contents of the
PC-DMIS manual .
Chapter 2 "Getting Started: A Simple Tutorial" describes the
measurement process in an easy to follow tutorial.
Chapter 3 "Navigating the User Interface" describes the PC-DMIS
user interface and how it can be customized to suit your needs.
Chapter 4 "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.
Chapter 5 "Using Advanced File Options" discusses the more
advanced file operations such as importing and exporting CAD
files and executing your part program.
Chapter 6 "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.
Chapter 7 "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.
Chapter 8 "Editing a Part Program" describes how you can use the
options in the Edit menu with the Edit window to edit your part
program.
Chapter 9 "Using the Edit window" describes how to use PC-
DMIS's built in editor to create, debug, edit, and execute your part
program

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Chapter 10 "Using Other Windows and Editors" discusses some

additional windows and editors options in the View menu that
allow you, showing the various windows, editors, or that you can
access using this menu.
Chapter 11 "Creating HyperView Reports" walks you through the
creation of a Hyper-Report through a simple tutorial.
Chapter 12 "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.
Chapter 13 "Defining Hardware" covers the Hardware Definition
submenu found on the Insert menu. Using the Hardware
Definition submenu you can define Probes, Machines, or Fixtures
to use with PC-DMIS. This chapter also describes tip calibration.
Chapter 14 "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.
Chapter 15 "Creating Measured Features" describes how to use the
Insert | Feature | Measured option to create measured features
into your part program.
Chapter 16 "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.
Chapter 17 "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.
Chapter 18 "Creating and Using Alignments" describes how to create
and save alignments by using the Insert | Alignment submenu.
Chapter 19 "Dimensioning Features" describes how to dimension
your features by using the Insert | Dimension submenu.
Chapter 20 "Scanning Your Part" describes scanning and how to
create basic or advanced scans by using the Insert | Scan
submenu.
Chapter 21 "Inserting Move Commands" discusses various move
commands that can be placed in your part program by using the
Insert | Move submenu.
Chapter 22 "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.
Chapter 23 "Tracking Statistical Data" explains how to track and use
statistics in your part program and how to place statistical data in
your reports by using the Insert | Statistics Command
submenu.
Chapter 24 "Inserting Report Commands" discusses the report
commands you can insert into your part program by using the
Insert | Report Command submenu.
Chapter 25 "Using File Input / Output" explains how to work with
file input / output in your part program, allowing you to open files

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for either reading, writing, and other operations by using the

Insert | File I/O Command submenu.
Chapter 26 "Using Expressions and Variables" describes how to
create expressions and how to assign expression results to
variables.
Chapter 27 "Adding External Elements" covers using external
applications, scripts, part programs, and other objects in your part
program to further enhance its capability.
Chapter 28 "Using Master / Slave Mode" describes how to use PC-
DMIS with dual arm CMMs.
Chapter 29 "Navigating and Displaying Multiple Windows" describes
how to easily navigate between and view the open windows by
using the Window menu.
Chapter 30 "Using the Online Help" describes how to find the help
you need by using the Help menu.
In addition to the above sections, PC-DMIS provides several supplemental
appendices documenting the following:
Appendix A describes "Working in Off-line Mode".
Appendix B describes "Translating a Part Program into PC-DMIS".
Appendix C describes "Modifying Registry Entries".
Appendix D describes "Using a Wrist Device".
Appendix E describes "Calibrating Less Common Probes"
Appendix F describes "Working in Operator Mode".
Appendix G describes "Measuring Auto Features with the NC-100
Video Probe".
Appendix H describes "Directly Interfacing with a CAD File"
Appendix I describes "Using the Road Map"
Appendix J describes "Using Shortcut Keys and Shortcut Menus".
There is also context sensitive on-line Help available.

The Improved Menu Structure and Documentation

Organization
This version of PC-DMIS ships with a new menu structure, and the ability to
customize the menu structure to meet specific needs. You can use the new "Using
the Road Map appendix to aid you in navigating this new menu structure to access
desired menu options and dialog boxes.

Conventions
The following conventions have been used throughout the reference manual :

Boldface Text
Boldface is used primarily when referring to:
• Dialog box elements

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• Dialog box titles

• Command buttons
• Icons
• Menus
• Toolbars
For example:
1. Select the File menu.
2. Open up the Open dialog box.
3. Click the Save button
Boldface may also be used on Notes, Warnings, and Examples.

Italicized Text
Italicized text is primarily used for emphasis. For example, "If. . .the probe hits an
obstruction, it will not automatically stop".
Italicized text may also be used for:
• Book or Manual titles
• Predefined Arguments (in programming)
• Parameters (in programming)
• Place holders (in programming)
• User Input (in programming)

Uppercase Text
Uppercase text is generally used when referring to:
• Acronyms (such as VDAFS, DMIS)
• Time (such as A.M. and P.M.)
• Key combinations (such as ALT, F, W)
• Device names (such as LPT1, or COMM PORT 2)\
In those instances where elements of computer programming are displayed, the
following also use uppercase:
• Control classes
• Data formats
• Environment variables
• Handles
• Hooks
• Indexes
• Macros
• Statements
• Structures

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• System Commands
• Values

Underlined Text
Underline is used for emphasis when appropriate, but usually emphasis uses
italicized text.

Bulleted Text
Bullets "•" are used to show a list of options, or commands, available to a certain
program features or items discussed in a topic or chapter.

Numbered Lists
Numbered lists show a series of steps in instructions and procedures. For example,
"1. Choose File, 2. Select New".

CAD Links
PC-DMIS provides several methods for transmitting CAD geometry, part programs
and measurement data from and/or to CAD systems. Working with CAD data is one
of PC-DMIS's strengths.
CAD geometry can be imported into, and measurement results exported from, PC-
DMIS via:
• IGES 5.3
• STEP AP203 & AP214
• VDAFS
• DES(2/78)
• XYZIJK format
PC-DMIS allows you to import the following for use in generating part programs
and as a guide in program execution:
• Two-dimensional wire frame
• Two and one-half dimensional wire frame
• Three-dimensional wire frame
• B-spline curves and surfaces CAD models
See the "Working in Off-line Mode" appendix, for a list of supported IGES entities.
Part programs created in CAD systems can be imported into PC-DMIS by way of
DMIS 3.0. PC-DMIS part programs can be exported into DMIS for running in other
CMM software. PC-DMIS measurement results can also be exported as a DMIS
results file.

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Using a Mouse
A mouse is a pointing device One of the objectives of PC-DMIS is to be flexible and user friendly. To meet this
used to control the cursor's objective, PC-DMIS allows the use of a two- or three-button mouse as a pointing
movement on the screen. device. The speed and accuracy of the mouse make it an indispensable part of the
PC-DMIS work environment. With it you can execute all PC-DMIS functions.
(Keyboard commands can also be used to access most PC-DMIS functions.)

The mouse provides a simple method:

• To select a value.
• To select a command.
• To move/select an image within the Graphics Display window.

Moving/Pointing the Mouse

Move the pointer on the screen by moving the mouse over the desktop in the
direction the mouse pointer is to move. Use the mouse to move the mouse pointer to
a particular location on the screen or to point at something on the screen.

Clicking the Mouse Button(s)

Throughout this manual, the phrase "click the mouse button" is used. This refers to
depressing and quickly releasing the mouse button. For example, if you are
instructed to click on a menu choice, use the mouse to move the mouse pointer
(arrow shape) to the desired menu choice, then depress and quickly release (click)
the left mouse button.
Clicking the left mouse button activates most options. Therefore, whenever there is
an instruction to "click on" an item (without reference to a specific button), assume
the left mouse button is to be used unless instructed otherwise.
A three-button mouse can be When the manual asks that you click both mouse buttons, depress and quickly
used with PC-DMIS, but the release the left and right mouse buttons simultaneously.
middle button has the same
effect as pushing the left and
right mouse buttons at the
same time.

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Holding Down the Mouse Button

Throughout this manual, the phrase "Hold down the mouse button" is used. This
phrase refers to pressing and holding down the mouse button for a brief period of
time.

ZMouse
Certain Brown and Sharpe systems offer a track ball style of mouse referred to as a
ZMouse. This enables the user to control the movement of the mouse pointer from
the z rail. The ZMouse will not function when the File Manager is active.
The last line of the parameter file (DOWNLOAD) should read:
N1000 ZMOUSE2
or
N500 ZMOUSE2
To enable the ZMouse please verify that the last line of the DOWNLOAD file
reflects the above statement. Modify the line, if necessary.

Automating PC-DMIS
PC-DMIS comes fully supported of being controlled by any third party software.
For example you can create your own customized application and using automation
commands, you can launch and use PC-DMIS via that application.
For complete information on the automation commands that control PC-DMIS, and
on supported BASIC language commands, see your PC-DMIS Basic Language
Reference Manual included with the install set.

Software Configurations
PC-DMIS comes in two different configurations: on-line and off-line. These two
distinct products are designed to meet particular needs. They can be used together to
create a complete part program, measurement analysis and reverse engineering
system.

On-Line Part Programming

Using on-line PC-DMIS, the user can execute existing part programs, quickly inspect
parts (or sections of parts) and develop part programs directly on the CMM. On-line
PC-DMIS will not function unless it is connected to a CMM. Off-line programming
techniques will work while on-line.

Off-Line Part Programming

Using off-line PC-DMIS, you can develop and debug part programs away from the
CMM by editing a part created on-line, by importing a CAD input file, or through a
DMIS, or AVAIL part program. The part program then can be directly executed
using on-line PC-DMIS, or exported (post processed) into either DMIS or one of
several vendor-specific formats. Off-line PC-DMIS cannot be used to directly drive a
CMM.

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The "Working in Off-line Mode" appendix, describes the particulars of the off-line
version.

Comparison of Off-Line and On-Line Versions

Additional information Since both the on-line and off-line versions share the same features and functions,
regarding off-line this manual describes the use of both products. However, in some instances a
programming can be found in particular feature of the on-line software does not apply to the off-line software.
the appendix "Working in Off- These cases have been noted where appropriate.
Line Mode."
We hope you will enjoy using PC-DMIS and find it a useful and powerful tool. If
you have any suggestions or comments, please let us know. We are always looking
for ways to improve our product.

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