The Initial Vectors area in the scan dialog box (Insert | Scan) displays a list of vectors that are used to start and stop a scan. Some scans do not use any initial vectors. These are UV, Grid, Perimeter, and FreeForm scans. The following lists the available initial vectors, when they are used, and their descriptions:
InitVec (Initial Touch Vector)
Used in Linear Open, Linear Closed, Section, Patch, Rotary, and Basic scan types.
The values that are displayed in the Initial Touch Vector row indicate the surface vector of the first point in the scanning process.
CutVec (Cut Plane Vector)
Used in Linear Open, Linear Closed, Patch, Section, and several Basic scan types.
A cut plane is used internally for DCC scanning calculations. This cut plane is derived differently for each supported scan type.
For Linear Open, the Cut Plane vector (CutVec) is the cross product of the Initial Touch vector (InitVec) and the line between the start and end point. If there is no end point, the line between the start point and direction point is used.
For Linear Closed, the Cut Plane vector (CutVec) is the cross product of the Initial Touch vector (InitVec) and the line between the start and end point.
For Patch Scan, the cut plane vector (CutVec) is derived by crossing the Initial Touch vector (InitVect) and the line between the first and second point. The cut plane vector is then set to the correct direction by using the line between the second and third points. The End Touch vector (EndVec) is the vector used to take the second boundary points and is used to jump to the second row after completing the first row.
For Section Scan, the Cut Plane and Initial Touch vectors are used to measure the scan. The Cut Plane vector is the cross product of the Initial Touch vector and the line between the start and end points. If there is no end point, then PC-DMIS uses the line between the start and direction points.
EndVec (End Touch Vector)
Used in Linear Open, Patch, Section, Rotary, and Line Basic scan types.
The End Touch vector is the approach vector of the scan at the end of the row. This is used only to stop the scan or to move to the next row (in the case of a Patch scan).
PlaneVec (Boundary Plane Vector)
Used in Linear Open, Linear Closed, Patch, Section, and Rotary scan types.
The Boundary Plane vector and the End Touch vector are used with the given Boundary Condition to stop the scan. The Boundary Plane Vector has different uses when applied to different Boundary Conditions:
For a Plane, when used with a Plane Boundary Condition, it represents the normal vector of the Plane.
For a Sphere, it is not used with the Sphere Boundary Condition.
For a Cylinder, when used with a Cylinder Boundary Condition, it represents the Axis of the Cylinder.
For a Cone, when used with a Cone Boundary Condition, it represents the Axis of the Cone.
DirVec (Initial Direction Vector)
Used in Rotary, Manual, and Line Basic scan types.
It represents the direction in which the scan will begin and is used with the Initial Touch vector to derive the Cut Plane vector.
SurfVec (Top Surface Vector)
Used in Linear Open and Linear Closed scan types.
This appears when you use the Edge hit type. It is the vector of the initial top surface of the edge and is used to start the scan.
vector1
Used in Linear Open and Linear Closed scan types.
This row is the surface normal vector of the first surface selected for angle hits. It appears when you use the Angle hit type. This corresponds to the Surf 1 Vec values in the Angle Points tab when creating Auto features. See "Creating an Auto Angle Point" in the "Measuring Features" chapter of the PC-DMIS CMM documentation.
vector2
Used in Linear Open and Linear Closed scan types.
This row is the surface normal vector of the second surface selected for angle hits. It appears when you use the Angle hit type. This corresponds to the Surf 2 Vec values in the Angle Points tab when creating Auto features. See "Creating an Auto Angle Point" in the "Measuring Features" chapter of the PC-DMIS CMM documentation.
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