Auto Detect Feature

An Auto Detect feature is a placeholder that can be used to built a Geometry Relationship of the correct geometry type automatically based upon an RMS fit threshold to the associated points. It is intended to be used with Feature Trapping but can also be used with direct association.

How it works

When trapping stops, by progressing to the next feature in the list, an attempt will be made to resolve the correct geometry type. This is accomplished through a sequential series of geometry fits to the data set, comparing the results to the RMS acceptance threshold.

The search sequence is: Line, circle, slot, plane, cylinder, sphere, cone.

Once an acceptable fit is found, the search stops and the geometry is built. At this point the “Auto Detect” feature in the tree will be converted into a GR-Feature with the type first found with an RMS below the specified threshold. This can also be triggered through a right-click menu Resolve Smart Feature Geometry.

Should an error occur and the geometry type be selected incorrectly this can be corrected through the GR-Features right click menu. Select Reset Relationship Geometry and pick the desired type. This menu option is hidden if the following conditions are not met:

Depending on the number of steps in the solution it can take a short period of time to identify the geometry type. An audible notification sound will be played when this step completes to help the user know when they can proceed. If points are acquired while the auto detect feature is being processed the newly measured points may not be associated.

Projection Plane Control

When enable, the active projection plane is set automatically as part of the Smart Feature resolve process. The idea being that each time plane is resolved it is set as the new projection plane. This works well when measuring lines/circles/slots on a sequence of different planes.

Note that a plane 90 degrees to the original will resolve as a line not a plane. So moving from one projection plane to another will work best if the planes are not perfectly orthogonal to the last.

This Auto Reset Projection Plane operation is optional and can be turned off in the configuration.

Detect Nominal from CAD

A search for the nominal feature is also included in the smart feature resolve process. This means that if you align to CAD first you can measure features as desired and record both the nominal and measured feature from the CAD as you go.