Instrument Locate
The Locate button in the Instrument Station Controls offers direct access to a list of instrument alignment operations for a single station. This same list can be accessed through the right-click menu of a particular instrument.
These options are discussed in greater detail through the links to the Alignment tab, but a summary of each are as follows:
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Best fit.Locating an instrument via a Best-Fit is one of the most common location methods. It is used heavily during instrument location to nominal control points, instrument relocation and relocation due to drift. The user specifies the instrument to locate, the nominal point group and measured point group.
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Measure Nominal points. Measure Nominal Points is a great way to locate an instrument quickly. It functions like a guided best-fit. Select the nominal points and the instrument to locate, then the Locate dialog will open, listing the points to measure. The user has the option for manual or automatic measurement. Once three points are measured the instrument is transformed via a Best-Fit. With the instrument roughly located the user can easily drive or point to each target or measure the remaining points in any order.
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Quick Align to CAD. A quick and easy method to align to a CAD model using point measurements. First click the model where the points will roughly be measured to guide the measurement process and orient the view. When measurement begins bullseyes are used to guide the user where to measure and the transform will update during the process.
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Align Cloud to CAD. A single click method to align a point cloud to a CAD model. With relatively complete coverage and no extra data beyond the part, its as easy as that to align. If you don't get the alignment you hoped, you can use the N-point alignment option to refine the fit using seed points. For more details refer to Cloud to CAD.
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Frame to Frame. Transform an instrument from a one frame to another. User will be prompted to select a source frame, a destination frame and an instrument to move.
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Minimizing Relationships. Instruments can be located by Minimizing Relationships. This is an advanced option to optimize your alignment. It helps equalize any misalignment by using multiple relationships at once all with custom weighting and constraint options.
The following less frequently used alignments also offered here include:
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Quick Align Point Clouds to CAD. This original quick align clouds to CAD command follows the same 6 point requirement for alignment as the points operation. The new Cloud to CAD command offers more flexibility.
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3-2-1 Coordinate Components. A 3-2-1 fit consists of a locator point for the origin, line/vector for one axis and plane for the second axis. The Plane, Line, Point Transformation dialog allows control over the axis for the plane and line/vector. The user may also specify an alternate coordinate for the locator point. Once the transformation is accepted the instrument will be transformed with respect to the active frame.
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Frame Wizard. Frame Wizard provides a flexible way to select points or objects to define the origin and axis directions of a new frame. Once that frame is built and you accept it, the transformation from the current frame location to the active frame is performed. The Frame Wizard relationship now offered through the Features tab is now the recommended approach for this alignment.
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Nominal Geometry Relationships. Many geometry relationships are point reducible such as the center of a circle or a sphere. This option allows you to choose a selection of geometry relationships and best fit their center points.
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RPS. The Reference Point System (RPS) Alignment, added and popularized in the automotive industry this alignment option provides a means to use a set of point reducible features as well as surface points to achieve an Alignment. It provides individual point control over weighting and component influences.
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Align Cloud to Mesh. A quick and easy method to align to a CAD model. Simply click the model where the points will roughly be measured. A minimum of six points are needed to align to a CAD model. Red dots are used to guide the user where to measure. During the selection of the surface points the current view is saved. As measurements progress the views update.