XML files containing nominal points and coordinates can be imported into an SA file. At a later time, measured point data can be merged back into the XML file, which will associate the actual coordinates with the nominal coordinates. The nominal points will be imported into a group matching the name of the XML file.
The format of the XML file should have the standard XML format, such as the introductory tag:
<?xml version=”1.0” encoding=”UTF-8” ?>
Following this, an enclosing group may contain one or more <POINT> elements, containing a NAME attribute and a child <NOMINAL> element which itself contains X, Y, and Z attributes. For example:
<?xml version=”1.0” encoding=”UTF-8” ?> <left> <POINT NAME=”Center1>; <NOMINAL X=”1.000” Y=”4.000” Z=”7.000” /> </POINT> <POINT NAME=”Center2”> <NOMINAL X=”3.000” Y=”6.000” Z=”9.000” /> </POINT> </left>
Once measured data has been obtained, the measured point names are matched up with the nominal names in the XML file, and an <ACTUAL>; element is added as a child of each matching <POINT> element. This <ACTUAL> element contains X, Y, and Z attributes holding the measured coordinates. The above XML file might look like the following after merging measured data:
<xml version=”1.0” encoding=”UTF-8” ?> <left> <POINT NAME=”Center1”> <NOMINAL X=”1.000” Y=”4.000” Z=”7.000” /> <ACTUAL X=”1.002” Y=”3.996” Z=”7.003” /> </POINT> <POINT NAME=”Center2”> <NOMINAL X=”3.000” Y=”6.000” Z=”9.000” /> <ACTUAL X=”3.007” Y=”6.005” Z=”8.998” /> </POINT> </left>