Collecting Data with MousePoints

 

MousePoints™ is a framework for collecting points directly from your existing model data using the mouse cursor. MousePoints may be used independently or in conjunction with your digitizing device and is completely compatible with single point and scan point data collection methods. MousePoints provides an alternate method for adding points to a best-fit feature being created. You may select to use mouse points while you have an active digitizing device or you may choose to make MousePoints your sole method for data collection, allowing you to use RevWorks without having a digitizer connected at all.

There are some significant differences between collecting data with MousePoints and collecting data with a digitizer. Because you are not using a known probe to collect data with MousePoints, RevWorks cannot identify an offset direction for the data being selected. There is no way of knowing whether the data being selected has previously been offset to compensate for a ball probe. So anytime you add data to a feature using MousePoints offsetting is automatically turned off and the feature is created at ball center. You can always confirm the current status of feature offsetting by looking at the offset indicator on the RevWorks toolbar.

MousePoints are not processed by AlignmentManager. Points collected from the existing model with MousePoints are already transformed into part coordinates and do not need to be further transformed.

The points selected via MousePoints do not have to be actual point entities. You can also select feature end points, corners, circle centers and other model attributes that resolve to a single point.

To Collect Data Using MousePoints and an Active Digitizer

1. Select on the RevWorks toolbar, or select Collection Mode > MousePoints from the RevWorks menu in SOLIDWORKS.

depresses and the pointer icon turns green on the RevWorks toolbar and stays in the down position until you select it again to turn off MousePoints.

2. Select the feature you wish to create.

RevWorks connects to the active digitizer and the collection process starts.

3. Select a point entity or attribute with the mouse cursor.

RevWorks plays the MousePoints collection sound and the point data is added to the feature data.

To Collect Data Using MousePoints Standalone

1. Select MousePoints as the active device.

and  disappear from the toolbar. MousePoints is now the only method available for collecting data.

2. Select the feature you wish to create.

RevWorks starts the collection process.

3. Select the point entities or attributes you wish to use to create the feature.

RevWorks plays the MousePoints collection sound and the point data is added to the feature data.

4. Once you have collected sufficient data select  , or press the Return key, or if continuous mode is selected for the feature it will automatically complete once the maximum specified data has been collected.