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CAMS PC VIDEO POSTPROCESSOR Reference Manual Version 3 Modification 02 Copyright (C) 1993 by Computer Geometry Co. March 20, 1993 Computer Geometry Co. 26624 Whispering Leaves Newhall, CA 91321 (805) 252-4938 MARCH 20, 1993 PC VIDEO Postprocessor Reference Manual VIDEOPP comes with no warranties, expressed or implied, of any kind; it is available as-is. Computer Geometry Company would like to be informed of any problems that users of the program encounter, but makes no promise or guarantee that such problems will be fixed. In no event will Computer Geometry Company be liable for any damages, including any lost profits, lost savings, failure to perform, or other incidental or consequential damages arising out of the use, or inability to use, the VIDEOPP program, even if Computer Geometry has been advised of the possibility of such damages, or for any claim by any other party. Disclaimer Page 2 MARCH 20, 1993 PC VIDEO Postprocessor Reference Manual 1.0 INTRODUCTION The CAMS VIDEO postprocessor (VIDEOPP) is designed for use with the IBM PC/XT, PC/AT and compatibles. It will produce a PC display screen sized plot of the cutter path as calculated by CAMS. VIDEOPP supports CGA, EGA and VGA compatible display devices. Certain guiding principles are established which govern postprocessor behavior. These are stated in this introduction to give the user as clear an understanding as possible of the program's behavior patterns. The postprocessor uses the entire PC display screen, producing a 7 1/2 x 10 plot showing part or all of the cutter path generated by CAMS1 and CAMS2. Execution of VIDEOPP is broken into four distinct phases, each of which is associated with a distinctive display screen. The first of these is the identification screen. It contains the postprocessor identification. After displaying this screen, VIDEOPP waits for you to press the "Enter" key to begin plotting. Pressing Ctrl-C at this time will permit you to abort execution of the postprocessor. The second screen is the plot. The plotting region consumes the entire PC display screen, producing a plot of approximately 7 1/2 x 10 inches. This is called the plotting window. The default X axis is parallel to the long dimension of the screen. The cutter path you wish to examine must be transformed, using a CAMS matrix, in such a way as to show in the plotting window to its best advantage. After the entire CL path has been plotted on the PC display, VIDEOPP waits, retaining the completed plot on the screen, until you press the "Enter" key. At that time, the final screen is displayed. This re-iterates the postprocessor's identity, and displays pertinent information about the plot, including recommendations for plotting transformations which may improve the cutter path display. At the end of this display, you are given the opportunity to replot the CL file. Should you opt not to proceed, the VIDEOPP process terminates. Should you opt to replot the CL file, the fourth screen allows you to define... 1. The coordinates of the point to be moved to the window center. 2. The plot scale. 3. The XY rotation angle for the plot. 4. The YZ rotation angle for the plot. 5. The ZX rotation angle for the plot. 6. The ISN range to be plotted 7. Establish single step operation with plot color control. Chapter 1. Introduction Page 3 MARCH 20, 1993 PC VIDEO Postprocessor Reference Manual Upon verifying these parameters, a new plotting matrix is calculated and the CL file is replotted. Upon reaching the third screen again, the new plotting matrix is displayed, and you are once again asked if you want to replot. (Note, if you have trouble with matrices, do a "Shift/PrtSc" and print this screen. You can use the matrix in subsequent PLT/ statements for later plotting to a pen-plotter.) If the coordinate origin is within the plotting window, a coordinate axis logo will be plotted in the window. This logo is rotated, translated, and scaled with the cutter path. It serves to visually inform you of the plot axis relationships. A sample part program may be found in appendix A. Chapter 1. Introduction Page 4 MARCH 20, 1993 PC VIDEO Postprocessor Reference Manual 2.0 VOCABULARY The VIDEO postprocessor vocabulary is used to control the actions of the postprocessor. Only a very minimum of vocabulary is required. Only the PLT/ statement is unique to the VIDEO postprocessor. All other vocabulary words are unchanged from the way they are used by the machine postprocessor for which the part program is being generated. What follows is a complete list of all of the CAMS vocabulary words recognized by the postprocessor, together with a description of how these words (and statements) are interpreted by the program. 2.01 CYC/<parameters> The CYC/ command is used to control certain of the built-in machining cycles available in the NC controller, e.g. drilling, step-drilling, boring, and tapping. When using these built-in cycles, the part programmer merely specifies a list of points at which the cycle is to be applied. The VIDEO postprocessor will plot a special symbol at each of the listed points at which the cycle applies. What follows is a list of the plot symbols used for each cycle type... CYC/DRL,<parameters> CYC/PEK,<parameters> CYC/BOR,<parameters> CYC/TAP,<parameters> CYC/CBOR,<parameters> All other cycle types are ignored by the postprocessor except for the CYC/OFF statement, which terminates the generation of symbols at the cycle points. Chapter 2. Vocabulary Page 5 MARCH 20, 1993 PC VIDEO Postprocessor Reference Manual 2.02 FROM/<point> The FROM/ point is used to establish an origin for the machine control data. The FROM/ statement tells the postprocessor that the plot begins at the FROM/ point. It will move to this position with the pen up. 2.03 MCH/<n> The MCH/ statement is used to both select the VIDEOPP postprocessor and to determine the type of display to be used. CGA (Composite Graphics Adapter), EGA (Enhanced Graphics Adapter) and VGA (Video Graphics Array) display devices are supported. The numeric value <n> establishes the plotting mode as follows... n = 0 ..... CGA 640x200 resolution monochrome plot. n = 1 ..... CGA 320x200 resolution color plot. n = 2 ..... EGA 640x350 resolution monochrome plot. n = 3 ..... EGA 640x200 resolution color plot. n = 4 ..... VGA 640x480 resolution color plot. If the MCH/ statement is omitted from the part program, the VIDEOPP postprocessor will attemp to determine the best resolution display possible on your equipment and use it. Note that EGA displays may use all modes less than 4, whereas a CGA display may only be used with n=0 or n=1. All modes listed may be used on a VGA device. The higher resolutions produce finer screen plots. The color plots, while of coarser resolution, can sometimes improve the differentiation between closely spaced tool paths. Obviously, the EGA compatible devices will produce visibly better plots than will the CGA compatible displays, and the VGA compatible devices will produce the best looking plots of all. WARNING: If you do not have a display/controller for EGA (or VGA), then attempting to plot in EGA (or VGA) mode will cause strange things to happen on your screen. You may need to perform a reset (Ctrl-Alt-Del) to clear it up. The same thing can happen if you let the internal algorithm decide what the display resolution should be - and it fails to do so correctly. 2.04 PNO/<alphanumerics> The PNO/ command must be the first record on the CL file. Chapter 2. Vocabulary Page 6 MARCH 20, 1993 PC VIDEO Postprocessor Reference Manual It is used to establish the plot identifior, and is reproduced in the plot's final screen. To improve the recognition of the plot's content, it is recommended that the alphanumerics contain the part number, a descriptive title (usually taken from the blue-print title), and the date of program processing. Chapter 2. Vocabulary Page 7 MARCH 20, 1993 PC VIDEO Postprocessor Reference Manual 2.05 PLT/ ON <matrix> <n> OFF The PLT/ command (Postprocessor PLOT) is used to 1) enter the plotting transformation, 2) enter the pen (color) number, and/or 3) temporarily or permanently terminate plotting activity. If a numeric value appears as the only parameter in the PLT/ statement, that number, modulo 5 for CGA displays (modulo 8 for EGA displays), will be used as the VIDEO pen number. Using modulo 5 (or modulo 8) insures that the following relationships hold... 0 <= <n> <= 4 for CGA compatible color plots. 0 <= <n> <= 7 for EGA or VGA compatible color plots. Of course, pen numbers will be ignored when using the monochrome plotting options. If <n> modulo 5 (or 8) = 0 the color selected becomes the background color, and the remainder of the plot is immediately rendered invisible. If a PLT/ statement with a matrix is omitted from the part program, then the most recently defined matrix definition will be used. (The default matrix is a unit matrix, i.e. no translation or rotation applied.) Each plot is controlled by a transformation matrix of your choosing. You must enter the symbol for a pre-defined matrix into the PLT/ statement. Using transformation matrices, you may view a cutter path from any perspective. Any matrix archtype, or combination of archtypes, may be used. This includes translation, rotation and scale. To turn plotting off, use the statement "PLT/OFF". To resume plotting, use the statement "PLT/ON". You may also resume plotting with a "PLT/<n>" or a "PLT/<matrix> statement. If the new value for <n> is different than the preceeding <n> value, a color change will take place before the plotting resumes. In any case, if "PLT/<matrix>" is not used, the previous transformation applies. The default plot origin is at the center of the plotting sheet. The default plot scale is at full scale (1:1) in the XY plane. Using these defaults, the lower left hand corner of the plot is at coordinates [-3.5,-4.45], the upper right hand corner at [3.5,4.45]. If the CL file that you wish to plot exceeds these dimensions, then it will be necessary to provide an appropriate plotting transformation to bring the entire cutter path into the plotting window. Chapter 2. Vocabulary Page 8 MARCH 20, 1993 PC VIDEO Postprocessor Reference Manual 2.06 RPD The RPD command (RaPiD traverse) is used to inform the postprocessor that the next upcoming move is to be done at high speed for the machine tool. RPD is one-shot; that is to say, it provides a one-move override to the prevailing (modal) feedrate. Once the single move is completed, feedrate control is resumed. The VIDEO postprocessor displays rapid motion as dashed lines. Therefore, each RPD statement turns on the dashed line generator for exactly one motion. After the motion is completed, solid lines are generated to signify motion at feedrate. Chapter 2. Vocabulary Page 9 MARCH 20, 1993 PC VIDEO Postprocessor Reference Manual 3.0 EXECUTING THE POSTPROCESSOR The postprocessor is invoked from the command line by simply entering its name and the filename of the CL data file. An example of how the PC's screen will look before execution of the plotting phase is as follows.... C>VIDEOPP THINGMJ.CLF ======================================== CAMS Post Processor IBM PC & COMPATIBLES Version 3, Modification 00 Copyright 1987 by Computer Geometry Co. All Rights Reserved ======================================== Date: 26-Dec-87 **** Press ENTER to begin plotting **** Once you have pressed the "Enter" key, the CL plot will be displayed. WARNING: STRANGE THINGS HAPPEN TO YOUR SCREEN IF YOU USE THE EGA PLOTTING OPTIONS ON A CGA DISPLAY, OR VGA OPTIONS ON LESSER RESOLUTION DEVICES. This usually happens to part programs that may have been downloaded to a CGA equiped system from a system having an some other display. DON'T PANIC! An escape valve has been included which will restore your display. USE THE "Esc" KEY. This should restore your display, and abort the VIDEOPP processor. If the "Esc" key fails, the only way out is to re- initialize DOS (using "Ctrl/Shift/Del"). Then you must edit the CAMS source part program to put in the proper MCH/<n> statement, where <n> is appropriate for you display device. The plotting action may be stopped at any time by pressing the space-bar. You can single-step through the plot by continued pressing of the space-bar key. Continuous plotting may be resumed by pressing any key other than the space-bar. Once you are in single step mode, you can clear the screen by entering the character "C" (either upper or lower case). This is useful if previously plotted tool paths obstruct your view of the current motion. If you have established a color plot in your part program by an appropriate "MCH/..." statement, and you are in single step operation, then you can also control the plot color by using the numeric keys. For CGA color mode, numeric keys 1, 2, and 3 are active. For EGA or VGA color mode, numeric keys 1 thru 7 are active. Should you be in one of the black and white modes, the Chapter 3. Executing The Postprocessor Page 10 MARCH 20, 1993 PC VIDEO Postprocessor Reference Manual numeric keys are ignored. Note that if a "MCH/..." statement is omitted, the default is CGA black and white mode. With a successful operation, the CL plot will remain on the screen until you press "Enter" again, at which time the following screen will be displayed... ======================================== CAMS Post Processor IBM PC & COMPATIBLES 640x200 CGA B&W Monitor Version 3, Modification 00 Copyright 1987 by Computer Geometry Co. All Rights Reserved ======================================== Date: 26-Dec-87 PNO/ CAMS TEST CASE #1 - THINGAMAJIG - 12/17/86 RECOMMENDED TRANSLATION: .37500 2.22500 -.41250 RECOMMENDED SCALE [X,Y,Z]: 1.22759 1.57303 1.00000 LOWER LEFT CORNER: -4.00000 -4.45000 -.05000 UPPER RIGHT CORNER: 3.25000 .00000 .87500 **** 0 ERRORS **** [Y/N] PLOT AGAIN? After all cut vectors in the CL file have been processed, the postprocessor will print the recommended plot parameters on the screen. These parameters may be used to maximize the use of the plotting window to display the CL data. The translation represents the X, Y, and Z translation factors to move the center of the plot into the center of the plotting window. The scale factors in X and Y will work with the translation to utilize the full window area for plotting. Using the example portrayed above, the following CAMS statements will produce an optimum plot of the CL file... MAT/M1=TRN,0.375,2.225,-.4125 MAT/M2=SCL,1.2,M1 PLT/M2 A word of caution about the use of these parameters is in order. The postprocessor computes the parameters of the plot from ALL of the motions in the CL file. On some machines, the tool changer is far away from the workpiece area. The tool change position would be included in the plotting window. In this case, using the parameters may not produce as good a result as you would get Chapter 3. Executing The Postprocessor Page 11 MARCH 20, 1993 PC VIDEO Postprocessor Reference Manual by leaving the tool change position off-window. This screen terminates in a request line which permits you to generate further plots from the CL file. Only a "Y" or a "y" (upper or lower case Y) will permit you to continue plotting. Should you enter anything else, the postprocessor will terminate and return to DOS. If you chose to continue by entering a "Y", a new message appears at the bottom of the screen as follows... [Y/N] SAME? Responding with an "Enter", "Y", or "y" will produce an immediate replot of the CL file without changing the currently effective parameters. Should you press any other key, the screen clears to the following display: =========== VIDEOPP =========== EDIT PLOT PARAMETERS =============================== PLOT CENTER X = .00000 ? This line shows the X coordinate of the current default plot center. The plot center is defined to be a point in your CL file space that you want centered in the plotting window. At this entry, only two responses are recognized; an "Enter", which indicates acceptance of the value displayed, or a numeric value followed by an "Enter", which will replace the value displayed. Should you key anything else, the request line will be stubbornly reiterated until a satisfactory response is entered. In any case, when "Enter" is keyed, with or without a replacement number, the program requests the next entry. =========== VIDEOPP =========== EDIT PLOT PARAMETERS =============================== PLOT CENTER X = .00000 ? -.4 PLOT CENTER Y = .00000 ? Immediately after entering the plot center X coordinate, the request for the plot center Y coordinate appears on the screen. The rules for entry are the same as for the X coordinate. This entry pattern continues until you have entered or accepted coordinates for the 3 dimensional plot center, as follows... Chapter 3. Executing The Postprocessor Page 12 MARCH 20, 1993 PC VIDEO Postprocessor Reference Manual =========== VIDEOPP =========== EDIT PLOT PARAMETERS =============================== PLOT CENTER X = .00000 ? -.4 PLOT CENTER Y = .00000 ? -2.2 PLOT CENTER Z = .00000 ? .4 PLOT SCALE = 1.00000 ? The request for the plot scale appears on the screen after the plot center point is completely entered. The plot scale is defined as a positive number greater than 0.001. Values less than or equal to 0.001, including negative entries, are not acceptable. As before, the default scale value is displayed, and the rules for accepting or rejecting the default value are the same as with the plot center coordinates. The next parameters to accept or enter are the XY rotation, the YZ rotation, and the ZX rotation to be applied to the CL data. These rotations are taken about the plot center, and at the scale specified by the above inputs. The same rules of data entry apply. Completion of the plot rotation input sequence produces a screen that looks like ... =========== VIDEOPP =========== EDIT PLOT PARAMETERS =============================== PLOT CENTER X = .00000 ? -.4 PLOT CENTER Y = .00000 ? -2.2 PLOT CENTER Z = .00000 ? .4 PLOT SCALE = 1.00000 ? XY ROTATION = .00000 ? 20 YZ ROTATION = .00000 ? 30 ZX ROTATION = .00000 ? MINIMUM ISN = 1.00000 ? You now must specify the range of ISN numbers to be plotted in the next frame. The default value always specifies the minimum ISN of the part program, as it appears on the CL file. The program will only accept those values for minimum ISN that lie between the actual minimum and maximum ISN numbers on the CL file.After the minimum ISN is entered, the program will request the maximum ISN, whose default is the maximum actual ISN number detected on the CL file. Again, the same rules of data entry apply. Completion of the input sequence produces a screen that looks like ... Chapter 3. Executing The Postprocessor Page 13 MARCH 20, 1993 PC VIDEO Postprocessor Reference Manual =========== VIDEOPP =========== EDIT PLOT PARAMETERS =============================== PLOT CENTER X = .00000 ? -.4 PLOT CENTER Y = .00000 ? -2.2 PLOT CENTER Z = .00000 ? .4 PLOT SCALE = 1.00000 ? XY ROTATION = .00000 ? 20 YZ ROTATION = .00000 ? 30 ZX ROTATION = .00000 ? MINIMUM ISN = 1.00000 ? MAXIMUM ISN = 40.00000 ? INPUT VERIFICATION: PLOT CENTER = -.40000 -2.20000 .40000 PLOT SCALE = 1.00000 XY ROTATION = 20.00000 ZX ROTATION = 30.00000 YZ ROTATION = .00000 MINIMUM ISN = 1 MAXIMUM ISN = 40 [Y/N] OK? y [Y/N] SINGLE STEP? As you can see, the system produces a verification list of the data you have either entered or accepted, and gives you the opportunity to edit these parameters before proceeding by entering a "N". Pressing a "Y" or "Enter" key will bring the single step option on-screen, as shown above. Pressing a "Y" or "y" key will immediately produce the modified CL plot. Pressing any other key is interpreted as a "N" response. In either case, the system will then immediately begin the plotting session. After the new plot has completed, you will then see the following screen... Chapter 3. Executing The Postprocessor Page 14 MARCH 20, 1993 PC VIDEO Postprocessor Reference Manual ======================================== CAMS Post Processor IBM PC & COMPATIBLES 640x200 CGA B&W Monitor Version 3, Modification 00 Copyright 1987 by Computer Geometry Co. All Rights Reserved ======================================== Date: 26-Dec-87 MANUAL INPUT PLOT MATRIX: .93969 -.34202 .00000 -.37657 .29620 .81380 .50000 1.70883 -.17101 -.46985 .86603 -1.44848 PNO/ CAMS TEST CASE #1 - THINGAMAJIG - 12/17/86 RECOMMENDED TRANSLATION: .37500 2.22500 -.41250 RECOMMENDED SCALE [X,Y,Z]: 1.22759 1.57303 1.00000 LOWER LEFT CORNER: -4.00000 -4.45000 -.05000 UPPER RIGHT CORNER: 3.25000 .00000 .87500 **** 0 ERRORS **** [Y/N] PLOT AGAIN? Notice that this screen shows the calculated plotting matrix for the view of the CL data you have just seen. The matrix may be recorded (preferably by using the "Shift/PrtSc" key combination to send it to the printer) and entered into the CAMS source part program. It is particularly useful if you wish to plot the generated view later on a pen-plotter. A word about the relationship between the coordinates of the plot center and the translation factors as shown in the recommended plot parameters. The one is the negative of the other. The translations factors are the values which, when added to the coordinates of any point in the CL file (e.g. the plot center) will produce a point in the display space. In particular, when they are added to the plot center, the result is the point [0,0,0]. Therefore, if you enter the negative of the translation factors when asked for the plot center, you will produce a plot at the geometric center of all motions on the CL file. COMMAND LINE PARAMETERS In addition to the plotter controls provided for in the CAMS part program, you can also control the VIDEOPP plot parameters at execution time. In fact, you can do this even if there are no plotter control statements in the part program at all. This is accomplished by entering control parameters on the command line. Chapter 3. Executing The Postprocessor Page 15 MARCH 20, 1993 PC VIDEO Postprocessor Reference Manual In this manner, you can control the way in which the first plot of the cutter path is displayed. Subsequent displays are then conrolled as described above. The following section provides a detailed description of each of the supported parameters, their use and meaning. /MNm The "/MN" parameter permits you to specify the minimum part program ISN number to be plotted. The value "m" must be an integer in the range 1 < m < 32768. In the absence of a "/MXn" parameter on the command line, the postprocessor will not plot CL data generated by part program statements with an ISN number smaller than "m". If an "/MXn" parameter is also present on the command line, then the range of ISN numbers from "m" to "n" will be plotted. "m" must be strictly less than "n". The default value of "m" is 1. /MXn The "/MX" parameter permits you to specify the maximum part program ISN number to be plotted. The value "n" must be an integer in the range 1 < n < 32768. In the absence of a "/MNm" parameter on the command line, the postprocessor will not plot CL data generated by part program statements with an ISN number greater than [n]. If an "/MNm" parameter is also present on the command line, then the range of ISN numbers from "m" to "n" will be plotted. "n" must be strictly greater than "m". The default value of "n" is 32767. /SCs.s The "/SC" parameter permits you to set the plot scale. The decimal point in the parameter value is NOT optional. Failure to include it will produce an incorrect plot. If present in the command line, all plotting transformations established by "PPLOT/" statements in the CAMS part program will be completely ignored. It can be used in conjunction with any of the other transformation parameters on the command line to form a composite transformation to control the plot. The default scale value is "s.s" = 1.0. /SXx.x The "/SX" parameter permits you to set the plot scale for X values in the CL file independent of the other axes. This results in a distortion of the part display, but can be usefull for parts that are long in the X dimension. The decimal point in the parameter value is NOT optional. Failure to include it will produce an incorrect plot. If present in the command line, all plotting transformations established by "PPLOT/" statements in the CAMS part program will be completely ignored. It can be used in conjunction with any of the other transformation parameters on the command line to form a composite transformation that will control the plot. The default X scale value is "x.x" = 1.0. /SZz.z The "/SZ" parameter permits you to set the plot scale Chapter 3. Executing The Postprocessor Page 16 MARCH 20, 1993 PC VIDEO Postprocessor Reference Manual for Z values in the CL file independent of the other axes. This results in a distortion of the part display, but can be usefull for parts that are long in the Z dimension. The decimal point in the parameter value is NOT optional. Failure to include it will produce an incorrect plot. If present in the command line, all plotting transformations established by "PPLOT/" statements in the CAMS part program will be completely ignored. It can be used in conjunction with any of the other transformation parameters on the command line to form a composite transformation that will control the plot. The default Z scale value is "z.z" = 1.0. /PXx.x The "/PX" parameter permits you to set the CL file x coordinate which you want to be at the center of the plotting frame. The decimal point in the parameter value is NOT optional. Failure to include it will produce an incorrect plot. In this manner, you can establish a translation in x for the current plot. If present in the command line, all plot transformations established by "PPLOT/" statements in the CAMS part program will be completely ignored. It can be used in conjunction with any of the other transformation parameters on the command line to form a composite transformation to control the plot. The default /PX value is "x.x" = 0.0. /PYy.y The "/PY" parameter permits you to set the CL file y coordinate which you want to be at the center of the plotting frame. The decimal point in the parameter value is NOT optional. Failure to include it will produce an incorrect plot. In this manner, you can establish a translation in y for the current plot. If present in the command line, all plot transformations established by "PPLOT/" statements in the CAMS part program will be completely ignored. It can be used in conjunction with any of the other transformation parameters on the command line to form a composite transformation to control the plot. The default /PY value is "y.y" = 0.0. /PZz.z The "/PZ" parameter permits you to set the CL file z coordinate which you want to be at the center of the plotting frame. The decimal point in the parameter value is NOT optional. Failure to include it will produce an incorrect plot. In this manner, you can establish a translation in z for the current plot. If present in the command line, all plot transformations established by "PPLOT/" statements in the CAMS part program will be completely ignored. It can be used in conjunction with any of the other transformation parameters on the command line to form a composite transformation to control the plot. The default /PZ value is "z.z" = 0.0. Chapter 3. Executing The Postprocessor Page 17 MARCH 20, 1993 PC VIDEO Postprocessor Reference Manual /XYr.r The "/XY" parameter permits you to establish an XY rotation of the plotting frame about the plot center as defined by the "/PX", "/PY" and "/PZ" parameters. The decimal point in the parameter value is NOT optional. Failure to include it will produce an incorrect plot. If present in the command line, all plot transformations established by "PPLOT/" statements in the CAMS part program will be completely ignored. It can be used in conjunction with any of the other transformation parameters on the command line to form a composite transformation to control the plot. The default XY rotation value is "r.r" = 0.0. /YZr.r The "/YZ" parameter permits you to establish a YZ rotation of the plotting frame about the plot center as defined by the "/PX", "/PY" and "/PZ" parameters. The decimal point in the parameter value is NOT optional. Failure to include it will produce an incorrect plot. If present in the command line, all plot transformations established by "PPLOT/" statements in the CAMS part program will be completely ignored. It can be used in conjunction with any of the other transformation parameters on the command line to form a composite transformation to control the plot. The default YZ rotation value is "r.r" = 0.0. /ZXr.r The "/ZX" parameter permits you to establish a ZX rotation of the plotting frame about the plot center as defined by the "/PX", "/PY" and "/PZ" parameters. The decimal point in the parameter value is NOT optional. Failure to include it will produce an incorrect plot. If present in the command line, all plot transformations established by "PPLOT/" statements in the CAMS part program will be completely ignored. It can be used in conjunction with any of the other transformation parameters on the command line to form a composite transformation to control the plot. The default ZX rotation value is "r.r" = 0.0. The easiest way to develop a useful plot from a CL file in which there are no plotter control statements is to run the postprocessor once to establish the recommended plot parameters. Then, observing the final screen (see above), the optimum plot center is the NEGATIVE of the translation factors in X, Y, and Z. Enter the NEGATIVE of each of these as /PX, /PY, and /PZ parameters. Then observe the recommended scale factors in X, Y, and Z. In general, you would be advised to use the SMALLEST of these as /SC. From the example shown above, the following command line entry would produce a satisfactory plot. A>VIDEOPP THINGMJ.CLF /PX-.375 /PY-2.225 /PZ.4125 /SC1.0 Chapter 3. Executing The Postprocessor Page 18 MARCH 20, 1993 PC VIDEO Postprocessor Reference Manual After that, anything goes. Remember, spaces are significant, they are used to separate the parameters. Do not try to separate the number from the text for each parameter. Notice also that the extent [.CLD] is understood, if it is omitted from the file specification. However, if you forget to enter the file specification, the program will prompt you for it. If you make a mistake in entering a parameter, the postprocessor will produce an error diagnostic, then wait for your action. You must either enter a "Ctrl-C" or "Enter" from the keyboard to continue. The message looks as follows... C>VIDEOPP THINGMJ.CLF /mn55 ILLEGAL OPTION: "/mn55" Ctrl-C to abort; Enter to continue. All control parameters must be in upper case characters. The above error is due to the lower case option. Chapter 3. Executing The Postprocessor Page 19 MARCH 20, 1993 PC VIDEO Postprocessor Reference Manual 4.0 ERROR MESSAGES The postprocessor will ignore part program statements whose major words are not in it's vocabulary. However, if the statement's major word is in the postprocessor vocabulary, a syntax check of the CL record will take place. Those statements not formulated as described above will not be properly processed, and an error message will be generated. Upon discovering an erroneous input, the postprocessor will produce one of several messages. These messages will provide useful clues as to the source of the error. A list of the messages and their meanings follows... ** CL FILE READ FAILED The postprocessor encounterd a read failure on the CL file, possibly caused by faulty disk media. ** CYCLE PARAMETERS MISSING The cycle statement does not contain a cycle type (e.g. DRL,TAP). Check the section in chapter two on CYC/. ** LINEAR MOTION ERROR This error occurs when the CL file is improperly formatted for linear motion. Please contact Computer Geometry if this error is encountered. ** PLT/ PARAMETER ERROR The VIDEO postprocessor is unable to interpret the plotting parameters as either the canonical form of a matrix, a pen number, or the minor words ON or OFF. Chapter 4. Error Messages Page 20 MARCH 20, 1993 PC VIDEO Postprocessor Reference Manual 4.0 SAMPLE PART PROGRAM To illustrate the use of the VIDEO postprocessor, the same sample part used in the CAMS Part Programmer's Manual will be augmented with plotting parameters and plotted. The sketch and text of the part program are reproduced herein for your convenience. Appendix A Sample Part Program Page 21 MARCH 20, 1993 PC VIDEO Postprocessor Reference Manual ======================================== C A M S Section 1 Version 3, Mod 00 Copyright 1987 by Computer Geometry Co. All Rights Reserved ======================================== Date: 20-Mar-93 Source File: THINGMJ.NC 1 PNO/ CAMS TEST CASE #1 - THINGAMAJIG - 12/17/86 2 MCH/1 3 MAT/M1=TRN,0.0,2.0,0.0 4 PLT/M1 5 #/S0=185 6 #/R1=.25 7 #/Z1=.625+.25 8 #/Z2=-.05 9 #/Y0=1.725-.4+2 10 #/X0=3 11 PLN/Q1=0,0,1,Z2 12 LIN/L1=0,-Y0,1,-Y0 13 LIN/L2=-X0,0,-X0,1 14 LIN/L3=-X0,2-Y0,COS(15)-X0,SIN(15)+2-Y0 15 LIN/L4=PARL,L1,YL,1.725 16 LIN/L5=PARL,L2,XL,6 17 CIR/C1=0,0,2 18 REM/ ** COMPUTE SPINDLE RPM (S1) SUCH THAT 100 <= S1 <= 4000 19 #/S1=MAX(100:MIN(4000:(S0*12/(3.1416*R1*2)))) 20 REM/ ** COMPUTE FEEDRATE; .004 PER EDGE FOR 2 FLUTE CUTTER 21 #/F1=.004*S1*2 22 PRT/S1,F1 S1 2104 1413.29300 F1 2104 11.30634 23 FROM/P255=-(X0+1),-(Y0+1.125),Z1 24 FED/F1 25 CUTR/2*R1 26 RPD 27 PS/Q1 28 GO/TO,L2,TO,L1 29 GO/PAST,L3,TO,L2 30 GO/PAST,C1,TO,L3 31 REM/ *** GEOMETRY TO COMPUTE ARC END ANGLE USING A CIRCLE 32 CIR/C100=YL,L4,XL,IN,C1,R1 33 ARC/.003,CCW,CTR,C100,IN,C1 34 GO/PAST,L5,TO,L4 35 GO/PAST,L1,TO,L5 36 GO/PAST,L2,TO,L1 37 RPD 38 GTO/P255 Appendix A Sample Part Program Page 22 MARCH 20, 1993 PC VIDEO Postprocessor Reference Manual 39 PRT/ALL M1 041A 1.00000 .00000 .00000 .00000 .00000 1.00000 .00000 2.00000 .00000 .00000 1.00000 .00000 S0 2104 185.00000 R1 2104 .25000 Z1 2104 .87500 Z2 2104 -.05000 Y0 2104 3.32500 X0 2104 3.00000 Q1 010A .00000 .00000 1.00000 -.05000 L1 010A .00000 -1.00000 .00000 3.32500 L2 010A 1.00000 .00000 .00000 -3.00000 L3 010A .25882 -.96593 .00000 .50339 L4 010A .00000 -1.00000 .00000 1.60000 L5 010A 1.00000 .00000 .00000 3.00000 C1 0210 .00000 .00000 .00000 .00000 .00000 1.00000 2.00000 S1 2104 1413.29300 F1 2104 11.30634 P255 0008 -4.00000 -4.45000 .87500 C100 0210 1.11355 -1.35000 .00000 .00000 .00000 1.00000 .25000 40 FIN **** 0 ERRORS **** 0 Only three additional statements were required to obtain the sample plot. These are... : 2 MCH/1 3 MAT/M1=TRN,0.0,2.0,0.0 4 PLT/M1 : The MCH/1 invokes the postprocessor and establishes that the plot is to be a CGA 320x200 color plot. Note, however, that since no pen numbers are requested in the PLT/ statements, the plot will still be white on black, since white is the default pen color. The matrix definition in statement number five establishes a 2.000 inch transformation up in Y. This serves to more centrally locate the cutter path in the plotting window, but does not lose the axis logo off the window. The PLT/M1 statement (statement number 4) informs the VIDEO postprocessor to begin plotting, and provides the transformation necessary to move the cutter path into the plotting window. Appendix A Sample Part Program Page 23