Scanning + Probed Points in Same Session

[GoBeavs]

I very rarely use my hard probes of my Romer Arm and rely on my V5 Scanner.  I have a case that I would like to use a combination of scanning and probed points but I do not know that best strategy.  I am trying to scan a Briggs and Stratton engine to make sure it will fit in a go cart.  I need the overall shape + the mounting holes all in one session.  I would like to probe the holes so that I can use it in my alignment as well as to get dimensional data from the hole pattern.  Can someone advise me on how I should proceed?  Should I be scanning in IMInspect?

Here is a similar pic of the engine:



Here is a scanned pic of the first try when I realized I would not be able to get accurate info on the holes:



Thanks in advance.

[admsteck]

One option would be to do all your work in IMInspect.  The downside to that is if you need to create a polygonal model, it is not very easy to get the scan data from IMInspect into IMMerge.  Luckily, as long as you don't move the part or the arm, you can scan the part in IMAlign, convert to polygonal if you like, and then import the scan into IMInspect where you can probe the holes.  Just don't move anything until you have the part scanned and the holes measured.

[prehistory]

I would scan in IMAlign, since, as admsteck pointed out, it is tedious to bring your scans from IMInspect to IMAlign for later meshing.  What I generally do is start in IMInspect, probe what I need to, SAVE THE IMINSPECT PROJECT, as- say- "Feature Probing", then open IMAlign and do my scanning there.  Since the setup position info is saved across modules "shared transformation matrix", your probed features and scanned data will be in the same position.  You can import the IMAlign project into IMInspect after a little while just to check and make sure everything overlays.  If you best-fit in IMAlign, just make sure to lock your first scan every time, to prevent your entire set of scans from drifting away from the probing data position.

When you are ready to move, SAVE the IMAlign project "Scan_aligned", e.g., and return to IMInspect.  In V11, you'll be doing a Device Move.  You can use your probe to probe a few known features or targets, then move the arm or part and probe them again.  The points will automatch and you will be set to go in Position 2!  SAVE THE IMINSPECT PROJECT again, since the position info doesn't get shared until saving.  Then return to IMAlign and continue scanning.