Vision Circle Measure Tool

Circle Tool (Vision)

The Circle Tool detects the edges of a circle from the image in the Vision Image Window.

Shape and Function

The Circle Tool has the following components:




Edge Detection takes place between the inner circle and the outer circle. Enable the Noise Filtering option to ensure that edge detection is not affected by a noisy video signal or physical artifacts on the measured edges such as fuzz or other debris.


Scan Direction

The scan direction indicator shows the direction in which edge detection will proceed:



Scan In


Scan Out

The inward-pointing arrows indicate that edge detection will occur from the outside in (from the outer circle toward the inner circle)


The outward-pointing arrows indicate that edge detection will occur from the inside out (from the inner circle toward the outer circle)

Scan direction makes a difference when the edges in your image are not sharp and distinct (which can be due to a number of factors such as glare, shadow, camera focus, or video resolution). Set the Scan direction so that CMM-Manager encounters the edge first.

Moving the Circle Tool

The Circle Tool can be positioned anywhere within the Vision Image Window. The Reset Tool  command will restore the tool's position to CMM-Manager's default size and center of FOV position.

Step

Action

1

Place the mouse cursor anywhere inside the Circle Tool's outer circle.

The cursor changes to a pointing finger 

2

Drag the Circle Tool to its new position.

The inner circle should be inside the circle to be scanned, although exact centering is not necessary. Here's an example:


Note that the inner circle is inside the circle to be scanned, while the outer circle is outside.

3

Release the mouse button.

Resizing the Circle Tool

Resize the Circle Tool to fit the circles you are scanning. The Reset Tool  command will restore the tool's position to CMM-Manager's default size and center of FOV position.


Step

Action

1

Place the mouse cursor on top of a Circle Tool resize handle (the small red dots).

The cursor changes to resize arrows .

2

Drag the handle to its new position.

The selected circle changes its size as it follows the mouse cursor.

NOTE: You cannot resize the inner circle to be larger than the outer circle, and vice versa.

3

Release the mouse button.

Using the Circle Tool

Step

Action

1

Select the Circle Tool by selecting Vision Tab Tool Group Circle Tool in the Ribbon Bar. 

The Circle Tool indicator appears in the Vision image window.

2

Position the Circle Tool so that its inner circle lies inside the circle to be scanned.

See Moving the Circle Tool for more information.

3

Resize the Circle Tool so that its inner circle lies inside the circle to be scanned, and its outer circle is outside the edge of the circle to be scanned. Here's an example:



See Resizing the Circle Tool for more information.

4

Set the scan direction.

5

Verify the Edge Detection Polarity is appropriate for your selected scan direction.

6

Optional: Verify that your tool settings are correct for good edge detection by right-clicking inside the Circle Tool.

CMM-Manager performs a test edge detection. Any edge points found are colored pink in the display. If no points are found, a fly-by-box appears stating "No points detected."

If the Auto Replace Image Tool option in the Image Tool Settings / Preferences is enabled, the Circle Tool will be resized and repositioned automatically for the best edge detection.

7

Use the Measure Circle  tool to collect the edge points and create a circle feature.

See the Circle Tool Density field in the Image Tool Settings / Preferences  to permanently change the default number of edge points found by the Circle Tool.