DXF to KNA

Introduction

DXF2KNA.exe program converts layouts stored in the DXF file format and converts them to the KNA & CO's fileformat for the step and repeat machine. This program has a graphical interface that is used to examine and/or modify the layout data before it is stored in the step and repeat machine. The user has the option to examine each image and set parameters.

Requirements

The program has some simple requirements:

• The DXF file layout MUST place cross hair marks on the exact center of every image. Currently the program only searches for the cross hairs.
• The program must run on Windows95, Windows98, or Windows NT-4.0.

Operation

When the program is started, the opening screen appears as the one show above. The display has three major parts.

• Menu Bar. All functions are listed in the menu bar.
• Tool Bar. This is a short-cut to the more common functions. All of the tool bar functions are in the menu bar.
• Viewing area. This is where the drawing will appear (once loaded). The system starts up with a blank viewing area.

Table Settings

Setting the table size is done through the menu item "edit". The table setting is just for reference, the table size data is not stored in the KNA file. The default settings is a table 60 high and 40 wide with the orgin at the bottom center. There is no restrictions on the table size.

Global Offset

The global offset will shift all the images, by a constant amount. This is used to move the image onto the XY table. The default is no offset (offset of 0,0)

Zoom

The zoom function allows the operator expand or contract the screen in order to see the layout better. One can set the zoom values one of two ways.

1. The menu bar has a menu option to set the scale factor and X,Y offset.
2. While holding down the "shift" and "Ctrl" keys on the keyboard at the same time, and pushing the left button on the mouse, the program will zoom up at the location of the mouse. Also while holding down the "shift" and "Ctrl" and the right-button of the mouse, the program will zoom-out at the point of the mouse.
3. In the zoom menu, there is a reset button. This will force the scale to 1.0 and a zero offset.

Layout Route

Altering the layout route requires that the operator select two points (cross hairs). The flow will travel from the first point selected to the second.

To select a point:

• place the mouse on the desired cross hair.
• hold down the "shift" key on the keyboard and push the left mouse button.
• The cross hair should turn red if it is selected.
• If you hold down the "shift" key and push the left-mouse button while the mouse is not on any cross hairs, the program will clear all selected points.

Save Layout

The save option under the File menu

Known Problems

Here is a current list on known problems:

1. Can't set the starting point.
   Release 1.01 will have the capability to set the starting point.
2. Can't set skip, pause, etc values for a given image.
   The controls for those item are currently not installed. This first version is to get a feel for what is needed.