Hyper-reports again

[Matthew D. Hoedeman]

I have a question for those of you who DO use the hyper-report function of Pcdmis:

How long does it take you to make a hyper-report that will show (no matter how many pages it takes) a part with a 'complete' markup of check deviations? Ya know, the part data with the DIM WINDOWS showing the deviaiton of each and every point in the program. Do any of you use the hyper-report in this manner? What about to include the 'road-map' of the check points, again so you can see all of them, no matter how mant pages (cad data with FEATURE ID labels only).

So, how long for: 100 points, 200 points, 300 points, 50 points?

OR, do any of you use hyper report for this type of thing?

[craiger_ny]

I use Hyper report exclusively for set up instructions. It makes a good place for user controls that will set program variables based on operator inputs. To be honest I've never used it a a "post execution" tool. I'd be curious to know the same.

Craig

[CFisher]

I have never successfully completed a "real" hyper-report - used as a picture displayer only...

[T Miller]

Use it for set up sheets.. Only ever used it for no more then 10 locations for a report.. took to much time setting views and whatnot

[kbotta]

Used it a few times, at 1st it was just for pics, then a little more complicated.
Aint gonna miss it, cause I really dont use it.
I'm an excel - word kind of a guy

[NinjaBadger]

I've never used it for reporting, but i think you can do what you want with normal reports in pre V4 releases? (unless i'm not understanding you properly)

for those that haven't used v4 yet, hyper reports for pics and input variable etc are now just classed as 'Forms', i'm still undecided on the reporting aspects of V4 and haven't tried creating any templates etc yet.

[JamesMannes]

When I first started using the Hyper-Reports was when we first got DMIS(3.2063), what I started out doing was way over-kill. I was scanning the entire part(all small fillet/edge radii, all transitions etc. etc.). For each set of scans I was creating a Hyper-Report, this proved too cumbersome and I have since changed my approach. For any major scaznning program I do not make Hyper-Reports, rather I make individual OOT views with appropriate dat included. I do use the Hyper_Reports for smaller scanning programs that are comprised of 10 or so scans(these might be in-process programs that are used during the run of parts vs. a large scanning program for First Arcticle. And, I also use the Hyper-Reports for set up purposes.

[Matthew D. Hoedeman]

I know that V4.0 will not let you use them the way they were designed to be used, I am simply trying to find out how long it is taking people to make a 'reporting hyper-report' showing deviations and / or road-maps of the check points with the pre-v4.0 versions of Pcdmis. I am trying to construct a 'time comparison' study.

[JamesMannes]

Just an aside Matt,
Another problem that I encountered while making the Hyper-Reports was/is the fact that window views do not always stay the way they were created, hence alot of garbage got thrown at time into the Hyper-Report.

[Matthew D. Hoedeman]

Trust, me, I do NOT plan on using them, I am trying to get a time base line for using 'internal' Pcdmis options as opposed to my external application. Using my external application, it takes me about 4 to 5 hours to put together a report (the equalivent of the hyper-report) that 'does it all' for 198 check points, 101 trim with surface (202 values to report, surface and trim), 65 more surface only (65 values to report), and 33 holes with TP (3 values to report, X Z & TP) for a total of 366 variables to report and plot and tolerance.

So, how long would that take using hyper-report?
OR, how long using the new reporting options in V4.0?

This is the info I need to collect.

[JamesMannes]

Matt,
One question for you, the way in which you output the data, is that a parametric(updates itself,not to insult intelligence) type of export? If so can you give me a run down of what you do do? If you answered this elsewhere please bear with me.

Thanks

[Matthew D. Hoedeman]

My process is to save ALL data to Datapage, then do Datapage DATA REPORTS, save to a file, then COPY & PASTE into an Excel form. Way too much stuff happening to do it automatically, if you ask me (but I bet bugger-boy could make it so, eventually), it does it all, road-map, marked up plot, and CMM reports, all customer changable with a 1-cell input. I do sort the data with VARIABLE sets in Datapage, then make a data report for each set. These get pasted, one at a time, into the Excel form (up to 7 variable sets are used).

[JamesMannes]

I was just curious because that sounds like what my new Supervisor is having us do. Make Target Plots, graphics of the selected areas, and/or export scan data via snag-it and plop it into a "E" size drawings. Thanks for the feedback.

[craiger_ny]

Ever tried the .dmp (or dump) function of Datapage? I use it to dump large quantities of data but may not be useful to you. I am skeptical of how much longer Datapage is going to be around. They have not touched it in so long it is almost like the writing is on the wall. Who knows though it may last a lot longer. I do know that more and more distributors are are getting people into QC-Calc. I've never used that so I couldn't comment. Like I said earlier I don't use Hyper report as a reporting tool more as a front end tool. My guess though Matt is that Hyper report would not be worth your while by the looks of what you have going on. Although it does strengthen coding skills (especially Basic/VB). It would be nice though to see your time get cut down with something though, you are going through more than I think you should have to for reporting but that is due to the developers overlooking the needs of folks like you. I just think it should be simpler but alas it is not and it sounds like it is not moving in that direction either...........

[Matthew D. Hoedeman]

Well, I have to supply GRAPHICAL results or the try-out people don't understand what needs to be fixed, where, or how much, unless I want to spend MORE time going over the data with them than it took to run the 3-pc study. With the picture, they can go "Oh, right here it is PLUS and here it is MINUS and this hole is off in this direction". This way, within 5 minutes of completing the study, I have 'picture pages' (Thanks Bill Cosby) that show them everything they need to know in a format they can understand. Also, the customers will (a lot of times) not understand the data unless they can see a pretty picture with all the data too, as well as a picture showing the point labels (road map). But, they also want XYZTSDR data (even if they don't understand it), so I have to cover that as well and we all know Pcdmis is the pits for making an RTF file that is usable without a LOT of editing. This method covers it all, so everyone is happy. I have made a hyper-report result-report only once, quite a long time ago, didn't like it because it could only show the results of 1 part, not the 3 full checks and 30 SPC check study I just got done running, so it was never done again. However, I would like to know, find out, whatever, the time savings (if any) I have by using MY method over the internal Pcdmis methods. Ya know, then I can say, "HEY, I am saving you this much time and money MY WAY instead of the Pcdmis way......" You get the drift.