I'm running a VBAI insepection in VBAI 2011 (SP1) where the contrast for a particular straight edge changes based on the configuration of the product being inspected, in one configuration the background is washed out and the graylevel difference is well over 100, in another configuration the backround is less that 25 gray levels of separation...and there are other candidate edges in the area, changing minimum edge strenght is the only parameter difference I need to support all of my product configurations.
Typically, I would use paralell states, with identical steps and different edge settings and then branch based on configuration, but in this cased I decided to use a Calculator step to set the Edge Threshold, and then select the Calculated Parameter from the drop-down in the Adv. Straight Edge Setup dialog. It appears to work just fine. But after leaving the Adv. Straight Edge Setup dialog and returning to edit the edge later....it is not apparent that the edge strength is being controlled by a calculator step! The Drop Down has "Enter Numeric Value" checked, but VBAI ignores whatever value I enter and sticks with the Calculator value (see attached screen shot and note edgde strength setting vs graph). And yes, i can go back to the calculator step and change the value there...so the calculator step is still in control.
So far, the only way I've found to "break the connection" to the calculator is to check and uncheck "Suggested Values"
Bottom line: Using calculated values in the Adv. Straight Edge of VBAI 2011 tool works, but the only way I know the verify that the connection is there is by noting that the associted parameter can no longer be changed from the Setup dialog.
Is this a known issue, and if so, can anyone tell me if the functionality of using the calculator to set my Adv. Straight Edge strength is supported or an undocumented feature not to be trusted?
Eric
