Digiscan II install frustration

I just recently bought a lightly used 2006 RH-19 that came with a Renishaw MP-11 probe and the fastcam and digiscan software. Well.....most of the software. The Digiscan manual had the fastcam floppy and disk2 of the digiscan software that was warped like a potato chip. I called Milltronics and they said I had to go through Concept Machine Tool to purchase the missing disk. I talked to Ted at Concept and he called Milltronics and convinced them to email the software to him and he forwarded it to me with this instruction.

James,
Here is the Digiscan software.
No install, just unzip folder to computer.
Run DSG.BAT to make it work.
Will NOT run on a 64 bit system.
May need to run in a program called DOS Box
No support offered or inferred.
Regards,

I tried this and all I get is a dos prompt that says "ECHO OFF"
It doesn't run.

I talked with sportybob who has been very helpful and he had me try a few different things and still get ECHO OFF.
I'm trying to get this running on an older computer with XP sp2 32bit.
25 years ago I ran this program weekly on WIN 3.1.1. It worked great.

Anyone have some pointers

Thanks
James

So yeah, you have to run it in dos box, OR... You can load it on the machine, exit into the shell and out put the dxf or whatever you want onto disk. The other option, if you have a multi format card reader, is to run it off of that. In order to play with it in the background on your cnc, a relatively updated single board computer helps. I have used it a few times with great success and wrote a "read me" file because I knew I would forget the step by step that is inherent with dos. Remind me tomorrow and I'll do my best to help you out.

Thanks for the reply Allen. I did try DosBox with no success. After installing DBox, the computer started kind of wierd. still does. it gets to the welcome screen and you have to hit ctrl-alt-del to get to the desktop.

Not sure about the multi format card reader you're talking about, but I'd like to get one of Bob's floppy emulators in the future.

Why even run dos box? Do what you need to at the control to be able to handle the exported dxf in CAD cam. As to the emulator, the problem is, you are still limited to the max partition size which gets eaten up really fast with 15,000 coordinate pairs.

gunkaker, you would need to setup "DOS Box" to run a particular program. Kind of a pain. It will not run, "out of the "down load box""
As stated on the phone, unzip the file first and try that.


Sportybob
EMTS

I tried unzipping at the XP machine with 7zip. same ending.
I even pried apart the digiscan disk 2 potato chip and put it into another floppy housing. Checked what files were on it and made 2 folders on my desktop. Separated the unzipped files and put them on 2 different floppy disks. following the install instructions from the manual, disk 1 wouldn't install anything. There wasn't an install program on disk1. tried starting the install on disk 2 and it went through the install process.

Same result

ECHO OFF

My question is, what is your end goal? Are you wanting to generate wireframe to use on a cad system? Are you trying to strictly duplicate a part using a ball nose taking .002" step over? What is the goal?

I want to duplicate rifle stocks that I design. I don't have any high end cad.
25 years ago this digiscan worked pretty well. The digitized points just about filled a floppy then ran over to the windows 3.1.1 computer, crunched the numbers in camjr and spit out a cut file that fit on a floppy. We tried running over rs232, but sometimes we got points 500 inches off the part. running through 500 pages of points to find the wild one and edit it out.

on another note, I have another computer with windows 2000 on it. I bought it years ago while planning a DIY CNC router to do the same thing. It was a new old stock Dell tower that I partitioned for a dual boot Linux /Win2000n't Isn't Win 2K one of the last to run over DOS? Might be a better computer for digiscan???

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by gunmaker

Thanks for the reply Allen. I did try DosBox with no success. After installing DBox, the computer started kind of wierd. still does. it gets to the welcome screen and you have to hit ctrl-alt-del to get to the desktop.

Not sure about the multi format card reader you're talking about, but I'd like to get one of Bob's floppy emulators in the future.

---

To open Digiscan and convert a point cloud to DXF:
(at the machine)exit into the shell by going into parameters, setup, enter proto3 , 3, exit to the main menu, go to display enter into the shell, from Dos prompt, select proper drive letter.
Type: DSG D
Press enter
Escape to main menu
Go to CAD Verify
Enter the directory and file name that
the point cloud was stored under
For example C:\PARTS\(file name)
this is where the point cloud will be stored if running
on the mill and stored to the parts directory.
Enter conversion parameters as prompted
Converted file will be stored as PATH.DXF
in the active drive as a DXF file.

If converting on the PC:
double click on DOS box
type mount drive letter, drive letter:\
for example:
Z: mount F F:\
should read F: mounted
now type:
F:\DSG D
Digiscan should now open
continue with conversion as outlined above.

The file "testdig" is a digitized file (point cloud)
and can be converted using this software.

this is the read me I wrote up for my purposes, I was using the software for point cloud conversion to DXF for use on my CAD/CAM, but the general idea works for any of the functions. If this gives you problems, email me and I'll do what I can to get you straightened out.

I don't have digiscan installed on my cent7 control. Not even sure I have the correct files separated on the install disks as you can read above. I'm not against installing it on the machine, just don't want to screw up that computer. Here are the listings of the files on the 2 disks. I'm curious if Milltronics put the disk2 label on disk1 as disk2 has the install.bat file on it?

Directory of C:\Users\James\Desktop\DSG Install Disks\dsk1

09/08/2017 07:53 AM <DIR> .
09/08/2017 07:53 AM <DIR> ..
10/31/1988 02:48 PM 10,649 AROPTION.CHN
11/18/1988 08:53 AM 39,357 BACKPLOT.COM
10/31/1988 02:48 PM 6,863 BBOPTION.CHN
10/31/1988 02:48 PM 5,910 BDOPTION.CHN
10/31/1988 02:48 PM 3,386 BOLTMEN.CHN
10/31/1988 02:48 PM 5,597 BROPTION.CHN
05/06/1987 07:35 AM 325 CADL.COD
05/06/1987 08:44 AM 32,400 CADL.FOR
05/06/1987 07:49 AM 18 CADL.INF
10/31/1988 02:49 PM 14,085 CADLPOST.CHN
06/08/1989 12:56 PM 1 CADOPT.DEF
10/31/1988 02:41 PM 15,287 CAMJR.COM
10/31/1988 02:41 PM 14,780 CAMUTIL.COM
10/31/1988 02:49 PM 7,138 CCOPTION.CHN
10/31/1988 02:49 PM 4,388 CGOPTION.CHN
10/31/1988 02:49 PM 6,215 CIOPTION.CHN
10/25/1987 10:52 AM 32 CONFIG.FIL
10/31/1988 02:49 PM 6,218 COOPTION.CHN
10/31/1988 02:49 PM 5,636 CSOPTION.CHN
10/31/1988 02:50 PM 6,864 DBOPTION.CHN
10/31/1988 02:50 PM 4,956 DCOPTION.CHN
10/31/1988 02:50 PM 5,911 DDOPTION.CHN
10/31/1988 02:50 PM 7,336 DIRSVC.CHN
10/31/1988 02:50 PM 4,449 DISEDITP.CHN
10/31/1988 02:50 PM 4,437 DISEDITS.CHN
10/31/1988 02:51 PM 5,598 DLOPTION.CHN
10/31/1988 02:51 PM 9,802 DMOPTION.CHN
10/31/1988 02:51 PM 6,217 DPOPTION.CHN
10/31/1988 02:51 PM 2,908 DRILLMEN.CHN
10/31/1988 02:51 PM 1,718 ECOPTION.CHN
10/31/1988 02:52 PM 27,175 EDIT0X.CHN
10/31/1988 02:52 PM 20,724 EDIT1X.CHN
10/31/1988 02:52 PM 19,655 EDIT2X.CHN
10/31/1988 02:52 PM 22,996 EDIT3X.CHN
10/31/1988 02:53 PM 13,489 EDIT4X.CHN
10/31/1988 02:51 PM 3,753 EDITPROG.CHN
10/31/1988 02:53 PM 6,241 EMOPTION.CHN
04/28/1987 07:36 AM 15,600 ERROR.FIL
10/31/1988 02:53 PM 3,490 EVENTMEN.CHN
10/31/1988 02:41 PM 15,180 FASTCAM.COM
10/31/1988 02:53 PM 9,302 FILESVC.CHN
10/31/1988 02:53 PM 2,792 FRAMEMEN.CHN
01/09/1991 02:30 PM 62,930 GRAPHICS.COM
10/31/1988 02:53 PM 11,634 GRCONFIG.CHN
12/24/1987 08:31 AM 204 GRCONFIG.DAT
10/31/1988 02:54 PM 3,351 GVERFILE.CHN
10/31/1988 02:54 PM 272 GVERIFY.CHN
10/31/1988 02:54 PM 4,456 GVERMEN.CHN
10/31/1988 02:42 PM 14,072 GVERTYPE.COM
10/31/1988 02:46 PM 20,973 PASS1.CHN
02/22/1989 11:29 AM 44,314 PASS2.CHN
02/22/1989 11:42 AM 45,420 PASS4.CHN
02/22/1989 11:33 AM 50,820 PASS5.CHN
05/20/1990 04:50 AM 346 PATH.CDL
11/18/1986 10:03 AM 555 PORT64.COM
10/31/1988 02:43 PM 15,243 POSTFILE.COM
02/12/1991 02:12 PM 49 SERIAL.DEF
03/24/1988 09:58 AM 5,900 TOOL.FIL
02/22/1989 11:40 AM 7 VER.DAT
59 File(s) 679,424 bytes

Directory of C:\Users\James\Desktop\DSG Install Disks\dsk2

09/08/2017 07:55 AM <DIR> .
09/08/2017 07:55 AM <DIR> ..
04/16/2002 08:30 AM 113,232 DS.EXE
04/16/2002 08:30 AM 38,025 DS.OVR
01/25/1991 08:34 AM 247 DSG.BAT
02/11/1991 02:35 PM 1,336 DXFHEAD
05/20/1990 06:43 AM 74 FCAMJR.BAT
03/16/1984 12:43 PM 7,168 GRAP104.FNT
08/25/1986 12:27 PM 4,608 GRAPEPJX.PRN
04/25/1985 03:04 PM 5,120 GRAPEPSN.PRN
10/10/1986 01:35 PM 82,564 GRAPHDRV.EXE
09/24/1986 03:27 PM 8,897 GRAPHERC.DEV
12/04/1987 09:12 AM 15,768 GRAPHOFF.COM
12/04/1987 09:14 AM 1,408 GRAPHON.COM
04/25/1986 12:53 PM 9,899 GRAPIBM.DEV
08/29/1986 09:58 AM 11,497 GRAPIBME.DEV
09/24/1986 03:35 PM 9,455 GRAPIBMG.DEV
03/04/1986 03:35 PM 1,487 GRAPMSMI.COM
03/04/1986 03:36 PM 1,607 GRAPSUMI.COM
04/25/1986 01:00 PM 11,177 GRAPTECM.DEV
09/13/1993 09:52 AM 1,286 INSTALL.BAT
10/31/1988 02:54 PM 3,248 INTERMEN.CHN
10/31/1988 02:54 PM 6,931 IPOPTION.CHN
10/31/1988 02:54 PM 4,989 ISOPTION.CHN
10/31/1988 02:55 PM 7,177 LBOPTION.CHN
10/31/1988 02:55 PM 8,198 LNOPTION.CHN
10/31/1988 02:55 PM 3,259 MILLMEN.CHN
10/31/1988 02:55 PM 5,326 MIOPTION.CHN
10/31/1988 02:55 PM 8,917 MLOPTION.CHN
10/31/1988 02:55 PM 9,802 MMOPTION.CHN
10/31/1988 02:55 PM 6,214 MOOPTION.CHN
10/31/1988 02:56 PM 5,470 MPOPTION.CHN
10/31/1988 02:56 PM 9,802 MSOPTION.CHN
10/31/1988 02:56 PM 6,233 MTOPTION.CHN
02/11/1991 02:21 PM 303 O8000
02/11/1991 02:21 PM 95 O8001
02/11/1991 02:21 PM 95 O8002
10/31/1988 02:56 PM 7,483 PBOPTION.CHN
10/31/1988 02:56 PM 8,833 PDOPTION.CHN
10/31/1988 02:56 PM 6,340 PIOPTION.CHN
10/31/1988 02:56 PM 3,019 POCKMEN.CHN
10/31/1988 02:57 PM 3,362 POSITMEN.CHN
10/31/1988 02:57 PM 824 POST.CHN
10/31/1988 02:57 PM 1,401 POSTTRAN.CHN
10/31/1988 02:57 PM 5,846 PRINTSVC.CHN
10/31/1988 02:57 PM 8,777 PSOPTION.CHN
10/31/1988 02:57 PM 7,176 RBOPTION.CHN
10/31/1988 02:57 PM 6,759 RCOPTION.CHN
10/31/1988 02:58 PM 6,831 RIOPTION.CHN
10/31/1988 02:58 PM 4,692 RNOPTION.CHN
10/31/1988 02:58 PM 6,834 ROOPTION.CHN
10/31/1988 02:58 PM 5,155 RTOPTION.CHN
10/31/1988 02:58 PM 5,006 SCOPTION.CHN
10/31/1988 02:58 PM 10,725 SERCOMM.CHN
10/31/1988 02:59 PM 5,640 SFOPTION.CHN
10/31/1988 02:59 PM 3,365 SFUNCMEN.CHN
10/31/1988 02:59 PM 6,034 SLOPTION.CHN
10/31/1988 02:59 PM 5,691 TAOPTION.CHN
10/31/1988 02:59 PM 7,169 TBOPTION.CHN
10/31/1988 02:59 PM 9,165 TCOPTION.CHN
10/31/1988 03:00 PM 4,844 TLOPTION.CHN
10/31/1988 03:00 PM 4,295 TOOLMEN.CHN
10/31/1988 03:00 PM 4,596 TOOLTAB.CHN
10/31/1988 03:00 PM 5,903 TPOPTION.CHN
10/31/1988 03:00 PM 7,483 WBOPTION.CHN
10/31/1988 03:00 PM 6,322 WDOPTION.CHN
64 File(s) 580,484 bytes

Total Files Listed:
125 File(s) 1,259,932 bytes
8 Dir(s) 201,951,133,696 bytes free

SUCCESS!!!
Many thanks to Allen for some over the phone help. I hope to get this machine up and running and post some pics and videos here showing the old world tech in action.

Or I could just post a video of my Hardinge TM-UM cutting a helix.... Well, that would be for another forum.

Thanks again to all.

do you still have a copy of the digiscan II i just picked up a rh20 and have everthing but pc program side