exporting XYZ points from mesh; no nominal CAD

[[Ch...]]

First off, I'm a newb on my GOM and Zeiss inspect(I'm actually using ATOS Pro v8).  

I'm looking for best practices for exporting XYZ points when you section a mesh.  I was successful in exporting my points but I want to feel out what other people are doing.   

Here is my current workflow:

1. scanned the part

2. created a fitting plane to use as my reference plane

3. Used "construct single section" to create my line profile

4. Then I just used Export>ASCII file

 

This worked but I noticed something weird.  I sectioned my surface 4mm above the reference plane.  But my Z value on the ASCII is at -3.27mm.  The XY plot for the blade I exported looks right, so I know it exported the section I wanted.  But I can't figure out why my ASCII Z values aren't closer to 4mm.   To complicate it, I created a local alignment on top of the blade, I think my ASCII file might be aligned to that, but I'm not sure.  

To summarize:

An I using the best workflow to export XYZ points from a mesh with no nominal CAD?

How do I know which alignment my ASCII file is using?

 

[[Ma...]]

I would advise to make a Datum system - then you can export your points in correct alignment.

ATOS is creating alignment from first scan where direction of a scan from ATOS to the part will be Z axis.

Also you can face a problem with too many points in export. You can reduce number of points in menu Operations -> Section -> Sample sections.
There is also an option in creation of that section, where you can force points by fixed distance - that works only on rough mesh - it will not reduce points, but increase points, where are big triangles.

[[No...]]

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The usual logic in Zeiss Inspect is to use the currently active main alignment (the one in the upper right of the main window). If you want to use a datum system instead, you can create a new alignment by coordinate systems and select the datum system. This sets the datum system as the main alignment.

[[Ri...]]

You can export ASCII point files by selecting the features - File - Export - ASCII

Edited Tuesday at 03:15 PM

[[Ch...]]

I got it figured out.  It makes sense now that the ACSII points would pull from the alignment instead of the reference plane used for slicing.  I find more interesting stuff in the software every time I play with it.  

 

So far, I've been very impressed with the ATOS III.  We inherited it for free when our affiliate shut down, and I've already found tons of use cases for it.  And its shockingly very accurate, even when compared with our Micura's and Accura's. I really like this thing and already want more.  

[[Ri...]]

The ATOS is a very good sensor, and the accuracy is mind blowing.