A video image of the article to be produced is displayed on a computer. A first geometric shape is developed to enclose fully the video image of the article. The first geometric shape provides a video image of a workpiece of machinable stock and the approximate unscaled dimensions of the workpiece. A selection is made from a library of known machine tool tables to select the exact type of machine tool table to be used to produce the article. The video image of the table is positioned visually underneath each of the video image of the article and first geometric shape. The video representation of the machine tool table includes a frame of reference origin which corresponds to the actual machine tool table zero reference. The library also includes the various locating, fastening and holding devices used with each type of machine tool table from which symbols representing these devices can be selected, displayed and positioned on the terminal in their working relationship with respect to the displayed image of the workpiece. The input device is again used to form a second geometric shape fully enclosing the video image of the article, the first geometric shape and any displayed symbol, and further being itself enclosed by the video representation of the table. The second geometric shape provides a video image of a fixture subplate, its approximate dimensions and its approximate location on the machine tool table. From the predefined frame of reference for the displayed representation of the machine tool table and a predefined location point for each displayed device symbol, compute a set of data points which correspond to the actual distance of each device to be used in the fixture from the machine table zero reference. The data is utilized to program the numerical controller of the machine tool to machine a piece of material mounted to the machine tool table in the approximate unscaled dimension and location of the second geometric shape as displayed on the video display terminal to form the subplate.
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