Setting method for the semi-automatic production of a process-capable basic setting for an injection molding machine for processing molding compounds made of plastic, comprising a control-supported determination of appropriate setting parameters by means of an interactive start-up assistant that is integrated in a control apparatus of the injection molding machine by way of software, which start-up assistant guides an operator of the injection molding machine in steps at least through partial sections of the setting process by a user interface of the control apparatus exchanging system-relevant instructions and information between the start-up assistant and an operator, wherein the setting process comprises at least of the following phases: A1.) Entering basis information regarding the plastics material used, the molding tool used, the injection molding machine used and/or of any other pre-defined or desired machine configurations, process conditions or process limits by an operator; A2.) Starting a test phase wherein several production cycles are carried out completely or at least partially at different process parameters and the process characteristics thereby occurring are automated or determined through interaction with an operator, by an operator determining whether certain check criteria for the molded parts are met and centering the respective result into the start-up assistant, and wherein an automated determination of a set of suitable setting parameters and process limits is carried out on the basis of B1.) the basis information entered by an operator B2.) rules or experiences for selecting suitable setting parameters imaged by the start-up assistant by way of software and/or databases, as well as on the basis of B3.) the process characteristics determined and check results detected in the test phase, characterized in that prior to starting the test phase C1.) those process conditions, which significantly influence the flow characteristics of the molding compound, in particular the injection speed and the melt temperature, are defined on a preliminary basis, C2.) a characteristic for the respective flow behavior, in particular a viscosity of the molding compound that is used under said preliminarily established process conditions, is at least approximately determined by the start-up assistant, wherein a free injection process with no molding tool applied and is carried out only into the open air through the nozzle for determining this characteristic for the flow behavior of the molding compound used; C3.) and this characteristic for the flow behavior of the molding compound and optionally further pre-defined process characteristics which have been determined or specified, is used to establish a provisional, preliminary setting for the target value and/or for the upper threshold value of the injection pressure for the test phase to be started thereafter. A1.) Entering basis information regarding the plastics material used, the molding tool used, the injection molding machine used and/or of any other pre-defined or desired machine configurations, process conditions or process limits by an operator; A2.) Starting a test phase wherein several production cycles are carried out completely or at least partially at different process parameters and the process characteristics thereby occurring are automated or determined through interaction with an operator, by an operator determining whether certain check criteria for the molded parts are met and centering the respective result into the start-up assistant, and wherein an automated determination of a set of suitable setting parameters and process limits is carried out on the basis of B1.) the basis information entered by an operator B2.) rules or experiences for selecting suitable setting parameters imaged by the start-up assistant by way of software and/or databases, as well as on the basis of B3.) the process characteristics determined and check results detected in the test phase, characterized in that prior to starting the test phase C1.) those process conditions, which significantly influence the flow characteristics of the molding compound, in particular the injection speed and the melt temperature, are defined on a preliminary basis, C2.) a characteristic for the respective flow behavior, in particular a viscosity of the molding compound that is used under said preliminarily established process conditions, is at least approximately determined by the start-up assistant, wherein a free injection process with no molding tool applied and is carried out only into the open air through the nozzle for determining this characteristic for the flow behavior of the molding compound used; C3.) and this characteristic for the flow behavior of the molding compound and optionally further pre-defined process characteristics which have been determined or specified, is used to establish a provisional, preliminary setting for the target value and/or for the upper threshold value of the injection pressure for the test phase to be started thereafter.