Besides the literature, all AFMs come with a manual or users guide, that takes you through the basics of scanning. Often, the instrument also comes with a standard sample, such as a silicon grid, and the manual has a tutorial showing how to scan this sample. Such a sample is also very useful for seeing how different parameters affect the results you get.

There is no "magic formula" for optimising AFM conditions. If you watch experts, you'll see that they all do it slightly differently, even on the same machine, and different AFMs have wildly different requirements, so it is not possible to describe the use of the AFM in detail here. So, read your manual, scan the standard sample, and practice! Optimisation of feedback parameters is described in question 18.