Planes in the Model-Editor.

The model has three fixed Planes in the Model-Editor.

Model Axes in the Model-Editor

The model shows the fixed Red(X), Green(Y) and Blue(Z) axes. They locate the Global Origin of the model.

Planes in the Mechanism-Editor.

The axes on each Plane show its orientation.

The smaller Red, Green and Blue axes are the Plane's X, Y, and Z-axes respectively.

They locate the Plane's Origin and any Mechanism-Editor you may add to the Plane.

Part-Outlines: Added Parts and Base-Part

The Part-Outline is the symbol for a Part.

•The Part-Outline symbol for an Added-Part is an oval

•The Part-Outline symbol for the Base-Part is a rectangle.

The Part's x, Y and Z axes are at its start-Point

Each added-Part has a CAD-Line from its start-Point to its end-Point.

Part-Outlines:  solved and unsolved Parts

Each Part has two kinematic states: Solved and Unsolved

The state is indicated by the color of the Part-Outline:

•The Part-Outline is Green when it is a Solved Part. It has zero(0) degrees-of-freedom.

Other terms for a solved Part are: kinematically-defined Part, and Green Part.

•The Part-Outline is Blue when it is an Unsolved Part.  It has a maximum of three(3) Degrees-of-Freedom

Other terms for an Unsolved Part are: free Part, and Blue Part.

Pin-Joints in the Mechanism-Editor

When you do Add Pin-Joint, you select a Point in two Parts.

The symbol for a Pin-Joint between

•Points in two different Added-Parts is a circle that is slightly larger than Point symbol

•a Point in an Added-Part and a Point in the Base-Part is a symbol

Slide-Joint in the Mechanism-Editor

When you do Add Slide-Joint, you select a Line in two Parts.

This symbol for a Slide-Joint is:

•a narrow rectangle along one of the two Lines

•a wide rectangle along the other of the two Lines

•a small arrowhead, which indicates the positive direction of the slide-joint.

Part-Axes in the Mechanism-Editor

The Part-Axes symbols are 'small' in a Mechanism-Editor.

•The Axes of the Base-Part are at the Origin of Mechanism-Plane

•The Axes of an Added-Part are at the start-Point of the CAD-Line.

Part Axes in the Part-Editor

The Part-Axes symbols are large in the Part-Editor.

•The X-axis is Orange

•The Y-axis is Light Green

The length of the CAD-Line maybe longer or shorter than the X-axis.

If you zoom-in, the CAD-Line appears longer relative to the axes.

Point Symbols

Mechanism-Editor: The color of Point and sketch-element symbols depend on the kinematic state of the Part to which the sketch-element is a child. In the help we use these colors to help identify Point:

•Mechanism-Editor: Points are Blue (Parts that are not solved), or Green (Parts that are solved)

•In the Part-Editor: Points may be Blue (Not defined), or Black (defined)

'+' : center-Points (center of Arcs and Circles)

'O' : start-point or end-point of Lines or Arcs.

'' : start-Point or end-Point that is coincident with a center-Point

The 'Locked Point' Symbol

•When you use the Point Properties dialog to Lock and Specify a Point in a Part, the Points show as small Position Symbols.

A Vector Symbol

You can show vectors in the graphic-area when you:

•Use the Point Properties dialog to show the Velocity-Vector and Acceleration-Vectors of a Point.

•Use Calculate Forces and Display Force-Vectors to see the Force-Vectors and Torque-Vectors.

Function-Block input-connector and output-connector Symbols

Function-Blocks are a graphical icons that represent their function.

•The input-connectors are to the left-side of the Function-Blocks.

•The output-connectors are to the right-side of the Function-Blocks.

•Wires are from an output-connector to an input-connector.

Motor Symbol

•When you Display Force-Vectors, the Motor-Symbol that drives a Joint is the Power-Source.

•This image shows the Motor-Symbol at a Pin-Joint.

•The Torque-Vector indicate the Application-Torque that a motor  must be able to drive.

Spring

The Spring FB element has three symbols in the graphic-area:

Symbol : FB - see below Spring FB connectors

Symbol : Spring between the anchor-points

Symbol : Dimension between the anchor-points.

Ball-Joint and Connecting-Part Symbol

•The Ball-Joint has its own symbol.

•Edit its radius in the Ball-Joint dialog.

•The Connecting-Part symbol replaces the Part-Outline when you join a Part to a different Part with two Ball-Joints.

Mass Symbol

Profile Mass: When you add a Profile, the Extrusion has mass. A small symbol shows at the Center-of-Mass of each Profile.

Total Mass: When you show Forces, the Total Mass is given next to the center-of-Mass symbol. The color of the symbol is the same as the Part-Outline, which becomes a random color when you Display Forces.

Total Mass on EACH Part = Mass of Extrusions + Mass of Imported Solids + Mass of User Defined Mass

2D-Cam Contact Points

When you add a 2D-Cam, the Contact points between the Cam and the Cam Follower are shown as small dowel symbols.

If these Points do not delete when you delete a cam, then edit the Cam-Part, and delete them.

Motion-Points

The Symbol for a Motion-Point is a small triangle inside a small circle.

The circle is slightly smaller than the standard symbol for a Point.

Gear-Pairs

The Symbol for a Gear-Pair is two involute Gears.

The Gear-Pair is a kinematic-element - it transmits motion from its input part to the output-part.

You can edit the Number-of-Teeth, Module, and many other parameters.

Pulleys

The Symbol for a Driving-Pulley is a different default color to a Driven Pulley

See Application Settings > Graphics > Graphic colors.

A Belt can drive the Pulleys, or a Pulley can drive the Belt.