<< Click to Display Table of Contents >> Navigation: Getting Started Tutorials - MechDesigner > Elements, Symbols, Dialog-boxes, and Parameters > Elements and Symbols in the Graphic-Area |
We use symbols to represent different elements in the graphic-area.
You can change the size and color of the different symbols with Application Settings > Accessibility > Graphics > Display Size
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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. |
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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 |
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Part-Outlines: solved and unsolved Parts Each Part has two states: Solved and Unsolved The state is indicated by the color of the Part-Outline: •The Part-Outline is Green Other terms for a solved Part are: kinematically-defined Part, and Green Part. •The Part-Outline is Blue Other terms for an Unsolved Part are: free Part, and Blue Part. |
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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 |
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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 •a wide •a small arrowhead |
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Part-Axes in the Mechanism-Editor The Part-Axes symbols are 'small' in a Mechanism-Editor. •The Axes of the Base-Part •The Axes of an Added-Part |
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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 will appear to become longer relative to the axes. |
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![]() Mechanism-Editor ![]() Part-Editor |
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 •In the Part-Editor: Points may be Blue |
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'+' : center-Points (center of Arcs and Circles) 'O' : start-point or end-point of Lines or Arcs. ' |
The 'Locked Point' Symbol •When you use the Point Properties dialog-box to Lock and Specify a Point in a Part, the Points show as small Position Symbols. |
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A Vector Symbol You can show vectors in the graphic-area when you: •Use the Point Properties dialog-box 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. |
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Function-Block input-connector and output-connector Symbols Function-Blocks •The input-connectors •The output-connectors •Wires |
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Motor Symbol •When you Display Force-Vectors, the Motor-Symbol •This image shows the Motor-Symbol at a Pin-Joint. •The Torque-Vector |
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Spring The Spring FB element has three symbols in the graphic-area: Symbol Symbol Symbol |
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Ball-Joint and Connecting-Part Symbol •The Ball-Joint has its own symbol. •Edit its radius in the Ball-Joint dialog-box. •The Connecting-Part symbol replaces the Part-Outline when you join a Part to a different Part with two Ball-Joints. |
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Mass Symbol Profile Mass: When you add a Profile, the Extrusion has mass. A small 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 |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
The Base-Part is a Random color. If the Base-Part is a not Green:
When this icon is set to display Force Vectors, each Part is given a random color. To make the Part Green, you should:
When the icon is gray the Base-Part should be Green. |
![]() BasePart partial hidden by a Plane. |
The Base-Part is being hidden by a Plane. This is because:
When the Model is being shown in the Mechanism, we also show the Planes. You can:
- or -
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The Base-Part is being hidden by the Base-Part in a Mechanism-Editor that is front of the active Mechanism-Editor
AND the Mechanism name-tab light-bulb is ON (Local Setting) ... you can see the Part-Outlines, joints and sketch-elements in the other Mechanism-Editors. •The Base-Part of a different Mechanism-Editor may be in front, or coplanar with the active Mechanism-Editor. If you spin the model you may be able to see the Base-Part of the active Mechanism-Editor. You may also need to edit the light-bulb name-tab, or |