Use Magnetic-Joints ONLY for special modeling - for example, to reverse-engineer the motion of a Follower from the shape of an imported Cam.

Magnetic-Joints use iterative, root-finding techniques. All other kinematic joints use closed-form equations for exact and fast evaluations. Therefore, a model with a Magnetic-Joint is ~100+ times slower to solve than a model with Slide-Joints, Pin-Joints, and/or Ball-Joints. Most models (99%?) do not need a Magnetic-Joint.

Magnetic-Joint :

A Magnetic-Joint pulls a circular Profile to be in continuous contact with an irregular Profile (or Curve).

The circular Profile and irregular Profile (or Curve) are in different kinematic-chains. After you add a Magnetic-Joint, the motion of the two kinematic-chains are related by the contact between the circular and irregular profiles (or curve).

Irregular Shape :

The Irregular Shape can be Profile from a sketch-loop, or a Curve that we calculate from a Point-Cloud.

Point-Cloud :

X-Y or R-Θ coordinates. Use a Point-Cloud FB to import the Point-Cloud coordinates.

Curve :

The smooth shape that we calculate for you from the Point-Cloud coordinates - see Point-Cloud dialog.

The Magnetic-Joint pulls a Circular-Profile onto the outside or inside of an Irregular-Profile.

STEP 1: Pre-Position the Circular Profile

STEP 2:Start the Add Magnetic-Joint command

STEP 3:Select the elements:

STEP 4: Complete the Command

Result: (usually)

STEP 5: Open the Magnetic-Joint dialog