Elements and Symbols in the Graphic-Area

Planes in the Model-Editor.

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

Model Axes in the Model-Editor

The model shows the fixed Red, Green and Blue axes. They locate the '0, 0, 0' position, which is the 'Origin' of the Model.

Planes in the Mechanism-Editor.

The axes on each Plane show the orientation of the Plane. The X,Y and Z axes are Red, Green and Blue, respectively.

Part-Outline in the Mechanism-Editor

To edit a Part, you double-click the Part-Outline, or use other edit element methods.

The Part-Outline is the symbol for a Part.

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

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

CAD-Lines in Parts

In an Added-Part, the Part-Outline always stays 'wrapped' around a CAD-Line.

You must add your own sketch-elements to the Base-Part.

Pin-Joint in the Mechanism-Editor

•	The symbol of a 'Grounded' Pin-Joint is equivalent to a 'Dowel Symbol', as used in Technical Drawings.

•	The symbol for a Non-Grounded Pin-Joint is a thick circle. It has a slightly larger diameter than the Points that you select to 'make' the Pin-Joint.

Slide-Joint in the Mechanism-Editor

•	This symbol for the Slide-Joint consists of a narrow and wide rectangle.

•	A small arrowhead identifies the 'positive' direction of the slide-joint. The arrowhead is at the start-Point of one of the Lines.

Part-Axes in the Mechanism-Editor

•	The Axes of the Base-Part align with Axes of the Mechanism-Plane

•	The Axes of an Added-Part align with the start-Point of the CAD-Line and the +ve direction of the CAD-Line.

Part Axes in the Part-Editor

You can use Part-Axes as a Line for dimensioning or to add a new Plane.

Point Symbols

Point symbols in the Mechanism-Editor: Points may be Blue (Not kinematically-defined), or Green (kinematically-defined)

Point symbol in the Part-Editor: Points may be Blue (Not geometrically defined), or Black (geometrically defined)

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

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

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

Origin Triad Symbol in Model-Editor

The Triad identifies the Origin and the X,Y and Z-axes of the Machine Frame.

In this image, Planes are off.

To hide or show Planes, see Filters menu (or toolbar) > Display Filters | Show/Hide Planes.

A Vector Symbol

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

Function-Block Connector Symbol

Motor Symbol

•	When you show Forces, the Motor Symbol that drives a Joint is the 'Power Source'.

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

Spring Symbol

•	A symbol of a 'Spring' shows in the graphic-area between the anchor Points of the Spring.

Ball-Joint and Connecting-Part Symbol

•	The Ball-Joint has its own symbol.

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

The 'Locked Point' Symbol

Mass Symbol

•	Profile Mass: When you add a Profile, there is an Extrusion that has Mass. A small dowel symbol shows at the Centre-of-Mass of each Profile.

•	Total Mass: When you show Forces, the Centre-of-Mass Symbol is a small dowel. The Total Mass is given near to the Centre-of-Mass symbol. The colour of the symbol is the same as the Part-Outline, which becomes a random colour when you Display Forces.

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 you find these Points remain in the model after 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 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, and other parameters.

Pulleys

The Symbol for a Drive Pulley is a different default colour to a Driven Pulley

See Application Settings to change Default colours.

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

There are 3 possible reasons that the Base-Part is not Green.

When Forces are displayed, each Part is given a new, random colour. The Base-Part is the new Random Colour.

To make the Part Green, you should:

Click the 'Display Forces' icon, in the Forces toolbar to toggle it to off, and to 'Not Display Forces'.

When the icon is grey [see icon to left] the Base-Part should be Green.

If 'Show other Sketches in Mechanism' tool is active, and a different Mechanism-Editor is in front of the active Mechanism-Editor, then the Base-Part of the other Mechanism-Editor will show over the Base-Part in the active editor.

If you spin the model you will be able to see the Base-Part of the active Mechanism-Editor.

When the Model is being shown in the Mechanism, we also show the Planes. The Base-Part is being partly hidden by a Plane.

To hide Planes, you can either:

Click the 'Show Model in Mechanism' icon to toggle it to 'off' and 'Hide Model in Mechanism'.

- or -

Click the 'Display Planes' icon to 'Hide Planes'.