Getting Started Tutorials - MechDesigner > Elements, Symbols, Dialog-boxes, and Parameters

Elements and their Graphical Symbols

MechDesigner uses symbols to represent different elements in the graphic-area.

You can change the size and colors of the symbols with Application Options | Accessibility > Graphics > Symbol Display Size

Symbols in the Graphic Area

	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, Green and Blue axes. They locate the 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 X, Y, and Z-axes, respectively. The axes intersect at the Origin of the Plane.
	Part-Outlines: Added Parts and Base-Part The Part-Outline is the symbol for a Part. To edit a Part, you must select the Part-Outline. •The Part-Outline symbol for an Added-Part is an oval •The Part-Outline symbol for the Base-Part is a rectangle. Each Part has its local x-axis and y-axis. They are at the start-Point of the Part. Each added-Part has a CAD-Line from its start-Point to its end-Point.
	Part-Outlines: solved and unsolved Parts The Part-Outline can have two colors: •The Part-Outline is Green when it is a Solved Part. It has zero 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 Other terms for an Unsolved Part are: free Part, and Blue Part.
	Pin-Joint in the Mechanism-Editor When you Add Pin-Joint, you select a Point in two Parts. The symbol for a Pin-Joint between Points in •two Added-Parts is a circle that is slightly larger than Point symbol •an Added-Part and the Base-Part is a Position 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 Lines •a wide rectangle along the other Line •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 will appear to become longer relative to the axes.
	Point Symbols •In the Mechanism-Editor: Points may be Blue (Not solved), or Green (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
Not Locked Locked	The 'Locked Point' Symbol •When you use the Point Vectors and Location dialog to 'Lock and Specify' a Point in a Part, the Points show as 'Small Dowel Symbols'.
	A Vector Symbol You can show vectors in the graphic-area when you: •Use the Point: Vector Display and Location dialog-box to show the Velocity-Vector and Acceleration-Vectors of a Point. •Use Force Calculations and show 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 show Forces, the Motor Symbol that drives a Joint is the 'Power Source'. •This image shows the Motor at a Pin-Joint. •You can move the Motor to a different joint, as required.
	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-box. •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 dowel symbol shows at the center-of-Mass of each Profile. Total Mass: When you show Forces, the center-of-Mass Symbol is a small dowel. The Total Mass is given near 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 = Mass of Extrusions + Mass of Imported Solid + 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 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 Driving Pulley is a different default color to a Driven Pulley See Application Settings Graphics > Display colors. A Belt can drive the Pullets, or a Pulley can drive the Belt.