What is a 'Part'?

MechDesigner definition: A Part is the most basic kinematic-element. Parts move relative to each other. Points in a Part do not move relative to each-other. Joints constrain how Parts move relative to each other.

Kinematic definition: a Part is a Link, a rigid-body, or a solid-body. Any two points within it do not change their relative position.

See also: Rigid-Body, Edit-Part

Add Part

Add Part icon

Kinematic Elements Toolbar : Add Part icon

Menu:

Add menu > Mechanism sub-menu > Add Part

Shortcut

INSERT key on your keyboard

What to do:

In a Mechanism-Editor :

STEP 1: Click Kinematic Elements Toolbar : Add Part icon

STEP 2: Drag in the graphic-area

After you 'mouse-button up', a Part shows in the graphic-area.

If the Part does not show:

STEP 3: Click the graphic-area to complete the command.

Note: You can add a Part and a Joint at the same time.

To add a Pin-Joint or Slide-joint at the same time, then:

1.Click Add Part
2.Move your mouse above[Hover] a Point or Line so it become 'selected' before you mouse-button-down
3.Mouse-button-down and move your mouse away from the Point or Line

Optionally, before you mouse-button-up

4.Move your mouse above a different Point or different Line
5.Mouse-button up

Warning: When more than one Point or Line is above each other, you cannot control with which of the Points or Lines you will make the Joint.

In this case, add the Part as a 'Free-Part'. Then add the Joint.

See also: Full Details: How to add a Part

GA-NewPart-in-ME

The symbol and element in the graphic-area are:

1s-red Part-Outline this is the symbol for the Part - you cannot edit it.

2s CAD-Line is a child to the Part

The start-Point of the CAD-Line at the origin of the Part

The end-Point of the CAD-Line is along the X-axis of the Part.

3s X-axes Y–axes: at the origin of the CAD-Line

DRAG is:

1.Mouse-button down, to start the Drag...
2....move your mouse pointer...
3....mouse-button up, to end the Drag.

Video:

'Expand' then 'Play'

How to...

Add a Part.

Notes:

It is good to approximate the Part's position, its direction and its length as you add it to the graphic-area. Then edit it with the Part-Editor.

Add Part is NOT a persistent command. To add a new Part, you must do Add Part again.

Skills Needed:

How to 'drag'.

See Also:

How to Edit the Length of a Part

How to Edit a Part
tog_minusFull Details: To Add a Part

GA-MechanismEditor

You can only add Parts in a Mechanism-Editor.

STEP 1: Click a Mechanism name-tab

If there is not a Mechanism name-tab, see: Add a New Mechanism,

Icon-AddPart
STEP 2: Click Add menu > Mechanism sub-menu > Add Part
- or -
Click Kinematic Elements Toolbar : Add Part icon

GA-AddingPart
STEP 3: Drag a Line in the graphic-area

When you 'mouse-button up', the new Part shows in the graphic-area.

The Drag technique:

1.Left Mouse-Button Down at the start-Point...
2....Move your Mouse Pointer...
3....Release your Left Mouse-Button at the end-Point.

Do not click in the graphic-area before Drag.

GA-NewPart-in-ME

When you release your mouse, a Part shows in the graphic-area.

MechDesigner shows a:

•Green Part-Outline1s-red if it is a kinematically-defined part

New Elements:

•The CAD-Line2s is along the center of the Part

There is a Point at each end of the CAD-Line

•A small set of XY-axes3s to identify the Origin of the CAD-Line

The oval Part-Outline is the symbol for the Part. Double-click the oval to edit the Part.

Tutorial and Reference Help Files for MechDesigner and MotionDesigner 13.2 + © Machine, Mechanism, Motion and Cam Design Software by PSMotion Ltd