What is in this Article?
2. Details of Connecting tools
1. Introduction
Akselos Modeler offers a variety of tools that enable users to manipulate the simulation model within the Graphic Window, including moving, rotating, and connecting them. These tools are instrumental in constructing a model composed of multiple parts, and this article will show you how it can be used.
Figure 1.1. User Journey
Terminologies
| Graphic Window | The main window in the interface, where the models and solutions are graphically displayed. |
| Ribbons | Located on the left-top side of the interface. |
| Right Panel | The place on the right side of the interface, which contains various tools of Akselos Modeler. |
| Components | Components created by the componentization process to use with Akselos Integra |
Figure 1.2. Tools support model moving in Akselos Modeler
This article will teach you how to use these tools. There are several groups of tools:
Connecting Tool - Drag Action group: + Move - Connect group under ribbon: + Direct - Move component + Direct - Move node - Move/Connect tool on the right panel: + Auto-Connect Close Ports
Moving Tool - Drag Action group: + Move + Copy - Move/Connect tool on the right panel: + Move + Rotate + Orient By Surface Normal Vector
2. Details of Connecting tools
2.1. Group of connecting tools
Figure 2.1. Connecting tools
There are two options to connect components:
Direct – Move Component This tool helps users connect a component to another one while keeping the component’s length and direction. The whole component will be moved according to its connected port.
To use this tool:
STEP 1: Select Direct – Move Component option in the connecting tools group.
STEP 2: First pick: select the port. The component containing this port will be moved to another one in the second pick.
STEP 3: Second pick: select the port to connect. When you move your cursor to the second port’s area, the preview of connecting between two components will be displayed.
After connecting those components, users can do it again with other components. Press the Esc button to exit the tool’s working state.
Figure 2.2. Steps to use the Move component tool
Direct – Move Node This tool supports 1D beam components. It will change the length and direction of the element inside the component.
To use this tool:
STEP 1: Select Direct – Move node option in the connecting tools group.
STEP 2: First pick: select the port. The component containing this port will be changed according to the port of another component in the second pick.
STEP 3: Second pick: select the port to connect.
After connecting those components, users can do it again with other components. Press the Esc button to exit the tool’s working state.
Figure 2.3. Steps to use the Move node tool
2.2. Auto-Connect Close Ports
Auto-Connect Close Ports This tool is one function of the Move/Connect tool in the right panel. Once the imported components from CAD/MESH process are reset to their original positions, although they are close to each other, they are not connected. This tool helps quickly connect them together.
Figure 2.4. Auto-connect close ports tool
To use this tool: After importing components and resetting their positions, turn on the two highlighted options to quickly identify the status of ports. The green points are the ports without any connection. Click on the Auto-Connect Close Ports button to connect those components. Once connecting successfully, the Green points will change to Red.
Figure 2.5. Steps to use Auto-Connect Close Ports tool
3. Details of Moving tools
3.1. Drag Action group
Drag Action group has two tools that help users quickly move and copy components by dragging and releasing the left-mouse.
Figure 3.1. Moving tools in Drag Action
Move This tool helps users move the component(s). If the component is connected with others, the Move tool will move all connected components. Moreover, It can quickly connect the connectable ports.
To do that:
STEP 1: Select the Move tool in the Drag Action group.
STEP 2: Select the component(s) and drag it to the new destination where you want to move to.
STEP 3: Release the left-mouse to put the component to the cursor’s position.
Figure 3.2. Using the Move tool
Optional: Connectable ports in proximity will also be connected automatically.
After moving components, users can do it again with other components. Press the Esc button to exit the tool’s working state.
Figure 3.3. Using the Move tool to connect the connectable ports
Copy This tool helps users clone the component(s). If the component is connected with others, the Copy tool will clone all of them.
To do that:
STEP 1: Select Copy tool in the Drag Action group.
STEP 2: Select the component(s) and drag it(them) to the new destination where you want to clone to.
STEP 3: Release the left-mouse to put the new component to the cursor’s position.
After moving components, users can do it again with other components. Press the Esc button to exit the tool’s working state.
Figure 3.4. Using the Copy tool
3.2. Move – Rotate – Orient tools
Move – Rotate – Orient are the functions of the Move/Connect tool on the right panel. These tools help the user manipulate the components precisely by using their coordinates and orientation.
Figure 3.5. Moving tools in Move/Connect
Move
This tool helps users move the component(s) by entering the coordinates destination or the navigation vector.
To do that:
STEP 1: Select components on the Graphic Window.
STEP 2: Click on the Move button on the left panel.
STEP 3: The tool’s box appears, select one of two options – Move by vector or Move to coordinates.
Figure 3.6. Selecting moving options
STEP 4: Enter X, Y, Z coordinates. When users enter the value to these boxes, the preview component(s) will appear on the Graphic Window to easily check. Press the Move button if everything is correct.
Figure 3.7. Using the Move tool
Rotate
This tool helps users rotate the component(s) by selecting the axis and entering the angle. The component will be rotated around its center of gravity point.
To do that:
STEP 2: Click on the Rotate button on the left panel.
STEP 3: The tool’s box appears:
- Select Coordinate system: Global or Local.
- Select Axis: X, Y, Z axis (Global coordinate) and n, t1, t2 axis (Local coordinate).
- Enter the value in the Angle box.
Figure 3.8. Setting the Rotate Component tool
STEP 4: The preview component(s) will appear in the Graphic Window for you to quickly review. If everything is correct, press the Move button.
Figure 3.9. Using the Rotate Component tool
Orient by Surface Normal Vector
This tool helps users rotate the component(s) by selecting the normal vector of surface. The component is only rotated around its local n-axis. It does not support rotating the component around other axes, we can use the Rotate tool above to do this. This tool is useful for rotating beam component's cross-section.
To do that:
STEP 1: Click on the Orient by Surface Normal Vector button on the right panel.
STEP 2: Select the first surface, its normal vector is displayed on the Graphic Window.
Figure 3.10. Steps to use the Orient by Surface Normal Vector tool
STEP 3: Select the second surface, its normal vector is also displayed. The component will be rotated after this step.
Figure 3.11. Step to use the Orient by Surface Normal Vector tool
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