Model View

Overview

The Model view is where you display your scene and its constituent assemblies and loads. You can also graphically visualize what happens when you play the scene.

The three arrows in the middle represent the 3-D coordinate system of the Model view using the colors X = red, Y = green, Z = blue. For further information, refer to Information About the Coordinate System.

Zooming, Rotating, Moving the Camera View

To zoom the camera view within the Model view, scroll the mouse wheel or set the zoom shortcuts in the Settings menu.

To rotate the camera view, hold down the left mouse button, and move the mouse.

To move the camera view, hold down the right mouse button, and move the mouse.

Rotating Objects in the Scene

Select an object in the Model view and perform the following mouse actions for rotation around the different axes:

Mouse Action

Rotation around axis

Scroll the mouse wheel

Z

Hold down the Ctrl key and scroll the mouse wheel

Y

Hold down the Alt key and scroll the mouse wheel

X

Sections

By default, the Model view contains one section. The section is the container of assemblies inside a scene. The default section has a size of 50,000 mm x 50,000 mm and can be modified in the Properties view. The floor of the section is displayed gray by default but if you flip the scene to see it from below the floor appears transparent. In the Properties view, the floor can be modified regarding color and type.

Adding Sections

To add sections to the Model view, proceed as follows:

Step

Action

1

In the Solution Explorer view, right-click the Assemblies node and run the command Add Section from the contextual menu.

Results:

  • In the Solution Explorer view, a new node Section[n+1] is added below the last section node.

  • In the Model view, a new section is displayed on top of the existing section. Unless you changed the dimensions or the position of the existing section you will not be able to see the new section immediately as it is directly on top of the existing.

2

In the Solution Explorer view, select the node of the new section, to make it active.

Result: Further information on the section is displayed in the Properties view.

Modifying the Floor Using the Section Properties

You can modify what is displayed as the floor in the Model view by modifying the properties of the section. Proceed as follows:

Step

Action

1

In the Solution Explorer view, expand the Assemblies node and select the Section node.

2

In the Properties view, modify the properties.

  • With the parameter Section > Name you can assign a name to the section that is displayed at the lower right corner of the floor in the Model view.

  • To hide the selected section from the Model view, clear the check box Visible.

  • Enter the Size > Width and Size > Length of your choice to modify the size of the section.

  • Enter the Transformation > Position > 0:0:0 mm and / or the Transformation > Yaw (in °) to modify the position of the section in space (in a cartesian coordinate system).

  • Select an option from Assemblies to move, lock, enable or select assemblies in the selected section.

  • Select another option from Floor > Type to modify, for example, the color or the texture of the section displayed as floor.

  • In Grid, you can, for example, hide the grid and enable bounds or you can import a floor design of your choice by selecting the option AutoCAD and importing a *.dxf or *.dwg file.

The properties defined here are specific to the selected section. When you open a new Model view, a default section with the default settings opens.

Status Bar

The status bar at the bottom of the Model view displays information about the scene:

Column

Description

Paused / Running

Indicates if the time is running (the scene is playing) or paused.

Scan

Indicates the time (in ms) it took to calculate the last step of the physical simulation. If this number becomes too high, an advisory message will be displayed on the right-hand side of this status bar.

Lock icon

Indicates whether the scene is locked.

Time displayed as [dd:hh:mm:ss]

Displays the time elapsed while playing the scene.

Time scale

Displays the time scale for playing the scene, such as:

1 = real time

2 = double real time

The maximum is 10 times real time.

Information and diagnostic messages

Provides information and advisory messages that are relevant while playing the scene. The messages are color-coded according to the severity. For information on messages provided in the Logs view, refer to the chapter Logs View.