0 Votes

Basic concepts

Version 67.2 by Fredrik Lagerström on 2020/03/18 11:16

User interface

Each module has a similar user interface and consists of the following parts:

Menu bar | Tab menus | Toolbars | Application window | Quick tools | Status bar | Tool palette | Dialog

Window-001c.gif
 

Menu Bar

The Menu bar contains file operations (File), editing commands (Edit), drawing (Draw), assistant tools (Tools), settings (Settings), views (View), window-system (Window) and user-guides, license info and about (Help).

Menu commands having icons next to their names can be organized in Toolbars around the Application window. Some commands can be executed by hotkey displayed behind the command name.

Tab menus

Tab menus contain the main functionalities and their order displays the recommended structural design workflow.

Tab menuFunction
1584520572121-451.pngTools to define axis and storey system, structural elements, supports and connections
1584520578867-196.pngTools to define load cases, loads, load combinations and load groups
1584520584481-921.pngTools to define finite elements and finite element mesh
1584520590723-456.pngTools to run analysis for the current project and to display results

Foundation design

Tools to run automatic and manual design for foundations and to display results
1584520597599-565.pngTools to run automatic and manual design for concrete elements and to display results
1584520604845-203.pngTools to run automatic and manual design for steel bars and to display results
1584520611557-473.pngTools to run automatic and manual design for timber elements and to display results
Performance based designOnly available for Turkish seismic analysis

By default, Tab menus have different Object layer settings to protect their elements from the others. That means, for example, structural elements (defined at Structure tab) are protected against load editing (Load tab) although they can selected for load definition. Of course, the available layers of tabs can be customized (Status bar > Current layer). The optional module Documentation can be launched from the Tab menus bar

Toolbars

The Menu bar commands can be grouped in toolbars with their icons and placed next to Application window.

By default, all five toolbars are displayed. If you right-click anywhere on the menu or on one of the displayed toolbars, a list appears, where toolbars can be set visible or hidden.

customize toolbar 001.png

Customize… allows you to edit the command content of the toolbar, on which the right-click is used. A toolbar can be moved into new position by dragging it with its “Top/Left thick horizontal/vertical line”.

Application window

Two main windows types are available in FEM-Design:

  • Graphical window
    It works as a drawing board and displays the model defined in the current project.
  • Detailed result window
    Analysis and design results with detailed background calculation formulas (code references), figures and tables can be displayed by single elements or by design groups in separate windows. Quick navigation is powered with zooming details.

An arbitrary number of windows can be opened (Window menu) to show for example a model in different views at the same time. The list of the currently available windows is shown at the bottom of the windows (tabs) and in the Window menu. You can swap between the windows by clicking on their name tabs or by choosing the requested one in the Window menu. Applied windows can be arranged by Window > Arrange. Right-clicking on a window tab, the window’s name can be edited.

application window_FD19.00.001.png

Quick tools

Quick tools is a tool window that contains the often used functions such Layers, Results and Filter.

Quick tools 001.png

Quick tools can be enabled in several ways:

  1. Settings > Environment > General > Quick tools
  2. Right click on the toolbars > Quick tools
  3. Window tab > Other windows > Quick tools

Quick tool window can be placed anywhere on the screen and it can be docked to the left and right side of the FEM-Design model view area. The docked Quick tool window can be also collapsed.

Quick tools 002.png

Status bar

The Status bar is situated under the Application window and separated into the following parts.

status bar_FD19.00.001.png

  • Command
    Field to enter coordinates and shortcut commands. Command line also displays additional messages to show the steps of the current command.
  • Selection
    Number of the selected elements (bars, shells, supports, loads, etc.) can be seen in the lower part of design area.
  • Co-ordinate box
    It shows the exact coordinates of the crosshair cursor in the current co-ordinate system. Coordinates can be also given for point/direction definition in a dialog appears after clicking on the Co-ordinate box (see Entering Co-ordinates).
  • Layer button
    Clicking the button opens the Quick tools-tab. All layer operations like defining new, renaming, color-assignment, showing/hiding and deleting are available in the layer-system dialog.
  • Point/Direction editor
    Editor tools provide reference points and lines by using existing lines and points during element definition, drawing and editing.
  • Object snap tools
    Here you can set the snapping distance and turn object snaps on and off.

Tool palette

In most cases, a command/tool has own palette (Tool palette) that contains its definition and setting tools.

toolbar 001.png

Figure: An example for tool palette (Beam command in 3D Structure module)

The parts of a tool palette are:

  • Toolbar - It gives the editing modes and their additional tools. The main editing modes are:
    • Define: creates new objects according to its current settings (“Default settings”).
    • Properties: asks and/or changes the properties of selected object(s).
  • Default settings - If this button has 3D shape, then you can set all default parameters for the new object. Otherwise, it only shows the symbol of the function.
  • Main settings - The frequently changed parameters of the new object (Define) can be set directly in tool palette.

You can usually use a dialog to modify the settings, the properties of a command; it contains text and number fields where you can set parameter values.
The main difference between dialogs and Tool palettes is that you can work beside an opened tool palette, but cannot at a dialog.
There are three main switch types at a dialog or a tool palette: check boxes, radio and chain buttons.

Chain button 001.png

Figure: Function of chain buttons

In case chain button exists and it is “Active” (pushed in), any changes made to the related edit box will be transferred to the next edit box automatically. It gives a quick definition of defining surface elements with constant thickness, loads with constant intensities etc.

Dialog

The Default settings dialog is used to change the properties of new objects. It usually contains a General tab where many commands and identifiers are shown, some dialogs also contains tabs for cross sections, materials and boundary conditions/connections.

dialog 001.png

Program Settings

Clicking Settings > All opens a dialog with all available settings of the program and the current project.

1584526396270-287.png

Figure: Project and program settings

The settings are valid for the current project, but they can be extended for later projects by saving them as default settings. OK closes the dialog and validates the settings for the current project. Save as default set the “selected” project settings available for next projects and new files.

MCj04113200000%5b1%5d   “Selected” means that Save as default works only for the branch belongs to the list/folder title selected by the cursor. For example, apply Save as default for “Environment” to save the General, the Directories and the Cursor settings as default, or select “Settings” and click Save as default to store all current settings as default values.

The range of available settings depends on the currently opened Tabmenu. For example, all setting are available at launched “Structure” tabmenu, but the settings are reduced with e.g. finite element (Mesh) settings in case of activated “Analysis” tabmenu.

The program stores project and default settings in the fem.ini file can be found in the “FEMData” folder of the installed program.

New program release can use the default settings of the previous release, if you keep them after the first running of the new release in a warning message dialog.

Environment

General settings enable the user to adjust the main program settings affect on startup, system, rendering and display style.

  • Check for update at start

By default, the program informs the user if a new official release of the current FEM-Design version is available.

  • Check for upgrade at start

It sends a message if a newer commercial FEM-Design version is released. In this case, the newer version can be downloaded, but it can be run only in demo mode till renewing the current license agreement (please contact your local distributor).

  • Auto load last drawing

Checking this box opens the last project at program start-up.

  • Language

By default, the user interface is displayed in the installation language. Ask your local distributor about the available languages in your country.

  • Timesave [min]

It defines the time period in minute for automatic project saving. Read more at Data safety.

  • Undo steps

The number of executable undo steps can be set in the field. But do not forget, that there are some complex calculation processes (analysis, mesh preparing etc.) Undo does not work on.

  • Graphic engine

The suitable graphic engine can be set here by choosing “DirectX” or “OpenGL” according to the video card.

The DirectX graphic engine is faster than OpenGL on most of the computers. We recommend the User to check which graphic engine performs better on his computer.

file:///C:/Users/Fredrik/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image004.jpg

MCj02990090000%5b1%5d For more information about the graphic engine read the Remarks.

MCj04113200000%5b1%5d   If you have any rendering problem with the default graphic engine, apply the other one. In case of further troubles, download the latest driver of your graphic card.

Safe mode” is developed to protect the program from possible video drive crashes. If no graphic problem is detected with the current driver, uncheck this box to take the full advantage of the new powerful graphic engine and to reach the maximum rendering speed.

  • Enable Win8/Win7/Vista style

By default, the user interface is developed in the height of Microsoft Windows 8, 7 and Vista fashion. Unchecking the box a simpler interface will be available after restarting the program.

  • Window background

The color of the drawing background (graphical windows) can be set here. The default and suggested color is white. Objects having the same color with the background are always displayed in inverse color.

  • Display information pop-up

If there is no running command, moving the cursor over an element displays an Information pop-up with the element’s main properties. Depending on the currently used working mode (Structure, Loads etc.), pop-up is available for different elements (structural elements, loads etc.) only. For example, the pop-up displays the ID, the material, the thickness, the alignment and orthotropic features for Plates in Structure mode.

info.png

Figure: Information pop-up examples

Directories settings allow the user to specify the location of FEM-Design files.

  • Temporary

The program stores temporary files during calculations and mesh generations in the given folder, which will be automatically removed, if the operations are done successfully. Remained temporary files can be erased from the Temporary folder after closing the currently opened project. The changes made in Temporary directory will affect after the program is restarted.

  • Working

The default favorite folder can be set here for the open and save commands.

The style of cross-hair cursor can be set in Cursor dialog. It can be full-sized in graphical windows or custom-sized (Limited) by the scroll tool.

Drawing

Title dialog allows the user to specify the content of drawing title block (Draw > Title information table) and the header title of printing (File > Print). Project, Description, Designer, Signature and Comments attributes are autotexts. That means, modifying their content updates all titles used in the current project. These five title attributes can be used in documentation and reinforcement list templates with the help of Field tool (Draw menu).

Title information table.png titleinfotable.png

Figure: Title information table

Scale has effect in displaying texts, line types and wall hatches in graphic windows. Of course, printing scale can be set independently from drawing scale.

Param settings allow the user to specify the default initial settings for drawing (Draw menu commands) in the current or later projects (Save as default). Line type, pen width and drawing color can be edited independently from the default values with the Status bar tools “Current style”, “Current layer” and “Current color”.

Text settings enable the user to set the default font style and sizes for general text items.

 Text setting effect
Drawing Title blockyes
Structural element ID and labelyes
Design data labelyes
Load labelyes
Mass labelyes
Support ID and labelyes
Default settings of Draw > Textyes
Default settings of numeric result valuesyes
Draw > Dimensionno
Grid axis label (Structure > Axis)no
Storey label (Structure > Storey)no

Finite element and node ID

(Settings > Display > Mesh)

no

Table: List of elements on which Text setting has effect or not

Dimension, Axis and Storey tools and the finite element display have individual text settings from the general Text settings.

MCj02990090000%5b1%5d   Script solves the character problems of different languages. For example character “ő” appears as “õ” in “Western”, but as correct “ő” in “Central European” script.

            Size is defined in real values (mm), so text size varies on drawings by modifying its Scale.

            The Width factor 1.0 refers to the normal character width, so factor smaller/greater than 1.0 results a condensed/extended text.

            For “italic” style use Slant between 10 or 15 degrees.

Calculation

Calculation includes settings influence structural behavior, finite element mesh generation, analysis and result.

Code displays the current and available design code for the current project. Code influences:

  • the range of available modeling materials,
  • automatic combination of load groups, and
  • the method and result of reinforcement, steel and timber design.

Changing the current code erases the materials, the design parameters and the results in the project, so these properties have to be redefined to run valid calculations later.

Read more details from other Calculation settings in the connected topics:

  • “Rigid” values

The default value of “infinite rigidity” can be set for supports, connections and fictitious bars by types.

  • Mesh

Mesh and peak smoothing settings of automatic finite element mesh generation.

Perform gives additional features to data safety.

  • Analysis

In Analysis you can decide the way of Automatic save, in Find identical copies before calculation for you can set if the program should check the identical copies of structural elements and/or loads and in Warnings it can be checked if the program should warn about using non-linear elements in a linear calculation.

  • Result

Options define the calculation sections of bars and affect on detailed results of bars.

Display

The current and default display settings of the drawing elements, numbers, structural objects, loads and finite elements/mesh can be set here.

Displaying structural and analytical element ID’s is separated in order to avoid duplicate labels on the screen. The required ID can be set by Bar and Shell elements in Display settings dialog.

file:///C:/Users/Fredrik/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image009.jpg

Figure: Display settings (Bar, Shell)

Window

Co-ordinate systems include the display settings of the Global and the User-defined (UCS) co-ordinate system symbols. The symbols are shown in the defined size in working windows, but they can be hidden by unchecking the Display co-ordinate systems box.

Grid defines the distribution settings of the visible Construction grid. The grid can be hidden by unchecking the Display grid box. The grid lines can be set to be parallel with the axis directions of the Global (Ground) or UCS system.

All default settings of Object Snap tools are grouped in Snap dialog.

In different windows different scales can be defined, which is especially useful in documentation module. By choosing an appropriate scale factor the displayed labels are easy to read. In another window the parameters can be decreased to highlight another result.

Units setting offers various unit types for modeling (length, angle, force, mass and cross-sectional data) and for results. Stress and displacement units can be set independently of the length and force units.

file:///C:/Users/Fredrik/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image010.jpg

Figure: Available units

Data Safety

Time saving and protection system ensures more the data safety of working files.

Time Save

FEM-Design automatically saves copy of the working file by given time period.

The saving time period can be set in minutes at Settings > All > Environment > General > System > Timesave.

egerpad%20copy   Working on a project file called e.g. “steel construction.str” in the icon_3DSTRU  3D Structure module with a 15-minute time save period, an extra file will be generated and updated by the time period (0, 15, 30min …) with special extension and in a hidden folder:

Rules of time save:

  • In case of a program crash, the last saved copy opens automatically in the right module.
  • If you successfully exit from FEM-Design after saving the current project, its time save copy will be erased from the recovery folder.
  • The location of time save files cannot be modified for data safety.

MCj04113200000%5b1%5d   Additional automatic savings can be set before and after calculations at Settings > Calculation > Analysis > Automatic save…, but automatic savings overwrite the original project file.

Recovery files

Recovery file command in File menu is for managing time-save files which are generated after some unexpected events. Its tool-window:

file:///C:/Users/Fredrik/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image013.png

Figure: Recovery file dialog

You can open the desired version and delete the useless ones, and you can also set the sorting criterion, by clicking on File / Date / Size.

Protected Work File

All working files are locked not to be modified, overwritten by another user or process. Starting a project, a file having the project name with .lck extension is generated automatically, which guarantees the protection till closing the working file.

Opening a protected file sends the warning message: “The file is locked by another user or process.” You are allowed to open and modify the content of a protected file, but changes can be saved only under a new name (File > Save as).

Element Types

Two main types

Two main types of elements are available in FEM-Design: Drawing elements and (structural) Objects. These element types are stored in different Layer-systems and have different kind of property and display settings.

Drawing Elements

TypeCommandProperty and Display Settings
PointDraw > PointSettings > Drawing > Param, “Current layer
LineDraw > LineSettings > Display > Drawing elements,
  Current style”, “Current layer
RectangleDraw > RectangleSettings > Display > Drawing elements,
  Current style”, “Current layer
ArcDraw > ArcSettings > Display > Drawing elements,
  Current style”, “Current layer
Circleimage-20200318111506-5.png Draw > CircleCurrent style”, “Current layer
RegionDraw > RegionSettings > Display > Drawing elements,
  Current style”, “Current layer
SolidDraw > SolidSettings > Display > Drawing elements,
  Current style”, “Current layer
TextDraw > TextText tool > Default settings,
Fieldimage-20200318111506-9.png Draw > FieldField tool > Default settings
DimensionDraw > DimensionDimension tool > Default settings, “Current style
Title information table

Text tool > Default settings, “Current style”,

Settings > Title, “Current layer” (! Object layer)

 

Table: Drawing elements

Objects

TypeCommandProperty and Display Settings
Axis, image-20200318111506-12.png  AxisAxis tool > Default settings, “Current layer
Storey, StoreyStorey tool > Default settings
Soil,  Soil

Settings > Display >Soil and foundation, Soil tool > Default

settings

  
Borehole, image-20200318111506-18.png  BoreholeSettings > Display >Soil and foundation, Borehole tool > Default
  settings
Isolated,  Isolated foundationSettings > Display >Soil and foundation, Isolated foundation 
foundation tool > Default settings
Wall,  Wall foundationSettings > Display >Soil and foundation, Wall foundation 
foundation tool > Default settings
Foundation,  Foundation slabSettings > Display >Soil and foundation, Foundation slab 
slab tool > Default settings
Beam, BeamSettings > Display > Drawing elements and Bar
  Current style”, “Current layer”, Beam tool > Default settings
Column,  ColumnSettings > Display > Drawing elements and Bar,
  Current layer”, Column tool > Default settings
Intermediateimage-20200318111506-29.png ,image-20200318111506-30.png Intermediate sectionIntermediate section tool > Default settings Drawing elements
section           and Bar
Apex, ApexApex tool > Default settings
Corbel, Corbel

Settings > Display > Drawing elements and Bar

Corbel tool > Default settings

Truss member,  Truss memberSettings > Display > Drawing elements and Bar,
  Current style”, “Current layer”, Truss member tool > Default settings
Plateimage-20200318111507-37.png ,  PlateSettings > Display > Drawing elements and Shell,
  Current layer”, Plate tool > Default settings
Wall, image-20200318111507-40.png  WallSettings > Display > Drawing elements and Shell,
  Current layer”, Wall tool > Default settings
Profiled panel, Profiled panelSettings > Display > Drawing elements and Shell,
  Current layer”, Profiled panel tool > Default settings
Timber panelimage-20200318111507-43.png ,  Timber panelSettings > Display > Drawing elements and Shell,
  Timber panel tool > Default settings
Support, ,Settings > Display > Drawing elements and Support,
 SupportsSettings > FEM > “Rigid” values, Support tools > Default settings, “Current layer
Connection, image-20200318111507-48.png , ConnectionsSettings > Display > Drawing elements and Connections,
  Settings > FEM > “Rigid” values, Connection tools > Default settings, “Current layer
Fictitious bar, , Fictitious barSettings > Display > Drawing elements, “Current layer
  Settings > FEM > “Rigid” values, Fictitious bar tool > Default settings
Fictitious shell, , Fictitious shell 
Load, image-20200318111507-54.png ,Settings > Display > Load, “Current layer”,
 LoadsLoad tools > Default settings,
Finite element, Finite element toolsSettings > Display > Mesh, “Current layer”,
  Settings > FEM > Mesh and Calculation
RC bar,Settings > Display > Design, “Current layer”,
 Auto design and Manual designAuto design and Manual design tools > Default settings
Steel bar, ,Current layer
stiffenerSteel bar stiffener 

Table: Objects

Layers

The FEM-Design

The FEM-Design layer-system helps you to work in a well-organized way in drawings and in models while constructing and documenting. The layers can be considered as transparent papers put on top of each other will seem to be one drawing. All layers can be reached in a dialog appears by pressing the Current layer button.

Layer Types

Regarding the element types there are two main layer types: “Drawing” and “Objects”.

file:///C:/Users/Fredrik/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image002.png

Figure: “Drawing” and “Objects” layers

Drawing” layer contains all drawing elements defined by the Draw menu commands or generated from DWG and DXF imports. Drawing layers can be renamed and erased, and their colors and states can be edited. Only the default “0” layer cannot be deleted and edited. At the same time only one drawing layer called “Current” can be used for drawing. The name of the “Current” layer is appears on the Current layer button. The “DIM” layer is a special drawing layer for the dimensions. It is automatically created by using the Dimension command (Draw menu). ”Drawing” Layers can be excluded from the Object Snap by dechecking the „No snap” option in the Sn column.

file:///C:/Users/Fredrik/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image003.png

Figure: „No snap” option

Objects” layers are built-in layers for objects like plate, wall, column, supports, loads etc. Each object type has an own layer (e.g. walls are displayed on the “Wall” object layer). Objects layers are not allowed to be deleted and renamed, but their states and the display colors and pen width of objects can be edited. ”Objects” Layers can also be excluded from the Object Snap by checking the „No snap” option.

Layer Status

Layer StatusSymbolFunction
Hiddenicon_layer_hiddenThe layer content is hidden in graphic windows
Protectedicon_layer_protectedThe layer content is visible, but protected from editing
Activeicon_layer_activeThe layer content is visible and editable in graphic windows

Table: Layer status

In Layers dialog changing the layer status is real-time, which means that the selected active (hidden) drawing or object layers become hidden (active) without closing the dialog.

Editing Layers

ToolFunctionAvailable for layer type
Make currentSets selected layer to be the current oneDrawing
New…Creates new layer in the available layer listDrawing
Delete

Deletes the selected layer from the layer list

MCj04113200000%5b1%5d  Delete function cannot be undone

All elements will be erased of a deleted layer

Drawing
Clear

Removes all elements of the selected layer

MCj04113200000%5b1%5d  Clear function cannot be undone

Drawing
Color

Modifies the current color of the selected layer

Defines the current drawing color

Defines the display color of Objects

MCj02990090000%5b1%5d  Color can be modified by elements with

     Edit > Change appearance

Drawing, Objects

Drawing

Objects

Pen

Sets the pen width assigned to the selected layer

Defines the current drawing pen width

Defines the display pen width of Objects

MCj02990090000%5b1%5d  Pen width can be modified by elements with

     Edit > Change appearance

Drawing, Objects

Drawing

Objects

Save>Save the current settings for the layersObjects
Load>Restore saved layer settingsObjects
Delete>Delete saved settingsObjects

Table: Editing layers

egerpad%20copy    The full content of an Objects layer can be erased with Tools > Delete all. The objects deleted with Delete all can be restored with Edit > Undo. Delete all erases the objects of protected layers too!

Co-ordinate Systems

Various co-ordinate systems are available in FEM-Design with different function, properties and display settings.

 

Global co-ordinate

system

User-defined co-ordinate

System (UCS)

Local co-ordinate

System

Function

Definition of co-ordinates

Definition of directions

Interpretation of results

-

Definition of co-ordinates

Definition of directions

-

-

-

Definition of directions

Interpretation of results

Definition of profiles

TypeRight-handed CartesianRight-handed Cartesian

Each structural object has got

Its own right-handed Cartesian

co-ordinate system

AxesX, Y, ZX, Y, (Z)x’, y’, z’
Symbolsymbol_globalcssymbol_ucssymbol_localcsbeam symbol_localcssurface
Symbol color

Fixed 3 colors,

X = green

Y = red

Z = blue

Fixed 2 colors,

X = cyan

Y = orange

User-defined 3 colors,

Settings > All >

Display > Local systems

PositionFixed

User-defined:

- View > UCS

- icon_insert  moves the origin to the

   position of the cross-hair cursor

- icon_Shift  + icon_insert  moves origin

   back to the origin of the Global

   system

Fixed for an object
DirectionFixed

User-defined:

- View > UCS

- icon_Shift  + icon_insert  resets the

   directions to the original state

Changeable:

Edit > Change direction

Show/Hide

Settings > All > Window >

Co-ordinate systems

Settings > All > Window >

Co-ordinate systems

By element types:

Settings > All > Display

Symbol size

Settings > All > Window >

Co-ordinate systems

Settings > All > Window >

Co-ordinate systems

By elements types:

Settings > All > Display

Table: Co-ordinate systems

User-defined co-ordinate system (UCS) is developed in order to easily define coordinates and directions in a 2D user-defined working plane.

Point Definition with Co-ordinates

Points can be defined with their co-ordinates in Descartes or Cylindrical co-ordinate systems.

co-ordinates Cylindrical.png co-ordinates Descartes.png csystempoint copy.png

Figure: Co-ordinate system types for point definition

Point co-ordinates can be defined in various unit types available at Settings > Units (Length and Angle).

The crosshair cursor position can be displayed on the Status bar in the Descartes or in the Cylindrical co-ordinate system by clicking the icon_COORD  symbol of the Co-ordinate box.

Descartes Orthogonal Co-ordinate System

(Cartesian co-ordinate system)

The individual co-ordinates represent the distance of the point from the origin of the orthogonal co-ordinate system (absolute) or from a previously defined point (relative) measured along X, Y and Z axes. Cartesian co-ordinate system is available for co-ordinate definition both in the Global co-ordinate and the UCS systems.

Cylindrical Co-ordinate System

(Polar co-ordinate system)

Point is defined by three components: an angle (a1) and two distances (d1 and d2). The a1 and d1 co-ordinates define the point position in the XY plane of the Global co-ordinate and the UCS systems, d2 sets the distance from the XY plane. The angle and the distances can be given from the origin of the co-ordinate systems (absolute) or from a previously defined point (relative).

Co-ordinate Definition Modes

Point co-ordinates can be defined by typing them in the Command line or the Co-ordinate box of the Status Bar, or just by mouse-clicking combined with the Object snap tools in the drawing area or in special points.

Absolute co-ordinate definition

Co-ordinates of a point are defined as distances/positions from a co-ordinate system origin.

Command line

Co-ordinate box

Absolute co-ordinates given in Command line and Co-ordinate box.png

Figure: Absolute co-ordinates given in Command line and Co-ordinate box

 Descartes Orthogonal SystemCylindrical co-ordinate system
 

Global co-ordinate

system

UCS

system

Global co-ordinate

system

UCS

system

 2D
Command line-

X_Y or X,Y

Example:

figure_commandlineDESCAR

-

P_a1_d1

Example:

figure_commandlinePOLAR

Co-ordinate boxCOORD- 2D Des-model.pngCOORD- 2D Des-UCS.pngCOORD- 2D Cyl-model.pngCOORD- 2D Cyl-UCS.png
 3D
Command line-

X_Y_Z or X,Y,Z

Example:

figure_commandlineDESCAR3d

-

P_a1_d1_d2

Example:

figure_commandlinePOLAR3d

Co-ordinate boxCOORD- 3D Des-Model.pngCOORD- 3D Des-UCS.pngCOORD- 3D Cyl-Model.pngCOORD- 3D Cyl-UCS.png

Table: Absolute co-ordinate definition modes

Rules of co-ordinate definition:

  • Co-ordinates given in Command line are valid only in UCS. But, if the UCS and Global system are in the same position (same origin and same axis directions), the defined point will be in the similar position in both two systems.
  • Decimal point has to be defined as “. ” and not “,”.
  • If you do not give Z value in the 3D modules, its value will be automatically zero.

Relative co-ordinate definition

There are three ways to define a point with given distance from another point (called “relative co-ordinates”).

Relative coordinates can be defined both in the Descartes and the Cylindrical co-ordinate systems and both in the Global and the UCS systems.

Relative (A): Distance from the last defined point

Distance from the last point can be defined in the Command line or with the Co-ordinate box. This mode is useful while creating line/polyline/polygon/surface with the distance from the start/previous point.

StepsCommand LineCo-ordinate box
1Define the start/previous point
22D
 

Type the distance co-ordinates as:

R_X_Y or @X,Y

Example:

figure_commandlineREL2D

Launch the Co-ordinate box dialog, change Origin to Last point, and give the distance co-ordinates.

icon_LastPoint

Example:

CORDINATES.png

 3D
 

Type the distance co-ordinates as:

R_X_Y_Z or @X,Y,Z

Example:

figure_commandlineREL3D

Launch the Co-ordinate box dialog, change Origin to Last point, and give the distance co-ordinates.

icon_LastPoint

Example:

COORDINATES1.png

Table: Relative (A) co-ordinate definition modes

relativeA.png

Figure: Meaning of Relative (A) way in case of beam and plate definition

Relative (B): Distance from a selected point

With the help of function key icon_F12  and the Co-ordinate dialog box, a point can be defined from the point on which the cross-hair cursor is left. The steps of definition:

  1. Leave the cursor above the required point found by one of the Object snap tools, which you would like to define the distance from.
  2. Click icon_F12  function key.
  3. Set the distance co-ordinates in the Co-ordinate dialog according to a selected co-ordinate system.

relativeB.png

Figure: Column definition with the distance from a slab corner or from a beam endpoint (Relative (B) way)

Relative (C): Point defined on line/edge with the distance from the end point

With the help of function key icon_F11  and the Co-ordinate dialog box, a point can be placed accurately on a line/edge defined with a given distance from the closer end point of the line/edge. The steps of definition:

  1. Leave the cursor above the required line/edge found and next to its end point you would like to define the distance from. The icon_nearestRaster  “Nearest” Object snap tool helps you to find the line/edge.
  2. Click icon_F11  function key.
  3. Set the distance (d) from the closer end-point you left the cursor in the appeared dialog box.

relativeC.png

Figure: Column definition on a beam by using the Relative (C) definition mode

Calculator

If you press icon_c key  while defining numeric values in a field of a dialog box, the Windows Calculator comes up. It is automatically filled with the content of the edit box. When you close the Calculator, the value calculated or typed in it will be written into the numeric field. It can be used with both Normal and Scientific views of the Calculator.

calculator.png

Figure: Calculator used in numeric fields of dialog boxes

Working Plane

The default working plane

 

Tags: Manual
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