Adding a Coordinate
In order to connect a CAD subsystem to Multibody components, you must add a port to the CAD subsystem. This is done by attaching a coordinate system (or Coord).
You can add a coordinate to a part in the Import CAD window, or after the parts have been imported into MapleSim, in the Feature Detect window. When you return to MapleSim, the CAD subsystem has a port that corresponds to the Coord you added.
To add a coordinate to a part:
In either the Import CAD window or the Feature Detect window, select the part you want to add a coordinate to.
Orient the part to see the feature you want to attach the coordinate to.
Tip: You may want to hide some parts in order to better see this part. See Show or Hide Parts.
Do one of the following.
Click Place Coordinate ( ) and then click the edge or surface where you want to place the coordinate. Then, press Esc to exit this mode.
Press and hold C and then click the edge or surface where you want to place the coordinate. (Alternatively, press and hold Shift + C to place the coordinate on a surface only.)
Tip: Using the shortcut key is recommended, because you exit the mode as soon as you release the key.
The pointer changes to indicate coordinate placement mode: . When you hover over an edge, the pointer changes to indicate coordinate placement on an edge: .
The coordinate is placed. In the Tree View, coordinates are indicated by this icon:
Tip: You can change the size of the coordinate indicator. For more about this setting, see Setting Display Settings.
The orientation of the coordinate is determined using the normal to the point you click on. You can control the orientation by orienting the view before starting the process, so that the surface normal you want as the coordinate Z points directly at the camera. You can also change the orientation of a coordinate after it is created.
To change the orientation of a coordinate:
Select the coordinate.
Click Properties ( ) in the toolbar.
In the Coordinate tab of the Properties dialog, edit the values for Rx, Ry, and Rz.
You can also edit the position values (X, Y, and Z) from this dialog.
In the workspace, the coordinate axes are updated to reflect the change. For more information on orientation, see Coordinate Orientation.
To rename a coordinate, select it and use Ctrl + R as a shortcut to open the Properties dialog. Type a new name in the name field.
To delete a coordinate, select it and press Delete.
You can change the Tree View to see the Coordinate Tree View by clicking on Toggle Coordinates Tree View ( ) on the top of the Tree View pane.
Note: When you import your CAD model into MapleSim, the CAD subsystem has a port corresponding to the coordinate you added. For more information, see Coords and Ports.
See Also
Adding a Reference Coordinate
Calculating Distances
Calculating the Center of a Sphere
Calculating the Center of Gravity
Coordinate Orientation
Coords and Ports
Setting Display Settings
Show or Hide Parts
MapleSim CAD Toolbox Overview
Tutorial: Building a Pick and Place Model with the CAD Toolbox
Download Help Document
