Creating a Solid Model

object by 90 degrees about the y-axis and then performing a second rotation of 90 degrees about the x-axis. A translation of the object’s center position is performed after the any rotations.

Defining Primitive Solid Objects

Simple or primitive solid objects are created in TracePro using the Insert|Primitive Solid menu item and the dialog box it opens. It is a tabbed dialog box, with tabs for Block, Cylinder/Cone, Torus, Sphere, and Thin Sheet.

FIGURE 2.1 - Insert Primitive Solid dialog box

The Block, Cylinder/Cone and Torus tabs let you specify rotation angles for the solid. Each of these angles are rotations about the coordinate axes. When you select the Insert button, the solid is created at the origin, then rotated first about the x-axis, then about the y-axis, then about the z-axis, and finally moved to the position you have entered.

Many of the objects created within TracePro can be modified with the same dialog that created them--note the Modify button in Figure 2.1. You can select an existing primitive object and then use the Insert|Primitive Solid dialog box to access and change the data by pressing the Modify button. Note that the Modify button will be disabled if you don’t have an appropriate primitive solid selected in the model window.

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Defining Primitive Solid Objects

Block

FIGURE 2.2 - Block primitive object

To create a block:

1.Select the Block tab of the Insert Primitive Solids dialog box.

2.Enter the X, Y, Z width dimensions of the block.

3.Enter the X, Y, Z coordinates of the center of the block under Center Position.

4.If you wish to rotate the block, enter the X, Y, Z coordinate rotation angles.

5.Press the Insert button to create the block.

If it is not visible in the current view, it is either too small to be seen, or it is outside the view. You can either Zoom Window (if it’s too small), Zoom All (if it’s too large or outside the view) or Zoom Selection to make it visible.

Cylinder/Cone

FIGURE 2.3 - Cylinder primitive object

To create a Cylinder:

1.Select the Cylinder/Cone tab of the Insert Primitive Solids dialog box.

2.Select the Cylinder radio button.

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Creating a Solid Model

3.Enter the X, Y, Z position of the base of the cylinder.

4.Enter the radius of the cylinder.

5.Enter the length of the cylinder.

6.If you wish to rotate the cylinder, enter the X, Y, Z coordinate rotation angles. An unrotated cylinder has its axis along the z-axis.

7.Press the Insert button to create the cylinder.

If you want an elliptical cylinder, check the Elliptical box and enter the Minor Radius.

FIGURE 2.4 - Cone primitive object

To create a Cone:

1.Select the Cylinder/Cone tab of the Insert Primitive Solids dialog box.

2.Select the Cone radio button.

3.Enter the X, Y, Z position of the base of the cone.

4.Enter the base radius of the cone.

5.Enter the length of the cone.

6.Enter the top radius of the cone.

7.If you wish to rotate the cone, enter the X, Y, Z coordinate rotation angles. An unrotated cone has its axis along the z-axis.

8.Press the Insert button to create the cone.

If you want an elliptical cone, place a check mark in the Elliptical check box and enter the Base Minor Radius.

If it is not visible in the current view, it is either too small to be seen, or it is outside the view. You can either Zoom Window (if it’s too small), Zoom All (if it’s too large, too small, or outside the view) or Zoom Selection to make it visible.

Torus

A torus is a doughnut-shaped object. The major radius and the minor radius are indicated in Figure 2.5.

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Defining Primitive Solid Objects

FIGURE 2.5 - Torus primitive object showing major and minor radii

To create a torus:

1.Select the Torus tab of the Insert|Primitive Solids dialog box.

2.Enter the Major Radius and Minor Radius.

3.Enter the X, Y, Z coordinates of the center of the torus under Center Position.

4.If you wish to rotate the torus, enter the X, Y, Z coordinate rotation angles. An unrotated torus has its axis along the z-axis.

5.Press the Insert button to create the torus.

If it is not visible in the current view, it is too small to be seen or it is outside the view. You can select Zoom Window (if it’s too small), Zoom All (if it’s too large or outside the view) or Zoom Selection to make it visible.

Sphere

FIGURE 2.6 - Sphere primitive object

To create a sphere:

1.Select the Sphere tab of the Insert|Primitive Solids dialog box.

2.Enter the radius of the sphere.

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