View vectors in the graphics window

Because the display in the graphics window changes instantaneously as you modify your mechanism and simulate its motion, it helps you understand your mechanism better. You have the option of displaying vectors for all internal and external forces and torques. The lengths of force vectors are functions of the force values and a scale factor.

The methods of displaying force and torque vectors vary by the source of the force or torque.

Standard joints

1. On the Dynamic Simulation browser, select the standard joint , and click Properties.

   By default, the General tab of the Properties dialog box appears.

2. On the General tab, make sure that the Suppress joint check box is clear.

   Suppressed joints are not considered in any calculations. They do not have force or torque vectors when they are suppressed.

3. Click Force to show force vectors and/or Torque to show torque vectors.
4. You can change the scale factor or color of a vector type.

   These properties affect only the way the vectors appear in the graphics window. If you are viewing vectors from several different sources, you can enter the same scale for each, but different colors.

5. Enter the properties to determine the force and torque for the specific joint.

   Imposed motions, as well as internal force and torque properties, can affect forces and torques.

6. Click OK.
7. View the force and torque vectors in the graphics window.

Rolling and sliding joints

1. On the Dynamic Simulation browser, select the sliding or rolling joint, and click Properties.

   By default, the General tab of the Properties dialog box appears.

2. On the General tab, make sure the Suppress joint check box is clear.

   Suppressed joints appear in the graphics window, but they are not considered in any calculations. They do not have force or torque vectors as long as they are suppressed.

3. Click Force to show force vectors and/or Torque to show torque vectors.
4. You can change the scale factor or color of a vector type.

   These properties affect only the way the vectors appear in the graphics window. If you are viewing vectors from several different sources, you can enter the same scale for each, but different colors.

5. Enter the parameters to determine the force and torque.
6. Click OK.
7. View the force and torque vectors in the graphics window.

2D contact joints

1. On the Dynamic Simulation browser, select the 2D contact joint, and click Properties.
2. On the top half of the Properties dialog box, make sure that the Suppress joint check box is clear.

   Suppressed joints appear in the graphics window, but they are not considered in any calculations. They do not have force vectors as long as they are suppressed.

3. Enter the properties to determine the force.
4. Click More to show properties that affect only the appearance of the force vector in the graphics window.
5. If necessary, either click Action to show the action force and torque vectors or click Reaction to show the reaction force vectors.

   The default is to show the action vectors.

6. Click Normal, Tangential, and/or Resulting to show that type of force vector.
7. You can change the scale factor or color of a vector type.

   If you are viewing vectors from several different sources, you can enter the same scale for each, but different colors.

8. Click OK.
9. View the force vectors in the graphics window.

Force joints

1. On the Dynamic Simulation browser, select the force joint, and click Properties.
2. On the top half of the Properties dialog box, make sure that the Suppress joint check box is clear.

   While suppressed joints do appear in the graphics window, they are not considered in any calculations. They do not have force or torque vectors as long as they are suppressed.

3. Enter the properties because they determine the force.
4. Click more to show properties that affect only the appearance of the force and/or torque in the graphics window.
5. For a 3D contact joint , you can enter the number of contact points on one or both parts.
6. For a spring/damper/jack joint, you can enter the dimensions and properties of the spring and/or the color and intensity of the transparency.
7. Click Display to show the force vector.
8. You can change the scale factor or color of the vector.

   If you are viewing vectors from several different sources, you can enter the same scale for each, but different colors.

9. Click OK.
10. View the force vector in the graphics window.

External forces and torques

1. On the ribbon, click Dynamic Simulation tab Load panel Force or click Dynamic Simulation tab Load panel Torque .
2. On the top half of the Properties dialog box, make sure that the Suppress joint check box is clear.

   While suppressed joints do appear in the graphics window, they are not considered in any calculations. They do not have force or torque vectors as long as they are suppressed.

3. If you have not already done so, enter the properties on the top half of the Force or Torque dialog box because the properties determine the force or torque.
4. Click more to show properties that affect only the appearance of the force and/or torque in the graphics window.
5. If you want to see the X, Y, and Z vector components of this force or torque, click Use Vector Components and enter the correct values in the appropriate text boxes.
6. Click Display to show the force vector and, if selected, the force vector components.
7. If you want to change the scale factor or color of the vector, do that here as well.

   If you are viewing vectors from several different sources, it may help to enter the same scale for each, but different colors.

8. Click OK or Apply.

   Both apply your changes, but OK also closes the dialog box.

9. View the force vectors in the graphics window.

Gravity

1. In the Dynamic Simulation browser, right-click gravity and select Define gravity .
2. On the top half of the Gravity dialog box, make sure that the Suppress check box is clear.
3. To show a single gravity vector, click Entity.
4. Alternatively, to show vectors for the X, Y, and Z vector components of gravity, click Vector Components.
5. If you select Entity before selecting the entity where you want to show the gravity vector, click the selection arrow , and then select the entity in the graphics window.
6. If you select Entity and want to invert the direction of the gravity vector, click Invert normal .
7. Enter the values for gravity in the Value text box or in the Vector Components text boxes, as appropriate.
8. Click OK.
9. View the gravity vectors in the graphics window.

Show Me how to display and edit force and moment vectors