Entities can be added or cut/removed from panels using the Browser Context Menu. Right-click on the entity folder in the Project Browser and select Add "Entity", or right-click the entity in the Project Browser and select Delete to remove the entity, or Cut to remove the entity and make it available to reinsert/paste it elsewhere.
| Note | You can also add entities by right clicking the "entity" panel button on the toolbar. |
Entities can be added/removed from the following panels:
Adding Entities
Each entity that is added requires a variable name, label, and an indication as to whether the entity is single or a pair. An optional descriptive note can also be included. Each variable name must be unique in the system to which the entity is being added. Once an entity has been added, its variable name cannot be changed from a MotionView panel.
Graphics, joints, advanced joints, and spring dampers require additional information in the Add dialog:
| • | The graphic type can be specified in the Add Graphic or GraphicPair dialog by selecting from a list of available graphic types. |
| • | The joint type can be specified in the Add Joint or JointPair dialog by selecting from a list of available joint types. Allow compliance specifies if the joint is replaced by a bushing when the model is switched to the compliant mode. The advanced joint type can also be specified in the Add AdvJoint dialog by selecting from a list of available joint types. |
| • | The spring damper type can be specified as a coil spring or torsional spring from the Add SpringDamper or SpringDamperPair dialog. |
Removing Entities
Before an entity is removed, MotionView prompts you with a list of dependencies associated with that entity and allows you to cancel the action.
| Note | There are two areas where you must check dependencies manually: Templex templates and expressions. If the MDL model contains expressions that refer to the entity being deleted, MotionView will not prompt you. Similarly, if the MDL model contains Templex templates that refer to the entity being deleted, you must track those dependencies. |
| 1. | Right-click the "Entity" (for example, Points) folder in the Project Browser and select Add "Entity" from the context menu, or right-click the "Entity" panel button on the toolbar. |
OR
You can also right-click on a system in the Project Browser and use the context menu to add an "entity" (for example: Add > Reference Entity > "Entity",
Add > Constraint > "Entity", Add > Force Entity > "Entity",
Add > Control Entity > "Entity", Add > General MDL Entity > "Entity").
The Add "Entity" dialog is displayed for the current entity type.
| 2. | The parent system name is displayed in the System field. |
| 3. | Enter a label in the Label: field, if you want to use a different label name than the default. |
The label name can be changed at any time.
| 4. | Enter a variable name in the Variable: field, if you want to use a different variable name than the default. |
The variable name is required and cannot be changed after it is defined.
| 5. | Under Type:, select single or pair, if applicable. |
| 6. | Select a type (if applicable). For example, when adding a Joint, select the joint type. |
| 7. | Enter any notes in the Note: text box (optional). |
The new entity is added to the model in the current system, and the Add "Entity" dialog is closed.
|
| 1. | Right-click the "Entity" folder (for example, Points) in the Project Browser and select Add "Entity" from the context menu, or right-click the "Entity" panel button on the toolbar. |
OR
You can also right-click on a system in the Project Browser and use the context menu to add multiple "entities" (for example: Add > Reference Entity > "Entity",
Add > Constraint > "Entity", Add > Force Entity > "Entity",
Add > Control Entity > "Entity", Add > General MDL Entity > "Entity").
The Add "Entity" dialog is displayed for the current entity type.
| 2. | The parent system name is displayed in the System field. |
| 3. | Enter a label in the Label: field, if you want to use a different label name than the default. |
The label name can be changed at any time.
| 4. | Enter a variable name in the Variable: field, if you want to use a different variable name than the default. |
The variable name is required and cannot be changed after it is defined.
| 5. | Under Type:, select single or pair, if applicable. |
| 6. | Select a type (if applicable). For example, when adding a Joint, select the joint type. |
| 7. | Enter any notes in the Note: text box (optional). |
The new entity is added to the model in the current system.
| 9. | Repeat steps 1-8 to add each additional entity. |
| Note | If you click OK, another entity is added to the entity list. For example, if you have already added three entities using the Apply button, another entity is added to the entity list when you click OK. Click Cancel to stop adding entities to the list and exit the dialog. |
|
| 1. | From the Project Browser, right-click on the entity that you would like to remove. |
| 2. | Select Delete from the context menu. |
A dialog is displayed warning you that dependencies may exist and prompts you to cancel or continue.
| 3. | Click OK to remove the entity. |
OR
Click Cancel to cancel the operation.
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