Exercise 3 ± Branch Routing
5 Positioning Commands for Branch Head/Tail
5.4 Alternative Positioning Forms
5.4.1 Move Form
Navigate to BRAN CTRAY_YY2/B1 and select BEND 1 to demonstrate the Move form.
The Move form is used to move the current element in a given direction.
This can be a specified distance in that direction, to a position relative to another element, or relative to a plane through a given component.
All of the forms have four common tabs:-
x Distance PPoint moves a distance in a given direction.
The Parameters section of the Move form allows the user to set the following:-
x Origin ± using a scrollable to select Origin, Arrive or Leave.
x Distance
x Direction
x WRT ± sets the frame of reference for the direction of movement With Respect To a specified element.
Movement Direction
Distance
The WRT setting can be influenced by the four buttons as explained:- - Direction with respect to itself
- Direction with respect to owner or first ancestor that has an orientation - Direction with respect to the World
- Direction with respect to a picked element
For very simple movements the Parameters section of the form can be employed on its own with the Target section using the Relative To setting of No Target, for example:-
Before After
However the Target section of the form provides additional functionality:-
x Relative To - allows the user to select from numerous options to determine how the element is positioned in relation to the target element or position.
In Front / Behind
On Top / Under From / Towards
Distance Under Distance On Top
Movement
Distance To
Movement Direction
Distance From
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With the Relative To option set to something other than No Target, the Select options become available to the user. The setting of this option determines how the remainder of this form will function as shown:-
Selecting the Element option allows the user to specify the element to be referenced either by keying in the name or by clicking the Pick Target Element button and indicating the element in the 3D View.
Alternatively, selecting the Position option forces the users to click the Pick Target Position button. This allows the user to use the Positioning Control toolbar to perform an EDG pick to specify the position in the 3D View.
The resulting position is indicated in the 3D View as an aid as shown.
In this case the Ppoint on the straight cabletray element has has been used, however the used can pick Ppoints on hull or other outfitting elements.
The remaining options of Next, Tail, Previous, Head and Current require no additional input.
Checking the Plane Through Target check box allows the user to specify the direction of the Plane. The current element is moved so that its origin moves a given distance in a given direction, where the distance is measure from intersection of direction of movement and the reference plane. The reference plane is specified relative to the element or position nominated in the Select scrollable list.
Movement Direction
Plane Through
5.4.1.2 Through Tab
The Through tab allows the user to move the element in a given direction until it reaches a point or is relative to a plane perpendicular to the direction of movement through another point.
The Parameters section of the form is identical to that detailed for the Move tab with the exception that there is no Distance input text box.
Unlike the Move tab the Target section must be used to perform an operation. The Target section of the form is similar to that detailed for the Move tab. However there is no Relative To scrollable list and the Through scrollable list is the same as the Select version on the Move tab.
Checking the Plane Through Tangent check box allows the user to specify the direction of the Plane. The current element is moved so that its origin moves to the intersection of the direction of movement and the reference plane. The reference plane is specified relative to the element or position nominated in the Through scrollable list.
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volume or a Ppoint is a given clearance from another element. The clearance is measured in the same direction as the movement.The Parameters section of the Clearance tab differs slightly in that the Origin also contains an All option which allows for any obstruction volumes. The user can also specify the amount of Clearance required.
The remainder of this form works in the same fashion as the Move tab.
The illustration below shows how the Clearance tab can be used in conjunction with the Relative To options to great effect.
In Front / Behind Movement
Direction
Clearance
Clearance Under Clearance On Top
Movement Direction
Clearance To
Movement Direction
Clearance From
On Top / Under From / Towards
Towards Tab
The Towards tab allows the user to move the element a given distance in a direction specified in terms of another element.
The Towards tab is much simpler than the previous tabs, but uses the Parameters and Target sections in an identical manner
Movement Direction Towards Target Distance