Define Grid System Data Form

For a regular or general system, the coordinate system is defined using an origin and orientation relative to the Global coordinate system. All coordinate systems follow the right-hand rule. The grid lines for a regular system are defined relative to X, Y, or Z (Cartesian) or r, theta, or Z (cylindrical). The grid lines for a general system are defined relative to XY and Z only.

Display Grid as: Ordinates or Spacing. Choose to display the locations of the points defining the grid line using coordinates or lengths in the current units relative to the origin. The ordinates or the spacing will display in the X/R, Y/Theta, and Z Grid Data spreadsheets (Regular System) or the Z Grid Data spreadsheet (General System).
X/R Grid Data, Y/Theta Grid Data, and Z Grid Data spreadsheets for a Regular System or Z Grid Data spreadsheet for a General System.
- Quick Start button. This spreadsheet area will be empty if the form is accessed after the model has been started (i.e., if Method 2 for a regular system or 2.a for a general system, above, was used to access this form). Click this button to access the Quick Grid Lines form and specify the number of grid lines, the grid spacing, and the coordinates of the first grid line location to quickly define a grid system. The grid data will be transferred to the spreadsheet automatically when the OK button is clicked on the Quick Grid Lines form. The program will apply default IDs, Line Types, and so forth, that can then be modified as needed.
- Grid ID column. This column displays the identification number for the grid lines in the coordinate system. If needed, click in the cell and type in a new ID.
- Ordinate/Spacing column. Use the cells in this column to specify the location of the end point for the grid line relative to the origin of the coordinate system.
- Line Type column. The grid line can be a primary or secondary line. Click in the cell to choose the appropriate option.
- Visibility column. Use this column to specify that the grid line be visible or invisible. Click in the cell to choose the appropriate option.
- Bubble Loc column. By default, the ID bubble for the X grid displays at the End of the grid line, the bubble for the Y grid displays at the Start of the grid line, and the bubble for the Z grid displays at the End of the grid line. Click in the cells in this column and select the appropriate option to reverse the location of the ID bubble.
- Grid Color column. Use the cells in this column to specify the display color for the grid line. Double click on the cell to display the Color form and select a new color.
- Edit menu. Use the commands on the form's Edit menu to Cut, Copy, Paste, and Delete the data in the spreadsheet area. Highlight a row of data before clicking the Edit menu > Insert Row or Edit menu > Delete Row commands to add or remove rows of data, respectively. Adding or removing rows adds or deletes grid lines.
- Format menu. Use the form's Format menu to change the color for a selected row of data.
Hide All Grid Lines check box. When this check box is checked, the grid lines will not display on the model.
Glue to Grid Lines check box. Check the Glue to Grid Lines check box so that joints will move with the grids when the grid lines are moved. This is a very powerful way to quickly edit the structure without redefining joint locations.
Bubble Size edit box. Use this edit box to specify the size of the ID bubble in pixels.
Reset to Default Color button. Click this button to reset the display color for the grid line to the default setting. This button appears on the form only when the system is a Regular system.
Reorder Ordinates button. This button is available when the Ordinates option is selected in the Display Grid as area of the form. Clicking this button will arrange the ordinates in sequential order.
Locate System Origin button. Click this button to display the Coord System Location and Orientation form and define a new coordinate system.

Access the Define Grid System Data form for a Regular System as follows:

Method 1:

Click the File menu > New Model command or the Edit menu > Add to Model from Template command to display the New Model form.
Choose a template to display the {Template} form.
Check the Use Custom Grid Spacing and Locate Origin check box and click the Edit Grid button.

Method 2:

Click the Define menu > Coordinate Systems/Grids command, or right click in a blank area of a display window showing an undeformed shape and select the Edit Grid Data command from the resulting pop-up menu, to display the Coordinate/Grid Systems form. Then do one of the following:

- Click the Add New System button to access the Coord System Location and Orientation form; make any necessary adjustments. Click the OK button.
- Highlight the name of a previously defined Regular system in the Systems display area on the Coordinate/Grid Systems form and click the Add Copy of System or Modify/Show System button.

Access the Define Grid Data form for a General System as follows:

Click the Define menu > Coordinate Systems/Grid command, or right click in a blank area of a display window showing an undeformed shape and select the Edit Grid Data command from the resulting pop-up menu, to display the Coordinate/Grid Systems form.
Then do one of the following:

1. Click the Add New System button to display the Coord System Location and Orientation form; then,
1. 1. Make any necessary adjustments to the coordinate system orientation.
  2. Click the OK button to access the Define Grid System Data form.
  3. Click the OK button to return to the Coordinate/Grid Systems form.
  4. Highlight the newly named system and check the Convert to General Grid check box to convert the regular system to a general system.
  5. Click the Add Copy of System or Modify/Show System button to display the Grid System Data form.
2. Highlight the name of a previously defined General grid system definition in the Systems area of the Coordinate/Grid Systems form, or highlight the name of a Regular grid system definition and check the Convert to General Grid check box to convert the system to a General system. Then click the Add Copy of System or Modify/Show System button to display the Grid System Data form.

Click the Define Z Grid Lines button.