Line support
Use the Line support tool to place a continuous fixed or spring support along a straight or curved edge, restraining either translational or rotational degrees of freedom.
When you select Line support, a tool palette opens.
Main tools
- Define – place a new line support with the current functions and definition method
- Properties – check or edit properties of existing line supports. Opens the Default settings dialogue for the selected elements
- Default settings – set the default parameters for new line supports (read below in more detail)
Support type
- Motion – create a translational spring or restraint
- Rotation – create a rotational spring or restraint
Direction functions
Only available while Define tool is selected
- Predefined direction – align the support along a predefined axis
- Parallel with line – select an existing line and place the support parallel to it
- Perpendicular to plane – select a plane to place the support normal to its surface
- Direction – only when Predefined direction is selected; choose one of six axes: global X, Y, Z or user coordinate system x, y, z
- Positive direction / Negative direction – flip the orientation of the selected axis to follow its positive or negative direction
Definition methods
- Straight line – pick two points to draw a straight-line support
- Arc by center, start point and angle – define the centre, a start point and sweep angle
- Arc by 3 points – define three points lying on the arc
- Arc by start, end point and tangent – define start and end points plus tangent at the start
- Line by selection – select an existing line or edge to define the support path
Default settings
When you press the Default settings button, a dialogue window opens.
This dialogue contains two tabs: General and Data. These follow the settings used in all support elements and edge connections.
note
To read more about these settings, see:
User interface ➔ Tab menus ➔ Structure ➔ Additional dialogues ➔ Edge connections