OrcaFlex Manual - Orcina

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User Interface, 3D Views
� Flex Joints are drawn as cylinders with radius 2R and length 4R where R is the radius of the node to which the
flex joint is attached.
� Links and Winches are drawn as a series of cylinders joining the connection points. The diameter of the
cylinders can be specified on the object's data form.
3.6.6 Selecting Objects
A single CLICK on or near an object in a 3D View selects it ready for further operations. The currently selected object
is indicated in the Status bar. All objects have a hot zone around them. If several objects have overlapping hot zones
at the mouse position, they will be selected in turn at subsequent CLICKS.
To deselect the object (without selecting another object) CLICK on the 3D view away from all objects. CLICK on an
object to open its data form.
3.6.7 Creating and Destroying Objects
When the model is in Reset or Statics Complete state then you can create and destroy objects using the mouse.
To create a new object, CLICK on the appropriate new object button on the tool bar or select the Model | New Object
menu item. The mouse cursor changes to show this. A new object of that type is created at the position of the next
CLICK on a 3D View.
You can also create a new object by copying an existing one. To do this select the object and press CTRL+C to take a
copy of it. You can now press CTRL+V (more than once if you want more than one copy) – again the mouse cursor
changes and the copy object is pasted at the position of the next mouse CLICK in a 3D view. This method of creating a
new object is particularly useful if you want an almost identical object – you can create a copy of it and then just
change the data that you want to differ.
To destroy an object, simply select it and then press the DELETE key. You will be asked to confirm the action.
3.6.8 Dragging Objects
An unlocked object may be dragged to relocate it by pressing the mouse button down and holding it down while
moving the mouse. When the mouse button is released, then the object will be positioned at the new location. The
current coordinates of the object are shown in the Status Bar during the drag operation.
Note: Objects must be dragged a certain minimum distance (as specified in the Preferences form) before
the drag operation is started. This prevents accidental movement of objects when DOUBLE CLICKING
etc.
Objects may be locked to prevent unintended drag operations moving them (see Locking an object). Their
coordinates may still be edited on their data form.
Note: Slave objects that are connected are moved relative to their master's local origin. Other objects are
moved in the global coordinate frame.
Dragging is only available in Reset or Statics Complete states, and when the object is not locked.
3.6.9 Connecting Objects
Unlocked slave objects (e.g. Lines, Links, etc.) can be connected to master objects using the mouse in a 3D View (see
Object Connections). First select the end of the slave that you want to connect by CLICKING on or near its end joint.
Then hold down the CTRL key while CLICKING on the master object – the two will then be connected together. This
operation is only permitted for master-slave object pairs, for example connecting a line to a vessel. The connection is
indicated in the Status Bar and the joint connected is drawn in the colour of the master object to show the
connection.
To Free a joint – i.e. to disconnect it – select it and then CTRL+CLICK on the sea surface.
To connect a joint to a Fixed Point, select it and then CTRL+CLICK on the global axes.
To connect an object to an Anchor (a fixed point with a coordinate relative to the seabed), select it and then
CTRL+CLICK on the seabed grid. If the object is close to the seabed then the program snaps it onto the seabed. This
allows an object to be placed exactly on the seabed. If you require an anchor coordinate close to, but not on the
seabed, connect it to the seabed at a distance and then drag it nearer or edit the coordinate in the Data Form.