Overview of Body and Geometric Entities

A body can consist of one or several geometric entities. You must define at least one geometric entity for a body; otherwise you may face difficulties in later operations. Mass and moments of inertia are only calculated for a solid geometric entity. Zero mass is given for a surface, line, and curve. You can create a solid body using the geometric entity library in the Assembly Mode. However, to modify the body you must use the Body Editing Mode. In order to create a body consisting of multiple and complex shaped geometric entities, you must enter the Body Editing Mode. A solid or surface geometric entity can also be generated, starting from an in-plane profile. You can create or modify the profile in the Profile Editing Mode. You can relocate and reorient a set of selected entities using the object control command. If a parametric point relates to an entity, you cannot move it using the object control command. From the assembly mode, double click on an existing geometric entity to enter the Body Editing Mode.  From the body editing mode click on the Profile icon to enter the Profile Editing Mode.

Creation Method

You can use various creation methods when creating a body.

Dialog box

• Body properties can be modified by using body property dialog box in the Assembly Mode such as mass, mass moment of inertia, body color, initial body position and orientation, initial velocity and etc.
• Geometric properties can be modified by using geometric entity property dialog box in the Body-Editing Mode such as length, point, graphic reference frame, radius, geometric entity color and height.
• Profile properties can be modified by using profile property dialog box in the Profile-Editing Mode such as nodal points and radius.