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CAD Topsolid On Line Help Index

The compass

 

A compass which allows to change the view orientation is available in each view. In its default position, it represent the current coordinate system orientation

Dynamic use of the compass

Each parts of the compass allows to make dynamic actions : view along a direction, centred rotation, rotation around axes, translations.

See an example

 

See an example

 

See an example

 

See an example

 

See an example

When you move the compass on a circular face, TopSolid change the cursor appearance (circle+axes), in this case the compass will be positioned on the circular face axis .

Compass functions

When the compass is in its initial position or floating on a view, a right click mouse displays a contextual menu which allows to make the following operations :

Function

Description

Hook

Locate the compass on the latest point used for hooking or on the current coordinate system (when the compass has never been hooked) :

  • When the compass has been moved (moved in the view or hooked on an element), a symbolic coordinate system which display the current coordinate system orientation is displayed at the compass initial location (bottom left corner of the graphic area).

  • When the compass has been moved, use a double-click to move it back to its initial location and vice versa.

Hook to current coordinate system

Locate the compass on the current coordinate system.

Move to default position

Locate the compass on the bottom left corner of the graphic area or on its default position.

Define as default position

Define the actual compass location as the default position.

Perspective

Display the view in perspective orientation and make a global zoom.

Display compass

Show or hide the compass. Once the compass has been hidden, use the contextual menu of the default coordinate system to show it again.

Display default coordinate system

Show or hide the default coordinate system. Once the default coordinate system has been hidden, use the contextual menu of the compass to show it again.

 

When the compass has been hooked on an element, a right click mouse displays a contextual menu which allows to make the following operations :

Function

Description

Unhook

Locate the compass on the bottom left corner of the screen or on its default position.

Orient

Display a dialog box which allows to modify the compass orientation.

Create coordinate system

Create a coordinate system on the element on which the compass is hooked.

The coordinate system type depend on the element on which the compass is hooked :

  • Hooking on point : Coordinate system on point.

  • Hooking on edge or curve : Coordinate system on curve and point.

  • Hooking on planar face : Constrained coordinate system on face or coordinate system on face and point.

  • Hooking on non planar face : coordinate system on face and point.

  • Hooking on coordinate system : no coordinate system created.

Current coordinate system

Create a coordinate system (and set it as current) on the element on which the compass is hooked.

 

 

Specific point(s) :

Once the compass and the default coordinate system has been hidden, use the Compass rubric of the Tools | Options function to show them again.

It is not possible to cancel the moving of the compass nor elements created with it (coordinate system creation).

The size and the colour of the compass can be modified using the Compass rubric of the Tools | Options function.

When the compass is not visible in the view (if it has been hooked on an element which is outside the view), you just have to make a click on the default coordinate system or choose the Get back compass function in the contextual menu of the default coordinate system to get it back.

 

 

CAD Topsolid On Line Help Index
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