Create Joints

  1. From the Browser, select the system to which the joint is to be added.
  2. From the Model ribbon, click the Joints icon.
    A guide bar for entity creation appears.
  3. Optional: Select the Pair check box to create a pair entity.
    A joint entity, like most of the entities that are created in MotionView, can be a single entity or a pair entity. Pair entities help to create models that are symmetric about the Z-X plane of the model. Their properties can also be symmetric about the Z-X plane (in other words, the Y property is mirrored). Asymmetry or symmetry of the joint can be decided or specified when editing the created joint.
  4. Select the first body reference (Body 1).
    • Select a body in the modeling window.

      OR

    • On the guide bar, click the Advanced Selector and make your selection in the Model Tree.
    Note: When defining a pair joint, use pair entities for Body, Origin, etc.
  5. Select the second body reference (Body 2).
    • Select a body in the modeling window.

      OR

    • On the guide bar, click the Advanced Selector and make your selection in the Model Tree.
  6. Select an origin reference.
    • Select a point in the modeling window.

      OR

    • On the guide bar, click the Advanced Selector and make your selection in the Model Tree.
  7. Optional: Click to reset the entity selections and select new entities.
  8. Once the reference selections are made, create the joint using one of the following methods:
    • Click on the guide bar. Next, use the microdialog to select the desired joint type from the drop-down menu and edit/orient the joint.

      OR

    • Click the button that appears at the mouse location in the modeling window. Next, use the microdialog to select the desired joint type from the drop-down menu and edit/orient the joint.

      OR

    • Click to create the entity and exit the selections for this joint.
    Note: If the selected joint is a pair entity, use the microdialog to distinguish between the Left and Right and then edit its properties.
    Once the joint has been added to the model, the corresponding joint will automatically be displayed in the browser area.
    Note: By default, variables names of entities in MotionView follow a certain convention. For example, all joint entities have a variable name starting with 'j_'. This is the recommended convention to follow when building models in MotionView since it has many advantages in model editing and model manipulation.
Tip: A new joint can be created from the Project Browser by right-clicking on the Model label (or any system/analysis of your choice) and selecting Add > Constraint > Joint or by right-clicking Joints and selecting Add Joint.