User Coordinate System

Define the User Coordinate System (UCS).

Most structures in practice are composed of a combination of many different plane frames and modules of similar geometric characteristics. Each plane frame and modular unit can be singled out in a given coordinate system apart from the Global Coordinate System. This local coordinate system is conveniently selected to simplify the process of geometry generation.

The User Coordinate System is referred to as the coordinate system set up by the user to ease the modeling task.

Use also GCS or UCS in the Icon Menu to switch the working environment to and from UCS and GCS (Global Coordinate System).

In addition, the use of UCS x-y plane in conjunction with the use of grids to place the grid points of grid lines provides an effective modeling environment.

From the Main Menu select Model > User Coordinate System > X - Y Plane.

From the Main Menu select Model > User Coordinate System > X - Z Plane.

From the Main Menu select Model > User Coordinate System > Y - Z Plane.

From the Main Menu select Model > User Coordinate System > Three Points.

From the Main Menu select Model > User Coordinate System > Three Angles.

From the Main Menu select Model > User Coordinate System > Named Plane.

From the Main Menu select Model > User Coordinate System > UCS by UCS.

From the Main Menu select Model > User Coordinate System > Named UCS.

Select Geometry > User Coordinate System > X - Y Plane in the Menu tab of the Tree Menu.

Select Geometry > User Coordinate System > X - Z Plane in the Menu tab of the Tree Menu.

Select Geometry > User Coordinate System > Y - Z Plane in the Menu tab of the Tree Menu.

Select Geometry > User Coordinate System > Three Points in the Menu tab of the Tree Menu.

Select Geometry > User Coordinate System > Three Angles in the Menu tab of the Tree Menu.

Select Geometry > User Coordinate System > Named Plane in the Menu tab of the Tree Menu.

Select Geometry > User Coordinate System > UCS by UCS in the Menu tab of the Tree Menu.

Select Geometry > User Coordinate System > Named UCS in the Menu tab of the Tree Menu.

Click X - Y in the Icon Menu.

Click X - Z in the Icon Menu.

Click Y - Z in the Icon Menu.

Click Three Points in the Icon Menu.

Click Three Angles in the Icon Menu.

Click Named Plane in the Icon Menu.

Click Set UCS by Current UCS in the Icon Menu.

Click Named UCS in the Icon Menu.

Select a desired tab in the dialog box and enter the related data.

Activate UCS Plane

Activate the UCS x-y plane including the UCS origin point. Use Active All to activate the remaining parts of the model.

Change View Direction

Automatically change the View Point to view the model from the UCS (+)z-direction.

 X-Y Plane tab

Set the UCS x-y plane to be parallel with the GCS (Global Coordinate System) X-Y plane.

Origin

Enter the coordinates of the UCS origin point with respect to the GCS.

Rather than typing in the coordinates, click the entry field and the relevant position in the working window.

Angle

When the UCS x-y axes are rotated about the GCS Z-axis, enter the rotation angle with an appropriate sign using the right-hand rule.

          X-Y Plane dialog box

 X-Z Plane tab

Set the UCS x-y plane to be parallel with the GCS X-Z plane.

Origin

Enter the coordinates of the UCS origin point with respect to the GCS.

Rather than typing in the coordinates, click the entry field and the relevant position in the working window.

Angle

When the UCS x-y plane axes are rotated about the GCS negative Y-axis, enter the rotation angle with an appropriate sign using the right-hand rule.

          X-Z Plane dialog box

 Y-Z Plane tab

Set the UCS x-y plane to be parallel with the GCS Y-Z plane.

Origin

Enter the coordinates of the UCS origin point with respect to the GCS.

Rather than typing in the coordinates, click the entry field and the relevant position in the working window.

Angle

When the UCS x-y axes are rotated about the GCS X-axis, enter the rotation angle with an appropriate sign using the right-hand rule.

              Y-Z Plane dialog box

Three Points tab

Enter the coordinates of the UCS origin point and the coordinates of 2 points on the UCS x-y plane to define the UCS.

Origin

Enter the coordinates of the UCS origin point with respect to the GCS.

Rather than typing in the coordinates, click the entry field and the relevant position in the working window.

Pt. on x-Axis.

Enter the coordinates of a point on the UCS x-axis.

Pt. on x-y Dir.

Enter the coordinates of a point on the UCS x-y plane.

Three Points dialog box

 Three Angles tab

Enter the coordinates of the UCS origin point and 3 angles to define the UCS.

Origin

Enter the coordinates of the UCS origin point with respect to the GCS.

Rather than typing in the coordinates, click the entry field and the relevant position in the working window.

1. About X Axis: Angle of rotation about the GCS X-axis.

2. About y' Axis: Angle of rotation about the y'-axis, which is modified by step1.

3. About z'' Axis: Angle of rotation about the z"-axis, which is modified by steps 1 & 2.

Three Angles dialog box

                                                                 Definition of UCS (Three Angles)

 Named Plane tab

Define the UCS x-y plane by selecting a plane defined by Model > Named Plane.

Named Plane dialog box

 UCS by UCS tab

Define the UCS by modifying the currently defined UCS.

UCS by UCS dialog box

x Rot: Angle of rotation about the current UCS x-axis

y Rot: Angle of rotation about the current UCS y-axis

z Rot: Angle of rotation about the current UCS z-axis

Origin Point: Coordinates of the new UCS origin point relative to the current UCS

 Named UCS tab

Access and apply a UCS previously saved.

To save the current UCS click at the bottom of the dialog box

UCS Name

Name of saved UCS

Origin Point

Origin coordinates of the new UCS (in GCS)

ux: Direction vector of the new UCS in x-dir. (in GCS)

uy: Direction vector of the new UCS in y-dir. (in GCS)