Virtual bar
The Virtual bar tool is used to define virtual bar elements for extracting bar-type results along user-defined paths in the model.
When you activate this tool, a tool palette opens.
Main tools
- Define – create new virtual bars using available direction and line definition methods
- Properties – view or edit properties of existing virtual bars. Opens the Default settings dialogue for the selected virtual bars
- Modify assigned objects – change which structural objects are used for evaluating results along the virtual bar
- Delete – remove selected virtual bars
- Default settings – open the default settings dialogue for virtual bars (read below in more detail)
Directional functions
Available when Define is selected.
- Predefined direction – define the virtual bar along a predefined direction
- Parallel with line – select an existing line and place the virtual bar parallel to it
- Perpendicular to plane – select a plane and place the virtual bar perpendicular to it
- Direction – only available with Predefined direction. Use to select one of six direction modes:
- Direction is parallel with global X, Y, or Z axis
- Direction is parallel with x, y, or z axis of UCS
Line definition methods
Available when Define is selected.
- Straight line – draw a straight virtual bar between two points
- Line by selection – create a virtual bar by selecting an existing line or edge
Options
- Name – define an identifier for the virtual bar
Default settings
When you press Default settings, a dialogue window opens.
The dialogue contains one option:
- Name – define the default name used for newly created virtual bars