Create sockets

When you click on the Add socket button without selection, the left panel shows a message :

Select 1 node

The selection mode is automatically set to POINT. You can so directly select a node.

1. Create a socket

SOCKET PROPERTIES :

The length must be defined by the orientation tool.

X-AXIS DIRECTION :

You can define the X-axis vector by defining Xx, Xy, Xz in global coordinates.

DATABASE :

To save time, you can also directly select a socket from database :

Click on the Database button, select a Library and a Socket. The OK button will appear.

The tables will be filled automatically.

Click here for more information about creation of library of components.

Label :

You can define a label to this element. The labels are shown with the node names view button.

You can then define the second point of the socket thanks to the Orientation tool.

Click here for more information about the orientation tool.

Create the socket :

Change the Selection mode to ELEMENT and select a socket :

You can change the properties of the selected socket (except the length).

SECTION AND MATERIAL :

You can change the specification and section/material of the socket.

Click on the Modify button to change the selected spring with these new properties.

You can undo this command.

Click on the Remove button to delete the selected spring.

You can undo this command.

Click on the Add socket button and select an intermediate node between 2 elements.

Fill the properties (see §1) and select the insertion mode :

ATTENTION, if the length is null, no mode will be proposed (empty list)

Based on the length of the socket and the lengths of the neighboring elements, some mode could be hidden.

Select for example “Shift forward” and click the Insert button :

You can undo this command.