Define a Tracking System By Plane

  1. From the Create tools, select Create > Tracking Systems.
  2. From the Tracking panel, select a tracking system from the Tracking Systems list.
  3. From the Track drop-down menu, select Plane.
  4. From the Plane type drop-down menu, select a one of the available types.
    Important: This option is activated for Plane tracking systems only!
    For tracking systems defined by a Plane, the local axis of the tracking systems can be aligned with any specific global direction by specifying the Plane type. This is useful in situations where the global coordinate system alignment differs from the model coordinate system.
    OptionDescription
    OXY X axis.
    OYZ Y axis.
    OZX Z axis.
  5. Click the N1 input collector, if it is not already highlighted, to activate it.
    This option allows you to specify the local plane defined by three nodes. The normal vector of the plane is computed by a cross product of planar vectors formed by N1, N2, and N3.
  6. Select the first node (N1).
    The first node always defines the Origin of the local coordinate system (the tracking system).
    • Click the N1 input collector and select By ID.
    • Pick an node directly from the model in the modeling window.
    The N2 input collector is automatically highlighted/active.
  7. Pick a second node (N2).
    The direction from the first node (N1) to the second node (N2) defines the local axis of the selected plane type (OXY, OYZ, and OZX).
    • Click the N2 input collector and select By ID.
    • Pick an node directly from the model in the modeling window.
    The N3 input collector is automatically highlighted/active.
  8. Pick a third node (N3).
    The third node lies in the plane of interest.
    • Click the N3 input collector and select By ID.
    • Pick an node directly from the model in the modeling window.
  9. Under Displacements, use the check boxes to select the axes along which the view will be constrained.
    OptionDescription
    Global X Locks the view to the X position of the selected entity as it moves. The entity appears to remain stationary along the global X direction during animation.
    Global Y Locks the view to the Y position of the selected entity as it moves. The entity appears to remain stationary along the global Y direction during animation.
    Global Z Locks the view to the Z position of the selected entity as it moves. The entity appears to remain stationary along the global Z direction during animation.
  10. Optional: Activate the Lock rotations check box to lock the rotational movement of the selected entity.
    Entities can be tracked with respect to rotation.
  11. Click the Start/Pause Animation button (on the Animation toolbar) to animate the model.
    The model is animated with respect to the plane.
    Tip: A new plane can be defined and tracked at any time during animation by picking new nodes in the modeling window.