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Reference
View the glossary, frequently asked questions, and errors and alerts.
Glossary
View a list of glossary terms and definitions.
View Normal to Grid
When in sketch mode, the Rotate to Closest Principal Axes icon is replaced with the View Normal to Grid icon in the view controls.

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Discover new features and enhancements.
Get Started
New to Inspire? Learn the basics here.
Tutorials
Start using Inspire with our interactive tutorials.
Parametric Modeling
Create parametric sketches, geometry, and PolyNURBS with construction history and variables.
Implicit Modeling
Create implicit models with primitives, lattices, point clouds, fields, offsetting, Booleans, inverting, smoothing, morphing, and filleting.
Structures
Set up your model and run a structural analysis or optimization.
Motion
Set up and run a motion analysis, plot the results, and export the results.
Fluids
Prepare and run a computational fluid dynamics simulation.
Design Explorer
Evaluate designs by using geometric variables and applying a design-of-experiments (DOE) or optimization method. We recommend fully constraining your sketch when sketch variables are used in the design exploration.
Manufacture
Set up and run a basic porosity or thinning analysis.
Print 3D
Prepare and run an additive manufacturing simulation, and export a file for 3D printing.
Rendering
Adjust the materials and environment of objects in the scene to create a photorealistic image.
Inspire Python API
Learn how to access the Inspire Python API including online help, quick start demos, and the Extension Manager.
Reference
View the glossary, frequently asked questions, and errors and alerts.
- Frequently Asked Questions
  Got questions? We have answers!
- Troubleshooting
  Need help troubleshooting a problem? Check out our troubleshooting topics.
- Errors and Alerts
  Altair Inspire checks for potential problems with the model before running an analysis or optimization and will suggest solutions when problems are found.
- Glossary
  View a list of glossary terms and definitions.
  - Alternative
    Alternatives are a convenient way to manage design variations within your model.
  - Assembly
    An assembly is a list of parts.
  - Collision Detection
    If you want to prevent parts or assemblies from overlapping when you move them, turn on collision detection in the Property Editor.
  - Configuration (model)
    You can use the Configure toolbar on the Model Browser to activate and deactivate parts. This is called configuring your model.
  - Connection Stiffness
    Connection Stiffness allows for better approximation of axial and shear stiffness in grounded fasteners, grounded joints, and cylindrical supports.
  - Controller
    A controller is provided as a way to try and reach a desired (target) value by means of a feedback control loop.
  - Context Menu
    Context menus contain commands that allow you to edit a selected item, and are available for parts, entities, and tools on the ribbon.
  - Demo Browser
    The Demo Browser (F7) displays a list of demo models packaged with the software.
  - Design Space
    A design space is the initial geometry that forms the boundary of the optimized shape.
  - Installation Directory
    The installation directory is the location where the application was installed.
  - Instance (part)
    An instance is a copy of a part that is linked to the original part.
  - Load Cases
    A load case is a set of loads and supports, displacements, accelerations, and temperatures that act on a model at one time.
  - Mass Moment of Inertia
    The mass moment of inertia is calculated at the part's center of mass with respect to the global axis orientation.
  - Model Browser
    The Model Browser shows all of the objects in your model in a tree structure.
  - Modeling Window
    The modeling window, sometimes referred to as the graphics area or window, is where you interact with your model.
  - Mouse Controls
    Mouse controls are used to pan, zoom, and rotate the model.
  - Orthographic Projection
    In Inspire, there are two basic methods of displaying 3D objects on a 2D plane: perspective projection, which takes perspective effects into account; and orthographic projection, which does not.
  - Part Properties
    All of the properties of a part can be directly accessed through the Property Editor.
  - Parts
    A part is a geometric object made up of any combination of solids, surfaces, and curves. It can also be a mesh.
  - Perspective Projection
    In Inspire, there are two basic methods of displaying 3D objects on a 2D plane: perspective projection, which takes perspective effects into account; and orthographic projection, which does not.
  - Pretension
    Applying pretension to bolted and screwed connections allows a more complete understanding of the behavior of a structure.
  - Principal Axes
    The principal axes or global axes are the x, y, and z axes in the View Rotator.
  - Profile Functions
    Motors and actuators have a profile option on the microdialog that allows you to change how the shaft moves as time elapses (or another independent variable changes).
  - Property Editor
    The Property Editor shows all the properties of a selected object and allows you to edit them.
  - Ribbon
    The ribbon allows you to quickly access tools and standard functions, and is located at the top of the Inspire workspace.
  - Screen Capture
    The Screen Capture tool saves an image of your model with a white background.
  - Snap Filter
    The Snaps Filter icon is located in the lower right corner of the application window. It opens the snaps menu.
  - Status Bar
    The status bar displays model status information and includes the snaps filter and unit system selector.
  - Suppress (Unsuppress) Entities
    Suppress and Unsuppress joints, fasteners, and motion entities in a model.
  - Unit System Selector
    Use the Unit System Selector to change the display units used in the user interface. (These can be the same or different as the modeling units, which are set in the Preferences.)
  - View Controls
    The view controls are located in the lower left corner of the modeling window.
  - View Normal to Grid
    When in sketch mode, the Rotate to Closest Principal Axes icon is replaced with the View Normal to Grid icon in the view controls.
  - View Rotator
    Use the View Rotator to achieve finer control of rotation than is possible by using the mouse.
  - Workflow Help
    Most tools on the ribbon include text prompts beneath the tool or guide bar that explain what to do next. These prompts are a form of user assistance called workflow help.
Keyboard Shortcuts and Mouse Controls
Learn keyboard shortcuts and mouse controls for common operations.

View Normal to Grid

When in sketch mode, the Rotate to Closest Principal Axes icon is replaced with the View Normal to Grid icon in the view controls.

This allows you to rotate the sketch plane to view it head on.

To view the sketch plane normal to the grid, click the View Normal to Grid

icon in the view controls, or press N.

The first click rotates the model so that the sketch plane is normal to the grid and fits the selected sketch lines.
Successive clicks toggle between fitting the entire model and fitting the sketch lines.