- 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.
