Add and remove components

Add components

Procedure

1. Click on a Library category from the Library tree to open it.

2. Click on the desired component from the Library items window to select it.

Your mouse cursor takes the appearance of the selected component:

Note If you select the wrong component by mistake, press Del or Escape. The component is deselected and you can select another one.

3. Position it on the sketch:

use the middle-button to rotate the component,

use the right-button to mirror the component. Note You can click on a component and re-size it on the sketch by dragging its corners:

You can do this whether or not the component is connected to other components, but if the component is already connected to other elements in the sketch, you will need to adjust positioning accordingly.

4. Once your component is in the desired position and orientation, click the mouse left-button.

5. Select another component from a library.

6. Orient it and flip it as desired, and position it close to your first component.

A green square appears on the two ports ready to be connected.

7. Click the mouse left-button.

If compatible, the two components connect.

We can see in the example above that the mass (on the left) is in its normal colors, whereas the spring (on the right) is in reverse colors. The reason is that one port of the spring is unconnected. Simcenter Amesim is emphasizing this to remind you that the sketch is incomplete.

8. Add the necessary components to complete your sketch.

Results

Once your sketch is complete and all your component ports are connected, you can switch to the next mode.

Note

Only when all your components are connected can you move to the next mode.

Aligning objects

You can use the alignment tools to help you align your components on the sketch and ensure a tidy layout.

Procedure

1. Select a component and position it line with another component.

A grey line is displayed to indicate when your component is aligned with the center of the other component or with its port.

2. Select several components and use the alignment options from the Sketch toolbar.

The options allow you to align or distribute your components horizontally or vertically.

Results

Note

Refer to the Aligning components, shapes, images and text manual for full details.

Constructing a line run

A line run joins one component (the source) to another (the destination): it consists of one or more line segments.

Procedure

1. Put the mouse cursor close to the port but not inside the component icon, and click the left button.

The pointer takes on the appearance of a cross. As you move the pointer, line segments follow the pointer. Segments are either horizontal or vertical.

2. Click the left button, and then move the pointer in a different direction to change the direction of the line.

You can click the mouse right-button to remove the last line segment.

3. Position the pointer close to the port of the destination component and click the left button to connect the line.

A small green square appears at the component port.

Results

Note

You can move a component connected using line runs. To do so, just select the component and move it on the sketch. The lines remain connected.

Remove components or line runs

Procedure

1. Select the component or line run you want to remove by clicking on it.

2. Do one of the following:

Press the Del or backspace key,

Right-click and select Delete,

Select Edit > Delete.