The icon bar is designed to provide the user easy access to the most commonly used functions of eta/DYNAFORM. The user can click on these icons to activate the functions instead of browsing the various menus. An illustration of the icon bar is shown in Figure 1.2.1.

Figure 1.2.1  Icon bar

 NEW

Creates a new database file.

 OPEN

Opens or finds a database.

 IMPORT

Imports CAD and FE model files, such as IGES, VDA, DYNA, etc into the current database.

 SAVE

Updates the current database.

 PRINT

Creates a postscript file of the display area, and sends the file to the printer (default) or to a file. Prior to printing, the postscript driver must be initialized to accommodate eta/DYNAFORM software.

 TURN PARTS ON/OFF

Turns the selected parts ON or OFF. The Turn Part On/Off dialog window is displayed to select parts.

 DELETE ALL UNREFERENCED NODES

Deletes all nodes that there are not associated to elements.

 VIRTUAL X ROTATION

Dynamically rotates the displayed model about the global X-Axis when the cursor is moved up or down.

 VIRTUAL Y ROTATION

Dynamically rotates the displayed model about the global Y-Axis when the cursor is moved up or down.

 VIRTUAL Z ROTATION

Dynamically rotates the displayed model about the global Z-Axis when the cursor is moved up or down.

 SCREEN X ROTATION

Dynamically rotates the displayed model about the screen X-Axis when the cursor is moved up or down.

 SCREEN Y ROTATION

Dynamically rotates the displayed model about the screen Y-Axis when the cursor is moved up or down.

 SCREEN Z ROTATION

Dynamically rotates the displayed model about the screen Z-Axis when the cursor is moved up or down.

 FREE ROTATION

This function is a combination of rotation about screen X-Axis (SX) and screen Y-Axis (SY). To manipulate SX, move the mouse cursor up or down. To manipulate SY, move the mouse cursor left or right. Moving the mouse cursor diagonally combines both actions. To dismiss the function, click the left mouse button once.  This function can be initiated by simultaneously pressing the <CTRL> key and clicking and holding the left mouse button, followed by moving the mouse cursor.  Release the left mouse button to dismiss the function.

 PAN

This command enables the user to translate the model by following the movement of the mouse cursor. If the cursor is moved off the screen, it will be reset at the center of the display screen. To dismiss the function, click once on the left mouse button. This function can be initiated by simultaneously pressing the <CTRL> key and clicking and holding the middle mouse button, followed by moving the mouse cursor.  Release the middle mouse button to dismiss the function.

 CURSOR ZOOM

This function enables the user to reduce or enlarge the apparent size of a model or selected region on the display screen.  To zoom to a selected region, select the Cursor Zoom button and position the mouse cursor at the desired region. Then, click and hold the left mouse button, followed by moving the mouse cursor up or down.  Release the left mouse button to dismiss the function. This function can be initiated by simultaneously pressing the <CTRL> key and clicking and holding the right mouse button, following by moving the mouse cursor up or down.  Release the right mouse button to dismiss the function.

 WINDOW ZOOM

This function enables the user to enlarge the apparent size of a selected region of a model on the display screen. The user defines the corners of the zoom window by positioning the cursor on the display screen. Then, clicks the left mouse button and drags the cursor diagonally to obtain the desired window size.  The entities included in the zoom window will be fully displayed on the screen after the left mouse button is released.

 FREE HAND ZOOM

This function is similar to window zoom. Instead of using a drag window, the user defines a free region by pressing the left mouse button and dragging the mouse cursor on the display screen.  The entities included in the defined region will be fully displayed on the screen after the left mouse button is released.

 ACTIVE WINDOW

This command allows the user to isolate a portion of the displayed geometry/model for more detailed viewing or editing. The user defines the region by dragging a window on the desired area. eta/DYNAFORM displays the elements, lines, and surfaces within the window (volume in space) as active. Other objects on the screen remain masked and inactive.

 FILL

Rescales and fits all the entities of the model on the display screen.

 X-Y VIEW

Display the model normal to the XY-Plane.

 X-Z VIEW

Display the model normal to the XZ-Plane.

 Y-Z VIEW

Display the model normal to the YZ-Plane.

 ISOMETRIC VIEW

Display the model from the isometric plane (120-degree isometric).

 SURFACE MESH

Create auto-generated mesh on the selected surface(s).

 CLEAR HIGHLIGHT

Remove the highlighted entities from the screen, such as those made with the commands, Show Line, Boundary Check, ID Elements, and Define Title.

 REDRAW

eta/DYNAFORM updates the screen after each command. Occasionally, the use of specific commands requires updating of the image with Redraw function (e.g., when operating the dynamic zoom at the same time that the element normal are displayed, it is necessary to activate the Redraw command to resize the arrows that show the normal direction of elements).

 UNDO

Undo the last operation.  If no operation is recorded, the icon is disabled.

 REDO

Redo the last operation.  If no operation is recorded, the icon is disabled.