The functions in PART ATTRIBUTES control window allow the user to modify the display characteristics for the selected parts. There are five options in the PART ATTRIBUTES control window. The default PART ATTRIBUTES window is shown in Figure 4.8.1.

1.       COLOR

The user may select a color in the color window to modify the selected part color. Click on the PART COLOR option in the Option pull-down menu, and select a part from the part name list or the display window. The program will automatically mark the part name with an asterisk (*) and highlight the selected parts on the screen. Select a color from the color table and then click the APPLY button below the control window. The program will change the color of the selected part, and the part name to the desired one.

Figure 4.8.1  Part Attributes control window (Part Color)

2.       MATERIAL

This option allows the user to modify the display color of the part to the color of a material. However, this color can only be displayed when the GRAY SHADE (Material Color, SHADE) mode is turned on. The available materials are: aluminum, steel, brass, iron, gold, silver, bronze, and rubber. Click on the MATERIAL button, and select a material type from the pull-down menu. After selecting the material type, the user can click parts in the display window or select a part or multiple parts from the part name list. The program will automatically mark the part name with an asterisk (*) and highlight the selected part on the screen. Click the APPLY button, and the color of the selected parts will be endued with the specified material color. Please see Figure 4.8.2.

Figure 4.8.2  Part Attributes control window (Part Material)

3.       TRANSPARENCY

This option allows the user to modify the transparency of the selected parts in order to facilitate postprocess observation. It should be noted that this function can only work when the SHADE option is turned on. The user can select the TRANSPARENCY option from the Option pull-down menu, and then click parts in the display window or select a part or multiple parts from the part name list. The program will mark the part name with an asterisk (*) and highlight the selected part on the screen. Click the APPLY button, and the program will display a slider on the top of the control window. The user can adjust the transparency of the selected part by moving the slider, as shown in Figure 4.8.3.

Figure 4.8.3  Part Attributes control window (Transparency)

4.       WIRE FRAME

This option allows the user to display the selected parts with wire frame in the SHADE mode without displaying the shade effect. The user can select the WIREFRAME option from the Option pull-down menu, and then click parts in the display window or select a part or multiple parts from the part name list. The program will automatically mark the selected part name with an asterisk (*) and highlight the selected part on the screen. Click the APPLY button, and the program will not shade the selected parts. The control dialog box under the WIREFRAME mode is shown in Figure 4.8.4.

Figure 4.8.4  Part Attributes control window (Wire Frame)

5.       NO CONTOUR

Under Display Contour mode, this option allows the user to remove the contour from the selected part and display it in gray. The user can select the NO CONTOUR option from the Option pull-down menu, and then click parts in the display window or select a part or multiple parts from the part name list. The program will automatically mark the selected part name with an asterisk (*) and highlight the selected part on the screen. Click APPLY to suppress the contour of the selected parts. The selected parts will be plotted in gray color. See Figure 4.8.5 for the NO CONTOUR GUI window.

 

Figure 4.8.5  Part Attributes control window (No Contour)

There are some functional buttons on the Part Attributes control window for the user to easily operate the parts.

6.       ALL PARTS

This function allows the user to select all the parts in the current database.

7.       DISPLAYED

This function allows the user to select all the parts that are displayed in the current window.

8.       REVERSE

This function allows the user to reverse all the selected parts. All the selected parts will be unselected, and all the unselected parts will be selected.

9.       CLEAR

Turn all the selected parts to unselected.

10.   UNDO

This function allows the user to cancel the last selection operation before pressing the Apply button.

11.   REDO

This function allows the user to cancel the UNDO operation.

12.   APPLY

This function allows the user to execute the selected operation.

13.   REMOVE ATT.

This function allows the user to remove the current specified part properties.

14.   SAVE

This function allows the user to save the current part attributes to a file. A Save file dialog box will pop up and prompt the user to enter a file name after clicking this button.

15.   RECALL

This function allows the user to load the previously saved part attribute file, and set it as the current parts attribute.