Command line

The command line provides for the following:

Especially the second feature is very useful particularly for beginning users as they are clearly guided through the function they want to use and can simply follow the presented step-by-step instructions.

You can access command line via right click menu in toolbar area.

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Command line can be docked or auto-hidden as other frames in main window.

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Syntax of commands

The syntax of a command to the command line is:

command parameter1 [parameter2] [parameter3] [etc.]

Example

SEL BEAM1

This command adds the 1D member named BEAM1 into the current selection.

Syntax for input of co-ordinates

The important thing to be aware of is that if a co-ordinate is typed by means of one or two numbers only, it is considered to be defined in the active working plane of the current user co-ordinate system.

If the point is defined by means of three values, it is considered to be defined in the current user co-ordinate system. In this case, the orientation of the working plane is not taken into account at all.

General syntax for the definition of a point

[prefix] [number] [separator] [number] [separator] [number]

Prefix

none

absolute co-ordinate in UCS

@

relative co-ordinate related to the last input point, defined in UCS

*

co-ordinate in GCS

@*

relative co-ordinate related to the last input point, defined in GCS

 

Number

[space] [sign] [nnn] [.] [nnn] [exp] [sign] [nnn]

[space]

if any, ignored

[sign]

sign plus or minus (‘+’ or ‘-‘)

[nnn]

row of digits 0,1, ..., 9

[,]

decimal comma or point

[exp]

exponent – sign ‘e’ or ‘E’

 

Separator

;

length value follows

<

angle value follows

Syntax for the definition of a point in Cartesian co-ordinates

[*,@][X],[Y],[Z]

Examples

12.4;45.8;12.4

absolute point co-ordinate in UCS 12.4, 45.8, 12.4

123.4;345.8

absolute point co-ordinate in the current working plane of the UCS 123.4, 345.8

@123;23;5

relative co-ordinate related to the last inserted point in UCS 123, 23, 5

@123;23

relative co-ordinate related to the last inserted point in the current working plane of the UCS 123, 23

@123

relative co-ordinate related to the last inserted point in the current working plane of the UCS 123, 0

*123;23;5

global co-ordinate in GCS 123, 23, 5

*

the origin of GCS 0, 0, 0

Syntax for the definition of a point in polar co-ordinates

[*,@][length]<[angle]

Examples

123<90

absolute co-ordinate of point in UCS 0, 123, 0

123<180

absolute co-ordinate of point in UCS 0, -123, 0

Syntax for the definition of a point in spherical co-ordinates

[*,@][length]<[ angle]<[angle] 

Example

123<90<90

absolute co-ordinate of point in UCS 0, 0, 123

Syntax for the definition of a point in cylindrical co-ordinates

[*,@][length]<[angle],[length]

Example

123<90;200

absolute co-ordinate of point in UCS 0, 123, 20

Syntax for imperial units

If the imperial (fractional) units are used, the number must be terminated by a semicolon (;). Without this mark it is not possible to determinate where the number ends.

Examples of valid input in "feet":

8; = 0yd 8ft

12ft 8; = 0yd 12ft 8in

12ft 8in; = 0yd 12ft 8in

3yd 5; = 3yd 5ft 0in

3yd 6ft 8; = 3yd 6ft 8in

3yd 6ft 8in; = 3yd 6ft 8in

format without spaces also may be used :

8; = 0yd 8ft

12ft8; = 0yd 12ft 8in

12ft8in; = 0yd 12ft 8in

3yd5; = 3yd 5ft 0in

3yd6ft8; = 3yd 6ft 8in

3yd6ft8in; = 3yd 6ft 8in