Command line
The command line provides for the following:
-
some functions can be activated via typing the appropriate command,
- List of commands (after typing "?" in command line).
-
if any function has been already called (regardless whether via the command line, menu, tree menu, or toolbar button), it displays guiding instructions on the command line,
-
if any function requires a numerical input (e.g. co-ordinates of an inserted point), the corresponding value or values may be typed on the command line.
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.
Command line can be docked or auto-hidden as other frames in main window.
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