Define Rotational Motion

Use Rotation tool to define mesh rotation on solid bodies or surfaces.

  1. From the Motion ribbon, Direct tools, click the Rotation tool.


    Figure 1.
  2. Select surfaces and/or solids.
    Use the guide bar selectors to filter which entity type you can select.
  3. Click Axis on the guide bar.
  4. Left-click to position the axis of rotation in the modeling window.
    Tip: Use snap points to position the axis on existing points, lines, surface centers, etc.
  5. Use the options in the microdialog to further align the axis.
    • Click to flip the rotation direction.
    • Click X, Y, or Z to align to the global axes.
    • Click to position the axis using the Vector tool. Once the position is defined, press Esc to return to the current context.
    • Click to enter axis and rotation center coordinates.
  6. In the microdialog, select a motion definition type then define the motion.
    Option Description
    Constant Define a constant velocity.
    Time Varying
    1. Click .
    2. In the dialog, define a basis for motion variation, a motion input, and a data interpolation type.
    3. Use the table and the plot area to create a data set.
    4. Exit the dialog.
    Sinusoidal
    1. Click .
    2. In the dialog, define a motion input.
    3. Enter values for frequency, phase, and amplitude.
    4. Exit the dialog.
  7. From the guide bar, execute the command in the following ways:
    • Click to confirm your selection and remain in the tool.

      This allows you to continue creating instances and helps you visualize and edit instances with the legend.

    • Click to confirm your selection and exit the tool.