View source for Linear 3D Designer

==Description==
[[File:lin3dpart01.png|right|600px]] The Linear 3D Designer allows parts to be created in full 3D. Parts are created by supplying length, rotation, and angle values for each bend. The straight length dimensions can be measured by the length of the straight sections of tube or by the distance from the apex of the bends.














==How To==

===Start Up===
To access this designer, click the linear 3D designer button [[File:linear3Dicon.png]] on the start up page. This will open up a new, blank part design.




===Part Design===
Once a new linear 3D part design window has been opened, a new part can be created.
[[File:matdiecut.png|right]]
First, a '''[[Die Library|die]] and [[Material Library|material]]''' should be chosen. This can be done by clicking on the drop down menus next to the die and material icons in the top left corner of the screen.

If any '''cut-off''' is necessary, enter the amount needed into the start and end cut-off fields. The first/top field represents the cut-off at the start of the part and the second/bottom field represents the cut-off at the end of the part.







[[File:numofbends.png|right|150px]] '''Choose the number of bends''' by clicking the drop down menu next to the list icon, as shown to the right. A single part can have up to 50 bends. The number of bends can be adjusted at any time in the design process.  



'''To start designing the part''', enter values into the designer entry fields on the left panel. Each bend and the last straight length will have its own row. The '''first column''' below the ruler icon represents the straight lengths of tube. The '''second column''' below the arrow icon represents the rotations for each bend. ''Note: Leaving a rotation field blank will be the same as entering 0.'' The '''third column''' below the angle icon represents the angle of each bend. See image below. 

[[File:ldpart04.png]]

===Controls and Options===
'''To change the way straight lengths of tube are measured''', click on the distance to apex [[File:apex.png]] or length of straight [[File:strlen.png]] buttons. See the image below for a basic explanation of these two options.

[[File:distApex.png|250px]] [[File:straightlength.png|250px]]

'''Notes''' can be attached to the part design project using the note button [[File:notes.png]]. Notes are saved with the part and are included on the part's setup sheet.

The '''auto-zoom''' option can be turned on or off using the auto-zoom button '''(On)''' [[File:autozoom.png]] / '''(Off)''' [[File:autozoomoff.png]]. When activated, auto-zoom will zoom in or out to accommodate the size of the part. For example, if a length is originally 200 and is changed to 2000, it may extend past the part display's extend. Auto-zoom will zoom out to make sure the whole part is visible.