Setting Up a Joint

To set up a joint:
  1. Select Joint from the dropdown menu of the Structural tool in the Physics group of the Simulation tab, or by selecting the Joint tool in the Structural condition HUD.
  2. Select the appropriate geometry depending on the joint type. For cylindrical or spherical joints you will need to select appropriately shaped geometry.

    If your model contains Named Selections, you can click Advanced filters, select Link named selections, and choose one from the list.

  3. Select the geometry representing both sides that will need to be connected.

    The second side will be automatically suggested, but you can choose to make a different selection if needed. Click Select secondary surface and select the second face.

    If you only have the geometry of one side modeled, then define a Support instead.

  4. Select a joint type:
    • Fixed: Movement is prevented in any direction, including rotations.
    • Hinged: Only applicable to cylindrical or flat surfaces. For cylindrical surfaces, the axis is along the line of the cylinder. For flat surfaces, you specify an axis that lies in the plane of the selected surface passing through the centroid of the surface. The support is free to rotate about that axis.
    • Spherical: Only applicable to spherical surfaces.Translational movement is prevented.
    Note: In addition, you can also define additional types using a support.
  5. Click Accept to complete the setup.