Create Category

All classes of Component can use component parameters, design parameters and insulation parameters. Structural Components can also use attached and owning design parameters. Component parameters are defined in the Catalogue; the other classes of parameters allow characteristics to be set during the design process.

To add a parameter, type a description in the Desc text field and click New. A new numbered row is added to the Parameter Definitions field. A new parameter with its value set to zero will be added to any component that uses this parameter definition.

To modify a parameter description, highlight the parameter and modify the description in the Description input field and click Apply.

To delete a parameter definition, highlight the last parameter entry click the red cross to delete the parameter.

Note:

Only the last parameter in the parameter list can be deleted. Warnings will be issued because deleting a parameter definition does not change any component geometry or component property expressions that are dependent on the deleted parameter. The corresponding parameter value is removed from any component found that uses this parameter definition.

Create Components

To create a component highlight Category in the Model References group:

This displays the following sub window:

This sub window contains a grid listing all component elements currently below the Category.

The following tools are available:


New	Create a new component entry.
Copy	Make a duplicate of the currently selected component.
Import	Imports from an external CSV or XLS file containing a list of pre-defined components.
Export	Export the current list of components to an external CSV or XLS file.

Highlight a row and click the red cross to delete the selected component.

Click Category Attributes to allow edits to be made to the attributes of the owning Category element.

The grid will also contain a column for each parameter created in the previous section.

The parameters can be populated by clicking within a cell and entering a desired value.

To edit the properties of the component, highlight an entry in the list and click Element in the Model References group to display the following window:

The References window allows the attributes of the component to be edited.

Change the component name by typing a new value over the Name field.

A GTYPE must be set be selecting a value from the Generic Type drop-down.

The following values can be changed by using the Catalogue Explorer to select an appropriate element:

Click Apply to commit the changes or Back to return to the previous window.

Create P-Points

Depending on the type of component it may be necessary to create a series of p-points.

Select Point Ref: on the Model References Pane.

In the bottom part of the window choose a point type from the drop-down shown below:

Possible values are as follows:

Axial P-Point (PTAX)

Cartesian P-Point (PTCA)

Mixed Type P-Point (PTMI)

Position Type P-Point (PTPOS)

Depending on the selection made, a set of input fields will appear allowing the Point Reference to be populated as below:

Click Copy to create a duplicate of the Point Ref.

Click the Red Cross to delete the Point Ref

Click Apply to commit the changes.

Click All Attributes to display a popup window allowing all attributes of the Point Ref to be edited as follows:

Display the P-points

To display an axis in the 3D view pane check the Axes Radio option at the top of the Category window:

The 3D view will display an axis as follows:

Click Representation to change the way the 3D view draws the geometry of the element (when geometry is associated, see following):

Create Geometry

To reference geometry begin by selecting Geometry Ref. on the Model References Pane:

The Geometry References sub window will be displayed.

From the Positive drop-down select a 3D primitive. The following options are available:


BOXI	Boxing
LCYL	Cylinder
LINE	Line
LPYR	Pyramid
LSNO	Snout
SBOX	Box
SCON	Cone
SCTO	Circular Torus
SCYL	Cylinder defined by the distance to the bottom face from the origin and the height.
SDIS	Disc
SDSH	Dish
SEXT	User defined extrusion
SLINE	Alternative line
SREV	Solid of revolution
SRTO	Rectangular Torus
SSLC	Slope bottomed cylinder
SSPH	Sphere
TUBE	Tube

If required select a Negative Primitive from the Negative drop-down.

Note:

For a full list of available Positive and Negative Primitives in PARAGON refer to Catalogue Database Elements Setup in PARAGON in the Catalogues and Specifications Reference Manual.

Check the Show Geometry Plot to display the primitive in the 3D view.

The Napp drop-down is only available when using a Negative Primitive. Possible selections are as follows:

Default

Nothing Removed From Attached

Removed From Owner

Removed From Item

Removed From All

Removed From Attached and Owner

Removed From Attached and Item

Removed From Owner and Item

For a full explanation of Negative Primitives refer to Catalogue Database Elements Setup in PARAGON in the Catalogues and Specifications Reference Manual.

Select from the Representation drop-down a value from the following choices:

To define the obstruction level of the primitive when in MODEL’s clash checking facility select from one of the following:


None	The primitive will not clash with anything (used for symbols and negative volumes)
Soft	Used for insulation, access volumes, penalty volumes, etc
Hard	MODEL’s clash checking facility will report hard interference.

Whether a primitive is drawn or not depends on setting the following values:

If the PARAGON LEVEL setting is within the LEVEL range specified for the primitive (as its LEVEL attribute) then the primitive will be considered for drawing, otherwise it will not be. If the level condition is satisfied, then whether a primitive is displayed or not in PARAGON depends upon the settings of its Tube Flag and Centre Line Flag.

Depending on the type of Primitive selected the Geometry Ref window will also provide an input area to specify the appropriate dimensions of the component, the following is an example input area for an snout (LSNO).

Click Copy to create a copy of the highlighted element.

After populating the window click Apply to commit the changes.

In Model Operations select Data Ref to create Data Set references.

Close the window by clicking the X on the top right.

To return to the Category window select Modify > Category from the main window drop-down.