Initial implementation of work of "To add all elements that share the same topology...

[modules/shaper.git] / doc / gui / Introduction.rst

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.. _introduction:\r
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Introduction to SHAPER\r
======================\r
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SHAPER module of SALOME is destined for:\r
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- import and export of geometrical models in IGES, BREP, STEP and XAO formats;\r
- parametric construction of geometrical objects using a wide range of functions:\r
    \r
  - creation of complex 2D sections using :ref:`sketchPlugin` with consequent extrusion or revolution (see :ref:`featuresPlugin`);\r
  - construction of model using primitives defined in :ref:`primitivesPlugin`;\r
  - usage of Boolean operations (see :ref:`featuresPlugin`);\r
  \r
- viewing geometrical objects in the OCC viewer;\r
- transformation of geometrical objects using various algorithms.\r
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It is possible to easily set :ref:`parameter_usage` predefined to be used as arguments when objects are created.\r
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SHAPER module preferences are described in the :ref:`preferences` section of SALOME Help.\r
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Almost all SHAPER  module functionalities are accessible via Python Interface.\r
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SHAPER module works with one study containing several documents:\r
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- partset\r
- one or several parts.\r
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Only one document can be active. In complicated models partset consists of several parts. Parts in partset may be copied, positioned relatively to each other, or simply translated.\r
  \r
A new study contains only a partset with 7 default constructions, which cannot be deleted:\r
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- one point **Origin** coinciding with the origin of the coordinate system;\r
- three axes **OX**, **OY**, **OZ**  coinciding with coordinate axes;\r
- three planes **YOZ**, **XOZ**, **XOY**  coinciding with coordinate planes.    \r
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Only  points, axis, planes (see  :ref:`constructionPlugin`) and sketches (see  :ref:`sketchPlugin`) can be added into Partset to be used in any part later.\r
:ref:`parameter_usage` can be used both in Partset and any Part.\r
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A new Part can be created as described in :ref:`partPlugin`.\r
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Double click or pop-up menu can be used to activate existing document.\r
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Application desktop\r
-------------------\r
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The main window of the application consists of the following components:\r
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- :ref:`main_menu`;\r
- :ref:`doc_windows`;\r
- :ref:`viewer`;\r
- :ref:`toolbar`;    \r
- status bar.    \r
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.. image:: images/main_window.png\r
   :align: center\r
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.. centered::\r
   Main window of SHAPER module\r
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.. _main_menu:\r
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Main menu \r
---------\r
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Main menu provides access to all commands of the application.\r
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.. image:: images/main_menu.png\r
   :align: center\r
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.. centered::\r
   Main menu\r
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Main menu includes standard Salome items:\r
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- File;\r
- Edit;\r
- View;\r
- Tools;   \r
- Window;\r
- Help;\r
    \r
and items specific for SHAPER module:\r
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- Part (see :ref:`partPlugin`);\r
- Sketch (see :ref:`sketchPlugin`);\r
- Construction (see :ref:`constructionPlugin`);\r
- Build (see :ref:`buildPlugin`);\r
- Primitives (see :ref:`primitivesPlugin`);\r
- GDML (see :ref:`gdmlPlugin`);\r
- Features (see :ref:`featuresPlugin`);  \r
- Macros. \r
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 .. _toolbar:  \r
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SHAPER toolbar\r
--------------\r
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Application toolbar contains:\r
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- standard toolbar;\r
- modules toolbar;\r
- SHAPER toolbar.\r
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.. image:: images/toolbar.png\r
   :align: center\r
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.. centered::\r
   Toolbars\r
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SHAPER toolbar duplicates the main menu and  provides access to all commands of the application.\r
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SHAPER toolbar is separated into sections:\r
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- Part;\r
- Movement;\r
- Measurement;\r
- Sketch;\r
- Construction;\r
- Build;\r
- Primitives;\r
- GDML;\r
- Features;\r
- Boolean;\r
- Collections;    \r
- Fillet;  \r
- Macros.  \r
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Visibility of SHAPER toolbar sections is managed using *View -> Toolbar* :ref:`main_menu` item or toolbar pop-up menu.\r
   \r
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.. _doc_windows:\r
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Dock windows\r
------------\r
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Standard dock windows are: \r
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- :ref:`object_browser`\r
- :ref:`inspection_panel`\r
- :ref:`python console`\r
- :ref:`property_panel`\r
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Dock windows can be placed in three dock areas using drag-and-drop:\r
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- left, \r
- right, \r
- bottom.\r
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By default Object browser window is placed at the left dock area, Inspection panel at the right dock area and Python console at the bottom dock area of the main window.\r
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Property Panel is hidden.\r
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Property Panel is shown on operation start in left dock area of the main window by default.\r
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If Object browser is shown at the same side then they will be tabbed.\r
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Each dock window can be closed using **Cross** window button and opened again using a corresponding command from *View - Windows* :ref:`main_menu` or alternatively using pop-up menu.\r
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.. image:: images/popup_menu.png\r
   :align: center\r
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.. centered::\r
   Pop-up menu for visibility of windows and toolbars\r
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.. _object_browser: \r
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Object browser\r
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^\r
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Object browser contains all documents created in the current study. \r
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Each document includes standard branches where created objects are placed.\r
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Documents with branches are shown in Tree View.\r
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.. image:: images/object_browser.png\r
   :align: center\r
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.. centered::\r
   Object browser. Partset active\r
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Partset includes three branches:\r
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- Parameters;\r
- Constructions;\r
- Features    \r
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Part includes the following branches:\r
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- Parameters;\r
- Constructions;\r
- Results;\r
- Fields;\r
- Groups;   \r
- Features.    \r
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New part contains only 3 empty branches:\r
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- Parameters;\r
- Constructions;\r
- Results.\r
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Features are placed one after another in the active document with default names and their results are placed into the corresponding branch.\r
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Examples of default names assigned automatically for :ref:`box_feature` are:\r
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* **Box_1**, **Box_2**, ... for Feature;\r
* **Box_1_1**, **Box_2_1**, ... for Result.\r
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Note, that a default branch is added into Tree View when the first feature of this type is created.\r
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Note, that the result used in feature as argument is removed.\r
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This child result can be restored using **Recover** feature.\r
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Each feature, result, construction, group, field, parameter can be renamed using *Rename* pop-up menu command.\r
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.. image:: images/popup_menu_object_browser_feature.png\r
   :align: center\r
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.. centered::\r
   Feature pop-up menu\r
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.. image:: images/popup_menu_object_browser_result.png\r
   :align: center\r
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.. centered::\r
    Result pop-up menu\r
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.. image:: images/popup_menu_object_browser_construction.png\r
   :align: center\r
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.. centered::\r
   Construction pop-up menu\r
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The order of features can be changed using *Move to the end* pop-up menu command. It works only for Group features. The selected group will be moved to the end of features list.\r
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Folders can be used to arrange long Tree View for features.\r
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.. image:: images/object_browser_folder.png\r
   :align: center\r
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.. centered::\r
   Object browser with folder Dome. Part_1 active\r
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*Insert a folder before* pop-up menu command creates a new empty folder before the selected feature. The folder can be renamed.\r
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Features placed after/before the created folder can be moved into the folder using *Move into the previous folder* / *Move into the next folder* pop-up menu command.\r
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This allows to decrease the length of feature list.\r
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Features can be removed from the folder using *Move out before the folder* / *Move out after the folder* pop-up menu command.\r
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*Clean history* pop-up menu command looks for features that do not participate in other features.\r
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**Clean history** dialog box shows a list of unused features. After confirmation by click **Yes** button unused features are removed.\r
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.. image:: images/clean_history.png\r
   :align: center\r
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.. centered::\r
   **Clean history** dialog box\r
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*Select result* and *Select parent feature* pop-up menu commands help to navigate along Tree View.\r
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A feature and its result can be deleted using *Delete* pop-up menu command.\r
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Note that all features using the removed feature and their results will be removed simultaneously.\r
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**Delete feature** dialog box shows the list of features to be removed. After confirmation by click **Yes** button all these features are removed.\r
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.. image:: images/delete_feature.png\r
   :align: center\r
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.. centered::\r
   **Delete feature** dialog box\r
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.. _property_panel:\r
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Property panel\r
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^\r
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Property panel consists of two parts:\r
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- controls a container for input of parameters for the current operation;\r
- buttons panel containing standard buttons:\r
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  .. image:: images/button_ok.png\r
    :align: left\r
  **Ok/Apply** executes operation with defined parameters,\r
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  .. image:: images/button_cancel.png\r
   :align: left\r
  **Cancel/Close** calls **Abort operation** dialog box to confirm  operation abort, \r
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  .. image:: images/button_help.png\r
   :align: left\r
  **Help** calls User's guide opened on page describing the current operation.\r
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.. image:: images/abort_operation.png\r
   :align: center\r
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.. centered::\r
   **Abort operation** dialog box\r
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.. image:: images/button_ok.png\r
    :align: left\r
**OK/Apply**  button is disabled if not all input parameters are defined or some errors are found. Error is shown as tooltip and in status bar.\r
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.. _inspection_panel: \r
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Inspection panel \r
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^\r
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Inspection panel provides the list of types and quantities of all topological entities, composing the selected result, construction or feature.\r
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.. image:: images/inspection_panel.png\r
   :align: center\r
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.. centered::\r
   Inspection panel for default Box\r
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**Object** displays name of the selected result, construction  or feature.\r
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**Type** characterizes the whole shape.\r
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The information about Point, Axis or Edge  additionally shows coordinates of point / end points.\r
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.. image:: images/inspection_panel_line.png\r
   :align: center\r
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.. centered::\r
   Inspection panel for Axis\r
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The information about  Plane, Face additionally shows coordinates of center point and direction of normal.\r
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.. image:: images/inspection_panel_face.png\r
   :align: center\r
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.. centered::\r
   Inspection panel for Face \r
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.. _python console:\r
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Python console\r
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^\r
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Python console interpreters Python commands entered manually.\r
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In particular, it is possible to load the python script:\r
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*execfile(r"/dn48/newgeom/data/example.py")*\r
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Pop-up menu gives the possibility to:\r
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- Copy the selected text to clipboard;\r
- Paste the text from clipboard to Python console ;\r
- Clear Python console;\r
- Dump commands from console into the specified file;\r
- Start/Stop writing log into the specified file.    \r
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.. image:: images/python_console_popup.png\r
   :align: center\r
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.. centered::\r
   Pop-up menu of Python console\r
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.. _viewer:\r
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Viewer\r
------\r
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The application supports one instance of OCC 3D viewer and is able to show only one 3D space.\r
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This 3D space can be represented in several view windows. New view window can be created using **Clone view** button in viewer toolbar.\r
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Each view windows shows its own point of view on the 3D scene.\r
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This point of view can be modified using viewer commands: **Panning**, **Zooming**, **Scaling**, etc.\r
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.. image:: images/2_viewers.png\r
   :align: center\r
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.. centered::\r
   Two view windows\r
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The description of OCC 3D Viewer architecture and functionality is provided in GUI module user's guide in chapter **OCC 3D Viewer**.\r
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.. _parameter_usage:\r
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Parameters \r
----------\r
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Model parametrization can be done using parameters.\r
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A parameter can be created in the active partset or part by:\r
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- :ref:`parameter`;\r
- :ref:`parameters`;\r
- :ref:`parameter_expression`.\r
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Any argument in features can be defined as parameter or expression containing parameters.\r
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The list of features using parameters is given in **Parameters** dialog box:\r
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 .. image:: images/parameters_feature.png\r
   :align: center\r
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.. centered::\r
   Parameters dialog box\r
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If a parameter value is changed, then all features where it is used are rebuilt.\r
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A parameter name should be unique in the active document.\r
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However, partset and part can have parameters with the same name. If parameter names in Partset and Part are identical, then Part parameter has a higher priority and its value will be used in the features of this part.\r
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In contrast to features (see :ref:`object_browser`), there is an additional option when parameters are deleted.   \r
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.. image:: images/delete_parameter.png\r
   :align: center\r
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.. centered::\r
   Delete parameter\r
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After clicking **Replace** button, the selected parameter is removed but its parent parameters and features are not removed. The deleted parameter is replaced by its value.\r
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.. _parameter_expression:\r
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Create parameter on fly\r
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^\r
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Parameter can be created during feature creation simply by writing *variable=expression* in any editbox.\r
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After feature validation a new parameter with the given name **variable** and value equal to the evaluated expression appears in object browser under **Parameters** in the active partset or part.\r
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.. _preferences:\r
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SHAPER preferences\r
------------------\r
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Description of General application preferences and **Preferences** dialog box is provided in GUI module user's guide in chapter **Setting Preferences**.\r
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SHAPER preferences define visualization of objects, visualization during selection, edition. New preferences can be used right after modification or later after activation of SHAPER module.\r
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To call **Preferences** dialog box:\r
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#. select in the Main Menu *File - > Preferences* item or\r
#. use  **Ctrl+P** shortcut.\r
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SHAPER preferences include 4 tabs:\r
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- :ref:`visualization_preferences`;\r
- :ref:`plugins_preferences`;\r
- :ref:`sketch_preferences`;\r
- :ref:`viewer_preferences`.\r
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Visualization tab is activated by default when **Preferences** dialog box is opened in the active SHAPER module.\r
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Other tabs are activated by click on tab header.\r
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.. _visualization_preferences:\r
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Visualization tab\r
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^\r
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This tab defines presentation of objects displayed in OCC 3D viewer.\r
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.. image:: images/visualization_preferences.png\r
   :align: center\r
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.. centered::\r
   Preferences - Visualization tab\r
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**Input fields**:\r
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- **Result color** selects default shading color for objects from **Results** branch;\r
- **Group color** selects default color for objects from **Groups** branch;\r
- **Construction color** selects default color for objects from **Constructions** branch;\r
- **Part color** selects default color for parts shown in Partset;  \r
- **Field color** selects default color for objects from **Fields** branch;\r
- **Body deflection coefficient** defines default deflection coefficient for objects from **Results** branch. A smaller coefficient provides better quality of a shape in the viewer;\r
- **Construction deflection coefficient** defines default deflection coefficient for objects from **Constructions** branch. A smaller coefficient provides better quality of a shape in the viewer;\r
- **Reference shape wireframe color in operation** selects default color used for wireframe visualization of objects used in active operation;\r
- **Result shape wireframe color in operation** selects default color used for wireframe visualization of result in active operation. Click **See preview** button to show result;\r
- **Multi selector item color in operation** selects default color used for visualization of objects selected in property panel to distinguish them among all objects used in active operation;\r
- **Color of removed feature in operation** selects default color used for visualization of sketch entities to be removed during **Trim/Split** operations;\r
- **Color of sketch plane** selects default shading color for sketch plane;\r
- **Hidden faces transparency** defines default transparency value for hidden faces;\r
- **Dimension arrow size**  defines default size of arrows for extension line showing dimensional constraint;  \r
- **Dimension font** defines font used for value of dimensional constraint;\r
- **Dimension value size**  defines default size of value for dimensional constraint;\r
- **Sketch dimension color**  defines default color of dimensional constraint; \r
- **Construction plane color** selects default color for Construction planes;  \r
- **Sketch entity color** selects default color for sketch objects;\r
- **Sketch external entity color** selects default color for external objects selected as reference during sketch creation/edition;\r
- **Sketch auxiliary entity color** selects default color for sketch auxiliary objects;\r
- **Sketch overconstraint color** selects default color for a sketch with redundant constraints;\r
- **Sketch fully constraint color** selects default color for a sketch with zero degrees of freedom.\r
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To redefine any color click on the corresponding line to access **Select color** dialog box\r
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.. image:: images/select_color.png\r
   :align: center\r
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.. centered::\r
   **Select color** dialog box\r
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Preferences for sketch are applicable  during sketch creation/edition operation.\r
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.. _plugins_preferences:\r
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Plugins tab\r
^^^^^^^^^^^\r
Plugins tab defines folders where plugins and resources are located.\r
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.. image:: images/plugins_preferences.png\r
   :align: center\r
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.. centered::\r
   Preferences - Plugins tab\r
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**Input fields**:\r
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- **Default path** selects default folder where plugins are located. Click on **Open** button opens standard **Find directory** dialog box to navigate to desired folder;\r
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- **Import initial directory** selects default folder where resources are located. Click on **Open** button opens standard **Find directory** dialog box to navigate to desired folder.\r
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.. image:: images/open_button.png\r
   :align: center\r
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.. centered::\r
   **Open** button\r
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.. image:: images/find_directory.png\r
   :align: center\r
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.. centered::\r
   **Find directory** dialog box\r
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.. _sketch_preferences:\r
   \r
Sketch tab\r
^^^^^^^^^^\r
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Sketch tab defines properties of coordinate planes shown for selection of sketch plane when no convenient objects are shown in OCC 3D viewer.\r
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.. image:: images/sketch_preferences.png\r
   :align: center\r
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.. centered::\r
   Preferences - Sketch tab\r
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**Input fields**:\r
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- **Size** defines size of coordinate planes;\r
- **Thickness**  defines thickness of coordinate plane borders; \r
- **Rotate to plane when selected** check-box turns on/off automatic switch the viewer to the top view for the selected sketch plane.  \r
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   \r
.. _viewer_preferences:\r
   \r
Viewer tab\r
^^^^^^^^^^\r
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Viewer tab defines selection in OCC 3D viewer properties. \r
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.. image:: images/viewer_preferences.png\r
   :align: center\r
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.. centered::\r
   Preferences - Viewer tab   \r
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**Input fields**:\r
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- **Default Selection** defines objects to be selected by mouse click in OCC 3D viewer:\r
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  - **Faces** check-box turns on/off selection of faces;\r
  - **Edges** check-box turns on/off selection of edges;\r
  - **Vertices** check-box turns on/off selection of vertices;\r
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- **Selection sensitivity** defines size of area around object in pixels, in which  mouse click selects object inside this area:\r
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  - **Vertex** defines selection  sensitivity for vertices; \r
  - **Edge**  defines selection  sensitivity for edges.  \r