System Features

GTWorks expedites construction and improves viability of products models. A variety of options are available to customize the appearance and organization of information contained in your product model. Additionally, tools are provided to facilitate data entry and data access.

LEVELS, COLORS, LINE FONTS AND WEIGHTS

GTWorks provides a variety of options for controlling the way a model appears on-screen or in plotted output. Models can be built with different line fonts and weights, as well as up to 256 predefined or custom colors. Design segments and nongraphic information can be separated and organized in over 1,000 graphic layers or levels, similar in concept to transparent overlays. Individual levels or groups of levels can be activated or removed from view at any time to clarify the screen image or plotted output.

DATA ENTRY OPTIONS

You can enter numeric data from the keyboard or as computed values (including SIN, COS, TAN and LOG) directly from the system's built-in calculator. Frequently used numbers captured from screen, keyboard or calculator can be saved as user-defined variables and entered wherever a numeric value is required. When large volumes of geometry or text must be entered into the system, a bulk data input feature can be activated to import points, lines, vectors, arcs, planes, cylinders, spheres, and text automatically from information contained in an external file.

PATTERNS

Commonly used graphics, such as those used to represent nuts, bolts and screws, can be created and stored in an independent pattern file. These patterns can be scaled, rotated and translated at the time of insertion into a new part model. Attributes can be assigned to objects within patterns. When a pattern is inserted into a model, assigned attributes are merged automatically into the part.

MULTIPLE VIEWS

You can display your model in a single view or in up to 32 views simultaneously. GTWorks will automatically generate standard orthographic and isometric orientations, and up to eight different orientations in preassigned areas of the screen. Additional orientations and user-defined auxiliary views can be generated using view layouts. Within the GTWorks system, all display views are active and fully modifiable at any time. Changes made in one view are updated automatically in all associated views.

PAN, ZOOM AND ROTATE

Pan, zoom and rotate capabilities are accessible from within any GTWorks function or application. You can rotate the image to a viewing angle that is more convenient, zoom in to view details or zoom out or pan to bring geometry into the screen's field of view. Pan, zoom and rotate functions can be isolated to a single view, even when multiple views are active.

VIEW LAYOUTS

Multiple views of a 3-D model can be added, repositioned or removed from the screen to create unique model layouts. Multiview layouts can be transformed into completed engineering drawings by adding dimensions and other drafting notations. Dimensions and line fonts are view-dependent; they can be varied from orientation to orientation. An overlay view -- analogous to placing a transparency over the screen -- can be used for additional notes such as title blocks.

ACCESS TO GEOMETRIC DATA

Verification functions provide geometric information on construction entities. For example, arcs can be identified in terms of center point, radius, and start and end angles. GTWorks also provides information on relationships between model elements, such as the distance and angle between two lines and the point at which they intersect (or eventually would intersect). Nongeometric information, such as level, color and line weight can also be accessed and edited.

NONGRAPHIC PRODUCT DATA

Within GTWorks, attributes are nongraphic information (vendor catalog numbers, weight, cost, materials, etc.) that has been assigned to specific geometric entities or groups of entities. The number of attributes that can be assigned or the number of entities contained within a file is unlimited. Attribute lists can be examined and modified at any time; they can be used to produce assembly lists and bills of material (BOM).