Merging Bodies
- Calculation of combined mass/inertia and CG.
- Changing other entity references (graphics, joints, etc.) from bodies being merged to the new bodies.
To use the Merge option, you must select two (or more) rigid bodies that you would like to merge. Multiple bodies can be selected in the Project browser or in the graphics area using the Shift key + left click method.
The right-click context menu provides options to merge the selected bodies to a new body or to a Ground Body.
- A new Body entity is created with the given label, varname, and the effective mass and inertia values.
- A new CG point is created and used by the new body at the effective location of the CG of the bodies being merged.
- All references to other entities (graphics, joints, bushings, forces, etc.) to the bodies being merged, if any, now refer to the newly created body/Ground Body.
- The merged bodies are deleted from the model.
To learn how to use this feature in more detail please refer to tutorial MV-1035: Importing CAD or FE into MotionView.
Important Notes
- The Merge option cannot be used on a pair body, Point Mass body, or a deformable body (Flexible Body and NLFE Body).
- This feature works only on bodies within the same parent system/Assembly. Merging bodies which belong to different parent containers are not supported.
- References of bodies being merged in expressions (parametric expressions) will not change. Such expressions needs to be corrected to refer to the newly created body.
- The CG points related to the bodies being merged are retained in the model.