Gravity

Use the Gravity tool to apply gravitational acceleration (G) and adjust its direction.



Gravity is applied to the entire model, and is saved with the model file. You can turn gravity on and off using the settings in the Run Optimization or Run Analysis window.

Set Gravity

Enter a gravitational acceleration and define the direction of gravity.

  1. On the Structures ribbon, select the Gravity tool.
    By default, the gravitational acceleration (G) is set to 9.80665 m/s2 in the -z direction.
  2. Right-click to accept the default value, or enter a different magnitude for the gravitational acceleration in the microdialog.
    Note: Click the icon to restore the default value of earth gravity.
  3. Click the +/- icon to reverse the direction of gravity (G).
  4. Use the options on the microdialog to change the alignment of gravity (G), using one of the following methods:
    • Select either direction gravity mode or component gravity mode , then click the to define a direction or component vectors.
    • Use the X, Y, Z buttons to align gravity to the negative X, Y, or Z direction. Click a second time to align in the positive direction.
    • Use the Move tool on the microdialog.
  5. Right-click and mouse through the check mark to exit, or double-right-click.
Tip:
  • There are two ways to define gravity in your model. You can enter a magnitude and a direction vector (X, Y, Z), or you can enter the gravity by its vector components (Gx, Gy, Gz). If you enter component values, the magnitude is automatically recalculated.
  • If you want to exclude gravity from optimization or analysis, you can either set the magnitude for the gravitational acceleration to 0, or change the gravity setting in the Run Optimization or Run Analysis settings.

Microdialog Options

Use the options in the microdialog to edit the direction and alignment of the gravity vector.

Reverse Direction of the Magnitude Reverse the direction of gravity (G).
Set Magnitude Enter a magnitude for the gravitational acceleration. Click the icon to restore the default value of Earth gravity.
Direction Gravity Mode/Component Gravity Mode Use to change how gravity is defined. You can enter a magnitude and a direction vector (X, Y, Z), or you can enter the gravity by its vector components (Gx, Gy, Gz). Click the to define the direction or component vectors.
Rotate Rotate the direction of gravity (G) using the Move tool.
Align to X, Y, Z Global Axis Align gravity to the negative X, Y, or Z direction. Click a second time to align in the positive direction.
Set X, Y, Z Axis Component Click the to define the direction of gravity by entering direction vectors for X, Y, and Z. (For example, entering 1, 0, 0 would orient it in the positive x direction.)
Set Gx, Gy, Gz Component Click the to define the direction of gravity by entering gravity component vectors for Gx, Gy, and Gz. (For example, entering 0, 0, - 9.81 would orient it in the negative z direction.)

Mouse Controls and Keyboard Shortcuts

Right-click and mouse through the check mark to exit, or double-right-click. Press Esc or RMB.