Flow Motion

the connect menu

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Section contents

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Introduction

In this menu object and field groups can be constructed. Each single object group can consist of multiple objects. The same can be done for fields.

Then field groups and object groups can be connected to each other. When calculating the animation in the simulation menu, all objects in an object group will be influenced by all fields in the connected field groups.

Save still and save ani will also save the field groups, object groups and the connections.

Note
The object group "object_grp" and field group "field_grp" are already created and connected by default.

objects scroll list

To display all objects available for adding to the active object group.

Usage
All object tag names belonging to the active part of the model tree can be found in this scroll list.

Comments
The wire frame of the active object will be displayed in yellow.

The active object can be added or removed from the active object group by clicking on the add obj | remove obj button.

See object groups scroll list on how to activate an object group.

See get top tag on how to activate, and list the tag names, of other parts of the models tree.

See also
add obj | remove obj

object groups scroll list

To display and activate existing object groups.

Usage
For scrolling the list see field types.

Comments
The objects scroll list will display all objects that have been added to the active object group in a highlighted color.

The field groups scroll list will display all field groups connected to the active object group in a highlighted color.

See also
objects scroll list, field groups scroll list

field groups scroll list

To display and activate the existing field groups.

Usage
For scrolling the list see field types

Comments
The field groups scroll list will display all field groups connected to the active object group in a highlighted color.

The fields scroll list will display all fields assigned to the active field group in a highlighted color.

See also
fields scroll list

fields scroll list

To display all fields available for adding to the active field group.

Usage
All user defined fields can be found in the scroll list. See field types

Comments
The active field can be added or removed from the active field group by clicking on the add field | remove field button.

See field groups scroll list on how to activate a field group.

See also
field groups scroll list, add field | remove field

add obj | remove obj

To add or remove the active object from the objects scroll list to the active object group.

Usage

To add an object to the active object group:
First activate the object you want to add to the active object group, then click on the add obj button to activate it. The name of the active object will now be highlighted in the objects scroll list. The add obj button is now changed into remove obj.

To remove an object from the active object group:

First activate the object you want to remove from the active object group, then click on the remove obj button to remove it. The name of the active object is now no longer highlighted in the objects scroll list. The remove obj button is now changed into add obj.
Comments
The name of the button will display add obj when the active object is currently not added to the active object group.

The name of the button will display remove obj when the active object has been added to the active object group.

See objects scroll list and object groups scroll list on how to activate objects and object groups.

field primitives can also be added to an object group.

See also
objects scroll list object groups scroll list

add all obj

To add all objects in the objects scroll list to the active object group.

Usage
First activate the required object group, then click on the add all obj button. The name of all objects will now be highlighted in the objects scroll list.

Comments
Any fields listed in the objects scroll list will not be added to the active object group. If this is desired, add them to the active object group with add obj.

See object groups scroll list on how to activate an object group.

See also
object groups scroll list, add obj | remove obj

get top tag

To access an individual part of the model tree by selecting its top tag. All tag names belonging to the selected part of the tree will be displayed in the objects scroll list.

Usage
Click the get top tag button to activate it. Next, the selection submenu will be displayed where you can make your selection.

Comments
By selecting an individual part of the tree you avoid the display of all tags from your models in the objects scroll list.

See also
objects scroll list

add grp

To create a new object or field group.

Usage
Click the add grp button to activate it, the following prompt will then appear:
Please enter a name for the new object/field group: _
In response to this prompt, type the name you wish to assign to the new object or field group. Press <enter> or the left mouse button to confirm. A new object or field group will be added and will be displayed in the object or field groups scroll list.

Comments
Different objects can be added to one or more object groups.

Different fields can be added to one or more field groups.

See also
add obj | remove obj, add field

remove grp

To remove the active object or field group from the object or field groups scroll list.

Usage
First activate the group you want to remove from the scroll list, then click the remove grp button to activate it. The following prompt will appear:
Are you sure ? _
In response to this prompt, type y(es) if you want to remove the current active group, type n(o) if you do not want to do this. Press <enter> to confirm.

Comments
See object or field groups scroll list on how to activate an object or field group.

add field | remove field

To assign or remove the active field from the field scroll list to or from the active field group.
Usage
To add a field to the active field group:
First activate the field you want to assign to the active field group then click on the add field button to activate it. The name of the active field will now be highlighted in the fields scroll list. The add field button is now changed into remove field.

To remove a field from the active field group:

First activate the field you want to remove from the active field group, then click on the remove field button to remove it. The name of the active field is now no longer highlighted in the fields scroll list. The remove field button is now changed into add field .

Comments
The name of the button will display add field when the active field is currently not added to the active field group.

The name of the button will display remove field when the active object has been added to the active field group.

See also
fields scroll list, field groups scroll list

add all

To add all fields from the field scroll list to the active field group.

Usage
First activate the required field group, then click on the add all button. The names of all fields from the fields scroll list will now be highlighted in the fields scroll list.

See also
field groups scroll list remove field

connect | disconnect

To connect or disconnect the active object group to or from the active field group.
Usage
To connect an object group to a field group:
First activate the object group and field group you want to connect to each other, then click on the connect button to connect them. The name of the connected field group will now be highlighted in the field groups scroll list.
The connect button is now changed into disconnect.

To disconnect a field group from an object group:

First activate the object group and field group you want to disconnect from each other, then click on the disconnect button to disconnect them The name of the active field group is now no longer highlighted in the field groups scroll list. The disconnect button is now changed into connect.
Comments
The name of the button will display connect when the active field group is currently not connected to the active object group.

The name of the button will display disconnect when the active field group is currently connected to the object field group.

When calculating the animation in the simulation menu, all objects in an object group will be influenced by all fields in the connected field groups.

See also
object groups scroll list, field groups scroll list

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