1.1.5 Customize and Automate adams/View
You can customize ADAMS/View so that it works and looks the way you want it to and mimics your design environment. There are four major ways to customize it. You can:
Customize the graphical interface - For example, you can create your own set of menus or dialog boxes.
Automate your work using macros - You can also speed up your work by creating macros to perform complex or repetitive tasks. You can edit the macros to include design variables to further customize and automate the modeling process.
Create your own ADAMS/View executable - The executable you create can read in different ADAMS/View functions and execute commands.
Edit ADAMS/View startup files - You can edit the files that ADAMS/View reads when it first starts. These files can automatically load a model, execute commands, or change menus or dialog boxes.
1.2 Working with the adams/View
This chapter explains how to use the basic features of ADAMS/View.
1.2.1 Starting adams/View
You or your system administrator can customize how you start ADAMS/View and how ADAMS/View looks after you start it.
To start ADAMS/View in Windows:
On the Start menu, point to Programs, point to ADAMS 12.0, point to AView, and then select ADAMS - View.
Starting a New Modeling Session
When you start ADAMS/View, ADAMS/View displays a Welcome dialog box that lets you create a new modeling database or use an existing one. The Welcome dialog box also lets you import modeling data and specify your working directory.
ADAMS/View also displays the Welcome dialog box when you use the New Database command to create a new modeling database in which to store your models. The Welcome dialog box is shown below.
1.2.2 Adams/View Main Window
After you start ADAMS/View, the ADAMS/View main window appears. Figure 1.2 shows the default window. Your window may look different if it was customized.
The elements in the ADAMS/View main window are described below.
Main toolbox - Displays commonly used tools for creating, editing, and selecting modeling elements, as well as simulating the model and undoing operations. The tools are shortcuts to using the menus in the menu bar.
Window title bar - Displays the title of the ADAMS/View main window.
Menu bar - Contains the headings of each menu. The menus contain all the ADAMS/View commands for creating, simulating, and refining your model.
Welcome dialog box - Steps you through starting your ADAMS/View session. It appears when you first start ADAMS/View and when you create a new modeling database.
View triad - Displays the orientation of the global coordinate system.
Status bar - Displays information messages and prompts while you work. Also contains tools for displaying information, commands, and stopping an ADAMS/View operation.
Figure 1.2 Initial adams/View Window
1.2.3 Starting a New Modeling Session
When you start ADAMS/View, ADAMS/View displays a Welcome dialog box that lets you create a new modeling database or use an existing one. The Welcome dialog box also lets you import modeling data and specify your working directory.
ADAMS/View also displays the Welcome dialog box when you use the New Database command to create a new modeling database in which to store your models. The Welcome dialog box is shown below.
