Figure 1.3. Welcome Dialog Box

Select one of the options explained in Table 1.1 to indicate how you’d like to start using ADAMS/View, and then select OK.

Table 1.1 Options in Welcome Dialog Box

The option:	Does the following:
Create a new model	Lets you start a new modeling session with a new modeling database. Follow Steps 2 and 3 to create the new modeling database.
Open an existing database	Lets you open an existing modeling database. For more information on opening existing databases.
Import a file	Lets you start a new modeling session by reading in a model from an ADAMS/View command file or an ADAMS/Solver dataset.
Exit	Lets you exit ADAMS/View without performing an operation.

If you selected to create a new model, do the following:

1. In the Model name text box, enter the name you want assigned to the new model. You can enter up to 80 alphanumeric characters. You cannot include special characters, such as spaces or periods.

2. Select the gravity settings for the new model. You can select:

• Earth Normal - Sets the gravity to 1 G downward.

• No Gravity - Turns off the gravitational force.

• Other - Lets you set the gravity as desired. The Gravity Settings dialog box appears after you select OK on the Welcome dialog box.

3. Select a preset unit system for your model. In all the preset unit systems, time is in seconds and angles are in degrees. You can set:

• MMKS - Sets length to millimeter, mass to kilogram, and force to Newton.

• MKS - Sets length to meter, mass to kilogram, and force to Newton.

• CGS - Sets length to centimeter, mass to gram, and force to Dyne.

• IPS - Sets length to inch, mass to slug, and force to PoundForce.

1.3 Defining the Modeling Environment

When you start a new session with ADAMS/View, it asks you to define your modeling environment by specifying your unit system and gravitational force. Anytime you are working with ADAMS/View you can redefine the modeling environment. The next sections explain how to set up your modeling environment.

1.3.1 Specifying the Type of Coordinate System

When you first start ADAMS/View, it displays a view triad in the lower left corner. The view triad displays the global coordinate system for the modeling database. By default, ADAMS/View uses a Cartesian coordinate system as the global coordinate system with three axes (x, y, and z). ADAMS/View attaches the ground part to the global coordinates system and by default positions all other modeling objects to it.

You can change the default coordinate system from Cartesian to cylindrical or spherical. ADAMS/View uses the default system for any values you enter and any values it displays. ADAMS/View also uses the default system for values when importing and exporting data.

1. Types of Coordinate Systems

ADAMS/View lets you specify locations using three different types of coordinate systems: Cartesian, cylindrical, and spherical. By default, ADAMS/View uses the Cartesian coordinate system.

Cartesian Coordinates Cylindrical Coordinate System Spherical Coordinate System