Point-to-Point Distance Tool

The Point-to-Point Distance Tool allows users to conveniently compute the distances between points in 3-D space. The user can select up to 3 points and compute the distances and angles between them, as well as the unit normal vector that is defined by the 3 co-planar points. In addition, when 3 points are selected, the center and radius of a circle defined by the specified points are computed.

Points positions can be specified using one of the following approaches:

• Entering position data in the boxes
• Hitting the () button, and selecting one of the Key Points in the Target Component Positions Dialog
• Hitting the () button, and picking a surface element in the Main Graphics Window with the mouse.

Once points are selected, hit the Compute button to compute relevant distances and angles. If two points are selected, only the distance between those two points is computed. If three points are selected, the distances between each pair of points, and the angles between the 3 points, which define a triangle, are computed.

In addition, the unit normal vector and the parameters for a circle defined by the three points are computed. When the "+R" button is clicked, a Reticle is added to the Target Positioning Viewer using the Circle parameters generated by the 3 selected points.

When hitting the () button, the Target Component Positions Dialog is displayed. Double-click on one of the points to automatically populate the position boxes in the Point-to-Point Distance Tool.

Picked Surface Node Positions

When hitting the () button, that icon appears when moving the mouse in the Main Graphics Window. Pick on a surface element, and a widget showing the node positions and centroid position for that surface element is displayed (below). The colors correspond to those shown for the nodes of the picked surface element in the Main Graphics Window.

If using the Point-to-Point Distance Tool, double-clicking on one of the points in the Picked Surface Nodes widget will automatically populate the position boxes in the tool.

Note that the positions of each of the points in the Point-to-Point Distance Tool are given in the Target Chamber coordinate system.

To copy position variables from the Picked Surface Nodes widget into other widgets with position variables, right-click on one of the listed nodes, and select the Copy Position Variables menu item. When this is done, all 3 position variables are copied, and the geometry (Cartesian, cylindrical, or spherical) is tracked. When pasting into boxes using a different geometry, the position variables are converted to that geometry.

Position values are typically entered in units of cm. To change the default units used to specify position, go to the User Interface tab of the Preferences dialog.

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