Table of Contents
PyroSim relies heavily on the idea of selected objects. For almost all operations, the user first selects an object(s) and then changes the selected object(s). The Selection Tool
is used to select objects.
A left mouse click on an object in any view will select it.
Holding Ctrl while clicking will toggle the item in the selection, adding previously unselected items and removing previously selected items.
Holding Alt while clicking an object in the 3D View or the 2D View will select the entire group that the object belongs to.
In the Navigation View, a range of objects can be selected by clicking the first object, then holding Shift while clicking the last object.
In the 2D View, multiple objects can be selected with a click-drag motion to define a selection box.
Once objects have been selected, the user can modify the object using the menus.
Selection can be made in any of the views using the Selection tool. Multiple objects can be selected using the Ctrl key or click and drag to define a box. In the Navigation View, the Shift key can be used to select a consecutive list of objects.
A right-click on a selection displays a context menu. This menu includes the most common options for working with the object. The user may also right-click on individual objects for immediate display of the context menu.
All geometric changes to the model can be undone and redone using the Undo 
and Redo 
buttons, as well as Ctrl+Z and Ctrl+Y, respectively.
Select an object to copy, then either use Ctrl+C or Edit->Copy to copy. Alternately, right-click on an object to display the context menu with Copy.
Either use Ctrl+V or Edit->Paste to paste a copy of the object. Alternately, right-click on an object to display the context menu with Paste.
By running two instances of PyroSim, you can copy objects from one model and paste them into a second model. If the copied objects rely on other properties, such as surfaces, that are not included in the second model, these properties will be pasted into the model when the objects are pasted.
Copy/paste can also be performed to and from text files. For example the user can select an object in PyroSim, open a text file, and paste the object. The text FDS representations of the object and dependent properties will be pasted. Alternatively, the user can copy the text from an FDS file and paste into PyroSim (the 3D View, 2D View, or Navigation View). The object will be added to the PyroSim model. An error message will be received if the pasted object depends on data that is not available in the PyroSim model. The user will then need to paste that information (such as surface properties) first before pasting the geometric object.
Double-clicking on an object opens the appropriate dialog for editing the object properties.
When an object is selected in either the 2D or 3D Views, handles are displayed on the corners of the object. The user can click on any of the handle "dots" to resize the object. Selecting a dot at the end of a handle restricts motion to the corresponding axis; selecting the dot at the intersection of the handles allows motion in both directions.
The handles behave the same in 2D and 3D.
Handles are used to translate (drag) objects in the 2D View. To translate an object, follow these steps:
Using the Selection tool
, select the object(s) to be dragged.Select the Translate Objects tool
.By default, handles will be positioned at the center of the selection. A click anywhere on the mesh will pin these handles to a new location, such as a corner of the object Figure 10.1.
Click and drag the intersection of the handles to translate in any direction; click and drag one of the handles to constrain translation to the X or Y direction.
Handles are used to rotate objects in the 2D and 3D Views. To rotate an object, follow these steps:
Using the Selection tool
, select the object(s) to be rotated.Select the Rotate Objects tool
.By default, handles will be positioned at the center of the selection. A click anywhere on the mesh will pin these handles to a new location, such as a corner of the object Figure 10.2. The location of the handles defines the center of rotation.
Click and drag the far "dot" of the handles to rotate. Aligned objects only rotate in 90 degree increments. Non-aligned objects, such as diagonal walls, can be rotated any angle.
The Translate dialog can be used to both move an object and to create copies of an object, each offset in space, Figure 10.3. The Mode selects either the option to move only the selected object or to create copies of the object. The Offset parameters indicate the increment to move or offset the copies.
To preview the changes without applying them, click Preview. To apply the changes and close the dialog, click OK. To cancel the changes instead, click Cancel.
The Mirror dialog can be used to mirror an object about a plane or planes, Figure 10.4. The Mode selects either the option to mirror only the selected object or to create a mirrored copy of the object. The Mirror Plane(s) define planes normal to the X, Y, and Z axes about which the object will be mirrored. The Use Center button can be used to fill the Mirror Plane data with the center coordinates of the selected objects.
To preview the changes without applying them, click Preview. To apply the changes and close the dialog, click OK. To cancel the changes instead, click Cancel.
The Scale dialog can be used to change the size of an object Figure 10.5. The Mode selects either the option to scale only the selected object or to create multiple scaled copies of the object. The Scale values define the scale factors in the X, Y, and Z directions. The Base Point defines the point about which the scaling will be performed. The Use Center button can be used to fill the Base Point data with the center coordinates of the selected objects.
To preview the changes without applying them, click Preview. To apply the changes and close the dialog, click OK. To cancel the changes instead, click Cancel.
The Rotate dialog can be used to rotate an object Figure 10.6. The Mode selects either the option to rotate only the selected object or to create multiple rotated copies of the object. The Rotation values allow the user to select the Axis about which the rotation will be made and the angle is the rotation angle (counter-clockwise is positive). The Base Point defines the point about which the rotation will be performed. The Use Center button can be used to fill the Base Point data with the center coordinates of the selected objects.
To preview the changes without applying them, click Preview. To apply the changes and close the dialog, click OK. To cancel the changes instead, click Cancel.
Often it is desirable to turn off the display of selected objects, for example, to hide a roof of a building in order to visualize the interior. In any of the views, right-click on a selection to obtain the following options:
Hide object(s) - This turns off the display of the selected object(s).
Show object(s) - This turns on the display of the selected object(s).
Filter object(s) - This turns off the display of all objects except the selection(s).
Show all objects - Turns on the display of all objects.