Rigid Groups

Use the Rigid Groups tool to define which parts are considered to be grouped together and treated as one rigid body.

Location: Motion ribbon, Connections group


Click the satellite icon that appears when you hover over the Rigid Groups tool to view a list of all rigid groups in your model.

Define Rigid Groups

Select which parts to include in the rigid group, then click the Create New Group button.

This tool can only be used to create a rigid group of parts, not fasteners or joints.
  1. Select the Rigid Groups tool.


    Tip: To find and open a tool, press Ctrl+F. For more information, see Find and Search for Tools.
  2. In the modeling window, select which parts to include in the rigid group. Use box selection to quickly select multiple parts.
  3. Optional: Enter a name for the rigid group.
  4. Click the + Create button on the microdialog, or click the button on the guide bar.
  5. Right-click and mouse through the check mark to exit, or double-right-click.
Tip:
  • You can view which parts belong to a rigid group using the Ground Parts table.
  • To ungroup a rigid group, select the group using the arrow keys on the guide bar and click the Ungroup button.
  • If a rigid group contains one ground part, the entire rigid group is considered ground.
  • Joints, springs, or other connections between parts within a rigid group are ignored for motion analysis.
  • You can also define a rigid group by right-clicking on an assembly or part from the Model Browser and choosing Create Rigid Group from the context menu. For assemblies, this method will create a rigid group with the same name as the assembly.
  • When you copy and paste a part that belongs to a rigid group, make sure to review your rigid groups. Copy and paste operations may alter your rigid group definitions.

Rigid Groups Table

The Rigid Groups table allows you to review all of the rigid groups in your model and their properties.

You can also view properties for rigid groups in the Property Editor by pressing F3.

Location: Rigid Groups tool, satellite icon

Figure 1. Rigid Groups Table


To Do this
Display the group Select the group name in the table.
Hide the group Click the icon next to the group name in the table. Click again to show the group. Alternatively, right-click a group name in the table and select Hide selected from the context menu.
Rename the group Right-click a group name in the table and select Rename from the context menu.
Show all groups Right-click a group name in the table and select Show All Groups from the context menu.
Ungroup parts Right-click a group name in the table and select Ungroup from the context menu.

Shortcuts

To Do this
Add part(s) to a rigid group Toggle to the rigid group using the arrow keys on the guide bar, then hold down the Ctrl key while selecting parts to be added.
Remove parts(s) from a rigid group Toggle to the rigid group using the arrow keys on the guide bar, then hold down the Ctrl key while selecting the feature to remove.
Exit the tool Right-click and mouse through the check mark to exit, or double-right-click.