Definition of the geometry

How can I modify geometric element that I have created on screen?

All geometric elements can be interactively modified, edited and deleted. To do this, you first need to understand how iMesh works. Because it has many tools, the applet cannot know what you intend to do: do you want to move a node, add a force to it, delete it, or delete the area that goes through it. All these actions are possible, but not at the same time.

The applet works in various modes: when one mode is selected, only actions relative to that mode can be performed:

Node Mode

The following actions are possible in node mode:

• Add a node, by clicking on an area of the screen where no node is present. If the mouse is positioned in the vicinity of an existing line, it will highlight, indicating that if a node is added at that time it will be positioned exactly on that line, and inserted in the list of nodes of that line (or lines) If the mouse is positioned close to the intersection of two or more lines, all concerned lines are highlighted and the node will be positioned at their exact intersection and inserted into all of them.

• Select a node (by clicking on it and then releasing the mouse button. To select multiple nodes, press the Ctrl key while selecting the following nodes.

• Move a node, by clicking on it an dragging to its new position

• Merge a node with an existing node. If a node is dragged in the vicinity of another node, it will be merged with it, and the lines connected to it will now pass through the node it was dragged on.

• Delete a node, by first selecting it (see above), and then pressing the delete button .

Area Mode

The following actions are possible in area mode:

• Create a new area, by clicking on existing nodes to connect them, or freely clicking on areas of the screen where no node is present, in which case a new node will be created automatically and added to the area. Press the right mouse button to terminate the input of the area.
  As areas must be closed, the first node will be automatically added as the last node of the area.

• Select an area, by clicking on it while it is highlighted. Multiple selections are possible by holding the Ctrl key while selecting additional areas.

• Change the properties of an area, by pressing the button to bring up the Geometry and Materials window. The current properties of the selected area(s) are displayed. If more than one area is selected, and they have different material or geometric properties, no value will be indicated. If new values are assigned, they will apply to all currently selected areas.

• Delete an area, by selecting it (see above), then pressing the delete button .

• To change the shape of an area (add or remove nodes, move the area, use the node mode.

Rebar mode

The rebar mode works in a very similar manner than the area mode. Please refer to the explanations relative to areas for more information. The only difference is that rebars need not to be closed (although they may be), so finishing the input of a rebar (by a right click) will not add a closing node.