OpenBridge Modeler

Distribution Settings dialog

Used to specify the pre-settings for the automatic distribution of position flags. You can define the position flag styles and different optimizations.

Accessed from:
  • Dialog: Positionflags and Positioning > Distribute tab > Automatic Distribution tool icon
SettingDescription
Single Part, Sub groups, Groups, Assemblies —Selection list Here, you specify to which parts position flags have to be attached. After having selected a part type, you can choose a position flag style for this part type which has to be used to display the flag.

No group sub parts means that group sub parts are not given a position flag. This is equally valid for subgroups and assemblies.

Distribution Sets the dimension details and offsets in distribution considering the collisions:
Don’t check collision during insertion At distribution the position flags are placed on the component part without verifying the surroundings of the part. This is the fastest distribution method, however the most inexact method as well. 
Iterations This value indicates how often a new position has to be searched for a position flag. The higher the value, the better the positioning result will be, but the longer the search for a suitable position of the position flag.
Insertion Point Distance The minimum distance between the insertion point and the end of the position flag’s guideline
Local Center Your model is divided into different positioning sections with so-called local centers. The position flags are arranged in a circle around these centers and inserted. This value sets the minimum distance between two local centers.
Offset Flags This value indicates the projection of the flag beyond the edge of the visible geometry.
Freehold Flag This value specifies the minimum distance between two neighboring position flags.
Allowed Flag Angle In this field, you specify how the position flags have to look like. The angle is measured between the guideline and the alignment of the text of the position flag. The angle is always indicated as angle area, because an exact angle specification cannot be carried out with distribution algorithm. 
Number of Shape Sections For long shapes you can specify on how many positions except the center of the shape position flags have to be placed. At the value 0, the position flags are placed on the center.
Compare Radius Here you specify the radius to be used for verifying the current position flag with regard to collisions with existing part geometry, position flags, elevations, texts or dimension texts. The bigger the value, the longer is the processing time.
Options Sets the various positioning options:
  • Use Only Parts with valid Position Number - Creates position flags only for parts with valid position number assigned to them.
  • One Part per Position Number - Only one position flag is inserted for a part having the same position or shipping number (depending on the setting).
  • One part per Position Number per Local Center - Only one position flag is inserted with the same position or shipping number (depending on the setting) for each local center in the drawing.
  • Place Only Outside - The position flags are attached outside of the model geometry.
  • Break Lines at Collision - The guidelines are interrupted in the case of collisions with dimensions or texts.
  • Animation - You can follow positioning procedure on screen if this option is activated. This may require a lot of time in case of bigger models and cannot be interrupted.
Group Flags Position flags referring to parts with identical position or shipping number are arranged to form a common flag.

The insertion points mustn’t exceed the maximum distance to form a group.

  • Group Distances – The maximum distance up to which identical parts can be arranged to form a group.
  • Group leader lines – A separate guideline to the flag is created for each identical part of a group.
  • Show Count from Model – If you have arranged position flags to form a group, you can select which number of parts has to be displayed in the ‘Part Number’ of the flag. Normally, the sum of the combined parts is inserted. However, you can alternatively enter the entire number of all parts in the model having this position number.
Level Sets the level selected from available drop-down options.
OK Closes the dialog and save your changes.
Cancel Closes the dialog without saving changes.
Help Opens online help.
Template Saves and retrieve (Using Templates) settings to be used on other projects.
Favorites
  • Current Settings - Select when you haven't created any template and you want to use the current settings of the dialog instead.
  • Bentley/Default - Select when you want to use the application default settings template and you don't want to use the current settings of the dialog instead.