The Principal Coordinate System (PCS) represents the main orientation of the model. It is mainly used by the material properties for 3D Orthotropic material, 3D Transversley Isotropic material, symmetry plane, Design Rules and therefore the Build Direction.
A PCS is created per default when starting MSC Apex Generative Design and is the same as the global coordinate system.. This is aligned to the global coordinate system and located in the origin of the model.
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The direction can be changed by double clicking on the coordinate system. The following window will open and the direction as well as the location can be changed. By pressing the “R” key, the coordinate system can easily be rotated around the axes.
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This change always impacts the material, symmetry, design rules and therefore build direction.
Changes to this coordinate system during the symmetry setup, update the whole coordinate system and therefore impacts everything dependant on this as well.
Note: Changing the Principal Coordinate System afterwards doesn’t update the symmetry coordinate system and therefore the created symmetry Design Space. The orientation needs to be taken into consideration at this step.
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Changes to this coordinate system in the build direction panel in the study tab, update the whole coordinate system and therefore impacts everything dependant on this as well.
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