The basic steps to consider when creating Functional components for use as substructure components in OBM are listed below:
Note: We suggest you use OpenBridge Modeler to create your parametric cell/functional component. Remember to switch to the Modeling Workflow to use the commands on Constraints Tab.
1. Seed File: Suggest using the 3D seed file shipped with OBM. This has the correct design file settings including resolutions, working units resolution, solids area etc.
2. Axis/Construction Lines: As you build a parametric cell, you will notice you may need to have some reference lines for placement of solids relative to the location. To see these lines for the components shipped with OBM, please turn on the level OBM_FC_ConstructionLines.
3. Origin for placement of Functional Components: OBM places the user selected FC at the bottom of the deck+beams+bearingseats vertically at a computed elevation under the WP. So the cell origin for the parametric cell should be at the top of the cap under the PG/WP.
4. Assign Tag command: In OBM, on the Parametric Cell Tab on the Ribbon, click the Assign Tab, to bring up the Tag tool as shown in the figure below. Make sure you are working with the functional component (/cell) file and not the OBM bridge data file. Use this tag tool to mark each element of the parametric cell as a specific element from OBM standard element library. The purpose of this tagging is to allow OBM to report on the quantities accurately.
5. Variable Mapping command: The last step in preparing the functional component for use in OBM is to map the user defined variables to the OBM specific variables. At this time two variables are exposed in OBM, the Cap Length and the Cap Slope (as an angle). By dragging and dropping the user defined variables over to the appropriate OBM variables we will allow the functional component after it is placed in the OBM file to automatically react to the changes in the bridge.
An example of functional component after definition of all constraints and parameters.