Symscape

Familiarize yourself here with the essential elements and associated terminology in SymLab.

For an overview of the Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) analysis process, in relation to SymLab, see "Overview: From Geometry To Results."

The SymLab Interface consists of the following components:

SymLab Interface

Tool Palette

The Tool Palette contains the tools you will need to create the geometry, define the physics, and view the results of your simulation. You can also create custom tools that are specific to your simulation, for example, a new substance or a new finish.

Find out more on using tools

View Window

The View Window allows you to view the geometry and see the results of your simulation. You can zoom, pan, or spin the view, and select an object by clicking on it with the right mouse button. You can divide the View Window into four areas, each with a different view or perspective of your simulation.

Properties Panel

The Properties Panel provides access to the properties (text, numbers, or options) of any item you have selected in SymLab. For example, if you select Box in the Tool Palette, the Properties Panel will display the default dimensions of a box, which you can then edit. Each object in the View Window has properties associated with it, e.g., a face has a color and style of shading.

The Properties Panel is also used to display informational messages or error messages.

Legend Control

The Legend Control provides access to results you have generated for your geometry. The colorbar shows the full range of values displayed in the View Window and allows you to interactively set the upper and lower threshold values for the contours displayed.

Toolbar

The Toolbar provides standard tools (e.g. New, Save, Print). It also contains animation functions, View Window controls (pan, zoom, spin, select), Undo and Redo functions, a Busy indicator, and an Interrupt option.

Menu Bar

The Menu Bar contains standard menu functions, e.g., File, Edit, Help, along with animation options and controls for the View Window.

Status Bar

The Status Bar, at the bottom of the window, displays tooltips for the Toolbar tools and Properties Panel properties.