28.4.1 Using the Point Tool

The point tool allows you to interactively fine-tune the definition of a point using graphics. Starting from an initial point, you can translate the point until its position is as desired. For example, if you need to position a point surface at the center of a duct, just past the inlet, you can start with the point tool near the desired location (e.g., on the inlet), and translate it until it is in the proper place. (You may find it helpful to display mesh faces to ensure that the point tool is correctly positioned inside the domain.)

Initializing the Point Tool

Before turning on the Point Tool option, set the Coordinates to suitable starting values. You can enter values manually, or use the Select Point With Mouse button. Often it is convenient to display the mesh for an inlet or isosurface on or near which the point is to be located, and then select a point on that mesh to specify the initial position of the point tool. Once you have specified the appropriate Coordinates, activate the tool by turning on the Point Tool option. The point tool, an eight-sided polygon, will appear in the graphics window, as shown in Figure  28.4.2.

Figure 28.4.2: The Point Tool

You can then translate the point tool as described below. The point surface you create will be located at the center of the point tool.

Translating the Point Tool

To translate the point tool in the direction along the red axis, click the mouse-probe button (the right button by default--see Section  29.3 for information about changing the mouse functions) anywhere on the gray part of the point tool and drag the mouse until the tool reaches the desired location. Green arrows will show the direction of motion.

To translate the tool in the transverse directions (i.e., along either of the other axes), press the <Shift> key, click the mouse-probe button anywhere on the gray part of the point tool, and drag the mouse until the tool reaches the desired location. Two sets of green arrows will show the possible directions of motion. (In 2D, there will be only one set of green arrows, since there is only one other direction for translation.) If you find the perspective distracting when performing this type of translation, you can turn it off in the Camera Parameters dialog box (opened from the Views dialog box), as described in Section  29.5.2.

Resetting the Point Tool

If you "lose'' the point tool, or want to reset it for any other reason, you can either click on the Reset button to return the point tool to the default position and start from there, or turn the tool off and reinitialize it as described above. In the default position, the point tool will lie at the center of the domain.