The visual objects that are available in the FlexSim library can help you manage complex models and add visual details that might be useful when presenting the model to stakeholders. They are also useful for managing complex simulation models.
The following table provides an overview of the purpose and common uses for each visual object. The objects are listed from the most commonly used to the least commonly used:
Object | Purpose |
---|---|
Text | Use a text object if you want to add text to a specific place in your model. Text objects can be helpful for clearly labeling portions of the model when you share the model with stakeholders or people who are working on the same model. |
Billboard | The billboard object is very similar to the text object. The difference is that a billboard object will stay in a specific place on the model view screen; it will not move with the model as you pan or zoom. |
Plane | Planes are one of the most useful and versatile visual objects because they can act as containers that hold other 3D objects. Using containers can be important for managing complex simulation models. Planes can also act as a model floor, which is useful if you want to simulate a location with multiple floors. See Using Containers as a Model Management Tool and Creating Model Layouts for more information. |
Slide | Similar to text, you can use a slide to add a block of text or other information from the model. Slides are similar in appearance to presentation slides that you might create in a program such as PowerPoint. |
Shape | Use shapes if you want to add a 3D shape such as a cube or a sphere to the model. Another good use for shapes is that they can act as locations that customers or employees can travel to. |
Background | The background is actually a tool, not a specific object per se. You can use this tool to add a floor plan or CAD drawing to your model. See Importing CAD Drawings and Floor Plans for more information. |
Walls | Walls are not just one object. Clicking on walls allows pillars to be placed and connected together. This can be used to create a complex walls structure. This object can also be added as an A* Member to use walls as A* dividers. |
Light | Use light objects to customize the lighting of your model. If the model contains light objects, then they will be used instead of the default light settings on the view. |
The following sections will explain how to use some of these objects in more detail.
You can change the color of visual objects using Quick Properties:
Alternatively, you can change the visual object's color by opening the object's Properties window. The color property is available on the General tab.
You can change the shape of a shape object using the Properties window:
To change the text display in billboard and text objects:
You can also quickly edit the text by clicking the Edit
Properties button to open the edit
text picklist directly.
Slide objects are designed to look like a presentation slide. The following sections will discuss how to manage these text objects. Slides consist of several text objects that are displayed on a single plane. The title of the slide will be Text1. The first bullet point on the slide will be Text2 and so forth:
To add or remove bullet points from the slide object:
To change the text in slide objects:
You can change the appearance of the model floor if needed. You can either add a texture to the floor or change the color.
To change the model floor settings: