Displaying Mass Properties

You can view the calculated mass properties. You can assign values for mass, center of mass, and moments of inertia to override the calculated values.

To display mass properties:

  1. Select items (components or solid bodies) to be evaluated. If no component or solid body is selected, the mass properties for the entire assembly or part are reported.
  2. Click Mass Properties (Tools toolbar) or Tools > Evaluate > Mass Properties.
    The calculated mass properties appear in the dialog box. If an assembly contains components with overridden mass properties, those components are listed at the bottom of the Mass Properties dialog box.
    In the graphics area, a single-colored triad indicates the principal axes and center of mass of the model. A tri-colored reference 3D triad appears at the origin.

  3. Optionally, you can do the following:
    • Set options in the dialog box, and click Recalculate.
    • Evaluate different entities without closing the Mass Properties dialog box. Clear the selections, then select the entity, and click Recalculate.
    • Click Options, make changes in the Mass/Section Property Options dialog box, and click OK.
    • Click Override Mass Properties, assign values in the Override Mass Properties dialog box, and click OK. (Not available when multiple items are selected. Not available for bodies in a multibody part.)
    The results update accordingly.