What is a Component?
A component is an inspectable part where an inspector can enter a defect. It is comprised of a part and location combined. For example, a part is a headlight and a location is left side. Together, the headlight + left side is a component.
Components can be created when adding them to the view as shown below. Alternatively, they can be created in the Part/Locations window (see here).
Create a Component
Select the layer you want to add the component to.
Select the Design tab in the ribbon.
Click Add Component. Alternatively, you can right click on the layer in the View Explorer and select Add Component from the context menu that appears.
The Component window opens.
Select a part with or without a location in one of the following ways:
To add a part without a location, select the part in the left-hand pane.
To add a part with a location, expand the part by click on the arrow next to it, select one of the locations associated to it.
To add a location to a part, drag and drop the location from the right-hand pane onto the part in the left-hand pane, select the location in the part.
Select, add or edit a Pen Style. This will be the outline of the component.
Select, add or edit a Fill Style. This is the color of the component that will overlay the image.
If you want to define a transparent component, deselect the Use Fill checkbox. The component will only be outlined on the view. There won't be a fill color or pattern applied to the component.
Select the Top most checkbox if the component may be covered by another component but you still want to be able to place a defect on it.
Once a component has been defined on a view, it is not possible to check or uncheck the Topmost checkbox. Plan your setup carefully!
Click OK.
The cursor changes to a pencil icon, indicating you are now ready to outline the component on the view. This can be done by drawing it using lines and curves or by adding pre-defined shapes.
Draw a Component Outline
The following steps are carried out when adding a component shape. The default setting will allow you to draw a shape using lines and curves. You can select this setting while editing a shape by selecting the following button in the ribbon menu.
Click on the view where you want the edge of the component to begin.
You now have the option to draw a line or a curve. By default it will draw a line.
You can switch to drawing a curve by pressing the Tab key or the C key. Switch back to drawing a line by pressing the Tab key again or the L key.
Click at the next point along the edge of the component.
If you selected to draw a curve you can now create the curve by moving the curve handles.
Keep drawing around the edge of the component.
When are get close to the starting point again, press the F2 key or double-click on the starting point.
The component is created and listed in the View Explorer.
If you want to give a name to the shape then select it in the View Explorer and add a description in the Properties pane.
Add a Component Shape
The following steps are carried out when adding a component shape. You can define the outline of a shape as a circle, square or triangle using the preset shapes.
Select the required shape in the ribbon menu.
You must make the shape the right size before you place it. This is done as follows:
Ctrl key + Mouse wheel: Change radius by 10 units
Ctrl key + Shift key + Mouse wheel: Change radius by 1 unit
Adjust the size of the shape as required.
Move the shape into position and left-click to place it.
The shape is placed on the view.
Modify a Component Outline
Select the Design tab in the ribbon.
Press the Select Shape button.
When Select Shape is enabled, clicking anywhere inside a component will select a single shape. This includes 'empty space' shapes (subtracted from visible shapes). When disabled, clicking on a component will select the component itself.
Select the component shape in the view or in the View Explorer.
Click Edit.
Make changes as described below.
When completed press the Return key to save the changes. Press the Cancel key to cancel the changes.
Move a Component
Move the mouse over the middle of the shape and then left-click and drag it into position.
Move Vertices
Move the mouse over the vertex so that it is highlighted and then click and drag it into position.
Move Lines
Move the mouse over the line so that it is highlighted and then click and drag it into position.
Split a Line
Move the mouse over the line so that it is highlighted and press the S key. A new vertex will appear in the middle of the line.
Change a Line into a Curve and Vice Versa
Move the mouse over the line so that it is highlighted and press the C key to turn a line into a curve or the L key to turn a curve into a line.
Make a Component with Multiple Shapes
Select the component that already has a shape in the View Explorer.
Select the Design tab in the ribbon.
Click Add Shape.
Draw the shape as described previously.
When completed press the Return key to save the changes. Press the Cancel key to cancel the changes.
The component is now made up of multiple shapes.
Add Sub-Components
Sub-components allow a manufacturer to zero in on possible specific high risk sections of a component. Sub-components are actually invisible to the inspector as they will just see the whole component.
Sub-components are created by combining a location with a sub-part (or by simply placing a sub-part on the view). Sub-parts are simply divisions of a part. For example, the door on a passenger vehicle could be divided into upper door and lower door or some other combination.
Select a component in the View Explorer.
Select New > Sub-component.
Click the Change button for the Sub-part field.
You can create sub-parts at this point by clicking the Add button or else you can create them all beforehand in Cockpit (see here).
Select the desired sub-part from the list.
Click OK.
Click OK on the Sub-Component Properties dialog.
Outline the sub-component area.
Press F2 when finished.
Click Yes to confirm that you want to save this sub-component.
Draw a Hole in a Component
You will often need to draw holes within a component. This can be done by adding a shape which has a negative operation as follows.
Right-click on the component in the view or select then right-click the component in the View Explorer.
If Select Shape is disabled in the ribbon then you will select the component. If it is enabled you will select the shape, which you don't want.
Select Add Shape from the context menu that appears.
Draw around the area to be removed.
When completed press the Return key to save the changes. Press the Escape key to cancel the changes.
In the properties for the shape change the operation to Subtract.
The component now has a hole in it.
Modify a Component's Border and Fill
In the View Explorer select the component.
In the Properties pane click the down-arrow next to the Fill Style or Pen Style.
Select a style from the list.
For information on adding and modifying fill and pen styles, see here.