About the local coordinate system

When Component Modeller starts, it may request that you specify the location of the local origin. This origin point is named 'orig' in Component Modeller, and it is used as the component origin in Plant Modeller. The cursor snaps to the component (local) origin while inserting the component, and this point is used as the base point for the component.

Internally, Component Modeller builds the GDL in the local coordinate system. A small "snowflake" icon in each open view marks the location of the local origin. You can ensure that you select the origin instead of another point by using the Select by Name (N) command.

If you create a GDL in Plant Modeller, the absolute coordinates are evaluated according to the global Plant Modeller coordinates, although the component origin is defined as 'orig' (0,0,0).

You can use the Parameterize command to locate a point relative to the component origin, using local coordinates. In the picture below, a new GDL is modeled, and the component origin (local 0,0,0) is located at the global coordinate (-5900, -3670, 1600). The primitive's first point is set relative to the local origin using the Parameterize command.

Normally, the local X axis is parallel to the Plant Modeller X axis, and the local Y axis is parallel to the Plant Modeller Y axis. However, if you have started Component Modeller via a model object to edit an existing component model directly, then the orientation of the local X and Y axes is taken from the model object that instantiates the component model you intend to edit.