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Chapter 2 Using Multiframe
The properties of a linked group of joints can be edited by double clicking on the linked
region displayed in the Frame window.
The linked joints are also displayed in tabular form in the Data window. Choose Linked
Joints from the Data sub-menu to display this table or click on the Linked Joints tab at
the bottom of the Data Window. The rows of this table corresponding to the Master
Joints are shown in bold.
The linking is defined for the global XYZ directions. If you link two or more joints
together in the X direction then they will be locked together for any movement in the
global X direction.
The following restrictions apply when linking joints and to the restraints, or supports,
attached or applied to the linked joints.
 Joints may be common to several groups of linked joints provided that the master
joint in all of the intersecting groups is the same joint.
 Prescribed displacements can only be applied to linked joints that are master
joints.
 Restraints to linked degrees of freedom must be applied to the master joint
 The reactions in the direction of the linked degrees of freedom for a group of linked
joint are computed at the master joint.
The compliance of the frame to these rules is tested when the user analyses the frame.
The joints linked together in a linked group may be selected using the Linked Joints
command in the Select menu. From version 8.6 of Multiframe the elements selected
when the joints are linked are also stored with the linked group. These will also be
selected when the Select Linked Joints command is executed.
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