Add Tool

The Add Tool allows the user to add a new object to the simulation.

Tool Details

Location

The Add button is located in the Tools menu. When clicked, the Add Tool menu will appear, displaying a list of objects that can be added to the simulation, sorted by object type, as well as four settings: Still, Orbit, Binary, and Launch.

Certain objects can also be added to the simulation with the Launch setting using the numbers 1-8 on the keyboard.

Settings

The Add settings determine the initial velocity that the new object will be given when it is added to the simulation.

• Still
  • The object will be added with zero initial velocity relative to the Simulation Grid.
• Orbit
  • The object will be added on a circular orbit around the object's strongest attractor in the simulation.
  • When an object has been selected from the menu but not yet added to the simulation, the orbit will be displayed.
  • If there are no other objects in the simulation, the new object will be added with zero velocity, as in Still.
• Binary
  • The object will be added on a circular orbit around the object's strongest attractor in the simulation.
  • If Balance Motion is on, the other object's velocity will be changed such that the barycenter of the two objects will remain stationary as they orbit.
  • If there are no other bodies in the simulation, the new body will be added with zero velocity, as in Still.
• Launch
  • The object will be launched from the location of the camera in the direction that the camera is facing.
  • If Auto Launch Velocity is on, the launched object will be given a velocity that will put it in orbit around the object's strongest attractor in the simulation.
  • If Auto Launch Velocity is off, the user can use the Launch Velocity setting to assign a specific initial velocity.
  • If there are no other objects in the simulation, the new object will be launched with a velocity of 10 km/s.