Using libraries

Libraries allow you to easily import objects from one OrcaFlex model to another. To do this run OrcaFlex and open the model browser by clicking the model browser button or the Model | Model browser menu item, or pressing F6. The model browser should look like this,

Now open a library file, by clicking the open button on the model browser (or use the popup menu with a docked model browser) and selecting your data file. The model browser will look something like this,

We are now going to copy some objects from the right-hand pane to the left-hand pane. To do so select the required line types and click the import button . As an alternative to the import button the objects can be dragged from the right-hand pane to the left-hand pane or the Library | Import menu item can be used.

Note that you can select a number of objects and import them all in one go. You do this by using the standard Windows key presses CTRL+click to add to a selection and SHIFT+click to extend a selection. For example,

Once you have imported the required objects you can close the library by selecting the Library | Close menu item on the model browser. Now the model browser looks like:

Some other points related to library files:

• Because library files are simply ordinary OrcaFlex data files, you can temporarily treat any OrcaFlex data file as a library. This allows you to import objects from one OrcaFlex data file to another.
• You can re-size the model browser by dragging its border. You can also control the relative sizes of its two panes, by dragging the right border of the left pane.
• You can view, but not edit, the data for a library object, by double clicking it in the model browser or by selecting it and using the popup menu.
• When an object is imported from a library, the current model may already have an object of that name. In this case OrcaFlex automatically gives the object a new name based on the old name.