The Ray Path Node Number(s) tool allows a surface or source object to report a node ID other than itself for ray path purposes, simplifying and reducing the reported ray paths following an advanced raytrace. This feature can be particularly useful when working with models imported from CAD, which often define a single structure as a composite of smaller surfaces. In such cases the composite surfaces can be set to report a single node ID in the ray paths list, greatly simplifying path based analyses.
This feature can be accessed by right mouse clicking on a geometry or source node in the object tree and selecting "Ray Path Node Number(s)" from the list menu. Choose Reset to Default, Set to Parent Element, or Set to Selected Node from the sub-menu options.
Each of the ray path node options are applied hierarchically in the object tree so that the node(s) and their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, etc. all inherit the same specification. FRED's detailed report feature lists the current ray path node number specification for the selected surface(s) or source(s). The following ray path node number options are available:
Reset to Default Recurses down the object tree from the selected object and resets the reported node ID for each surface or source object to itself (i.e. its own node number).
Set to Parent Element Recurses down the object tree from the selected object and sets the reported node ID for each surface or source object to be its immediate parent element.
Set to Selected Node Recurses down the object tree from the selected object and sets the reported node ID for each surface or source object to be the currently selected node on the object tree.
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