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Defining a Direction

  • Last UpdatedMar 16, 2026
  • 1 minute read

Direction in a PTCAR element is defined by the PTCDIRECTION keyword (minimum abbreviation PTCDIR), followed by the direction specified in terms of the X, Y, Z axes and rotations towards those axes. For example:

PTCDIR X45Y

direction is along the X axis, rotated 45 degrees towards the Y axis

PTCDIR X(ANGL / 2)Y45U

includes an expression for the Y component

For other examples, refer to the PTCAR image.

Note: Any one, any two, or all three of X, Y, Z may be present in the PTCDIR command line, in any order. The rotation value may be positive, negative or absent altogether (that means, zero). If you do not define the direction, DIR Y is assumed.