3.1.9  Group maker

By using the dialog window Group maker, you can add multiple new bodies (see Bodies) simultaneously to the existing ones, which belong to one configuration. For the configuration, you can set the whole size (largest dimension), the number of bodies, total mass, Groups, and form. The form of a configuration can be of two types: ellipsoid (see Figure 20), or text (see Figure 21). These new bodies will be as selected, while the old bodies will loose their selection, if any (see Selection).

Pages and functions in the dialog window are shown in Table 20:

Table 20. Pages of the dialog window Group maker

3.1.9.1  Group

On the Group page, you can set the parameters for a group (configuration), contained in Table 21 and shown in Figure 20 and Figure 21:

Table 21. Elements of the Group page in the dialog window Group maker

Figure 20. The page Group in the dialog window Group maker (ellipsoid form)

Figure 21. The page Group in the dialog window Group maker (text form)

3.1.9.1.1  Configuration size

The configuration size can be defined in numeric or adjusted to the screen size. The unit is in bracket.
For ellipsoid form (see The configuration form is ellipsoid), the distance between the two farthest bodies is not larger than the configuration size. For text form (see The configuration form is text), the horizontal and vertical dimension is not larger than the configuration size.

If the configuration size is given in numeric, then the new bodies will appear in the middle of the coordinate system. If the configuration size fits to the screen size, then the new bodies will appear in the middle of the screen.

3.1.9.1.2  Number of bodies

This is the number of the bodies in the configuration. If The configuration form is ellipsoid, then you can set the number of bodies in this field. If The configuration form is text, then the number of bodies appears in this field and the field can not be edited.

3.1.9.1.3  Configuration mass

This is the configuration total mass with its unit bracketed. The configuration mass will be exactly that set out, if the Body mass deviation is zero. Deviation gives body mass a value lower or higher by a random number, thus total mass will also be random, or to be precise, will deviate around the value set here.

3.1.9.1.4  The configuration form is ellipsoid

The configuration form is ellipsoid. It general form is a flattened and rotated circle. It special case is the circle. Shape of elliptical galaxies is like this.

3.1.9.1.5  Ellipsoid oblate ness

Ellipsoid oblate ness in percent (%), values between 0 and 99. An ellipsoid of 0% oblate ness is a circle. The value can be set by filling in the edit control, or by using the up-down control or the slide.

3.1.9.1.6  Ellipsoid rotation

Ellipsoid rotation in degree (°), values between 0 and 179. On rotating an ellipsoid by 0°, the major axis is horizontal. The value can be set by filling in the edit control, or by using the up-down control or the slide.

3.1.9.1.7  Ellipsoid distribution

The distribution of an ellipsoid can be constant (uniform) or normal (Gauss). For constant distribution, body density does not depend on body position and direction. For normal distribution, body density depends on the body distance from mid-point.

In nature, normal distribution is generally observed, e.g. for globular clusters or elliptic galaxies.

3.1.9.1.8  Normal distribution gradient

The normal distribution gradient can be defined by a number from 1 to 100. A lower number refers to a flatter, a higher number to a steeper curve. The value of 1 approximates to constant distribution. The value of 100 reduces dispersion at the edge of the ellipsoid. The value can be set by filling in the edit control, or by using the up-down control or the slide.

3.1.9.1.9  The configuration form is text

The bodies are located next to each other that their overall view results in a text. For the text, a character set can be chosen by pressing the Font... button.

3.1.9.1.10  Configuration layout

The configuration layout is displayed in this window so that the configuration size is equal to the window size and one body is 1 pixel in size. The background color is equivalent to the color of the background, and the color of bodies to the color of selection.

See further the section Background, selection and information color.