As a first element, we need the shaft of the applicator. For this, start by adding a SoCylinder module.

As we want to keep the applicator shaft and tip basically independent, we can already add a SoSeparator module here which comes with an in-built viewer. Connect the two modules and set the parameters for the cylinder.

	Tip
	Several Open Inventor modules come with an in-built viewer, like SoSeparator, SoGroup, SoRenderArea and more. For a complete viewer experience, use SoExaminerViewer and its associated macro module SceneInspector.

	Note
	Each of the viewers have their own persistent settings. So if you copy and paste such modules into another network, the zoom settings etc. will be those of the previously used state! If confused, always add fresh modules via the search or the Modules menu.

Figure 7.4. Creating the Applicator Shaft

Usually, such Open Inventor objects will be colored. Add the SoMaterial module before the SoCylinder module and edit the material settings. Feel free to play around with the color settings.

Figure 7.5. Coloring the Applicator Shaft

In a next step, we will create the applicator's tip. For this, add a SoCone module and also another SoMaterial and SoSeparator module to build a construction similar to the shaft.

Figure 7.6. Adding an Applicator Tip

To combine the two independent elements (shaft and tip), we have to a) combine them and b) translate the tip (or shaft) in relation to the other, otherwise the two Open Inventor elements would be placed at the same position, namely the origin of the Inventor's world coordinate system [0,0,0]. (For more information on coordinate systems, see Chapter 12, Excursion: Image Processing in ML.)

For the translation, add a SoTranslation module in front of to the cone, and set the y-translation to (in this case) “11.5”. The SoGroup module has an in-built viewer, so that you can preview the resulting applicator. It can be rotated in the viewer.

Figure 7.7. Adding Translation and Grouping

For a finishing touch, add a SoExaminerViewer for display and a SoBackground. The latter adds a gray gradient background that gives a more 3-dimensional impression of the rendered Open Inventor scene.

For easier handling, create a group for the two parts of the applicator. Select the modules that belong to the applicator, right-click them and select Add to New Group. Enter an appropriate name like “applicator”. The new group appears in the workspace.

Figure 7.8. Finishing the Applicator