This also applies to cable, chain, and webbing.
Gear that is anchored includes anchors, rocks, trees, tripods, trucks, etc.
A "bight" is a simple loop in a rope that does not cross itself.
A "bend" is a knot that joins two ropes together. Bends can only be attached to the end of a rope.
A "hitch" is a type of knot that must be tied around another object.
"Descending devices" (e.g., ATCs, Brake Bar Racks, Figure 8s, Rescue 8s, etc) create friction as their primary purpose. The friction in descending devices is always considered when calculating forces.
The "Safety Factor" is the ratio between the gear's breaking strength and the maximum load applied to the gear (e.g., 5:1).
"Rope benders" are handles that can be displayed at the end of each rope segment. Rope benders let you bend cable and rope (and hose) into smooth curves.
Rope benders are available on round rope, "cable," and fire hoses. They are not available with chain or webbing, although you can simulate curves in chain and webbing using slack points.
Do one of the following to show or hide the rope benders:
Rope benders are small, blue squares that are connected to the end of each rope segment. In the following illustration, there are four benders: one on each end of the rope and two at the point where the rope enters the carabiner. The two benders where the rope segments meet at the carabiner are initially displayed on top of each other.
To move a rope bender, carefully position your mouse over the bender until the mouse pointer changes to a "bent" arrow. Then click-and-drag the rope bender. It may take a little practice to grab the rope bender, rather than the rope. Make sure the mouse pointer changes to a bent arrow before clicking your mouse button.
The rope will "bend" as you drag the bender. As shown in the following illustration, blue dotted lines will be drawn from the end of each rope segment to the benders.
If you press the Shift key while dragging a bender, the adjacent bender will move as you move your mouse. This smooths the curve.
You can combine slack points and rope benders to make more complex shapes.
To straighten a rope that was curved using rope benders, right-click on the rope and choose Straighten Rope Section from the rope's shortcut menu.
If you calculate forces, curved sections of rope that are tensioned will be automatically straightened. The Float Gear on Rope command also straightens curved sections of rope. You can use the Undo command to restore the bends in the rope.
Watch a video that explains how to work with rope and webbing.
Make sure the mouse pointer changes to a "bent arrow" before clicking and dragging your mouse.
Remember that there are benders on both ends of each rope segment.
Press the Shift key while dragging a bender to smooth the curve.
Learn about slack points which can be used in conjunction with benders.