Difference between a Pin and a Hinge in Inspire Motion

In Inspire Motion, the question is sometimes asked - What is the difference between a "Pin" and a "Hinge"?  This post gives a basic answer to that question. More detailed information on joints can be found in the Inspire Motion online HELP under “Joint Types and States”.

A Pin and a Hinge are the same modeling entity, they allow 1 rotational degree of freedom.  It is simply the way in which Inspire detects the geometry features when creating the joint that determines whether it is defined as a "Pin" versus a "Hinge".  Pins also come along with a pin graphic that can be selected in the graphics area (for editing, for example) at almost any time,  The hinge graphic, on the other hand, is only visible if the user is in the joint edit mode.

Example: Two adjacent holes aligned axially results in a “Pin” joint.

On the other hand, a cylindrical surface detected inside another cylindrical surface, with perpendicular adjacent surfaces, will result in a Hinge.

So the naming of the joint and the resulting graphic is different, but the behavior is the same.

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