Workbenches

LabRPS, like many modern design applications such as Revit or CATIA, is based on the concept of Workbench. A workbench can be considered as a set of tools specially grouped for a certain task. In a traditional furniture workshop, you would have a work table for the person who works with wood, another one for the one who works with metal pieces, and maybe a third one for the guy who mounts all the pieces together.

In LabRPS, the same concept applies. Tools are grouped into workbenches according to the tasks they are related to.

When you switch from one workbench to another, the tools available on the interface change. Toolbars, command bars and possibly other parts of the interface switch to the new workbench, but the contents of your scene doesn't change. You could, for example, start drawing 2D shapes with the Draft Workbench, then work further on them with the Part Workbench.

Note that sometimes a Workbench is referred to as a Module. However, Workbenches and Modules are different entities. A Module is any extension of LabRPS, while a Workbench is a special GUI configuration that groups some toolbars and menus. Usually every Module contains its own Workbench, hence the cross-use of the name.

Built-in workbenches

The following workbenches are available on every LabRPS installation:

File:Labrps16.svg Std Base. This is not really a workbench, but this category serves to collect all "standard" commands and tools of the system which can be used in all workbenches.

The WindLab Workbench for working with the simulation of random wind velocity.
The SeismicLab Workbench for working with seismic ground motion.
The SeaLab Workbench for working with sea surface.

The Part Workbench for working with CAD parts.

The Plot Workbench is used to edit and save output plots created from other modules and tools.

The Spreadsheet Workbench for creating and manipulating spreadsheet data.

The Start Center Workbench allows you to quickly jump to one of the most common workbenches.
The Web Workbench provides you with a browser window instead of the 3D View within LabRPS.

External workbenches

LabRPS workbenches are easy to program in Python, there are therefore many people developing additional workbenches outside of the LabRPS main development area.

The external workbenches page lists all that are known to this community. Most are easily installable from within LabRPS, using the Addon Manager, found under menu Tools → Addon manager.