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Element Types panel

Element Types panel

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Element Types panel

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Use the Elem Types panel to select the type of element to create, and also allows you to change existing element types.

Note:This panel cannot be used to change joint elements. See the FE joints panel for information about changing the type of a joint.

In addition, you must specify a template file before using the Elem Types panel.

 

Panel Usage

HyperMesh has several element configurations, such as tria3 and quad4, whereas solvers might have various element types which fit a particular configuration. For example, in the OptiStruct user profile the element types CQUAD4 and PLOTEL4 (amongst others) are mapped to the quad4 element configuration.

elem_types_panel

Once set in this panel, any elements created in future will have the selected element type. For example, if you set the quad4 element configuration (HyperMesh) to the CQUADR type (OptiStruct), and then use the Automesh panel, all quad elements created are of type CQUADR.

The element type can also be changed after it has been created. To update existing element types, select the elements you want to update, change the setting in the appropriate element configuration (tria3, quad4, and so on) and click the update button. Element types can be updated across configurations. The update applies even if element types in both subpanels (1D or 2D and 3D) have been changed.

To review element types, select them on the model or click elems and choose the elements from the extended entity selection menu, then press the review button. The element type will be written on each element selected in the graphics area.

The panel also allows you to change the colors that element types are displayed in, for when you set the element color mode toolbar button (visualizationElementsColorMode-18) to By Config. To reset the changes, click the default colors button.

 

Subpanels and Inputs

The Elem Types panel contains the following subpanels:

hmtoggle_arrow11D

Use the 1D subpanel to set the element types of 1-D elements (bars, springs, and so on) as well as 0-D elements such as masses.

 

Panel Inputs

Input

Action

update

Existing elements can be updated to a new type. Select the elements with the elems selector first and then click update. This operation works across configurations and both subpanels.

review

Review existing elements for their types. Select the elements you are interested in and click the review button.

elems

Entity selector to select elements to update or review.

default colors

If any of the element colors have been changed, the default colors button reverts all of the changes.

 
hmtoggle_arrow12D and 3D

Use the 2D and 3D subpanels to set the element types of 2-D elements (quads, trias, and so on) and 3-D elements (hexas, tetras, and so on).

 

Panel Inputs

Input

Action

update

Existing elements can be updated to a new type. Select the elements with the elems selector first and then click update. This operation works across configurations and both subpanels.

review

Review existing elements for their types. Select the elements you are interested in and click the review button.

elems

Entity selector to select elements to update or review.

default colors

If any of the element colors have been changed, the default colors button reverts all of the changes.