These options control whether the next entity will be added to, or subtracted from, the list of selected entities. The default is always to add entities to the list. The Add and Remove options are order dependent. If you remove an entity, and then later add it again, the entity will be included in the list since the add occurred last. The Exclude option is the same as Remove, except that it is not order dependent. If you exclude an entity, and then later add it, it will not be included in the list no matter how many times you attempt to add it. Any of the options can be chosen any number of times, even for the same entity. For example, you can add the same entity 10 times if you want, although it will be treated just as if you had added the entity one time.
When entities are shown in the selection list, the first character indicates whether that entry adds, removes or excludes the entity. All added entities will be preceded by a +. “Remove” selections are indicated by a - and
“Exclude” selections by an x.
ID, to, by:
These three text boxes are the primary input controls. In many cases, you will simply want to select a single entity.
In this case, just enter the entity's ID into the ID text box. If you want to select a range of entities, enter the mini-mum (into ID) and maximini-mum ID (into To), and the increment (most often 1).
Select From List Button :
For entities which can have “Titles” (includes Solids, Coordinate Systems, Materials, Properties, Layups, Load Sets, Constraint Sets, Connection Properties, Connection Regions, Connectors, Groups, and Views) the “Select from List” button can be used to choose “Titled” entities from a “Multi-select” dialog box. Multiple entities can be selected in this dialog box and all will be added to the selection. The dialog box also includes a text field and a Fil-ter icon button which will reduce the list to just those entries that contain the text you specified. You can now enFil-ter additional text, and press Filter icon button again to further reduce the list. Press Clear All Filters icon button to return to the full list and start again.
Group:
If you have defined one or more groups in your model (using the Group menu) you can use them to quickly iden-tify the list of entities to be selected. Use the drop-down list to view all of the available groups. If you choose More, all entities from the group will be loaded into the list of selected entities.
Type (Type and Shape methods only):
The ID fields will be replaced by a drop-down list of available Types (Coordinate System, Element, Material, and Property Types) or Shapes (Element Topologies).
Pick:
The Pick button provides access to various methods of graphical selection. A menu will appear with various options.
The Normal option simply allows you to select one entity at a time from the screen. The other options provide for multiple entity selection and are explained more fully below. It is important to note that the Box and Circle picking options can be accessed in Normal mode by holding down the Shift and Ctrl keys, respectively, clicking and hold-ing the left mouse button, and dragghold-ing the cursor across the graphics screen.
Query
This option selects all entities that are behind the cursor as you go through the depth of the model and places the IDs in a list located in the lower right corner of the screen by default.
When an entity ID is selected in the list, the associated entity will be highlighted in the Graph-ics window allowing you to distinguish between coincident or nearly coincident entities.
You can scroll the list in three ways, using the up down arrow keys, the roller on the mouse, or clicking the right mouse button to move to the next ID in the list. When the entity you wish to select is highlighted you can select the left mouse button or press OK in the Query list box.
Front
This option uses also uses the depth of the model, but instead of bringing up a list like Query, it will only allow you to select the entity that is “closest” to you. Once an entity is chosen, the one behind it will become available for picking and so on.
Box Picking
If you select this option, simply click on the left mouse button at one end of the box, drag the cursor to the other end of the box, and release the mouse button. This will select all entities inside the box. FEMAP provides a graphical preview of the box when you drag the cursor. If you do not want to select any entities in the box, simply press Can-cel.
Circle Picking
This option works much like box picking except the original click of the left mouse button defines the center of the circle (instead of the corner of the box), and the location at which you release the button is a point on the circle.
Polygon Picking
This option is an extension of the box picking, except instead of holding the left mouse button down, you click on specific locations. FEMAP will create a polygon from click to click for the entity selection. You can press Done after your last location, or double click the last point, or close the polygon by repicking the first location (the dotted line changes to solid when you are over the first location).
Note: This command differs slightly from clicking Ctrl+L in a dialog box field to bring up a list of “Titled” enti-ties, as only one entity at a time can be selected using that method.
Note: You can either turn on the Query mode by selecting it from the Pick menu, or you can use it for a single pick by simply holding down the Alt key while clicking. When you release the Alt key, the picking mode will return to its previous state (either Normal or Front).
Freehand Picking
This option provides the most flexible input. Simply drag the cursor by holding the left mouse button down. When you have completed the area you want to select, simply release the button. FEMAP will then automatically select those entities in your freehand sketch.
Coordinate Picking
The Coordinate option allows you to select entities using a combination of X,Y, and/or Z values referencing a selected coordinate system along with various limiting criteria (Above or Below a single value; Between or Out-side two values; or At Location, within a specified Tolerance).
You can choose any coordinate system in your model and then select X, Y, and/or Z and a “limiting criteria” for each coordinate. You can click the “Graphical Pick” Icon button next to any active field and this allows you to get a value for that field by graphically picking in the model.
When using the At Location criteria, a “Tolerance” is used and can be manually entered. By default, this value is set to the “Merge Tolerance” of your model and “expands” the selection area +/- that value (See Section 7.4.1, "Tools, Parameters..." for how “Merge Tolerance” can be defined). You can also enter a larger value to “expand” the selec-tion area further in both direcselec-tions.
Any value entered in a field as selection criteria WILL be included in the selection.
For example, say you want to list all nodes with an X coordinate “above” a value of “1.0” in the Global Rectangu-lar Coordinate System in your model. In order to do this, check the box next to X to make it “active” (make sure the Y and Z boxes are “unchecked”), choose the Above criteria, then enter a value of “1.0” into the Max field. When you click OK, ALL nodes with an X value of “1.0” AND Above will be selected.
If you do not want the nodes at “1.0” to be included in the selection, you would want to enter a slightly higher value (i.e.,“1.000001”) OR use an “mathematical operator” to slightly increase the value (i.e.,“1.0+1E-8”).
Around Point
The Around Point option allows you to select entities using each entity’s position in 3-D space in relation to a
“Specified Point” along with various limiting criteria (Farther Than or Closer Than a single value; Between or Out-side two values; or At Location, within a specified Tolerance). Essentially, a “sphere” will be created around the
“Specified Point” and selection will be based on the defined limiting criteria.
FEMAP will first prompt you for a point using the standard Locate dialog box and any “coordinate definition method” can be used. Once the “Point” has been specified, the Select by Distance From Point dialog box will appear.
Note: The picking method always returns to Normal after you have performed a picking procedure. If you need to create another polygon or freehand sketch for picking, simply select this option again under Pick.
You can click the “Graphical Pick” Icon button next to any active field and this allows you to get a value for that field by graphically picking in the model.
When using the At Location criteria, a “Tolerance” is used and can be manually entered. By default, this value is set to the “Merge Tolerance” of your model and “expands” the selection area +/- that value (See Section 7.4.1, "Tools, Parameters..." for how “Merge Tolerance” can be defined).
Any value entered in a field as selection criteria WILL be included in the selection.
For example, say you want to list all nodes closer than “1.0 unit” away from a specified point in space. In order to do this, choose the Closer Than criteria, then enter a value of “1.0” into the Min field. When you click OK, ALL nodes within a “1.0 unit” sphere AND any nodes exactly “1.0 unit” in any direction will be selected.
If you do not want the nodes at “1.0 unit” to be included in the selection, you would want to enter a slightly lower value (i.e.,“.9999999”) OR use an “mathematical operator” to slightly increase the value (i.e.,“1.0-1E-8”).
Around Vector
The Around Vector option allows you to select entities using each entity’s position in 3-D space in relation to a
“Specified Vector” along with various limiting criteria (Farther Than or Closer Than a single value; Between or Outside two values; or At Location, within a specified Tolerance). Essentially, a “cylinder” will be created around the “Specified Vector” and selection will be based on the defined limiting criteria.
FEMAP will first prompt you for a vector using the standard Vector Locate dialog box and any “vector definition method” can be used. Once the “Vector” has been specified, the Select by Distance From Vector dialog box will appear.
You can click the “Graphical Pick” Icon button next to any active field and this allows you to get a value for that field by graphically picking in the model.
When using the At Location criteria, a “Tolerance” is used and can be manually entered. By default, this value is set to the “Merge Tolerance” of your model and “expands” the selection area +/- that value (See Section 7.4.1, "Tools, Parameters..." for how “Merge Tolerance” can be defined).
Any value entered in a field as selection criteria WILL be included in the selection.
For example, say you want to list all nodes farther than “1.0 unit” away from a specified vector. In order to do this, choose the Farther Than criteria, then enter a value of “1.0” into the Max field. When you click OK, ALL nodes outside a “1.0 unit” cylinder AND any nodes exactly “1.0 unit” away from the vector in the radial direction will be selected.
If you do not want the nodes at “1.0 unit” to be included in the selection, you would want to enter a slightly higher value (i.e.,“1.000001”) OR use an “mathematical operator” to slightly increase the value (i.e.,“1.0+1E-8”).
Around Plane
The Around Plane option allows you to select entities using each entity’s position in 3-D space in relation to a
“Specified Plane” along with various limiting criteria (Positive Side or Negative Side of Plane with offset value;
Between or Outside two offset values; or At Location, within a specified Tolerance).
FEMAP will first prompt you for a plane using the standard Plane Locate dialog box and any “plane definition method” can be used. Once the “Plane” has been specified, the Select by Distance From Plane dialog box will appear.
The “Positive Side” is the side of the “Specified Plane” with the “positive normal direction” (based on the right hand rule) and the other side is the “Negative Side”. You can enter an Offset Distance from the plane in either the Positive or negative direction.
You can click the “Graphical Pick” Icon button next to any active field and this allows you to get a value for that field by graphically picking in the model.
When using the At Location criteria, a “Tolerance” is used and can be manually entered. By default, this value is set to the “Merge Tolerance” of your model and “expands” the selection area +/- that value (See Section 7.4.1, "Tools, Parameters..." for how “Merge Tolerance” can be defined).
Any value entered in a field as selection criteria WILL be included in the selection.
For example, say you want to list all nodes between “-1.0 Unit” and “+1.0 Unit” offset from the specified plane. In order to do this, choose the Between criteria, then enter a value of “-1.0” into the Min field and “1.0” into the Max field. When you click OK, ALL nodes between “-1.0 unit” and “+1.0 Unit” from the plane AND any nodes exactly
“+/-1.0 unit” away from the plane will be selected.
If you do not want the nodes at “1.0 unit” +/- the plane to be included in the selection, you would want to enter a slightly lower value (i.e.,“+/- 0.999999” in the appropriate fields) OR use an “mathematical operator” to slightly increase the value (i.e.,“1.0-1E-8”).
Model Data Value
The Model Data Value option allows you to choose entities in the model with values Equal to a specific element quality value or material/property value (i.e., Plane Element Thickness, Young’s Modulus, BEAM End A Area etc.) or have values within a range (Above or Below a single value; Between or Outside two values) for a particular material/property entry.
When using the Equal criteria, a “Tolerance” is used and can be manually entered. By default, this value is set to the 1.0E-8 and “expands” the selection area +/- that value
Any value entered in a field as selection criteria WILL be included in the selection.
Color
The Color option allows you to select a color from the Color Palette, then adds all entities of the current type which are also the selected color to the selection list. Options also exist to Match Color, Match Pattern/Transparency, and Match Line Style options which may turned on/off to either broaden or narrow the selection criteria. By default, all Options are on.
For Example, if you wanted all elements in the model which are Red (specifically Color 4), regardless of the selected Pattern/Transparency or Line Style, you would probably want to “uncheck” the Match Pattern/Transpar-ency, and Match Line Style options if the colors in the model use any of these options.
Combined Curves pick mode
There are four modes when selecting Combined Curves in FEMAP, Default, All Points/Curves, Points/Curves Eliminated by Combined Curves, and Combined Curves Only. Once Entity Selection dialog has been closed by OK or Cancel, this pick mode always returns to Default. Here is a brief description of each:
• Default - In this mode, all “individual curves” used to create Combined Curves can no longer be selected. The Combined Curves are now available for selection along with any “individual curve” currently not being used by any Combined Curves. Also, the end points of any “internal” curves of a Combined Curve can no longer be selected.
• All Points/Curves - All “underlying” points and curves used by Combined Curves are available for selection, as well as the Combined Curves themselves and any “individual curves” in the model.
• Points/Curves Eliminated by Combined Curves - Only “underlying” points and curves used by Combined Curves are available for selection.
• Combined Curves Only - Only Combined Curves can be selected.
Boundary Surfaces pick mode
There are also four modes when selecting Boundary Surfaces in FEMAP, Default, All Curves/Surfaces, Curves/
Surfaces Eliminated by Boundary, and Boundary Surfaces Only. Once Entity Selection dialog has been closed by OK or Cancel, this pick mode always returns to Default. Here is a brief description of each:
• Default - In this mode, all “individual surfaces” used to create Boundary Surfaces can no longer be selected.
The Boundary Surfaces themselves are now available for selection along with any “individual surface” cur-rently not being used by any Boundary Surfaces. Also, the “internal” curves of Boundary Surfaces can no longer be selected.
• All Curves/Surfaces - All “underlying” surfaces and curves used by Boundary Surfaces are available for selec-tion, as well as the Boundary Surfaces themselves and any “individual surfaces” in the model.
• Curves/Surfaces Eliminated by Combined Curves - Only “underlying” surfaces and curves used by Boundary Surfaces are available for selection.
• Boundary Surfaces Only - Only Boundary Surfaces can be selected.
Add Connected Fillets
Using the Add Connected Fillets command allows you to quickly add “connected fillets” to the selection list by first choosing any number of surfaces which represent fillets in your geometry. This is a helpful picking tool when using the Geometry, Solid, Remove Face (Section 3.4.2.12, "Geometry, Solid, Remove Face...") to try and remove fillets from geometry. Only visible when selecting surfaces.
Add Tangent Surfaces
Like Add Connected Fillets, the Add Tangent Surfaces command adds surfaces based on their relationship to sur-faces which have already selected. In this case, sursur-faces “tangent” to any number of sursur-faces already in your selec-tion list will be added to the list. This is a helpful command when you would like to pick all of the surfaces on “one side” of a part. Only visible when selecting surfaces.
By Faces
Picking By Faces is only available when you are selecting Nodes or Elements. It provides access to the face selec-tion methods described in the Model, Load, Elemental command, including selecselec-tion of Adjacent Faces. When you use this method of selection during Node selection, all nodes on the element faces that you pick are selected. Dur-ing element selection, the elements containDur-ing the faces are selected.
By Output
Like By Faces, this method is only available when picking nodes or elements, and only if you have loaded analysis results into your model. Usage of this selection method is just like the Group, Operations, Generate With Output command, where you can find more information. In this case however, the selection is not used to create a group, rather it is directly added to the selection dialog box.
Copy, Copy as List, and Paste
In some cases, you may want to transfer selection lists (the IDs being selected) to other programs. By choosing Copy, the IDs that have been selected (already in the list) will be copied to the Clipboard, and will be available to be pasted as text into another application. If there are any IDs which have been removed or excluded from the
In some cases, you may want to transfer selection lists (the IDs being selected) to other programs. By choosing Copy, the IDs that have been selected (already in the list) will be copied to the Clipboard, and will be available to be pasted as text into another application. If there are any IDs which have been removed or excluded from the