Inserting Finite Element Model Representations

You can insert new or existing finite element model representations in an existing product.

This task shows you how to:

Before you begin: A product must be open.
Related Topics
About Finite Element Model Representations
Accessing the Finite Element Modeling Workbench
Managing Finite Element Model Representations
Meshing Geometries
Creating Structural Properties

Insert New Finite Element Model Representations

You can insert new finite element model representations.

  1. In the specification tree, double-click the product in which you want to add a representation to activate it.

    Tip: A product or a representation is activated when its representation in the specification tree is highlighted in blue.

  2. From the menu bar, select Insert > New > Representation....

    The Insert - Step 1 - Representation dialog box appears.

  3. Select Finite element model.

  4. Click Next.

    The Insert - Step 2 - Finite element model dialog box appears.

  5. Optional: In the Representation name box, modify the name of the finite element model representation.

  6. Click Finish.

    The finite element model (FEM) representation is created and is displayed in the specification tree.

    FiniteElementModel_001 contains two sets: Nodes and Elements and Properties. You can then create meshes (under the Nodes and Elements set) and structural properties (under the Properties set) but you are still in a product workbench. To create meshes and structural properties, you have to enter the Finite Element Model workbench to access the finite element representation tools.

    To enter the Finite Element Modeling workbench, double-click the finite element model representation or an element belonging to the finite element model representation:

    • If the product contains only one 3D shape, you enter directly the Finite Element Modeling workbench. The finite element model representation is automatically linked to the 3D shape.
    • If the product contains several 3D shapes, the FE Model Management dialog box appears automatically to let you link each 3D shape to the finite element model representation.

      See Managing Finite Element Model Representations.

Insert Existing Finite Element Model Representations

You can insert existing finite element model representations.

  1. In the specification tree, double-click the product in which you want to add a representation to activate it.

  2. From the menu bar, select Insert > New > Representation....

    The Select representation to insert dialog box appears.

  3. If you have a finite element model representation loaded in the session, select the From Session tab. If no finite element model representation is loaded in the session, select the From Search tab.

  4. Select the finite element model representation that you want to insert.

  5. Click OK.

    The finite element model (FEM) representation is inserted and is displayed in the specification tree: