Creating Mapping Properties

You can create a mapping property to apply finite element properties to all the elements of a part (1D elements, 2D elements, or 3D elements) from a single file. The identification of each element and the associated property characteristics are listed in an XML (Extensible Markup Language) file. Each time the property is updated, the whole file is parsed and the properties are applied to the elements.

Before you begin:
  • An XML mapping file must exist and must be stored either on your computer or in the database.
  • The XML file must respect a particular syntax and format. See XML Mapping File.
Related Topics
Generating XML Mapping Files
XML Mapping File
Using Mapping Properties
Updating All Properties

  1. In the Structural Properties toolbar, click Mapping Property .

    The Mapping Property dialog box appears.

  2. Optional: In the Name box, modify the name of the property.

  3. Optional: Select one or several meshes to apply the property to the specified support.

    If you do not select any support, all the meshes are selected by default. You can select only mesh supports and not geometric supports.

  4. Select the XML mapping file.

    1. Click Browse.

      The File Selection dialog box appears.

    2. Search for your XML mapping file.

      If the XML mapping file is not stored in the database, search for it on your computer.

      Important: When you import an XML mapping file for the first time, this file is automatically stored in the database. All the future modifications of this file must be saved in the database.

    3. Click Finish.

    The file name is displayed in the File box.

  5. Optional: To visualize the content of the imported XML file, click View.

    The XML file is open in an XML editor.

  6. Associate all the materials used and specified in the XML mapping file with loaded materials:

    1. Click Add Material.

      The Object Selection dialog box appears.

    2. Search for a loaded material in the From session tab, select it, and click OK.
    3. Rename the material in the Local Name box with the material name contained in the XML mapping file, and add the domain name you want to use by separating the material local name and the domain name with the ; character.



      Tip: If you do not specify a domain, the material domain set as default is used.
      You then have a correspondance between the material referenced in the XML mapping file and the loaded material.

    4. To remove a material from the list, right-click a material, and select Remove Material.

    Repeat this operation for each material defined in the XML mapping file.

  7. Click OK.

    The mapping property is created.