ALTAIR HYPERMESH DESKTOP 2017.2.

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INTRODUCTION

PRE-PROCESSING FOR FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS

BASIC INTERACTION WITH HYPERWORKS

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HyperMesh Desktop Intro, v2017.2.3

CHAPTER 1 - BASIC INTERACTION WITH HYPERMESH DESKTOP

1) Basic Interaction with HyperMesh Desktop

• Getting Started

• Opening and Saving Files

• Controlling the Display

• Working with Panels

• Organizing a Model

• Questions & Answers

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HyperMesh Desktop Intro, v2017.2.3

HYPERWORKS DESKTOP INTEGRATION - TYPICAL FEA PROCESS

IMPORT FROM CAD or CAE World
HyperMesh
CAD CAE

PRE-PROCESSING
2) Finite Element HyperMesh
1) GEOMETRY 3) ANALYSIS
Model

SOLVING
Solver
ALTAIR SOLVER EXTERNAL SOLVER

POST-PROCESSING HyperView
HyperGraph
Results Visualization

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HyperMesh Desktop Intro, v2017.2.3

GETTING STARTED WITH HYPERMESH DESKTOP

Getting Started - HyperMesh Startup Options
• Startup options allow HyperMesh to be launched with a specific behavior or with specific settings defined.
• The options are provided as command line options to the application executable or startup script.
WINDOWS
1) From the Start Menu, select All Programs.
2) Click Altair HyperWorks
3) Select the name of the program you want to run HyperMesh Desktop.
Or
1) User can create a Windows Shortcut

UNIX and LINUX:

1) At the prompt, type <install directory>/scripts/hm.
2) Set up an alias.

MAC OS X:
1) The icons in the Applications Menu or the chosen install folder location.
Or
1) The install location under scripts via a terminal window.
(i.e. /Applications/AltairHyperWorks/altair/scripts/hm under a terminal window would launch HyperMesh.)
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HyperMesh Desktop Intro, v2017.2.3

GETTING STARTED WITH HYPERMESH DESKTOP

Getting Started - The Start-In Directory

• The “Start-In Directory” or “Working Directory” is the location from which the HyperWorks Desktop application is
launched.
• This directory ("current working directory“ , can be changed) defines where certain settings and configuration files are
written by default:
1. Configuration files (hmmenu.set, hmsettings.tcl, hwsettings.xml, hm.mac, …)

2. History File (command.tcl)

3. HyperMesh Model Files, FE Data and Geometry Files. (User can browse to different directories for opening and
saving)

Changing the Start-in Directory

• On Windows, the default start-in directory for HyperWorks is the My Documents directory. This can be changed by
editing the "Start in" field on the application executable or its shortcut.
• On Linux, the start-in directory is defined by the directory from which the user runs the application startup script.

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HyperMesh Desktop Intro, v2017.2.3

GETTING STARTED WITH HYPERMESH DESKTOP

Getting Started - Setting Files
• HyperWorks Desktop writes several different settings files.
• HyperMesh writes command.tcl, hmmenu.set and hmsettings.tcl (standalone only).
• HyperWorks Desktop writes hwsettings.xml.

• command.tcl
• The command.tcl file is a command history file containing the commands executed in HyperMesh when ever any
operation is performed.
• This file can be used to rerun operations or as a basis for determining the commands required to automate a given
process.
• By default, the command.tcl file is written to the start-in directory for each session. It is possible to customize the
location where this file is written to using the HM_COMMANFILE_DIR environment variable.
• Deleting this file simply results in a new file being created on the next operation.

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HyperMesh Desktop Intro, v2017.2.3

GETTING STARTED WITH HYPERMESH DESKTOP

Getting Started - Online Help
• HyperMesh offers comprehensive documentation in the online help.
• The Help can be accessed through the menu bar or the use of the “h” , keyboard (help documentation is “intelligent”,
opening in the section representing the panel that the user is actively in)
• Help also contains detailed tutorials on many advanced HyperMesh functions.

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HyperMesh Desktop Intro, v2017.2.3

GETTING STARTED WITH HYPERMESH DESKTOP

How to search - Online Help
• Example: how to use HyperWorks Online Help to search documentation about comments created by HyperMesh in the
input deck.

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HyperMesh Desktop Intro, v2017.2.3

HYPERMESH DESKTOP GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE

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HyperMesh Desktop Intro, v2017.2.3

HYPERMESH DESKTOP – MENU BAR

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HyperMesh Desktop Intro, v2017.2.3

HYPERMESH DESKTOP – MENU BAR

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HyperMesh Desktop Intro, v2017.2.3

HYPERWORKS DESKTOP CLIENTS

• Client Selector Toolbar

• HyperWorks applications can be selected from the Client Selector toolbar.

• The Client Selector button on the left-most end of the toolbar allows you to select
HyperMesh, HyperView, HyperGraph 2D, HyperGraph 3D, MotionView, MediaView,
TextView and TableView.

• The toolbars, view controls, and menu bars change based on the application you select.

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HyperMesh Desktop Intro, v2017.2.3

HYPERMESH DESKTOP TOOLBARS

• HyperMesh Toolbars

File Management
(New, Open, Save, Import,
Export, User Profile, Tcl/Tk
Tools)

Standard, User Defined and Model View Controls (Zoom, Rotate, Pan)

Quick Access to Common “Checks” (Distance/Length, Mass Calc, Edges,

Features, Faces, Normals, Penetration and Element Check)

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HyperMesh Desktop Intro, v2017.2.3

HYPERMESH DESKTOP TOOLBARS

• HyperMesh Toolbars

Visualization controls HOW things are shown

• Color Modes
• Shading Modes
• 1D Beam Visualization
• New Visualization Tab
Display controls WHAT is shown
• Mask Tools
• Find
• Element/Load Handles

Suggested Method for Creating/Editing Collectors (Delete, Card Edit, Organize,

Renumber)

Image Capture System (Copy to Clipboard or File, Capture Graphics Area, Capture Panel,
Capture “free” Window, Capture Frame)

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HyperMesh Desktop Intro, v2017.2.3

HYPERMESH DESKTOP SECONDARY MENU

• Keyboard Shortcut and Settings
• The secondary menu is a list of panels that can be accessed by using the function keys F1 through F12, or in combination
with the SHIFT or CTRL keys.

Preferences > Keyboard Settings

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HyperMesh Desktop Intro, v2017.2.3

DEMO

File Name and Location

..\ISTRUCTOR-DEMO\CH1-BASICS\01a-GUI.hm

Demo Goal

• HyperMesh Desktop GUI

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HyperMesh Desktop Intro, v2017.2.3

OPENING AND SAVING FILES

• Opening and Saving Files - The following file operations are located in the Standard toolbar which can be accessed by
selecting View > Toolbars > HyperWorks > Standard or selecting File from Pull Down menu.

• New Model
Opens a new FE model or session file
• New Session
• Open Model
Opens an exixting model or session file

• Open Session
• Save Model
Saves an exixting model or session file.

• Save Session
• Load User Profile – Opens the User Profiles Window.
• Load – Load Results, Preference File, Solver Template or Metadata Table.
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HyperMesh Desktop Intro, v2017.2.3

OPENING AND SAVING FILES

• Opening and Saving Files (continue …)
• Import Options – The following icons open the Import Tab with the appropriate import type:

Import Model (.hm) Import Session (.mvw) Import Connectors

Import Geometry (Unigraphics, Catia, ProE, Iges, Step, Parasolid, …)

Import Solver Deck (RADIOSS, OptiStruct, Nastran, Dyna, Abaqus, Stl …)

• Export Options – The following icons open the Export Tab with the appropriate export type loaded:

Export Model (.H3D FE) Export Connectors

Export Solver Deck (RADIOSS, OptiStruct, Nastran, Dyna, Abaqus, Stl …)

Export Geometry (IGES, PARASOLID, STEP, FIIBERSIM, JT)

Publish to PowerPoint Publish to HTML

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HyperMesh Desktop Intro, v2017.2.3

OPENING AND SAVING FILES

• Opening and Saving Files (continue …)
• Within the Scripting toolbar (View > Toolbars > HyperWorks > Scripting) there are additional tools which allow you to
open various files

• New Tcl/Tk Script – Starts a new HyperMath session.

• Open Tcl/Tk Scripts

Open Tcl/Tk script in HyperMath or open command file in a text editor.
• Open Command File

• Debug Tcl/Tk Script – Opens a browser to debug a TCL file.

• Run Tcl/Tk Script – Opens a browser to load and run a TCL file.

• Run Command File – Opens a browser to load/run an HyperMesh command files (*.cmf).

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HyperMesh Desktop Intro, v2017.2.3

DEMO
File Name and Location
..\ISTRUCTOR-DEMO\CH1-BASICS\01a-GUI.hm

Demo Goal
• File Management

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HyperMesh Desktop Intro, v2017.2.3

CONTROLLING THE DISPLAY

• Viewing: Mouse Buttons
• Left mouse button
• +CTRL & drag for rotate
• +CTRL & click on entity to change center of rotation
• +CTRL & click in graphics area to reset center to middle of screen

• Middle mouse button

• +CTRL & drag for zoom
• +CTRL & roll scroll wheel for dynamic zoom
• +CTRL & click in graphics area for fit

• Right mouse button

• +CTRL & drag for pan

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HyperMesh Desktop Intro, v2017.2.3

VIEW TOOLBARS
• Standard Views
XY YZ
Top Plane Restore/Save
Rear Plane
View XZ User View
View
Left Plane Isometric
View View

XZ Reverse
Previous Right View
View Plane View YZ
XY
Fit Front Plane
Bottom
View
Plane View

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HyperMesh Desktop Intro, v2017.2.3

VIEW TOOLBARS
• View Controls

Zoom In (+) • Zoom in or out by dragging the mouse vertically

Zoom Out (-)

Circle Zoom (Z) • Draw a circle (freeform) around the area to be magnified

Dynamic Zoom (S) • Zoom into the center of the screen

Dynamic Rotate • Dynamically rotate the model about defined center

Dynamic Spin
• Dynamically spin the model about a defined center

Pan • Drag the model around in the Graphics Area

Center
• Select a node/point to center of the model at that point
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HyperMesh Desktop Intro, v2017.2.3

VIEW TOOLBARS
• View Controls
• Rotate the model view Left or Right about an imaginary vertical axis in the middle of
Rotate Left the graphics area
Rotate Right

• Rotate the model view Up or Down about an imaginary horizontal axis in the middle of
Rotate Up the graphics area

Rotate Down

• Rotate the model view Clockwise or Counter Clockwise about an imaginary axis
Rotate Clockwise coming out of the graphics area

Rotate Counter Clockwise

• From the menu bar, Preferences > Geometry Options or click on “O” from keyboard.

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HyperMesh Desktop Intro, v2017.2.3

VISUALIZATION TOOLBAR
• Visualization Controls

Wireframe Composite
WireFrame Elements Skin Representation
Geometry Only
Geometry Element 1D Traditional
Transparency
Color Mode Color Element
Mode Representation

Visualization
Options

Shrink Element
Shaded Shaded
2D Traditional
Geometry Elements
Element
and and
Representation
Surface Mesh
Edges Lines
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HyperMesh Desktop Intro, v2017.2.3

VISUALIZATION TOOLBAR
• Various surface shading options are available on the Toolbar:

• From the menu bar, Preferences > Geometry Options or click on “O” from keyboard

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HyperMesh Desktop Intro, v2017.2.3

VISUALIZATION TOOLBAR
• Transparency

• Transparency is available from the Toolbar, allows surface shading in a component to be set to any level of
transparency

Viewing the midsurface of solid geometry

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HyperMesh Desktop Intro, v2017.2.3

VISUALIZATION TOOLBAR
• Various FEM shading options are available on the Toolbar:
Wireframe Shaded with Mesh Lines

• From the menu bar, Preferences > Meshing Options or click “O” from keyboard.

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HyperMesh Desktop Intro, v2017.2.3

VISUALIZATION TOOLBAR
• From the menu bar, Preferences > Mesh/Geom Appearance.

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HyperMesh Desktop Intro, v2017.2.3

VISUALIZATION TOOLBAR
• Various FEM representation options are available on the Toolbar:
1D Traditional Element Representation Composite Representation

2D Traditional Element Representation Shrink Element

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HyperMesh Desktop Intro, v2017.2.3

VISUALIZATION TOOLBAR
• From the menu bar, Preferences > Graphics or click “O” from keyboard.

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HyperMesh Desktop Intro, v2017.2.3

DISPLAY TOOLBAR
• Display Controls

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HyperMesh Desktop Intro, v2017.2.3

DISPLAY TOOLBAR
• Spherical Clipping
• Allows you to focus on specific areas of the model by displaying only the portions of a model inside a 3D spherical volume

• To use the option, enable the clipping and pick the center and the radius of the clipping sphere.

• It can be accessed using the icon and will open the panel shown below.

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HyperMesh Desktop Intro, v2017.2.3

BROWSERS
• Browsers
• Browsers display information in a tree view; collectors such as components or groups appear at the top level of the
hierarchy, while collected entities such as elements or surfaces display as "children" nested within the collector to which
they belong.
• Different browsers are customized for usage with regard to the types of parts that you want to work with.
• Most browsers have similar basic functionality for sorting entities, filtering entities, and finding entities and include a
context-sensitive right-click menu and sets of control buttons

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HyperMesh Desktop Intro, v2017.2.3

BROWSERS - DISPLAY CONTROLS & BROWSER MODES

• These controls affect which entities display in the graphics area, and how they display (such as shaded or wireframe).
• The Global Display Tools can be used to turn the display of large numbers of entities on and off.

• The Local Display Controls affect the visual style of individual entities (such as shaded or wireframe) within the tree list.
• Entity Display Icons
• Colors
• Display Mode
• The Action Mode Tools allow you to turn entities' display on and off individually, isolate certain entities so that only they appear
in the graphics area, or add entities to panel collectors

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HyperMesh Desktop Intro, v2017.2.3

BROWSERS - ACTION MODE TOOLS

• Entity Type
• The first tool sets functions as a "mode" selector for the rest of the tools, by determining what type of entity the remaining
tools will act on. If you set the Entity Type to "components", the Selector tool will only select or deselect components.
• Elements/Geometry

• The second tool sets functions as a "mode" selector for the rest of the tools, by determining what type of contained entities
the remaining tools will act on. If you set the mode to "elements", the Selector tool will only select or deselect elements.
• Isolate
• Isolate is a mechanism whereby only the selected entity will be displayed. The isolate tool isolates within the entity type
• Show/Hide
• The Show/Hide mode enables control of the model display via interactively selecting entities within the graphics area. It is
only intended for graphics selection, not browser.

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HyperMesh Desktop Intro, v2017.2.3

BROWSERS - ACTION MODE TOOLS

• Browser Selector
• The Selector tool is used to interactively select supported entities from either the Model browser or from within the graphics
area.
Selection Graphics Area Browser Area
Single Left mouse click Left mouse click
Remove Right mouse click Ctrl + Left mouse click

Multiple Shift + Left mouse click (drag and select) Ctrl + Left mouse click

• Add to panel Collector

• The Add to Panel Collector is a function whereby the browser can be used to select and add entities to the panel
collectors.

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HyperMesh Desktop Intro, v2017.2.3

MODEL BROWSER
• Model Browser - Overview
• Easy access to an already existing
view in the Model Browser by
double clicking on the Entity
folder i.e. Components, Includes,
Properties, Materials and Beam
section collector

• Easy control of column visibility

by using right click on column
headers

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HyperMesh Desktop Intro, v2017.2.3

MODEL BROWSER
• Model Browser - Overview
• Easy to read tabular format in
Property and Material View

Property View Material View

• Search and filter capabilities

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HyperMesh Desktop Intro, v2017.2.3

MODEL BROWSER
• Model Browser - Overview
• Smart and Compact context
menus specific to selected
Entity(s) and Empty space

• Icon to demonstrate if the export

check is off for an include

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HyperMesh Desktop Intro, v2017.2.3

MODEL BROWSER VIEWS

• Model View
• Complete Listing of all HyperMesh Entities in Model
• Each “Collector” is expandable and lists all contained
“Entities”
• Turn on and off the display of the geometry and
elements of collectors.
• Control the color of the collector (Right click)
• Create, Card Edit, Delete and control component
visualization by Right clicking on the collector list

Autocolor (visualization mode option)

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HyperMesh Desktop Intro, v2017.2.3

MODEL BROWSER VIEWS

• Model View → Context-Sensitive Menu
• You can change a variety of options by right-clicking on a folder or entity in the browser's tree display. Each “Collector” is
expandable and lists all contained “Entities”.
• Configure Browser option - change the columns and entity types to display in the Model browser.

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HyperMesh Desktop Intro, v2017.2.3

MODEL BROWSER VIEWS

• Model View → Context-Sensitive Menu

• Configure Browser option (…continue)

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HyperMesh Desktop Intro, v2017.2.3

MODEL BROWSER VIEWS

• Component View
• Turns off all other entities in the browser and lists only components in a flat list

• Turns on FE and Geometry style columns

• Populates Indirect Property and Material columns (dependant on user profile)

• Includes the Direct Property column, from which you can toggle between direct/indirect property assignment.

• Visualization mode is set to By Comp

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HyperMesh Desktop Intro, v2017.2.3

MODEL BROWSER VIEWS

• Property View

• Turns off all other entities in the browser and lists only properties in a flat list

• Type and Card Image columns are turned on

• Visualization By Prop

• Element visualization by direct or indirect property

• Direct/Indirect Property View

• When in Property view, the Model browser gains another icon in its toolbar . The icons within this list allow you to filter the
elements that display in the graphics area based on their property assignments:

• Both direct and indirect properties

• Direct properties only

• Indirect properties only

• Note: This feature is not supported by the user profiles for Ansys, LS-DYNA, Marc, Pam Crash 2G, RADIOSS, Samcef, and
any profile in Manufacturing Solutions.
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HyperMesh Desktop Intro, v2017.2.3

MODEL BROWSER VIEWS

• Include View • HyperBeam View
• All entities within the session • View focuses entirely
will be listed in the tree on beam elements
• Include full display control • enables the visualization,
(applicable entities) creation, and editing of beam
sections and beamsection
• Double-clicking on the folder collectors.
opens its respective view.

• Material View • Optimization View

• Turns off all other entities in the browser and lists only • The optimization view is only
materials. available when the OptiStruct user
profile is set.
• Type and Card Image
• Turns off all other entities
• Visualization By Mat in the browser
• Visualization By Comp

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HyperMesh Desktop Intro, v2017.2.3

MASK BROWSER
• Mask Browser – Control of visibility by entity type

• To open the Mask browser, from the menu bar, click View > Browsers > HyperMesh >
Mask.

• Show “+” - column corresponds to the unmask operation. It unmasks the relevant entities for
the current row and sub-folders.

• Hide “-” - column corresponds to the mask operation. It masks the relevant entities for the
current row and sub-folders.

• Isolate “1” - column corresponds to both a mask and an unmask operation. It performs a
Hide on the top level folder and then a Show on the current row and sub-folders.

• Mask Browser Context Menu

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HyperMesh Desktop Intro, v2017.2.3

DEMO
File Name and Location
..\ISTRUCTOR-DEMO\CH1-BASICS\01a-GUI.hm

Demo Goal
• Visualization

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HyperMesh Desktop Intro, v2017.2.3

QUICK ACCESS TOOL

• Enable the Quick Access tool by pressing Ctrl + F.
• A search bar opens in the top, right of the application.

• Use the Quick Access tool to:

• find and open Tools

• find and open Panels

• find and open Browser

• Create solver cards (RADIOSS, OptiStruct, LS-DYNA, PAM-CRASH2G and Permas, …)

• As you begin to enter a search string, predicted results appear in a list. Select a search
result from the list, or press Enter to select the highlighted search result.

• Exit the Quick Access tool by pressing Esc or clicking anywhere outside of the tool.

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HyperMesh Desktop Intro, v2017.2.3

WORKING WITH PANELS

• Panels often have sub-panels
• Accessed by radio buttons on the left side of the panel

• Panels generally work from left to right

• Example: Project / to plane sub-panel

1) What to do 3) What to do it to: 4) How to do it: 5) Do the action:

&
Select entities that will be Give parameters that Execute the function
2) Method to use:
affected define how the function
Pick a sub-panel for the will be executed
function to be used

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HyperMesh Desktop Intro, v2017.2.3

WORKING WITH PANELS

• Some sub-panels are organized in columns
• Each column is a different method
• Work from top to bottom in the relevant column
• Example: surface edit : trim with surfs/plane sub-panel

1) What to do: 2) Method to use: 3) What to do it to: 4) How to do it: 5) Do the

Pick a sub-panel for the Work in the Select entities that action:
Give parameters that
function to be used appropriate column will be affected define how the function Execute the
will be executed function

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HyperMesh Desktop Intro, v2017.2.3

WORKING WITH PANELS

• Entity selectors - Control what and how entities are selected for a function.
Entity Type Button
Shows the type of entity
currently being selected

Entity Type Switch Reset

Changes what type of entity Deselects all entities for
is being selected the selector

Cyan border
Indicates the selector is active (there can only be 1 active selector)
Clicking the entity type button when it is active accesses the “Extended Selection Menu”

• Switches : These allow the choice of multiple options through a popup menu
• Toggles : The toggle will change the function between 2 options.
• Reset : This will reset the selection of any entities.
• Text input fields : Operate like text fields in most programs

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HyperMesh Desktop Intro, v2017.2.3

WORKING WITH PANELS

• Click an active selector to access the extended menu selection

• The extended menu selection offers

• Methods for selecting many entities at once
• Tools for modifying an existing selection
• Save an existing selection and retrieve it in any panel

• Multiple extended selection methods can be used on a selection

• Allows you to easily select exactly what you want
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HyperMesh Desktop Intro, v2017.2.3

WORKING WITH PANELS

• The by face selection can be refined by setting the feature angle.

• From pull down menu Preferences > Meshing Options or click “O” from keyboard.

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HyperMesh Desktop Intro, v2017.2.3

WORKING WITH PANELS

• Face & Edge Selection: useful to define Loads and Contacts
• Face selection on 2D and 3D elements

• Based on feature break angle

• No need to create FACES to generate boundary conditions

• Edge Selection enabled for 2D elements

• No need to create EDGES or select NODES BY PATH

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HyperMesh Desktop Intro, v2017.2.3

WORKING WITH PANELS

• Face & Edge Selection: Examples with Pressure panel
• elems selector (switch) - Select elements (1D, 2D, 3D) to apply pressure to.

faces
2d faces ext

Free edges loops

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HyperMesh Desktop Intro, v2017.2.3

WORKING WITH PANELS

last
first

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HyperMesh Desktop Intro, v2017.2.3

WORKING WITH PANELS

• Select entities with a window using Shift + mouse

• Left mouse drag – select entities

• Right mouse drag – unselect entities
• Left click – change window shape

• Rectangle Inside/Outside

• Polygon Inside/Outside

• Circle Inside/Outside

• Visible only off/on

• Entities are selected when mouse button is released

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HyperMesh Desktop Intro, v2017.2.3

WORKING WITH PANELS

• Select entities with a window using Shift + mouse

• Selection “Visible” Elements → User controlled selection for selecting

elements through depth or by visible

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HyperMesh Desktop Intro, v2017.2.3

WORKING WITH PANELS

• Used for input of directions or planes for a given function
• Planes can be selected from a vector (normal to the vector)
• Directions can be selected from a plane (normal to the plane)

Current Direction / Plane

Direction Switch Shows a selected axis or inputs for selecting entities to
Options for what direction is define a direction / plane
selected
Reset
Deselects the selected
nodes

Base
Edit
Select a node to
position a selected Double click to access and
plane enter coordinates for N1,
N2, N3 and Base.
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HyperMesh Desktop Intro, v2017.2.3

WORKING WITH PANELS - DIRECTION SELECTION

• N1, N2, N3 direction option allows nodes to be selected to define either a direction or a plane
• Select 2 nodes to define a direction (only N1 and N2)
• Select 3 nodes to define a plane (N1, N2, and N3)

Plane defined by N1, N2, N3

N3 Direction is normal
N1 to plane
N2
Positive direction
is by “right hand
rule”
N1
N2

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HyperMesh Desktop Intro, v2017.2.3

WORKING WITH PANELS – RESTORE TOOLBAR

• Restore (Undo-Redo) Toolbar
• Undo-Redo toolbar → View > Toolbar > HyperMesh > Undo-Redo from the menu
bar, to access undo and redo functionality.

• Not all the actions performed in HyperMesh can be undone or redone. The undo/redo
history will also be reset every time a macro or other tcl application is invoked.

• The undo/redo functionality is supported by most HyperMesh panels, tools, and

functionalities.

• Enables control for last 100 operations

• Data and state persistency after leaving the panel

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WORKING WITH PANELS – RESTORE TOOLBAR

• Restore (Undo-Redo) Toolbar

• Undo/Redo Settings
• Number of undo actions is set to 100 (default, ) and the maximum is set to 2500.
Both of these settings can be modified in the Undo/Redo Settings dialog.
• Preferences > Undo/Redo settings from the menu bar.

• Undo/redo history may use a large amount of memory. Once the memory threshold is
exceeded, all older actions will be automatically purged.

• Undo Microsoft and Linux

• Undo an action by clicking , or pressing CTRL+Z

• Redo
Mac
• Redo an action by clicking , or pressing CTRL+Y

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HyperMesh Desktop Intro, v2017.2.3

WORKING WITH PANELS – FAVORITES TOOLBAR

• Favorites Toolbar

• On the Favorites toolbar, you can save and access a menu that lists your favorite
panels.

• HyperMesh saves the favorite panels list and restores it accordingly when you start a
new session.

• Favorites toolbar → View > Toolbar > HyperMesh > Favorites from the menu bar, to
access favorite functionalities.

• You can add, open and remove panel from the Favorites toolbar:

• Open the panel you wish to save/remove to the favorite panels menu

• On the Favorites toolbar, click

• On the favorite panels menu, click Add Current Panel/open/Remove Current

Panel.

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HyperMesh Desktop Intro, v2017.2.3

MODEL ORGANIZATION – COLLECTORS AND COLLECTED ENTITIES

• Collectors and Collected Entities
• Collectors are named organizational containers for collected entities.
• An example of a collector is the component collector (points, lines, surface, solids, elements, and connectors) for model
organization purposes.

• Collectors also control the display state, on or off, of all their collected entities as a group.
• The display state of collectors can be controlled using the Model browser.

• Collector Types:

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MODEL ORGANIZATION – COLLECTORS AND COLLECTED ENTITIES

• Collectors and Collected Entities (continue…)
• Main Collector Types and Collected Entities: (continue…)

• Region
• information used to facilitate and automate modeling practices and
processes.

• Geometry
• Free Points and Fixed Points
• Lines
• Surfaces
• Midsurfaces
• Solids
• Connectors (used for welding)

• FE Model
• Nodes
• Temp Nodes (marks a node with a small circle)
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• Elements
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HyperMesh Desktop Intro, v2017.2.3

MODEL ORGANIZATION – COLLECTORS AND COLLECTED ENTITIES

• Collectors and Collected Entities (continue…)
• Main Collector Types and Collected Entities: (continue…)

• FE Loading
• Loads (constraints, forces, pressures, etc.)
• Equations (mathematical link between nodes) Forces

Pressures

Constraints
• Contacts Contact
• Group (defines contact between entities) Surface
• Contact Surfs (defines a list of entities that can be used as master or slave in a group)

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MODEL ORGANIZATION – COLLECTORS AND COLLECTED ENTITIES

• Collectors and Collected Entities (continue…)
• Main Collector Types and Collected Entities: (continue…)

• Coordinate Entities
• Systems (coordinate axes) Vectors Systems
• Vectors

• Reference Entities
• Sets (a simple list of a particular type of entity)
• Blocks (a list of entities contained within a box shape)

• 1D Element Cross Sections

• Beam Sections (cross sectional properties for a property collector)
Beam Section

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HyperMesh Desktop Intro, v2017.2.3

MODEL ORGANIZATION – COLLECTORS AND COLLECTED ENTITIES

• Collectors and Collected Entities (continue…)
• Main Collector Types and Collected Entities: (continue…)

• Plotting
• Curves (X-Y data) Plot with a Curve
• Plots (a display of curves with axes)

• Output Requests
• Loadsteps (combinations of load collectors) Ti t l e s
• Output Blocks (request output from an analysis for certain entities)

• Labels Tags
• Titles (label for a displayed item)
• Tags (assigns a name to an entity)

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MODEL ORGANIZATION – COLLECTORS AND COLLECTED ENTITIES

• Collectors and Collected Entities (continue…)
• Main Collector Types and Collected Entities: (continue…)

• HyperMorph Entities
• Handles – controls model shape during morphing

• Domains – divides a model into regions (for domain based morphing)

• Morph volume – A cube shaped volume that morphs all entities that are
located inside the shape (for volume based morphing)

• Morph constraints – Control the motion of nodes during morphing

• Symmetries – forces regions to be morphed symmetrically

• Shapes – model state during morphing saved for retrieval at a later point

Morph Volume

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HyperMesh Desktop Intro, v2017.2.3

MODEL ORGANIZATION – COLLECTORS AND COLLECTED ENTITIES

• Collectors and Collected Entities (continue…)
• Collectors Toolbar

• Organizing Collected Entities into Collectors -

Collected entities can be organized into collectors at any
point using the Organize panel.

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HyperMesh Desktop Intro, v2017.2.3

MODEL ORGANIZATION – COLLECTORS AND COLLECTED ENTITIES

• Collectors and Collected Entities (continue…)
• The Current Collector

• Since a collected entity must belong to one, and only one, collector, there

must be a current collector for which newly created collected entities will

automatically be organized into.

• The status bar shows the current collector for include files, components,

and load collectors respectively.

• The current collector is also bold faced in the Model browser.

• To set the current collector, in the Model browser, right-click on the

collector to make current and select Make Current from the context menu.

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HyperMesh Desktop Intro, v2017.2.3

DEMO

File Name and Location

..\ISTRUCTOR-DEMO\CH1-BASICS\01a-GUI.hm

Exercise Goal

• Model Organization

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HyperMesh Desktop Intro, v2017.2.3

MODEL ORGANIZATION - PART BROWSER

• Part Browser - View > Browsers > Hypermesh >
Part from the menu bar

• Use the Part browser to create, organize, and manage

the CAE part structure/hierarchy
• To open the Part browser, click View > Browsers >
HyperMesh > Part from the menu bar. The browser
opens in its own tab in the tab sidebar. You can undock
the browser so that it appears as a free-floating dialog. Part Browser

• You can undo and redo actions made in the Part

browser using the Undo and Redo commands on the
Restore toolbar.

• Part Browser Interface Entity Editor

• The Part browser consists of
• two panels: the first panel displays the
• model structure, part assembly, and
• part attributes; the second panel
• displays the Entity Editor.
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HyperMesh Desktop Intro, v2017.2.3

MODEL ORGANIZATION - MODEL BROWSER

• Model Browser - View > Browsers > Hypermesh > Part from the menu bar
• View collectors and assemblies in a hierarchical tree format
• Create, delete, and rename collectors
• Edit collector attributes
• Organize collectors into assemblies (Drag and drop)
Right-Click on
1 Collector for
advanced
• Also available using the Collectors icon options

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HyperMesh Desktop Intro, v2017.2.3

MODEL ORGANIZATION - MODEL BROWSER

• Model Browser → New entities are created in the current collector
• Creating a new collector automatically sets the current collector to that new collector
• Model View used to change the current collector

Right-Click on 1 Set Current Component

Component

Set Current Include

Set Current Load Collector

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HyperMesh Desktop Intro, v2017.2.3

MODEL ORGANIZATION - MODEL BROWSER & ENTITY EDITOR

• Model Browser → Create the entities needed for your model
• Model Browser + Entity Editor

Model Browser →
Right Click

Entity Editor

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HyperMesh Desktop Intro, v2017.2.3

MODEL ORGANIZATION - MODEL BROWSER & ENTITY EDITOR

• Model Browser → Create the entities needed for your model
• Preview Unused and Preview Empty can be run for multiple entities at the same time
from the model browser

Preview results and delete

entities as needed

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HyperMesh Desktop Intro, v2017.2.3

MODEL ORGANIZATION - ENTITY EDITOR

• Entity Editor
• Use the Entity Editor to quickly view and edit entities in a model and correctly setup
solver information.

• The Entity Editor can be accessed from the Model, Reference, and Solver browsers.

• In the Model browser, the following view modes are supported: Model, Include,
Component, Property, and Material.

• When accessing the Entity Editor from the Reference browser, you will only be able to
view your entity selection's corresponding data in a non-editable form.

• The Entity Editor opens when you create new entities, as well as duplicate, edit, or
select single or multiple entities in the browser.

• Entity parameters are displayed in the Name column, and the values associated with
each parameter are displayed in the Value column. The attributes that are displayed
with gray text, cannot be edited.

• Once you edit an entity from the Entity Editor, the changes will be automatically
applied throughout your model.

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MODEL ORGANIZATION - ENTITY EDITOR

• Entity Editor - Editing Multiple Entities
• If you select multiple entities in the browser, the Entity Editor opens and displays the
selected entities common corresponding data. The rows that contain ###, indicate that
these fields do not contain common data, but can still be modified.

• When you modify the data, both common and ambiguous, HyperMesh applies the
changes to all of the selected entities.

• To select multiple entities in the browser, press Ctrl and begin selecting entities.

• In the image below, six components are selected, and the Entity Editor displays their
common corresponding data. The Color, Property, and Material are different,
therefore you see ###.

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MODEL ORGANIZATION - ENTITY EDITOR

• Entity Editor - Editing HyperMesh Specific Data
• You can create and edit this data using the Entity Editor.

• Edit an entity’s ID and Name: Click the Value field of Name. An editable field becomes
active.

• Edit an entity’s color: From the box of colors, select a new color to represent the entity.
HyperMesh changes the entities color in the Entity Editor, browser, and graphics area.

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HyperMesh Desktop Intro, v2017.2.3

MODEL ORGANIZATION - ENTITY EDITOR

• Entity Editor - Editing Solver Specific Data (Template Data)

• Every entity is assigned solver specific data.

• In HyperMesh 12.0 and earlier, you are able to edit this data using a combination of
panels and the card editor.
• From HyperMesh 13.0 on, you can edit this data using the Entity Editor.

• Assign a Card Image:

• Click Card Image

• Select a new card image from the drop-down list. The entity's card image changes,
and the Entity Editor displays additional solver related fields.

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HyperMesh Desktop Intro, v2017.2.3

MODEL ORGANIZATION - ENTITY EDITOR

• Entity Editor - Editing Solver Specific Data (Template Data) (continue...)
• Property & Material: Element property and material assignment rules are based on the user profile.
• You can modify the entity selection in the Entity Editor by assigning another entity or entities from the Selection List dialog or
from the Entity Selector.

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HyperMesh Desktop Intro, v2017.2.3

MODEL ORGANIZATION - ENTITY EDITOR

• Entity Editor - Editing Solver Specific Data (Template Data) (continue...)
• Multi-level create and edit available
• “Previous” button makes model exploration more powerful

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MODEL ORGANIZATION - ENTITY EDITOR

• Entity Editor - Context Menu
• You can access advanced Entity Editor options in the context menu, when you right-click on certain fields.

• Show, Hide and Isolate Entities

• Create and Edit Assigned Entities

• Create and Edit Parameters

• Parameterize and Unparameterize Entities

• Filter Entities

• Warn Upon Entity Type Change

• View an ID List for Set Entities

• Xref Entities

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HyperMesh Desktop Intro, v2017.2.3

MODEL ORGANIZATION - REFERENCES BROWSER

• References Browser
• The References browser enables you to quickly understand complex relationships between different entities that
constitute the model; double-click on an entity to trigger a cross referencing operation.
• Cross referencing operations are recorded in the References browser; click the forward and back buttons in the top,
left corner of the browser.

Model Browser → Right Click

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HyperMesh Desktop Intro, v2017.2.3

MODEL ORGANIZATION - REFERENCES BROWSER

• References Browser (continue…)

• Forward and back buttons enabled to navigate between cross

referenced states.

• Use the Entity Editor to review and edit HyperMesh specific and
solver specific data, for one or more of the entities listed in the
browser.

• To invoke the Entity Editor, in the References browser, select

the entities you wish to review.

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MODEL ORGANIZATION
• Delete
• Allows you to delete data from a model database, preview and delete empty collectors, or curves.

• You can also delete an entire model database, if you wish to start with a clean database.

• It can be accessed using the icon or (F2) and will open the panel shown below.

• Nodes
• Allows you to create nodes using a wide variety of methods.

• It can be accessed from pull down menu Geometry > Create > Nodes or (F8) and will open the panel shown below.

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HyperMesh Desktop Intro, v2017.2.3

MODEL ORGANIZATION
• Temp Nodes
• Provides a way to control which nodes are on the temporary node mark. Since all nodes not currently referenced in the
model are deleted, the temporary node mark is provided as a holding area to save the nodes you are not currently using.
• Accessed using the icon from pull down menu Geometry > Create > Nodes > Temp Nodes or (Shift+F2) and will open
the panel shown below.

• Distance
• Allows you to determine the distance between two nodes/points or the angle between three nodes/points, or to change
distances or angles.
• Accessed using (F4) and will open the panel shown below.

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HyperMesh Desktop Intro, v2017.2.3

MODEL ORGANIZATION
• Query Builder
• Use the query builder to find and filter entities by building advanced filters for attributes listed in browser columns.
• Recent filters are saved and can be quickly accessed by clicking .

• Interactively Build Queries

• To expose the interactive query builder, click the Expand/Collapse icon ( ). By default, the name, id, and type
attribute fields are exposed.

• Filter via name and/or id by typing a string into the text field and pressing ENTER. Change the entity type by clicking
on the type field and selecting a desired entity type. Apply your selection by clicking . To select multiple entity
types, press and hold CTRL.
• Add additional attribute fields by clicking , remove attribute fields by clicking .
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HyperMesh Desktop Intro, v2017.2.3

DEMO
File Name and Location
..\ISTRUCTOR-DEMO\CH1-BASICS\01a-GUI.hm

Demo Goals
• Organization
• Model Browser

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HyperMesh Desktop Intro, v2017.2.3

EXERCISE 1A (MANUAL PAGE 5):

INTERACTING WITH HYPERMESH DESKTOP
File Name and Location
..\STUDENT-EXERCISE\CH1-BASICS\01a-GUI.hm

Exercise Goals
• Set the User Profile and retrieve the model file, 01a-GUI.hm
• Rotate, Pan and Zoom the model
• Use the Model Browser to control visualization
• Working with Collectors
• Use of Panels and Directional Functions
• Using the Mask Function and Selecting Entities

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EXERCISE 1A (MANUAL PAGE 5):

INTERACTING WITH HYPERMESH DESKTOP
Steps:
1) Open HyperMesh Desktop, select User Profile (OptiStruct ) and load the model 01a-GUI.hm

2) Experience with the model: GUI and Graphical Controls (Display, Rotate, Pan and Zoom)

3) Experience with Model Browser to control visualization (Component, Property and Material View)

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HyperMesh Desktop Intro, v2017.2.3

EXERCISE 1A (MANUAL PAGE 5):

INTERACTING WITH HYPERMESH DESKTOP
Steps:
3) (continue…) Experience with Model Browser to control visualization (Component, Property and Material View)

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HyperMesh Desktop Intro, v2017.2.3

EXERCISE 1A (MANUAL PAGE 5):

INTERACTING WITH HYPERMESH DESKTOP
Steps:
4) Experience with Collectors using Model Browser (Component: display, create, organize)

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HyperMesh Desktop Intro, v2017.2.3

EXERCISE 1A (MANUAL PAGE 5):

INTERACTING WITH HYPERMESH DESKTOP
Steps:
5) Experience with How to work with Panels and How to define Directional Functions

6) Experience with Mask functions and selecting entities

7) Save the model (same name + your name)

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HyperMesh Desktop Intro, v2017.2.3

EXERCISE (OPTIONAL): INTERACTING WITH HYPERMESH

File Name and Location:
..\STUDENT-EXERCISE\CH1-BASICS\OPTIONAL\03-CHANNEL.hm

Exercise Goals
• Open file
• Recognize geometry entities
• Organize geometry entities in 3 collectors:
(Surface, Lines, Points)
• Organize loads and constraints in 2 collectors
(Forces, Constraints)
• Delete empty collectors

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HyperMesh Desktop Intro, v2017.2.3

CHAPTER 1 - QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

1. Which one is true for HyperMesh Desktop as a CAE tool?
a) HyperMesh is a Pre and Post Processing tool for finite element models
b) HyperMesh can translate models from one solver format to another
c) HyperMesh builds Finite Element Models
d) All of the above

2. Which key is used for model display controls?

a) Hold Ctrl
b) Hold Ctrl-Alt
c) Hold Alt and Spacebar
d) There is no key for model display controls

3. Which one is not true for the command.tcl file?

a) It is created automatically in the working directory
b) It is a default configuration file that is read on start-up
c) It allows the user to retrieve a work session in case of a system crash
d) It stores all the commands executed by the HyperMesh command processor
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HyperMesh Desktop Intro, v2017.2.3

CHAPTER 1 - QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

4. What kind of operations can I perform with “Entity Editor”?
a) Edit a “component”
b) Edit a “material”
c) Assign a “property”
d) All of the above

5. Is it possible to retrieve a HyperMesh history?

a) Yes, by preference.mvw file
b) No
c) Yes, by command.tcl file
d) Yes, by hmmenu.set file
e) Yes, by hmsettings.tcl

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CHAPTER 1 - QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

6. Where do you have the possibility to save elements into the so called “user
mark”? How can I select these elements to use in later operations with
“Entity Editor”?

7. Situation: in a new HM session no comps collector is defined.

What happens to elements/geometry which will be newly created?

8. In the header-bar you find the entry: comp:____ . What does it mean?

9. Where can you specify/define that a certain comp collector is active?

10. Which steps are required to colour the geometry different than the colour
of elements?

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