Capabilities

The clipboard exchange is designed as a way to create, modify, or merge models and loads in ways that may not be possible inside VisualAnalysis. It also allows data from other kinds of software. You can use the mathematical capabilities of a spreadsheet to manipulate your nodal coordinates for defining very complex, curving geometry.

• Supported Model Objects: nodes, members, plates, and spring supports.
• Supported Loads Types: nodal loads, uniform and linearly varying member loads, uniform and linearly varying plate loads. 
• Model objects may be Added or Modified (by Name)
• Loads may be added, modified or removed (set magnitude to zero)
• Factored Load Combinations may be added
• Can export all items or only selected items. Also can export only certain types of items.
• Can be used to merge project geometry and connectivity information from one VisualAnalysis project into another.

Units

The current unit style is used for import or export, but you can override this by including a Units table at the top of your file with a unit style name. You may also include units along with any data value in any table.  When exporting you can optionally include the unit name on every data value.

Limitations

• No support for areas, area loads, rigid links, or cable elements.
• Many modeling features, such as member taper, end zone, or centerline offsets are not supported.
• No support for thermal loads, nodal settlements, or other 'specialty' loads.
• Member wind & ice loads are exported simply as 'uniform' loads, so importing them back in will change their definitions.
• Imported loads must be attached to imported nodes, members, or plates, or items that already exist in your model.

Export

You choose what to export, based on type of object and selection status. You can export with units next to values which will export with the current unit-style. If you choose to not export units, then we always export using our internal units of "Kips, Inches, Radians, Seconds".

Import

You are given the option to review the data found on the clipboard and confirm it is what you expected. No model objects have been added to your VisualAnalysis project at this point and you can end the operation by pressing Cancel. Objects existing in your model (by name) are modified, otherwise new objects are generated. You may delete loads on import by setting their magnitude to zero.

Import Data Format?