IES VisualAnalysis User's Guide
Editing Models
Model objects are given default names when they are created. For example, members that are orientated horizontally in the x-direction are labeled with the prefix BmX-and members that are orientated vertically are labeled with the prefix COL-.
You should provide your own descriptive names to help you find, filter, and sort members of your model. Both the tab in Project Manager and the allow you to filter any visible or listed items by their name prefix.
To name a single object (node, member, plate, or spring), select it in the Model View and use the tab of Project Manager to type in a new name. To rename a group of objects use . Although this may take a little extra time initially, it can really save time later by making elements easier to view, edit, and report.
The command allows you to rename all objects or selected objects of a single type in one step. The command takes a name prefix, a starting number, and an increment number. You can also specify a directional ordering for the renaming process.
This command can fail if there are already objects with the new name. VisualAnalysis requires that objects of the same type must have unique names.
This command actually changes the coordinates of your model, not just your view of the model! (Panning the view allows you to look at a different portion of the model in the window.)
To move the entire model or a selected portion of the model, use . This command will move nodes (and anything attached to them) specific distances in the global X, Y, or Z coordinate system.
To move nodes and anything attached to them, select the nodes to move. Use the Modify tab in Project Manager and enter a move distance for the X, Y, or Z direction. At present, there is no support for moving nodes in polar or spherical coordinate directions. The Clipboard Exchange tool provides another powerful option for moving nodes in a spreadsheet.
You may align a group of nodes to a common X, Y, or Z coordinate. Select the nodes and then enter a new coordinate value through the Modify tab in Project Manager. If you need to align nodes along an arbitrary line, you can do that by drawing a member and splitting it into multiple pieces. Then delete the member elements if you do not need them.
You can select model objects (and loads) and use , and then to generate multiple copies in either a rectangular or polar fashion. A Generate Copies wizard is presented when you choose the command to guide you through the process. Sometimes there is a simpler more direct paste approach in the Context Menu (right-click), especially when pasting loads from one element to another.
This command actually changes the coordinates of your model, not just rotating your view of the model!
You may rotate all or selected portions of the model about any arbitrary point and any arbitrary axis of rotation. Select the portion of the model to rotate and use . You should note that member orientations are partially defined by the location of the member relative to the global Y-axis. As you rotate the model, you may also be rotating members within the model as well as loads, end releases, and results that depend on the orientation of local coordinates.
You can model members as one continuous piece, such as a girder with infill beams connecting to it. Or you can split the girder into multiple pieces. Either way, we make sure your FEA model is connected and correct. The implications for you are reduced report sizes, easier result interpretation. There are also significant implications for design checks--such as unbraced length.
Use this feature to break plate elements into smaller pieces. Plates are approximate elements. You will often need to refine your model by using smaller plates. This is done by the plates of interest and using . Newly created plates are given names based on the original plate.
Internal nodes are created automatically and you have the option to split members that lie along plate boundaries. Normally, you should split members to retain the continuous connection between the two types of elements.
has the effect of changing the direction of the local coordinate system for the element. This command can be applied to member and plate elements. Local coordinate directions will affect local loads, member end releases, possibly member orientation, and local results.
Two nodes define a member location. To move a member, while retaining its same connections to the model, simply move the nodes. Select the node and use the Modify tab of Project Manager to change its coordinates. This will also affect all other elements connected to the node.
To change where in the model a member is connected, you should change the member's start node or end node to be a different node. Select the member and use the Modify tab of Project Manager to change its nodes.
The distance between its two nodes defines a member's length. To lengthen or shorten a member, simply move one of the end nodes. Select the node and use the Modify tab of Project Manager to change its coordinates. This will also affect all other elements connected to the node.
Plate size is defined by the locations of the nodes, to change the size of a plate element, move one or more of these nodes.