Nodal loads are applied to selected nodes using the Loading | Apply Nodal Loads command or the Ctrl+1 hotkey. In the Add Node Load(s) dialog box, the Load Case, Load Type, and Magnitude are specified.

Nodal Load Type

Forces, moments, settlements, and rotations can be applied to nodes in the model. All nodal loads are applied in the global coordinate system {X, Y, or Z}. Since VisualAnalysis does not allow loads to be applied at an angle, skewed loads are applied by breaking the loads into the appropriate components in the global coordinate system. While forces and moment should be applied to nodes that are free in the direction of the applied load, settlements and rotations can only be applied to nodes that are fixed in the direction of the applied settlement or rotation.

Nodal Mass

Lumped mass on a Node can be specified in the Project Manager | Modify tab, which is only used for inertia during dynamic analysis. This mass is not used for self-weight or static analysis.