Vectors Panel

base and magnitude

Select one or more nodes at which to place vector entities. Specify the vectors by entering x, y and z components or by using the vector method. For the vector method, you must specify a magnitude and a direction. The direction is determined with a standard plane and vector selector by choosing two or three nodes (N1, N2, and N3), selecting a global axis, or selecting another vector. When using the N1, N2, and N3 option, two nodes define a vector along the selected nodes, while three nodes define a vector that is perpendicular to the plane defined by the selected nodes (using the right hand rule).

two nodes

Select two nodes. No additional input is required in this case.

cross product

Derive a vector from two existing vector entities. The vector will be perpendicular to these vectors. The length can be entered or taken from either one of the selected vectors.

on geometry

Choose to create a vector as a tangent of a line or along the normal of a surface. The resulting vector(s) will be created on all nodes selected in this panel. The length of the vector needs to be entered in vector size % = field or can be calculated automatically using parameterization. For a curve tangent, this is the value of parametric curve derivative; for a surface normal the value is defined by the length of the cross product of the surface parametric derivatives.

nodes

Select individual nodes.

Figure 3. Example: Nodes Selection

faces

Select all of the nodes on 2D and 3D faces. If there are discontinuities on a 2D face, then only the nodes inbetween the discontinuities will be selected.

Figure 4. Example: Faces Selection

2D faces ext

Select all of the nodes on a 2D face that contain discontinuities.

Figure 5. Example: 2D Faces Ext Selection

loops

Select all of the nodes on continuous free edges that make a closed loop simultaneously, such as the perimeter of a hole.

Important: Only valid for SHELL elements.

Figure 6. Example: Loops Selection

free edges

Select all of the nodes on free edges of elements. If there are discontinuities on an edge, then only the nodes on the free edges inbetween the discontinuities will be selected.

Important: Only valid for SHELL elements.

Figure 7. Example: Free Edges Selection

free edges ext

Select all of the nodes on free edges of elements that contain discontinuities.

Important: Only valid for SHELL elements.

Figure 8. Example: Free Edges Ext Selection

edges

Select all of the nodes on free edges or shared edges (butt joints, L/corner joints, and T-joints) of elements. If there are discontinuities on an edge, then only the nodes on the edge inbetween the discontinuities will be selected.

Important: Only valid for SHELL elements.

Figure 9. Example: Edges Selection

edges ext

Select all of the nodes on free edges or shared edges (butt joints, L/corner joints, and T-joints) of elements that contain discontinuities.

Important: Only valid for SHELL elements.

Figure 10. Example: Edges Ext Selection

Choose whether the vector is created either in the global or a local coordinate system.

Example: You select three nodes N1, N2 and N3 which define a vector in the global z-direction (normal of the plane defined by these three nodes). If the switch is set to local, the result will be a vector pointing in the z-direction of the local system.

Figure 11.

Note: Available when the vector creation method is set to base and magnitude.

vector

Define a vector either by selecting three points (N1, N2, N3), using one the global axes, or selecting an existing vector entity.

components

Manually specify the x, y, z components (relative to the base node).

base and magnitude

Update magnitude, direction and system of one or more vectors.

two nodes

Select two nodes defining the new vector direction.

cross product

Enter a node location and two existing vectors A and B to update a vector. The new vector will be perpendicular to vectors A and B.

on geometry

Select a line or surfaces and new nodal locations for the vector you are updating.

Choose whether the vector is created either in the global or a local coordinate system.

Example: You select three nodes N1, N2 and N3 which define a vector in the global z-direction (normal of the plane defined by these three nodes). If the switch is set to local, the result will be a vector pointing in the z-direction of the local system.

Figure 12.

Note: Available when the vector creation method is set to base and magnitude.

vector

Define a vector either by selecting three points (N1, N2, N3), using one the global axes, or selecting an existing vector entity.

components

Manually specify the x, y, z components (relative to the base node).