HyperWorks Desktop

2020.1

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HyperWorks Desktop Reference Guides
Overview of external readers and the Altair Binary Format, the generic ASCII reader, running HyperWorks in batch mode, using Tcl/Tk commands, translators, and result math.
HyperWorks Desktop
Tcl/Tk Commands
The HyperWorks Desktop scripting interface is a set of Tcl/Tk commands that follow a simple and consistent syntax.
Tcl/Tk Commands
Tcl/Tk classes for the following HyperWorks Desktop applications.
MotionView
::model Procedures

What's New
Get Started
Tutorials
Startup Procedures and Customizations
Manage Files and Data
Display Controls
Session Navigation
Publish Sessions
Parameterize Report Templates
Workflow Automation
HyperWorks Collaboration Tools
HyperWorks Desktop Reference Guides

2020.1

HyperWorks Desktop

What's New
View new features for HyperWorks Desktop 2020.1.
Get Started
Learn the basics and discover the workspace.
Tutorials
Discover HyperWorks Desktop functionality with interactive tutorials.
Startup Procedures and Customizations
Start HyperWorks Desktop and configure the applications.
Manage Files and Data
Learn how to create, open, import and save models.
Display Controls
Control the view and display of your model in the modeling window.
Session Navigation
Use the Session Browser to view the current session and all the pages and windows it contains in a hierarchical display.
Publish Sessions
Publish your HyperWorks Desktop session to HTML, PowerPoint, or Report files.
Parameterize Report Templates
Use the Parameters Browser to parameterize the contents of a session file or report template and automate a variety of analysis processes with the Parameters Browser.
Workflow Automation
Automate common workflows using the Process Manager or Automate tool.
HyperWorks Collaboration Tools
Explore, organize and manage your personal data, collaborate in teams, and connect to other data sources, such as corporate PLM systems to access CAD data or publish simulation data.
HyperWorks Desktop Reference Guides
Overview of external readers and the Altair Binary Format, the generic ASCII reader, running HyperWorks in batch mode, using Tcl/Tk commands, translators, and result math.
- HyperWorks Desktop
  - External Readers and Altair Binary Format
    Altair Binary Format (ABF) is the standard binary format read by the program. A library called abflib allows you to create files in ABF.
  - Generic ASCII Reader
    A generic ASCII reader is now available which allows you to bring custom results directly into HyperView. The Altair ASCII format is useful for reading the results of any in-house or propriety codes which are saved in a generic format.
  - Batch Mode
    Batch mode allows you perform a series of operations outside the program interface.
  - External Resources
    External resources can be registered in preference files, session files, or Templex files. If an external resource is registered in a program session, it is automatically registered in the session file when the session is saved.
  - Tcl/Tk Commands
    The HyperWorks Desktop scripting interface is a set of Tcl/Tk commands that follow a simple and consistent syntax.
    - Program with HyperWorks APIs for Beginners
      APIs can be used to perform various actions in HyperWorks. For example, the AddPage API can be used to add a page within the project.
    - Object Hierarchy
      Overview of object hierarchy for HyperView, HyperGraph, HyperWorks Desktop, MotionView, MediaView and TextView.
    - Tcl/Tk Classes
      Links to the introductory pages for the Tcl/Tk commands that can be used in HyperView, MotionView, HyperGraph, HyperGraph 3D, TextView and MediaView.
    - Script Use Cases
      Examples of script uses cases.
    - Tcl/Tk Example
      Learn more about Tcl/Tk with this basic example.
    - Program with HyperWorks Tcl/Tk Command Tutorials
      Learn more about programming with HyperWorks Tcl/Tk commands with this tutorial.
    - Tcl/Tk Commands
      Tcl/Tk classes for the following HyperWorks Desktop applications.
      - HyperWorks Desktop
      - MotionView
        
        mdlIDataMember Class
        
        mdlIFlexbody Class
        
        mdlIModel Class
        
        mdlIModelClient Class
        
        mdlIObject Class
        
        ::model Procedures
        
        ::AddToolbarIcon
        This command will create a new toolbar and add an icon to the toolbar.
        
        ::DrawActiveWindow
        This command is used to draw the active window in the active page. There is an option to “fit” all of the model contents within the graphic area.
        
        ::EscapeCharacterInstances
        
        ::EscapeEmbededQuotesIfLiteral
        This command will insert a “\” character before every instance of a specified character in a specified string.
        
        ::GetAggregateCGAndInertia
        This command will return the aggregate Mass, CG, Moment of Inertia, or Product of Inertia based on the inputs specified. On successful execution of the command, it will return the aggregate value or values. The moment of inertia and product of inertia values returned are with respect to a coordinate system parallel to Global Frame at the aggregate CG of the bodies provided in the list argList.
        
        ::GetClientHandle
        This command will get a handle for the MotionView client in the active page and the active window.
        
        ::GetCurrentLRTab
        This command gets the current “side” tab that is selected when the current panel is for a pair entity. This command only gets the current “Left” or “Right” values for the “side” tab if the panel is a Tcl/Tk panel. It returns “L” when the “Left” side is selected and “R” when it is the “Right” side. If the current panel is for a single entity, the last selected “side” tab is returned.
        
        ::GetMangle
        This command will return a single string that starts with an underscore (“_”), then a unique numeric value, then another underscore followed by the string specified for the “argInfo” argument. This function is commonly used to get a unique name that can be used for a handle name.
        
        ::GetNamespaceList
        This command is used retrieve all the public namespaces which are exposed to the users as a list.
        
        ::GetNextAvailableVarnameAndLabel
        This command will be used to get the next available (not already used) pair of varname and label values for a given base name and base label within a given system.
        
        ::GetPanelSelection
        This command returns the full varname of the last selected entity for the specified Tcl panel. If there had not yet been a selection for the specified panel, if there had been a pick for the System panel, that is returned, otherwise an empty string is returned.
        
        ::GetProcedureList
        This command is used retrieve all the public exposed methods for a given namespace as a list.
        
        ::GetValidLocationToAddItem
        From the current selected item(s) in the browser, this command will return the deepest valid (full variable name) container (Assembly/System/Analysis/Template..etc) for adding an instance of the specified registered entity type.
        
        ::IsSystemTyped
        This command will be used to determine whether a particular system or analysis or assembly is typed or not. In order for a container to be typed, the user must have specified either a type after the TYPED keyword in the MDL definition or specified a type in the container’s “Properties” tab in the GUI.
        
        ::IsValidVarname
        This command will check all of the characters of the specified variable name to ensure that they are all valid for a MotionView varname. This is a generic test only and does not ensure that the variable name is valid within a particular context. Variable names in MotionView must start with a letter and can contain only letters, numbers and the underscore character.
        
        ::ListNamespaces
        This command is used to retrieve all the public namespaces which are exposed to the users. Each namespace will be displayed in a new line.
        
        ::ListProcedures
        This command is used retrieve all the public exposed methods for a given namespace. Each method will be displayed in a new line.
        
        ::mdl3StateEntry
        This command creates an mdl3StateEntry widget that is tied to a numerical data member of an existing entity in the model. The mdl3StateEntry widget can accept a scalar numerical value or an equation. When an equation is entered, the equation is stored in the data member as a raw value and the evaluated results are displayed. The entry turns blue to indicate it is an evaluated value.
        
        ::mdlArray
        This command creates a CheckBox widget that is tied to a data member of an existing entity in the model.
        
        ::mdlAttachmentTable
        This command creates a table widget for the attachments. This table allows the user to edit and/or resolve the attachments that it contains. The table supports either a system (all of the attachments for that system) or a list of attachments.
        
        ::mdlCheckBox
        This command creates a CheckBox widget that is tied to a data member of an existing entity in the model.
        
        ::mdlCollector
        This command creates a mdlCollector widget that is tied to a Reference data member of an existing entity in the model.
        
        ::mdlComboBox
        This command creates an mdlComboBox widget that is tied to a list variable.
        
        ::mdlComboBoxDM
        This command creates an mdlComboBoxDM widget that is tied to a data member of an existing entity in the model.
        
        ::mdlFileName
        This command creates an mdlFileName widget that is tied to a FileName data member of an existing entity in the model.
        
        ::mdlForm
        This command will be used to create a form widget and this will be attached to the form entity passed as an argument. This mdlForm widget is a “table”-like widget with its contents completely defined by the form entity defined in the MDL.
        
        ::mdlIntDMComboBox
        This command will be used to create a form widget and this will be attached to the form entity passed as an argument. This mdlForm widget is a “table”-like widget with its contents completely defined by the form entity defined in the MDL.
        
        ::mdlListCollector
        This command will be used to create a list collector widget and this widget will be attached to the data member specified in the argument. A list collector is a collector for more than one type and each type has its selection managed independently. It is like a combobox of collectors of different types and any selection made for each individual type is set independently. For example, if the mdlListCollector is for a MultiRef member (Point (pt) and Vector (vec)) data member, when the list collector is set to Point, the selection is set and retrieved from the “pt” data member. When the list collector is set to Vector, the selection is set and retrieved from the “vec” data member.
        
        ::mdlMatrix
        This command will be used to create an mdlMatrix widget. It contains a matrix of entry widgets based on the row and column numbers specified. If the number of rows and/or number of columns are not specified, the dimensions of the matrix will not be set.
        
        ::mdlNonLinear
        This command will be used to create an mdlNonlinear widget, this widget contains a combobox and it allows the user to specify a curve, spline3D, value or expression properties based on the combobox selection.
        
        ::mdlOption
        This command will be used to create an option widget (combobox).
        
        ::mdlOrientation
        This command will be used to create an orientation widget, which contains collectors, list collectors, and combo boxes to allow the user to orient an entity. It also may contain a “DC” button that presents the current orientation in a direction cosine dialog.
        
        ::mdlStringEntry
        This command creates an entry widget associated with the data member handle specified. The widget will provide an interface for the String data member allowing the user to modify the stored string value. This widget does not link with an editbar. The associated data member value is set to exactly what is displayed in the widget.
        
        ::mdlSymCheckBox
        This command will be used to create an mdlSymCheckBox widget and this will be attached to the “sym” data member (by default) of the pair entity passed as an argument. The widget contains the necessary logic to prompt the user regarding copying values (from master to slave side) and/or breaking symmetry. It also contains common logic that is used to allow or disallow the user from turning the symmetry on or off for an entity.
        
        ::mdlTableForm
        This command will be used to create an mdlTableForm widget and this will be attached to the table form entity passed as an argument. This widget will display the “records” for a table form entity in rows of the mdlTableForm widget. The individual cell contents are by default created based on the type of data that they contain.
        
        ::mdlTempCollector
        This command will be used to create a collector widget used to resolve a reference, but this widget will not be attached to any entity data members. Instead, it will set and retrieve the reference value from a Tcl variable. Like the mdlCollector widget, this widget will let the user pick an entity of the allowed type either graphically or from a tree.
        
        ::mdlTempFileName
        This command creates a widget that represents a filename value that is referenced by a variable (not a data member of an entity).
        
        ::mdlTempListCollector
        This command will be used to create an mdlTempListCollector widget. This widget is a collector that lets the user select multiple different types and hold on to each reference individually. It is not attached to a data member so it gets/sets its value from the specified variables. The widget is a “combobox” of mdlTempCollectors of different entity types. The user can select the type of entity that they want to resolve and then resolve it. The resolutions for the other types are not lost, they are individually maintained. The list of types includes a variable to hold the value for each type. This widget will not be attached to any data members.
        
        ::mdlTempMultiPickCollector
        This command creates a widget that allows the user to pick entities from a hard-coded list that is presented in the graphical user interface. This could be used to limit the user’s picks. The widget itself is composed of a collector that is used to set the pick mode (for graphic picking), a list box that contains the available picks, and some convenience buttons to select all/select none/toggle selection.
        
        ::mdlWizardDlg
        This command creates a dialog designed to easily contain multiple “pages”, multiple configurable buttons and a “built-in” message box to report messages.
        
        ::RegisterTypedAnalysis
        This command registers a new customized analysis entity type in MotionView.
        
        ::SelectItems
        This command will select the item specified as an argument in the browser and will display the respective panel. If more than 1 item is specified in the selection list, the items are all marked selected in the browser, but the model panel is displayed.
        
        ::SetCurrentLRTab
        This command is used to set which LEFT/RIGHT tab of a panel is selected if any panel’s selected entity is a pair.
        
        ::SetDetailsForThisEntity
        This command is used to request if the entities contained within a registered entity (container) are to be displayed in the browser.
        
        ::UpdateCurrentPanel
        This command reloads the current panel for the current solver mode if a current panel is displayed. If there was no panel displayed when this procedure is called, nothing happens. If the solver mode was changed while a panel was displayed, this procedure will reload the panel for the updated solver mode (in case the panel was solver-specific).
      - HyperView
      - HyperGraph 2D
      - HyperGraph 3D
      - MediaView
      - TextView
      - HgTrans
      - TableView
  - Translators
    Translators are utilities that are run from the command line of the operating system to convert various types of files into different formats.
  - Result Math
    XML commands in the Result Math Module.
  - HyperWorks Record and Playback
    Record playback workflows in HyperView.
- HyperWorks Report
- HyperMesh
- MotionView
- Templex and Math Reference Guide
- Script Exchange
  The Script Exchange is a database of freely accessible scripts posted by users and Altair engineers.

View All Altair HyperWorks Help

HyperWorks Desktop

2020.1

Home
HyperWorks Desktop Reference Guides
Overview of external readers and the Altair Binary Format, the generic ASCII reader, running HyperWorks in batch mode, using Tcl/Tk commands, translators, and result math.
HyperWorks Desktop
Tcl/Tk Commands
The HyperWorks Desktop scripting interface is a set of Tcl/Tk commands that follow a simple and consistent syntax.
Tcl/Tk Commands
Tcl/Tk classes for the following HyperWorks Desktop applications.
MotionView
::model Procedures

What's New
Get Started
Tutorials
Startup Procedures and Customizations
Manage Files and Data
Display Controls
Session Navigation
Publish Sessions
Parameterize Report Templates
Workflow Automation
HyperWorks Collaboration Tools
HyperWorks Desktop Reference Guides

::model Procedures

::AddToolbarIcon
This command will create a new toolbar and add an icon to the toolbar.
::DrawActiveWindow
This command is used to draw the active window in the active page. There is an option to “fit” all of the model contents within the graphic area.
::EscapeCharacterInstances
::EscapeEmbededQuotesIfLiteral
This command will insert a “\” character before every instance of a specified character in a specified string.
::GetAggregateCGAndInertia
This command will return the aggregate Mass, CG, Moment of Inertia, or Product of Inertia based on the inputs specified. On successful execution of the command, it will return the aggregate value or values. The moment of inertia and product of inertia values returned are with respect to a coordinate system parallel to Global Frame at the aggregate CG of the bodies provided in the list argList.
::GetClientHandle
This command will get a handle for the MotionView client in the active page and the active window.
::GetCurrentLRTab
This command gets the current “side” tab that is selected when the current panel is for a pair entity. This command only gets the current “Left” or “Right” values for the “side” tab if the panel is a Tcl/Tk panel. It returns “L” when the “Left” side is selected and “R” when it is the “Right” side. If the current panel is for a single entity, the last selected “side” tab is returned.
::GetMangle
This command will return a single string that starts with an underscore (“_”), then a unique numeric value, then another underscore followed by the string specified for the “argInfo” argument. This function is commonly used to get a unique name that can be used for a handle name.
::GetNamespaceList
This command is used retrieve all the public namespaces which are exposed to the users as a list.
::GetNextAvailableVarnameAndLabel
This command will be used to get the next available (not already used) pair of varname and label values for a given base name and base label within a given system.
::GetPanelSelection
This command returns the full varname of the last selected entity for the specified Tcl panel. If there had not yet been a selection for the specified panel, if there had been a pick for the System panel, that is returned, otherwise an empty string is returned.
::GetProcedureList
This command is used retrieve all the public exposed methods for a given namespace as a list.
::GetValidLocationToAddItem
From the current selected item(s) in the browser, this command will return the deepest valid (full variable name) container (Assembly/System/Analysis/Template..etc) for adding an instance of the specified registered entity type.
::IsSystemTyped
This command will be used to determine whether a particular system or analysis or assembly is typed or not. In order for a container to be typed, the user must have specified either a type after the TYPED keyword in the MDL definition or specified a type in the container’s “Properties” tab in the GUI.
::IsValidVarname
This command will check all of the characters of the specified variable name to ensure that they are all valid for a MotionView varname. This is a generic test only and does not ensure that the variable name is valid within a particular context. Variable names in MotionView must start with a letter and can contain only letters, numbers and the underscore character.
::ListNamespaces
This command is used to retrieve all the public namespaces which are exposed to the users. Each namespace will be displayed in a new line.
::ListProcedures
This command is used retrieve all the public exposed methods for a given namespace. Each method will be displayed in a new line.
::mdl3StateEntry
This command creates an mdl3StateEntry widget that is tied to a numerical data member of an existing entity in the model. The mdl3StateEntry widget can accept a scalar numerical value or an equation. When an equation is entered, the equation is stored in the data member as a raw value and the evaluated results are displayed. The entry turns blue to indicate it is an evaluated value.
::mdlArray
This command creates a CheckBox widget that is tied to a data member of an existing entity in the model.
::mdlAttachmentTable
This command creates a table widget for the attachments. This table allows the user to edit and/or resolve the attachments that it contains. The table supports either a system (all of the attachments for that system) or a list of attachments.
::mdlCheckBox
This command creates a CheckBox widget that is tied to a data member of an existing entity in the model.
::mdlCollector
This command creates a mdlCollector widget that is tied to a Reference data member of an existing entity in the model.
::mdlComboBox
This command creates an mdlComboBox widget that is tied to a list variable.
::mdlComboBoxDM
This command creates an mdlComboBoxDM widget that is tied to a data member of an existing entity in the model.
::mdlFileName
This command creates an mdlFileName widget that is tied to a FileName data member of an existing entity in the model.
::mdlForm
This command will be used to create a form widget and this will be attached to the form entity passed as an argument. This mdlForm widget is a “table”-like widget with its contents completely defined by the form entity defined in the MDL.
::mdlIntDMComboBox
This command will be used to create a form widget and this will be attached to the form entity passed as an argument. This mdlForm widget is a “table”-like widget with its contents completely defined by the form entity defined in the MDL.
::mdlListCollector
This command will be used to create a list collector widget and this widget will be attached to the data member specified in the argument. A list collector is a collector for more than one type and each type has its selection managed independently. It is like a combobox of collectors of different types and any selection made for each individual type is set independently. For example, if the mdlListCollector is for a MultiRef member (Point (pt) and Vector (vec)) data member, when the list collector is set to Point, the selection is set and retrieved from the “pt” data member. When the list collector is set to Vector, the selection is set and retrieved from the “vec” data member.
::mdlMatrix
This command will be used to create an mdlMatrix widget. It contains a matrix of entry widgets based on the row and column numbers specified. If the number of rows and/or number of columns are not specified, the dimensions of the matrix will not be set.
::mdlNonLinear
This command will be used to create an mdlNonlinear widget, this widget contains a combobox and it allows the user to specify a curve, spline3D, value or expression properties based on the combobox selection.
::mdlOption
This command will be used to create an option widget (combobox).
::mdlOrientation
This command will be used to create an orientation widget, which contains collectors, list collectors, and combo boxes to allow the user to orient an entity. It also may contain a “DC” button that presents the current orientation in a direction cosine dialog.
::mdlStringEntry
This command creates an entry widget associated with the data member handle specified. The widget will provide an interface for the String data member allowing the user to modify the stored string value. This widget does not link with an editbar. The associated data member value is set to exactly what is displayed in the widget.
::mdlSymCheckBox
This command will be used to create an mdlSymCheckBox widget and this will be attached to the “sym” data member (by default) of the pair entity passed as an argument. The widget contains the necessary logic to prompt the user regarding copying values (from master to slave side) and/or breaking symmetry. It also contains common logic that is used to allow or disallow the user from turning the symmetry on or off for an entity.
::mdlTableForm
This command will be used to create an mdlTableForm widget and this will be attached to the table form entity passed as an argument. This widget will display the “records” for a table form entity in rows of the mdlTableForm widget. The individual cell contents are by default created based on the type of data that they contain.
::mdlTempCollector
This command will be used to create a collector widget used to resolve a reference, but this widget will not be attached to any entity data members. Instead, it will set and retrieve the reference value from a Tcl variable. Like the mdlCollector widget, this widget will let the user pick an entity of the allowed type either graphically or from a tree.
::mdlTempFileName
This command creates a widget that represents a filename value that is referenced by a variable (not a data member of an entity).
::mdlTempListCollector
This command will be used to create an mdlTempListCollector widget. This widget is a collector that lets the user select multiple different types and hold on to each reference individually. It is not attached to a data member so it gets/sets its value from the specified variables. The widget is a “combobox” of mdlTempCollectors of different entity types. The user can select the type of entity that they want to resolve and then resolve it. The resolutions for the other types are not lost, they are individually maintained. The list of types includes a variable to hold the value for each type. This widget will not be attached to any data members.
::mdlTempMultiPickCollector
This command creates a widget that allows the user to pick entities from a hard-coded list that is presented in the graphical user interface. This could be used to limit the user’s picks. The widget itself is composed of a collector that is used to set the pick mode (for graphic picking), a list box that contains the available picks, and some convenience buttons to select all/select none/toggle selection.
::mdlWizardDlg
This command creates a dialog designed to easily contain multiple “pages”, multiple configurable buttons and a “built-in” message box to report messages.
::RegisterTypedAnalysis
This command registers a new customized analysis entity type in MotionView.
::SelectItems
This command will select the item specified as an argument in the browser and will display the respective panel. If more than 1 item is specified in the selection list, the items are all marked selected in the browser, but the model panel is displayed.
::SetCurrentLRTab
This command is used to set which LEFT/RIGHT tab of a panel is selected if any panel’s selected entity is a pair.
::SetDetailsForThisEntity
This command is used to request if the entities contained within a registered entity (container) are to be displayed in the browser.
::UpdateCurrentPanel
This command reloads the current panel for the current solver mode if a current panel is displayed. If there was no panel displayed when this procedure is called, nothing happens. If the solver mode was changed while a panel was displayed, this procedure will reload the panel for the updated solver mode (in case the panel was solver-specific).

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