Organize Entities

Move or copy entities between collectors, assemblies, and include files.

  • Any entity type can be moved between include files.
  • Components, multibodies, and assemblies can be moved into assemblies.
  • Elements can be copied/moved into component collectors or groups.
  • Lines, surfaces, solids, points, and connectors can be copied/moved into component collectors.
  • Loads (BCs) and equations can be copied/moved into load collectors (loadcol).
  • Systems can be moved into system collectors (systcol).
  • Vectors can be moved into vector collectors (vectorcol).
  • Beamsections can be moved into beam section collectors (beamsectcol).
  • Ellipsoids, mbjoints, and mbplanes can be moved into multibody collectors (multibody).

Organize Entities Using the Organize Tool

Use the Organize tool to move entities into existing collectors.

  1. Select entities in the modeling window.
  2. Open the Organize tool in the following ways:
    • Right-click and select Organize from the context menu.
    • Press O.
  3. Optional: Click on the guide bar to organize associated elements with geometry.
  4. Use the first selector to select entities to move.
  5. Use the second selector to select the destination collector.
    Note: When you select a source entity type, the destination selector automatically updates to the corresponding collector. The opposite is also true. You can select a destination collector first and the source entity type automatically updates.
  6. Optional: Activate the Copy checkbox to copy the selected entities to the specified collector, so that they exist in both the original and new collectors.
    Entities cannot be copied to an include file or modules.
  7. On the guide bar, click one of the following:
    • Save changes and stay in the current context
    • Save changes and close the current context
    • Exit the current context without saving changes

Cut, Copy, and Paste

Use keyboard shortcuts to quickly cut, copy, and paste entities into new or current collectors.

Available for the following entity types: elements, lines, points, loads, solids, and surfaces.
Note: This option is only available in idle mode.
  1. Select entities in the modeling window then use keyboard shortcuts to cut, copy, and paste.
    • Ctrl + X - Cut
    • Ctrl + C - Copy
    • Ctrl + V - Paste in new collector
    • Ctrl + Shift + V - Paste in current collector
  2. Use the Move tool to position the pasted entities.
    Note: Loads cannot be repositioned.