FEMAP v9.3 New Features and Corrections Updates and Enhancements
FEMAP v9.3 New Features and Corrections Updates and Enhancements
Elements - Rigid
Added highlighting for nodes in rigid element selection list Added Thermal Expansion on Rigid Elements Added View Option to turn on/off independent and dependent markers, as well as DOFs
Geometry
Added Geometry, Solid, Thicken Added Geometry, Surface, Remove Hole Solid Titles/Names now persist across Geometry, Solid, Cleanup and across writing a Parasolid transmit file
Groups
Updated Group, Elements, Material; Group, Properties, Material; Group Materials, On Property; and Group, Materials, on Elements commands to handle the extra material IDs and the material IDs on layups of laminates Added function for multi-select titled entities, updated Group Evaluate to allow evaluation of multiple groups Added Group Operations "Booleans" and "Add Related" commands. Added Group Commands for Regions - using Node, Elem, Curve, Surf, Prop
Allow output vectors to be reloaded to those in selected set on set changes in Group, Operations, Generate with Output Added ability to create groups from entities on layer Added capability to Group, Operations, Add Related and Select Related in the Selector to start with selecting just a layup Added new group definition for Elements by All Nodes. Update Group from Superelements to use that for all but the residual structure Ask question about Groups from Layers - condense or not Changed name of Add Related to Add Related Entities. Removed Group Operations And, Or, Exclusive Or and Not commands. Removed "Evaluating Group..." when evaluate always is on - happens many times just moving the mouse around if the group is displayed
Added program file support for Layup dialog controls Allow <USER> or <PAUSE> program file commands to work with File Open dialogs Supported Multi-select list boxes in program files, and corrected problem replaying Program files that used dialog boxes with no underline in OK
Data Surface Editor - new for 9.3 Allows you to create 7 different types of Data Surfaces which can be used to create variable loading conditions Data Surface Editor Model dependent - one control per model Update Entity ID, Update Coordinate, and Update Vector on context-sensitive menu
Interfaces - Nastran
Changed a few items specifying MSC.Nastran to MSC/MD Nastran Supported checksums for NASTRAN files with INCLUDE files. Added ability to define 2 scratch directories and sizes for Nastran Added DDAM Analysis Support in Nastran (NX and MSC/MD) Added direct access to NASTRAN command for setting system cells Added ELRESCS option to NX Nastran 601/701 NXSTRAT to request solid results in elemental/ material csys Added PARAM,NOFISR - to suppress output of Failure Indices and Strength Ratios to the F06 Added support for Complex Modes in Nastran Added support for Initial Conditions (temperatures) and TEMP(INIT) in Nastran Static Analysis Added support for MATT8 - temperature dependence for 2D Orthotropic materials Added support for MFLUID, added MPRES support to F06 Added complex eigenvalue support to reading F06 Added support for NASTRAN Composite Strength Ratios. Added reading of Max Failure Index from OP2, and support for PARAM,SRCOMPS Added support for Stiffened modes in Nonlinear analysis (supports large deflection, follower forces...). Added support for writing and reading NASTRAN SUBCOMs
Added writing property titles for PBUSH, PVISC, BFRIC, PLPLANE, PWELD Initial implementation of Superelement support - added SEID to node record, node options to set it, Update SEID command, added to Groups and Selection method, Added group Operations superelement command, added Nastran write support on GRID card, added NASTRAN read support of SEID on GRID/GRDSET, and read of SESET Initial support for BOLTLD, BOLTFOR, BOLT in Nastran, limited Bolt Regions to include only Beam and Bar elements Supported checksums for NASTRAN files with INCLUDE files. Supported include files in case/exec Supported MATHE for both NX and MSC Nastran Supported Multi-case buckling analysis in Nastran Improved reading of various contact issues in Nastran Read - none that failed with our files, but would fail if contact came at beginning of file Added INTORD and REFINE for NX Nastran BCTPARM and BGPARM Added generation of 1P and 2P functions for Rotor Dynamics Added overall damping (Param,G) support for complex modes Added SORT1 for 601_TRANSIENT because ADINA changed default to SORT2 Do not write DLOAD case control for transient heat to NASTRAN if you do not have any transient loads Initial implementation of Rotor Dynamics support for NX Nastran Added option to Nastran Bulk End Text to put it before or after ENDDATA Updated Random OP2 postprocessing to support changes in NX5 - added PARAM,RPOSTS1,1 and new changes to OP2 results Turned off computation of standard output vectors for random analysis Supported new "3D iterative solver" for Sol 601 Modified ADINA restart so that the restart control in the Nastran executive control is in sync with the NXSTRAT dialog box. Added copying the ADINA restart file to the .dat directory and renaming it to the current jobname.res then set the dbs keyword on the command line. Enhanced the Preview Input functionality so switches in the executive control will be honored when writing via the preview file for Memory, Output Directory, Save database for restart do restart Added the ability to recognize between Solid Von Mises and Octahedral output and store data in their respective vectors. Added ability to read Superelement output from XDB Enhanced the XDB interface to enable turning off reading of individual cases as well as individual time steps within those cases. Added the ability to define initial conditions for Advanced Nonlinear Static. This will allow a user to define a initial temperature load and specify it as a initial condition which will then write the TEMP(INIT) case control.
Interfaces - Ansys
Added Compress_Contact_Segment before the expand during export. Did not seem to be causing any problems but certainly could if the segments were not properly compressed and there was not any apparent reason why a compress was not done in the first place.
Interfaces - Dyna
Added Material Angle for plates/composites for Dyna
Interfaces - I-DEAS
Added writing of Groups to I-DEAS universal Supported reading Nastran files generated by I-DEAS where groups are defined as Sets with PARAM,G## commands to specify nodes and elements in each group
Interfaces - PATRAN
Added support for reading Points, Lines/Curves, Patch/Surface and Named Components/Groups (PATRAN Neutral file)
Interfaces - Geometry
Added option to skip updating material data when geometry is updated. Support added for Parasolid 18.1, ACIS 16, Solid Edge 19, NX 4, Catia V5 R 17, and Pro/E Wildfire 3
Libraries
Added delete capability into Load from Library dialog box
Licensing
Added automatic waiting and checkout of network licenses when initial licensing fails
Listing
Added missing titles for mesh attached to geometry when listing group definitions Added commands to List Load Definitions and Constraint Definitions Update List Load to not fail if no nodes/elements/points... were available and you selected loads on those along with others. Added command to list output results to the data table (List, Output, Results to Data Table) Added element IDs to Chk_Twist messages when importing
Meshing
Added option to Modify, Move By, Radial Nodes and Modify, Move By, Radial Elements to move cylindrically around a vector, not just spherically Allow loop feature suppression to work on sheet bodies Added extra pass at end of tet meshing to cleanup interior midside nodes Changed setting size of small features to an option in Solid and Surface mesh size dialogs automatically uses mesh size if turned off. Changed Edge Members of line elements to require both nodes be selected. Previously only one node was required so you got extra elements if you selected a "corner" node - which was different than the solid-face mode for the same command.
Modify Menu
Project Added commands to Project Onto Vector and Project Onto Plane for nodes and points. Update Elements Updated commands on menu to be more descriptive and rearranged for better grouping Added command to reverse direction of line elements Added command to set Rigid Element CTE Changed command name Update Element Remove Cross Section Renumber Added Renumber of Connection Prop, Connection Region, Connections and Functions Added Renumber Layers Added Renumber Analysis Sets.
Preferences
Converted File Preferences to Multi-Row tabs Added ability to recover from scratch directory (if it is up to date). Added browser for default View from View Library Added preference for length-based mesh sizing. Added preference for tooltip delay and duration Added preferences for controlling Show Entities defaults in new models Added Units drop down for File Preferences Geometry Scale Factor Fixed bug if you had a startup basic script and had the "every new model" option checked it would not work at startup Moved User Contour Palette to be view dependent, now saved with model - was simply a global variable that was never saved. Also revised Preferences for "Color" and "Libraries" - moved User Contour Palette Library to "Color" with Palette (and added browse buttons)
Saved size of main window when exit - no longer always start maximized - obeys icon startup preference Added preference to keep NextID increasing during rebuild Added preference to always read nonlinear stress/strain from Nastran Enabled 32-bit/64-bit Nastran switch in preferences
Tools
Parameters Updated Tools Parameters dialog layout, Added option to Merge Tolerance for specified or automatic, and never update the values automatically. Added graying to Tools Parameters based on automatic/specified merge tolerance Variables Changed delete variables to select multiple variables (update underlying multi-select to support variables) Check, Coincident Nodes Updated Check Coincident Nodes to add preview (off by default) and options for which to keep Added dialog to Coincident Node/Point Merge for Showing Merge List, Keep List or both Check, Distortion Added Jacobian Element Check
User Interface
Added longer titles and automatic titling. Updated title length to 79 characters. Added minimum size limits to resizable dialogs Added Regenerates to Modify Rotate By, Rotate To, Move By, Move To, Align and Project commands Added Resizing to many dialog boxes Added error message if you create line elements with colinear orientation in Edge members Added adjustable drop-downs on combo boxes
Added capability to save and load keyboard shortcut definitions Added context help to all of the standard dialogs (select, coord, vector, plane and palette) Added Help to Customize Dialog Added Methods to standard selection dialog box for Connections, Connection Properties, and Regions, and several for Elements, Props,... Made all set activate (Load, BC, Solid, Output Set, Layer, Output Vector) dialog boxes resizable Prevent overwriting a model that is currently open in same session Prevented pick from filling in XPT(-1) or XND(-1) if the entity selected did not exist - just fills with coordinates. Removed command line options for MSC, UAI, CSA, VR, SSS, CFD, and WECAN Renamed Spring Elements to Spring/Damper Save Position of undocked Analysis Monitor Support of dialog placement for multiple monitors Updated for longer title lengths, and added new single-precision data blocks Updated List push button on standard selection dialog to bring up a multi-select list instead of a single selection. Changed dialog title "Face Selection for Elemental Loads" to "Face Selection" because it is used other places Changed File, Open to work properly on Vista Updated Combo box drop-downs for Windows 2000. If controls were not high enough no dropdown was shown. Improved support of Spaceball graphics interface devices. Changed Default Message Font and Program font to Segue for Vista
API
Added API enum for access to indices in View Options properties Added APIs for new preferences Added App.feWindowSetRect. Removed vu.WindowLeft, WindowRight, WindowTop, WindowBottom. Added zMessageColor enum and changed color for feAppMessage to that instead of regular colors. Added App.feWindowTitle to set window tab title and view title Also added feProjectOntoVector and feProjectOntoPlane API commands Added enum zDataType as index for Info_MinID, InfoMaxID... Added feAppEventCallback and EventLParam to enable easier access to FEMAP events. Added feConnectionRegion as equivalent name to feContact Added feModifySuperelementID method Added GetTitleIDList( ) and ParseTitleID( ). Can be used to fill combo and list boxes in API and parse the results back into an ID Added NextEmptyAction() Added Clear() to delete all contents Added Text String Highlighting color
Added SelectAllOnLayer to the Group object Added API feVectorPerpendicular Added echo of errors to messages window Added feGetElementFaces to API Added many new properties to AnalysisMgr API. Added SelectMultiID() to Set object Added ResetNextLoad, NextLoad, ResetNextLoadDef, NextLoadDef to the Load Set object. Added same functions to BC Set Object. Added the Load Definition and BC Definition objects Added Thermal Expansion on Rigid Elements Added User Graphics to API, and support for multi-dimensioned arrays API Connection Region added "GetEntities" method API method feGroupCombine Exposed Selector via API Update Set Entity Select method to always end up with a set that contains what was displayed in the dialog Updated API Type Library to show BOOL as Boolean (VARIANT_BOOL).
Corrections
Connection Properties, Regions, and Connectors
Corrected problem with reflected/copied elements still having counters from previous connections and being nondeletable Reversed direction of connection regions generated by Connect Surfaces command
Geometry
Fixed bug in Geometry, Spline, Tangents command. Order of arguments were confused.
Graphics
Corrected problem during criteria display of solid elements with criteria limits on. Previously, FEMAP would only show free face element faces. Now all elements which meet specified criteria are shown.
Groups
Automatic Add into groups did not work reading Nastran files because incremental plot records were not created. Turned them back on if you are automatic adding to a group Fixed problem automatically adding load and bc entitles to group with Automatic Add. FEMAP was using Load record ID instead of entity ID that was loaded.
Corrected crash when editing a load from tree in a non-active load set Corrected error that prevented the copy button to work when you edited a property from the tree Fixed graying for several other tree commands.
Data Table Fixed bug that caused output displayed in corner 1 to be corrupt if the element was loaded and the contour type was elemental. Entity Editor Fixed a problem where you could not select coordinates when creating a csys from the entity editor.
Interfaces - Nastran
Corrected handling of reading include files with no path Corrected stiffened modes in Modal - grayed loads in master case, not in subcases Corrected location of BGSET in Case Control in Random and Response Spectrum analyses when you requested XYPLOT/XYPRINT output - moved before those requests as reqd. Corrected problem reading nonlinear plate stresses from F06 file. Was improperly calculating MinPrin stress in some cases (positive values were zero) because it was using 3D calculation because an empty Z Stress value was read from the header Corrected problem reading complex modal output and real/imaginary constraint output from XDB Corrected problem reading coordinate system of the PLOAD3, PLOAD4 cards. FEMAP was renumbering the csys but never updating the surface load record with the new system (i.e., directed pressures were wrong). Corrected anomaly that causes FEMAP to incorrectly read buckling output from the .op2 file when multiple subcases exist where more than one Eigenvalue was requested in each subcase. Corrected anomaly in the switch for Single/Double sided contact (NSIDE) when going to Sol 601. This made it impossible to define double sided contact. Due to the bug in #2 the Penetration Depth was written when the Double sided Contact was checked even though this option is not available for NSIDE = 2. Corrected problem reading nonlinear Plane strain output from XDB and op2. Fixed problem reading PSOLID when the CORDM field was blank. FEMAP incorrectly read it as aligned to the element rather than the basic system. Fixed problem writing CBUSH FEMAP would write zeros instead of blanks to the CBUSH orientation fields when no orientation vector, node, or csys had been defined. Fixed problem where set id defined for BGSET, BCSET case control commands was too large Fixed problem reading CQUADR and CTRIAR output when corners were not requested
Interfaces - Dyna
Fixed problem were FEMAP was incorrectly writing the Circular Tube cross section for a beam. When defining the cross section for a Circular Tube in FEMAP the Radius that is defined is actually OD of the tube. The ID is calculated with 2*(Radius - Thickness). Given the above convention FEMAP was writing the OD wrong for LS-DYNA(Field TS1, TS2 of *SECTION_BEAM).
Interfaces - MARC
Corrected a problem saving the marc parameters dialog box the processor switch and the Parallel BETA were broken. Corrected issue where contact property field from the Marc model Definition was still referencing regular properties. Updated to load Connection Property
Licensing
Corrected a crash that occurred if you got a licensing failure dialog (no dongle) during startup and rolled the mouse wheel while that dialog was displayed.
Meshing
Corrected problem if you hex mesh sized a solid, without overwriting previous mesh spacing, and that spacing was defined by a custom mesh size, then the bias was never set (0.0) and the mesh was distorted. Corrected problem that made property undeletable if it was created by Geometry->Midsurface>Assign Mesh Attributes Hid Update Mesh Sizing button when meshing from elements No longer create (keep) a dummy PLOT PLANAR property when you tet or hex mesh. No longer lose "Use Meshing Attributes" if you create a property while meshing surfaces
Corrected problem with Mesh, Rotate... commands. When rotating loads the rotation angle was not updated for subsequent repetitions.
Preferences
Fixed bug if you had a startup basic script and had the "every new model" option checked it would not work at startup
References
Corrected problem with File, References - said SE file was not available if it was open in SE
User Interface
Corrected a bug that prevented replay from working from FEMAP if the path to the picture had spaces. Corrected a crash if you put more than 80 characters into an edit field in a dialog Corrected bug in printing that prevented proper selection of paper sizes and copies. Also removed v8.3 toolbar bitmaps from the resources Corrected bug when reading SPCADD which caused constraints to have no color or layer. Corrected error that occurred with 1 cache block and re-accessing that block after it was just deleted. It was still found, but was never in the directory lists. Should never be seen by previous users, found it during rebuild of tree control after undo. Corrected problems with Preview in Entity Selection dialog that erased the range list after you hit Preview and then transferred Methods Fixed Error if you had "save dialog positions" and closed a maximized dialog. The next time you tried to display that dialog it would "hang". Actually the dialog box was there but not visible - if you hit Esc or Return, you would get out and could continue Corrected sliding of combo drop-downs on multiple monitor configurations
API
Sent commands that start an API from the API window through the main command loop so that it checkpoints the command and you can undo just the execution of the API, and not the previous command Fixed problem with multi-selection list from wInit_GetRange Fixed problem with XYZtoParam method of Surface object, previously did not return rationalized parameters Fixed problem that prevented indices on vector/matrix properties from exceeding 32767 if accessed from Excel using the type library. (were declared as short) Fixed problem when calling clear on a Set object - it was no longer held exclusively Corrected a problem with counters on nodes when using the API to create list-base (rigid, slide line..) elements Fixed feSplineTangent. Order of arguments were confused.
Preferences
Added a preference for running a Startup Program File/ Basic Script/ Executable either just at startup or for every new model. Removed Disk_Undo Preference. Added Preferences for Nastran solver including control of memory, output directory and scratch directory. The Workplane is no longer displayed by default.
Tools
Tools, Distance has been enhanced to return the measured components in both global and the active coordinate system.
Geometry
Added capability to extend surfaces
Connections
Changed contact elements and properties to Connections, and moved them to the top level of the menu. This makes Connections more accessible and properly separates them from element types. Added automatic detection of connections between solids of an assembly. Also added automatic creation of connections between two or more surfaces. Added connections and connection properties to the Model Info tree along with capability to enable/disable connections. Added a Connection Property Library
Meshing
To improve the workflow for tet meshing, the initial dialog for mesh sizing has been removed. Unsized curves are now automatically sized with default sizes, and an "Update Mesh Size" button has been added to the meshing dialog. This reduces the number of dialogs if you use default sizing, and if you need custom sizing, it allows you to update the size multiple times until you are satisfied
Modify Project
Added commands to project points and nodes along a vector onto selected surfaces.
Interfaces - Nastran
Added support for NX Nastran 4.1: LSEARCH, CSTYPE parameters on NXSTRAT card, AUTOSPC Singular Value Decomposition (SVD) option, and BGSET for Glued Contact Added the ability to read CQUADR/CTRIAR Z-offsets. Added ability to run NL Heat transfer with only an Initial Condition. An enhancement was made when Femap is writing radiation boundary conditions. A warning message will be issued by Femap if it is unable to create the necessary plot only plate elements to define the radiation condition. Added the ability to request extended error messages from the Executive/Solution options section of the Analysis Set Manager. Added the ability to set the amount memory to be used in the solution from the Executive/Solution options section of the Analysis Set Manager.
Interfaces - MSC.Marc
Fixed a problem reading results files from version 2003. Femap has been enhanced to read output from versions 2003 and 2005.
Interfaces - ABAQUS
Fixed problem reading analytical rigid surfaces. Fixed a problem writing Quad and Tria elements when formulation was set to 3..Thin Shell(5-DOF/ Node, Small Strain )and Warping flag. Previously wrote S4R when it should have been S4RS and W and S3R when it should have been S3RS Improved reading of contact output, where Femap will attempt to match the output vector label to the actual contact pair label in Femap
Interfaces - Geometry
Due to contractual changes with Spatial Technologies, and the extremely low customer demand, the VDA interface has been removed and is no longer supported. A new interface has been developed to import NX parts and assemblies. Automatically support Pro/E Wildfire file naming convention which appends version number extensions (for example, fn.prt.4)
Graphics
Added a View transparency option that allows you to make your model transparent without changing entity colors. This is often good for selection when you are trying to pick entities either inside or on the back of a model. Also added a new transparent highlighting mode where the model becomes transparent and only the highlighted entities are solid. The undeformed model is no longer displayed in default deformed views. All floating point numbers drawn in the graphics window (except workplane axes) are now controlled by the exponent and number of digit settings on the View Options, PostProcessing, Contour/Criteria Legend dialog. Contour vectors can now be labeled with their value. This is controlled by the labeling options on the View Options, PostProcessing, Vector Style dialog. Animate-MultiSet and Trace with scaled actual deformation now output individual frame maximum deformation and overall maximum deformation.
User Interface
Updated a number of dialog boxes to use a tabbed style. This includes File Preferences, Materials and Connection Properties. To more closely follow Windows conventions, "Browse" buttons that searched for files or directories have been changed to "" Improved selection in "Pick Front" mode on Rigid and Slide Lines - it now considers all nodes, not just the master node. Added a checkbox to the Delete confirmation dialog box to never ask for confirmation. Also added to File Preferences (to turn this option back on) Added a toolbar for turning on/off entity display - like View Quick Options Added ability to show surface and element normals from the highlighter in the Model Info tree and Data Table. Added alternate keyboard accelerator tables for API and Program file development. Added several buttons to the standard selection dialog that let you choose entities from a list or preview your selection. Added "Update Selection" to the context menu of the Data Table Simplified the toolbar layout that is initially displayed. Only the Model, View and Selector toolbars are now displayed. All toolbars are still available, just not displayed initially.
API
Fixed API feFileMessageSelect, replaced global constant Message_LineNumber with feFileMessageLineNumber function Added feAddToolbarSubmenu, feAddToolbarSubmenuCommand, feAddToolbarSubmenuUserCommand Added new entity types for Connections, Connection Regions and Connection Properties Added AddContact, SetOutputType, SetOffset, GetOffset, SetRigidType and IsRigidType methods to the Connection Region object. Added new Sort object. This is much like a Set, but allows additional data to be stored with each ID and allows the IDs to be sorted based on the attached data. Added Match and SelectOutputVectorID methods to the Set object. Added ClearNodeList method to the Element object Added IsPlane, IsCylinder, IsSphere, IsCone, IsTorus, Conical, Toroidal and Spherical methods to the Surface object. Modified the calling syntax of the Planar method to match the syntax of the new methods. Added numerous attributes to the Analysis Set Manager object to support the new Dyna Interface. Added numerous global attributes for the new Preferences. Removed the feFileReadVda method since the VDA geometry interface has been removed from Femap.
Corrections
Tools, Model and Views
Corrected a problem that allowed nodes to be merged even though they were used on the same constraint equations. Corrected a problem in Tools Mass Properties where the automatic mass element generation was creating a property with an X-direction mass and no mass for the y or z direction. Fixed Output from Load for vector output so that component results have proper subcomponents set so they deform in the proper direction. Fixed loss of hidden/visible layers if you turned on "All Views" and "Show All Layers"
Interfaces - Geometry
Added an option to Neutral Read to always create new output sets (not overwrite)
Interfaces - Nastran
Corrected a problem where the Contact slave and master surfaces were reversed. Corrected a problem reading contact BCTSET card. This caused Femap to only read the first contact pair defined in the input file. Corrected a problem writing contact BSURF when model contained Laminates, Bending, or Membrane elements. Corrected a problem that caused Initial conditions to not be available for Sol 701 Corrected a problem that caused the NX FRIC parameter on the BCTSET card not to be written. Corrected problem reading XDB files from transient analysis with multiple subcases that caused some time steps to be skipped in the subcases. Fixed a problem reading XDB files where filename length was greater than 80 characters. The limit has been increased to 255 characters.
Graphics
Contact regions on shell top and bottom faces are now drawn correctly when shells are drawn with thickness. Centered Solid Contour Vector arrows are now drawn correctly centered. Fixed Spaceball issue when orienting and hitting Ctrl-G at the same time - incorrect graphics images were drawn. Constraint equations now drawn in groups. Corrected length of freebody resultant force. In previous releases, these arrows could be drawn extremely large.
Criteria with Line Contour now correctly just contours the edges of the elements and does not fill the elements.
User Interface
Prevented accelerator keys that accessed View commands from acting in View command Dialog boxes - these could potentially cause a crash. Fixed problem deleting Analysis Sets from the Model Info tree that caused fields in a newly created set to be improperly initialized. Fixed a problem in the Entity Editor that corrupted groups if the group title was modified. Fixed problem in the Entity Editor that that caused a crash when the entity Title field was too long. Corrected a mislabeled field in Entity Editor for Materials. Fixed a problem in Data Table that caused Femap to crash when viewing a LS-DYNA one-way contact property. Fixed a problem in the Entity Editor / Data Table that caused output displayed for corner 1 to be corrupt if the element had a load applied and the contour type was elemental.
API
Fixed numerous problems with the Group Object that corrupted groups if you used the same object to retrieve and store multiple groups. Fixed problem with the Element Object that caused problems if you used the same object to retrieve a "list-based" element (rigid or slide-line), then later created other non-"list-based" elements with that object.
Printing
Updated the Print command to allow you to specify paper orientation and number of copies directly in the Print dialog, without having to go into Printer Setup. Added options to Print the Entity Info, Data Table, Program File and API Programming windows.
Program Files
FEMAP commands and keystrokes can now be recorded and replayed in a new Program Files docking pane. This pane can also be used for editing and debugging Program Files. It provides commands to single-step lines and set breakpoints during replay. Program files are now recorded in a more readable fashion, including highlighted comments showing and delimiting each command. Program files can also be assigned to buttons on the toolbars or menu using the existing Customization (User Commands) capability. Added the File, Save All command to save all open models in a single command. Added the #method command to the existing Program File syntax. This allows program files to predetermine the Method / Type used for coordinate, vector, plane, element/property and material dialog boxes. Improved the #silent command so that it will not conflict with the "Remember Dialog Positions" preference. Added the FNI and FNV commands which can be used to retrieve interpolated values from functions.
Tools
Updated Tools, Check, Coincident Nodes to allow the "Alternate Merge Nodes" to also contain nodes that were specified in the original list of nodes to be checked. Also prevented this check from merging nodes that were contained on a constraint equation.
Entity Editor
Added a button to Clear the editor. Added ability to display nodal output for Node entity in a selected coordinate system. Enhancements were made to the Entity Editor to improve moving between fields and expansion of categories.
Data Table
Added the ability to choose which Coordinate System nodal output will be displayed in the Data Table.
Meshing
When meshing line elements which are defined using the Section Property calculator (Beam, Bar), using the Mesh, Between command, the reference point (if defined) is automatically used to create element offsets - just as it is when meshing on geometry. Added automatic merging of nodes at the endpoints of curves when you mesh multiple curves simultaneously - just as nodes on the boundaries of surfaces are merged when meshing multiple surfaces. Added Paving of elements around edges of surfaces
Graphics
Added capability for displaying Background and Logo Bitmaps Added numerous options for controlling the style of background shading Added dynamic highlighting during selection for Text and Coordinate Systems Added Preference for "BitBlt Delay" which can solve OpenGL problems on some inexpensive graphics boards. Updated the Palette dialog box so that linestyles and patterns can be seen even when you pick a very dark (or black) color
Geometry Interfaces
Added export interface to JT Added a direct interface to CATIA V5 files that supports parts and assemblies. Added a new direct interface to Solid Edge that supports Parts, Assemblies, and Sheet Metal files. This interface also provides access to design and/or simplified bodies, part colors and material information. The ability to associatively update the models has also been improved
Added support for reading Hyperelastic nodal output from the op2 and f06 file. Added support for reading CPENTA output from the xdb file. Added element forces to available Random XYPlot output requests. Added weld element CWELD. Added support for z-offsets for CQUADR/CTRIAR elements.
Post Processing
Added the List, Output, Summary to Data Table command. This command allows you to quickly find max/min values across multiple output sets and vectors, envelope data, find critical data for selected properties, materials, and subsets of selected nodes and elements. Updated List, Output, Unformatted so that summary data reflects only the selected nodes/elements and not the entire output vector.
User Interface
Updated Ctrl+C accelerator to copy whichever window/pane is active to the clipboard. Previously it only copied the active graphics window. Now, if input focus is in the Messages, Entity Editor, Data Table, Entity Info, Program File, or API Programming panes, data from those panes will be copied - otherwise, it will still copy the active graphics window. Added Preferences to define alternate pan and zoom keys, mouse wheel directions, and Shift/Ctrl key usage for Dynamic Pan and Zoom. Also added Preference to use certain accelerators for Top/ Bottom/Left/Right and Isometric Views, rather than their traditional FEMAP usage. Added new Help Commands for the Entity Info, API Programming and Program Files panes Added ability to show the full model path in the tabs for views rather than just the short model name. Added the "Entity Info" window which automatically displays the same information that the Entity Selector "Show Tooltips" command did, without the delays necessary for a tooltip, and without overwriting the graphics area. Added a context menu for Text entities which allows you to create, edit, list and delete text. Updated the Model Info tree to only display a limited number of items of each category. This can significantly improve performance if you have thousands of entities of one type. Options are added to the tree to show the next or previous group, whenever less than the full number of entities are displayed. The number of entities in the tree is controlled by a preference.
Added Ctrl+Shift+U accelerator to tile/maximize the graphics window Changed the Entity selection dialog box that is used to select single entities with titles to be resizable - this allows you to increase the size of the dialog box if you have a large number of properties, materials, Removed a few confirmation questions that slowed down mesh sizing and copying group rules.
API
Added the API Programming window, which provides a Basic environment which you can use to develop, edit, debug and run API programs without needing an external Basic compiler. Significantly enhanced the Type Library to provide better usability with auto-completion and tooltips. Added numerous "enum" definitions to provide lists of available values. Also, now properly registers the Type Library so it is immediately available. Added access to the "Text" entity. Added GetFaceNormal, GetFaceCentroid and GetFaceArea methods to the element object. Added GetValue method to the Function object which interpolates the function. Added feWindowMinimize, feWindowMaximize, feWindowRestore, feWindowTileHorz, feAppLockDraw, feAppUnlockDraw, feWindowRedraw, feWindowRegenerate, feWindowShow, feWindowActivate, feWindowTile and feWindowCascade methods Added AddArray methods to the LoadMesh, LoadNTemp, LoadETemp and BCNode objects which allow creation of multiple entities from one call.
Corrections
User Interface
Fixed context sensitive help for commands in drop-down menus on the toolbars. Corrected a problem that prevented context-sensitive (right mouse) menu commands to fail or not be available if the Model Info pane was not displayed. Fixed a problem that prevented models that were saved with multiple open Views from properly maximizing when the model was reopened. Fixed a problem with the splash screen that caused FEMAP to disappear from the screen, but continue to run, if you dropped a FEMAP Neutral file onto the program icon. Corrected a problem in the Entity Editor where the output displayed for midside nodes was incorrect when performing a nodal contour. Corrected a problem in the Entity Editor where Load Set options were unable to be saved without first defining the Ambient Element field in the Thermal Analysis category. Corrected a problem with Undo when in the Interactive Mesh Editing command. Corrected a problem which caused the Delete command from the Model Info window Layer context menu to delete groups rather than layers.
Interfaces - NX/Nastran
Corrected a problem that caused plate corner fiber distances to be placed in the wrong output vector Corrected PBEAML for tapered beams.
Corrected a problem writing the Response Spectra Correlation Table that caused FEMAP to only write the first node to the DTI SPSEL card. Corrected problem reading output from the op2 for the QUAD4 Fully Nonlinear Hyperelastic element. Corrected a problem that caused composite stress and strain output to be skipped when reading the xdb file. Corrected problem with the Tension only plate properties in the Entity Editor. Corrected a problem where FEMAP did not write the RESVEC parameter in Optimization, NL Static and Modes solution sequences. Corrected problem reading CBUSH elements that caused FEMAP to issue warnings when no orientation vector was defined even though an orientation was not necessary. Corrected problem for Advanced nonlinear analysis (SOL 601) where FEMAP did not write contact conditions when no load set had been defined.
Interfaces - ABAQUS
Corrected a problem that caused PRINT entries to be written in ABAQUS Explicit analysis. Fixed a problem where multiple mass elements referenced a single FEMAP property. FEMAP would only write one mass element per property. Corrected a problem writing *EXPANSION where the ZERO option was not written when the coefficient of thermal expansion was function dependent. Corrected a problem writing the *SECTION POINTS command for beam cross-section. FEMAP was not correctly calculating the point positions when a beam offset was used.
Modeling
Corrected a bug in Modify, Rotate To, Nodes, Elements and Points that prevented them from working properly Corrected a bug in copying mesh sizes, loads and constraints when Solids are copied. Fixed problem in Modify, Rotate To, Coordinate Systems that caused FEMAP to crash.
API
Corrected a problem in feAddToolbarUserCommand that prevented icons from being saved after exiting FEMAP Corrected a problem in feSetToolbarCommandBitmap that prevented transparent bitmaps from being properly colored. Fixed bug in feSurfaceTrimWithCurves which did not correctly use the specified set of curves Fixed feCheckElemFixup - it did not properly get the list of elements to check Corrected feMeshTetSolid to return FE_FAIL if the mesher aborts Corrected feSplineBlend Corrected feLayerPut if you tried to use the active layer color Corrected the "Expand" method of the BCSet object that caused it to fail if you had "advanced" (not just fixed and/or pinned) geometric constraints. Corrected feViewVisible (and feWindowVisible) that prevented it from reactivating hidden views
ABAQUS
Corrected a problem where FEMAP did not correctly match the element and property when the ELSET field was not defined on the *ELEMENT card. Corrected a problem where FEMAP incorrectly wrote the *SURFACE card for ABAQUS Explicit.
ANSYS
Added support for reading ANSYS 9.0 results files Corrected problems launching ANSYS directly from FEMAP.
MARC
Corrected a problem reading Contact Data from T16 for Contact Bodies that use Control Points, but no trimming curves to define the contact surface (IBODTYP=4, ITRIM=0)
NX Nastran
Added Support for reading NX Nastran 3.0 TFLAG field (Alternate Method for Specifying Shell Thickness) field for shells. Added support for reading output for the NX Nastran 3.0 QUADR, TRIAR
MSC Nastran
Corrected a problem with XYPRINT, the PSDF request code was incorrect for CQUADR with no corners.
Geometry Interfaces
Updated to ACIS Release 14.0. Updated Unigraphics interface, supporting NX. Updated Pro/E interface to support Wildfire 2.0. Added Support to read in Pro/E Assembly files through the Pro/E interface. Added proper conversion and reading of ACIS from FEMAP Neutral File Added ACIS Renumbering and Neutral file Translation Added NonMergeable Curve capability (Modify, Update Other, NonMergable Curve command) Added support for transferring colors from X_T, and options to choose whether you want it Added Solid Edge Entity Map Added support for reading XMT files with disjoint bodies
Preferences
All Preferences Implemented context-sensitive help for each of the Preference sub-dialogs Render Graphics Added Search Depth option to optimize memory usage of the graphics data structures for models with a very large number of similar but not identical entities. Added support for using Smooth Textures in 2D Mapping. Libraries Removed Menu from the list of Libraries
Corrected problem that caused FEMAP to crash when a large number of layers were viewed in the Entity Editor Added the ability to the Entity Editor categories to remember their last expanded/contracted state. Added missing Entity Editor Field - Ambient Element on the Heat transfer Loads Corrected a problem in Entity Editor where the orientation vector selection did not properly display the last vector.
Data Table Corrected a problem that caused the ID field in the Data Table to be incorrect for nodal /elemental thermal loads. Corrected problem where nodal and geometric thermal loads incorrectly displayed a -1 in the ID column in the data table. Corrected problem in Data Table where entities with no titles blank labels rather than the standard FEMAP "Untitled". Corrected a problem in the Data Table where in some cases the columns may not line up properly. Added missing tooltip for "Show When Selected" icon in report window Added Element Mass Properties to the Data Table Model Info Tree Added Layers as a category in the tree Added a context sensitive menu for Layers category (Show All Entities, Show Visible Entities Only, Make Visible, Make Hidden, New, Activate, Manage, List, and Delete commands) Added automatic entity activation when you double click in the tree Added View Active to Group Context Menu Added "Add to Selection" on the Group Context Menu
Output
Added deleting a range of output vectors to Delete, Output, Vector command
Geometry
Enhanced the Geometry, Curve - From Surface, Project command to be able to choose any number of surfaces on different solids for a selected curve to be projected in a normal direction. The Geometry, Curve -From Surface, Project Along Vector command has also been given this capability.
Materials
Added warning message to unit conversion to warn when Hyperelastic materials are not fully converted. Added checking to determine if a surface has already been meshed. If the user tries to mesh the surface again, FEMAP will issue a warning message and then the user can decide to mesh any selected meshed surfaces again or only mesh non-meshed surfaces which are currently selected.
Meshing
API
Overall API Updated Type Library generation to include all inherited interfaces. Corrected bug that caused model groups to become corrupted when you used the API to copy (Get>Put(newID)) groups Changes to API Output Object Added GetOutputListAtID Corrected problem with mixed quad/tri corner output in GetElemWithCorner The following methods have been modified: feMeasureMeshMassProp (Removed blank line being written when it was called with no printing) The following methods have been added: feCurveProjectOntoSurfaces feRenumberOpt feCoordArrayTransform2( ) feLicenseExpiration feRunCommand feFileProgramRun - enables the user to run FEMAP program files (.prg files).
Graphics
Corrected problem where beams not drawn if contour display but beam diagram option set to contour only Corrected problem where workplane is moved away from the origin and model, it can be clipped during dynamic rotation Added symbol to spring element so springs on coincident nodes can be detected Corrected problem when using fast pick for coordinate systems Corrected crash when aligning view to workplane Corrected problem in coloring elements by property or material if the element does not have a property
ABAQUS
Added the ability to define both mass an inertial properties on the same FEMAP Property.
ANSYS
Corrected a problem where the ANSYS LINK10 element would fail to be written when the Initial Strain was set to zero. A option for Compression Only Gap has been added to enable this fix.
MARC
Corrected multiple problem writing DIST LOADS command. Added support to the Analysis Case Manager for the FOLLOW FOR command to treat increments as Total Load. Corrected a problem writing the Rotational Velocity body load. Previously it was only possible to define the body load in the master case which caused the load to be doubled. The ability to define the body load in just the subcase has been added to correct this problem. Corrected a problem reading Tet element results from Marc when both Hex and Tet elements exist in the model. Corrected a problem where nodal results from a MSC.Marc t16 file were incorrectly imported into FEMAP when multiple coordinate systems existed. Corrected a problem writing definition of Beam to Beam contact.
NASTRAN
Corrected Problem graying the GROUNDCHECK options. Removed writing of PARAM, LSTRN it is no longer needed to request strain output. Corrected a problem writing the line continuation field for the CBUSH element. Corrected a problem reading nonlinear transient results from the op2 file. In some cases FEMAP was incorrectly reading the time steps if Slide Line elements were present. Corrected a problem writing Radiation loads on the edges of elements. FEMAP was incorrectly defining the orientation node. Added the ability to selectively read results from the XDB file. Corrected a problem with the Tools-Convert command where rotational stiffness of the PBUSH property is not converted correctly. Corrected a problem importing a Nastran deck with a PARAM, WTMASS value, where the PBEAML and PBARL nonstructural masses were not scaled properly
DYNA
Corrected a problem writing *CONTACT_TIEBREAK_SURFACE_TO_SURFACE. Corrected a problem writing the *DAMPING_GLOBAL that caused DYNA to abort.
Geometry Interfaces
Updated to ACIS Release 13.0. Updated to Parasolid 16.1. Updated Solid Edge Interface to 16.0. Updated Unigraphics interface, supporting NX. Updated CATIA v5 interface to V5 R9 and R10 via Elysium interface. Corrected a problem writing IGES files that caused FEMAP to fail to write the file and issue no error messages. Corrected a problem that caused geometry to become corrupt when Renumbering Splines. Added command ( Geometry, Curve From Surface, Split at Points )to split a surface along a parametric curve positioned by user defined points. Added command ( Geometry, Solid Remove Face ) to remove face(s) from a existing solid.
Preferences
Messages and lists Deleted Borders and size section (Create with Title Bar, Max Text, Status Color, Scroll Back Lines, and Window Lines). Added field to set Max Text Lines Changed Font to Message Font Added Listing Font drop down list to set a specific font for listing operations Added Command Color to control the color of commands in the Messages Window Added Bold check boxes to all colors to allow font to be in Bold type Render Graphics Removed Render Method section Removed Rotate Animation, Rotate with Edges, and Fast Curve Picking from Render Options section Menus and Toolbars Removed Show (startup only) section Removed Auto pop-up Previous Menu and Menu Help from Menus and Dialog Boxes section Added options to Menu and Toolbar Preferences to load and save toolbar positions. Added option to Menu and Toolbar Preferences to animate the fly-out of the dockable window panes. Database Removed Use Model Scratch File from Database Options section
Added Alternate Section Property Calculation to the Meshing and Properties section which allows FEMAP to use an Alternate method for calculating property values for a beam cross-section Removed Message File from the Scratch Disks section Geometry Added Automatically Adjust Geometry Scale Factors option Libraries Removed Toolbox from the list of Libraries
Output
Corrected a problem that caused Error Estimate to not use corner vectors for elemental results.
Geometry
Corrected a problem that caused the command Geometry- Curve Spline-Multiple Curves to sometimes fail when creating spines on edges of solid surfaces. Corrected a problem that caused FEMAP to create a extra solid when selecting one solid for advanced geometry cleanup.
Properties
Corrected a problem where the property IDs in Contact Segments are not renumbered when using the command Modify-Renumber-Property.
Meshing
Added Auto Boundary Small Surf option in the ( Mesh, Mesh Control, Size On Solid ) command. When this option is selected FEMAP looks for small surfaces within the tolerance and combines them prior to meshing.
API
The following methods have been removed: feToolCursorPosition feAppEmbedGraphics feAppEmbedMessages feAppMenu The following methods have been modified: feFilePictureSave feFileNew feFileOpen feFileReadNeutral feToolUnitConvert feVectorUnit feDeleteAll
The following methods have been added: feFileClose feToolUnitConvertFactors feAppSetModel feAppGetModel feAppSetModelByName feAppCountModels feAppGetAllModels feAppRegisterAddInPane feAppManageToolbars feAppManagePanes feAppManageStatusBar feAppManageGraphicsTabs feGetToolbars feGetToolbarCommands feGetToolbarSubCommands feAddUserCommand feGetUserCommands feDeleteUserCommand feGetMenuCommands feGetMenuCommand feSetToolbarVisible feSetToolbarCommandVisible feSetToolbarCommandTitle feResetToolbar feAddToolbar feDeleteToolbar feAddToolbarCommand feAddToolbarUserCommand feSaveToolbarLayout feLoadToolbarLayout feGetToolbarCommand feSetToolbarCommandBitmap feAppGetActiveView feAppSetActiveView feAppGetAllViews feAppEmbed
Graphics
Corrected a problem that caused contour vector orientations and magnitudes to change when render model was turned on and off. Corrected a problem displaying offsets for Mass elements when the offsets have been defined in a local coordinate system. Corrected a problem that caused FEMAP to crash in certain instances when contouring results in a model with contact segments.