Elem Types Panel

Use the Elem Types panel to select the type of element to create, and also allows you to change existing element types.

Location: 1D, 2D, 3D pages or Analysis page > Safety module
Note: This panel cannot be used to change joint elements. See the FE joints panel for information about changing the type of a joint.

You must specify a template file before using the Elem Types panel.

Engineering Solutions has several element configurations, such as tria3 and quad4, whereas solvers might have various element types which fit a particular configuration. For example, in the OptiStruct solver interface the element types CQUAD4 and PLOTEL4 (amongst others) are mapped to the quad4 element configuration.

Once set in this panel, any elements created in the future will have the selected element type. For example, if you set the quad4 element configuration ( Engineering Solutions) to the CQUADR type ( OptiStruct), and then use the Automesh panel, all quad elements created are of type CQUADR.

The element type can also be changed after it has been created. To update existing element types, select the elements you want to update, change the setting in the appropriate element configuration (tria3, quad4, and so on) and click update. Element types can be updated across configurations. The update applies even if element types in both subpanels (1D or 2D and 3D) have been changed.

To review element types, select them on the model or click elems and choose the elements from the extended entity selection menu, then click review. The element type will be written on each element selected in the modeling window.

1D Subpanel

Use the 1D subpanel to set the element types of 1D elements (bars, springs, and so on) as well as 0D elements such as masses.
Option Action
update Update existing elements to a new type. Select the elements with the elems selector first and then click update. This operation works across configurations and both subpanels.
review Review existing elements for their types. Select the elements you are interested in and click review.
elems Select elements to update or review.
default colors Reverts all of the element colors to their original color.

2D and 3D Subpanel

Use the 2D and 3D subpanels to set the element types of 2D elements (quads, trias, and so on) and 3D elements (hexas, tetras, and so on).
Option Action
update Update existing elements to a new type. Select the elements with the elems selector first and then click update. This operation works across configurations and both subpanels.
review Review existing elements for their types. Select the elements you are interested in and click review.
elems Select elements to update or review.
default colors Reverts all of the element colors to their original color.