Entity Editor

The Entity Editor enables you to quickly view and edit entities in a model and correctly setup solver information.

The Entity Editor can be accessed from the Model Browser, Solver Browser, and Reference Browser. In the Model Browser, the following view modes are supported: Model, Include, Component, Property and Material. When accessing the Entity Editor from the Reference Browser, you will only be able to view your entity selection's corresponding data in a non-editable form.

The Entity Editor opens when you create new entities, as well as duplicate, edit, or select single or multiple entities in the browser. To expand and collapse the Entity Editor, click in the top, right-hand corner. To adjust the height of the Entity Editor, drag . . . up and down.

Entity parameters are displayed in the Name column, and the values associated with each parameter are displayed in the Value column. The parameters that display in gray text cannot be edited. Once you edit an entity in the Entity Editor, the changes will be automatically applied throughout your model.


Figure 1.
Some entities may have metadata associated with them. These values serve to further describe the selected part. When you select an entity in the Entity Editor, if that entity has associated metadata attached, it will display at the bottom of the editor. Metadata entity values, like other entity values, can be edited and the changes will automatically apply throughout your model.


Figure 2.

Edit Multiple Entities

If you select multiple entities in the browser, the Entity Editor opens and displays the selected entities common corresponding data that can be modified simultaneously.

The rows that contain ### indicate that these fields do not contain common data but can still be modified. When you modify the data, both common and ambiguous, Engineering Solutions applies the changes to all of the selected entities.

To select multiple entities in the browser, press Shift and begin selecting entities.
In Figure 3, seven components are selected, and the Entity Editor displays their common corresponding data. The Color, Card Image, and Prop_Id are different, therefore you see ###. The Mat_Id is the same for all of the selected components, therefore you see the material name and its ID.


Figure 3.

Edit Engineering Solutions Specific Data

When you create an entity, it is assigned an unique ID, name and color. Use the Entity Editor to edit this data.

Open the Entity Editor for the entity to edit.
Option Description
Edit ID and name
  1. Click Name or ID and enter a new value for the entity in the editable field.
  2. Press Enter.
Engineering Solutions updates the changes in the Entity Editor and browser automatically.


Figure 4.
Edit color
  1. For Color, click the color box.
  2. From the color palette, select a new color to represent the entity.
The entity's color changes in the Entity Editor, browser, and graphics area.


Figure 5.

Edit Solver Specific Data (Template Data)

Every entity is assigned solver specific data, which you can modify using the Entity Editor.



Figure 6.

Assign a Card Image

In the Entity Editor, you can assign a card image to an entity. The card images you are able to assign depend on the user profile you have loaded and the entity type you have selected in the browser.

  1. Click Card Image.
  2. Select a new card image from the drop-down list.
    The entity's card image changes, and the Entity Editor displays additional solver related fields.


    Figure 7.

Import and Export Data

Import and export functions will read .csv files and populate tables for all entities that use 1D array data.
Right-click on a field that uses 1D array data as input and select one of the following options from the context menu:
  • Import from file
  • Append from file
  • Export to file
Data will be imported into, or exported out of, the Entity Editor based on your selection.
Restriction:
  • Import and export functions are not available for 2D arrays or a combination of 1D and 2D arrays, as in the case of Abaqus.


    Figure 8. Density Info for ABAQUS_MATERIAL
  • Certain control cards make use of unstructured tables. In these cases, array attributes are shown as new categories/columns and data cannot be imported/exported.


    Figure 9.

Turn Fields ON or OFF

  • Turn fields on and off in the Entity Editor.
    Option Description
    Turn field off Remove its corresponding value or select OFF from the drop-down list.

    If you hover over a field that is turned OFF, its default value will appear in the Value column.
    Turn field on Enter a new value or select a value from the drop-down list.

    When a field is turned ON, its corresponding value will always be displayed in the Value column.
    In the example below, assume that initially the field ISOP is turned OFF and has a default value of FULL. To turn the field ON, click its corresponding Value field and select a value from the drop-down list. If you want to turn the field OFF, select <OFF> from the drop-down list.


    Figure 10. ISOP Field Off


    Figure 11. ISOP Field On
    In the example below, assume that initially the field G is turned OFF and has a default value of 80769.2. To turn the field ON, click the Value field and press Enter. To turn the field OFF, delete the value and press Enter. If you turn the field OFF, the Entity Editor will retain the previous value you specified.


    Figure 12. NU Field Off


    Figure 13. NU Field On
    In the example below, assume that initially the field MID4 is turned OFF. You can turn the field on and then assign it a material. To turn the field ON, click its corresponding Value field and select Materials from the drop-down list. You can then click the yellow selector button and select a material to assign to the field. If you want to turn the field OFF, select <OFF> from the drop-down list.


    Figure 14. MID4 Field Off


    Figure 15. MID4 Field On
  • Turn card image fields on and off in the Card Editor by clicking the field heading.

    When a field is turned ON, an additional field appears under the field heading, from which you can enter or select a value.

    In example below, the card image MAT1 is displayed for a material in OptiStruct. By default, the field G is turned OFF. To turn the field ON, click its field header. The default value is displayed under the field heading.


    Figure 16. MAT1 Card Image with the Field G Off


    Figure 17. MAT1 Card Image with the Field G On
    When defining data in tables, certain fields can be turned ON and OFF. To turn a field ON, right-click on the heading of the disabled field and select Status. In the image below, the NO field is being turned ON for the load collector TSTEP.


    Figure 18.

Assign Entities

In the Entity Editor you can assign certain entities to another entity or a group of entities.

For example, you can assign a property to a component. When an entity has an entity assigned to it, the name and ID of the assigned entity will be displayed in the Value field. If an entity does not have an entity assigned to it, the Value field will display <Unspecified>.

In the image below, the Entity Editor is open for the component bottom_bracket. The material aluminum is assigned to the component, and a property has not yet been assigned.


Figure 19.

In the Entity Editor, you can assign an entity using the Select dialog or the Entity Selector.

  • Method 1: Assign Entities Using the Select Dialog
    1. Click the entity's corresponding Value field.
    2. Click the yellow selector.


      Figure 20.
    3. Select an entity in the following ways:
      1. In the Select dialog, select an entity.
        Tip: You can search for entities in the Select dialog by entering a name, ID, or card image in the search field. When you click or press Enter, the dialog only displays the entities that match your search string.


        Figure 21.
      2. In the graphics area, select an entity. Engineering Solutions automatically selects the entity in the Select dialog.


        Figure 22.
    4. Click OK.
  • Method 2: Assign Entities Using the Entity Selector
    1. Click the entity's corresponding Value field.
    2. Click .
    3. In the panel area, click the yellow selector.


      Figure 23.
    4. Select an entity in the following ways:
      1. In the panel area, select an entity and click return.


        Figure 24.
      2. In the graphics area, select a entity. Engineering Solutions outlines your selection in white.


        Figure 25.
    5. Click proceed.

Resolve Unresolved Entities

The import and export of unresolved entity IDs is supported, in a limited way. If you have an unresolved entity ID which is referenced by other entities, the Entity Editor displays the phrase "Unresolved Entity" in the Value field of the unresolved entity.
In the image below, the load collector Fatigue refers to a load collector with id=9, which is unresolved.


Figure 26.
  1. Right-click on an unresolved entity then select Clear unresolved entity from the context menu.
  2. Click the entity's Value field.
  3. Click the yellow selector.
  4. In the Select dialog, select a new entity.
  5. Click OK.

Keyboard Shortcuts

Function Key Description
Tab Moves from one row to the next in the Entity Editor.
Shift + Tab Moves to the previous row in the Entity Editor.
Spacebar Activates the Value field of the selected row.
Move up and down in the Entity Editor, a list of options in drop-down menus, or in a right-click context menu.
Enter Accepts the changes made to a parameter in the Value field, or selects an option in a right-click context menu.
Esc Dismisses the changes made to a parameter in the Value field, or closes a right-click context menu.

Create and Edit Assigned Entities

Create, edit, and assign new entities to an existing entity or group of entities in the Entity Editor.

Create and Assign a New Entity

To create and assign a new entity to an existing entity or a group of entities:

Right-click on an entity assignment field then select one of the following options from the context menu:
  • Create - Define a new entity using an embedded Entity Editor.
  • Create/Edit - Define a new entity using a standalone Entity Editor.
The Entity Editor creates and assigns the new entity.


Figure 27.

Edit an Assigned Entity

To edit an entity that is assigned to an existing entity or a group of entities, do one of the following:

  • Click next to an entity assignment field. In the embedded Entity Editor, modify the entity data. When you are finished making changes, click to collapse the editor.
  • Right-click on an entity assignment field then select Edit from the context menu. Modify the entity data using the standalone Entity Editor. When you are finished making changes, click Close.

Create and Assign Sets to Main or Secondary Entities

When defining contact entities in the Entity Editor, you can create sets using elements, nodes, or segments and assign them to main and secondary entities.
Restriction: Only available in the Abaqus, ANSYS, and OptiStruct user profile.
  1. Right-click on the Secondary Entity IDs or Main Entity IDs fields then select Create Set using Elements, Create Set using Nodes or Create Set using Segments from the context menu.
    Note: The options available depend on the solver keyword selected.
  2. In the corresponding panel, select elements, nodes, or segments then click proceed/add.
  3. Click return to exit the panel.

Create and Edit Parameters

In the LS-DYNA, OptiStruct, and Radioss user profiles, certain entities can be defined with parameters in the Entity Editor.

Create and Assign a New Parameter

  1. Right-click on a parameter assignment field then select Create and Assign Parameter from the context menu.
  2. In the Create Parameter dialog, define the new parameter by changing the Parameter type and Expression value.
    When the Card Image and Parameter type are set to expression, the Expression value field becomes active.
    Note: The Entity Editor currently supports the following types of parameters: Double, Integer, Double Expression, and Integer Expression.
  3. In the Expression value field, enter a valid expression.
  4. When you are finished defining the parameter, click Close.
    The Entity Editor creates and assigns the parameter to the selected entity.
    Note: These parameters can be used in HyperStudy for design exploration and optimization.


    Figure 28.

Edit a Parameter

  1. Right-click on a parameter assignment field then select Edit Parameter from the context menu.
  2. In the Edit Parameter dialog, modify the parameter's data.
  3. When you are finished making changes, click Close.


    Figure 29.

Parameterize and Unparameterize Entities

For any solver entity, you can parameterize most of the solver template data of a numeric value in the Entity Editor.

Parameterize an Entity

  1. Right-click on a solver data field then select Select Parameter/Parameterize from the context menu.
  2. In the Select Parameter dialog, select a parameter from the list of valid types.
  3. Click OK.


    Figure 30. Parameter Rho is being Parameterized with the Parameter param1.

Unparameterize an Entity

When a solver data field is parameterized, you can unparameterize it or assign it a different parameter.
Right-click on the field then select Unparameterize from the context menu.


Figure 31. Parameter Rho is being Unparameterized with the Parameter param1.

Filter Entities

Filter the entities that are not applicable to the entity displayed in the Entity Editor.

Right-click on an entity then toggle the Filter Entities option in the context menu.
When off, all of the entities available in the model will display in the Select dialog or Entity Selection panel.
In the image below, the Entity Editor is activated for the component bumper, which is of type *PART. For this example, assume that the Filter is activated. If you were to assign a property to this component using the Select dialog, seven properties would be available, even though the model contains a total of nine. The two properties that are filtered out cannot be assigned to a *PART of LS-DYNA. The status bar also displays a message that says seven of nine properties are being filtered using a filter criteria, and in this case it is an IdPool filter.


Figure 32.
If you deactivate the filter, the Select dialog will display all of the properties in the model.


Figure 33.

Warn Upon Entity Type Change

Display a warning dialog when changing information in the Entity Editor.

Any changes that you make in the Entity Editor will be automatically applied. Some of the changes may be irreversible.
  1. To confirm changes before they are made, activate the Warn upon entity type change option in the right-click context menu.
    When this option is activated, a Confirmation dialog will appear every time you make a change in the Entity Editor.
  2. To proceed, you must click Yes or No.
    By default, the Warn upon entity type change option is activated. If you do not want to display this message every time you make a change, you can deactivate this option.

View an ID List for Set Entities

Set entities are used to define and store lists of entity IDs for a specific entity.

Sets can be generated for nodes, elements, components, assemblies, properties, materials, ellipsoids, multibody planes, multibody joints, and multibodies which contain entity IDs for that specific entity. In the Entity Editor, you can view an ID list for set entities. The entity IDs are compacted using ranges, and segregated using ID pools. If some of the IDs are unresolved, than they will be listed separately under Unresolved IDs.

  1. Right-click on the Entity IDs field then select ID List from the context menu.
  2. In the ID List dialog, review a list of all of the entity IDs.
  3. When you are finished, click Close.


    Figure 34.

View Xref Entities

To open the Reference Browser and view a hierarchical tree structure that displays the relationship of a selected entity in the Entity Editor to other entities and parameters in the model, right-click on a field and select Xref entities from the context menu.
In the image below, the Reference Browser displays the entities related to the Property entity of the component bumper. If you select an entity from the Reference Browser, the Entity Editor will open and display your entity selection's corresponding data in a non-editable form.


Figure 35.