Plane and Vector Selector

Several panels require that you define a plane or a vector (direction) to perform a certain function. For example, the Translate panel requires that you define the direction of translation, while the Reflect panel requires a plane for the creation of the mirror images of the entities selected.

BasicFEA takes advantage of the following principle: a plane can be defined with a vector (the plane is normal to the vector specified), just as a vector can be defined with a plane (the vector is normal to the plane specified). Either can be defined via the plane and vector selector - a group of items that work in concert to define planes or vectors, as needed:

The plane and vector selector

This selector is broken down into the following items. Note, however, that not every item appears at all times; only the items necessary for the current BasicFEA function will display.

Option

Description

switch

The switch is used to select the method for defining the plane or vector. The options available are:

plane_vector_selector_popup_menu

•	Use x-axis, y-axis and z-axis to define the first, second or third axis respectively of a coordinate system in your model. This coordinate system may be the global coordinate system, or a local system when one can be explicitly specified. Local systems may be rectangular, cylindrical or spherical.

•	Choose vector to specify a vector entity (created in the Vectors panel). This includes vectors defining coordinate systems, and loads as well.

•	Use N1, N2, N3 to define a vector (N1,N2), or plane (N1,N2,N3). When defining a plane, the resulting vector is normal to this plane following the right hand rule, and passes through either N1 or the base node (if one is specified).

Double-click a node’s button (N1, N2, or N3, or B) to type in coordinates rather than selecting existing nodes in your model.

B (base node)

Use this selector to define the base node — the point in space where the vector or plane is located. For example, selecting a plane of projection using the x-axis does not define the location of the plane entirely. A base node provides the extra information.

Note that when using the N1, N2, N3 option, BasicFEA uses N1 as a default base node if no other base node is specified.

reset

Allows you to clear your selection (vector, N1,N2,N3 and base).

Note:

BasicFEA treats second-order elements just like first-order ones for the majority of these checks. However, Jacobian and Chordal Deviation checks will return slightly different results for second-order elements than they will for first-order ones. For example, second-order elements may produce less chordal deviation, but might also produce a worse Jacobian value.

Plane and Vector Selector

Plane and Vector Selector

Plane and Vector Selector

See Also: