MSC.Explore Version 2006 User's Guide

MSC.Explore

MSC.Explore User’s GuideVersion 2006

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Disclaimer

This documentation, as well as the software described in it, is furnished under license and may be used only in accordance with the terms of such license.

MSC.Software Corporation reserves the right to make changes in specifications and other information contained in this document without prior notice.

The concepts, methods, and examples presented in this text are for illustrative and educational purposes only, and are not intended to be exhaustive or to apply to any particular engineering problem or design. MSC.Software Corporation assumes no liability or responsibility to any person or company for direct or indirect damages resulting from the use of any information contained herein.

User Documentation: Copyright 2006 MSC.Software Corporation. Printed in U.S.A. All Rights Reserved.

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MSC, MSC/, MSC., MSC.Dytran, MSC.Fatigue, MSC.Marc, MSC.Patran, MSC.Patran Analysis Manager, MSC.Patran CATXPRES, MSC.Patran FEA, MSC.Patran Laminate Modeler, MSC.Patran Materials, MSC.Patran Thermal, MSC.Patran Queue Manager and PATRAN are trademarks or registered trademarks of MSC.Software Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.

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EXP*V2006*Z*Z*Z*DC-USR

C O N T E N T SMSC.Explore User’s Guide MSC.Explore User’s Guide,

1Introduction � Overview, 2

❑ Benefits, 2

� Architecture and Capabilities, 3

� Integration of MSC.Explore with MSC.Nastran and MSC.Patran, 5

� About This Guide, 7- Critical Load Determination, 7- Loads Summation, 7- Convenience Tools, 7- Results Database Management, 7

2Getting Started � Overview, 10

� Prerequisites, 14❑ Software Requirements, 14❑ Hardware Requirements, 14❑ Audience, 14

� Invoking MSC.Explore, 15

� Settings.pcl Entries, 16

� Graphical User Interface, 18❑ MSC.Explore Forms, 18❑ MSC.Explore Output, 20

- Text Output Example, 20- HTML Output Example, 22- Graphics Output Example, 23

3General Information

� Introduction, 26- Max/Min Sorting, 26- Ranking, 26- Envelope, 26- Ranked Envelope, 27

- Free Body, 27- XY Plot, 27- Report, 28- Extract Subcases, 28- Information, 28- Load Combination, 28

� Limitations, 29

� Using MSC.Explore Forms, 30❑ Critical Load Determination, 30

- Max/Min Sorting, 30- Ranking, 32

❑ Ranked Envelope, 34- Envelope, 36

❑ Loads Summation, 38- Free Body, 38- Report, 39

❑ Convenience Tools, 42- XY Plot, 42

❑ Results Database Management, 44- Information, 44- Extract Subcases, 45

❑ Load Combination, 45

4Using MSC.Explore

� Using MSC.Explore Functions, 48

� Critical Load Determination, 49❑ Max/Min Sorting, 49

- Max/Min Main Form, 50- Max/Min Target Entity, 51- Max/Min Target Entity (Elements or Nodes), 52- Max/Min Target Entity (Properties or Groups), 53- Max/Min Export, 54- Max/Min Output Results, 55

❑ Rank, 56- Rank Main Form, 57- Rank Target Entity (Current Viewport, All Properties, All

Elements, or All Nodes), 59- Rank Target Entity (Elements or Nodes), 60- Rank Target Entity (Properties or Groups), 61- Rank Export, 62- Rank Output Results, 63

❑ Ranked Envelope, 64❑ Creating Ranked Envelopes, 66

❑ Plotting Envelopes, 70- Single Envelope Plots, 70- Envelope Comparison Plots, 70

❑ Fringe Plots, 71- Envelope Selection, 71- Target Entities, 73- Display Attributes, 74- Plot Options, 75

❑ Label Plots, 76- Envelope Selection, 76- Target Entities, 78- Display Attributes, 79- Plot Options, 83

❑ Reports, 84- Envelope Selection, 84- Target Entities, 84- Display Attributes, 84- Plot Options, 86- Export, 87

❑ Sample Reports, 88❑ Deleting Envelopes, 91❑ Importing and Exporting Envelopes, 92

- Importing Envelopes, 92- Exporting Envelopes, 93

❑ pref_env_set_string(“MSCEXPLORE_RENV_EXPORT_EXT”, “exp”), 94

❑ Envelope, 95- Envelope Main Form, 96- Envelope Target Entity - Current Viewport, All Properties, All

Elements, or All Nodes), 98- Envelope Target Entity - (Elements or Nodes), 99- Envelope Target Entity - (Properties or Groups), 100- Envelope Attributes, 101- Envelope Export, 102- Envelope Output Results, 103

� Loads Summation, 104❑ Free Body, 104

- Free Body Main Form, 105- Free Body Target Entity (Select by Entities), 106- Free Body Target Entity (Select by Groups), 107- Free Body Display Attribute, 108- Free Body Spreadsheet, 108- Free Body Export, 109- Free Body Spreadsheet Output, 110

❑ Report, 111

- Report Main Form, 112- Report Target Entity, 113- Report Export, 114- Report Output, 115

� Convenience Tools, 117❑ XY Plot, 117

- XY Plot Main Menu, 118- XY Plot Post/Unpost, 119- XY Plot Target Entity, 120- XY Plot Curve Display Attributes, 121- XY Plot Graph Display, 122- XY Plot Axis Format Subform, 123- XY Plot Legend Format Subform, 124- XY Plot Grid Lines Format Subform, 125- XY Plot Tick Marks Format, 126- XY Plot Export, 127- XY Plot Output, 128

� Results Database Management, 129❑ Extract Subcases, 129

- Extract Subcases Main Form, 130- Extract Subcases Subform, 131

❑ Information, 132- Information Main Form, 133- Information Output, 134

❑ Load Combination, 135- Load Combination Main Form, 135

❑ Load Combination (*.lcf) File Format and Restrictions., 137

AUsing MSC.Explore PCL Functions

� MSC.Explore PCL Functions, 140❑ PCL Functions, 140

- Session File Functions, 140- User Functions, 149- Envelope Data Functions, 151

INDEX MSC.Explore User’s Guide, 157

MSC.Explore User’s Guide

CHAPTER

1 Introduction

� Overview

� Architecture and Capabilities

� Integration of MSC.Explore with MSC.Nastran and MSC.Patran

� About This Guide

2

1.1 OverviewMSC.Explore is a complementary module of MSC.Patran to enable rapid identification and visualization of critical design results from MSC.Nastran analyses. This is a single program with many capabilities. MSC.Explore provides a new way of looking at MSC.Nastran results across multiple load cases and multiple result files instead of the traditional one-load-case at a time approach. MSC.Explore uses an efficient GUI interface for selecting and viewing results. This single tool processes Static, Transient and Frequency Response Analyses and produces web-based HTML and ASCII text output in addition to graphical output.

BenefitsUsing MSC.Explore has many advantages because it:

• Comprises a single program with many capabilities that incorporates industry-wide methods and expertise.

• Processes Static, Transient, and Frequency Response Analyses with one tool and gives faster and more reliable critical design information.

• Efficiently processes MSC.Nastran results from a large number of load cases.

• Substantially reduces the time spent analyzing MSC.Nastran results.

• Manages large volumes of data better than any other commercial preprocessor or postprocessor and facilitates large-scale analyses by MSC.Software.

• Automates the results-synthesis by incorporating large amounts of results data among multiple results files.

• Provides a low-cost, low-maintenance tool that avoids high-cost maintenance and development of in-house code.

• Analyzes larger FEA model results using current hardware resources.

• Requires neither an additional translator program nor additional intermediate files which save disk space.

• Produces output that is web-based HTML as well as ASCII report output.

This User’s Guide documents the current release of MSC.Explore.

3CHAPTER 1Introduction

1.2 Architecture and CapabilitiesMSC.Explore is a module to MSC.Patran that extends its capabilities to better support critical loads survey. As shown in Figure 1-1, the module can accept as inputs any number of MSC.Nastran results databases (ResultsDB) and operates on them under user control to identify and filter the critical loads. Static, transient and frequency response results are all supported. The results obtained by the user on filtering these data can be presented in HTML form (on a user-selected browser), at text files (again, optionally displayed on a user-selected editor). User's can elect to save these files (either HTML or text) to use later in reports or as input files to downstream processes. Finally, MSC.Explore can create a new ResultsDB that contains only the filtered subset of data that the user has defined. These may be "critical" cases for further study or can simply be for archival collections. Again, these (potentially much smaller) collections may be used again in MSC.Explore, in MSC.Patran or in downstream processes.

Figure 1-1 MSC.Explore Architecture Overview

4

Figure 1-1 provides a simplistic overview of the MSC.Explore architecture.

MSC.Explore can examine both nodal results (displacements, velocities, accelerations and grid point forces) and element results (stresses, strains, etc.). These results (for a common FE model) are logically combined by MSC.Explore into a single pool of results across which surveys can be performed. In most cases, the results are reports which can be written as text files, HTML files or both. Further, either form of output can be displayed immediately (in the user-defined browser/editor) or simply saved for later use. In some cases, (e.g., Envelope), the results can also include graphical display on the FE mode. Again, the form of output can be controlled by the users.

Another set of features in MSC.Explore allows you to manage the collections of results databases. MSC.Explore allows you to visualize the contents of one or more results databases and, if desired, to merge a subset of these result cases into a new (single) results database. Thus, you can see what you have and also partition/merge the cases into more easily managed collections.

Finally, MSC.Explore supplies convenience tools to simplify the creation of xy plot data (either graphically or textual). These data are possible to create in standard Patran, but MSC.Explore is faster and simpler to use and is tailored to provide the data that are useful in critical loads survey.


1.3 Integration of MSC.Explore with MSC.Nastran and MSC.PatranMSC.Explore represents an integration of MSC.Nastran and MSC.Patran products, as shown in Figure 1-1.

MSC.Explore is comprised of a Patran PCL library (PLB) and an executable program (msc-explore) as well as a number of icon files, menu definition files and other small components. These files are installed onto an installation of MSC.Patran to allow the MSC.Explore program to function. You should refer to the installation notes with the delivery for details, but, as a general overview, there are two different kinds of installations that are supported: a system wide installation and a local user installation. In the system wide installation, the MSC.Patran install directory is modified to contain the MSC.Explore files. All user's of that MSC.Patran installation will then have access to MSC.Explore for their use in all MSC.Patran sessions. In the local install, a single user's local MSC.Patran configuration files (e.g., p3midilog.pcl) is used to point to a local installation. Only that user will see the installation. Details on these two installation forms are included in the installation guide.

MSC.Explore depends upon standard MSC.Patran for handling the model data. All modeling, job creation, FE visualization, etc. is done using standard MSC.Patran functions. MSC.Explore, however, enables one to simultaneously attach numerous "Results Databases." From these attachments, MSC.Explore then operates to perform critical load determination and other actions. A presumption of MSC.Explore is that the model(s) in the MSC.Patran database are the same (by external identification) as those in the set of results databases. In addition, for certain actions in MSC.Explore, one must have certain results on the ResultsDB. For example, the "Free Body Tool" requires Grid Point Force data. The user must ensure that these data are requested for output and stored on the MSC.Nastran Results Database(s).

Currently, the Results Databases that are supported by MSC.Explore are the XDB (PARAM, POST, 0) outputs from MSC.Nastran. And, these databases must be of the statics or dynamics analysis classes. MSC.Explore is restricted to operating on either statics results or dynamics results in a single session--it cannot operate on combined results. Note that the MSC.Patran XDB attachment is independent from that of the MSC.Explore results database attachment--so if you want to have both attachments, you must (and can) separately attach the files.

MSC.Explore contains several user-defined selections for output options. Among these are optional selections to display text reports and HTML reports. Associated with these options are the names of executable programs that you want to use to view these results (a text editor, for the text files and a web browser for the HTML files). These options (along with other MSC.Explore options) are saved between sessions in your local "settings.pcl" file.

6

For example:

Default values are set upon first use and your settings are then retained from session to session.

pref_env_set_logical( "msc_explore_html_export_flag", TRUE )

pref_env_set_logical( "msc_explore_disp_text", FALSE )

pref_env_set_logical( "msc_explore_disp_html", TRUE )

pref_env_set_logical( "msc_explore_import_res", TRUE )

pref_env_set_logical( "msc_explore_disp_res", TRUE )

pref_env_set_logical( "msc_explore_write_res", TRUE )

pref_env_set_string( "msc_explore_cmd_disp_html", "netscape" )

pref_env_set_logical( "msc_explore_display_res", TRUE )

pref_env_set_logical( "msc_explore_auto_sprd_flag", TRUE )

pref_env_set_string( "msc_explore_cmd_disp_text", "C:\Programs\emacs-20.7\bin\emacs.exe" )

pref_env_set_logical(“AutoExecuteRankedEnvelope”, TRUE)

pref_env_set_string(“MSCEXPLORE_RENV_IMPORT_EXT”, “in”)

pref_env_set_string(“MSCEXPLORE_RENV_EXPORT_EXT”, “exp”

pref_env_set_string(“MSCEXPLORE_RENV_REPORT_EXT”, “rpt”)

pref_env_set_real(“MSCEXPLORE_RENV_TITLE_OFFSET, 2.5)


1.4 About This GuideThis MSC.Explore User’s Guide describes in detail the features of MSC.Explore. The guide is organized to emphasize the graphical nature of MSC.Explore.

Chapter 1

Introduction - Supplies an overview and includes the architecture and capabilities as well as the Integration of MSC.Nastran and MSC.Patran.

Chapter 2

Getting Started - Gives prerequisites, starting MSC.Explore and common GUI information.

Chapter 3

General Information - Outlines the MSC.Explore functions and gives the limitations of the program.

Chapter 4

Using MSC.Explore - Details all MSC.Explore functions and options including menus and example output.

The following lists how this manual has been divided into subsections within Chapter 4 to explain each function of MSC.Explore.

Critical Load Determination

• Max/Min Sorting

• Ranking

• Envelope

• Ranked Envelopes

Loads Summation

• Free Body

• Report

Convenience Tools

• XY Plot

Results Database Management

• Info

8

• Extract Subcases

• Load Combination

This document is intended to provide a thorough introduction to MSC.Explore, but it can address only a small fraction of the topics that are involved with the system. MSC has many other related documents and the user is advised to search out these relevant publications. Four especially important ones are:

• MSC.Nastran Linear Static Analysis

• MSC.Nastran Basic Dynamics Analysis

• MSC.Nastran Aeroelastic Analysis User’s Guide

• MSC.Patran User’s Guide

The MSC Bookstore is on the World Wide Web at www.mscsoftware.com; select the engineering-e.com tab and the BooksMart button to display a comprehensive list of publications available from MSC.Software.


CHAPTER

2 Getting Started

� Overview

� Prerequisites

� Invoking MSC.Explore

� Settings.pcl Entries

� Graphical User Interface

10

2.1 OverviewMSC.Explore is a complementary module of MSC.Patran to enable rapid identification and visualization of critical design results from MSC.Nastran analyses.

The following table lists the functions available in MSC.Explore including a description, use, input and output that are available.

Function Description/Purpose/Input/Output

Load Combination Description: Derive new Statics results as linear combinations of existing Statics results and save these new results to a new Results DB. The new Results DB can then be used in other MSC.Explore survey functions like max/min, ranked envelope, etc.Purpose: Provides a rapid means to generate critical cases for survey from a base set of "unit" cases.Input: Any set of results database(s) and a set of combination data; either from a "load combination file" or from interactive definition in the GUI.Output: Produces a new Results DB

Max/Min Sorting Description: Finds Maximum and Minimum results for every result component across all loading conditions, time steps and frequencies. Max/Min identifies critical load cases based on selected criteria and identifies the location and the Element IDs and lists corresponding other results components.Max/Min shows the corresponding subcase, Results Database File, Time and Frequency values.Purpose: Enables the user to look at the overall response of a structure across all load cases for all response components. This helps identify the max/min response for all variables under all loading conditions. This is a quick way of looking into overall behavior of the structure.Input: Any set of results database(s).Output: Produces HTML and ASCII documentation.

11CHAPTER 2Getting Started

Ranking Description: Find the top “n” Element and Grid result quantities across all selected results components. Identifies critical load cases based on selected criteria. Reports Max and Min top “n” results. Lists all associated results corresponding to selected com-ponents Results Database file for each case.Purpose: Max/Min identifies only one single max/min response whereas ranking provides "n" highest/lowest response of a selected component. If a badly shaped element or improper use of a rigid element causes high stresses, then this option provides the response level of up to the next "n" highly stressed elements. Also helps identify high stress concentration areas. Input: Any set of results database(s).Output: Produces HTML and ASCII report documentation.

Envelope Description: Finds critical results for each individual Element and Grid across all load cases. Allows user to see “worst-case” scenario from all loading conditions. Chooses Absolute Maxi-mum, Algebraic Maximum or Algebraic Minimum. Displays graphic results in MSC.Patran. Applies the “threshold value” fil-ter on the resulting fringe plot. Identify critical load cases based on the selected component.Purpose: Provides the maximum response of all or groups of ele-ments/grids. This helps understand the optimum design of struc-ture. It also helps study the relative conservative/nonconservative design area under all loading conditions. It also helps choose crit-ical loads by component.Input: Any set of results database(s), subsection of Absolute Max, Algebraic Max or Algebraic Min.Output: Produces HTML and ASCII documentation and fringe displays on FE models.


12

Ranked Envelope Description: Create a set of Envelopes as in "Envelope" of the "n" worst cases. These cases can then be compared to one another as the rankings are persistent after creation. Also, there are fea-tures in plotting, printing, labeling. Finally one can import/export envelopes from/to other programs for graphical comparison.Purpose: Provides the maximum response of all or groups of ele-ments/grids. This helps understand the optimum design of struc-ture. It also helps study the relative conservative/nonconservative design area under all loading conditions. It also helps choose crit-ical loads by component.Input: Any set of results database(s), subsection of Absolute Max, Algebraic Max or Algebraic Min.Output: Produces HTML and ASCII documentation and fringe displays on FE models. In addition, fringes of comparisons of envelopes can be created to allow "what-if" studies of envelopes across other data (e.g., material choices, load sets, etc.).

Free Body Tool Description: Obtains and displays Free-Body Resultant about any location across any section of model based on Grid Point Force data. Includes or excludes SPC, MPC and Applied Load contribution. Transforms results to any coordinate system. Obtains Max/Min resultant across all selected load cases.Purpose: Helps the analyst understand the load path and the accumulation of load at different sections of the structure.Input: Any set of results database(s) with Grid Point Force results.Output: Produces HTML and ASCII documentation and associ-ated graphical display of resultant free body loads.

XY Plot Description: Plots how responses vary with Subcase, Time or Frequency. Customizes axes, scales, legends, and etc. Easy and convenient way of selecting result quantity.Purpose: Helps visualize the response with respect to time/fre-quencies and helps identify fundamental frequency or critical time under dynamic loads. You can also see variations across subcases in xy plots.Input: Any set of results databases.Output: ASCII (.xy) file to import into a spreadsheet.



Report Description: Extracts results from Results Database files for selected Elements and Grids.Purpose: Gives detailed results of selected Grids/Elements for detailed investigation or for a report without rerunning the Nas-tran analysis.Input: Any set of results databases.Output: Produces HTML and ASCII documentation.

Extract Subcases Description: Extracts selected Load Cases from multiple Results Database files and creates a new single Results Database file con-taining only the selected data.Purpose: Eliminates the need to store results produced by insig-nificant loading conditions. Also helps the user keep and distrib-ute only critical data to other users or subcontractors.Input: Any set of results databases.Output: Creates Results Database files containing only critical load cases.

Information

(Tables of Con-tents)

Description: Displays the table of contents for the types of results available in all the Results Database files.Purpose: Provides users with a quick look at what kind of results are available in various result databases.Input: Any set of results databases.Output: Provides summary of the results archived on Results Database files by subcase and results type.


14

2.2 Prerequisites

Software Requirements• MSC.Explore is based on MSC.Nastran and MSC.Patran and supports:

• MSC.Patran Version 8.5 or higher

• MSC.Nastran Version 68.2 or higher

Hardware Requirements• Windows NT

• Hewlett-Packard

• IBM/RISC

• Silicon Graphics

• Sun/Solaris

• Windows NT

• Dec-Alpha

• LINUX

AudienceThis manual assumes that the reader is somewhat familiar with both MSC.Patran and MSC.Nastran in their general usage and concepts. It also presumes that the reader understands the notions and methods of critical loads determination and has had some exposure to the nomenclature of that engineering activity. The particular processes that are performed by MSC.Explore are defined in general ways and should be sufficient for the intended audience to apply the MSC.Explore tools to assist in critical loads determination.


2.3 Invoking MSC.Explore After installation, MSC.Explore is added to your MSC.Patran Tools menu via the commands contained in the "mscexplore_init.pcl" file that is, in turn, invoked by the installation's additions to p3midilog.pcl or p3_init.pcl. (Under the Tools menu, appears as "MSC.Explore...".) To invoke MSC.Explore, select the Tools function from the MSC.Patran main menu bar and then select the MSC.Explore option as in the following example menu.

After the main menu for MSC.Explore displays, you can move around within MSC.Explore by selecting the Action that defines the function that you want and, in general, selecting options using the options icons and eventually choosing the Apply button invoking the Action with the specified options (refer to section 2.4 for more details). A general description of each of the MSC.Explore main options can be found in Chapter 3.

16

2.4 Settings.pcl EntriesMSC.Explore represents an integration of MSC.Nastran and MSC.Patran products, as shown in Figure 1-1.

MSC.Explore is comprised of a Patran PCL library (PLB) and an executable program (msc-explore) as well as a number of icon files, menu definition files and other small components. These files are installed onto an installation of MSC.Patran to allow the MSC.Explore program to function. You should refer to the installation notes with the delivery for details, but, as a general overview, there are two different kinds of installations that are supported: a system wide installation and a local user installation. In the system wide installation, the MSC.Patran install directory is modified to contain the MSC.Explore files. All user's of that MSC.Patran installation will then have access to MSC.Explore for their use in all MSC.Patran sessions. In the local install, a single user's local MSC.Patran configuration files (e.g., p3midilog.pcl) is used to point to a local installation. Only that user will see the installation. Details on these two installation forms are included in the installation guide.

MSC.Explore depends upon standard MSC.Patran for handling the model data. All modeling, job creation, FE visualization, etc. is done using standard MSC.Patran functions. MSC.Explore, however, enables one to simultaneously attach numerous "Results Databases." From these attachments, MSC.Explore then operates to perform critical load determination and other actions. A presumption of MSC.Explore is that the model(s) in the MSC.Patran database are the same (by external identification) as those in the set of results databases. In addition, for certain actions in MSC.Explore, one must have certain results on the ResultsDB. For example, the "Free Body Tool" requires Grid Point Force data. The user must ensure that these data are requested for output and stored on the MSC.Nastran Results Database(s).

Currently, the Results Databases that are supported by MSC.Explore are the XDB (PARAM, POST, 0) outputs from MSC.Nastran. And, these databases must be of the statics or dynamics analysis classes. MSC.Explore is restricted to operating on either statics results or dynamics results in a single session--it cannot operate on combined results. Note that the MSC.Patran XDB attachment is independent from that of the MSC.Explore results database attachment--so if you want to have both attachments, you must (and can) separately attach the files.

MSC.Explore contains several user-defined selections for output options. Among these are optional selections to display text reports and HTML reports. Associated with these options are the names of executable programs that you want to use to view these results (a text editor, for the text files and a web browser for the HTML files). These options (along with other MSC.Explore options) are saved between sessions in your local "settings.pcl" file.


For example:

pref_env_set_logical( "msc_explore_html_export_flag", TRUE )

pref_env_set_logical( "msc_explore_disp_text", FALSE )

pref_env_set_logical( "msc_explore_disp_html", TRUE )

pref_env_set_logical( "msc_explore_import_res", TRUE )

pref_env_set_logical( "msc_explore_disp_res", TRUE )

pref_env_set_logical( "msc_explore_write_res", TRUE )

pref_env_set_string( "msc_explore_cmd_disp_html", "netscape" )

pref_env_set_logical( "msc_explore_display_res", TRUE )

pref_env_set_logical( "msc_explore_auto_sprd_flag", TRUE )

pref_env_set_string( "msc_explore_cmd_disp_text", "C:\Programs\emacs-20.7\bin\emacs.exe" )


Can be used to change the behavior of the fringe and label Display Attributes form. By default, this form follows the MSC.Patran convention where choices are made but not executed until the Apply button is selected. Setting this variable to TRUE causes MSC.Patran to create the plot immediately after a display attribute is changed, i.e., edge width, etc.


Sets the default file extension for a user-defined envelope import file.

pref_env_set_string(“MSCEXPLORE_RENV_EXPORT_EXT”, “exp”)

Sets the default file extension for a user-defined envelope export file

pref_env_set_string(“MSCEXPLORE_RENV_REPORT_EXT”, “rpt”)

Sets the default file extension for a user-defined envelope report file.

pref_env_set_real(“MSCEXPLORE_RENV_TITLE_OFFSET, 2.5)

Sets the vertical spacing between result case names (XDB Id:Subcase Id) for a single envelope plot when the Print Cases toggle is selected.

18

2.5 Graphical User Interface The previous section introduced the high level MSC.Explore menus. This section provides a brief general description of the use of forms in the system. The conventions discussed here are those of MSC.Patran.

MSC.Explore FormsAll MSC.Explore forms contain an Action option at the top of the menu. Under this option menu there are a set of icons. The number of icons displayed as well as which icons are displayed vary depending on the Action that was selected. It is the selected or highlighted icon that determines the purpose and look of the rest of the form.

The user selects the Action and the appropriate icon and then fills out the form from top to bottom. The MSC.Explore forms are similar to the Result forms in MSC.Patran in that there are no OK buttons on the form to save the data you just entered. There is only an Apply button which is used to process all data entered for the selected Action. After all the data is defined, by values in each form across all the forms for which there are icons, you can choose the Apply and the Action is performed. Therefore, you must wait until you have traversed all the subforms by selecting the icons associated with the action.

Note: When an icon is highlighted (dark), it is activated and is usable. When an icon is not highlighted (light), it has not been activated and is not usable until chosen.

Icons used to determinewhat the rest of the formlooks like and which class

SelectedIcon

- Select subcase- Target Entity selection- Target Entity attributes- Spreadsheet layout - Output File layout

of data to enter. Theseinclude:


To complete the fields in the lower portion of the form, the user may either click on toggle buttons, select from pulldown menus, select group names or IDs or other numerical data, depending on the requested information. Special selection menus also display to help select entities in the viewport; this displays their numeric IDs in the currently selected form field. After all the fields on the form are completed, go to the next form for the selected Action or click on Apply to execute the desired operation.

Note: You need to remember NOT to select the Apply button until you have gone through and entered the desired data on ALL the forms associated with the selected Action. After you are done entering data on the Select Subcase form you must go to the other forms via the icons before selecting the Apply button.

20

MSC.Explore OutputMSC.Explore is very versatile in that you are allowed to create output in many different formats. There are two main types of output:

• Text or HTML Output

• Graphics Output

The text output allows you to choose either text or HTML format or both and the graphics output allows you to visualize the results on the FE model within the MSC.Patran viewport.

The text file output can be used as the basis for reports or as inputs to other computational processes that can parse the data that are produced (e.g., spreadsheet programs or Perl scripts). The HTML files can be used to distribute summary data or can form the basis of web or paper reports.

The HTML output is hyperlinked to allow you (using various options) to move among the output selecting by property ID, element ID, subcase or other high-level identifier. This allows you to create a small document that simplifies the quick examination of the right key information needed to determine critical loads. In this manual the HTML documents are often shown as examples but the real value of flexibility of this output format cannot be shown in the manual--you must create these reports and follow the hyperlinks! The following gives examples of these types of output.

Text Output ExampleTHIS PROGRAM IS CONFIDENTIAL AND A TRADE SECRET OF THE MSC.SOFTWARE CORPORATION. THE RECEIPT ORPOSSESSION OF THIS PROGRAM DOES NOT CONVEY ANY RIGHTS TO REPRODUCE OR DISCLOSE ITS CONTENTS, OR TOMANUFACTURE, USE, OR SELL ANYTHING HEREIN, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, WITHOUT THE SPECIFIC WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE MSC.Software CORPORATION.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * THE * * * * MSC.Software Corporation * * * * * * * * M S C / E x p l o r e * * * * * * * * VERSION - 200x (Sep 01 200x) * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

MSC/Explore -----------------------------------------------------

Date (Run-Date) : 12/19/0x Directory : D:\p3_test User Input File Name : a101a.inp xdb:D:\p3_test/a101a.xdb title: opt:Rank html:YES resp:Stress flag:PID List:ALL howmany:5,4


xdb # File Name ----- ---------------------------- 1 D:\p3_test/a101a.xdb

*** Maximum/Minimum for Pid : 11 - PBAR *** ============================================================================

*** Element Ranking Based on Stress : Sf -A

Results for Maximum -----------------------

Elem_ID Sub_Case xdb Sc -A Sd -A Se -A Sf -A Sc -B Sd -B Se -B Sf -B Axial 101 113 1 -7.50915E+01 6.82678E-02 -6.82678E-02 7.50915E+01 -5.40697E+01 3.65986E-01 -3.65986E-01 5.40697E+01 7.63247E+01 101 112 1 -7.44172E+01 -7.44172E+01 7.44172E+01 7.44172E+01 -5.32018E+01 -5.32018E+01 5.32018E+01 5.32018E+01 1.45427E+02 102 113 1 -5.43258E+01 6.22147E-01 -6.22147E-01 5.43258E+01 -3.79273E+01 6.75251E-01 -6.75251E-01 3.79273E+01 6.17480E+01 102 112 1 -5.32018E+01 -5.32018E+01 5.32018E+01 5.32018E+01 -3.68472E+01 -3.68472E+01 3.68472E+01 3.68472E+01 1.17235E+02 103 113 1 -3.81977E+01 9.45614E-01 -9.45614E-01 3.81977E+01 -2.66946E+01 -3.04918E-02 3.04918E-02 2.66946E+01 6.25054E+01

Results for Minimum -----------------------

Elem_ID Sub_Case xdb Sc -A Sd -A Se -A Sf -A Sc -B Sd -B Se -B Sf -B Axial 101 111 1 8.29049E+01 -8.41168E+01 8.41168E+01 -8.29049E+01 5.99822E+01 -6.09859E+01 6.09859E+01 -5.99822E+01 7.22220E+00 102 111 1 6.05515E+01 -6.15552E+01 6.15552E+01 -6.05515E+01 4.24868E+01 -4.32967E+01 4.32967E+01 -4.24868E+01 6.26137E+00 103 111 1 4.30876E+01 -4.38975E+01 4.38975E+01 -4.30876E+01 2.92357E+01 -3.00177E+01 3.00177E+01 -2.92357E+01 6.63471E+00 104 111 1 2.98416E+01 -3.06236E+01 3.06236E+01 -2.98416E+01 1.98579E+01 -2.05868E+01 2.05868E+01 -1.98579E+01 5.52526E+00 105 111 1 2.04437E+01 -2.11726E+01 2.11726E+01 -2.04437E+01 1.37785E+01 -1.44551E+01 1.44551E+01 -1.37785E+01 4.51663E+00

...

... <Lines deleted for clarity>

...

Critical Subcase Summary ========================

Following table shows how many times each subcase appeared based on selected sort-criteria and entities.

SubCase ID xdb # No of times Percentage ========== ===== =========== ========== 113 1 26 34.21 % =========================================================== 112 1 25 32.89 % ========================================================= 111 1 25 32.89 % =========================================================

SubCase ID : 113 XDB : 1 File Name : D:\p3_test/a101a.xdb Title : CANTILEVERED BEAM MADE OF PLATES SubTitle : A101A COMBINED - LOAD CASE 3 Label :

SubCase ID : 112 XDB : 1 File Name : D:\p3_test/a101a.xdb Title : CANTILEVERED BEAM MADE OF PLATES SubTitle : A101A DUMMY TITLE FOR LOAD CASE 2 Label :

SubCase ID : 111 XDB : 1 File Name : D:\p3_test/a101a.xdb Title : CANTILEVERED BEAM MADE OF PLATES SubTitle : A101A GRAV IN Y LOAD CASE 1 Label :

* * * End of Job * * *

22

HTML Output Example

Hyperlink to specific results. In this case, a property-based ranking summary.


Graphics Output Example

24


CHAPTER

3 General Information

� Introduction

� Limitations

� Using MSC.Explore Forms

26

3.1 IntroductionMSC.Explore is a complementary module of MSC.Patran to enable rapid identification and visualization of critical design results from MSC.Nastran analyses. This is a single program with many capabilities. MSC.Explore provides a new way of looking at MSC.Nastran results across multiple load cases and multiple result files instead of the traditional one-load-case at a time approach. MSC.Explore uses an efficient GUI interface for selecting and viewing results. This single tool processes Static, Transient and Frequency Response Analyses and produces web-based HTML and ASCII text output in addition to graphical output.

MSC.Explore has eight separate functions that it can perform. Each of these has numerous features that are briefly summarized in the following:

Max/Min Sorting

• Finds maximum and minimum results for every result component across all loading conditions/time steps/frequencies.

• Identifies the critical few loading conditions from large quantities of results data.

• Extracts relevant data for subcomponent of overall structure.

• Evaluates which loading conditions are causing the most concern.

• Reduces time spent analyzing MSC.Nastran results.

• Produces HTML or text documentation.

Ranking

• Finds top “n” Elements/Grids result quantities across all selected results cases based on the selected results component.

• Reports Max and Min top “n” results.

• Lists associated results corresponding to selected components.

• Identifies subcase number, Time/Frequency and Results Database files for each case.

• Identifies critical load cases based on selected criteria.

• Evaluates and identifies problem areas.


Envelope

• Finds critical results for each individual Element/Grid across all load cases.

• Displays worst-case scenario from all loading conditions.

27CHAPTER 3General Information

• Chooses Absolute Maximum, Algebraic Maximum or Algebraic Minimum.

• Identifies subcase number and Results Database file.

• Displays graphics results in MSC.Patran.

• Applies threshold value filter on fringe plot.

• Identifies critical load cases based on the selected component.


Ranked Envelope

As in "Ranking", Ranked Envelope finds the top “n” Elements/Grids result quantities across all selected results cases based on the selected results component. It then creates graphical Envelopes of each rank index that can be browsed, saved and compared.

• Finds "n" most critical results for each individual Element/Grid across all load cases.

• Displays "n" ranked scenarios from all loading conditions.






• Allows import and export of ranked envelopes

• Supports comparison among ranked envelopes of like quantities

Free Body

• Obtains and displays Free-Body Resultant about any location across any section of a model.

• Includes or excludes SPC, MPC and Applied Load contributions.

• Transforms results to any coordinate system.

• Obtains Max/Min resultant across all selected load cases.

• Gives results evaluation on sections, not just elements and grids.

• Generates HTML or text documentation.

XY Plot

• Plots how responses vary with Subcase, Time and Frequency.

• Customizes axes, scales, legends, and etc.

28

• Improves performance by using logical organization for plotting responses.

• Selects result quantity easily and conveniently.

• Exports an ASCII .xy output file to an Excel spreadsheet.

Report

• Extracts results from Results Database files for selected elements and grids.

• Provides HTML or text documentation.

Extract Subcases

• Extracts selected Load Cases from multiple Results Database files and creates a single Results Database file.

• Creates Results Database files containing only critical load cases.

Information

• Lists the types of results available in Results Database files.

• Provides a summary of the results saved on Results Database files for each Subcase.

Load Combination

• Combines subcases from multiple XDB files into any number of “load combinations” in a new XDB file.

• Each subcase can have its own scale factor and the new combination subcase can have its own overall scale factor.

• Load combination files can be imported and exported into MSC.Explore using a documented text file. This enables large numbers of combinations to be defined in another program.

• Large numbers of XDB files can also be attached to MSC.Explore through the use of this text interface file.


3.2 LimitationsMSC.Explore supports Static, Transient and Frequency Response Analysis. All selected Results Database files must be of the same analysis type and same model.

• Maximum Number of Elements or Grids: 1,000,000

• Number of Load Cases per Results Database file: 10,000

• Maximum Number of Time Step/Frequency output: 32,000

• Maximum Number of Super Elements: 200

• Number of Result Files (XDB): Unlimited

• Solution sequence Supported: Static Analysis (Sol 101, 144), Transient Analysis (Sol 109, Sol 112, and Sol 146), Frequency Response Analysis (Sol 108, Sol 111, and Sol 146).

For the Aeroelastic analysis, MSC.Explore operates on any structural FE results for the subcase(s).

Statics Analyses

SOL 101 Linear Statics

SOL 144 Static Aeroelastic

Transient Response

SOL 109 Direct

SOL 112 Modal

SOL 146 Modal Discrete Gust/Aeroelastic Response

Frequency Response

SOL 108 Direct

SOL 111 Modal

SOL 146 Modal Harmonic Gust/Aeroelastic Response

30

3.3 Using MSC.Explore FormsThese forms are divided into four different functional areas depending on their function within MSC.Explore.

• Critical Load Determination

• Loads Summation

• Convenience Tools

• Results Database Management


Max/Min Sorting

This section lists the options within the Max/Min Sorting function, displays the main form for this option and outlines directions for using the form.

The following is a list of the options for this function:

• Finds maximum and minimum results for every result component across all loading conditions/time steps/frequencies.

• Identifies the critical few loading conditions from large quantities of results data.

• Extracts relevant data for subcomponent of overall structure.

• Evaluates which loading conditions are causing the most concern.

• Reduces time spent analyzing MSC.Nastran results.



Output Results

For static analysis, typical output for Max/Min Sorting is as follows:

Critical Load Cases - Subcase Summary

MSC.Explore also identifies Critical Load Cases. This is based on the number of times a particular load case appeared in the report for the Max/Min Sorting option. It is based on selected criteria and on the area of interest.

In addition to displaying the critical load cases, it also provides details about each subcase appearing on the Critical Load Case list.

32

Ranking

This section lists the options within the Ranking function, displays the main form for this option and outlines directions for using the form.


• Finds top “n” Elements/Grids result quantities across all selected results cases based on the selected results component.

• Reports Max and Min top “n” results.

• Lists associated results corresponding to selected components.

• Identifies subcase number, Time/Frequency and Results Database files for each case.

• Identifies critical load cases based on selected criteria.

• Evaluates and identifies problem areas.



Output Results

For static analysis, typical output for Ranking is as follows:

Critical Load Cases

MSC.Explore also identifies Critical Load Cases. This is based on the number of times a particular load cases appeared in the report for the Ranking option. It is based on selected criteria and on the area of interest.


34

Ranked EnvelopeThe MSC.Explore ranked envelope has been implemented as an additional MSC.Explore plot type or Object. A ranked envelope is a series of envelopes where the first envelope is the worst case; the second is the next worse case and so on. In this sense, the previously implemented MSC.Explore envelope is simply a ranked envelope with a rank equal to one.

Creating a ranked envelope differs very little from creating the previous MSC.Explore envelope. The only difference is the specification of the rank. The rank represents how many envelopes or envelope levels to create. Obviously the lower limit for the rank is one and the upper limit is the number of subcases used to create the ranked envelope (However, the upper limit for MSC.Explore is 50).


Once created, ranked envelopes are stored in the MSC.Patran database and can be plotted as either fringe or label plots. Plots may be of either a single envelope or a comparison between two envelopes. Additionally, reports for either single envelopes or envelope comparisons may be generated.

Envelope comparisons calculate and display either the difference between the envelopes, the ratio between the envelopes, the percentage difference between the envelopes, or simply the maximum between the envelopes.

36

Envelope

This section lists the options within the Envelope function, displays the main form for this option and outlines directions for using the form.


• Finds critical results for each individual Element/Grid across all load cases.

• Displays worst-case scenario from all loading conditions.







Output Results

Typical fringe plot of selected component is displayed as follows:


In this case, the worst case Von Mises Stresses are shown as an element fill plot across all quad/tria elements. You can choose to use the subcase as the fill quantity or you can create a fringe plot.

Critical Load Cases

MSC.Explore also identifies Critical Load Cases in the report output. This is based on the number of times particular load cases appeared in the report for the Envelope option and is based on selected criteria and area of interest.


38

Loads Summation

Free Body

This section lists the options within the Free Body function, displays the main form for this option and outlines directions for using the form.


• Obtains and displays Free-Body Resultant about any location across any section of a model.

• Includes or excludes SPC, MPC and Applied Load contributions.

• Transforms results to any coordinate system.

• Obtains Max/Min resultant across all selected load cases.

• Gives results evaluation on sections, not just elements and grids.

• Generates HTML or text documentation.

Note: Grid Point Force output is required for this calculation.

Output Results

The Free Body Resultant Forces are displayed as follows:


Report

This section lists the options within the Report function, displays the main form for this option and outlines directions for using the form.


• Extracts results from Results Database files for selected elements and grids.

• Provides HTML or text documentation.

40

Output Results

Typical Report Output is displayed as follows:

THIS PROGRAM IS CONFIDENTIAL AND A TRADE SECRET OF THE MSC.SOFTWARE CORPORATION. THE RECEIPT ORPOSSESSION OF THIS PROGRAM DOES NOT CONVEY ANY RIGHTS TO REPRODUCE OR DISCLOSE ITS CONTENTS, OR TOMANUFACTURE, USE, OR SELL ANYTHING HEREIN, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, WITHOUT THE SPECIFIC WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE MSC.Software CORPORATION.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * THE * * * * MSC.Software Corporation * * * * * * * * M S C / E x p l o r e * * * * * * * * VERSION - 200x.00 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

MSC/Explore -----------------------------------------------------

Date (Run-Date) : 01/15/02 Directory : E:\barbela\Explore\xdb_Sort\patran User Input File Name : a101a.inp xdb:E:\barbela\Explore\xdb_Sort\patran/a101a.xdb xdb:E:\barbela\Explore\xdb_Sort\patran/a101b.xdb title: opt:Report html:YES resp:Stress flag: EID List:4,3

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * CQUAD4 : Stresses * * * * Elem_Id : 3 * * * * ------------------- * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

XDB File : E:\barbela\Explore\xdb_Sort\patran/a101a.xdb --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Subcase Loc Sx Sy Sxy Prin-1 Prin-2 Von-Mises 111 Cen -Z -8.91471E-01 -5.19012E-01 2.34039E+00 1.64254E+00 -3.05303E+00 4.12718E+00 Cen +Z 4.39675E+00 5.90845E-01 -2.86107E+00 5.92992E+00 -9.42328E-01 6.45290E+00 112 Cen -Z 9.51534E+00 -1.73665E+00 1.61085E+01 2.09520E+01 -1.31733E+01 2.98083E+01 Cen +Z 9.51534E+00 -1.73665E+00 1.61085E+01 2.09520E+01 -1.31733E+01 2.98083E+01 113 Cen -Z 6.82384E+00 -6.00650E-01 6.75374E+00 1.08183E+01 -4.59514E+00 1.37063E+01 Cen +Z 4.44414E+00 -1.10009E+00 9.09440E+00 1.11795E+01 -7.83548E+00 1.65522E+01

XDB File : E:\barbela\Explore\xdb_Sort\patran/a101b.xdb --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Subcase Loc Sx Sy Sxy Prin-1 Prin-2 Von-Mises 211 Cen -Z -1.86784E+00 -7.32185E-01 4.23761E+00 2.97547E+00 -5.57550E+00 7.51860E+00


Cen +Z 3.42038E+00 3.77672E-01 -9.63847E-01 3.70000E+00 9.80483E-02 3.65197E+00 212 Cen -Z 8.02711E+00 -1.71708E+00 1.61087E+01 1.99844E+01 -1.36744E+01 2.93196E+01 Cen +Z 7.49829E+00 -1.82806E+00 1.66289E+01 2.01055E+01 -1.44352E+01 3.00472E+01 213 Cen -Z 5.20341E+00 -6.08820E-01 6.88405E+00 9.76961E+00 -5.17503E+00 1.31447E+01 Cen +Z 2.55930E+00 -1.16375E+00 9.48478E+00 1.03635E+01 -8.96795E+00 1.67561E+01



Subcase Loc Sx Sy Sxy Prin-1 Prin-2 Von-Mises 111 Cen -Z -3.57346E-01 -2.11357E-01 2.65153E+00 2.36819E+00 -2.93689E+00 4.60312E+00 Cen +Z 3.35096E+00 2.29735E-01 -3.36365E+00 5.49840E+00 -1.91770E+00 6.66741E+00 112 Cen -Z 6.89150E+00 -3.76449E+00 1.31963E+01 1.57948E+01 -1.26678E+01 2.46989E+01 Cen +Z 6.89150E+00 -3.76449E+00 1.31963E+01 1.57948E+01 -1.26678E+01 2.46989E+01 113 Cen -Z 5.02852E+00 -1.77840E+00 5.06671E+00 7.72875E+00 -4.47863E+00 1.06961E+01 Cen +Z 3.35978E+00 -1.97690E+00 7.77354E+00 8.91020E+00 -7.52731E+00 1.42521E+01


Subcase Loc Sx Sy Sxy Prin-1 Prin-2 Von-Mises 211 Cen -Z -1.31469E+00 -5.97914E-01 4.36283E+00 3.42122E+00 -5.33382E+00 7.64216E+00 Cen +Z 2.39362E+00 -1.56822E-01 -1.65235E+00 3.20562E+00 -9.68814E-01 3.78421E+00 212 Cen -Z 5.58011E+00 -3.75162E+00 1.32516E+01 1.49633E+01 -1.31348E+01 2.43508E+01 Cen +Z 5.20927E+00 -3.79573E+00 1.38531E+01 1.52732E+01 -1.38597E+01 2.52397E+01 213 Cen -Z 3.62442E+00 -1.77657E+00 5.27239E+00 6.84767E+00 -4.99981E+00 1.03017E+01 Cen +Z 1.77027E+00 -1.99711E+00 8.27998E+00 8.37812E+00 -8.60496E+00 1.47082E+01

* * * End of Job * * *

42

Convenience Tools

XY Plot

This section lists the options within the XY Plot function, displays the main form for this option and outlines directions for using the form.


• Plots how responses vary with Subcase, Time and Frequency.

• Customizes axes, scales, legends, and etc.

• Improves performance by using logical organization for plotting responses.

• Selects result quantity easily and conveniently.

• Exports an ASCII .xy output file to an Excel spreadsheet.


Output Results

An XY Plot is displayed as follows:

44


Information

This section lists the options within the Information function, displays the main form for this option and outlines directions for using the form.

The following is a list of the options in this function:

• Lists the types of results available in Results Database files.

• Provides a summary of the results saved on Results Database files for each Subcase.

The information function allows you to see a Table of Contents of any set of results databases.

Output Results

Typical output for option INFO is displayed as follows:


Extract Subcases

This section lists the options within the Extract Subcases function, displays the main form for this option and outlines directions for using the form.


• Extracts selected Load Cases from multiple Results Database files and creates a single Results Database file.

• Creates Results Database files containing only critical load cases.

Output Results

The following is an example of the output.

Load Combination Load Combination provides a means to define linear combinations of Statics results, either through a file format or via a spreadsheet interface. These combined results cases are then written to a new Results Database that itself can then be used in Critical

Repeated subcase ID’s are resolved to unique values automatically (with user override, if desired).

46

Loads Survey. The ability to create loads combinations enables a rapid critical loads survey to occur \under the common scenario of combining "unit" cases to form the cases for survey. Of course, the "unit" cases can be comprised of any Statics load case.

This section lists the options with Load Combination function, displays the main form for this option and outlines directions for using the form. The following is a list of the options for this function:

• Extracts selected Load Cases from multiple Results Databases and creates a single new Results Database file containing multiple scaled combinations of any number of the subcases.

• Stores results combination definitions in text files for use elsewhere.

• Supports the use of the stored results combination definitions files to rapidly "import" existing combination(s).Spreadsheet Interface.

The following is an example of the results combination form.

All available subcases with user modified scale factors.

User created load/subcase combinations.


CHAPTER

4 Using MSC.Explore

� Using MSC.Explore Functions

� Critical Load Determination

� Loads Summation

� Convenience Tools

� Results Database Management

48

4.1 Using MSC.Explore FunctionsThis section of the documentation details all of the functions in MSC.Explore. All of these functions can be reached by selecting a different function from the Action option menu.

This chapter is divided into four sections as follows:


Max/Min Sorting

Ranking

Envelope

Loads Summation

Free Body

Report

Convenience Tools

XY Plot


Info

Extract Subcases

49CHAPTER 4Using MSC.Explore

4.2 Critical Load Determination

Max/Min SortingMax/Min Sorting finds Maximum and Minimum results for every result component across all loading conditions/time steps/frequencies.

Enables the user to look at the overall response of a structure across all load cases for all response components. This helps identify max/min response for all variables under all loading conditions. This is a quick way of looking into overall behavior of the structure.

After you have accessed MSC.Explore, you need to select Max/Min as the Action from the main MSC.Explore form.

The following displays the top portion of the form and gives usage instructions.

Select this icon to view the Select Subcase form for Max/Min.

Select this icon to view the Target Entity selection form for Max/Min.

Select this icon to view the Export options form for Max/Min.

50

Max/Min Main Form

The following form shows the default state of the Max/Min Select Subcase form.

Select the XDB files to read.

Select the appropriate Subcases.

OR

Select All to highlight all subcases in the Select Subcases listbox.

Select the type of Results to be processed.

Enter Results Title and Result File Name. (Optional)


Max/Min Target Entity

The following form shows the default setting of the Max/Min Target Entity form. Note that the form is similar when the Target Entity option is set to All Properties, All Elements, or All Nodes.

Note: Choosing All Properties or All Elements will result in hyperlinks by property ID or element ID in the HTML output.

The list of Target Entity options varies based on the model and content of the selected XDB files.

52

Max/Min Target Entity (Elements or Nodes)

The following form shows the change to the Max/Min Target Entity form when the Target Entity option menu is set to Elements. Note that the form for Nodes is similar.

Use this select Databox to select the desired elements.

Note: The title of this select databox changes depending on whether Nodes or Elements is selected.


Max/Min Target Entity (Properties or Groups)

The following form shows the change to the Max/Min Target Entity form when the Target Entity option menu is set to Properties. Note that the form for Groups is similar.

Use this listbox to select the desired properties.

Note: The title of this listbox changes depending on whether Properties or Groups is selected.

54

Max/Min Export

The following form shows the Max/Min Export form. You can use this form to define how the Max/Min output results will be reported.

Note: The files can be written or written and viewed immediately. Saving the files requires that the user enter unique file names in the main form or else subsequent uses may overwrite this file.

Write output to the Select file types.

Select to display the output text file immediately.

Enter the name of the editor to be used to view the text file.

Select to display the output HTML file immediately.

Enter the browser to view the HTML file.


Max/Min Output Results

For static analysis, typical output for Max/Min Sorting is as follows:

* Frame containing hyperlink collections (properties and elements as directed in the Target Entity form).

Hyperlink to filter hyperlink in frame *.

Hyperlink to Critical Subcase Summary (not shown).

56

RankFinds the top “n” Element or Grid result quantities across all selected result cases.

After you have accessed MSC.Explore, you need to select Rank as the Action from the main MSC.Explore form.


Select this icon to view the Select Subcase form for Rank.

Select this icon to view the Target Entity selection form for Rank.

Select this icon to view the Export options form for Rank

.


Rank Main Form

Max/Min Sorting identifies only one single max/min response where as ranking provides "n" highest/lowest response of a selected component. If a badly shaped element or improper use of rigid element causes high stresses, then this option provides the response level of up to the next "n" highly stressed elements. Also helps identify high stress concentration areas.

58

The following form shows the main form for Rank. Use this form to select the subcases for processing. Note that not all widgets shown on this form are available for every selected Result Type and Entity Type combination.



Select the desired result type.

Select the Entity Type. Note: This option menu is only displayed for certain types of Results.

Select the component. Note: the list of items displayed for this option menu varies based on the selected result.

Enter the layer number. Note: This databox is only available when the Entity Type option menu is set to composite

Select number of rankings (top 5, top 10, etc.).

Enter Result Title and Result File Name. (Optional)


Rank Target Entity (Current Viewport, All Properties, All Elements, or All Nodes)

The following form shows the default state of the Target Entity form for Rank. Note that this form is the same whether the Target Entity option menu is set to Current Viewport, All Properties, All Elements, or All Nodes.


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Rank Target Entity (Elements or Nodes)

The following form shows the change to the Max/Min Target Entity form when the Target Entity option menu is set to Elements. Note that the form for Nodes is similar.


Note: For Elements, the title also includes the Selected Entity Type from the Rank Select Subcase form.


Rank Target Entity (Properties or Groups)

The following form shows the change to the Max/Min Target Entity form when the Target Entity option menu is set to Properties. Note that the form for Groups is similar.

Use this listbox to select the desired properties within which ranking will be performed.


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Rank Export

The following form shows the Rank Export form. You can use this form to define how the Rank output results will be reported.





Select to display the output in an HTML file immediately.

Enter the browser to use in order to view the HTML file.


Rank Output Results

For static analysis, typical output for Ranking is as follows:

* Frame containing hyperlink collections (properties and elements as directed in the Target Entity form).

Hyperlink to filter hyperlink in frame *.

Hyperlink to Critical Subcase Summary (not shown).

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Ranked EnvelopeThe MSC.Explore ranked envelope has been implemented as an additional MSC.Explore plot type or Object. A ranked envelope is a series of envelopes where the first envelope is the worst case; the second is the next worse case and so on. In this sense, the previously implemented MSC.Explore envelope is simply a ranked envelope with a rank equal to one.

Creating a ranked envelope differs very little from creating the previous MSC.Explore envelope. The only difference is the specification of the rank. The rank represents how many envelopes or envelope levels to create. Obviously the lower limit for the rank is one and the upper limit is the number of subcases used to create the ranked envelope (However, the upper limit for MSC.Explore is 50).


Once created, ranked envelopes are stored in the MSC.Patran database and can be plotted as either fringe or label plots. Plots may be of either a single envelope or a comparison between two envelopes. Additionally, reports for either single envelopes or envelope comparisons may be generated.

Envelope comparisons calculate and display either the difference between the envelopes, the ratio between the envelopes, the percentage difference between the envelopes, or simply the maximum between the envelopes.

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Creating Ranked EnvelopesRanked envelopes are created in 2 steps. In the first step, the appropriate subcases from selected XDB files are selected along with the desired result, entity type, and component. Additionally, the rank must be specified. The rank represents how many envelopes will be created, i.e., “ranked.” The maximum rank level is 50. Result values can be sorted based on 3 comparison criteria: Absolute Maximum, Algebraic Maximum, or Algebraic Minimum.

Select .xdb files (any .xdb files that are currently attached to the MSC.Patran database will be automatically selected).

Filter the contents of the Subcase Listbox.

Select subcases to include in the ranked envelope.

The Select All button selects all subcases in the Subcase Listbox.

Select the Result quantity.

Select the Entity Type.

Select the Component.

Select the desired Rank. Maximum rank level is 50.

Results can be sorted based on the Absolute Maximum, Algebraic Maximum, or Algebraic Minimum.

Envelope name (40 characters max).

Optionally save the MSC.Explore intermediate results files (*.inp, *.log, *.pat, *.res_tmpl, and *.out).

Results file name if intermediate results are to be saved. If set to BLANK, the envelope name is used.


The second step in creating a ranked envelope is to select the target entities to include in the ranking. Target entity candidates depend on the selection of the result, i.e., nodes will not be target entity candidates if stress results are requested nor will elements be target entity candidates if displacement results are requested.

Depending on the requested result, targets may include the Current Viewport, Elements, Nodes, Groups, All Elements, or All Nodes. Current viewport and group selections are also dependent on the result selection. If stresses are requested then elements will be extracted from the current viewport or selected groups. However, if displacement results are requested then nodes will be extracted from the current viewport or selected groups.

When a ranked envelope is created in MSC.Patran, the data is stored as an MSC.Patran result case. The load case name will be either “Element_Envelope” or “Grid_Envelope” depending on the entity type associated with the result.

The results for each rank will be stored as different result types for the envelope result case. There are up to 4 result types for each envelope within the ranked envelope. These result types are:

1. <entity>, R-<#>, <result>:<component> for the result values

2. <entity>, R-<#>, Sub_ID for the subcase Ids

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3. <entity>, R-<#>, XDB # for the XDB Ids

4. <entity>, R-<#>, Time/Freq for the time or frequency

where the <#> is the rank number.

As an example, stress results for CQUAD/CTRIA elements would have the following result types for rank equal to 3.

The Time/Freq result type will only be created if there is time/frequency data associated with the results. Additionally, deleting the result case will delete the envelope. Envelopes can also be deleted via the Ranked Envelope Delete option.

Ranked envelopes can also be created via Import. Three import file formats are supported:

1. Patran 2.5 element neutral file

PLATES, R-01, Stress:Sx PLATES, R-02, Stress:Sx PLATES, R-03, Stress:Sx

PLATES, R-01, Sub_ID PLATES, R-02, Sub_ID PLATES, R-03, Sub_ID

PLATES, R-01, XDB # PLATES, R-02, XDB # PLATES, R-03, XDB #


2. Patran 2.5 nodal neutral file

3. User defined

Both the Patran 2.5 neutral files require an appropriate result template file. The result template file must have the same base filename as the input file with a .res_tmpl extension. The primary and secondary names given in the result template file are not arbitrary but must follow a rigid convention. This is because MSC.Explore uses the result type names as keys for determining the rank, entity type, result, and component for the envelope.

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Plotting EnvelopesOnce an envelope or envelopes have been created, envelope data can be plotted as either a fringe plot or a label plot. There are two basic plot types: single envelope plots or envelope comparison plots.

Single Envelope Plots

When only a single envelope is selected, the envelope results, XDB Ids, subcase Ids, or time/frequency values can be plotted. This data can be plotted as either a fringe or label plot. Various options for creating single envelope fringe or label plots are discussed subsequently.

Envelope Comparison Plots

When 2 or more envelopes are selected, an envelope comparison plot is assumed. Both of the selected envelopes must consistent, i.e., they must be for the same result, entity type, and component. Additionally, if more than 2 envelopes are selected, only the first 2 selected envelopes in the listbox are considered.

Generally, the plot options are different for fringe and label plots. However, the comparison calculations are the same between these plot types. Envelope comparison plots can:

1. Compare the Difference between the 2 envelopes

2. Determine the Extremum between the 2 envelopes

3. Calculate the Ratio between the 2 envelopes

4. Calculate the Percentage difference between the 2 envelopes

Note that these calculations are performed on the envelope result values (never the XDB Ids or subcase Ids or time/frequency values). The comparisons are calculated as:

1. Difference = envelope 1 – envelope 2

2. Extremum = absolute maximum or algebraic maximum or algebraic minimum between the 2 envelopes.

3. Ratio = envelope 1/envelope 2. The Ratio is equal to zero if envelope 2 equals zero.

4. Percentage = 100.0*(envelope 1 – envelope 2)/envelope 1


Fringe Plots

Envelope Selection

When creating an envelope fringe plot, either 1 or 2 envelopes can be selected. If more than 2 envelopes are selected, only the first 2 are considered.

The envelope selection form for a single envelope fringe plot is shown below.

Filter the contents of the Envelope Listbox.

Select envelope

Select rank to display. The maximum rank depends on the selected envelope(s).

Toggle to switch envelope order is unavailable when a single envelope is selected.

Data echo about the selected envelope. Data includes the Envelope name, maximum Rank, Result, Entity, and Component.

Plot quantity. Valid choices are the Result Value, the XDB ID, the Subcase ID, or the Time/Frequency value.

Display option. “As Is” is the only available choice for a single envelope fringe plot.

Reset Graphics button resets the display, i.e., erases the plot.

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When 2 envelopes are selected, the envelope selection form updates itself as shown below. Comparison plots between 2 envelopes can display the Difference, Extremum, Percentage, or Ratio between the two envelopes.


Select envelopes. If more than 2 are selected, then only the first 2 listbox selections will be considered.

Select the rank to display. The maximum rank is the lower maximum rank between the 2 selected envelopes.

Switches the comparison order between the 2 selected envelopes. Envelopes are selected in the order listed in the envelope listbox, i.e., the upper envelope is the first envelope and the lower envelope is the second. Selecting this toggle reverses this order.

Data echo about the selected envelopes. Data includes the Envelope name, maximum Rank, Result, Entity, and Component. In order to be compared, envelopes must have the same Result, Entity Type, and Component.

Display option. Valid choices are Difference, Extremum, Percentage, and Ratio.

Plot quantity. The only valid choice is the Result Value.



Target Entities

After selecting envelopes, the Target Entities icon allows for the selection of entities to display the plot on. Note that the entities used to create the envelope and the entities selected for the plot may or may not overlap. The plotting tool automatically creates the plot on only those entities that are selected and that are included as part of the envelope.

Depending on the requested Result, targets may include the Current Viewport, Elements, Nodes, Groups, All Elements, or All Nodes. Current viewport and group selections are also dependent on the result selection. If stresses are requested then elements will be extracted from the current viewport or selected groups. However, if displacements are requested then nodes will be extracted from the current viewport or selected groups.

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Display Attributes

Display Attributes for both the single and comparison envelope plots are shown below. By default, this form follows the MSC.Patran convention where choices are made but not executed until the Apply button is selected. Adding the following line to the settings.pcl file changes this behavior.


Minimum and maximum range values.

Fringe Style. Choices include Discrete/Smooth, Continuous, Element Fill, Discrete/Flat.

Element shrink factor. Zero for no shrink and one for full shrink.

Element edge width.

Plot labels for values used in the fringe plot.

Only valid for Extremum comparison plots. Choices include Absolute Max, Algebraic Max, or Algebraic Min.

Label color

Label format. Choices include Exponential, Fixed, and Integer.

Significant figures to be used for labels.

Plot Max/Min fringe value labels.


Plot Options

Plot Options for both the single and comparison envelope plots are shown below. The threshold value is used to filter the envelope values used in the comparison calculations. It is not used on the result of the calculation. Threshold calculations are based on the absolute values of the threshold and the envelope values.

Threshold value used to filter the envelope values.

Averaging Domain. Choices include All Entities and None.

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Label Plots

Envelope Selection

When creating an envelope label plot, either 1 or 2 envelopes can be selected. If more than 2 envelopes are selected, only the first 2 are considered.

The envelope selection form for a single envelope label plot is shown below.


Select envelope

Select rank to display. The maximum rank depends on the selected envelope.

Toggle to switch envelope order is unavailable when a single envelope is selected.

Data echo about the selected envelope. Data includes the Envelope name, maximum Rank, Result, Entity, and Component.

Plot quantity. Valid choices are the Result Value, the XDB ID, the Subcase ID, or the Time/Frequency value.

Display option. “As Is” is the only available choice for a single envelope label plot.



When 2 envelopes are selected, the envelope selection form updates itself as shown below. Comparison label plots can display side-by-side comparisons of the envelope result values, XDB Ids, subcase Ids, or time/frequency values. Simply selecting the appropriate Quantity and leaving the Display option set to As Is creates side-by-side plots. Additionally, comparison label plots of calculated quantities such as the Difference, Extremum, Percentage, or Ratio can also be created.


Select envelopes. If more than 2 are selected, then only the first 2 listbox selections will be considered.

Select the rank to display. The maximum rank is the lower maximum rank between the 2 selected envelopes.

Switches the comparison order between the 2 selected envelopes. Envelopes are selected in the order listed in the envelope listbox, i.e., the upper envelope is the first envelope and the lower envelope is the second. Selecting this toggle reverses this order.

Data echo about the selected envelopes. Data includes the Envelope name, maximum Rank, Result, Entity, and Component. In order to be compared, envelopes must have the same Result, Entity Type, and Component.

Plot quantity. Choices include Result Value, XDB Ids, Subcase Ids, or Time/Frequency values.

Plot quantity. Choices include Result Value, XDB Ids, Subcase Ids, or Time/Frequency values.


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Valid choices for Quantity/Display option are given in the table below.

Target Entities

After selecting envelopes, the Target Entities icon allows for the selection of entities to display the plot on. Note that the entities used to create the envelope and the entities selected for the plot may or may not overlap. The plotting tool automatically creates the plot on only those entities that are selected and that are included as part of the envelope.

Depending on the requested Result, targets may include the Current Viewport, Elements, Nodes, Groups, All Elements, or All Nodes. Current viewport and group selections are also dependent on the result selection. If stresses are requested then elements will be extracted from the current viewport or selected groups. However, if displacements are requested then nodes will be extracted from the current viewport or selected groups.

Quantity Valid Display options

Result Value As Is, Difference, Extremum, Percentage, Ratio

Subcase ID As Is

XDB ID As Is

Time/Frequency As Is


Display Attributes

Display attributes for a single envelope label plot are show below. By default, this form follows the MSC.Patran convention where choices are made but not executed until the Apply button is selected. Adding the following line to the settings.pcl file changes this behavior.


List of subcases included in the envelope. Result case names will be listed if defined. Otherwise, XDB IDs and Subcase Ids will be shown. Label colors will correspond the subcase colors shown if the Use Assigned Result Case Color toggle is ON.

If the Use Assigned Result Case Color toggle is ON, then the label colors will correspond the subcase color assignments. If the toggle is OFF, then all labels use the same color.

Print Cases in Viewport will list the subcase Ids as MSC.Patran titles in the viewport.

Label options allows for additional data to be appended to the displayed label. Choices include: None, Case Name, XDB ID:Subcase ID, Subcase ID, XDB ID, and Time/Frequency. Note that some data doesn’t make sense to be appended in some cases, i.e., if the Quantity displayed is Subcase Ids then Subcase Ids can’t be appended.

Toggles to label entities with no results for the selected envelope or that fail to pass the threshold.

Label format. Options include Exponential, Fixed, and Integer.

Significant figures

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If the Use Assigned Result Case Color toggle is OFF, the form updates as shown below. Changing the color for any result case will change all the colors. This will be the color used in the label plot.


Display attributes for a comparison envelope label plot are show below.

Label color if the envelope 1 results are from the same result case as the envelope 2 results.

Label color if the envelope 1 results are from a different result case than the envelope 2 results.

String to be attached as a prefix to a label if the envelope 1 results are from a different result case than the envelope 2 results. This is useful for black and white plots.

Display As option menu controls optional label formats. See discussion below.

Toggles to label entities with no results for the selected envelope or that fail to pass the threshold.

Label format. Options include Exponential, Fixed, and Integer.

Significant figures

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The following table lists the possible choices for the Display As option menu.

Select Options Display Attributes

Quantity Display Display As Label Produced

Result Value As Is As Is Env1 result value, Env2 result value

Result Value Difference As Is Difference

Result Value Difference Env1, Difference Env1 result value

Result Value Extremum Absolute Max Max(Abs(Env1 result val), Abs(Env2 result val)

Result Value Extremum Algebraic Max Max(Env1 result val, Env2 result val)

Result Value Extremum Algebraic Min Min(Env1 result val, Env2 result val)

Result Value Percentage As Is Percentage

Result Value Percentage Difference, Percentage Difference, Percentage

Result Value Ratio As Is Ratio

Result Value Ratio Difference, Ratio Difference, Ratio

Subcase Id As Is As Is Env1 Subcase ID, Env2 Subcase Id

XDB ID As Is As Is Env1 XDB ID, Env2 XDB ID

Time/Frequency As Is As Is Env1 Time/Freq, Env2 Time/Freq


Plot Options

Plot Options for both the single and comparison envelope plots are shown below. The threshold value is used to filter the envelope values used in the comparison calculations. It is not used on the result of the calculation. Threshold calculations are based on the absolute values of the threshold and the envelope values.

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ReportsCreating a report is very similar to creating either a fringe or a label plot. Reports can be created for either single or double envelopes.

Envelope Selection

Envelope selection is exactly like selecting envelopes for a single or double envelope label plot.

Target Entities

Selecting target entities is exactly like selecting entities for a single or double envelope label plot.

Display Attributes

The display attributes form for a single envelope report is shown below. The file format can be either the default or user-defined. Use of the user-defined format requires the creation of a PCL function called report in the mscexplore_renv_user PCL class. If MSC.Explore finds this function then the user-defined option is added to the option menu and made to be the default. Refer to the User Functions section for more information about the mscexplore_renv_user.report(…) function.


If the Print Entities with no Results toggle is ON, entities with no envelope data will be denoted by the text: No Results. If the toggle is OFF, then output for the entity is skipped. Similarly if the Print Entities that fail Threshold toggle is ON, entities with result values that fail the threshold will be denoted by the text: Threshold. If the toggle is OFF, then output for the entity is skipped.

The display attributes form for an envelope comparison report is shown below. The file format can be either the default or user defined. Use of the user-defined format requires the creation of a PCL function called report in the mscexplore_renv_user PCL class. Refer to the User Functions section for more information about the mscexplore_renv_user.report(…) function.

The default extension for a user-defined report file can be set via the following entry in the settings.pcl file:

pref_env_set_string(“MSCEXPLORE_RENV_REPORT_EXT”, “out”)

If the Print Entities with no Results toggle is ON, entities with no envelope data will be denoted by the text: No Results. If the toggle is OFF, then output for the entity is skipped. Similarly if the Print Entities that fail Threshold toggle is ON, entities with result values that fail the threshold will be denoted by the text: Threshold. If the toggle is OFF, then output for the entity is skipped.

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The Print As option menu controls the output format. Choices are similar to the Display As option menu for creating an envelope comparison label plot.

Plot Options

The only plot option for both single and double envelope plots is the threshold value.


Export

The name of the export file is selected via the report export icon. This file can be either overwritten or appended.

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Sample ReportsIncluded here are some excerpts of reports. Not all options are covered.

1. Single envelope report (Quantity: Result Value, Display: As Is).

** Ranked Envelope Report **

MSC.Explore v200x

Date: 17-Mar-0xTime: 09:10:04

Database: D:\zall.dbEnvelope: testEntity: PLATESResult: StressComponent: SxRank: 1Quantity: Result ValueThreshold: 0. Element ID ResVal XDB ID Subcase ID 43 1.94593E+4 1 502 44 5.97903E+3 1 302 45 4.98952E+4 1 301 46 1.10369E+4 1 401 47 2.77200E+4 1 302 48 8.17091E+3 1 302 49 6.17897E+4 1 301

2. Double envelope comparison report (Quantity: Report Value, Display: As Is).

** Ranked Envelope Report ** MSC.Explore v200x Date: 17-Mar-03Time: 09:13:49 Database: D:\zall.db Envelope1: testEnvelope2: test3Entity: PLATESResult: StressComponent: SxRank: 1Quantity: Result ValueDisplay: AsIsThreshold: 0. Element ID ResVal-1 XDB ID-1 Subcase ID-1 ResVal-2 XDB ID-2 Subcase ID-2 43 1.94593E+4 1 502 No Results 0 0 44 5.97903E+3 1 302 No Results 0 0 45 4.98952E+4 1 301 1.48509E+4 3 2001 46 1.10369E+4 1 401 4.96392E+3 3 2001


47 2.77200E+4 1 302 8.29852E+3 3 2001 48 8.17091E+3 1 302 2.94256E+3 3 2001 49 6.17897E+4 1 301 2.48143E+4 3 2001 50 1.80478E+4 1 301 7.28890E+3 3 2001

3. Double envelope comparison report (Quantity: Report Value, Display: As Is, Print As: Env1, Difference).

** Ranked Envelope Report ** MSC.Explore v200x Date: 17-Mar-0xTime: 09:16:36 Database: D:\zall.db Envelope1: testEnvelope2: test3Entity: PLATESResult: StressComponent: SxRank: 1Quantity: Result ValueDisplay: DifferencePrint As: AirbusThreshold: 0. Element ID ResVal-1 XDB ID-1 Subcase-1 Difference XDB ID-2 Subcase-2 43 No Results 44 No Results 1 4.98952E+4 301 3 3.50443E+4 2001 9 1 1.10369E+4 401 3 6.07298E+3 2001 9 1 2.77200E+4 302 3 1.94215E+4 2001 9 1 8.17091E+3 302 3 5.22835E+3 2001 9 1 6.17897E+4 301 3 3.69754E+4 2001 9 1 1.80478E+4 301 3 1.07589E+4 2001 9

4. Double envelope comparison report (Quantity: Report Value, Display: As Is, Print As: As Is).

** Ranked Envelope Report ** MSC.Explore v200x Date: 17-Mar-0xTime: 09:36:20 Database: D:\zall.db Envelope1: testEnvelope2: test3Entity: PLATESResult: Stress

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Component: SxRank: 1Quantity: Result ValueDisplay: DifferencePrint As: AsIsThreshold: 0. Element ID Difference XDB ID-1 Subcase-1 XDB ID-2 Subcase-2 43 No Results 44 No Results 45 3.50443E+4 1 301 3 2001 46 6.07298E+3 1 401 3 2001 47 1.94215E+4 1 302 3 2001 48 5.22835E+3 1 302 3 2001 49 3.69754E+4 1 301 3 2001 50 1.07589E+4 1 301 3 2001


Deleting EnvelopesEnvelopes can be deleted from the MSC.Patran database. Optionally, the associated result case can also be deleted. Deleted envelopes cannot be undone. They can only be re-created.

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Importing and Exporting Envelopes

Importing Envelopes

Ranked envelopes can be imported from external applications. There are 3 import file formats. Two of these formats are Patran 2.5 neutral file based. These formats can be used to import either element or nodal result envelopes. Both of these file formats require the use of an appropriate result template file. The result template file must have the same base filename as the input file with a .res_tmpl extension. The primary and secondary names given in the result template file are not arbitrary but must follow a rigid convention. This is because MSC.Explore uses the result type names as keys for determining the rank, entity type, result, and component for the envelope.

Additionally, a user defined import file format is supported. Use of this format requires the creation of a PCL function called import in the mscexplore_renv_user PCL class. The default extension for a user-defined file can be set via the following entry in the settings.pcl file:



Exporting Envelopes

Envelopes in the MSC.Patran database can be exported to other MSC.Patran databases or other applications via the Export option. Two file formats are supported: Default and User. The Default format uses either Patran 2.5 element or nodal neutral file depending on the entity association of the result. An appropriate result template file is also created.

The user defined format requires the creation of a PCL function called export in the mscexplore_renv_user PCL class. The default extension for a user-defined file can be set via the following entry in the settings.pcl file:

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pref_env_set_string(“MSCEXPLORE_RENV_EXPORT_EXT”, “exp”)


EnvelopeFinds the worst-case results for each Element or Grid across all load cases and creates a fringe plot of these results.

After you have accessed MSC.Explore, you need to select Envelope as the Action from the main MSC.Explore form.


Select this icon to view the Select Subcase form for Envelope.

Select this icon to view the Target Entity selection form for Envelope.

Select this icon to view the Export options form for Envelope.

Select this icon to view the Target Entity Attribute selection form for Envelope.

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Envelope Main Form

Provides maximum response of all elements/grids. This helps understand the optimum design of structure. It also helps study the relative conservative/nonconservative design area under all loading conditions.

The following form shows the main form for Envelope. Use this form to select the subcases for processing. Note that not all widgets shown on this form are available for every selected Result Type and Entity Type combination.




OR

Select All to highlight all subcases from the Select Subcases list box.

Select the desired type of Results.

Select the Entity Type. Note: This option menu is only displayed for certain types of Results. Result types not available on the DB(s) will be greyed out.

Select the component. Note: the list items displayed for this option may vary based on the selected result.

Enter the layer number. Note: The databox is only available when the Entity type option menu is set to composite.

Set Criteria (select Absolute Max, Algebraic Max, Algebraic Min.).

Enter the desired Threshold value.

Enter Results Title and Result File Name (Optional).

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Envelope Target Entity - Current Viewport, All Properties, All Elements, or All Nodes)

The following form shows the default setting of the Envelope Target Entity form. Note that the form is similar when the Target Entity option is set to All Properties, All Elements, or All Nodes.



Envelope Target Entity - (Elements or Nodes)

The following form shows the change to the Envelope Target Entity form when the Target Entity option menu is set to Elements. Note that the form for Nodes is similar.


Note: The title of this select databox changes depending on whether Nodes or Elements is selected.

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Envelope Target Entity - (Properties or Groups)

The following form shows the change to the Envelope Target Entity form when the Target Entity option menu is set to Properties. Note that the form for Groups is similar.

Use this listbox to select the desired properties.



Envelope Attributes

The following form shows the display attributes for Envelope.

Note: When the Result Value is Result, the Fringe or Fill option will display based on the value of the result type being enveloped. For the other two options (Subcase, XDB ID) the Fill option is preferred and the display will now show which subcase number or XDB results DB contains the extreme value, the value will not be in the display, it will be in the reports.

Select Result Values for plot.

Select the display type.

Select whether or not the label should be displayed.

Select the Below Threshold color.

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Envelope Export

The following form shows the Max/Min Export form. You can use this form to define how the Envelope output results will be reported.






Enter the browser to use in order to view the HTML file.


Envelope Output Results

For the Envelope option, the typical output for static analysis is as follows:

Note that the display is showing the combination of Result and Fill options under Attributes.

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4.3 Loads Summation

Free BodyHelps understand the load path and accumulation of load at different sections of the structure. Displays the Free Body Load Resultant from grid point force data about any location across any arbitrary cross-section of a model in any coordinate system.

After you have accessed MSC.Explore, you need to select Free Body as the Action from the main MSC.Explore form.


Select this icon to view the Select Subcase form for Free Body.

Select this icon to view the Target Entity selection form for Free Body.

Select this icon to view the Target Entity Attribute selection form for Free Body.

Select this icon to view the Export options form for Free Body.

Select this icon to create a spreadsheefor Free Body.


Free Body Main Form

The following form shows the main form for Free Body. Use this form to select the subcases for processing.



OR


Choose whether to include MPC Forces, SPC Forces and Applied Loads.

Select the point about which the summation is required.

Select the corresponding coordinate system.


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Free Body Target Entity (Select by Entities)

Note that, because this summation is based on grid point force data, both nodes and elements are required. Nodal force summaries will occur only for the elements selected that are attached to the nodes selected. This allows you to measure transfer loads resultants across components of your model.

Select nodes to be included in the summation.

Select Elements on either side of the selected nodes.

Placeholder for selected nodes/elements. (Add button moves the selected node/element list here.)

Verify nodes/elements selection.


Free Body Target Entity (Select by Groups)

Select the group or groups to be included in the summation.

Placeholder for selected nodes/elements from the above selected groups. (Add button moves the nodes/elements from the selected groups to here.)

Verify nodes/elements selection.

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Free Body Display Attribute

Free Body Spreadsheet

This icon does not display anything on the main form, but re-displays the previously calculated free body (interface) forces.

Select components and colors.

Select format for numeric display.


Free Body Export

The following form shows the Free Body Export form. You can use this form to define how the Free Body output results will be reported.







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Free Body Spreadsheet Output

For the Free Body function, the following is typical output.

Note: Select Subcase ID to display resultant vectors. Select the column heading to sort the resultant in ascending or descending order.

The spreadsheet has selectable features including sorting by ascending/descending by column. And the extreme values are enclosed in brackets.

The spreadsheet icon hides/un-hides the spreadsheet after computation.


ReportGives detailed results of selected Grids/Elements for detailed investigation or for a report without rerunning the Nastran. Report extracts and prints text results for selected Elements or Grids.

After you have accessed MSC.Explore, you need to select Report as the Action from the main MSC.Explore form.


Select this icon to view the Select Subcase form for Report.

Select this icon to view the Target Entity selection form for Report.

Select this icon to view the Export options form for Report.

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Report Main Form

The following form shows the main form for Report. Use this form to select the subcases for processing.



OR





Report Target Entity

The following form displays the Target Entity form for Report.

Select the list of nodes or elements to process

Note: The select databox label changes based on target entity option menu setting.

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Report Export

The following form shows the Report Export form. You can use this form to define how the Report output results will be reported.








Report OutputTHIS PROGRAM IS CONFIDENTIAL AND A TRADE SECRET OF THE MSC.SOFTWARE CORPORATION. THE RECEIPT ORPOSSESSION OF THIS PROGRAM DOES NOT CONVEY ANY RIGHTS TO REPRODUCE OR DISCLOSE ITS CONTENTS, OR TOMANUFACTURE, USE, OR SELL ANYTHING HEREIN, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, WITHOUT THE SPECIFIC WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE MSC.Software CORPORATION.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * THE * * * * MSC.Software Corporation * * * * * * * * M S C / E x p l o r e * * * * * * * * VERSION - 200x.00 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

MSC/Explore -----------------------------------------------------

Date (Run-Date) : 01/15/0x Directory : E:\barbela\Explore\xdb_Sort\patran User Input File Name : a101a.inp xdb:E:\barbela\Explore\xdb_Sort\patran/a101a.xdb xdb:E:\barbela\Explore\xdb_Sort\patran/a101b.xdb title: opt:Report html:YES resp:Stress flag: EID List:4,3



Subcase Loc Sx Sy Sxy Prin-1 Prin-2 Von-Mises 111 Cen -Z -8.91471E-01 -5.19012E-01 2.34039E+00 1.64254E+00 -3.05303E+00 4.12718E+00 Cen +Z 4.39675E+00 5.90845E-01 -2.86107E+00 5.92992E+00 -9.42328E-01 6.45290E+00 112 Cen -Z 9.51534E+00 -1.73665E+00 1.61085E+01 2.09520E+01 -1.31733E+01 2.98083E+01 Cen +Z 9.51534E+00 -1.73665E+00 1.61085E+01 2.09520E+01 -1.31733E+01 2.98083E+01 113 Cen -Z 6.82384E+00 -6.00650E-01 6.75374E+00 1.08183E+01 -4.59514E+00 1.37063E+01 Cen +Z 4.44414E+00 -1.10009E+00 9.09440E+00 1.11795E+01 -7.83548E+00 1.65522E+01


Subcase Loc Sx Sy Sxy Prin-1 Prin-2 Von-Mises 211 Cen -Z -1.86784E+00 -7.32185E-01 4.23761E+00 2.97547E+00 -5.57550E+00 7.51860E+00 Cen +Z 3.42038E+00 3.77672E-01 -9.63847E-01 3.70000E+00 9.80483E-02 3.65197E+00 212 Cen -Z 8.02711E+00 -1.71708E+00 1.61087E+01 1.99844E+01 -1.36744E+01 2.93196E+01 Cen +Z 7.49829E+00 -1.82806E+00 1.66289E+01 2.01055E+01 -1.44352E+01 3.00472E+01

116

213 Cen -Z 5.20341E+00 -6.08820E-01 6.88405E+00 9.76961E+00 -5.17503E+00 1.31447E+01 Cen +Z 2.55930E+00 -1.16375E+00 9.48478E+00 1.03635E+01 -8.96795E+00 1.67561E+01



Subcase Loc Sx Sy Sxy Prin-1 Prin-2 Von-Mises 111 Cen -Z -3.57346E-01 -2.11357E-01 2.65153E+00 2.36819E+00 -2.93689E+00 4.60312E+00 Cen +Z 3.35096E+00 2.29735E-01 -3.36365E+00 5.49840E+00 -1.91770E+00 6.66741E+00 112 Cen -Z 6.89150E+00 -3.76449E+00 1.31963E+01 1.57948E+01 -1.26678E+01 2.46989E+01 Cen +Z 6.89150E+00 -3.76449E+00 1.31963E+01 1.57948E+01 -1.26678E+01 2.46989E+01 113 Cen -Z 5.02852E+00 -1.77840E+00 5.06671E+00 7.72875E+00 -4.47863E+00 1.06961E+01 Cen +Z 3.35978E+00 -1.97690E+00 7.77354E+00 8.91020E+00 -7.52731E+00 1.42521E+01


Subcase Loc Sx Sy Sxy Prin-1 Prin-2 Von-Mises 211 Cen -Z -1.31469E+00 -5.97914E-01 4.36283E+00 3.42122E+00 -5.33382E+00 7.64216E+00 Cen +Z 2.39362E+00 -1.56822E-01 -1.65235E+00 3.20562E+00 -9.68814E-01 3.78421E+00 212 Cen -Z 5.58011E+00 -3.75162E+00 1.32516E+01 1.49633E+01 -1.31348E+01 2.43508E+01 Cen +Z 5.20927E+00 -3.79573E+00 1.38531E+01 1.52732E+01 -1.38597E+01 2.52397E+01 213 Cen -Z 3.62442E+00 -1.77657E+00 5.27239E+00 6.84767E+00 -4.99981E+00 1.03017E+01 Cen +Z 1.77027E+00 -1.99711E+00 8.27998E+00 8.37812E+00 -8.60496E+00 1.47082E+01

* * * End of Job * * *


4.4 Convenience Tools

XY PlotHelps visualize the response with respect to time/frequencies and helps identify fundamental frequency or critical time under dynamic loads.

After you have accessed MSC.Explore, you need to select XY Plot as the Action from the main MSC.Explore form.


Select this icon to view the Select Subcase form for XY Plot.

Select this icon to view the Target Entity selection form for XY Plot.

Select this icon to view the Curve Display Attribute form for XY Plot.

Select this icon to view the Export options form for XY Plot.

Select this icon to view the Graph Display Attribute form for XY Plot.

118

XY Plot Main Menu

The following form shows the default state of the XY Plot Select Subcase form.



OR



Select the Entity Type.

Select the Component.

Enter the Layer Number.

Select Case Index, Time, or Frequency.

Enter Plot Title. (Optional)

Plot window management.

Displays the Post/Unpost Graph Subform.


XY Plot Post/Unpost

The following subform is displayed when the user selects the Post/Unpost Graph button on the XY Plot Main form.

Select the Graphs to post.

Select to Post All, Unpost All, or Delete Selected Graphs.

Select to Delete Curves with Graph.

120

XY Plot Target Entity

Use this select box to select the desired elements.

Note: The select databox label changes based on target entity option menu setting. For elements the title also includes the selected entity type from the XY Plot Select Subcase form.

This option menu is only visible for some types of elements. It is used to determine if the results are at the element’s centroid or at the nodes only.

This select databox is only visible when Res. Location is set to corner. It is used to enter the corner names for the list of elements.


XY Plot Curve Display Attributes

The following form displays the Curve Display Attributes form for XY Plot.

Select the line style for the curve.

Select the color of the curve.

Select the thickness for the curve.

Select the symbol for the curve.

Select the color of the curve symbol.

Select the size of the curve symbol.

Enter the X and Y Scale Factors for the curve.

122

XY Plot Graph Display

Determines if a graph border should be displayed or not.

Select the color of the graph border.

Select the thickness for the graph border.

Enter the title for the X Axis and is only visible when the Show X Axis Title toggle is selected.

Enter the Max/Min values for the X Axis scale.

Enter the title for the Y Axis and is only visible when the Show Y Axis Title toggle is selected.

Enter the Max/Min values for the Y Axis scale.

Enter the name of the XY window.

Displays the selected subform for the XY Plot Graph Display.


XY Plot Axis Format Subform

The following subform is displayed when the user selects the Axis Format button the XY Plot Graph Display form.

Select the XY Label and Axis Color.

Select the thickness of the XY axis.

Select the style and number of significant digits for the X axis labels.

Select the style and number of significant digits for the Y axis labels.

124

XY Plot Legend Format Subform

The following subform is displayed when the user selects the Legend Format button on the XY Plot Graph Display form.

Select the Legend, Border, and Title for display.

Select the X and Y location percentages.

Select the background color for the legend.

Select the color for the title.

Enter the legend title.

Select the color for the border.

Select the line style for the border.


XY Plot Grid Lines Format Subform

The following subform is displayed when the user selects the Grid Lines Format button on the XY Plot Graph Display form.

Select if the X and/or Y Primary grid is to be displayed.

Select the primary grid color.

Select the desired style for the primary grids X and Y axis.

Select the line thickness for the primary grid. Select number of primary grids to display.

Select if the X and/or Y secondary grid is to be displayed.

Select the desired style for the secondary grids X and Y axis.

Select the line thickness for the secondary grid.

Select the number of secondary grids to display.

126

XY Plot Tick Marks Format

The following subform is displayed when the user selects the Tick Marks Forms button on the XY Plot Graph display form.

Select if the X or Y primary tick marks is to be displayed.

Select for the color of the primary tick mark.

Select the line thickness for the primary tickmarks.

Select if the X or Y secondary tick marks are to be displayed.

Select the color for the secondary tick marks.

Select the line thickness for the secondary tick marks.

Select the number of the secondary tick marks to display.


XY Plot Export

The following displays the Export form for XY Plot.


Select the curves that are to be exported from the list of existing curves. An ASCII file will be created for the selected curves.

Enter the name of the ASCII file.

Select the curves that are to be posted from the list of existing curves. Selected curves will be posted on the existing XY window.

Select to delete selected curves.

128

XY Plot Output

An XY Plot is displayed as follows:


4.5 Results Database Management

Extract SubcasesEliminates the need to store results produced by insignificant loading conditions. Also helps the user keep and distribute only critical data to other users or subcontractors.

After you have accessed MSC.Explore, you need to select Extract Subcases as the Action from the main MSC.Explore form.


Select this icon to view the main form for Extract Subcases.

130

Extract Subcases Main Form

The following form is the main Extract Subcases form.


Displays the Select Subcases subform so the user can select the subcases to be extracted.

Enter the name of the new XDB file that is to be created.


Extract Subcases Subform

The following subform is displayed when the Select Subcases button is selected on the main Extract Subcases form.

To select a subcase, select the subcase row.

Manual or Automatic Resolution of duplicate Subcase ID.

132

InformationProvides users with a quick look at what kind of results are available in various result databases.

After you have accessed MSC.Explore, you need to select Info as the action from the main MSC.Explore form.


Select this icon to view the main form for Information.


Information Main Form

The following form shows the main form for Information. Use this form to select the subcases for processing.



OR


Enter Result File Name. (Optional)

134

Information Output

Typical output is displayed as follows:

Yes denotes that some instances of the Result Type are in the select results DB. This summary shows the presence on at least one DB.


Load CombinationLoad Combination eliminates the need to create analysis results databases with all desired combinations and scale factors of load cases. With this tool, a results database can be generated with subcases for each unit load. Load Combination can then be used to combine and scale load cases to generate as many combinations as desired. These new results databases can then be processed as any other results database in Patran or Explore.

Load Combination Main Form

The following form is the main Load Combination form.


XDB file that is to be created.

Brings up the Load Combination generation form.

Apply generates the new results database file as defined in the Load Combination sub-form.

136

Load Combination Sub-form

The following sub-form is displayed when the Load Combinations… button is selected on the main Load Combinations form.

By pushing the New Load Combination button, a new default load combination will be placed in the list. This title will default to –NULL- and the subcase id will be incremented up one from the highest one already generated. To change the Overall Scale Factor, New Subcase Title or New Subcase ID, Select the load combination subcase you want edit, then hit Enter in any of the three data boxes. The Add New Load Combination and Save Load Combination File buttons will also save any newly entered data before proceeding with their tasks.

New Subcase ID.New loads combination subcase title.

Subcase IDs from original results database.

List of all created load combinations. Load combination name includes new unique subcase id and subcase title. These can be created in this form or imported from a Load Combination file or “*.lcf” file.

“*” Indicates that subcase is selected for load combination.

Select cell to edit Scale factor.

Adds a new load combination.

Delete load combination

Open an Existing load combination file, *.lcf.

Save to load combination file, *.lcf.


Load Combination (*.lcf) File Format and Restrictions.This example .lcf file was imported to show the use of the Load Combination Subform above. All blank lines and lines beginning with a $ are ignored.

1{ xdb:c:\user_home\41441_sub.xdbxdb:c:\user_home\a1011_sub.xdbnewxdb:41441_sub_sub.xdbOption: Comb

This file is read by keys. The keys must be listed in the order shown here. The file is also separated into blocks. Block 1 is required, but Block 2 is not required. The keys will be defined in their required order.

BLOCK 1: Block 1 is required

xdb: This line contains the full path and file name of MSC.Nastran XDB file. Patran’s current working directory will be assumed if no path is specified. There can be any number of “xdb:” keys.

newxdb:. This line should contain the file name of a new xdb name to create for the load combinations. This key is optional

Option: This will contain the text “Comb” or “Combination”. This key is optional.

Block 2: is optional if the load combination data will be created manually. There can be any number of these blocks.

Sub_Title: This key will be followed by a title for this Load Combination.

Sub_Data: This key is followed by a unique subcase id and the overall Load combination scale factor. A comma must separate them. This is followed by the load combination records and contains two integers and a real number separated by commas. The first number is the xdb id. This number specifies which xdb this subcase is in. The number is the order of the xdb in Block 1. The second number is the subcase id within that xdb. The last number is the scale factor applied to that subcase. If zero, this record will be ignored. The number of load combination records is related to the total number of subcases in all listed xdb files, but any number of them can be specified.

2{ Sub_Title: my_new great title 1Sub_Data:114,1.231,1,4.125

Sub_Title: my_new great title 2Sub_Data:115,1.451,1,5.1251,2,2.2,113,1.

Sub_Title: my_new great title 3Sub_Data:116,1.671,1,6.1252,113,1.

$Eof

Note: This file can be used by any MSC.Explore option that needs xdb files to be selected. This file can include just the XDB: records and be imported using the Open Load Combination button. Once opened, you can go to any of the other MSC.Explore features and these xdb files will be available if their contents are supported.

138


AUsing MSC.Explore PCL Functions

� MSC.Explore PCL Functions

140

A.1 MSC.Explore PCL Functions

PCL FunctionsThis section documents the user-callable PCL functions for the ranked envelope. These PCL functions can be broken into three categories: session file, user functions, and envelope data functions.

The session file functions are those functions that are written to the session file when the Apply button is depressed. The user functions can be used to define a user-specified file format for envelope import, export, or report. Finally, the envelope data functions can be used to interact with the client data table that stores the envelope definition.

Session File Functions

mscexplore_renv_plot.plot_envelope_fringe

(env_names, rank_id, quantity, display_opt, target, num_groups, groups, ent_list, num_attribs, attribs)

Description:Displays a fringe plot of either a single envelope or an envelope comparison between 2 envelopes.Input:env_names STRING[40](2) Array of envelope names.rank_id INTEGER Rank level to plot.quantity STRING[32] Quantity to display. Can be the Result Value, Subcase ID, XDB

ID, or Time/Freq.display_opt STRING[32] Display option. Can be As Is, Difference, Extremum,

Percentage, or Ratio. Not all Quantity/Display Option combinations are valid. See table below for valid choices.

target STRING[32] Target entities to display the plot on. This keyword indicates how the target entities are supplied. Valid choices are: Current Viewport (“CURR”), Groups (“GRP”), Element list (“EID”), Node list (“Node”), All Elements (“All Elms”), and All Nodes (“All Nodes”).

num_groups INTEGER Number of groups selected for target equal to “GRP” (select groups).

groups STRING[32](num_groups)Array of group names for target equal to “GRP” (select groups).

ent_list STRING[VIRTUAL]Entity list for target equal to “Node” or “EID”.

num_attribs INTEGER Number of display attributes (10 for single envelope plot and 11 for an envelope comparison plot).

141CHAPTER AUsing MSC.Explore PCL Functions

attribs STRING[64](num_attribs)Attributes. See table below for attribute descriptions.

Output:<Return Value> INTEGER Zero for success.

Valid Quantity/Display Option Combinations

Number of Envelopes Quantity Display Number of

Envelopes Quantity Display

1 Result Value

As Is 2 Result Value

Difference

1 Subcase ID As Is 2 Result Value

Extremum

1 XDB ID As Is 2 Result Value

Percentage

1 Time/Freq As Is 2 Result Value

Ratio

Envelope Fringe Plot Attributes

Attribute Datatype Description Plot Type(s)


FringeStyle String Choices: Discrete/Smooth, Continuous, Element Fill, Discrete/Flat

Both

ElmShrink Real Element shrink. 0.0 for no shrink, 1.0 for 100% shrink, or 0.1 for 10% shrink, etc.

Both

EdgeWidth Integer Element edge width. Choices are 1 (thin) through 10 (thick)

Both

ShowMaxMin Logical TRUE to label max/min values Both

FringeLabel Logical TRUE to display the values used to draw the fringe plot

Both

142

LabelFormat String, Integer, Integer

Numeric label format and color. Format, color id, number of digits. Valid choices for format are Fixed, Exponential, or Integer.

Both

AvgDomain String Averaging domain. Valid choices are All or Element (no averaging)

Both

Threshold Real Threshold value Both

MinRange Real Minimum range value Both

MaxRange Real Maximum range value Both

DisplayAs String Choices depend on Display Option:

Difference – As Is or Env1, Difference

Extremum – Absolute Max, Algebraic Max or Min

Percentage – As Is or Difference, Percentage

Ratio – As Is or Difference, Ratio

Envelope Comparison only

Envelope Fringe Plot Attributes


mscexplore_renv_plot.plot_envelope_label

(env_names, rank_id, quantity, display_opt, target, num_groups, groups, ent_list, num_attribs, attribs, num_cases, case_labels, case_colors)

Description:Displays a label plot of either a single envelope or an envelope comparison between 2 envelopes.Input:env_names STRING[40](2) Array of envelope namesrank_id INTEGER Rank level to plotquantity STRING[32] Quantity to display. Can be the Result Value, Subcase ID, XDB

ID, or Time/Freq.display_opt STRING[32] Display option. Can be As Is, Difference, Extremum,

Percentage, or Ratio. Not all Quantity/Display option combinations are valid. See table below for valid choices.


target STRING[32] Target entities to display the plot on. This keyword indicates how the target entities are supplied. Valid choices are: Current Viewport (“CURR”), Groups (“GRP”), Element list (“EID”), Node list (“Node”), All Elements (“All Elms”), and All Nodes (“All Nodes”)

num_groups INTEGER Number of groups selected for target equal to “GRP” (select groups)

groups STRING[32](num_groups)Array of group names for target equal to “GRP” (select groups)

num_attribs INTEGER Number of display attributes (5 for single envelope plot and 6 for an envelope comparison plot)


num_cases INTEGER Number of subcases associated to the envelope.case_labels STRING[64](num_cases)

Case labels for the subcases associated to the envelope. Labels consist of the XDB Id and Subcase Id.

case_colors INTEGER(num_cases)Color assigned to each subcase associated to the envelope.

Output:<Return Value> INTEGER Zero for success.




Number of Envelopes

Quantity Display Number of Envelopes

Quantity Display

1 or 2 Result Value As Is 2 Result Value Difference

1 or 2 Subcase ID As Is 2 Result Value Extremum

1 or 2 XDB ID As Is 2 Result Value Percentage

1 or 2 Time/Freq As Is 2 Result Value Ratio

144

Envelope Label Plot Attributes



LabelFormat String, Integer, Integer

Numeric label format and color. Format, color id, number of digits. Valid choices for format are Fixed, Exponential, or Integer.

Both


PlotNoResults Logical If TRUE, entities with no envelope data will be labeled, No Results. If FALSE, no label will be plotted.

Both

PlotNoThreshold Logical If TRUE, entities that fail the threshold will be labeled, Threshold. If FALSE, no label will be plotted.

Both

UseCaseColor Logical If TRUE, then the label colors will correspond to the subcase color assignments. If FALSE, all labels will use the same color.

Single

PrintCaseList Logical If TRUE, print the case labels in the viewport.

Single

LabelOpt String Allows for additional data to be appended to the displayed label. Choices include: None, XDB ID/Subcase ID, Subcase ID, XDB ID, or Time/Freq.

Single

SameColor Integer Label color if the envelope 1 results are from the same result case as the envelope 2 results.

Envelope Comparison

DiffColor Integer Label color if the envelope 1 results are from a different result case than the envelope 2 results.

Envelope Comparison

DiffPrefix String String to be attached as a prefix to a label if the envelope 1 results are from a different result case than the envelope 2 results.

Envelope Comparison

DisplayAs String Valid choices depend on the selected Quantity and Display option. Choose from As Is, Absolute Max, Algebraic Max, Algebraic Min, Airbus.

Envelope Comparison


mscexplore_renv_report.main

(env_names, rank_id, quantity, display_opt, target, num_groups, groups, ent_list, num_attribs, report_format, append_report, fname)

Description:

Input:env_names STRING[40](2) Array of envelope names.rank_id INTEGER Rank level to write to reportquantity STRING[32] Quantity to be reported. Can be Result Value, Subcase ID,

XDB ID, or Time/Freq.display_opt STRING[32] Display option. Can be As Is, Difference, Extremum,

Percentage, or Ratio. No all Quantity/Display option combinations are valid. See table below for valid choices.

target STRING[32] Target entities to display the plot on. This keyword indicates how the target entities are supplied. Valid choices are: Current Viewport (“CURR”), Groups (“GRP”), Element list (“EID”), Node list (“Node”), All Elements (“All Elms”), and All Nodes (“All Nodes”)

num_groups INTEGER Number of groups selected for target equal to “GRP” (select groups)

groups STRING[32](mum_groups)Array of group names for target equal to “GRP” (select groups)

ent_list STRING[VIRTUAL]Entity list for target equal to “Node” or “EID”.

num_attribs INTEGER Number of display attributes (4 for single envelope plot and for an envelope comparison plot)


report_format STRING[32] Report format. Valid choices are: Default or User. Default writes the report in the “default” format. User writes the report in a user-defined format. The User format option requires the existence of a PCL function called report in the mscexplore_renv_user class. See more about user functions later.

append_report LOGICAL TRUE to append the report to an existing file.Output:<Return Value> INTEGER Zero for success.

146




1 or 2 Result Value

As Is 2 Result Value

Difference

1 or 2 Subcase ID As Is 2 Result Value

Extremum

1 or 2 XDB ID As Is 2 Result Value

Percentage

1 or 2 Time/Freq As Is 2 Result Value

Ratio

Envelope Report Attributes



PrintNoResults Logical If TRUE, entities with no envelope data will be labeled, No Results. If FALSE, no label will be plotted.

Both

PrintNoThreshold

Logical If TRUE, entities that fail the threshold will be labeled, Threshold. If FALSE, no label will be plotted.

Both

PrintAs String Both


mscexplore_renv_utils.delete_envelopes

(num_env, env_names, delete_results)

Description:Deletes selected envelopes. Optionally, deletes the associated result case.Input:num_env INTEGER Number of envelopes to deleteenv_names STRING[40](num_env)

Envelope names to be deleteddelete_results LOGICAL TRUE to delete the result case associated to the selected

envelopesOutput:<Return Value> INTEGER Zero for success.

mscexplore_renv_export.main (env_name, file_format, fname)

Description:Exports the selected envelope from an MSC.Patran database.Input:env_name INTEGER Name of envelope to be exported.file_format STRING[32]fname STRING[VIRTUAL] Name of file to create during export.Output:<Return Value> INTEGER Zero for success.

mscexplore_renv_import.read_envelope

(env_name, file_format, fname)

Description:Exports the selected envelope from an MSC.Patran database.Input:env_name STRING[40] Envelope name to be created.format_opt STRING[32]fname STRING[VIRTUAL] Filename containing envelope to be imported.Output:<Return Value> INTEGER Zero for success.

148

mscexplore_renv_create_select.create_ranked_envelope

(env_name, is_node, fname, save_res_file)

Description:Creates a ranked envelopeInput:env_name STRING[40] Envelope name to be created.is_node LOGICAL TRUE if envelope is for nodal results. FALSE if envelope is

for element results.fname STRING[VIRTUAL] Base filename of Patran 2.5 results neutral file to be

imported. Also, the base filename of the results template file.

save_res_file LOGICAL TRUE to save result files.Output:<Return Value> INTEGER Zero for success.


User Functions

MSC.Explore offers the capability to import envelopes, export envelopes, or create envelope reports based on user-defined file formats. This capability requires that the user create special functions to achieve these tasks. These functions are defined in a user-created PCL class called, mscexplore_renv_user. The special functions are called: import, export, and report.

mscexplore_renv_user.import (envelope_name, filename)

Description:Function used to import a user-defined ranked envelope file.Input:envelope_name STRING[40] Name of the ranked envelope to be createdfilename STRING Name of file to be importedOutput:<Return Value> INTEGER Zero for success. Nonzero for failure.

mscexplore_renv_user.export (envelope_name, filename)

Description:Function used to export a user-defined ranked envelope file.Input:envelope_name STRING[40] Name of the ranked envelope to be exportedfilename STRING Name of file to be created during exportOutput:<Return Value> INTEGER Zero for success. Nonzero for failure.

150

mscexplore_renv_user.report filename, append, num_envelopes, envelope_names, rank_id, target, num_groups, groups, entity_list, quantity, display_option, print_no_results, print_no_threshold, print_as, threshold)

Description:Function used to create a user-defined report.Input:filename STRING Name of report file to be created or appendedappend LOGICAL TRUE to append report to an existing report filenum_envelopes INTEGER Number of envelopes written to reportenvelope_names STRING[40]() Envelope namesrank_id INTEGER Selected rank leveltarget STRING “CURR” for the current viewport, “Node” for picklist

of nodes, “EID” for picklist of elements, “GRP” for group names, “All Elms” for all elements, and “All Nodes” for all nodes

num_groups INTEGER Number of selected groups if target set to “GRP”groups STRING[32]() Names of selected groupsentity_list STRING[VIRTUAL]

Picklist of entities if target set to “EID” or “Node”quantity STRING “Result Value”, “Subcase ID”, XDB ID”, “Time/Freq”display_option STRING “AsIs”, “Difference”, “Extremum”, “Percentage”,

“Ratio”print_no_results LOGICAL TRUE if report rows with no results should be

suppressedprint_no_threshold LOGICAL TRUE if report rows that do not pass the threshold

should be suppressedprint_as STRING[32] Only used if more than one envelope selected.

Controls format for report. Valid choices include: “AsIs”, “Absolute Max”, “Algebraic Max”, “Algebraic Min”, “Env1, Difference”, “Difference, Ratio”, or “Difference Percentage”

Threshold REAL Threshold valueOutput:<Return Value> INTEGER Zero for success. Nonzero for failure.


Envelope Data Functions

mscexplore_renv_utils.get_rescase_for_envelope

(envelope_name, loadcase_id, subcase_id)

Description:Retrieves the load case and subcase Ids for the result case associated to the ranked envelope.Input:envelope_name STRING[40] Envelope nameOutput:loadcase_id INTEGER Load case Idsubcase_id INTEGER Subcase Id<Return Value> INTEGER Zero for success. Nonzero for failure.

mscexplore_renv_utils.get_info_for_envelope

(envelope_name, result, entity, component, max_rank, is_element)

Description:Description: Retrieves information about the envelope. In particular, retrieves the envelope’s result quantity, entity type, result component, and maximum rank.Input:envelope_name STRING[40] Envelope nameOutput:result STRING Result quantity nameentity STRING Entity type namecomponent STRING Result componentmax_rank INTEGER Envelope rankis_element LOGICAL TRUE if envelope is for elements. FALSE if envelope is

for nodes.<Return Value> INTEGER Zero for success. Nonzero for failure.

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mscexplore_renv_utils.get_restype_ids (envelope_name, rank, type, primary_id, secondary_id)

Description:Retrieves the primary and secondary result type Ids for the envelope.Input:envelope_name STRING[40] Envelope namerank INTEGER Required rank level. Must be less than the maximum

rank of the envelope.type INTEGER Result type to extract. 1 for result values, 2 for subcase

Ids, 3 for XDB Id, and 4 for time/frequency valuesOutput:primary_id INTEGER Primary result type Idsecondary_id INTEGER Secondary result type Id<Return Value> INTEGER Zero for success. Nonzero for failure.

mscexplore_renv_utils.add_envelope (envelope_name, loadcase_name, subcase_name)

Description:Associate an MSC.Patran result case to a ranked envelope.Input:envelope_name STRING[40] Envelope nameloadcase_name STRING[] Load case namesubcase_name STRING[] Subcase nameOutput:<Return Value> INTEGER Zero for success. Nonzero for failure.

mscexplore_renv_utils.get_envelope_names

(num_envelopes, envelope_names)

Description:Get a list of existing ranked envelopes.Input:NoneOutput:


num_envelopes INTEGER Number of ranked envelopesenvelope_names STRING[40]() Envelope names

mscexplore_renv_utils.delete_envelope (envelope_name, delete_results)

Description:Delete a ranked envelope. Optionally delete the associated result case.Input:envelope_name STRING[40] Name of envelope to delete.delete_results LOGICAL TRUE to delete the associated result case.Output:<Return Value> INTEGER Zero for success. Nonzero for failure.

mscexplore_renv_utils.add_envelope_rc_names

(envelope_name, num_rc, rc_names)

Description: Associates result case names with an envelope to be used for plots and reports instead of XDB Ids and Subcase Ids.Input:envelope_name STRING[40] Existing envelope namenum_rc INTEGER Number of result cases represented by the enveloperc_names STRING[40](num_rc) Result case namesOutput:<Return Value> INTEGER Zero for success. Nonzero for failure.

mscexplore_renv_utils.get_envelope_rc_names

(envelope_label, num_rc, rc_names)

Description:Gets result case names associated with an envelope.Input:envelope_label INTEGER Existing envelope client data labelOutput:num_rc INTEGER Number of result cases represented by the envelope

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rc_names STRING[40](num_rc)Result case names<Return Value> INTEGER Zero for success. Nonzero for failure.

mscexplore_renv_utils. add_envelope_rc_names_by_assoc

(env_name, num_rc, xdb_ids, sc_ids, rc_names)

Description:Associates result case names with an envelope to be used for plots and reports instead of XDB Ids and Subcase Ids.Input:envelope_name STRING[40] Existing envelope namenum_rc INTEGER Number of result cases represented by the envelopexdb_ids INTEGER(num_rc) List of XDB Ids that correspond to the result case

namessc_ids INTEGER(num_rc) List of Subcase Ids that correspond to the result case

namesrc_names STRING[40](num_rc) Result case namesOutput:<Return Value> INTEGER Zero for success. Nonzero for failure.

mscexplore_renv_user_results.init_results (num_ids, num_rank)

Description:This function initializes classwide arrays, etc. prior to adding results. This functions should be called first, then results should be added via mscexplore_renv_user_results.add_results(…). After all results have been added, the envelope and associated results are created in the MSC.Patran database via the mscexplore_renv_user_results.create_results(…) function.Input:num_ids INTEGER Number of entities (nodes or elements)num_rank INTEGER Rank levelOutput:None


mscexplore_renv_user_results.add_results (id, vals, labels)

Description:Adds results for all rank levels for an entity. This function should be called once for each entity after first initializing the result arrays with mscexplore_renv_user_results.init_results(..).Input:id INTEGER Entity IDvals REAL(num_rank) Result values for each rank levellabels STRING[40](num_rank) Names associated to the results for each rank levelOutput:<Return Value> INTEGER Zero for success.

mscexplore_renv_user_results.create_results

envelope_name, is_elm, entity, result, comp)

Description:

Input:envelope_name STRING[40] Entity IDis_elm LOGICAL TRUE if results are associated to elementsentity STRING[32] Entity nameresult STRING[32] Result typecomp STRING[32] Result componentOutput:<Return Value> INTEGER Zero for success.

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I N D E XMSC.Explore User’s Guide

I N D E XMSC.Explore

User’s Guide
Aarchitecture and capabilities, 3audience, 14
CContents and Results File Partition and

Merge, 7Convenience Tools, 7, 42, 117creating ranked envelopes, 66Critical Load Determination, 30, 49

EEnvelope, 26, 36, 95envelope comparison plots, 70Envelope Main Form, 96Envelope Output Results, 103Envelope Target Entity - Current Viewport,

98Envelope Target Entity - Groups, 100Envelope Target Entity - Nodes, 99Extract Subcases, 28, 45, 129Extract Subcases Main Form, 130Extract Subcases Output, 131

FFree Body, 27, 38, 104Free Body Display Attribute, 105Free Body Export, 108Free Body Groups, 107Free Body Main Form, 105

Free Body Spreadsheet Output, 110Free Body Target Entity, 106fringe plots, 71

GGeneral Information, 25Getting Started, 9graphical user interface, 18Graphics Output Example, 23

HHardware, 14HTML Output Example, 22

IInformation, 28, 44, 132Information Main Form, 133Information Output, 134Integration of MSC.Explore with

MSC.Nastran and MSC.Patran, 5Introduction, 1, 26invoking MSC.Explore, 15

LLimitations, 29Loads Summation, 7, 38, 104

INDEX

158

MMax/Min Export, 54Max/Min Main Form, 50Max/Min Output Results, 55Max/Min Sorting, 26, 30, 49Max/Min Target Entity, 51MSC.Explore Forms, 18MSC.Explore Output, 20

OOverview, 10

Pplotting envelopes, 70prerequisites, 14

hardware, 14software, 14

RRank, 56Rank Export, 62Rank Output Results, 63Rank Target Entity, 59ranked envelope, 34, 64Ranking, 26, 32Report, 28, 39, 111Report Export, 114Report Main Form, 112Report Output, 115Report Target Entity, 113Results Database Management, 44, 129

Ssingle envelope plots, 70Software, 14

TText Output Example, 20

UUsing MSC.Explore, 47, 139Using MSC.Explore Forms, 30Using MSC.Explore Functions, 48, 140

XXY Plot, 27, 42, 117XY Plot Axis Format, 122XY Plot Export, 127XY Plot Grid Lines Format, 125XY Plot Legend Format, 124XY Plot Main Menu, 118XY Plot Output, 128XY Plot Target Entity, 120XY Plot Tick Marks Format, 126XY Post/Unpost, 119

Documents

MSC.Explore Version 2006 User's Guide