“Define nodes” dialog

Using this dialog, nodes for the definition of macro elements are created. Nodes are assigned to SURF elements, so one SURF element must always be active. If a boundary curve exists for the active SURF element, this is plotted using a different colour.

Following dialog shows the available options:

Activate SURF element

Graphically: Clicking this button, the names of the actually displayed SURF elements are plotted with an additional symbol. Use the cursor to select the symbol of the SURF element to be activated. The newly activated SURF element is displayed together with the bounding CONS elements.

Name: Clicking this button, a text window pops up with the names of all SURF elements. Mark the name of the SURF element to be activated with cursor and click the OK button of the text window.

Plot: Clicking this button, the active SURF element and the bounding CONS elements are newly plotted.

Generate nodes

Following options may be used to generate new nodes on the active SURF element:

Divide bounding curve: Using this option, nodes are generated on the bounding curve of the SURF element. Nodes are generated at the end points of all CONS segments. If the number of intermediate nodes given is greater than 1, this number of nodes is generated additionally in the inner of the CONS segments.

Between 2 SURF nodes: With this option, two existing nodes of the active SURF element are repeatedly selected graphically; then, on the line between these two nodes, m intermediate nodes are generated, where m is the number given in the input field.

Number of intermediate nodes: In the input field the number of intermediate nodes to be used with the two options above must be given.

Determine intermediate nodes graphically: With this option, you first select graphically two existing nodes of the active SURF element. A line between these two nodes is plotted, then, using left mouse button, you repeatedly mark the location of the new nodes to be generated on this line. Clicking right mouse button finishes the generation of new nodes on the active line. Then, the end nodes of a new line may be selected until the right mouse button is pressed twice.

SURF segment corners: With this option, one node is generated at the corners of all SURF segments.

Intersection SURF-CONS: With this option, one node is generated at the intersection of the edges of SURF segments and the bounding curves of the surface (CONS elements).

Select neighbour nodes: This option enables generating nodes on the bounding curve of the active SURF element that have nearly the same coordinates as existing nodes of neighbour SURF elements. First a neighbour SURF element must be activated by clicking the button “Graphically” or “Name”; all defined macro elements of this SURF element are plotted, where the nodes of these elements are marked by the symbol “E” for corner nodes and “Z” for intermediate nodes on edges. These nodes then are graphically selectable. Selecting one of these nodes by using left mouse button, a new node on the bounding curve of the active SURF element is generated, with coordinates as closely as possibly as the selected node. This requires the distance of the selected node and the bounding curve of the active SURF element to be less than a given tolerance.

Graphically: Click this button to activate a neighbour SURF element graphically.

Name: Click this button to activate a neighbour SURF element by name.

Generate nodes: After having chosen how to generate new nodes, click this button to start the operation. Newly generated nodes are immediately plotted.

Undo: Clicking this button, the latest generated nodes are removed.

Plot nodes: Clicking this button, all nodes of the active SURF element are newly plotted.

Remove nodes: Clicking this button, all nodes of the active SURF element, which have not been used for the definition of macro elements, are removed.

Plot macro elements of neighbouring surfaces

Select graphically: After clicking this button select graphically all neighbouring SURF elements of which the macro elements should be plotted. Nodes of the macro elements are marked by the symbols “E” for corner nodes and “Z” for intermediate nodes on edges. The colour index to plot the macro elements must be given. Symbols are plotted using font index 2.

Select names: Clicking this button, neighbouring SURF elements are selected by name in a text window.