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Explore
MSC.Explore User’s Guide
Version 2006
Main Index
Corporate
MSC.Software Corporation
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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
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without prior notice.
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User Documentation: Copyright 2006 MSC.Software Corporation. Printed in U.S.A. All Rights Reserved.
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Main Index
C O N T E N T S
MSC.Explore User’s Guide
MSC.Explore User’s Guide,
1
Introduction ■ Overview, 2
❑ Benefits, 2
2
Getting 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
3
General ■ Introduction, 26
Information - Max/Min Sorting, 26
- Ranking, 26
- Envelope, 26
- Ranked Envelope, 27
Main Index
- 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
4
Using ■ Using MSC.Explore Functions, 48
MSC.Explore ■ 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
Main Index
❑ 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
Main Index
- 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
A
Using ■ MSC.Explore PCL Functions, 140
MSC.Explore PCL ❑ PCL Functions, 140
Functions - Session File Functions, 140
- User Functions, 149
- Envelope Data Functions, 151
Main Index
MSC.Explore User’s Guide
CHAPTER
Introduction
1
■ Overview
■ Architecture and Capabilities
■ Integration of MSC.Explore with MSC.Nastran and MSC.Patran
■ About This Guide
Main Index
2
1.1 Overview
MSC.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.
Benefits
Using 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.
Main Index
CHAPTER 1 3
Introduction
Main Index
4
Main Index
CHAPTER 1 5
Introduction
Main Index
6
For example:
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)
Default values are set upon first use and your settings are then retained from session
to session.
Main Index
CHAPTER 1 7
Introduction
Loads Summation
• Free Body
• Report
Convenience Tools
• XY Plot
Main Index
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.
Main Index
MSC.Explore User’s Guide
CHAPTER
Getting Started
2
■ Overview
■ Prerequisites
■ Invoking MSC.Explore
■ Settings.pcl Entries
■ Graphical User Interface
Main Index
10
2.1 Overview
MSC.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
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.
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CHAPTER 2 11
Getting Started
Function Description/Purpose/Input/Output
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.
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12
Function Description/Purpose/Input/Output
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.
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CHAPTER 2 13
Getting Started
Function Description/Purpose/Input/Output
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.
Main Index
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
Audience
This 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.
Main Index
CHAPTER 2 15
Getting Started
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.
Main Index
16
Main Index
CHAPTER 2 17
Getting Started
For example:
Main Index
18
MSC.Explore Forms
All 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.
Selected
Icon
Icons used to determine
what the rest of the form
looks like and which class
of data to enter. These
include:
- Select subcase
- Target Entity selection
- Target Entity attributes
- Spreadsheet layout
- Output File layout
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.
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CHAPTER 2 19
Getting Started
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.
Main Index
20
MSC.Explore Output
MSC.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.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* * * *
* * THE * *
* * MSC.Software Corporation * *
* * * *
* * M S C / E x p l o r e * *
* * * *
* * VERSION - 200x (Sep 01 200x) * *
* * * *
* * * *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
MSC/Explore
-----------------------------------------------------
xdb:D:\p3_test/a101a.xdb
title:
opt:Rank
html:YES
resp:Stress
flag:PID
List:ALL
howmany:5,4
Main Index
CHAPTER 2 21
Getting Started
...
... <Lines deleted for clarity>
...
* * * End of Job * * *
Main Index
22
Main Index
CHAPTER 2 23
Getting Started
Main Index
24
Main Index
MSC.Explore User’s Guide
CHAPTER
General Information
3
■ Introduction
■ Limitations
■ Using MSC.Explore Forms
Main Index
26
3.1 Introduction
MSC.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.
• Produces HTML or text documentation.
Envelope
• Finds critical results for each individual Element/Grid across all load cases.
• Displays worst-case scenario from all loading conditions.
Main Index
CHAPTER 3 27
General Information
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.
• 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.
• 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.
Main Index
28
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.
Main Index
CHAPTER 3 29
General Information
3.2 Limitations
MSC.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).
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
For the Aeroelastic analysis, MSC.Explore operates on any structural FE results for the
subcase(s).
Main Index
30
Main Index
CHAPTER 3 31
General Information
Output Results
For static analysis, typical output for Max/Min Sorting is as follows:
Main Index
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.
The following is a list of the options for this function:
• 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.
• Produces HTML or text documentation.
Main Index
CHAPTER 3 33
General Information
Output Results
For static analysis, typical output for Ranking is as follows:
Main Index
34
Ranked Envelope
The 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).
Main Index
CHAPTER 3 35
General Information
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.
Main Index
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.
The following is a list of the options for this function:
• Finds critical results for each individual Element/Grid across all load cases.
• Displays worst-case scenario from all loading conditions.
• 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.
• Produces HTML or text documentation.
Output Results
Typical fringe plot of selected component is displayed as follows:
Main Index
CHAPTER 3 37
General Information
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.
Main Index
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.
The following is a list of the options for this function:
• 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:
Main Index
CHAPTER 3 39
General Information
Report
This section lists the options within the Report 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 results from Results Database files for selected elements and grids.
• Provides HTML or text documentation.
Main Index
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 OR
POSSESSION OF THIS PROGRAM DOES NOT CONVEY ANY RIGHTS TO REPRODUCE OR DISCLOSE ITS CONTENTS, OR TO
MANUFACTURE, 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
-----------------------------------------------------
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 * *
* * ------------------- * *
* * * *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
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General Information
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* * * *
* * CQUAD4 : Stresses * *
* * Elem_Id : 4 * *
* * ------------------- * *
* * * *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* * * End of Job * * *
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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.
The following is a list of the options for this function:
• 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.
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General Information
Output Results
An XY Plot is displayed as follows:
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44
Output Results
Typical output for option INFO is displayed as follows:
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CHAPTER 3 45
General Information
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.
The following is a list of the options for this function:
• 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
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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.
Main Index
MSC.Explore User’s Guide
CHAPTER
Using MSC.Explore
4
■ Using MSC.Explore Functions
■ Critical Load Determination
■ Loads Summation
■ Convenience Tools
■ Results Database Management
Main Index
48
Loads Summation
Free Body
Report
Convenience Tools
XY Plot
Extract Subcases
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Using MSC.Explore
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50
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Using MSC.Explore
Note: Choosing All Properties or All Elements will result in hyperlinks by property
ID or element ID in the HTML output.
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52
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Using MSC.Explore
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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.
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Using MSC.Explore
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56
Rank
Finds 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.
The following displays the top portion of the form and gives usage instructions.
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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.
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Using MSC.Explore
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60
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62
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.
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.
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Using MSC.Explore
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64
Ranked Envelope
The 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).
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Using MSC.Explore
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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66
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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.
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68
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
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70
Plotting Envelopes
Once 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.
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Using MSC.Explore
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.
Select envelope
Plot quantity. Valid choices are the Result Value, the XDB
ID, the Subcase ID, or the Time/Frequency value.
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72
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.
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Using MSC.Explore
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.
pref_env_set_logical(“AutoExecuteRankedEnvelope”, TRUE)
Label color
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Using MSC.Explore
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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76
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
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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.
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78
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.
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Using MSC.Explore
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.
pref_env_set_logical(“AutoExecuteRankedEnvelope”, TRUE)
Significant figures
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80
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.
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Using MSC.Explore
Display attributes for a comparison envelope label plot are show below.
Significant figures
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82
The following table lists the possible choices for the Display As option menu.
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Using MSC.Explore
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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84
Reports
Creating 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.
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Using MSC.Explore
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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86
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.
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Using MSC.Explore
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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88
Sample Reports
Included here are some excerpts of reports. Not all options are covered.
1. Single envelope report (Quantity: Result Value, Display: As Is).
MSC.Explore v200x
Date: 17-Mar-0x
Time: 09:10:04
Database: D:\zall.db
Envelope: test
Entity: PLATES
Result: Stress
Component: Sx
Rank: 1
Quantity: Result Value
Threshold: 0.
MSC.Explore v200x
Date: 17-Mar-03
Time: 09:13:49
Database: D:\zall.db
Envelope1: test
Envelope2: test3
Entity: PLATES
Result: Stress
Component: Sx
Rank: 1
Quantity: Result Value
Display: AsIs
Threshold: 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
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Using MSC.Explore
MSC.Explore v200x
Date: 17-Mar-0x
Time: 09:16:36
Database: D:\zall.db
Envelope1: test
Envelope2: test3
Entity: PLATES
Result: Stress
Component: Sx
Rank: 1
Quantity: Result Value
Display: Difference
Print As: Airbus
Threshold: 0.
MSC.Explore v200x
Date: 17-Mar-0x
Time: 09:36:20
Database: D:\zall.db
Envelope1: test
Envelope2: test3
Entity: PLATES
Result: Stress
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90
Component: Sx
Rank: 1
Quantity: Result Value
Display: Difference
Print As: AsIs
Threshold: 0.
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Using MSC.Explore
Deleting Envelopes
Envelopes 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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92
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Using MSC.Explore
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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94
pref_env_set_string(“MSCEXPLORE_RENV_EXPORT_EXT”, “exp”)
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Using MSC.Explore
Envelope
Finds 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.
The following displays the top portion of the form and gives usage instructions.
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96
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98
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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.
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102
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.
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.
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Using MSC.Explore
Note that the display is showing the combination of Result and Fill options under
Attributes.
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104
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106
Verify nodes/elements
selection.
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.
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Using MSC.Explore
Verify nodes/elements
selection.
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108
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Using MSC.Explore
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.
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110
Note: Select Subcase ID to display resultant vectors. Select the column heading to
sort the resultant in ascending or descending order.
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Using MSC.Explore
Report
Gives 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.
The following displays the top portion of the form and gives usage instructions.
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112
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114
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.
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.
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Using MSC.Explore
Report Output
THIS PROGRAM IS CONFIDENTIAL AND A TRADE SECRET OF THE MSC.SOFTWARE CORPORATION. THE RECEIPT OR
POSSESSION OF THIS PROGRAM DOES NOT CONVEY ANY RIGHTS TO REPRODUCE OR DISCLOSE ITS CONTENTS, OR TO
MANUFACTURE, 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
-----------------------------------------------------
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 * *
* * ------------------- * *
* * * *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
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116
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* * * *
* * CQUAD4 : Stresses * *
* * Elem_Id : 4 * *
* * ------------------- * *
* * * *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* * * End of Job * * *
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XY Plot Post/Unpost
The following subform is displayed when the user selects the Post/Unpost Graph
button on the XY Plot Main form.
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XY Plot Export
The following displays the Export form for XY Plot.
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.
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128
XY Plot Output
An XY Plot is displayed as follows:
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132
Information
Provides 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.
The following displays the top portion of the form and gives usage instructions.
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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.
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Using MSC.Explore
Load Combination
Load 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.
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136
Select cell to
edit Scale
factor.
Delete load
combination
Open an
Existing load
combination file,
*.lcf.
List of all created load combinations. Load combination name includes Save to load
new unique subcase id and subcase title. These can be created in this combination file, *.lcf.
form or imported from a Load Combination file or “*.lcf” file.
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.
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{
Sub_Title: my_new great title 1
2 Sub_Data:114,1.23 BLOCK 1: Block 1 is required
1,1,4.125
xdb: This line contains the full path and file name of
Sub_Title: my_new great title 2MSC.Nastran XDB file. Patran’s current working
Sub_Data:115,1.45 directory will be assumed if no path is specified. There
1,1,5.125 can be any number of “xdb:” keys.
1,2,2.
2,113,1. newxdb:. This line should contain the file name of a new
Sub_Title: my_new great title 3xdb name to create for the load combinations. This key
Sub_Data:116,1.67 is optional
1,1,6.125
2,113,1. Option: This will contain the text “Comb” or
“Combination”. This key is optional.
$Eof
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.
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.
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140
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).
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attribs STRING[64](num_attribs)
Attributes. See table below for attribute descriptions.
Output:
<Return Value> INTEGER Zero for success.
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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 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.
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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)
attribs STRING[64](num_attribs)
Attributes. See table below for attribute descriptions.
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.
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Description:
Input:
env_names STRING[40](2) Array of envelope names.
rank_id INTEGER Rank level to write to report
quantity 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)
attribs STRING[64](num_attribs)
Attributes. See table below for attribute descriptions.
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.
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Description:
Deletes selected envelopes. Optionally, deletes the associated result case.
Input:
num_env INTEGER Number of envelopes to delete
env_names STRING[40](num_env)
Envelope names to be deleted
delete_results LOGICAL TRUE to delete the result case associated to the selected
envelopes
Output:
<Return Value> INTEGER Zero for success.
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.
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.
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Description:
Creates a ranked envelope
Input:
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.
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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.
Description:
Function used to import a user-defined ranked envelope file.
Input:
envelope_name STRING[40] Name of the ranked envelope to be created
filename STRING Name of file to be imported
Output:
<Return Value> INTEGER Zero for success. Nonzero for failure.
Description:
Function used to export a user-defined ranked envelope file.
Input:
envelope_name STRING[40] Name of the ranked envelope to be exported
filename STRING Name of file to be created during export
Output:
<Return Value> INTEGER Zero for success. Nonzero for failure.
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Description:
Function used to create a user-defined report.
Input:
filename STRING Name of report file to be created or appended
append LOGICAL TRUE to append report to an existing report file
num_envelopes INTEGER Number of envelopes written to report
envelope_names STRING[40]() Envelope names
rank_id INTEGER Selected rank level
target 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 groups
entity_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
suppressed
print_no_threshold LOGICAL TRUE if report rows that do not pass the threshold
should be suppressed
print_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 value
Output:
<Return Value> INTEGER Zero for success. Nonzero for failure.
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Description:
Retrieves the load case and subcase Ids for the result case associated to the ranked envelope.
Input:
envelope_name STRING[40] Envelope name
Output:
loadcase_id INTEGER Load case Id
subcase_id INTEGER Subcase Id
<Return Value> INTEGER Zero for success. Nonzero for failure.
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 name
Output:
result STRING Result quantity name
entity STRING Entity type name
component STRING Result component
max_rank INTEGER Envelope rank
is_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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Description:
Retrieves the primary and secondary result type Ids for the envelope.
Input:
envelope_name STRING[40] Envelope name
rank 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 values
Output:
primary_id INTEGER Primary result type Id
secondary_id INTEGER Secondary result type Id
<Return Value> INTEGER Zero for success. Nonzero for failure.
Description:
Associate an MSC.Patran result case to a ranked envelope.
Input:
envelope_name STRING[40] Envelope name
loadcase_name STRING[] Load case name
subcase_name STRING[] Subcase name
Output:
<Return Value> INTEGER Zero for success. Nonzero for failure.
Description:
Get a list of existing ranked envelopes.
Input:
None
Output:
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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.
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 name
num_rc INTEGER Number of result cases represented by the envelope
rc_names STRING[40](num_rc) Result case names
Output:
<Return Value> INTEGER Zero for success. Nonzero for failure.
Description:
Gets result case names associated with an envelope.
Input:
envelope_label INTEGER Existing envelope client data label
Output:
num_rc INTEGER Number of result cases represented by the envelope
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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 name
num_rc INTEGER Number of result cases represented by the envelope
xdb_ids INTEGER(num_rc) List of XDB Ids that correspond to the result case
names
sc_ids INTEGER(num_rc) List of Subcase Ids that correspond to the result case
names
rc_names STRING[40](num_rc) Result case names
Output:
<Return Value> INTEGER Zero for success. Nonzero for failure.
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 level
Output:
None
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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 ID
vals REAL(num_rank) Result values for each rank level
labels STRING[40](num_rank) Names associated to the results for each rank level
Output:
<Return Value> INTEGER Zero for success.
Description:
Input:
envelope_name STRING[40] Entity ID
is_elm LOGICAL TRUE if results are associated to elements
entity STRING[32] Entity name
result STRING[32] Result type
comp STRING[32] Result component
Output:
<Return Value> INTEGER Zero for success.
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Main Index
I N D E X
MSC.Explore User’s Guide
I N D E X
MSC.Explore
User’s Guide
A Free Body Spreadsheet Output, 110
Free Body Target Entity, 106
architecture and capabilities, 3 fringe plots, 71
audience, 14
G
C General Information, 25
Contents and Results File Partition and Getting Started, 9
Merge, 7 graphical user interface, 18
Convenience Tools, 7, 42, 117 Graphics Output Example, 23
creating ranked envelopes, 66
Critical Load Determination, 30, 49
H
E Hardware, 14
HTML Output Example, 22
Envelope, 26, 36, 95
envelope comparison plots, 70
Envelope Main Form, 96
Envelope Output Results, 103
I
Envelope Target Entity - Current Viewport, Information, 28, 44, 132
Information Main Form, 133
98
Envelope Target Entity - Groups, 100 Information Output, 134
Integration of MSC.Explore with
Envelope Target Entity - Nodes, 99
Extract Subcases, 28, 45, 129 MSC.Nastran and MSC.Patran, 5
Introduction, 1, 26
Extract Subcases Main Form, 130
Extract Subcases Output, 131 invoking MSC.Explore, 15
F L
Free Body, 27, 38, 104 Limitations, 29
Loads Summation, 7, 38, 104
Free Body Display Attribute, 105
Free Body Export, 108
Free Body Groups, 107
Free Body Main Form, 105
Main Index
158 INDEX
M U
Max/Min Export, 54 Using MSC.Explore, 47, 139
Max/Min Main Form, 50 Using MSC.Explore Forms, 30
Max/Min Output Results, 55 Using MSC.Explore Functions, 48, 140
Max/Min Sorting, 26, 30, 49
Max/Min Target Entity, 51
MSC.Explore Forms, 18
MSC.Explore Output, 20
X
XY Plot, 27, 42, 117
XY Plot Axis Format, 122
XY Plot Export, 127
O XY Plot Grid Lines Format, 125
Overview, 10 XY Plot Legend Format, 124
XY Plot Main Menu, 118
XY Plot Output, 128
P XY Plot Target Entity, 120
XY Plot Tick Marks Format, 126
plotting envelopes, 70
XY Post/Unpost, 119
prerequisites, 14
hardware, 14
software, 14
R
Rank, 56
Rank Export, 62
Rank Output Results, 63
Rank Target Entity, 59
ranked envelope, 34, 64
Ranking, 26, 32
Report, 28, 39, 111
Report Export, 114
Report Main Form, 112
Report Output, 115
Report Target Entity, 113
Results Database Management, 44, 129
S
single envelope plots, 70
Software, 14
T
Text Output Example, 20
Main Index