Orient Bar2 Elements

Use the Stiffener Mesh: Orient tool to define bar2 orientation vectors or orientation nodes.

There are two kinds of orientation vectors: Global and Basic. Global is used for displacement systems (or analysis). Basic is the HyperMesh global system (where system ID = 0).

You can define orientation by picking a third node or providing a vector. If choosing By Vector, you will have multiple options to set the orientation.


Figure 1.
  1. From the Marine ribbon, click the Stiffener Mesh > Orient tool.


    Figure 2.
  2. Select elements to orient.
  3. Optional: On the guide bar, click to define orientation options.
  4. To orient using a node:
    1. Uncheck the By Vector checkbox.
    2. Select a node.
  5. To orient using a vector:
    1. Activate the By Vector checkbox.
    2. Use the options in the microdialog to orient.
    Option Description
    Orient Beam/Bar as Plate Stiffener Click to align the beam/bar axis along the positive normal of an adjacent shell.

    Normals of adjacent shells are averaged since they do not have an angle greater than the threshold value (break angle) defined in the options. For sharp angles, the shell with the lowest ID is used as a reference. In the case of T-junctions, you can select a reference shell by hiding undesired shells and by setting the "Normal from shells" option to Displayed.
    Rotate Elements Along the X-Axis - orient 90 degrees clockwise

    - orient 90 degrees counterclockwise

    - dynamically rotate using a manipualtor
    Vector Tool and Systems Provide an arbitrary orientation vector in space using the Vector tool.
    1. Click .
    2. Orient the vector then press Esc to return to the current context.
    3. To select in which system the orientation vector component is resolved, click in the Orient microdialog.
      • System - Select a pre-defined system using an entity selector.
      • Basic System - Place all X, Y, and Z components in the output system of beam node A.
Tip: Use the legend in the top-left of the modeling window to plot the axes of the elemental systems that result from the current orientation.

Orient Bar2 Elements from Lines

Use the Stiffener Mesh: Orient tool to define the bar2 orientation vectors from selected lines.

This context differs slightly from 1D Mesh: Orient in that it not only enables the selection of elements but also enables free lines as a source.

When the selector type is free lines, 3D visualization for elements is turned OFF. The selection of lines will result in 1D elements found matching the line by proximity. 1D elements selection is resolved only on proceed, so there is no highlighting of elements from the selected lines.

  1. From the Marine ribbon, click the Stiffener Mesh > Orient tool.


    Figure 3.
  2. On the guide bar, set the selector type to Lines.
  3. Optional: Set options as necessary by clicking on the guide bar.
  4. Select lines.
  5. Select an orientation option in the microdialog.
    • Orient by metadata - Extract orientation from metadata. If metadata is not found, Orient normal to shells is used.
    • Orient normal to shells - Orient the stiffeners' Y axis along the shell's normal.
    • Use direction tool to orient - Invoke the Vector tool and define the unique orientation vector Afterwards, press Esc to return to the Stiffener Mesh context.