Color Elements by MAT ID in FEMAP 2

[shepflylow]

I am new to FEMAP. I want to color the elements of my model by material ID before and after deformation. Besides an answer to this specific question, is there a recommended site for FEMAP tips that is less complicated than the help web site provided with the software?

Thanks,
Mike

 

[ThomasH]

I am not sure exactly what you mean but this might do it.

View Options (F6)

Category: Labels, Entities and Colour
Element
Colour mode: Select Material Colours.

Good Luck

Thomas

 

[EVdave13]

HI, shepflylow. What you need to do is to select modify...color...element. When the dialog box to select the elements comes up, pick the "methods" button and select "by material" option. Then you have to enter the material ID number that you want to change the color of, and you can then select from a pallette, etc. Unfortunately, you can't color them by material automatically. That said, you CAN create groups based on material, property, or element type automatically.
You can also pick elements that are a certain color to change them to another color, or select by property ID or element type. It's just that it is all manual.

To view the model with element colors and the deformed shape, select the postprocessing button, and select the "post data" button that looks like braces {}. Then pick your output data set, and under "output vectors," select "total deformation" under the "deformation" heading. Then display the model in wireframe or hidden lines, with or without fill, whatever your preference is, and press the "deformed" button (with the bent cantilever beam on it). This will display the deformed shape without deformation values or contours, and so will retain the element colors. To get any useful information out of it, though, you will have to select "total deformation" under the "contours" heading also, and select the buttons for either a contour or a criteria plot. The element colors will be obscured by the plots.

 

[shepflylow]

Thank you for the inputs--your comments were extremely helpful.

I found on my installation of FEMAP, the RENDER option is checked on at start up, and had to be UN-CHECKED in order to modify the colors.

2.6.3.3 Render Graphics Preferences in the help section of FEMAP more completely describes the impact of the RENDER function.

 

[Francesco1972]

Hi all

I suggest you to look at SmartBrowser, a FEMAP plug-in.
It activates a tree-like interface, it allows assembly of FEA parts and it has many other interesting features.

You can download SmartBrowser from

http://www.smartcae.com/download.php

regards
Francesco

 

[fkmeyers]

I agree with Francesco. SmartBrowser is a great tool and a must for FEMAP users.

 

[carterinms]

I hear there's a new version of FEMAP coming - will it make SmartBrowser obselete?

-Erica

 

[ThomasH]

Hi

I guess that some of you already know this but the new version indeed seem to make SmartBrower if not obsolete so att least a lot less interesting.

Go to:

http://www.ugs.com/products/nx/simulation/advanced/femap/index.shtml

and download the "Whats New" pdf.

Regards

Thomas