Creating sets using the Python API

[DrBwts]

I created a simple box and meshed it & I would like to create 2 sets one that contains the central elements & a second that contains all the surrounding elements.

I can calculate quite trivially which elements I want in each set but I'm having problems creating the sets. I created a few sets in CAE and then inspected the *.jnl files to find the method but I just don't understand what I'm seeing, for instance,

mdb.models['Model-1'].parts['Part-1'].Set(elements=mdb.models['Model-1'].parts['Part-1'].elements.getSequenceFromMask(mask=('[#0:10 #4 #0:3 #12 ]', ), ), name='Set-1')

The above is what I get when I manually select elements in the CAE window, the numbers in no way match up with the element numbers that I picked.

I've been pouring over the Reference Manual but so far cant find a set generator method where I can just list the element numbers. I'm pretty sure there is one though.

Thanks

 

[Mustaine3]

You have to change the /CAE python journal settings to INDEX.
Place the code below in a abaqus_v6.env, restart /CAE and create the set again. Now your .rpy file should look a bit different.

def onCaeStartup():
    session.journalOptions.replayGeometry
    session.journalOptions.setValues(replayGeometry=INDEX)

 

[DrBwts]

Unfortunately I dont have admin rights on this computer to do that.

 

[Mustaine3]

Place the file in your work directory to get these options at least there.

 

[DrBwts]

do you mean put a copy of the amended abaqus_V6.env in my working directory?

I just tried that but it hasnt change the output in the *.jnl file. Its still using 'elements.getSequenceFromMask'

 

[Mustaine3]

Try to create a new empty text file in your work directory. Add my code, save the file and then rename it to abaqus_v6.env. Then restart /CAE in that directory and try again.

 

[DrBwts]

Tried it, no luck, still the same.

 

[DrBwts]

I found the following method,

mdb.models['Model-1'].parts['Part-1'].Set(elements=mdb.models['Model-1'].parts['Part-1'].elements.getFromLabel(1, 2, 3, 4, ), name='testing')

Which gives the following error,

TypeError: too many arguments; expected 1, got 4

So I tried,

elList = [1,2,3,4]
mdb.models['Model-1'].parts['Part-1'].Set(elements=mdb.models['Model-1'].parts['Part-1'].elements.getFromLabel(elList), name='testing')

Which gave the error,

TypeError: arg1; found tuple, expecting int

So then I tried,

mdb.models['Model-1'].parts['Part-1'].Set(elements=mdb.models['Model-1'].parts['Part-1'].elements.getFromLabel(1), name='testing')

Which gave the following error,

TypeError: elements; found MeshElement, expecting tuple

Puzzling...

 

[Mustaine3]

See Scripting Reference Guide 45.4.5 SetFromElementLabels()

 

[DrBwts]

Thanks Mustaine very much appreciated.

 

[DrBwts]

Just one more thing, would you know where there is a list of available internal variables for the API?

eg number of elements, how to access lists of elements in each set etc

 

[DrBwts]

Scratch that I worked it out