6. Model Tree#
The Model Tree organizes and structures the finite element model data into the following categories:
Entities
Properties
Materials
Parts
Element Types
Connectors
Geometry
Sets
Groups
Coordinate Systems
Show/Hide and Options
To expand a category and view its contents, click the arrow next to it. Each category can be shown or hidden using the checkbox next to its name. To hide all items of a category, uncheck the box next to the category name. To hide a specific item, expand the category and uncheck the box for that item.
6.1. Attribute Details and Editing Options#
Unless noted otherwise, right-clicking any item in the Model Tree reveals the following context menu options:
Isolate — hides all other categories, showing only the selected item
Hide — toggles visibility of the selected item
Copy Name — copies the item name to the clipboard
Select Elements/Nodes — selects all elements or nodes belonging to the item
Attribute-specific options are noted in the sections below.
Entities#
Entities can be defined according to user settings in Tools → Options. The grouping mode can be set to: NONE, PROPERTIES, PARTS, or ELEMENTTYPE. This controls how elements are grouped in the tree: by property, by part, by element type, or not grouped at all.
Right-clicking a specific entity reveals the standard context menu options listed above.
In the Properties panel at the bottom of the Model Tree, the following fields are available for editing each entity:
Name — the entity name
Visible — shows or hides the entity
Representation — controls how the entity is rendered:
Opaque_Nowireframe,Opaque_Wireframe,Transparent_Nowireframe,Transparent_Wireframe,Opaque_FeatureEdgesColor — the display color of the entity
Properties#
Right-clicking a specific property reveals the standard context menu options listed above.
The Properties panel at the bottom of the Model Tree displays all information about the selected property.
Materials#
Right-clicking a specific material reveals the standard context menu options listed above.
The Properties panel at the bottom of the Model Tree displays all information about the selected material.
Parts, Element Types, Connectors, and Geometry#
These categories share the same context menu. Right-clicking any item within Parts, Element Types, Connectors, or Geometry reveals the standard context menu options listed above.
Sets#
The Sets category is populated for Abaqus models and for Nastran/OptiStruct input files (.bdf, .dat).
Note
Sets are not loaded by default. To enable them, go to Tools → Options and activate the IncludeSets option. The model must be reloaded for the change to take effect.
Set cards are also available for viewing and editing in the Card Manager (see 19. Card Manager).
Right-clicking a specific set reveals the standard context menu options listed above.
Groups#
When elements or nodes are selected and the Create Group button is clicked in the toolbar, a new group appears under the Groups category in the Model Tree.
Right-clicking a group reveals the standard context menu options listed above, plus:
Change Group Name — renames the group
Coordinate Systems#
The Coordinate Systems category displays both model-defined coordinate systems and user-created ones. There are two types:
Model coordinate systems — defined in the input file and loaded with the model
User-created coordinate systems — created interactively within NaxToView (see 6.2. Creating a New Coordinate System)
Right-clicking a model-defined coordinate system reveals the standard context menu options listed above, plus:
New Coordinate System — opens the dialog to create a new coordinate system
Right-clicking a user-created coordinate system reveals the standard options plus:
New Coordinate System — opens the dialog to create another coordinate system
Delete — removes the coordinate system
Edit — reopens the creation dialog to modify the coordinate system
Change Coordinate System Name — renames the coordinate system
6.2. Creating a New Coordinate System#
Right-click Coordinate Systems in the Model Tree and select New Coordinate System. The New Coordinate System dialog opens.
Enter a name for the new coordinate system in the Name field.
Select the coordinate system type: Rectangular, Cylindrical, or Spherical.
Click the node in the model that will serve as the origin point, then click the Add button (green plus icon).
Select the node that defines the direction of the first axis (X, Y, or Z).
Select the node that defines the second reference plane (XY, XZ, or YZ).
Click Calculate Coordinates. The new coordinate system appears under Coordinate Systems in the Model Tree.
Note
Click Clear to reset all fields and start over. Click Cancel to close the dialog without creating the coordinate system.