MSC.

Patran Results Primer

Analysis & Results Applications for
MSC.Nastran Users
James Fillon
10/12/04

Overview
Analysis Form
The link between pre-processing and postprocessing

Results Form
Finge, Deformation, Marker Freebody etc

Spectrum and Ranges

Results Templates
Result Plot Sets

Primer Objectives
Review 2 of the most misunderstood
applications in MSC.Patran
Understand Analysis Application as
both an Import & Export tool for FEM
data
Learn Results procedures to insure
that displayed MSC.Patran results are
THE SAME as MSC.Nastran .F06
printed results

MSC.Patran Analysis Application

Transition Application between Pre-processing
& Post-processing tasks in MSC.Patran
Application functionality tailored based on the
Analysis Preference selected for the MSC.Patran
database
Management of:
Analysis Jobs & Associated Files
Results Import
Model Import

Data stored in the Analysis Application (as well as

the Results Application) are not imported to other
MSC.Patran databases during File/Import,
Source=MSC.Patran DB

MSC.Patran Analysis Application

Standard MSC.Patran AOM Form
Actions Available:
(MSC.Nastran)

Form Functionality changes

dependent on Analysis Preference
chosen for a given MSC.Patran
Database
Note the Code/Type/Study Indicators

Analysis: Analyze
4 Objects Available
Entire Model: Will export an Analysis model of
EVERYTHING that is in the database, regardless of
what is posted to the current viewport
Selected Group: Will export an Analysis model of
a selected group in the Patran db
Existing Deck: Instruct MSC.Patran to submit an
Analysis of an existing MSC.Nastran deck by
simply selecting the Analysis Job Name
Restart: Set up a Restart Analysis deck using an
existing Analysis Job Name & creating a new
Restart Job Name (supported for SOL 101, 103 &
106 only)

Analysis: Analyze
Depending on Object selected, up to 4 Methods
available:
Full Run: Exports a run-ready MSC.Nastran
analysis deck & submits it to the version of
MSC.Nastran selected
Analysis Deck: Exports a run-ready MSC.Nastran
analysis deck
Model Only: Exports only a bulk data MSC.Nastran
deck (no FMS, Exec, or Case Control commands)
Check Run: Exports a run-ready MSC.Nastran
analysis deck with PARAM,CHECKOUT,YES and runs
the Checkout job in the version of MSC.Nastran
selected

Analysis: Analyze
Job Name
Important tool in the Analysis Form
Serves several purposes
Prefix name of Analysis deck, and resulting Analysis files
generated from MSC.Nastran (jobname.bdf, jobname.f06,
etc.)
Name stores all the settings on the Analysis form used to
generate the job from MSC.Patran to MSC.Nastran
Can create a job description that tags along with job
name in the MSC.Patran database for future reference
Serves as a cross-reference link when importing results
between database stored subcase / load case names and
result file subcase / load case names

Be careful when deleting job namesall

associated files generated by that job name in
the database directory will also be deleted

Analysis: Analyze
Translation Parameters
Specify type of results output
desired (PARAM,POST)
XDB w/ or w/out .F06 output
OP2 w/ or w/out .F06 output
.F06 output only
None

Default is XDB & Print

Default can be changed via
settings.pcl command
pref_env_set_string(NastranResultsOutput,
OP2 and Print)
See Part 1, Section 5.2, page 120 for all
available options

Analysis: Analyze
Translation Parameters (cont.)
Tolerances
Used for numerical manipulation during export
translation
Division tolerance prevents divide by zero errors
(default 1.0e-8)
Numerical determines if two real values are equal
(default 1.0e-4)
Writing determines when a field entry is
approximately zero (default 1.0e-21)
This is one of the reasons why 0.0 may be written as
2.6e-14

Analysis: Analyze
Translation Parameters (cont.)
Bulk Data Format
Option to have MSC.Patran output sorted or unsorted Bulk
data (not the same as ECHO=SORT, which can be set in
Solution Parameters)
Card format set to Either by defaultmay set to Small
or Large (8 or 16 character field, respectively)
Either usually outputs Small field format
Grid Precision Digits is used to control number of precision
digits after the decimal to output Grid card values
GPD properly accounts for rounding (no truncation)
Can aide in maintaining values like 0.0 or 15.0, and not
changing them to 2.6e-14 or 14.99999999, respectively

Analysis: Analyze
Translation Parameters (cont.)
Node Coordinates: Specify what
coordinate frame (reference,
analysis, global) the grids are to
be written into (CP field on the
GRID card)
MSC.Nastran Version:
Tells MSC.Patran to export cards
appropriate to the version of
MSC.Nastran specified (2001, 70.7, etc.)
Tells MSC.Patran which version of
MSC.Nastran to use on a Full Run
method

Number of Tasks: If using

MSC.Nastran Parallel option,
specify number of processors to
distribute the job

Analysis: Analyze
Translation Parameters (cont.)
Write Properties on Element Entries: Switch allows export
of combined element/property cards, such as CELAS2
Write Continuation Markers: Off by default, this switch will
produce continuation markers that can be
defined/customized in the numbering options button on
this form
Convert CBARs to CBEAMs: New switch to take all CBAR
property cards and convert them to equivalent CBEAM
cards. Useful for converting models from SOL101 to
SOL106
Use Iterative Solver: When MSC.Patran is used in Full
Run mode, it will submit the analysis deck with
MSC.Nastran flag, ITER=YES (also done by
SYSTEM(216)=1)

Analysis: Analyze
Translation Parameters
(cont.)
Numbering Options
Opportunity to offset numbering for
anything ranging from GRIDs to
PIDs for Properties
Can specify your own starting
symbol for a continuation marker
Set Encoded Syntax Format
Default is to take any Property, LBC,
or Material Name that has a . in it,
and use the trailing number as the
corresponding PID, MID, etc.
On by default
If you get a message about
conflicting encoded ids, you can
turn Encoded Syntax off, or you just
need to rename the set causing the
conflict

Analysis: Analyze
Translation Parameters (cont.)
Bulk Data Include File
This button allows 1 MSC.Nastran Include File to be
added to the Analysis Deck being Exported
If more than 1 Include File is to be included with the
Exported Analysis Deck, the Include statements must
be manually added in the appropriate section of the
Direct Text Input form (to be discussed later)

Analysis: Analyze
Solution Type
Choose the Solution Sequence to be
executed by MSC.Nastran
Solution Parameters change according
to the Solution Type
Certain Solution Parameters include
MSC.Nastran Bulk commands like:
PARAM,WTMASS,.00259
PARAM,GRDPNT,15
PARAM,K6ROT,10.0
PARAM,SNORM,20.0

Additional Solution Sequences can be

invoked depending on Solution
Parameter settings, such as Cyclic
Symmetry
Unstructured Solution Sequences
(SOL1) can be invoked by turning off
the Database Run switch

Analysis: Analyze
Direct Text Input
This allows a user to input commands into
sections of the MSC.Nastran Analysis Deck
that would not be exported by MSC.Patran
Commands may be entered in FMS, Exec, Case
or Bulk Sections of the Deck
Reject cards from a MSC.Nastran Deck
import may be exported to a newly created
deck
NOTE: Text/Commands input to DTI will be
placed at the beginning of the appropriate
section of the deck. The user has no option to
insert commands at different locations of an
Analysis deck region

Analysis: Analyze
Subcases
In MSC.Patran, a Subcase is the
union of a Load Case, Subcase
Parameters, Output Requests, SE
definitions, & Selected Explicit
MPCs
This differs from MSC.Nastran
terminology where a Subcase is a
combination of LBC sets, output
requests, and SE definitions
The two methods, however, are
equivalent!!!
For Every Load Case created in a
MSC.Patran database, a Subcase
is AUTOMATICALLY created
(defaulted 1:1 correspondence)

Analysis: Analyze
Subcase Creation:
Even though there is a 1:1 correspondence
between Subcases & Load cases, you may
want to create a new Subcase
After creating/selecting the Subcase name,
optionally type a description of the Subcase
Associate a Load Case to be used for this
Subcase (if you select an available Subcase,
you will notice that an associated Load Case
will be already highlighted)
Proceed to select appropriate Subcase
Parameters, Output Requests, DTI, SEs &
Explicit MPCs
Hit Apply & Cancel when done
Subcase is activated for the Analysis deck
to be exported via Subcase Select

Analysis: Analyze
Subcase Output
Requests
Two ways to specify
Output Requests
Individually via Subcase
Create: Output Requests
For multiple Subcases with
same requests, go to
Subcase: Global Data

Analysis: Analyze
Output Requests: 1 Subcase
Two types of form: Basic &
Advanced
Basic simply allows you to pick a
Result type & accept the defaults on
the output request
Advanced is the double form shown
Select a result type for the chosen
SOL type and choose the
appropriate options for the output
request, including whether to output
results to the .F06 file
Any group you create can be used
as a MSC.Nastran SET. You dont
have to output results for all
entities!!!
Hit OK on this form and Apply on
the Subcases form to save the
changes

Analysis: Analyze
Output Requests: Multiple
Subcases
Subcases: Global Data
Select the Subcases that will be
getting the same output request data
& click on Output Requests button
Select column or individual cells
where you want output specified
Select SETs, where appropriate,
along with Output Request options
Click on OK in middle of form to
insert Output Request Command to
cell(s)
When finished with Spreadsheet, hit
OK on panel shown on right, and
Apply on Subcases: Global Data
form

Analysis: Analyze
Notes on Subcases
When Deleting Subcases, they must not be
associated to any existing Analysis Jobs. If
they are, they wont be deleted until the
association is broken
When choosing Subcases (using Subcase
Select), there is an option to select all or
unselect all for easier selection
MSC.Patran focuses on the SUBTITLE card in a
MSC.Nastran deck. MSC.Patran does not use
the LABEL card, which is typically used by
MSC.Nastran in a Subcase block

Analysis: Optimize
Used when performing SOL 200
Analyses (MSC.Nastran Design
Optimization
Form knows that SOL 200 jobs use
other SOL sequences (SOL 101 & 103
supported by MSC.Patran) as
Subcases
Form essentially same as Analyze
form (no Restart functionality)
Build Model as usual, but define Model
Variables & Design Studies before
going to Analysis (Tools menu)
Current Model Study shown on
Analysis: Optimize form

Analysis: Optimize
Optimization Parameters
Uses all the Defaults
defined by MSC.Nastran
for SOL 200 analyses
Good Defaults given; not
usually much need to
change them (other than #
of Design Cycles to be
computedDESMAX)

Analysis: Optimize
Subcases
Form generally the same
except that Subcases are built
upon Solution Sequences 101
or 103
Global Data not available for
Optimization Analyses

Analysis: Optimize
Subcase Select
Choose Subcases to be
run in order and in terms
of Solution Sequences
which they were created
SOL 101 or 103 Supported

Otherwise, same
functionality as AnalyzeSubcase Select

Analysis: Delete
There are two types that can be Deleted from the
Analysis Application:
Job Names
XDB Attachments

When deleting Job Names, note that MSC.Patran

will delete not only the database job name, but
also any associated files outside of MSC.Patran
that may have been created by that Job Name
When deleting XDB attachments, all results
shown in the database from that XDB file will be
detached/deleted
You can delete multiple XDB files at one time
using the Yes for All option when asked to
confirm this operation

Analysis: Read Input File

This function is IDENTICAL to that
in File/Import (Function actually
originated in Analysis menu)
Object & Method are not
changeable
Entity Selection allows you to filter
what is imported into MSC.Patran
from a MSC.Nastran input deck
Can define offsets before
importing to prevent ID conflicts
Auto-offset on by default
To have no offset, click on column or
cells targeted and either input 0 or
None
Make sure to hit return in input box!!

Analysis: Importing Results

Read Output2 & Attach XDB
Both functions have 3 choices:
Results Entities: Import/Attach only the
Results portion of the file
Model Only: Import only the skeleton
portion of the model (enough of the FE
model so results could be displayed on the
entities)
Both: Import/Attach Results & Import
skeleton portion of the model

Model Only Characteristics:

OP2: Imports Grids, Element Topology, &
Coordinate Frames
XDB: Imports Grids, Element Topology,
Coordinate Frames, & Superelement Group
Information

Analysis: Importing Results

Attach XDB requires that the file be seen on the
system. It can be either local or NFS mounted to
the machine
No limit to the number of XDB files that can be
attached to a MSC.Patran database or to the
number of users attaching to a single XDB file
If an XDB file gets changed (contents or time/date
stamp) or gets moved, and it is attached to a
MSC.Patran database, you will need to delete the
attachment & re-attach

Analysis: Importing Results

Translation Parameters
Frequently ignored by many MSC.Patran
usersNot a good thing!
Instruct translator on what additional
types of Results Quantities to import
(rotational nodal results, stress/strain
invariants, etc.)

OP2

Even though Element Results Positions is

defaulted to Nodal, ALWAYS change to
BOTH
Insures that MSC.Patran is importing all Result
positions (Centroidal/Nodal) that MSC.Nastran
has computed
Reduces opportunity for MSC.Patran to
manipulate the data
XDB

Analysis: Importing Results

For SOL200 jobs, XDB form will contain
Design Cycles to select. OP2 will import
all Design Cycles
For Superelement jobs, XDB form will
allow you to select which SE to import
(default is to import all SEs)
XDB-Both form will optionally create
groups based on Models PID
XDB Import does not support P-Elements

Analysis: Importing Results

OP2 Import physically imports & stores results in
the MSC.Patran database. Dont need OP2 file
after import
XDB imports & stores only metadata (result case
names, XDB location) in MSC.Patran database.
After attaching, you need to keep the XDB in the
file system
XDB attached results can be accessed more
quickly from MSC.Patran than OP2 imported
results
OP2 Results Import no longer being enhanced in
MSC.Patran (only bug fixes & general
maintenance)

MSC.Patran Results Application

Manages the Display, Output,
Transformation, Animation &
Calculation of Result Quantities
Application based on Tools
(Fringe, Deformation, etc.)
Soon to be the Single Source
Post-Processing tool for all of
MSC.Patran (elimination of Insight)

MSC.Patran Results Application

There are 4 Actions to the Results
Form, each of which has its own
Objects:
Create: Quick Plot, Deformation,
Fringe, Marker, Graph, Animation,
Report, Results, Freebody
Modify: Deformation, Fringe, Marker,
Graph, Report
Post: Plots, Ranges
Delete: Plots, Result Cases, Result Data

MSC.Patran Results Application

Results Forms designed such that for
any of the Objects being created, all you
need to do, at minimum, to create a
Result Object/Tool is to Select:
Object
Result Case
Result Type
Position (when applicable)
Quantity (when applicable)
Whether to Animate the Tool upon creation
Apply

The other 3-4 Form Icons may be used

to customize the Object/Tool at any
stage of its creation, but are NOT
necessary for the Object/Tool creation

Results: Quick Plot

A combined, yet simplified, version of the
Deformation & Fringe Tools
Designed so that a minimum of 4 clicks
would be needed to create a combined
Deformation/Fringe plot
4 Icon Menu Options:
Select Results
Fringe Attributes
Deform Attributes
Animation Options

Data Manipulation (averaging, coordinate

transformation, etc.) can only be changed by
settings.pcl variables
Changing settings means Quitting out of
MSC.Patran, editing settings.pcl, & restarting
MSC.Patran

Results: Quick Plot

Variables in settings.pcl for Quick Plot
defaults, as well as Fringe & Marker defaults
Invoked similar to:
pref_env_set_string(result_, string value with quotes)
Example: pref_env_set_string(result_quick_transform, CID)
result_quick_avg_domain:

All (Default)
Material
Property
Etype
Target
Element

result_quick_extrap_method:

ShapeFunc (Default)
Average
Centroid
Max
Min
AsIs

result_quick_transform:

Default (Default)
Global
CID
ProjectedCID
None
Material
ElementIJK

result_quick_avg_method:

DeriveAverage (Default)
AverageDerive
Difference
Sum

Results: Quick Plot

Other limitations:
Display results on whatever is in the current
viewport. If you want to display on a portion of
what is in the viewport, you must create a
group of that area and post it by itself
No target entities option available

Results: Quick Plot

Result Quantities
For Vector Type Results:
Magnitude, X-Component, Y-Component, ZComponent are Available

For Tensor Type Results:

Many values shown which were not computed
by the Analysis code
MSC.Patran knows how to take Tensorial
Data and calculate Result Quantities that are
not generated by the Analysis Code
MSC.Patran On-Line help describes the
computed Quantity Derivations in great detail
(Part 7, Section 12.3)

Results: Quick Plot

Position Sub Form
Select & Filter Positions on elements
to be displayed
Several Types
Non-Layered (2D & 3D Solids)
Layeri; i=1 to Max Ply (Laminate Shells)
Center, C, D, E, F (Bars/Beams)
Z1 / Z2 (2D Shell Elements)

One or more positions may be

selected
For Other Result Tools, if multiple Result
Cases are selected, only 1 position may be
selected

Results: Quick Plot

Position Sub Form (cont)
Options
Maximum: Plot the Maximum value for each element from either the
multiple result positions selected, or from multiple result cases at a singular
result position
Minimum: Plot the Minimum value for each element from either the multiple
result positions selected, or from multiple result cases at a singular result
position
Average: Plot the Average value at each element from either the multiple
result positions selected, or from multiple result cases at a singular result
position
Sum: Plot the Sum value at each element from either the multiple result
positions selected, or from multiple result cases at a singular result position
Merge: This option will Plot the first existing value encountered from any
particular layer or Result Case. For instance if both top and bottom
stresses are selected then only the top will be reported. This is useful for
layers that are associated with certain element types. That way a layer with
shells, a layer with solid, and a layer with beam elements can all be
displayed simultaneously on the graphics screen in one operation.

Results: Quick Plot

Fringe Attributes
Controls the Display of Fringe plots
Option to display Spectrum & Max/Min summary
legend
Control Fringe Style
Discrete/Smooth, Continuous, Discrete/Flat are all
targeted towards nodal type fringe plots
Element Fill is targeted towards Centroidal fringe
plots (checker board pattern)

Fringe overlaid onto elements can be shrunk using

the shrink factor
Great in combination with Show Fringe Label toggle
when wanting to display fringe values without colors,
especially when comparing results to MSC.Nastran
.F06 file

Element edge color & display can be altered

Edit label style & title content placed on Fringe Plot
Easy Access to Spectrum & Range controls
Spectrum & Ranges

Results: Quick Plot

Deform Attributes
Provides ability to modify the look of a deformed
results plot
Deformation shading controlled by Render Style
on this form (not Toolbar shading icons)
Model scale is default scale interpretation
Model Scale is defined as the maximum length of the
models bounding box in the current viewport, multiplied by
the Scale Factor on the form. The resulting value is the
scale factor applied to the deformations to be displayed
True Scale always recommended for non-linear analyses &
scale factor type plots (i.e., 100x displacements shown)

Option to show Undeformed shape along with

Deformed shape
Control Undeformed shading characteristics in this form as
well

Modify Result Titles to your choosing

Label styles shown on plot may be adjusted
(integer, fixed, exponential)

Results: Quick Plot

Animation Options
Choose to Animate Fringe and/or Deformation
plots
Two methods
Modal: Animate from 1x to 1x the displayed result
values
Ramped: Animate from 0x to 1x the displayed result
values

Animation Graphics Control

2D: Show animation without the ability to manipulate the
view of the model
3d: Show animation with the ability to manipulate the
view of the model
Preview: Shows 1 full cycle of the Animation and stops
VRML: Generate a VRML file format of the Animation
MPEG: Generate an MPEG-1 recording of the displayed
Animation (suggest using default window size to get a
manageable MPEG file)

Select the number of frames to display for the

Animation
Must use the Animate button on the Select
Results Form Icon to initiate the Animation

Results: Deformation
The Deformation Tool is
specifically designed to deal
with Displacement-type Plots
Provides GUI based flexibility in
customizing Deformation Plots
that is not provided in Quick Plot
The Deformation Result listbox
may include non-displacement
type results because all vector
type results are listed
Form settings may be saved to a
plot name on the database

Results: Deformation
Anatomy of Form
Similar to Quick Plot in Format
5 Icon menu Options
Select Results
Target Entities
Display Attributes (same as Quick Plot)
Plot Options
Animation Options

Have an additional option to

Modify the Tool (which QP
does not have)

Results: Deformation
Select Results
The form is essentially the same as
shown in Quick Plot
Based on this, there are Result Case
Filter Buttons that may appear
When there are Result Case names that
contain the same Subcase/Subtitle, they can
be displayed in either a compressed or
expanded format
Note: Result Case Name is actually made up of
2 parts: <Nastran Subtitle>, <Type of
Subcase>

Results: Deformation
Result Case Filtering
Two Icons appear when you have
multiple Result Cases using the
same prefix

Compressed Format

Compress/Expand Toggle Icon

Select Subcase Filter Icon

The default is to have a

Compressed listing if more than 30
Result Case Names have the same
Prefix
settings.pcl variable controls this:
pref_env_set_integer(
"result_loadcase_abbreviate", 30 )

The Filter Icon only appears if the

Compress/Expand Toggle Icon is
depressed (activated)

Expanded Format

Results: Deformation
Result Case Filtering
When in Compressed format, you must
enter the Filter Form to select Result
Cases
Depending on the Analysis type (modal,
non-linear, etc.) the filter method
variables may change
Filter Types
Global Variable: Frequency, time,..
String: Text within Result Case Names
(may use wildcards for search)
Subcase IDs: Filter by ID or range of IDs
All: Select all Result Cases

Procedure:
Select one or more Result Case sets
Choose Filter Method, Variable, & Value
Hit Filter & Apply, or add another Filter
result

Results: Deformation
Result Case Name Filtering
Notice that even though the Result Case block is
highlighted, the important change is 0 of 40 to 11 of
40. That is your indication that Result Cases have been
selected.

Before

After

Results: Deformation
Target Entities
Select what entities to display
Deformations upon
Current Viewport: All entities currently
posted
Nodes/Elements: Select specific Nodes or
Elements
Groups: Select entities by Groups
Materials: Select entities by Material sets
Properties: Select entities by Property sets
Element Types: Select entities by Element
Type (BAR2, QUAD4, etc.)

Additional Display Control:

Elements or Nodes; Available for all Target
Entity Options except for Nodes & Elements

Results: Deformation
Plot Options
Controls 3 things
Coordinate Transformations
Results Scaling
Allows Deformations to be scaled above
and beyond scale factor on Display
Attributes
Constant or PCL function scaling
available

Saving Plot Settings to Database

Results: Deformation
Coordinate Transformation
As Is: No Transformation; Numbers Exactly from Solver
Code
CID: Transformed WRT a Selected Coordinate Frame
(which can be created on the fly in MSC.Patran; does
not have to be part of the Analysis)
Projected CID: Transformed WRT a selected Projected
Coordinate Frame Axis onto an Element
Global: Transformed WRT the MSC.Patran Global Axes
(MSC.Nastran Basic)
Default: Transformed WRT the MSC.Patran to the
Projected MSC.Patran Global Axes
Nodal: Transformed into the Nodes Analysis Coordinate
System

Results: Deformation
Save Deformation Plot As:
Name saved to database which contains
all settings and results used to generate
the plot
May be posted at a later time using
Results->Post/Plots form
Up to 31 characters may be used to
define the name
Nomenclature used for plot names are:
<First 3 letters of plot type>_<saved name>
Example: DEF_john plot
Note that if a name is not used to save the settings,
an automatically overwritten name is created
containing the last plot settings using the format:
<First 3 letters of Plot Type>_default_<plot tool>
Example: DEF_default_Deformation

Results: Deformation
Animation Options
Need to Have Animate Switch turned
on (Select Results) before coming to
this form
Select Animation Method depending on
result/analysis type (none, modal,
ramp, global variable)
Modal goes from 1x to 1x the values being
displayed
Ramp goes from 0x to 1x the values being
displayed
Global Variable changes due to Analysis/Results
type; examples being load case id, frequency,
time)

Results: Deformation
Animation Options
Animation Graphics
2D: Display in Viewport w/ no rotation
3D: Display in Viewport w/ rotation
Preview: 1 cycle of Animation shown
VRML: Save Animation to this file format
MPEG: Make an MPEG-1 recording of the Animation (make sure to use
Default Window Size switch for a manageable MPEG file)

Select Number of Frames for Animation

Extrapolation:
Linear: Good for single case Animations (1 static subcase
deformation)
Closest Value: Intermediate frames will show values closest
known values
None: Best when doing multiple result cases or time steps;
Make sure #Frames = #steps selected

Results: Fringe
The Fringe Tool provides fringing
capabilities that are not provided in
Quick Plot
GUI based results transformation,
averaging options, display options

5 Icon menu Options

Select Results (same as Quick Plot for
selection, position, & quantity; same as
Deformation for the rest)
Target Entities
Display Attributes (same as Quick Plot)
Plot Options
Animation Options (same as Deformation)

One of the more misunderstood tools

in attempting to correlate MSC.Patran
results to MSC.Nastran results
May Process Multiple Result Cases

Results: Fringe
Target Entities
Options
Current Viewport: Plot Results on all entities posted in
Viewport
Elements: Plot Results on selected set of elements
posted in Viewport
Groups: Plot Results on selected Groups posted in
Viewport
Materials: Plot Results on selected Material sets
assigned to elements posted in Viewport
Properties: Plot Results on selected Property sets
assigned to elements posted in Viewport
Element Types: Plot results on specific Element Types
posted in Viewport

Display Control
Free Faces: More applicable to 3D Solids; plot results
on Free Faces & not internal shared faces
Faces: More applicable to 3D Solids; plot results on all
faces of targeted elements
Free Edges: Plot Fringe Results on only Free Edges of
elements; no fill
Edges: Plot Fringe Results on all edges of elements;
no fill

Results: Fringe
Examples of Edge
Control for 2D Shell
Models
Edge Display
Control Example

Free Edge Display

Control Example

Results: Fringe
In Solids, Display Control
for Faces, combined with
Arbitrary Clipping Planes,
can provide additional
Results investigation

Example w/
Free Faces

Example w/
All Faces

Results: Fringe
Plot Options
The Mother of All Results Forms
Controls Coordinate
Transformation, Value Filtering, &
Averaging Techniques
Save Fringe Plot Options & Scaling
Options similar to what was shown
for Deformations
Proper combination of Averaging
Selections, along with Display
Attribute Options will produce
correct correlation with
MSC.Nastran .F06 results

Results: Fringe
Coordinate Transformation
As Is: No Transformation; Numbers Exactly from Solver
Code
CID: Transformed WRT a Selected Coordinate Frame (which
can be created on the fly in MSC.Patran; does not have to be
part of the Analysis)
Projected CID: Transformed WRT a selected Projected
Coordinate Frame Axis onto an Element
Global: Transformed WRT the MSC.Patran Global Axes
(MSC.Nastran Basic)
Default: Transformed WRT the MSC.Patran to the Projected
MSC.Patran Global Axes
Material: Transformed WRT the Elements Material
Coordinate System
Element IJK: Transformed WRT the MSC.Patran Element
Axes

Results: Fringe
MSC.Nastran Element IJK Axes

Note: The MSC.Nastran

Element IJK axes are
computed by bisecting the
angle formed by the 2
diagonals of the element.
The MSC.Patran Element IJK
axes are defined such that
the I axis is parallel to the 1-2
edge of the elements
connectivity. The J axis is 90
degrees off this edge, no
matter the shape of the
element.
For Rectangular Elements,
there is no difference
between the MSC.Nastran &
MSC.Patran Element Axes.

j
i

MSC.Patran Element IJK Axes

Results: Fringe
Within Plot Options, you can Filter what
Values are shown on a Fringe Plot
None: No Value Filtering is Applied
Minimum: Values BELOW this Setting will NOT
be Displayed
Maximum: Values ABOVE this Setting will NOT
be Displayed
Range: Only Show Values BETWEEN the
Min/Max Settings Defined for this Range
Exclude: Show all Displayed Values EXCEPT
those WITHIN this Min/Max Range

Entities falling outside the Filter

Parameters are shown with a black fill (for
black backgrounds)

Results: Fringe
Example of Fringe Results Filtering

Results: Fringe
Results Averaging
Many Mistakes are made by not
knowing the defaults of these 3
Results Averaging values and
what they do
Some of the Options shown for
Domain/Method/Extrapolation are
designed for Gauss Point
Results
MSC.Nastran uses Gauss Point
Locations to INTERNALLY calculate
values, but they are not allowed to be
output to the .F06/.OP2/.XDB

Lets talk about how the options

operate, and how to use them to
get correct correlation with the
MSC.Nastran .F06 file

Results: Fringe
Averaging Definition: Domain
All Entities: Average Nodal Values among ALL elements,
posted or not posted
Material: Only Average Nodal Values common with
Elements that have the same Material Property
Property: Only Average Nodal Values common with
Elements that have the same Property sets
Target Entities: Average Nodal Values among Elements
defined in the Target Entities portion of the Fringe Form
(2nd Icon)
Element Type: Only Average Nodal Values common
among elements of the same type (Quad4, Tri3, etc.)
None: No averaging performed at all

Results: Fringe
Averaging Definition: Method
Derive/Average: When computing Invariants, such as
from a Stress Tensor, compute the Invariant first, then
Average the Invariants coming from each Element
contribution at a common Node
Average/Derive: Compute the Average of the ElementNodal components used in an Invariant calculation, and
then use the Averaged values to Derive the Invariant
Difference: At a node, the Maximum & Minimum
Element-Nodal value is determined, the difference
computed and displayed. Sometimes called a Stress
Jump Plot when plotting Stresses. Quality check
method
Sum: Sum all the Element-Nodal values common to a
Node and plot that Sum

Results: Fringe
Averaging Definition: Extrapolation
This has more meaning for Analysis codes that
output Gauss Point Results
Definitions for MSC.Nastran Results are a bit
different and will be discussed here
Shape Function: If Elemental Nodal values exist, use the values at
the Nodes
Average: If Elemental Nodal Results exist, Average the values
within an element and assign that value to each Node in the
element
Centroid: If Centroidal values exist, use the value at the Centroid
Min: Review all the Result Values within an Element, find the
Minimum value, and assign that value to all Result locations within
that Element
Max: Review all the Result Values within an Element, find the
Maximum value, and assign that value to all Result locations within
that Element

Results: Fringe
Extrapolation Exceptions:
MSC.Nastran has options to output results at Centroid
Only, or at both Nodes & Centroid
If Centroid only exists, some exceptions to the
Extrapolation Methods
Shape Function: Take the Centroidal Value and assign it to each
Node within that Element
Average: Since only a Centroidal Value exists, use that value as the
Average within the Element & assign to all Nodes
Centroid: No change, use the Centroidal Value
Min: The Minimum value is the Centroidal Value and is assigned to
each Node within the Element
Max: The Maximum value is the Centroidal Value and is assigned to
each Node within the Element

It needs to be re-emphasized that it is CRITICAL,

when importing results, to use the BOTH option
for Element Results Position

Results: Fringe
So, How Do I Get MSC.Patran to Display
Correctly The Values in My .F06 File?
Two Situations:
Centroidal Results
Display Attributes: Element Fill (Optionally, Shrink Fringe 100%
& Show Fringe Values)
Plot Options: Domain=None, Extrapolation=Centroid

Nodal Results
Display Attributes: Discrete/Smooth (Optionally, Shrink Fringe
100% & Show Fringe Values)
Plot Options: Domain=None, Extrapolation=Shape Fn.

Note: If comparing Invariants (Von Mises, etc.), based from the

Tensor, unless you define an Averaging Domain, the Methods
Derive/Average & Average/Derive will produce the same value

Results: Marker
Vector or Tensor Plots
Displacements & Constraint Forces are Vectors
Element Stresses/Strains/Forces are Tensors

Vector Plot is an Arrow Plot

Tensor Plot can be as detailed as a 6
component Tensor Cube
5 Icon Menu Choices
Select Results (same as Deformation)
Target Entities
Display Attributes
Plot Options (same as Fringe)
Animation Options (same as Deformation)
It is Strongly Suggested for Correlation w/ MSC.Nastran
.F06 Results, to use Tensor Results w/ Marker-Tensor &
Vector Results w/ Marker-Vector. For Cross-plotting
(Tensor Results using Marker-Vector), Consult
MSC.Patran Help, Part 7, Chapter 12.

Results: Marker
Target Entities
Target Entity is the same as Fringe & Deformation
Additional Display Control
Nodes: Display on Nodes
Elements: Display on Elements
Free Faces: (3D) Display on Free Element Faces
Free Edges: (2D or 3D) Display on Free Element Edges
Corners: Display on Components or Structures Free Corners

Caution: Common misuse of ADC is to display Element Nodal

results at Nodes (i.e., Grid Point Forces). This is incorrect.
MSC.Patran currently does not have the ability to display this
quantity. The best that MSC.Patran can do in this situation is
to take the Element-Nodal data around a common Node,
Average it, and display one value at the node. This is
incorrect. Therefore, use Elements as ADC option, and
compare to Element Centroidal Results.

Results: Marker
Display Attributes
Controls the look of
Vector Arrows or
Tensor Cubes
Control Scaling of
Vectors & Tensor
Boxes
Control Label Style
Control Result Title,
Spectrum & Range

Results: Marker
Element Shell Force Convention (MSC.Patran vs.
MSC.Nastran)
Fx, Fy, Fxy in MSC.Patran correspond directly to the MSC.Nastran convention.
Transverse shear forces are shown as Qx and Qy in the .F06 file. MSC.Nastrans
Linear Statics guide shows these as Vx and Vy on the element. MSC.Patran
shows these as Fyz = Vy = Qy and Fzx = Vx = Qx. The reason they are shown
like this is because Fyz is really like Fzy, which in elasticity terms is the force in
the Z direction, acting on the Y face. Fzx is the force in the Z direction acting on
the X face of the element.
Moments are trickier. Mxx is supposed to be the moment acting on the X face of
the element. MSC.Patran shows this as a vector in the X direction, giving you
the initial impression that it is a torsional moment acting on that face. That is
not true. If it is pointing in the positive X direction, then the moment is positive
along the X face of bending, and the MSC.Nastran can be used for that direction.
The same thing would be done for Myy.
For Mxy, this is a torsional moment on either the X or Y face of the shell.
However, you see it as a in plane shear force on the element. MSC.Patran sees
this as a XY quantity and displays it as such. Same conventions apply for the
positive and negative directions. Don't confuse this for a moment acting along
the x or y face.
The same holds true for displays in alternate CID's.

Results: Graph
A Tool to Plot Results in XY-Plot Format
Plot Results vs. Coordinate Axes, Defined
Path Length, or other Results
4 Icon Menu Options
Select Results
Target Entities
Display Attributes
Plot Options (same as Fringe)

Graphs created in XY-Plot Windows

Additional Graph/Window Control not
available in this Tool is managed by the
XY-Plot Application

Results: Graph
Select Results
Only difference to form vs. Fringe or
Deformation is the X-Axis selection option
menu
Three choices
Coordinate: Plot Results vs. Location WRT a Selected
Coordinate Frame Axis by selecting a Target Entity
Appropriate to the Result type (Nodes, Elements, etc.)
Result: Plot Results vs. Another Result, such as Stress
vs. Strain for a Non-Linear Analysis
Path Length: Plot Results vs. an Arbitrary Path Length
which can be defined by Points/Nodes, Geometric
Curves/Edges, or Beams/2D Element Edges

Target Entities / Display Control changes

accordingly to the selection of the X-Axis
Quantity

Results: Graph
Display Attributes
Subset of Display Options for the
XY-Curves that will be generated
Control the Fit and Style of the curve
Control Axis Titles, Scales, & Label
Format
Control Name of XY-Window created
Option to Append Curves to a Single
XY-Plot Window
Default is to make a separate Window for
every XY-Graph created by this Results Tool

Results: Animation
Stand-Alone Animation
Tool for Existing Results
Plots
2D & 3D Graphics &
Preview are the same as
the Animate options on
Tool forms like Fringe &
Deformation
Single Panel Form (No Icon
menu choices)

Results: Animation
Procedure
Before using, there MUST be Result Plots posted to the Current
Viewport
If not, just go to Post/Plots, and Post existing Plots of interest

After Selecting Plot of Interest & depending on how the Result

Plot was made, up to 4 Animation Methods may be Available
None: No Animation Settings
Global Variable: Animate based on Multiple Result Cases / Time
Steps / Frequencies
Modal: Animate from -1x to 1x the displayed result values
Ramp: Animate from 0x to 1x the displayed result values

After Method Selection, the Plots to Animate Listbox will show

the method as the first part of the Plot name (Modal, Ramp, GV)
Choose appropriate options for the selected method

Results: Report
Facility to Export & Format Results
Reports from the MSC.Patran Database
Select Results Cases, Results Types,
Positions, Quantities, & Entities to have
in the Report
4 Icon Menu Options
Select Results
Target Entities
Display Attributes
Plot Options (same as Fringe)

3 Methods
Preview: Show Report in Unix Shell or DOS
STDOUT Window
Overwrite File: If File Exists, Overwrite; If not,
Create New File
Append File: If File Exists, Append to File; If
not, Create New File

Results: Report
Selecting Results
Normal Procedure of Selecting Results
Case(s) & Result Type
Depending on Result Type, Select Result
Position & Quantity/Quantities
Example Quantities for Stress Tensor:
NSHAPE (element code), Loadcase, Subcase, &
Layer ID
X, Y, Z Locations
X, Y, Z, XY, YZ, ZX Components
Von Mises, Max/Mid/Min Principal, Max/Min 2D
Principal, Hydrostatic, 1st, 2nd, 3rd Invariants, Tresca
& Tresca 2D, Octahedral, Max Shear & Max Shear
2D
CID, ACID, Property Name & ID, Material Name & ID

Results: Report
Target Entities
Depending on the Target
Entity Type (Current Viewport,
Groups, etc.), the Additional
Display Control (ADC) may
vary
Example: Element All Data
will Export Nodal & Centroidal
Stress Information for the
Stress Tensor

Results: Report
Display Attributes
Since there is no Display for this
Results Type, the Attributes are Report
& Data Formatting
Format Allows You to
Layout the Report with
Specific Margins, Column
Headings & Order, Titles,
Value Formatting, etc.
Sorting Options Provides a
Way to Sort the Data Report
with Several Options

Results: Report

Sample Report Output File

Results: Create Results

One can Create Analysis
Results (within Solver &
Engineering Guidelines) without
Re-running the Analysis
7 Methods of Results Creation
Combine
Maximum / Minimum
Sum
Average
PCL Function
Demo (Facility to Create
Sample/Test Results To
Demonstrate the Results Tools)

Results: Results/Combine
Select Result Cases to Combine
Within Spreadsheet, Input
Optional Scale Factors & Result
Quantities to Combine
Up to 31 Characters may be
used for the New Result Case
Name & New Subcase Name
Think of it as a 62 character max.
descriptor
Very useful since MSC.Patran
does not store the Metadata about
how the combination was created

Results: Create Maximum/Minimum

3 Icon Menu Options
Select Results, Target Entities, Plot
Options

Multiple Results Cases May be

Selected
Note: Resulting Max/Min Case will not
indicate which Result Case the Max/Min
Value came from

Up to 62 Characters (31 Result, 31

Subcase) May be used for New
Result Case Name
Only one Quantity per New Result
Case at a time

Results: Create Maximum/Minimum

Select Target Entities to be Saved
in this Result Case (Entire Model,
Elements, etc.)
Plot Options Similar to Fringe
except for Comparison Criteria
Method to determine a Max/Min value
to be stored to newly created Result
Case

Saved Max/Min quantity is a

Scalar Value, regardless of how it
was computed

Results: Results/Sum & Average

Create a New Result Case by Summing a Result
Array, such as Stress Tensor in 3 ways:
Select Multiple Results Cases @ one Position
Select Single Result Case & Multiple Positions
Select Multiple Results Cases & Multiple Positions

Entire Result Array Processed (not just one

component)
Option to do an Algebraic or Absolute Sum
Results saved in same format as the Array that
was being Summed
Results/Average works the same way except that
the New Results are either Averaged by the
number of Results Cases Selected or Number of
Positions Selected

Results: Results/PCL Function

Create a Result Case by Scaling
a Result Array using a PCL
Function
Depending on the Result Array,
Different PCL Functions may be
used to Scale Different
Components
Option to Save PCL Scaled
Results as Scalar, Vector, or
Tensor Quantities
Example: Select Stress Tensor, but
only want to operate on the
Octahedral Invariant; Save Result
as Scalar
This Option can be Important since
Scalar, Tensor, & Vector Results
have their own characteristics in
the Results Application

Results: Freebody
Results Tool that provides a GUI to process
MSC.Nastran Grid Point Force Information
Requires GPFORCE=ALL in MSC.Nastran

Three Different Methods Available:

Loads
Interface
Displacements

5 Icon Menus Drive the Tool:

Select Results
Select Entities
Display Attributes
Save Data
Show Spreadsheet

Note: The Freebody Tool Does not have a

Save Plot As Function Like Fringe,
Deformation, etc., so Plot Settings are not
Saved for Later use

Results: Freebody/Loads
Select Results
Similar to many of the Results Forms
Select one or more Result Cases to Process
5 Result Types
Freebody Loads
Applied Loads
Constraint Forces
Internal Forces
Summation of Forces

Summation Point Location

Default is to Display Results in the ACID, however,
you may Transform the Results into any CID desired
When you Exit the Tool, any Plot Posted to the
Screen will Erase Automatically
When Processing Multiple Result Cases, One Plot
will be Displayed at a Time and the User will be
Prompted to Display the Next Case

Results: Freebody/Loads
5 Result Types
Freebody Loads: Taking into Account Forces
of SPC/MPC & Applied Loads, a Typical
Strength of Materials Freebody Plot of the
Structure Reacting to the Loads Surrounding it
Applied Loads: A Plot of only the Applied
Loads put onto the Structure
Constraint Forces: A Plot of the Forces of SPC
Internal Forces: The same as Freebody
Forces, except the Negative of the Freebody
Forces
Summation of Forces: Typically 0 unless
GENELs, DMIG, or Inertia Loads (from Dynamic
Analyses) are included in the Model

Results: Freebody/Loads
Select Entities
By Default, whatever is Posted to the
Current Viewport will be the Target for a
Freebody Type Plot
Select Entities to Display Results on by:
Element, Material, Property, Group(s), Adjacent
Elements

Whatever is selected is Automatically

Added to the Display List
Toggle Available for Auto-Add or Auto-Remove

Option to Show Only the Entities

Selected (helps sometimes to clear up
the picture)
Can use this Form to Create Groups
from Entity Selection made

Results: Freebody/Loads
Display Attributes
Controls the Display of the Plot
Default is to show Forces, but Moments
or both Forces/Moments may be shown
Display Components or Resultants,
along with 3D or Planar (XY, YZ, ZX)
Dimensional Views
Scale Vectors, Customize Title, Change
Number of Significant Digits for
Displayed Values
Hide Results Near Zero is a Value Filter
On by Default not to Display Values under .01
Turning it off will show ALL Values (can be a messy
plot)

Results: Freebody/Loads
Save Data
Slightly Different Form Operation
If you Dont Enter this Form, No Data
(Fields/LBCs) Will be Saved
When Entering Form, No Plot will be Created,
but MSC.Patran History Window will Inform
User on What has been Created

Defaults are to Save Force &

Moment Fields
Optionally May Assign Newly
Created Fields to LBC sets and to
Load Cases

Results: Freebody/Loads
Show Spreadsheet
Once a Plot has been Created in Freebody, a
Spreadsheet of tabular Values may be created
Need a Plot to Generate the Spreadsheet

Great for Determining if the Posted Structures

Loads are Balanced
A Report of the Data in the Spreadsheet may be
written to a File using the Report Button
File Written to Directory where MSC.Patran was started; has
name format of <database_name>_freebody_data.dat

Results: Freebody/Interface
Freebody Tool to Generate a
Single Set of Forces/Moments
at a Point along an Interface
Example: Wing/Fuselage
Connection

Select Results in Same

Manner as Freebody/Loads,
However, Summation Point is
Critical in this Application
(Load Resolve Point)
Select Entities
Need to Select Nodes at
Plane/Interface Boundary
Need to Select Elements On One
Side of Interface

Results: Freebody/Interface
Save Data
Note that Fields cant be Created in
Interface
However, an LBC of the Summation
Point Forces/Moments may be
created

Show Spreadsheet
Produces a Tabular Listing, Along
with Summations, of the
Contributing Nodes/Elements to the
Interface Summation

Results: Freebody/Displacements
This type of Freebody Plot simply displays
Displacement Results at the External Edges (Default)
of the Freebody in the form of Vector Quantities
To Show All the Displacements, Turn Off the Display Attribute
Switch for Display Free Edges Only
May Optionally Select Elements/Nodes to Plot Freebody
Displacements upon

The Displacements can be saved as an Enforced

Displacement BC and then subsequently used in a
Local Analysis of the Freebody which will reproduce
the EXACT Displacement Conditions
Marker/Vector will do the Same Type of Plot for
Displacements, but One Would have to Make the Plot,
go to Fields to Capture the Displacements and then go
to LBCs to Create the Enforced BC
Repeat if Rotational Displacements are Required

Results: Modify
We have discussed the Creation Tools in
Results
The Modify Function is Available for 5
Tools:
Deformation, Fringe, Marker, Graph, Report

To use, One has to have a Plot Type Saved

to the Database
When Entering Form, Select Results has a
Button for Existing <Tool> Plots
After Selecting a Plot, All Icon Menu Forms
Affected by the Plot Changes are Modified
Upon Apply, the Plot Type will be Modified
If Modifying a Saved Plot Name Under
Create, MSC.Patran will Confirm to User if
this Operation is to be Performed

Results: Post & Delete

Post
Saved Plot Names & Ranges May be Posted to
Viewport Any Time After Being Created
Great Way of Regenerating Plots EXACTLY the way they
were Created the First Time
No Guessing What Settings Were Used

Delete
Option to Delete Plots, Result Data (Arrays), or
Result Cases
If Using XDB, Analysis-Delete/XDB Attachment will do the
same as Results-Delete/Result Data or Cases

Spectrum And Ranges

Spectrums & Ranges are used in fringe
plots
Also used in some marker plots
Patran allows you to customize the type of
Spectrums & Ranges that can be used for
these types of plots
Spectrums & Ranges are saved to the
Patran database (Great candidate for
things to add to a template database!!!)
How can you do this effectively?

Spectrum & Range Control

There are several locations in Patran
where one can access Spectrums &
Ranges

Spectrums: How to
The Spectrum form is broken up
into 3 regions
Current/posted Spectrum
Create/Rename/Delete Spectrum
Spectrum Attributes (this is what the
apply button is used for!!!)

After posting a Spectrum, you

must re-apply the function that
uses it (i.e., ResultsCreate/Fringe) or it will not display
in the Viewport

Spectrum Advice
Maximum number of color regions is 16
The color above the upper range value is reserved
for no-data (no data available to plot on the
entities displayed)
A 15 color spectrum is great when you may
reverse the background color, whereas a 16 color
spectrum can cause confusion
There are 4 predefined 12 & 16 color spectrums
called coldhotxx & hotcoldxx that define red to
blue and blue to red spectrums (xx = 12 or 16)

Spectrum Examples
15 Color Spectrums that use
either black or white for no-data
change appropriately with
background color reversals

16 Color Spectrums that use

both black and white change
appropriately with
background color reversals
and can be confusing

Example of HotCold12 Spectrum

Reversing Background Color

Common thing to do in Patran is

to reverse the Viewport color from
Black to White
Done via Display/Color Palette
Click on Black color brick and
change lightness from 0.00 to 1.00
Click on White color brick and
change lightness from 1.00 to 0.00
Hit apply

Reversing Background Color

There is a shareware utility function that will allow
you to do this in 1 step via an icon
Modify your p3toolbar.def file with the following
lines (NT version shown)
*ICON = bv_color_bw_reverse.bmp
*CLASS = bv_color_bw_reverse
*FUNCTION = toolbar
*HELP = Reverse Black/White
*LOAD ITEM

For UNIX, the only line that changes from above

is:
*ICON = bv_color_bw_reverse.28.icon

Ranges: The Anatomy of

the Form
Target Range to work
with
Posting/Managing
Ranges
Methods to display the
upper and lower bounds
of the Range
Thresholding
parameters
Spreadsheet of all
values within Range

Ranges: How do I?
Create a New Range
Push the Create button, input a name for the range, and
specify the number of sub-ranges (#colors in spectrum 1)
Fit Results button automatically displays the maximum and
minimum values of the plot being displayed
5 methods (Semi-Auto, From/To, etc.) provide you ways to
control the start, end, delta, from, to, and middle of the range
values
Select a Thresholding method if further range refinement is
desired
Press Calculate to fill the spreadsheet from requirements
defined above
Apply creates the Range
Assign to Current Viewport to have it show up for current
plot

Ranges: Data Method

Semi Auto: Allows you to specify a Start Value
(top of Range) and an Ending Value (bottom of
Range)
Divisions between the two values are equally
spaced
Fit Results button automatically fills the Start
value with the plots maximum value and the End
value with the plots minimum value
If this is all to be done, make sure to press
calculate to update the spreadsheet

Ranges: Data Method

Semi Auto (Delta): Specify a Start Value (top of
Range) and an value to increment or decrement
from (i.e., start @10000 and increment by 500 to
get a range of 10000, 9500, 9000, etc.)
Fit Results automatically fills the Start value with
the plots maximum value
If this is all to be done, make sure to press
calculate to update the spreadsheet

Ranges: Data Method (contd)

From: Input values into the From Column
of the spreadsheet. When Calculate is
pressed, the To & Middle columns are
computed.
From/To: Input values into the From & To
Columns of the spreadsheet. When
Calculate is pressed, the Middle values are
automatically computed.
Used to control ranges that are not
necessarily equally spaced

Ranges: Data Method (contd)

Middle: Input values into the Middle Columns of the
spreadsheet. Calculate will compute the From & To values
automatically.
Used when the middle of the spectrum color blocks are
known and the From/To values are either not known or it is
not desired to compute them manually

Thresholding Methods
Used to bound values within a spectrum
Upper bound (Start)
Lower bound (End)
Intermediate range (Start/End)

After defining a Thresholding range,

Calculate must be pressed for it to take
effect

Thresholding Methods
None: No Thresholding will be applied
Start:
Specify a Value just below the top value of the
Range
All values below this value will be equally
spaced to the value at the bottom of the Range
Example:
Want to see all values from 50,000psi to the maximum value
shown in Red
All values between the minimum value and 50,000psi are
shown with different spectrum colors

Thresholding Methods
End:
Specify a Value just above the bottom value of
the Range
All values above this value will be equally
spaced to the value on the top of the Range
Example:
Want to see all values from 30,000psi to the minimum value
shown in Blue
All values between 30,000 and the maximum value are
shown with different spectrum colors

Thresholding Methods
Start/End:
Specify both the values just above and below
the bottom & top values of the range,
respectively
All values between these numbers will be
equally spaced
Example:
While seeing the maximum & minimum values, focus
in on a range between 65,000psi and 111,000psi

Subordinate Range Control Form

Appears only when
selecting Ranges from any
Fringe or Marker plot form
(display attributes)
Control whether the values
for the range are overwritten
for each new plot
Control of posting a range
to a given Viewport

Results: Templates
Result Templates
Tools/Results Templates
Create results templates
from a displayed results
form or from an existing
result tool

Default_fringe

Results: Templates
Using Results Templates
Select a results template
with previously defined
Display Attributes and Plot
Options

Results: Templates
Using Results Templates (Contd)
Applying templates to displayed results
forms
Apply a results template to
an open results form

Automatically modifies Display

Attribute and Plot Option settings
based on the selected results
template

Results: Templates
Editing Results Templates

Edit the desired results

template by selecting the
template and making the
appropriate changes in the
Display Attributes or Plot
Options Form

Edits the template with the

new settings

Results: Templates
Exporting/Importing Results Templates

Save results templates for importing into a new

database

Results: Plot Sets

Results Plot Sets (2004 r2)
Define an almost unlimited number of result
images
Efficiently post-process large amounts of data
Capture in house expertise
Provide accurate repeatability

Results: Plot Sets

Results Plot Sets User Scenario
Two result cases
Four fringe plots (Von Mises, X, Y and Max Prin.)
Two different sets of Display Attributes and Plot
Options (Templates)
Two different sets of Target Entities
32 possible plots!

Results: Plot Sets

Results Plot Sets User Scenario
Step 1 Create Results Templates to capture
desired Display Attributes and Plot Options

Results: Plot Sets

Results Plot Sets User Scenario
Step 2 - Create a blank Plot Set then edit it
Tools/Results Plot Sets

Results: Plot Sets

Results Plot Sets User Scenario
Step 3 Populate the Plot Set spreadsheet

Results: Plot Sets

Results Plot Sets User Scenario
Step 3 Populate the Plot Set spreadsheet
Select Results

Results: Plot Sets

Results Plot Sets User Scenario
Step 3 Populate the Plot Set spreadsheet
Select plot attributes / templates

Results: Plot Sets

Results Plot Sets User Scenario
Step 3 Populate the Plot Set spreadsheet
Select Target Entities

Results: Plot Sets

Results Plot Sets User Scenario
Step 4 Create the plots
Create plots in the Patran viewport with Preview Only
Create plots as JPEG files with Preview Only turned off
Save Plots to the Patran db