Appendix A

ANSYS Native Geometry

Creation and Best Modeling
Practices Practices
Training Manual
Appendix A. ANSYS Native Geometry Creation
Overview
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Importing geometry is convenient, but sometimes you may need
to create it in ANSYS. Some possible reasons: O
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You may need to build a parametric model one defined in terms of
variables for later use in design optimization or sensitivity studies.
The geometry may not be available in a format ANSYS can read.
The Connection product you need may not be available on your
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The Connection product you need may not be available on your
computer platform.
You may need to modify or add geometry to an imported part or
assembly.
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ANSYS has an extensive set of geometry creation tools, which we
will discuss next.
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February 7, 2006
Inventory #002268
A-2
Training Manual
Appendix A. ANSYS Native Geometry Creation
A. Definitions
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Solid Modeling can be defined as the process of
creating solid models. O
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Definitions:
A solid model is defined by volumes, areas, lines,
and keypoints.
Volumes
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yp
Volumes are bounded by areas, areas by lines, and
lines by keypoints.
Hierarchy of entities from low to high:
k i t li l
Areas
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keypoints < lines < areas < volumes
You cannot delete an entity if a higher-order entity
is attached to it.
Lines &
Keypoints
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Also, a model with just areas and below, such as
a shell or 2-D plane model, is still considered a
solid model in ANSYS terminology.
Keypoints
Lines
Areas
Volumes
February 7, 2006
Inventory #002268
A-3
Keypoints
Training Manual
Appendix A. ANSYS Native Geometry Creation
Definitions
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There are two approaches to creating a solid model:
Top-down
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Bottom-up
Top-down modeling starts with a definition of volumes (or areas),
which are then combined in some fashion to create the final
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which are then combined in some fashion to create the final
shape.
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add
February 7, 2006
Inventory #002268
A-4
Training Manual
Appendix A. ANSYS Native Geometry Creation
Definitions
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Bottom-up modeling starts with keypoints, from which you build
up lines, areas, etc. O
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You may choose whichever approach best suits the shape of the
model, and also freely combine both methods.
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We will now discuss each modeling approach in detail.
February 7, 2006
Inventory #002268
A-5
Training Manual
Appendix A. ANSYS Native Geometry Creation
B. Top-Down Modeling
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Top-down modeling starts with a definition of volumes (or areas),
which are then combined in some fashion to create the final
h
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shape.
The volumes or areas that you initially define are called primitives.
Primitives are located and oriented with the help of the working plane.
The combinations used to produce the final shape are called Boolean
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The combinations used to produce the final shape are called Boolean
operations.
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February 7, 2006
Inventory #002268
A-6
Training Manual
Appendix A. ANSYS Native Geometry Creation
Top-Down Modeling
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Primitives are predefined geometric shapes such as circles,
polygons, and spheres.
g
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2-D primitives include rectangles, circles, triangles, and other
polygons.
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February 7, 2006
Inventory #002268
A-7
Training Manual
Appendix A. ANSYS Native Geometry Creation
Top-Down Modeling
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3-D primitives include blocks, cylinders, prisms, spheres, and
cones.
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February 7, 2006
Inventory #002268
A-8
Training Manual
Appendix A. ANSYS Native Geometry Creation
Top-Down Modeling
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When you create a 2-D primitive, ANSYS defines an area, along
with its underlying lines and keypoints.
g
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When you create a 3-D primitive, ANSYS defines a volume, along
with its underlying areas, lines and keypoints.
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February 7, 2006
Inventory #002268
A-9
Training Manual
Appendix A. ANSYS Native Geometry Creation
Top-Down Modeling
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You can create primitives by specifying their dimensions or by
picking locations in the graphics window.
g
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For example, to create a solid circle:
Main Menu > Preprocessor > Modeling > Create > Areas > Circle >
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Instructions
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By picking
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Area Input:
1.) Pick the center and radius in
graphics window...
February 7, 2006
Inventory #002268
A-10
2.) Or enter in Picker Box
Training Manual
Appendix A. ANSYS Native Geometry Creation
Top-Down Modeling
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To create a block:
Main Menu > Preprocessor > Modeling > Create > Volumes >Block >
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Instructions
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By picking
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Volume Input:
1.) Pick the 2 diagonal corners and
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Z-depth in graphics window...
2.) Or enter in Picker Box
February 7, 2006
Inventory #002268
A-11
Training Manual
Appendix A. ANSYS Native Geometry Creation
Top-Down Modeling
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Boolean operations are computations involving combinations of
geometric entities. ANSYS Boolean operations include add,
bt t i t t di id l d l
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subtract, intersect, divide, glue, and overlap.
The input to Boolean operations can be any geometric entity,
ranging from simple primitives to complicated volumes imported
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g g p p p p
from a CAD system.
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February 7, 2006
Inventory #002268
A-12
Input entities Boolean operation Output entity(ies)
Training Manual
Appendix A. ANSYS Native Geometry Creation
Top-Down Modeling
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All Boolean operations are available in the GUI under Main Menu
Preprocessor > Modeling > Operate > Booleans
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By default, input entities of a Boolean operation are deleted after
the operation.
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Deleted entity numbers become free (i.e., they will be assigned
to a new entity created, starting with the lowest available number).
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February 7, 2006
Inventory #002268
A-13
Training Manual
Appendix A. ANSYS Native Geometry Creation
Top-Down Modeling
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Add
Combines two or more entities into one.
g
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February 7, 2006
Inventory #002268
A-14
Training Manual
Appendix A. ANSYS Native Geometry Creation
Top-Down Modeling
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Glue
Attaches two or more entities by creating a common boundary
b t th
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D
U
C
T
I
O
O
D
U
C
T
I
O
O
D
U
C
T
I
O
O
D
U
C
T
I
O
O
D
U
C
T
I
O
between them.
Useful when you want to maintain the distinction between entities
(such as for different materials).
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
NN
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

---
PPP
N
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

---
PPPP
a
r
t

1
P
a
r
t

1
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a
r
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1
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r
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a
r
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February 7, 2006
Inventory #002268
A-15
Training Manual
Appendix A. ANSYS Native Geometry Creation
Top-Down Modeling
I
N
T
R
O
I
N
T
R
O
I
N
T
R
O
I
N
T
R
O
I
N
T
R
O
I
N
T
R
O
Overlap
Same as glue, except that the input entities overlap each other.
g
O
D
U
C
T
I
O
O
D
U
C
T
I
O
O
D
U
C
T
I
O
O
D
U
C
T
I
O
O
D
U
C
T
I
O
O
D
U
C
T
I
OO
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
NN
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

---
PPP
N
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

---
PPPP
a
r
t

1
P
a
r
t

1
P
a
r
t

1
P
a
r
t

1
P
a
r
t

1
P
a
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February 7, 2006
Inventory #002268
A-16
Training Manual
Appendix A. ANSYS Native Geometry Creation
Top-Down Modeling
I
N
T
R
O
I
N
T
R
O
I
N
T
R
O
I
N
T
R
O
I
N
T
R
O
I
N
T
R
O
Subtract
Removes the overlapping portion of one or more entities from a set of
b titi
g
O
D
U
C
T
I
O
O
D
U
C
T
I
O
O
D
U
C
T
I
O
O
D
U
C
T
I
O
O
D
U
C
T
I
O
O
D
U
C
T
I
O
base entities.
Useful for creating holes or trimming off portions of an entity.
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
NN
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

---
PPP
N
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

---
PPPP
a
r
t

1
P
a
r
t

1
P
a
r
t

1
P
a
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t

1
P
a
r
t

1
P
a
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February 7, 2006
Inventory #002268
A-17
Training Manual
Appendix A. ANSYS Native Geometry Creation
Top-Down Modeling
I
N
T
R
O
I
N
T
R
O
I
N
T
R
O
I
N
T
R
O
I
N
T
R
O
I
N
T
R
O
Divide
Cuts an entity into two or more pieces that are still connected to each
th b b d i
g
O
D
U
C
T
I
O
O
D
U
C
T
I
O
O
D
U
C
T
I
O
O
D
U
C
T
I
O
O
D
U
C
T
I
O
O
D
U
C
T
I
O
other by common boundaries.
The cutting tool may be the working plane, an area, a line, or even a
volume.
Useful for slicing and dicing a complicated volume into simpler
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
g g p p
volumes for brick meshing.
N
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

---
PPP
N
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

---
PPPP
a
r
t

1
P
a
r
t

1
P
a
r
t

1
P
a
r
t

1
P
a
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t

1
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1
February 7, 2006
Inventory #002268
A-18
Training Manual
Appendix A. ANSYS Native Geometry Creation
Top-Down Modeling
I
N
T
R
O
I
N
T
R
O
I
N
T
R
O
I
N
T
R
O
I
N
T
R
O
I
N
T
R
O
Intersect
Keeps only the overlapping portion of two or more entities.
g
O
D
U
C
T
I
O
O
D
U
C
T
I
O
O
D
U
C
T
I
O
O
D
U
C
T
I
O
O
D
U
C
T
I
O
O
D
U
C
T
I
O
If there are more than two input entities, you have two choices:
common intersection and pairwise intersection
Common intersection finds the common overlapping region
among all input entities.
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
among all input entities.
Pairwise intersection finds the overlapping region for each pair of
entities and may produce more than one output entity.
N
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

---
PPP
N
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

---
PPPP
a
r
t

1
P
a
r
t

1
P
a
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1
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Common
Pairwise
February 7, 2006
Inventory #002268
A-19
Co o
Intersection
Intersection
Training Manual
Appendix A. ANSYS Native Geometry Creation
Top-Down Modeling
I
N
T
R
O
I
N
T
R
O
I
N
T
R
O
I
N
T
R
O
I
N
T
R
O
I
N
T
R
O
Partition
Cuts two or more intersecting entities into multiple pieces that are still
t d t h th b b d i
g
O
D
U
C
T
I
O
O
D
U
C
T
I
O
O
D
U
C
T
I
O
O
D
U
C
T
I
O
O
D
U
C
T
I
O
O
D
U
C
T
I
O
connected to each other by common boundaries.
Useful, for example, to find the intersection point of two lines and still
retain all four line segments, as shown below. (An intersection
operation would return the common keypoint and delete both lines.)
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
NN
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

---
PPP
N
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

---
PPP
L1
L2
L3
L6
Partition
P
a
r
t

1
P
a
r
t

1
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r
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1
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1
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1
L5
L4
February 7, 2006
Inventory #002268
A-20
Training Manual
Appendix A. ANSYS Native Geometry Creation
Top-Down Modeling
I
N
T
R
O
I
N
T
R
O
I
N
T
R
O
I
N
T
R
O
I
N
T
R
O
I
N
T
R
O
Demo:
Drill a hole by subtracting a circle from a rectangle (or a cylinder
f bl k)
g
O
D
U
C
T
I
O
O
D
U
C
T
I
O
O
D
U
C
T
I
O
O
D
U
C
T
I
O
O
D
U
C
T
I
O
O
D
U
C
T
I
O
from a block)
Create two overlapping entities, save db, and do the overlap
operation. Now resume db and add the entities. Note the difference
between the two operations. (Glue is similar to overlap.)
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
Interesting model:
block,-2,2, 0,2, -2,2
sphere,2.5,2.7
N
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

---
PPP
N
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

---
PPP
vinv,all ! intersection
P
a
r
t

1
P
a
r
t

1
P
a
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1
P
a
r
t

1
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1
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February 7, 2006
Inventory #002268
A-21
Training Manual
Appendix A. ANSYS Native Geometry Creation
C. Workshop
I
N
T
R
O
I
N
T
R
O
I
N
T
R
O
I
N
T
R
O
I
N
T
R
O
I
N
T
R
O
Refer to your Workshop Supplement for instructions on:
WAPP-A 1. Pillow Block
O
D
U
C
T
I
O
O
D
U
C
T
I
O
O
D
U
C
T
I
O
O
D
U
C
T
I
O
O
D
U
C
T
I
O
O
D
U
C
T
I
OO
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
NN
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

---
PPP
N
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

---
PPPP
a
r
t

1
P
a
r
t

1
P
a
r
t

1
P
a
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t

1
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a
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t

1
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1
February 7, 2006
Inventory #002268
A-22
Training Manual
Appendix A. ANSYS Native Geometry Creation
D. Bottom-Up Modeling
I
N
T
R
O
I
N
T
R
O
I
N
T
R
O
I
N
T
R
O
I
N
T
R
O
I
N
T
R
O
Bottom-up modeling begins with a definition of keypoints, from
which other entities are built up.
g
O
D
U
C
T
I
O
O
D
U
C
T
I
O
O
D
U
C
T
I
O
O
D
U
C
T
I
O
O
D
U
C
T
I
O
O
D
U
C
T
I
O
To build an L-shaped object, for example, you could start by
defining the corner keypoints as shown below. You can then
create the area by simply connecting the dots or by first
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
y p y g y
defining lines and then defining the area by lines.
N
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

---
PPP
N
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

---
PPPP
a
r
t

1
P
a
r
t

1
P
a
r
t

1
P
a
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t

1
P
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1
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1
February 7, 2006
Inventory #002268
A-23
Training Manual
Appendix A. ANSYS Native Geometry Creation
Bottom-Up Modeling
I
N
T
R
O
I
N
T
R
O
I
N
T
R
O
I
N
T
R
O
I
N
T
R
O
I
N
T
R
O
To define keypoints:
Main Menu > Preprocessor > Modeling > Create >
K i t
g
O
D
U
C
T
I
O
O
D
U
C
T
I
O
O
D
U
C
T
I
O
O
D
U
C
T
I
O
O
D
U
C
T
I
O
O
D
U
C
T
I
O
Keypoints
Or use the K family of commands: K, KFILL,
KNODE, etc.
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
NN
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

---
PPP
N
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

---
PPP
The only data needed to create a keypoint is the keypoint number
and the coordinate location.
Keypoint number defaults to the next available number.
P
a
r
t

1
P
a
r
t

1
P
a
r
t

1
P
a
r
t

1
P
a
r
t

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a
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1
The coordinate location may be provided by simply picking locations
on the working plane or by entering the X,Y,Z values.
How are the X,Y,Z values interpreted? It depends on the active
coordinate system.
February 7, 2006
Inventory #002268
A-24
coordinate system.
Training Manual
Appendix A. ANSYS Native Geometry Creation
Bottom-Up Modeling
I
N
T
R
O
I
N
T
R
O
I
N
T
R
O
I
N
T
R
O
I
N
T
R
O
I
N
T
R
O
There are many ways to create lines, as shown here.
If d fi l ANSYS ill t ti ll t
g
O
D
U
C
T
I
O
O
D
U
C
T
I
O
O
D
U
C
T
I
O
O
D
U
C
T
I
O
O
D
U
C
T
I
O
O
D
U
C
T
I
O
If you define areas or volumes, ANSYS will automatically generate
any undefined lines, with the curvature determined by the active
CS.
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
Keypoints must be available in order to create lines.
Create > Lines >
Arcs
Create > Lines >
Lines
Create > Lines >
Splines
Operate >
Extrude
N
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

---
PPP
N
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

---
PPP
Arcs Lines Splines Extrude
P
a
r
t

1
P
a
r
t

1
P
a
r
t

1
P
a
r
t

1
P
a
r
t

1
P
a
r
t

1
February 7, 2006
Inventory #002268
A-25
Training Manual
Appendix A. ANSYS Native Geometry Creation
Bottom-Up Modeling
I
N
T
R
O
I
N
T
R
O
I
N
T
R
O
I
N
T
R
O
I
N
T
R
O
I
N
T
R
O
Creating areas using bottom-up method requires keypoints or
lines to be already defined.
g
O
D
U
C
T
I
O
O
D
U
C
T
I
O
O
D
U
C
T
I
O
O
D
U
C
T
I
O
O
D
U
C
T
I
O
O
D
U
C
T
I
O
If you define volumes, ANSYS will automatically generate any
undefined areas and lines, with the curvature determined by the
active CS.
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
Create > Areas >
Arbitrary
Operate > Extrude
N
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

---
PPP
N
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

---
PPP
y
P
a
r
t

1
P
a
r
t

1
P
a
r
t

1
P
a
r
t

1
P
a
r
t

1
P
a
r
t

1
February 7, 2006
Inventory #002268
A-26
Training Manual
Appendix A. ANSYS Native Geometry Creation
Bottom-Up Modeling
I
N
T
R
O
I
N
T
R
O
I
N
T
R
O
I
N
T
R
O
I
N
T
R
O
I
N
T
R
O
Creating volumes using bottom-up method requires keypoints or
areas to be already defined.
g
O
D
U
C
T
I
O
O
D
U
C
T
I
O
O
D
U
C
T
I
O
O
D
U
C
T
I
O
O
D
U
C
T
I
O
O
D
U
C
T
I
O
Create > Volumes > Operate > Extrude
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
Arbitrary
p
N
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

---
PPP
N
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

---
PPPP
a
r
t

1
P
a
r
t

1
P
a
r
t

1
P
a
r
t

1
P
a
r
t

1
P
a
r
t

1
February 7, 2006
Inventory #002268
A-27
Training Manual
Appendix A. ANSYS Native Geometry Creation
Bottom-Up Modeling
I
N
T
R
O
I
N
T
R
O
I
N
T
R
O
I
N
T
R
O
I
N
T
R
O
I
N
T
R
O
Boolean operations are available for entities created by both top-
down and bottom-up modeling approaches.
g
O
D
U
C
T
I
O
O
D
U
C
T
I
O
O
D
U
C
T
I
O
O
D
U
C
T
I
O
O
D
U
C
T
I
O
O
D
U
C
T
I
O
Besides Booleans, many other operations are available:
Extrude
Scale
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
Scale
Move
Copy
Reflect
N
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

---
PPP
N
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

---
PPP
Merge
Fillet
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February 7, 2006
Inventory #002268
A-28
Training Manual
Appendix A. ANSYS Native Geometry Creation
Bottom-Up Modeling
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Extrude
To quickly create volumes from existing areas (or areas
g
O
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I
O
O
D
U
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I
O
O
D
U
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I
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D
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I
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O
D
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I
O
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D
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I
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To quickly create volumes from existing areas (or areas
from lines, and lines from keypoints).
If the area is meshed, you can extrude the elements
along with the areas
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
along with the areas.
Four ways to extrude areas:
Along normal creates volume by normal offset of areas
[VOFFST]
N
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

---
PPP
N
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

---
PPP
[VOFFST] .
By XYZ offset creates volume by a general x-y-z offset
[VEXT]. Allows tapered extrusion.
About axis creates volume by revolving areas about an
axis (specified by two keypoints) [VROTAT].
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( p y yp ) [ ]
Along lines creates volume by dragging areas along a
line or a set of contiguous lines [VDRAG].
February 7, 2006
Inventory #002268
A-29
Training Manual
Appendix A. ANSYS Native Geometry Creation
Bottom-Up Modeling
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Scaling is typically needed when you want to convert the geometry to a
different set of units, say from inches to millimeters.
g
O
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I
O
O
D
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I
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D
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I
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D
U
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I
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To scale a model in ANSYS:
First save the database -- Toolbar >
SAVE_DB or SAVE command.
Th M i M P O t
O
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T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
Then Main Menu > Preprocessor > Operate >
Scale > Volumes (choose the highest-level
entity available in the model)
[Pick All] to pick all volumes
Th d i d l f f
N
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

---
PPP
N
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

---
PPP
Then enter desired scale factors for
RX, RY, RZ and set IMOVE to Moved
instead of Copied
Or use the VLSCALE command:
l l ll 25 4 25 4 25 4 1
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vlscale,all,,,25.4,25.4,25.4,,,1
February 7, 2006
Inventory #002268
A-30
Training Manual
Appendix A. ANSYS Native Geometry Creation
Bottom-Up Modeling
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Move
To translate or rotate an entity by
g
O
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I
O
O
D
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I
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D
U
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O
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y y
specifying DX,DY,DZ offsets.
DX,DY,DZ are interpreted in the active CS.
To translate an entity, make the active CS
Cartesian.
To rotate an entity make the active CS
O
N

T
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A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
To rotate an entity, make the active CS
cylindrical or spherical.
Or use the commands
VGEN, AGEN, LGEN, KGEN
Transfer
from csys,0
to csys,11
Rotate
-30
N
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

---
PPP
N
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

---
PPP
Another option is to transfer coordinates
to a different system.
Transfer occurs from the active CS to a
specified CS.
This operation is useful when you need to
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p y
move and rotate an entity at the same time.
Or use the commands
VTRAN, ATRAN, LTRAN, KTRAN
February 7, 2006
Inventory #002268
A-31
Training Manual
Appendix A. ANSYS Native Geometry Creation
Bottom-Up Modeling
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I
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I
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I
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Copy
To generate multiple copies of an
g
O
D
U
C
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I
O
O
D
U
C
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I
O
O
D
U
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I
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O
D
U
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I
O
O
D
U
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I
O
O
D
U
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T
I
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To generate multiple copies of an
entity.
Specify the number of copies (2 or
greater) and the DX DY DZ offset for
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
greater) and the DX,DY,DZ offset for
each copy. DX,DY,DZ are interpreted
in the active CS.
Useful to create multiple holes ribs
Copy in
local
cylindrical
CS
N
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

---
PPP
N
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

---
PPP
Useful to create multiple holes, ribs,
protrusions, etc.
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Create outer
areas by
skinning
February 7, 2006
Inventory #002268
A-32
skinning
Training Manual
Appendix A. ANSYS Native Geometry Creation
Bottom-Up Modeling
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I
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I
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O
I
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I
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I
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Reflect
T fl t titi b t l
g
O
D
U
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I
O
O
D
U
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I
O
O
D
U
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I
O
O
D
U
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I
O
O
D
U
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I
O
O
D
U
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I
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To reflect entities about a plane.
Specify the direction of reflection:
X for reflection about the YZ plane
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
X for reflection about the YZ plane
Y for XZ plane
Z for XY plane
All di ti i t t d i th
N
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

---
PPP
N
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

---
PPP
All directions are interpreted in the
active CS, which must be a Cartesian
system.
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What is the direction of
February 7, 2006
Inventory #002268
A-33
What is the direction of
reflection in this case?
Training Manual
Appendix A. ANSYS Native Geometry Creation
Bottom-Up Modeling
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Merge
To attach two entities together by removing coincident keypoints
g
O
D
U
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I
O
O
D
U
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I
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O
D
U
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O
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U
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I
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O
D
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O
D
U
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I
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To attach two entities together by removing coincident keypoints.
Merging keypoints will automatically merge coincident higher-order entities, if
any.
Usually required after a reflect copy or other operation that causes
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
Usually required after a reflect, copy, or other operation that causes
coincident entities.
N
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

---
PPP
N
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

---
PPP
Merge or glue
Reflect
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Merge or glue
required
Reflect
February 7, 2006
Inventory #002268
A-34
Training Manual
Appendix A. ANSYS Native Geometry Creation
Bottom-Up Modeling
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I
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Fillet
Line fillet requires two intersecting lines with a
g
O
D
U
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I
O
O
D
U
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I
O
O
D
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I
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O
D
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O
D
U
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I
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Line fillet requires two intersecting lines with a
common keypoint at the intersection.
If the common keypoint does not exist, do a
partition operation first.
ANSYS does not update the underlying area (if any)
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
ANSYS does not update the underlying area (if any),
so you need to either add or subtract the fillet
region.
Area filleting is similar.
Create N
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

---
PPP
N
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

---
PPP
g
fillet
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Subtract from
base area
Create
area
February 7, 2006
Inventory #002268
A-35
Training Manual
Appendix A. ANSYS Native Geometry Creation
Bottom-Up Modeling
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O
I
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I
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O
I
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T
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I
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T
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I
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T
R
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Demo:
Resume r.db (if necessary)
Create two keypoints for the axis at (0 0) and (0 1) then extrude the area by
g
O
D
U
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I
O
O
D
U
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I
O
O
D
U
C
T
I
O
O
D
U
C
T
I
O
O
D
U
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I
O
O
D
U
C
T
I
O
Create two keypoints for the axis, at (0,0) and (0,1), then extrude the area by
revolving about the axis 60
Resume r.db
Make copies of the rib tangentially about the Y-axis:
C t l l li d i l CS t l b l i i ith THYZ 90
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
Create a local cylindrical CS at global origin, with THYZ = -90
Generate 7 total copies (6 new ones) with DY=15
Create the three outer skin areas using ASKIN,P
Resume r.db
N
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

---
PPP
N
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

---
PPP
Create a 0.5R fillet between the top and right lines. (Notice that the lines
attached to the area have been modified. This is allowed in some cases.)
Create the triangular fillet area by lines (AL,P), then subtract it from the main
area. P
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February 7, 2006
Inventory #002268
A-36
Training Manual
Appendix Workshops
E. Workshops
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I
N
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O
I
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I
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I
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Refer to your Workshop Supplement for instructions on:
WAPP-A 2. Connecting Rod Bottom-Up Approach
O
D
U
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I
O
O
D
U
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I
O
O
D
U
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I
O
O
D
U
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I
O
O
D
U
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I
O
O
D
U
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I
O
WAPP-A 3. Connecting Rod Importation/Clean-up
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
NN
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

---
PPP
N
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

---
PPPP
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February 7, 2006
Inventory #002268
A-37
Training Manual
Appendix A. Best Modeling Practices
F. Best Modeling Practices
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g
This section is intended to give users advice on best modeling
practices that will help the user avoid corrupt databases.
Put as much of your ANSYS input as you can into an input file Even simple
O
D
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I
O
O
D
U
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T
I
O
O
D
U
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I
O
O
D
U
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I
O
O
D
U
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T
I
O
O
D
U
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T
I
O
Put as much of your ANSYS input as you can into an input file. Even simple
items such as material data and real constant data, so that your analysis is
easier to debug (and even parameterize).
Do not keep deletes in your database. Use the input file edit a volume or a
element size setting instead of deleting volumes or clearing a mesh
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
element size setting instead of deleting volumes or clearing a mesh.
Perform element attributes (xATT) and Boolean operations BEFORE
meshing. (Absolutely no Booleans after meshing.)
Don't use NUMMRG,KP to pull together non-coincident keypoints.
Examine any imported geometry for slivers voids edges not meeting or
N
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

---
PPP
N
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

---
PPP
Examine any imported geometry for slivers, voids, edges not meeting, or
any other geometrical issue.
Ideally, creating the geometry in ANSYS is best for meshing, however some
users must import geometry. Users first option should be to use a
connection product and import a SAT Parasolid etc file As a last resort
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connection product and import a SAT, Parasolid, etc file. As a last resort
IGES files can also be imported. (Note: It has been some users experience
that the time spent in repeatedly cleaning-up IGES files, makes the
purchase of a Connection Product more than worth the minimal cost.) Try
all methods and see what works best for your case.
February 7, 2006
Inventory #002268
A-38
Training Manual
Appendix A. Best Modeling Practices
...Best Modeling Practices
I
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g
More Suggestions
Do element attribute assignment on solid model geometry (xATT). Dont
EMODIF l b l tti (TYPE MAT REAL) l d t
O
D
U
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T
I
O
O
D
U
C
T
I
O
O
D
U
C
T
I
O
O
D
U
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T
I
O
O
D
U
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T
I
O
O
D
U
C
T
I
O
use EMODIF or global settings (TYPE, MAT, REAL) unless you need to.
Make backup copies periodically (such as jobname.db1, jobname.db2, etc.).
Check the *.err file for all error messages and understand why warning
messages are printed.
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
O
N

T
O

A
N
g p
Use the /EDGE command to display common lines between all adjacent
element faces. With the edge key on, an element plot displays only the
element edges without coplanar share element edges. The NSEL,S,EXT
command will select external nodes for the selected set of elements After
N
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

---
PPP
N
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

N
S
Y
S

---
PPP
command will select external nodes for the selected set of elements. After
plotting these nodes, the user should only see the nodes on the edges of
the selected elements, any other nodes demonstrate problem locations.
Do not perform any Booleans operations while you have any concatenated
lines or areas in the model
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lines or areas in the model.
Dont divide a line by a meshed line always clear the mesh before
performing Booleans.
Delete any FE-based elements (ie: contact, pretension, surface effect
February 7, 2006
Inventory #002268
A-39
elements) before clearing a mesh.
Training Manual
Appendix A. Best Modeling Practices
...Best Modeling Practices
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g
More Suggestions
Import all geometry at one time - ie.: dont import, mesh, import.
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Don't subtract or overlap coincident or tangent geometry.
For example: block,,1,,1,,1 block,,1,,1,,1 vsbv,1,2.
Minimize use of hardpoints.
Minimize use of dragging and skinning
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Minimize use of dragging and skinning.
Minimize use of cylindrical and spherical coordinate systems to create
geometry bottom-up from keypoints.
Where surface or rotation are required, for cylinders, spheres, torus, etc.,
t d th i d i d th t i th f
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extrude the wire around an axis and then trim the surface as necessary.
This will eliminate the COONS patch problem by providing more precise
NURBS surfaces from the extrusion process.
Use COONS patches generated on non-cartesian coordinate systems only
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as the last resort. When these are used and the results are needed for
Boolean operations use these surfaces or their associated volumes last in
your operations.
If using multiple load step files (LSWRITE), do this last since .s00 files only
February 7, 2006
Inventory #002268
A-40
g p p ( ) y
contain loadings for FE data.
Training Manual
Appendix A. Best Modeling Practices
...Best Modeling Practices
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g
More Suggestions
Start with very simple models, using a few elements of the element type
d i d d t t ith i l t i l ti b f di t
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desired and start with simple material properties before upgrading to, say, a
hyperelastic material model.
Take a Verification Manual problem with a known solution and then start
tweaking that towards what you are trying to do.
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Use the same numbering even though it is redundant such as TYPE 1,
REAL 1, MAT 1 for one part, and TYPE 2, REAL 2, MAT 2, for another part.
This makes attribute assignment easy to keep track of.
Start with a working database and record all Boolean operations in a text
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Start with a working database and record all Boolean operations in a text
file. If something goes wrong, you can just edit the file and your db will be
fine.
If the database is corrupt, you can resume the database and archive the file
with the CDWRITE as a last resort
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with the CDWRITE as a last resort.
Take the time before modeling to plan your approach - this will save you a
lot of time down the road.
February 7, 2006
Inventory #002268
A-41