Chapter 14

Short Topics
Chapter 14 – Short Topics
Overview Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 7.0 - Part 1

• In this chapter, we will present some general tips and “tricks” on
how to use ANSYS more efficiently

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Chapter 14 – Short Topics
Toolbar and Abbreviations Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 7.0 - Part 1

• An abbreviation is a short-cut to commonly used functions. It is a
character string that represents one or more ANSYS commands.

• Whenever you define an abbreviation, it appears as a button in the

ANSYS Toolbar, giving you one-button access to the desired
function.

• There are five predefined abbreviations when you first start

ANSYS, but you can modify them or add your own — up to 100
total abbreviations.

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• As an example, to display line numbers on a line plot, you would need to
do the following:
– Utility Menu > PlotCtrls > Numbering… > Line numbers On > OK
– Utility Menu > Plot > Lines

Later, to turn off line numbers, you would have to use the same menus
again.

• Instead, you could define two abbreviations:

– LINE_ON for the command string ‘/pnum,line,on $lplot’
– LINE_OFF for ‘/pnum,line,off $lplot’

and simply press the appropriate button in the toolbar to turn line
numbering on or off.

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Chapter 14 – Short Topics
…Toolbar and Abbreviations Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 7.0 - Part 1

• The following information is needed for an abbreviation:
– The short-cut name
– The command string it represents. To find out the command for a particular
function, first execute the function using the GUI, then list the log file (Utility Menu
> List > Files > Log File).

• Use the *ABBR command to define abbreviations:

– *ABBR, name, command_string

– If command_string consists of more than one
command (separated by a $ sign), it must be
enclosed in single quotes.

A convenient dialog box is available for this:

– Utility Menu > MenuCtrls > Edit Toolbar…
– or Utility Menu > Macro > Edit Abbreviations…

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…Toolbar and Abbreviations Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 7.0 - Part 1

• Abbreviations are stored in the standard ANSYS database, so they
get saved to the .db file when you save the database.

• You can also write abbreviations to an ASCII file, jobname.abbr:

– Utility Menu > MenuCtrls > Save Toolbar…
– or Utility Menu > Macro > Save Abbr…
– or ABBSAV command

• To restore abbreviations from a file, use:

– Utility Menu > MenuCtrls > Restore Toolbar…
– or Utility Menu > Macro > Restore Abbr…
– or ABBRES command

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INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 7.0 - Part 1

• By creating a series of .abbr files and with a clever use of ABBSAV
and ABBRES functions, you can create “nested” toolbars —
buttons that bring up an entirely new set of buttons — and put
together a menu of your own!

• Once you master the ANSYS command language, there is virtually

no limit to the power and usefulness of abbreviations!

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…Toolbar and Abbreviations Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 7.0 - Part 1

• Demo:
– Resume rib.db
– Create abbreviations EPLOT, APLOT, LPLOT, KPLOT
– Delete KPLOT abbreviation
– Save abbreviations to file.abbr, then list the file
– Now list the log file and show the ABBSAVE command. (This is how
you can find out the commands for a given function.)
– Resume rib.db again
– Restore abbreviations from file.abbr and use the buttons

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Chapter 14 – Short Topics
Start File Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 7.0 - Part 1

• Whenever you start ANSYS, it reads a start file called start70.ans
(or start61.ans, start60.ans, etc. depending on ANSYS revision).

• You can include any commands in the start file. The most
common ones are abbreviation definitions.

• ANSYS checks for the start file first in the working directory and
then in your home directory. If no file is found, it will read the
“default” start file in the ANSYS documentation directory
(/ansys/docu).
– The “default” start file contains several suggested abbreviations, all of
them commented out. You can make a copy of it and “uncomment”
the ones you want to use.

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Chapter 14 – Short Topics
APDL Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 7.0 - Part 1

• APDL is an acronym for ANSYS Parametric Design Language, a
powerful scripting language that allows you to parameterize your
model and automate common tasks.

• Using APDL, you can:

– input model dimensions, material properties, etc. in terms of
parameters rather than numbers.
– retrieve information from the ANSYS database, such as a node
location or maximum stress.
– perform mathematical calculations among parameters, including
vector and matrix operations.
– define abbreviations (short cuts) for frequently used commands or
macros.
– create a macro to execute a sequence of tasks, with if-then-else
branching, do-loops, and user prompts.

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Chapter 14 – Short Topics
Defining Parameters Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 7.0 - Part 1

• To define a parameter, use the format

Name=Value
– Can be typed in the input window or in
the Scalar Parameters dialog (Utility Menu
> Parameters > Scalar Parameters...)
– Name is the parameter name, thirty-two
alphanumeric characters or less.
– Value may be a number, a previously
defined parameter, a mathematical
function, a parametric expression, or a
character string (enclosed in single
quotes).
– Can be kept in start##.ans file for
commonly used parameters, such as
PI = acos(-1)

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Chapter 14 – Short Topics
...Defining Parameters Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 7.0 - Part 1

• Examples:
inrad=2.5 g=386
outrad=8.2 massdens=density/g
numholes=4 circumf=2*pi*rad
thick=outrad-inrad area=pi*r**2
e=2.7e6 dist=sqrt((y2-y1)**2+(x2-x1)**2)
density=0.283 slope=(y2-y1)/(x2-x1)
bb=cos(30) theta=atan(slope)
pi=acos(-1) jobname=‘proj1’

See *SET command for a list of valid function

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INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 7.0 - Part 1

• The examples above are scalar parameters, which have a single
value — either numeric or character.

• ANSYS also supports array parameters, which have multiple

values. Both numeric and character arrays are available. Array
parameters will not be discussed in this course.

28.7 job1
-9.2 job2
xvalues = -2.1 filnam = job3
51.0 job4
0.0 job5

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...Defining Parameters Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 7.0 - Part 1

Some naming rules:

• Parameter names must be thirty-two characters or less, beginning

with a letter.

• Only letters, numbers, and the underscore character _ are

allowed.

• Avoid underscore _ as starting character… reserved for ANSYS

use.

• Names are not case-sensitive, i.e, “RAD” and “Rad” are the same.
All parameters are internally stored in capital letters.

• Avoid common ANSYS labels such as STAT, DEFA, and ALL.

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Chapter 14 – Short Topics
Using Parameters Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 7.0 - Part 1

• To use a parameter, simply enter its name in the appropriate field
in the dialog box or on the command.

• For example, to define a rectangle using the parameters w=10 and

h=5,
– you can use the menu:
Main Menu > Preprocessor > Modeling > Create >
Area > Rectangle > By 2 Corners
– or commands:
/prep7
blc4,,,w,h

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INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 7.0 - Part 1

Note:

• Whenever you use parameters, ANSYS immediately substitutes

their values.

The rectangle in the previous example is stored as a 10x5 area,

not as w x h. That is, if you change the value of w or h after
creating the rectangle, the area will NOT be updated.

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INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 7.0 - Part 1

• Other examples of using parameters:
jobname=‘proj1’
/filnam,jobname ! Jobname
/prep7
youngs=30e6
mp,ex,1,youngs ! Young’s modulus
force=500
fk,2,fy,-force ! Force at KP 2
fk,6,fx,force/2 ! Force at KP 6

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Chapter 14 – Short Topics
Retrieving Database Information Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 7.0 - Part 1

• To retrieve information from the database and assign it to a
parameter, use the *GET command or Utility Menu > Parameters >
Get Scalar Data...

• A vast amount of information is available, including model and

results data. Refer to the *GET command description for details.

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• Examples:
*get,x1,node,1,loc,x ! x1 = X coordinate of node 1 [CSYS]*
/post1
*get,sx25,node,25,s,x ! sx25 = X stress at node 25 [RSYS]*
*get,uz44,node,44,u,z ! uz44 = UZ displacement at node 44 [RSYS]*
nsort,s,eqv ! Sort nodes by von Mises stress
*get,smax,sort,,max ! smax = maximum of last sort
etable,vol,volu ! Store element volumes as vol
ssum ! Sum all element table columns
*get,totvol,ssum,,vol ! totvol = sum of vol column

*CSYS = In the active coordinate system (CSYS)

RSYS = In the active results coordinate system (RSYS)

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INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 7.0 - Part 1

• Some data can be retrieved with a get function.

Examples:
x1=nx(1) ! x1 = X coordinate of node 1 [CSYS]*
nn=node(2.5,3,0) ! nn = node at or near (2.5,3,0) [CSYS]*
/post1
ux25=ux(25) ! ux25 = UX at node 25 [RSYS]*
temp93=temp(93) ! temp93 = temperature at node 93
width=distnd(23,88) ! width = distance between nodes 23 & 88

*CSYS = In the active coordinate system (CSYS)

RSYS = In the active results coordinate system (RSYS)

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• You can use a get function directly in a field, just like a parameter.
For example:
k,10,kx(1),ky(3) ! KP 10 at X of KP 1, Y of KP 3 [CSYS]*
k,11,kx(1)*2,ky(3) ! [CSYS]*
f,node(2,2,0),fx,100 ! FX force at node(2,2,0) [CSYS]*

*CSYS = In the active coordinate system (CSYS)

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Chapter 14 – Short Topics
Batch Mode Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 7.0 - Part 1

• In batch mode, ANSYS reads commands from an input file you
supply, and writes responses to an output file. The process runs
in the background, freeing up your computer for other work.

• Of the three main phases of an analysis — preprocessing,

solution, postprocessing — the solution phase is best suited for
batch mode. Thus a batch input file could be as simple as:
resume,... ! Resume database from preprocessing session
/solu
solve
finish

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Chapter 14 - Batch Mode
Input files Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 7.0 - Part 1

• ANSYS is a command-driven program and can accept commands
from several sources:
– from GUI dialog boxes (which simply “send” commands to ANSYS
when you press OK or Apply)
– from the keyboard
– from input files

• An efficient way to run ANSYS, especially when you are rerunning

a previous analysis, is to use input files containing the desired
command sequence:
– Utility Menu > File > Read Input from…
– or the /INPUT command

(The start file is just an input file that is automatically read at start-
up by a built-in /input command.)

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INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 7.0 - Part 1

• For example, you can create a file called rectangle.inp containing
the following lines:
/prep7 ! Enter preprocessor
rect,0,3,0,1 ! Create a 3x1 rectangle
aplot

and then read it into ANSYS:

/input,rectangle,inp ! or File > Read Input from…

• The ! character above indicates a comment and can be used to:

– annotate the input file with explanations.
– “comment out” an entire command.

• Note: Cutting and pasting commands into the Input window is

NOT a supported feature.

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INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 7.0 - Part 1

• You can use the log file jobname.log as an input file. Keep in mind
the following points when you do this:
– The log file records all commands executed during an ANSYS session.
– Always use a copy of the log file, don’t just rename it.
– It may be helpful to edit the copy first and:
• add descriptive comments
• “clean it up” by removing erroneous commands and graphics
commands (/view, /focus, /dist, etc.)
• add prompting commands (*ASK)

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INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 7.0 - Part 1

• Session Editor
– Powerful ANSYS “Undo”
– ANSYS keeps a running copy of your log file from
your last save command.
– By modifying the values in the Session Editor
window and clicking OK, the modified commands
are read back into ANSYS.
– Main Menu > Session Editor…

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INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 7.0 - Part 1

The *ASK Command

• *ASK prompts the user for input and assigns the response to a
parameter. For example, you can modify rectangle.inp as follows:
/prep7 ! Enter preprocessor
*ask,w,WIDTH OF RECTANGLE,3
rect,0,w,0,1 ! Create a wx1 rectangle
aplot

When you input this file into ANSYS, you will see the prompt
shown below. Your response, say 5.2, is assigned to the
parameter w, which is used in the subsequent RECT command.

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• *ASK, Par, Query, DVAL
– Par is the parameter name to which the response value is assigned.
– Query is the prompt string, up to 32 characters. The word ENTER
automatically appears as the first word of the prompt.
– DVAL is the default value assigned to Par if the response is blank.

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Chapter 14 - Batch Mode
Submitting a batch job Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 7.0 - Part 1

• To start a batch run, use the Batch button on the launcher, or use
the -b option if using the command line to start ANSYS:
– For example, ansys61 -b -m 128 -db 16 < file.inp > file.out &
Windows systems UNIX systems

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Chapter 14 – Short Topics
Summary Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 7.0 - Part 1

Summary:

• Define parameters using the format Name=Value.

• Value may be a number, a previously defined parameter, a

mathematical function, a parametric expression, or a character
string.

• Use *GET or get functions to retrieve data from the ANSYS

database.

• ANSYS stores data in their actual form (numbers or strings), not in

the form of parameter names.

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Chapter 14 – Short Topics
Workshop Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 7.0 - Part 1

• Refer to your Workshop Supplement for instructions on:

• W14A Abbreviations

• W14B 2-D Bracket Using Parameters

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