C O N T E N T S - MSC Software

1 

MSC.Patran 2005 

at a Glance 

C O N T E N T S 

MSC.Patran Release Guide 

■ Key Highlights for MSC.Patran 2005, 2 

❑ Scalar Marker Plots, 2 

❑ MSC.Nastran Preference Enhancements, 2 

- MSC.Nastran Explicit Nonlinear (SOL 700) Support, 2 

- Double Precision Support, 2 

- Rigid Element Support, 3 

- Direct Results Access, 3 

- Multipoint Constraint Numbering, 3 

- Preserve MSC.Nastran Names, 4 

- External Superelements, 4 

- Connector Element Support, 4 

- Support for Global Ply Tracking (PCOMPG), 4 

❑ MSC.Marc Preference Enhancements, 5 

- Results Postprocessing Improvements, 5 

- Multipoint Constraint Enhancements, 5 

- Material Models, 5 

- Loads and Boundary Conditions, 5 

- Contact, 5 

- Table Support, 5 

- Domain Decomposition, 6 

- Output Requests, 6 

- User Subroutines, 6 

❑ MSC.Dytran Preference Enhancement, 6 

❑ ABAQUS Preference Enhancement, 6 

■ Additional Features and Upgrades, 7 

❑ CAD Access Update, 7 

- Pro/ENGINEER Access, 7 

- Unigraphics, 8 

- Import (Create Groups from Layers), 8 

- Export, 8 

❑ Results Improvements, 8 

- Results Title Editor, 8 

- Results Type Naming Consolidation, 9 

MSC.Patran Release Guide, 

■ Supported Platforms, Operating Systems, and CAD Direct Access, 10 

❑ Supported Hardware and Software Configurations for 

MSC.Patran 2005, 10

2 

File Import/Export 

and CAD Access 

Updates 

3 

Analysis 

Preferences 

❑ CAD Direct Access, 12 

■ Future Product Support, 15 

❑ Patran FEA Solver Support, 15 

❑ LS-DYNA Results Support, 15 

❑ Connector Tool Support, 15 

■ Technical Support, 16 

■ CAD Access Support Updates, 20 

❑ Pro/ENGINEER Support Updates, 20 

- Accessing Geometry Using MSC.Patran 

p3_ProENGINEER, 20 

■ CAD Imports (Create Groups from Layers), 23 

■ CAD Exports, 24 

■ MSC.Patran Gateway to CATIA V5, 25 

■ MSC.Nastran Preference Enhancements, 28 

❑ Explicit Nonlinear SOL 700 Support (Pre-release), 28 

- Materials, 29 

- Elements and Properties, 30 

- Loads and Boundary Conditions, 30 

- MPCs, 31 

- Analysis, 31 

❑ Connector Element Support, 39 

❑ Support for MSC.Nastran PCOMPG, 43 

- Ply Modeling Requirements, 44 

- Manual Creation of PCOMPG Data, 45 

- Automated Modeling of Global Plies, 47 

■ MSC.Marc Preference Enhancements, 50 

❑ Results Postprocessing Improvements, 50 

❑ Multipoint Constraint Enhancements (MPCs), 51 

❑ Material Models, 56 

❑ Loads and Boundary Conditions, 58 

❑ Contact, 60 

❑ Table Support, 62 

❑ Domain Decomposition, 63 

❑ Output Request, 63 

❑ User Subroutines, 64

4 

Updates to Basic 

Functions 

■ MSC.Dytran Preference Enhancements, 66 

❑ Overview, 66 

❑ Supported Entries, 67 

❑ Limitations, 69 

❑ Analysis Enhancements, 70 

■ Loads/BCs Display Behavior, 78 

❑ Overview, 78 

❑ Other LBC Display Behaviors Changes, 79 

- Display Cleanup, 80 

- LBC Application Region Highlighting Control, 80 

■ Combined Vector Component Plots, 82 

■ Three Gigabyte Memory Support, 83 

■ Import/Export Field Data, 84 

■ Pre-Release Functionality, 87 

❑ Advanced Surface Meshing, 87 

- Overview, 87 

- Application Form, 87 

INDEX ■ MSC.Patran Release Guide, 113

CHAPTER 

1 



at a Glance 

■ Key Highlights for MSC.Patran 2005 

■ Additional Features and Upgrades 

■ Supported Platforms, Operating Systems, and CAD Direct Access 

■ Future Product Support 

■ Technical Support

2 

1.1 Key Highlights for MSC.Patran 2005 

MSC.Patran 2005 introduces a series of key features that streamline the process and 

expand the scope of simulation modeling. The highlighted new features for 2005 focus 

on further analysis integration by supporting many additional capabilities of 

MSC.Nastran, MSC.Marc, MSC.Dytran, ABAQUS, and other codes. These new 

features are aimed at making the modeling-analysis process more inclusive and 

seamless. Some of the key features in MSC.Patran 2005 are: 

Scalar Marker Plots 

A scalar marker plot tool has been added to MSC.Patran 2005. In addition to 

producing vector and tensor marker plots, you can now generate scalar marker plots 

that use nodal or element based scalar data. 

The Scalar Marker plot capability is accessed from the Result Application form by 

setting the Action>Object>Method to Create>Marker>Scalar. Scalar plots may be 

colored and scaled based on value and may be targeted at various model features such 

as node, faces and edges of elements, and corners. 

For more information on this feature please see Marker Plots (Ch. 6) in the 

MSC.Patran Reference Manual, Part 6: Results Postprocessing. 

MSC.Nastran Preference Enhancements 

MSC.Nastran Explicit Nonlinear (SOL 700) Support 

MSC.Nastran version 2005 introduced a new Explicit Nonlinear analysis pre-release 

capability that complements and extends the existing nonlinear capabilities available 

with SOL 106, SOL 129, and SOL 600. SOL 700 provides numerical methods and 

techniques for large displacement analysis of structures, with a wide range of 

nonlinear material models, and contact modeling of deformable and rigid bodies. 

MSC.Patran version 2005 was developed in close coordination with MSC.Nastran 

2005 aimed at offering you immediate interfacing to SOL 700. Because of the extensive 

nature of this implementation, the new SOL 700 support is a pre-release capability for 

2005. For details on new interface capabilities for SOL 700, see Explicit Nonlinear 

SOL 700 Support (Pre-release) (Ch. 3). 

Double Precision Support 

This enhancement of MSC.Patran is to support double precision for all FEM related 

data where the accuracy of MSC.Nastran results are highly dependent. 

In previous releases all the values of FEM data were represented by single precision 

in the MSC.Patran database. This enhancement updates MSC.Patran to support 

double precision in these areas:

• Grid coordinates 

MPC coefficients 

Coord coefficient 

CHAPTER 1 

MSC.Patran 2005 at a Glance 

In the multiple processes of simply importing and exporting FEM related data to and 

from MSC.Patran during a typical product lift cycle, it is required that MSC.Patran 

retain all the original numbers of significant digits for the preceding FEM related data. 

Rigid Element Support 

In MSC.Nastran 2004, a new Lagrange Rigid Element was introduced. MSC.Patran 

supports the new Lagrange rigid element type, as well as new rigid element bulk data 

entries that were added in MSC.Nastran 2004. 

Added support for the RIGID case control command via the solution 

parameters form for solution types 101, 103, 105, 106, 129, and ultimately 400. 

Added support for the Thermal Expansion Coefficient value in the RBAR, 

RBE1, RBE2, RBE3, RROD, and RTRPLT rigid elements. 

Added support for the new RBAR1, RTRPLT1, and RJOINT rigid elements, 

the first two of which also include the new Thermal Expansion Coefficient 

constant. 

Updates to the MSC.Nastran preference MPC definitions, adding the 

Thermal Expansion Coefficient to applicable existing MPC definitions, and 

adding new definitions for the RBAR1, RTRPLT1, and RJOINT rigid 

elements. 

Updates to the Analysis Solution Parameters form to allow the rigid element 

type to be specified (LINEAR, LAGR, or LGELIM). Additionally, the job 

control output was updated to include a RIGID_ELEMENT_TYPE 

parameter that may have one of these three values. 

For more information about rigid element support please see, Multi-point 

Constraints (p. 23) in the MSC.Patran MSC.Nastran Preference Guide, Volume 1: 

Structural Analysis. 

Direct Results Access 

Direct Results Access now supports MSC.Nastran solutions 103, 105, 106, 107, 108, 

109, 110, 111, 112, 129 and 200 

Multipoint Constraint Numbering 

Multipoint constraint numbering has been changed in MSC.Patran so that the MPCs 

you create will have the same ID as they will have in the MSC.Nastran input deck. 

Also, you will be warned if an attempt is made to renumber the MPCs or elements 

when translated to the MSC.Nastran Input deck. 

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Preserve MSC.Nastran Names 

A feature has been added that reads and uses the material and element properties 

names from the MSC.Nastran Bulk Data File when importing the BDF into 

MSC.Patran. For more information about preserving the MSC.Nastran names, please 

see Entity Selection Form (p. 410) in the MSC.Patran MSC.Nastran Preference Guide, 

Volume 1: Structural Analysis. 

External Superelements 

External Superelements in MSC.Nastran are now supported in MSC.Patran. For more 

information please see, External Superelement Specifications (p. 204) in the 

MSC.Patran MSC.Nastran Preference Guide, Volume 1: Structural Analysis. 

Connector Element Support 

The Connector Element project has added support for connection elements in 

MSC.Patran. It specifically targets the generation, translation, and results processing 

of MSC.Nastran Spot Weld (CWELD) and fastener (CFAST) connectors within 

MSC.Patran. Please see Creating Connectors (p. 122) in the MSC.Patran Reference 

Manual, Part 3: Finite Element Modeling. 

Support for Global Ply Tracking (PCOMPG) 

MSC.Nastran 2004 introduced Global Ply Tracking for composite material analysis. 

This feature makes it possible to track stresses in individual plies, where there may be 

ply drop-offs or reversed elements, using the conventional zone description of the 

layup. The global plies in the composites layup are assigned a global ply ID(GPLYID) 

that is specified for each layer of a given laminate material. These global ply IDs are 

input using the PCOMPG bulk data entry. Following an analysis, MSC.Nastran sorts 

the ply results in the .op2 and .xdb files by global ply ID and enables easy 

interpretation of results. 

MSC.Patran 2005 fully supports the manual generation of PCOMPG input data so that 

you can benefit from the MSC.Nastran capabilities from within a graphical interface 

environment. Global Ply Tracking when used with MSC Laminate Modeler provide 

automatic sorting of results in the analysis code, correct ply orientation of vector and 

tensor marker plots, and a standard archiving of ply models within MSC.Patran 

database and MSC.Nastran input file. For more information please see, Support for 

MSC.Nastran PCOMPG (p. 43).

MSC.Marc Preference Enhancements 

CHAPTER 1 


MSC.Patran 2005 includes numerous enhancements specific to the MSC.Marc 

Preference and expanded support for a number of MSC/Marc capabilities. 

Results Postprocessing Improvements 

Animation (Quick Plot) improvements allow you to quickly animate multiple result 

cases and create MPEG movie clips from within the Quick Plot action. This is 

especially useful for processing nonlinear incremental data. 

In addition access speed to the MSC.Marc results (POST) file has been upgraded. 

Multipoint Constraint Enhancements 

Full implementation of MSC.Nastran style RBE3 elements is complete and can be 

accessed under the FEM application for MPC creation. 

A new Tying 69 multipoint constraint has been added to this release for use in bolt or 

rivet pre-tensioning applications. Tying 85, 86, and 87 for heat transfer analysis are 

also available. These MPCs enable you to tie together temperature degrees of freedom. 

Material Models 

Version 2005 now supports virtually all MSC.Marc material models including 

accessibility to activate material subroutines. Tables are supported for all material 

properties that reference fields. 

Loads and Boundary Conditions 

Enhancements have been made to the 1D Pressure and CID Distributed Loads 

capabilities. Tables are also supported for all load and boundary conditions that 

reference fields. 

Contact 

Improvements for controlling individual contact pairs and support for defining a 

rigid heat transfer body are new to 2005. In addition, contact properties and motion 

defined by fields can now be written as tables. 

Table Support 

Variations of material properties, load values, and other parameters are now definable 

in MSC.Marc 2005 via the TABLE parameter and option entries. The MSC.Marc 

Preference supports the new TABLE entry by converting referenced fields in the 

Materials and Loads/BCs applications directly to this table format. 

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Domain Decomposition 

Domain decomposition can now be done automatically as part of the analysis process. 

Output Requests 

The output request forms can now process numerous new element results and nodal 

results POST codes. 

User Subroutines 

New user subroutines can be activated via the MSC.Marc preference. 

For details on MSC.Marc Preference updates, see MSC.Marc Preference 

Enhancements (Ch. 3). 

MSC.Dytran Preference Enhancement 

The ACC Output Request, IMMFILE file management and several parameters were 

added to the Analysis form of the MSC.Dytran Preference in MSC.Patran 2005. For 

details on MSC.Dytran Preference updates, see MSC.Dytran Preference 

Enhancements (Ch. 3). 

ABAQUS Preference Enhancement 

ABAQUS Gasket Element Support has been improved in MSC.Patran 2005. The link, 

axisymmetric, two, and three-dimensional gasket element types were added to the 

Element Properties of the ABAQUS Analysis Preference in MSC.Patran 2005. Damage 

and Elastic-Plastic gasket behavior models that vary with displacement and 

temperature may be assigned to these property sets. Traditional elastic, plastic, 

viscoelastic and creep material models may also be used. The thickness direction is 

defined from the gasket element's connectivity. A shareware utility was created to 

allow the connectivity of Hex elements to be easily rotated. For more information on 

ABAQUS Preference updates, see ABAQUS Product Information (Ch. 1) in the 

MSC.Patran ABAQUS Preference Guide.

1.2 Additional Features and Upgrades 

CHAPTER 1 


In addition to the key features for 2005, many more features have been added to 

MSC.Patran to increase the capabilities, performance, and quality. Important 

enhancements to MSC.Patran 2005 include: 

CAD Access Update 

The InterOp Translators have been upgraded to InterOp R13 and ACIS R13. 

The I-DEAS to MSC.Patran translator must be run with I-DEAS 10 NX Series. I-DEAS 

9 .mf1 files can be processed by the translator. I-DEAS 10 NX Series must be running 

in Master Modeler Mode prior to running the I-DEAS to MSC.Patran translator 

xplus_ideasp.exe. When starting up I-DEAS 10 NX in Master Modeler Mode, the 

following option must be used when running the I-DEAS to MSC.Patran translator: 

-n OpenBatchDesign 

(Example: $IDEASROOT/bin/ideas -n OpenBatchDesign) 

In this release of MSC.Patran, support has been added for Step AP203 and AP209 on 

the HP-UX Itanium platform 

Pro/ENGINEER Access 

Pro/ENGINEER Access has been updated to be compatible with 64-Bit 

Pro/ENGINEER 2001 and Wildfire versions on SUNS and HP (PA-RISC) platforms. 

The Pro/Engineer import will now transfer the following material data from a part: 

Material name (a standard PTC part parameter) 

Material properties (standard PTC part parameters) 

Material Reference (a customized extension, using a user defined parameter) 

Each solid will be associated with the proper material property via an element 

property record. Access of assemblies with multiple parts and instances is now 

supported creating all necessary material and element property information. 

For more information on Pro/ENGINEER Material see File>Import (Ch. 4) in the 

MSC.Patran Reference Manual, Part 1: Basic Functions. 

Direct Pro/ENGINEER access/mesh technology has been implemented in 

MSC.Patran 2005 for all Windows and Unix platforms. This has replaced the GS- 

Mesher option which has been removed. 

With this new feature you now have direct access to Pro/ENGINEER Geometry, 

without the need for a translator. It is no longer necessary to import the geometry 

model separately. With this new feature it is no longer necessary to clean-up the 

model data or to heal and stitch the geometry. 

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8 

Pro/ENGINEER must be able to be executed from the machine where Patran will be 

run from in order to access the Pro/ENGINEER .prt files 

Your existing ProENGINEER access license will activate this added feature. 

Unigraphics 

Unigraphics access has been updated to support Unigraphics NX2.0. 

Additionally, ACIS support has been upgraded to ACIS 13. 

See CAD Direct Access (p. 12) for a complete summary for all operating systems and 

platforms. Please see File Commands (Ch. 4) in the MSC.Patran Reference Manual, 

Part 1: Basic Functions. 

Import (Create Groups from Layers) 

You can now automatically create MSC.Patran Groups from Layers during the file 

import process. This feature is supported for all CAD Access products and you have 

the option of specifying a group name or reverting to a default naming convention. 

Export 

MSC.Patran 2005 has expanded its export capability to enable you to export to the 

following formats: 

CATIA V4 

I-DEAS 

ACIS 

VDA 

STEP 214 

Results Improvements 

Results Title Editor 

This release of MSC.Patran further expands the postprocessing capabilities with a new 

Results Title Editor. 

Previously, you needed to individually edit a title on each Results Tool Attributes 

form. For 2005, a separate form is available and accessed from the Attributes forms. 

The new form provides a user-friendly interface for accessing all of the internal 

information available for results titles and adding any additional text you might 

desire. Complete documentation of the new form, can be found in Results Title 

Editor (Ch. 1) in the MSC.Patran Reference Manual, Part 6: Results Postprocessing.

Results Type Naming Consolidation 

CHAPTER 1 


Results labeling within MSC.Patran was inconsistent with regard to the source of 

those results in XDB, DBALL or OP2 files. In MSC.Patran 2005, the functional results 

labeling in MSC.Patran from all MSC.Nastran sources has been consolidated. For 

example prior to 2005 release, CBEAM combined stresses were stored under the 

results label “Bar Stresses, Bending”. This is incorrect since the combined CBEAM 

stresses include both bending and axial components. When CBAR and CBEAM are 

used in the same model, two different results types are displayed with the same label. 

In MSC.Patran 2005, the following CBEAM results have been renamed: 

Bar Stresses, Bending => Beam Stresses, Combined 

Bar Stresses, Maximum Combined => Beam Stresses, Maximum 

Combined 

Bar Stresses, Minimum Combined => Beam Stresses, Minimum 

Combined 

Bar Stresses, Tension Safety Margin => Beam Stresses, Tension Safety 

Margin 

Bar Stresses, Compression Safety Margin => Beam Stresses, Compression 

Safety Margin 

Bar Forces, Translational => Beam Forces, Translational 

Bar Forces, Rotational => Beam Forces, Rotational 

Bar Forces, Warping Torque => Beam Forces, Warping Torque 

Bar Strains, Maximum Combined => Beam Strains, Maximum 

Combined 

Bar Strains, Minimum Combined => Beam Strains, Minimum 

Combined 

Bar Strains, Tension Safety Margin => Beam Strains, Tension Safety 

Margin 

Bar Strains, Compression Safety Margin => Beam Strains, Compression 

Safety Margin 

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1.3 Supported Platforms, Operating Systems, and CAD 

Direct Access 

Significant changes occur with each new release of MSC.Patran in terms of the 

supported hardware and software components. The following sections define the 

supported hardware and software for Version 2005. 

Supported Hardware and Software Configurations for 


MSC.Patran 2005 supports the hardware and software configurations identified in the 

following table. 

Vendor OS Levels 

HP (PA- 

RISC) 

HP (IA-64) 

SUN 

HP-UX 11.0 

HP-UX 11i (11.11) 

HP-UX 11i 1.6 

(11.22) 

HP-UX 11i 2.0 

(11.23) 

Solaris 8 

Solaris 9 

Chipset 

Support 

PA8000 

PA8200 

PA8500 

PA8600 

PA8700 

PA8800 

HW Support 

PA8000: C160, 

C180, J280, J282, 

PA8200: C200, 

C240, J2240, 

PA8500: C360, 

B1000, B2000, 

C3000, J5000, 

J7000 

PA8600: C3600, 

J5600, J6000 

PA8700: C3700, 

C3750, J6700, 

J6750 

PA8800: C8000 

Graphics 

Support 

Visualize: FX2 Pro, FX4 

Pro, FX6 Pro, FXE, FX5 

Pro, FX10 Pro, FireGL- 

UX, FireGL X1, T2 

Intel Itanium 2 I2: zx2000, zx6000 ATI FireGL 4, FireGL X1, 

FireGL Z1 

UltraSPARC 

UltraSPARC II 

UltraSPARC IIi 

UltraSPARC III 

UltraSPARC IIIi 

Ultra 1, 2, 5, 10, 

30, 60, 80 

SunBlade 1000, 

1500, 2000, 2500 

Creator3D, Elite3D, 

Expert3D, XVR 500, XVR 

600, XVR 1000, XVR 1200

Intel 

Intel 

SGI 

Vendor OS Levels 

Windows 2000 SP3 

Windows XP 

LINUX 

Red Hat 9.0 

Red Hat Enterprise 

3.0 

SuSe 9.0 

IRIX 6.5.18 

6.5.19 

6.5.21 

Chipset 

Support 

Pentium II 

Pentium III 

Pentium 4 

Xeon 

AMD Opteron 

Pentium II 

Pentium III 

Pentium 4 

Xeon 

R5000 

RM5200 

R8000 

R10000 

R12000 

R14000 

IBM AIX 5.1, 5.2 POWER 

POWER2 

POWER3 

POWER4 

PowerPC 

HW Support 

Compaq: W4000, 

W6000, W8000 

Compaq Laptop: 

N800c, N800w 

Dell: Work. 410, 

610, 220, 420, 620, 

330, 340, 350, 360, 

450, 470, 530, 650, 

670 

Dell Laptop: M50, 

M60 

HP: Visualize NT 

(p-class, x-class), 

xw4000/xw5000/x 

w6000/xw8000, 

xw3100/xw4100 

xw4200/xw6200/x 

w8200 

IBM: IntelliStation 

Z-Pro, M-Pro, E- 

Pro, A-Pro 

Fujitsu/Siemens: 

Celsius 

Dell: 220, 420, 

620, 330, 340, 350, 

360, 450, 530, 650 

HP: Visualize NT 

(pL-class, xLclass), 

x-class 

IBM: 

IntelliStation 

Indigo 2, Indy 

(R5000), Onyx2, 

Origin, O2, 

Octane, Octane 2, 

Fuel 

RS 6000 - 3AT, 

3BT, 3CT, 37T, 

397, 42T, 42W, 

43P, 44P, 

IntelliStation 

Power 265, 275 

CHAPTER 1 


Graphics 

Support 

3DLabs: Wildcat III 6110, 

Wildcat VP 560, Wildcat 

VP 870, Wildcat IV 7110, 

7210 

ATI: FireGL 8700/8800, 

Fire GL E1, X1-128, Z1- 

128, T2-64, T2-128, X2- 

256, V3100, Mobility 

Radeon (N800 Laptops) 

HP: fx5+, fx10+ 

NVIDIA: Quadro2 EX, 

Quadro4 

700XGL/750XGL/900XG 

L/980XGL, Quadro4 

500/700 GoGL 

(M50/M60 Laptop), 

FX330, FX500, FX1000, 

FX1100, FX1300, FX3000, 

FX3400, FX4000 

ATI: FireGL 8700/8800, 

FireGL X1 

NVIDIA: GeForce 256, 

GeForce2 GTS, Quadro2 

Pro, Quadro2 EX, 

Quadro4 

700XGL/900XGL 

Solid IMPACT, High 

IMPACT, CRM, SI, MXI, 

SE, MXE, V6*, V8*, V10*, 

V12* 

GXT800M, GXT800P, 

GXT2000P, GXT3000P, 

GXT4500P, GXT6500P 

For a complete description of these configurations, see Required Hardware & 

Software Configurations (Ch. 2) in the MSC.Patran Installation and Operations Guide. 

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CAD Direct Access 

MSC.Patran 2005 supports direct import of many CAD products. MSC.Patran 2005 

supports access to the following versions of CAD software: 

HP (PA-RISC) HP (IA-64) SGI Sun 

2004r2 2005 2004r2 2005 2004r2 2005 2004r2 2005 

CADDS 12.0 12.0 12.0 12.0 12.0 12.0 

I-DEAS 9.0 10.0 9.0 10.0 9.0 10.0 

CATIA V4 4.2.4 4.2.4 4.2.4 4.2.4 4.2.4 4.2.4 

CATIA V5 V5R12 V5R13 V5R12 V5R13 V5R12 V5R13 

Pro/ENGINEER 

2 Wildfire 

2.0 

Wildfire 

2.0 

Wildfire 

2.0 

Wildfire 

2.0 

Wildfire 

2.0 

Wildfire 

2.0 

Unigraphics NX2.0 NX2.0 NX2.0 NX2.0 NX2.0 NX2.0 

Parasolid 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 

ACIS 12.0 13.0 12.0 13.0 12.0 13.0 12.0 13.0

CADDS 

CHAPTER 1 


IBM RS/6000 W2K Linux 

2004r2 2005 2004r2 2005 2004r2 2005 

I-DEAS 9.0 10.0 9.0 10.0 

CATIA V4 4.2.4 4.2.4 4.2.4 4.2.4 4.2.4 1 

CATIA V5 V5R12 V5R13 V5R12 V5R13 

Pro/ENGINEER 2 

2001 2001 

Wildfire 

2.0 

Wildfire 

2.0 2001 4 

Unigraphics NX2.0 NX2.0 NX2.0 NX2.0 XMT 3 

Parasolid 15 15 15 15 15 15 

4.2.4 1 

2001 4 

XMT 3 

ACIS 12.0 13.0 12.0 13.0 12.0 13.0 

Note: 1 For MSC.Patran 2005, a CATIA CATXPRES (.cat) file can be imported. The CATIA to 

Parasolid translator is available. The CATDirect translator which runs CATIA in batch 

mode is not available. 

2 The p3_ProE and p3_ProENGINEER executables are built using Pro/ENGINEER 

version 2000i and therefore will not work with earlier versions of Pro/ENGINEER. 

3 Only Parasolid (transmit file) import is supported in this release. Parasolid transmit 

files generated on other OS platforms can be imported on LINUX. 

4 Pro/ENGINEER Access allows reading of "*.geo" geometry transfer files generated 

from other OS installs of Pro/ENGINEER Access. 

Pro/ENGINEER Installations 

We recommend upgrading your Pro/ENGINEER installation to Wildfire. If this is not 

possible, we have provided a temporary work around, by providing previous version 

executables and associated scripts. To run previous versions, it is necessary for your 

system installation manager to rename some of the delivered files after MSC.Patran 

has been installed. 

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Set your default directory to your software installation directory, typically linked to 

$(P3_HOME)/bin/exe, and rename the files as shown below: 

For Windows: 

For UNIX: 

open a MS-DOS prompt window 

cd \msc\patran2001\bin\exe (a typical installation example - set to your 

site installation) 

copy p3_proengineer.pm p3_proengineer.pm.new 

copy p3_proe.pm p3_proe.pm.new 

copy p3_proengineer_pre2k.pm p3_proengineer.pm 

copy p3_proe_pre2k.pm p3_proe.pm 

cd /msc/patran2001/bin/exe (example typical install location- set to 

your site installation) 

cp p3_proengineer p3_proengineer.new 

cp p3_proe p3_proe.new 

cp p3_proengineer_pre2k p3_proengineer 

cp p3_proe_pre2k p3_proe 

†† UG NX 2.0 supports only 64 bit machines for HP and SUN platforms. 

Supported CAD System MSC.Patran CAD Access Module 

Unigraphics by UGS MSC.Patran Unigraphics 

Pro/ENGINEER by Parametric Technology MSC.Patran ProENGINEER 

CATIA by Dassault Systemes MSC.Patran CATIA 

EUCLID 3 by Matra Datavision MSC.Patran EUCLID 3 

CADDS 5 by Computervision MSC.Patran CADDS 5 

I-DEAS by UGS MSC.Patran I-DEAS

1.4 Future Product Support 

Patran FEA Solver Support 

CHAPTER 1 


The old Patran FEA Solver feature (Patran FEA - PID 507) has been removed from this 

release of MSC.Patran. Please contact your MSC.Patran sales representative with any 

questions. 

LS-DYNA Results Support 

The functionality "Read State File / * / Translate" is no longer available in 

MSC.Patran. Please try to utilize the "Read State File / * / Attach" method. If any 

functionality is lost between the two methods please call 1-800-732-7284 to report the 

problem so it can be fixed. If you don't want to see this message again, press 'Yes' and 

add the following entry to your settings.pcl file. 

pref_env_set_logical("LSDYNA_TRANSLATE_MESSAGE_WARN", FALSE) 

Connector Tool Support 

The Connector Tool functionality is no longer available in MSC.Patran. With the 

recent CWELD/CFAST implementation, the Pre-release Connector functionality has 

been removed from the Tools menu. To activate this utility, you will have to turn on 

the prerelease_enable_connector environment variable, by adding the following line 

to the settings.pcl file: 

pref_env_set_logical( "prerelease_enable_connector", TRUE ) 

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1.5 Technical Support 

For help with installing or using an MSC.Software product, contact your local 

technical support services. Our technical support provides the following services: 

Resolution of installation problems 

Advice on specific analysis capabilities 

Advice on modeling techniques 

Resolution of specific analysis problems (e.g., fatal messages) 

Verification of code error. 

If you have concerns about an analysis, we suggest that you contact us at an early 

stage. 

You can reach technical support services on the web, by telephone, or e-mail:

CHAPTER 1 


Web Go to the MSC.Software website at www.mscsoftware.com, and click on Support. 

Here, you can find a wide variety of support resources including application 

examples, technical application notes, available training courses, and documentation 

updates at the MSC.Software Training, Technical Support, and Documentation web 

page. 

Phone 

and 

Fax 

United States 

Telephone: (800) 732-7284 

Fax: (714) 784-4343 

Munich, Germany 

Telephone: (49) (89) 43 19 87 0 

Fax: (49) (89) 43 61 71 6 

Rome, Italy 

Telephone: (390) (6) 5 91 64 50 

Fax: (390) (6) 5 91 25 05 

Moscow, Russia 

Telephone: (7) (095) 236 6177 

Fax: (7) (095) 236 9762 

Frimley, Camberley 

Surrey, United Kingdom 

Telephone: (44) (1276) 67 10 00 

Fax: (44) (1276) 69 11 11 

Tokyo, Japan 

Telephone: (81) (3) 3505 02 66 

Fax: (81) (3) 3505 09 14 

Paris, France 

Telephone: (33) (1) 69 36 69 36 

Fax: (33) (1) 69 36 45 17 

Email Send a detailed description of the problem to the email address below that 

corresponds to the product you are using. You should receive an acknowledgement 

that your message was received, followed by an email from one of our Technical 

Support Engineers. 

MSC.Patran Support 

MSC.Nastran Support 

MSC.Nastran for Windows Support 

MSC.visualNastran Desktop 2D Support 

MSC.visualNastran Desktop 4D Support 

MSC.Abaqus Support 

MSC.Dytran Support 

MSC.Fatigue Support 

MSC.Interactive Physics Support 

MSC.Marc Support 

MSC.Mvision Support 

MSC.SuperForge Support 

MSC Institute Course Information 

Gouda, The Netherlands 

Telephone: (31) (18) 2543700 

Fax: (31) (18) 2543707 

Madrid, Spain 

Telephone: (34) (91) 5560919 

Fax: (34) (91) 5567280 

mscpatran.support@mscsoftware.com 

mscnastran.support@mscsoftware.com 

vn4w.support@mscsoftware.com 

vn2d.support@mscsoftware.com 

vndesktop.support@mscsoftware.com 

mscabaqus.support@mscsoftware.com 

mscdytran.support@mscsoftware.com 

mscfatigue.support@mscsoftware.com 

ip.support@mscsoftware.com 

mscmarc.support@mscsoftware.com 

mscmvision.support@mscsoftware.com 

mscsuperforge.support@mscsoftware.com 

msctraining.support@mscsoftware.com 

17

CHAPTER 

2 


File Import/Export and CAD Access 

Updates 

■ CAD Access Support Updates 

■ CAD Imports (Create Groups from Layers) 

■ CAD Exports 

■ MSC.Patran Gateway to CATIA V5

20 

2.1 CAD Access Support Updates 

The InterOp translators have been upgraded to InterOp R13 and ACIS R13. 

The I-DEAS to MSC.Patran translator must be run with I-DEAS 10 NX Series. I-DEAS 

9 .mf1 files can be processed by the translator. 

I-DEAS 10 NX Series must be running in Master Modeler Mode prior to running the 

I-DEAS to MSC.Patran translator xplus_ideasp.exe. 

When starting up I-DEAS 10 NX in Master Modeler Mode, the following option must 

be used when running the I-DEAS to MSC.Patran translator: -n OpenBatchDesign 

ie., $IDEASROOT/bin/ideas -n OpenBatchDesign 

Pro/ENGINEER Support Updates 

Pro/ENGINEER Access has been updated to be compatible with 64-Bit 

Pro/ENGINEER 2001 and Wildfire versions on SUNS and HP (PA-RISC) platforms. 

The InterOp translators have been upgraded to InterOp R13 and ACIS R13. The 

Pro/ENGINEER Access product under File>Import has been updated to import 

Pro/ENGINEER Materials. Unigraphics access has been updated to support 

Unigraphics NX2.0. Additionally, Acis support has been upgraded to Acis 13. 

The Pro/ENGINEER Access product under File>Import has been updated to import 

Pro/ENGINEER Materials. Please see Importing Direct Mesh Meshes from a 

Pro/ENGINEER Model (p. 129) in the MSC.Patran Reference Manual, Part 1: Basic 

Functions. 

Accessing Geometry Using MSC.Patran p3_ProENGINEER 

If MSC.Patran p3_ProENGINEER is licensed at your site, you can access the geometric 

entities from an external Pro/ENGINEER part file. 

You can execute MSC.Patran p3_ProENGINEER from MSC.Patran by doing one of 

the following: 

Executing MSC.Patran p3_ProENGINEER From MSC.Patran. 

Execute MSC.Patran p3_ProENGINEER from MSC.Patran by using the 

File/Import... menu and make sure the Pro/ENGINEER button is pressed 

on the Import form. See Importing Pro/ENGINEER Files (p. 119) in the 

MSC.Patran Reference Manual, Part 1: Basic Functions. 

Executing MSC.Patran p3_ProE From Pro/ENGINEER 

Important: Make sure MSC.Patran p3_ProE has been properly installed by following the 

instructions in Selecting Products (p. 43) in the MSC.Patran Installation and 

Operations Guide.

CHAPTER 2 

File Import/Export and CAD Access Updates 

Execute MSC.Patran p3_ProE from Pro/ENGINEER by doing the following: 

1. Execute Pro/ENGINEER by entering: 

p3_proe 

p3_proe will ask for the command name to run Pro/ENGINEER. Press 

if you want to accept the default command pro. 

Enter the command name for running Pro/ENGINEER. 

[pro]?: 

2. Open the Pro/ENGINEER assembly file or part file. Then, select the PART 

menu if a .prt: 

or the ASSEMBLY menu if a .asm 

You can select any one of the above four options. 

21

22 

If Filter is selected a menu appears so you can select: 

For output to the intermediated .geo file. (Default = no datum entities; output 

materials). 

If Run MSC.Patran is selected: 

A MSC.Patran ProENGINEER intermediate.geo file will be created from the 

current Pro/ENGINEER object in memory. 

MSC.Patran will automatically be executed and a database will be created 

and opened. 

The MSC.Patran ProENGINEER intermediate.geo file containing the 

Pro/ENGINEER geometry will be loaded into the MSC.Patran database, and 

both Pro/ENGINEER and MSC.Patran will remain executing. 

If Create .db is selected: 

A MSC.Patran ProENGINEER intermediate.geo file will be created from the 

current Pro/ENGINEER object in memory. 

A batch job will be submitted in background mode that will: 

One, execute MSC.Patran and create and open a database. 

Two, load the.geo file into the MSC.Patran database. 

And, three, close the database and exit MSC.Patran. 

If Create .geo is selected, a MSC.Patran ProENGINEER intermediate.geo file will be 

created from the current Pro/ENGINEER object in memory. 

For more information on the MSC.Patran ProENGINEER intermediate.geo file, see 

Executing MSC.Patran ProENGINEER From Pro/ENGINEER (p3_proe) (p. 128) in 

the MSC.Patran Reference Manual, Part 1: Basic Functions.

2.2 CAD Imports (Create Groups from Layers) 

CHAPTER 2 


Using the File>Import command, you can automatically create MSC.Patran Groups 

from Layers during the file import process. This import feature is supported when 

accessing files from: 

ACIS 

Parasolid xmt 

CATIA V4 

CATIA V5 

I-DEAS 

Unigraphics 

IGES 

Express Neutral 

To activate the Layers-to-Group feature: 

1. On the Import form, select the Source for Import. 

2. Click the Options button to define the import options. 

3. On the Import Options subform, click Create Groups form Layers... 

4. If you choose to define the Group name, enter a name in the Group Names 

Prefix textbox. 

23

24 

2.3 CAD Exports 

The File>Export capability has been updated by adding the following CAD formats 

available during the file export process: 

CATIA V4 

Selecting a CATIA V4 export generates a .model file compliant with CATIA version 

4.1.9. The export translator does not interact with CATIA or the CATIA API and does 

not require a CATIA installation. Any number of curves, surfaces, or solid may be 

exported. 

I-DEAS 

The I-DEAS export translator creates a I-DEAS MS9 .mf1 file. The export translator 

does not interact with I-DEAS Master Modeler and therefore, does not require an I- 

DEAS MS9 installation. Any number of curves, surfaces, or solid may be exported. 

ACIS 

When exporting using the ACIS source, a ACIS save (SAT) file is generated compliant 

with ACIS version 13.0. Options are provided for exporting selected curves, surfaces, 

and solids. Scaling is automatically performed to convert from millimeters (ACIS) to 

meters (Parasolid) units. 

VDA 

Selecting to export to VDA generates a .vda file that is compliant with VDA version 

2.0. Options are provided for exporting any number of selected curves, surfaces, and 

solids. 

STEP 214 

The previous version of MSC.Patran exported to STEP 203 and 209 formats. Version 

2005 adds an export for STEP 214 format that creates a STEP AP214 (.st) output file. 

Any number of curves, surfaces, or solid may be exported as Class II or Class IV 

entities.

2.4 MSC.Patran Gateway to CATIA V5 

CHAPTER 2 


The 2005 version of MSC.Patran offers an enhanced integration with CATIA V5. 

Layer Import 

Attribute Import. Color/Translucency, Feature name and Publication 

attributes are now supported. 

Platform Support. CATIA V5 import is now available on the Sun Solaris 

platform. 

25

CHAPTER 

3 


Analysis Preferences 

■ MSC.Nastran Preference Enhancements 

■ MSC.Marc Preference Enhancements 

■ MSC.Dytran Preference Enhancements

28 

3.1 MSC.Nastran Preference Enhancements 

MSC.Patran 2005 represents our ongoing commitment to provide unique end-to-end 

simulation modeling tools to facilitate the enterprise-wide virtual product 

development process. The primary focus of the MSC.Nastran Preference 

enhancements for this release was to streamline the engineering process though 

discipline integration. Here are some of the key feature enhancements for this release: 

Explicit Nonlinear SOL 700 Support (Pre-release) 

Support for SOL 700 is a pre-release capability for 2005. It is being presented for your 

feedback on usability and suggestions on the implementation, which will help 

migrate this to full release status in subsequent MSC.Patran releases. 

SOL 700 is the explicit nonlinear solver of MSC.Nastran which uses the MSC.Dytran 

LS-Dyna module as its solver engine. MSC.Dytran LS-Dyna is a 3D explicit nonlinear 

analysis code with DMP (Distributed Memory Parallel). The solver, currently limited 

to the structural analysis, can be used for automotive crash, wheel impact, droptest 

and component crush. 

Explicit Nonlinear SOL 700 is accessed from the Preferences menu of MSC.Patran as 

shown in the following picture:

Materials 

CHAPTER 3 


MSC.Nastran SOL 700 supports some of the MSC.Nastran structural materials and all 

the materials available in the LS-Dyna Preference. 

The supported materials are shown in the following table: 

Category 

MSC.Nastran 

materials 

Isotropic MAT1, MATS1, 

MATHP 

2D Orthotropic MAT8 MATD032 

MSC.Dytran LS-Dyna materials 

MATD001, MATD003, MATD005, MATD006, 




MATD062, MATD063, MATD064, MATD100 

3D Orthotropic MAT3 MATD022, MATD026, MATD057 

2D Anisotropic MAT2, MATS1 MATD103 

3D Anisotropic MAT3, MATS1 MATD103 

Same as in the MSC.Nastran preference 

structural 

Same as in the LS-Dyna preference 

29

30 

Elements and Properties 

SOL 700 supports most of the elements and properties available in the Structural type 

of MSC.Nastran. The following table shows the currently supported entities: 

Dimension Elements Properties 

0D CELAS1, CELAS1D, CDAMP1, 

CDMAP1D, CONM2 

1D CBAR, CBEAM, CROD, 

CONROD, CELAS1, CELAS1D, 

CDAMP1, CDAMP1D, CVISC 

2D CTRIA3, CTRIAR, CQUAD4, 

CQUADR, CSHEAR 

3D CTETRA, CPENTA, CHEXA PSOLID 


PELAS, PDAMP 

PBAR, PBARL, PBEAM, 

PBEAML, PROD, PELAS, 

PDAMP, PVISC 

PSHELL, PCOMP, PSHEAR 

When the Analysis Type is specified as Explicit Nonlinear, the following Objects are 

available on the LBCs Application form and supported by the SOL 700. 


Same as in the MSC.Marc preference 

Same as in the MSC.Dytran preference

MPCs 

SOL700 supports RBAR, RBE2 and RBE3 multipoint constraints. 

Analysis 


structural 

CHAPTER 3 


The overall layout of the Solution Parameters and Subcase Parameters forms for the 

MSC.Nastran Preference for Explicit Nonlinear (SOL 700) are similar to those for 

Implicit Nonlinear (SOL 600). For those users who wish to take advantage of the new 

capabilities offered in SOL700 without learning this new job set-up paradigm, a SOL 

700 Run button has been added to some of the non-SOL700 Solution Parameters forms 

so users can set up their jobs using the same controls they always have, but still take 

advantage of the new features offered through SOL700. 

31

32 

Solution Parameters 

Analysis job parameters for SOL700 are grouped under the Solution Parameters form 

accessible from the Solution Type button of the Analysis application form. All contain 

default values. If the default value is used the parameter is not stored in the database. 

The supported parameters are shown in the following table: 

Form Parameters 

Execution 

Control 

Parameters 

General 

Parameters 

Contact 

Parameters 

Binary Output 

Database File 

Parameters 

DYSTATIC, DYBLDTIM, DYINISTEP, DYTSTEPERODE, 

DYMINSTEP, DYMAXSTEP, DYSTEPFCTL, 

DYTERMNENDMAS, DYTSTEPDT2MS 

DYLDKND, DYCOWPRD, DYCOWPRP, DYBULKL, 

DYHRGIHQ, DYRGQH, DYENERGYHGEN, DYSHELLFORM, 

DYSHTHICK, DYSHNIP 

DYCONSLSFAC, DYCONRWPNAL, DYCONPENOPT, 

DYCONTHKCHG, DYCONENMASS, DYCONECDT, 

DYCONIGNORE, DYCONSKIPTWG 

DYBEAMIP, DYMAXINT, DYNEIPS, DYNINTSL, DYNEIPH, 

DYSTRFLG, DYSIGFLG, DYEPSFLG, DYRLTFLG, DYENGFLG, 

DYCMPFLG, DYIEVERP, DYDCOMP, DYSHGE, DYSTSSZ, 

DYN3THDT 

In addition, the Dynamic Relaxation form defines the DAMPGBL entry. 

All the above mentioned forms appear after selecting one of the buttons of the 

following form: 

This form is available under the following solutions: 

Defines DAMPGBL

CHAPTER 3 


From Explicit Nonlinear: 

For MSC.Nastran Explicit Nonlinear, select Analysis->Analyze->Solution Type and 

follow the steps shown in the picture below. 

Opens “Sol700 Parameters and Extra Data” form 

33

34 

From Other Solutions: 

For MSC.Nastran Structural, select Analysis->Analyze->Solution Type and then 

select one of the following solutions. 

SOL700,101 - Linear Static 

SOL700,106 - NonLinear Static 

SOL700,109 - Direct Transient Response 

SOL700,129 - NonLinear Transient 

The following picture shows the procedure for SOL700,101 

Opens “Sol700 Parameters and Extra Data” form

Subcases 

Subcase Parameters, Contact Tables and Output Request are defined under the 

Subcases form. It is possible to setup multiple analysis subcases in a single job. 

Defines BCTABLE 

Same as in MSC.Nastran preference Sol600 

CHAPTER 3 


Defines TSTEPNL 

Same as in MSC.Nastran preference Sol129 

35

36 

Contact Table: 

The contact table form is the same as the one available for both MSC.Marc Preference 

and MSC.Nastran Sol600 Preference except that “Additional Data...” button is 

included for the Explicit Nonlinear. This form defines the BCTABLE entry. 

Only in MSC.Nastran preference 

Sol700

Output Requests: 

CHAPTER 3 


Currently, the Output Requests of Sol700 are the same as in Sol129. After selecting the 

“Output Requests...” button in the Subcases form the following form appears: 

37

38 

Access Results 

LS-Dyna’s 3dplot .ptf results files can be directly accessed into MSC.Patran by using 

the “Attach 3dplot” object option available under the “Access Results” option of the 

Analysis menu. The options “Attach XDB”, “Read Output2” and “Attach MASTER” 

are also available for MSC.Nastran Explicit Nonlinear.

Connector Element Support 

CHAPTER 3 


The Connector Element project adds support of connection elements in MSC.Patran 

2005 for the MSC.Nastran preference. It specifically targets the generation, translation, 

and results processing of MSC.Nastran Spot Weld (CWELD) and fastener (CFAST) 

connectors within MSC.Patran. These connectors are added as a new FEM entity type, 

with seamless integration to the group, graphics/picking, list-processing, and results 

sub-systems. 

This form is used to create connectors within MSC.Patran. 

39

40 

Method Select from two methods for defining the Spot Weld 

location: 

Projection 

Axis 

Specifies a node or point in space that is to be projected 

onto the two surface patches of the connector to determine 

the end points, GA and GB. 

Specifies nodes directly for GA and GB. 

Connector ID List Displays the ID of the next connector that will be created 

Connector Location The point specified for 

the Projection method 

is projected onto each 

surface patch. Nodes 

are generated at those 

locations, and the 

Pierce Nodes, GA and 

GB, are assigned the 

new node IDs. 

Format 

Nodes specified for 

the Axis method 

define the GA and GB 

piercing nodes 

directly.

Elem to Elem 

(ELEMID and 

ALIGN formats) 

Patch to Patch 

(ELPAT format) 

Prop to Prop 

(PARTPAT format) 

CHAPTER 3 


Designates the top and 

bottom shell elements 

defining the surface 

patches for the weld. If 

not specified, then both 

GA and GB are required 

(ALIGN format); 

otherwise, one 

top/bottom element 

pair per connector is 

required. Regardless of 

GA, GB, and the weld diameter, only a single element is 

connected. 

Specifies a shell element 

on each surface defining 

the connecting surface 

patches (one pair per 

connector). Depending 

on the pierce locations 

(GA and GB) and the 

weld diameter, the 

number of connected 

elements may expand to 

up to a 3x3 element 

patch. 

Establishes properties 

associated with shell 

elements defining the 

connectivity of the weld 

(one pair per connector). 

Depending on the pierce 

locations (GA and GB) 

and the weld diameter, 

the number of connected 

elements may range 

from one element up to a 

3x3 element patch. 

Multiple connector locations may be specified for a single 

property pair. The same pair will be used for each 

connector created. 

41

42 

Node to Node 

(GRIDID format) 

Stipulates the nodes 

(GAi and GBi) defining 

the connecting surface 

patches (one list pair per 

connector). The surface 

patches are defined as 

3/6 node triangle or 4/8 

node quad regions, the 

topology of which is 

indicated by SPTYP. If 

Node List B (GBi) is 

blank, then a point-to-patch connection is created. 

Topology of each surface patch: Tri3, Tri6, Quad 4, Quad 8. 

Connector Properties Brings up the Spot Weld Properties form (PWELD 

attributes). 

Preview Calculates/displays/verifies the connector (GS, GA, GB, 

and the connecting patches). 

For detailed information on Connector Elements Please see Creating Connectors 

(p. 122), Show Connectors (p. 264), and Modifying Spot Weld Connectors (p. 303) 

in the MSC.Patran Reference Manual, Part 3: Finite Element Modeling for more 

information.

Support for MSC.Nastran PCOMPG 

CHAPTER 3 


Composite materials are used increasingly for complex primary aerospace structures. 

A fundamental requirement of composites analysis is to produce accurate models of 

the complex structure and recover meaningful results data. Where the ply layup 

incorporates ply drop-offs or reversed elements, it is difficult or impossible to track 

stresses in individual plies using the conventional zone description of the layup. This 

increases the cost of certification and makes it difficult to understand the contribution 

of individual plies in order to improve the design. As a result, global ply tracking was 

incorporated in MSC.Nastran 2004. 

Using this method, the global plies in the composites layup are assigned a global ply 

ID(GPLYID) that is specified for each layer of a given laminate material. These global 

ply IDs are input using the PCOMPG bulk data entry, which is otherwise identical to 

the existing PCOMP entry used to specify laminate materials. The GPLYIDs must be 

positive and unique within each PCOMPG entry. After solution, MSC.Nastran will 

sort the ply results in the .op2 and .xdb files by global ply ID to enable easy 

interpretation of results. Printed results can be written to the .f06 file if the GPRSORT 

parameter is specified. The relationship between local layer indices and global ply IDs 

for a typical layup are shown below. 

MSC.Patran 2005 contains complete support for the manual generation of PCOMPG 

input data. This allows ready use of the new MSC.Nastran capabilities from within a 

useful graphical environment. Furthermore, global ply models can now be generated 

extremely efficiently using the MSC.Patran Laminate Modeler, allowing the use of 

global ply tracking in complex components and structures. 

43

44 

Ply Modeling Requirements 

During the composites development process, the details of the composites layup are 

not considered during initial sizing and so a conventional zone-based composites 

description is typically used. In fact, for preliminary work the layup on a property 

region is often smeared (using MSC.Nastran’s SMEAR and SMCORE options) as an 

aid to rapid design improvement. However, as the design evolves, the ply details 

must be specified in order to ensure a producible part as shown below. 

For the certification of aircraft structures, it is important to understate the detailed 

stress state of each global ply. For effective visualization, it is important that results 

are plotted on the basis of global plies. The need for this is clearly illustrated with a 

simple model of crossing plies shown below. Using a conventional zone description 

of the layup, the results are difficult to visualize as they do not reflect the arrangement 

of the structure. Even worse, results from plies that may be of different material, 

thickness, and orientation are shown together and perhaps interpolated. By contrast, 

the global ply model allows you to interpret the model effectively. Furthermore, 

detailed stresses on a ply basis are optionally available in the f06 file for the purposes 

of certification.

Manual Creation of PCOMPG Data 

CHAPTER 3 


MSC.Patran 2005 enables you to create global ply models using its productive and 

familiar interface. Within the material application, the spreadsheet for defining 

laminate layer data simply incorporates an additional column where global ply IDs 

can be defined. Note that it remains possible to define no global ply IDs, which would 

result in a conventional PCOMP card being generated. If global ply IDs are needed, 

each layer must have a positive GPLYID that is unique in that laminate material. In 

order to clearly differentiate between layered and global ply results, it is 

recommended that GPLYIDs be chosen from a range that will not overlap with layer 

indices. For example, for typical models that have fewer than several hundred layers, 

it is good practice to number ply IDs beginning at 1001. 

45

46 

When writing out the MSC.Nastran input deck, you must specifically request the 

writing of global ply IDs on the translation parameters form as shown below. This is 

ON by default. It is also possible to set the GPRSORT parameter in the Case Control 

Section using direct text input. 

Following the analysis, simply access results in xdb or op2 format and select the 

appropriate global ply ID as shown below. Note that vector or tensor marker plots of 

sorted global ply results are oriented correctly as MSC.Patran obtains the correct 

orientation using the global ply ID. If the global ply IDs overlap the layer indices, a 

warning will be issued to highlight the orientation ambiguity.

Automated Modeling of Global Plies 

CHAPTER 3 


The full power of the new global ply modeling capabilities are best shown through the 

use of the MSC.Patran Laminate Modeler. This tool has allowed advanced users to 

model on the basis of plies for the past decade. The main advantages of ply modeling 

are the ability to generate and modify composite analysis models rapidly, and the 

incorporation of realistic orientation data in the model. 

For example, consider a surface with three property regions resulting from a simple 

ply layup in the model below. If subsequent analysis shows that the structure needs 

reinforcement, you have to define six property regions manually. So, for realistic 

models of any complexity, it is essential to use the ply modeling capabilities of the 

MSC.Laminate Modeler. 

47

48 

Because MSC.Laminate Modeler established the concept of global ply modeling, the 

basic tools are already in place and so it is easy to generate an accurate model. Simply 

create Materials and Plies as usual, then optionally specify a global ply ID associated 

with a ply instance in the Layup spreadsheet. You have the option of specifying no 

GPLYIDs, creating sequential GPLYIDS beginning from a particular value, or 

manually defining GPLYID for full control. By default, sequential ply IDs beginning 

at 1001 are used.

CHAPTER 3 


Once the global ply ids are specified, simply create the composite analysis model as 

usual to generate the PCOMPG data. 

As can be seen in the figure below, the new PCOMPG capabilities extend and enhance 

the capabilities of the MSC.Laminate Modeler in a number of important respects. With 

PCOMPG, ply results are sorted automatically by the analysis code, so that this 

sorting does not require a discrete process within MSC.Patran. Vector and tensor plots 

of sorted plies have correct orientation, which was impossible before. Most 

importantly, the MSC.Patran database and MSC.Nastran input deck contain a global 

ply model, easing the problems of archiving ply models and allowing organizations 

to implement global ply modeling as the standard technique for accurate composites 

modeling. 

49

50 

3.2 MSC.Marc Preference Enhancements 

Numerous enhancements have been made to the Marc Preference for 2005. 

Results Postprocessing Improvements 

The following postprocessing improvements have been implemented: 

Animation (Quick Plot) Improvements 

The Results’ application Quick Plot capability has been improved to better 

suit processing of nonlinear incremental results. This enhancement is not 

necessarily particular to the MSC.Marc Preference, but will be especially 

appreciated by those that must process incremental data. It is now possible 

to quickly animate multiple result cases and create MPEG movie clips from 

within the Quick Plot action. Specific to the MSC.Marc Preference is that this 

works with adaptive mesh results. 

1. Quick Plot action. 

4. Set mode to Animation 

Options. 

2. Select multiple result cases 

and the result to plot. 

3. Turn ON Animation. 

5. Set MPEG file generation or 

other settings. 

6. Press Apply.

CHAPTER 3 


Result Access Improvements 

In addition to the animation improvements, access speed to the MSC.Marc 

results (POST) file has been significantly sped up. This is most notable when 

accessing element nodal data such as stress or strain tensors whose results 

reside at integration points or nodes. This speeds up static plots and 

animations over the previous release by an order of magnitude in some 

extreme cases. 

Multipoint Constraint Enhancements (MPCs) 

Available under the FEM application (Finite Elements) for MPC creation, the 

following multipoint constraints have been enhanced or added: 

RBE2/RBE3 

Although available in the last release, full implementation of MSC.Nastran 

style RBE3 elements is now complete. To take advantage of large rotation 

RBE3 formulations, you must use MSC.Marc 2005. RBE3 constraints define 

motion at a referenced node as the weighted average of the motion at a set of 

other nodes. 

One reference node (tied or dependent term) with degrees of freedom (dof) 

and an unlimited number of other nodes (retained or independent terms) 

with dofs are defined. The total number of dofs of the tied node and retained 

nodes must be the same, although they may be distributed among the 

different retained nodes. The retained nodes can be broken up into sets with 

different weighting factors applied to them. In addition to the one reference 

node, additional dependent terms can be defined consisting of a subset of the 

retained or independent terms, which define the “UM” set as the tied nodes. 

This allows the reference node’s dofs not to be eliminated from the system 

matrices. This is optional and by default the reference node’s dofs are 

eliminated unless additional dependent terms are defined. 

Keep in mind that two dimensional problems such as plane strain/stress and 

axisymmetric problems use only the UX,UY, and RZ dofs whereas three 

dimensional problems use all six dofs. 

51

52 

RBE3 

Reference node. 

Additional tied nodes. 

These are optional. 

But, if used, they must 

be a subset of the 

retained nodes. 

Weighted, retained 

nodes and dofs. 

Same dof set defined 

here must be defined 

in reference node, 

although they may be 

distributed to the 

different retained 

nodes.

CHAPTER 3 


TYING 69 

This multipoint constraint is new to MSC.Marc 2005 and, in general, is used 

for bolt or rivet pre-tensioning. This tying type is called an Overclosure, 

signifying that you can create a general section constraint between two parts 

of a model to define a gap or overlap. A gap will create a compressive prestress 

in the two parts whereas an overlap will create a tensile pre-stress. 

Each overclosure is defined by selecting all the nodes on one side of the 

section as the dependent (or tied) nodes; these are the dependent terms. The 

corresponding nodes on the other side of the section are the independent 

terms or retained nodes. However each independent term must have two 

retained nodes, the first being the corresponding node on the other side of 

the section and the second being a reference node. The reference node must 

be the same for all independent terms and is the node on which a force or 

displacement constraint is placed in order to cause the gap or overlap and 

thus the tension or compression pre-stress. 

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54 

Tied nodes 

Section A 

Overclosure (Tying 69) 

Dependent terms or 

tied nodes. 

Independent terms or 

retained nodes. Each 

independent term 

consists of two nodes, 

the last being a 

reference node. The 

reference node must 

be the same for all 

independent terms. 

The first node is the 

node on the other side 

of the section 

corresponding to its 

dependent term. 

Reference node w/ 

displacement constraint 

Retained nodes 

Section B

CHAPTER 3 


TYING 85, 86, 87 for Heat Transfer 

Tying 85, 86, and 87 are now available when the Analysis Type is set to 

Thermal for a heat transfer analysis. These three tying types enable the user 

to tie together temperature degrees of freedom between shell and solid 

element for linear and quadratic formulations and between two shell 

elements, respectively. These correspond to the Linear Surf-Vol (tying 85), 

Quadratic Surf-Vol (tying 86), Linear Surf-Surf (tying 87), and Quadratic 

Surf-Surf (tying 87). 

Tying 85, 86, 87 

Dependent term or tied 

node. 

Independent term or 

retained node. For 

linear or quadratic shell 

to shell, only one 

independent term is 

required. For linear 

shell-solid, two are 

required. And for 

quadratic shell-solid, 

three are required. 

55

56 

Material Models 

Virtually all of MSC.Marc’s material models are now supported in this release 

including accessibility to activate material subroutines. The following list is now 

supported for isotropic, orthotropic, and anisotropic materials for all pertinent 

analysis types (structural, thermal, coupled). 

Material User Subroutines 

Material user subroutines are accessible to activate in the Materials 

application for the various constitutive models. These include, but may not 

be limited to: ANKOND, ORIENT, ANELAS, CRPLW, UFAIL, HYPELA, HYPELA2, 

ANEXP, UGRAIN, UELASTOMER, TRSFAC, UVOIDN, UELDAM, UDAMAG, UCRACK, 

UPOWDR. 

Failure Data (FAIL DATA) 

Up to three Failure Criteria now available. Before only one failure criterion 

was allowed. User subroutine access is now available. 

Shape Memory Alloys (SHAPE MEMORY) 

Both the Auricchio and the thermo-mechanical model are available. Strain 

and other postprocessing data specific to shape memory are available on the 

POST file for postprocessing.

CHAPTER 3 


Viscoelastic Model (SHIFT FUNCTION) 

The shift function parameter for viscoelastic material groups that exhibit 

thermo-rheologically simple behavior is now available for the following 

models: Williams-Landel-Ferry, Power Series, Narayanaswamy, and User 

Subroutine. 

Latent Heats (TEMPERATURE EFFECTS) 

For thermal and coupled analysis, the latent heat versus solidus and liquidus 

temperatures can be defined via fields. 

Damage Models (DAMAGE) 

The Gurson model for elasto-plastic materials, and the elastomeric model for 

elastomeric models, as well as a simplified damage model are all now 

available. 

Concrete Cracking (CRACK DATA) 

Material properties for concrete cracking including user subroutine. 

Forming Limit Diagram (FORMING LIMIT) 

This option defines the variation of forming limit properties with minor 

principal engineering strain. Three methods for describing the forming limit 

diagram curves are supported: fitted, predicted, and via a table. 

Grain Size Growth (GRAIN SIZE) 

Grain size growth model allows you to predict the grain size based on the 

process history. The grain size can be placed on the POST file for viewing. 

Soil Material Model (SOIL) 

Although full control for soil analysis is not yet fully supported, as a prelude, 

the soil material model has been added including INITIAL POROSITY, INITIAL 

VOID RATIO, INITIAL PC, and SPECIFIC WEIGHT as well as control via user 

subroutine. 

Powder Material Model (POWDER) 

The powder model is now available including user subroutine access. Initial 

relative density (RELATIVE DENSITY) is also definable. Properties that vary 

with density (DENSITY EFFECTS) can be defined although this capability is 

still limited. 

Elastic-Plastic Hardening (ISOTROPIC, WORK HARD) 

The Kumar and Chaboche hardening rules are now available. Also plastic 

strain hardening data can be entered as either true stress vs. natural log of 

plastic strain or as engineering stress/strain. If the first (stress, strain) data 

pair in the defined field has zero plastic strain, then true stress/strain is 

57

58 

assumed with the first stress value being the yield stress. If the first data pair 

has non-zero values for both stress and strain, then engineering stress/strain 

is assumed and converted to true stress/strain on creation of the MSC.Marc 

input deck. 

Elastic-Plastic Yield (ISOTROPIC, ORTHOTROPIC, ANISOTROPIC) 

The Hill and Barlat yield criteria are now available. 

Table Support (TABLE) 

All material properties for any constitutive model that references a field will 

be written as a table to the MSC.Marc input deck if this capability (new to 

MSC.Marc 2005) has been turned on. Capability to write tables is accessed 

under the Job Parameters form in the Analysis application. See Table 

Support (p. 62). 


The following enhancements have been made to the Loads/BCs applications: 

1D Pressures 

Support for pressures on 1D elements has been added. These elements must 

be defined as either Planar Beams or Axisymmetric Shells under the Element 

Properties application before the pressures can be applied. Below is an 

illustration of an external pressure applied to a spherical shell modelled with 

1D axisymmetric shell elements. 

CID Distributed Loads

CHAPTER 3 


The capability to apply directional, distributed loads to element edges or 

faces has been expanded and is also a new feature of MSC.Marc 2005 for 

some elements. In two dimensional analysis involving plane stress/strain or 

axisymmetry, elements can now be given a directional pressure (or line load) 

on the element edges. 

For three dimensional analysis, you load faces, not edges. This is valid for 

Membranes, Thick Shell, and Thin Shells. All 2-D element types will support 

either a face load or an edge load, but not both. This is dependent on whether 

the analysis is two or three dimensional. Below shows a 2D solid and a shell 

implementation: 

Shell Elements 

2D Solid 

This capability is also applicable to three dimensional beam elements. In all 

cases the appropriate load type is assigned to the DIST LOADS option in the 

MSC.Marc input deck. 

Current limitations for this include no support for local coordinate frames 

(everything has to be set up in the global frame), and no support for 3D Solid 

elements. 


All loads and boundary conditions that reference fields to define time 

and/or spatial variations will be written as tables to the MSC.Marc input 

deck if this capability (new to MSC.Marc 2005) has been turned on. 

Capability to write tables is accessed under the Job Parameters form in the 

Analysis application. See Table Support (p. 62). 

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60 

Contact 

The following improvements have been made to contact in the MSC.Marc Preference: 

Better Control of Individual Contact Pairs 

The Contact Table form now allows all body pairs to be given separate 

property values as required. Select the body pair from the Touching and 

Touched list boxes as shown below. You may then set all the shown 

properties in the frame. New to this form are the Contact Detection, and 

Stress Free Initial Contact, among others, for both Structural and Thermal 

properties.

CHAPTER 3 


Rigid Heat Transfer Body 

In the Loads/BCs application and for coupled analysis, the ability to define 

a deformable body as simply a rigid body but with thermal heat transfer 

capability is now possible. Of course, when this is done, the body is no longer 

considered a deformable body, but simply a rigid heat transfer body. 

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62 


All contact properties and motion that can vary with time or some other 

independent variable defined by Patran fields will be written as tables to the 

MSC.Marc input deck if this capability (new to MSC.Marc 2005) has been 

turned on. Capability to write tables is accessed under the Job Parameters 

form in the Analysis application. See below. 

Table Support 

Variations of material properties, load values, and other parameters are now definable 

in MSC.Marc 2005 via the TABLE parameter and option entries. The MSC.Marc 

Preference supports the new TABLE entry by converting referenced fields in the 

Materials and Loads/BCs applications directly to this table format. 

For loads and boundary conditions (including contact), when the new TABLE entry is 

used, all are written to the Model Definition section of the input deck. A LOAD CASE 

entry is used to call out the various loads applicable during any particular load case 

within the MSC.Marc input deck as defined in the History section. 

This new functionality is accessible under the Job Parameters form in the Analysis 

application. You must turn ON, the Use Tables toggle in order for the TABLE and LOAD 

CASE options to be written. You have control of whether these options are written for 

Materials, Loads, or Contact as shown below. 

To turn TABLE usage ON.

Domain Decomposition 

Domain decomposition methods in MSC.Marc have been extended to be done 

automatically as part of the analysis process. 

CHAPTER 3 


There are now three methods of defining domains in the MSC.Marc Preference for 

parallel job submittal. In addition to the Manual method where domains are defined 

as Patran groups and the Semi-Automatic method where a Metis algorithm 

automatically creates Patran groups as the defined domains, you can set the 

Decomposition Method to Automatic. When this is done, no Patran groups are 

necessary and a single input file is created and submitted to MSC.Marc unlike the 

other methods where multiple files are generated for each domain. MSC.Marc uses its 

built-in domain decomposition algorithm to automatically split the model into the 

necessary domains for the job to run in parallel mode. 

Domain decomposition is accessed under the Analysis application when the Object is 

set to Domains. 

Output Request 

Additional POST codes can now be requested via the Output Requests forms. 

Additions or modifications in this release for element results include: 

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64 

For nodal results: 

Stress, Interlaminar Normal(501) 

Stress, Interlaminar Shear (511) 

Density, Relative (179) 

Gasket, Pressure (241) 

Gasket, Closure (242) 

Gasket, Plastic Closure (243) 

Parameter, Forming Limit (30) 

Volume, Fraction of Martensite (531) 

Strain, Phase Transform Tensor (541) 

Strain, Equivalent Pahse Transformation (547) 

Strain, Equivalent TWIN (548) 

Strain, Equivalent TRIP (549) 

Strain, Yield Multiphase Aggregate (557) 

Strain, Equivalent Plastic Multiphase Aggregate (651) 

Strain, Equivalent Plastic Austenite (652) 

Strain, Equivalent Plastic Martensite (653) 

Stress, Yield Multiphase Aggregate (657) 

POST Code, No. -11 (Scalar) 



Pore Pressure (23) 

POST Code (Scalar) (-1) 

POST Code (Vector) (-2) 

The negative post codes allow for user subroutines to output results to these POST 

codes that can then be processed in MSC.Patran. 

User Subroutines 

Additional user subroutines are now accessible to activate via the MSC.Marc 

Preference in addition to those available under the Materials application.

CHAPTER 3 


For any user subroutine to be activated, a user subroutine file must be selected. This 

is done under the Analysis application in the Job Parameters form. In this form, a User 

Subroutine File button is accessible. Under this User Subroutine form, you can activate 

additional user subroutines that are independent of particular input deck options or 

require their own independent option. These are listed below and shown in the form. 

MOTION / UFRIC / UCONTACT / UGROWRIGID 

SEPFOR / SEPSTR 

UHTCOE / UHTCON 

WKSLP / CRPVIS 

UTRAN / UFXORD 

USDATA 

IMPD, ELEVAR, ELEVEC 

UFORMS 

For more information about these improvements, please see the Overview (Ch. 1) in 

the MSC.Marc Preference Guide 

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66 

3.3 MSC.Dytran Preference Enhancements 

Overview 

This section lists all currently supported and nonsupported entries for the 

MSC.Dytran solver in MSC.Patran 2005. 

Also provided in this section are the new parameters and output requests supported 

by the preference including: 

Support for the parameters BULKL, BULKQ, BULKTYP, EXTRAS, 

HGCMEM, HGSOL, HGCTWS, HGCWRP, HGSHELL, HGSOLID, IMM, 

MATRMRG1, MIXGAS, UGASC 

Enhance parameter VELMAX to support mass removal 

Support for the output request ACC 

Support for the file management IMMFILE entry

Supported Entries 

CHAPTER 3 


The following table shows the MSC.Dytran entries supported by the MSC.Dytran 

preference. The boldface entries are new in version 2005. 

Entity Type MSC.Dytran Entries 

File 

Management 

Executive 

Control 

BULKOUT, IMMFILE, NASTDISP, NASTINP, NASTOUT, 

PRESTRESS, RESTART, RSTBEGIN, RSTFILE, SAVE, SOLINIT, 

SOLUOUT, START, TYPE, USERCODE 

CEND, MEMORY-SIZE, TIME 

Case Control ACC, CHECK, COG, CONTOUT, CONTS, CPLSOUT, CPLSURFS, 

CSECS, CSOUT, EBDOUT, EBDS, ELEMENTS, ELEXOUT, ELOUT, 

ENDSTEP, ENDTIME, GBAGOUT, GBAGS, GPEXOUT, GPOUT, 

GRIDS, HIC, INCLUDE, MATOUT, MATS, PARAM, RBOUT, 

RELOUT, RELS, RIGIDS, SET, SETC, SGOUT, SPC, STEPS, SUBSOUT, 

SUBSURFS, SURFACES, SURFOUT, TIC, TIMES. TITLE, TLOAD 

Parameters ALEITR, ALETOL, ALEVER, ATBAOUT, ATB-H-OUTPUT, ATBTOUT, 

AUTHINFO, AUTHQUEUE, BULKL, BULKQ, BULKTYP, CFULLRIG, 

CONM2OUT, CONTACT, CONSUBCYC, CONSUBMAX, DELCLUMP, 

ELDLTH, EULTRAN, EXTRAS, FAILOUT, FASTCOUP, FBLEND, 

FMULTI, GEOCHECK, HGCMEM, HGCSOL, HGCTWS, HGCWRP, 

HGSHELL, HGSOLID,HVLFAIL, IEEE, IMM, INFO-BJOIN, INISTEP, 

INITFILE, INITNAS, LIMCUB, LIMITER, MATRMRG1, MAXSTEP, 

MESHELL, MESHPLN, MICRO, MINSTEP, MIXGAS, NASIGN, 

NZEROVEL, PMINFAIL, RBE2INFO, RHOCUT, RJSTIFF, RKSCHEME, 

ROHYDRO, ROMULTI, ROSTR, RSTDROP, SCALEMAS, 

SHELLFORM, SHELMSYS, SHPLAST, SHSTRDEF, SHTHICK, SLELM, 

SNDLIM, STEPFCT, STEPFCTL, STRNOUT, UGASC, VARACTIV, 

VDAMP, VELCUT, VELMAX 

Nodes GRID 

Elements CBAR, CBEAM, CDAMP1, CELAS1, CHEXA, CONM2, CPENTA, 

CQUAD4, CROD, CSPR, CTETRA, CTRIA3, CVISC 

Material Models DMAT, DMATEL, DMATEP, DMATOR, DYMAT14, DYMAT24, 

DYMAT25, DYMAT26, FABRIC, FOAM1, FOAM2, MAT1, MAT2, 

MAT8, MAT8A, MATRIG, RUBBER1, SHEETMAT 

Yield Models YLDJC, YLDMC, YLDMSS, YLDPOL, YLDRPL, YLDTM, YLDVM, 

YLDZA 

Shear Models SHREL, SHRLVE, SHRPOL 

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68 

Entity Type MSC.Dytran Entries 

Failure Models FAILEST, FAILEX, FAILEX1, FAILMES, FAILMPS, FAILPRS, FAILSDT 

Spallation 

Models 

Equation of 

State 

Element 

Properties 

Coordinate 

Frames 

Loads and 

Boundary 

Conditions 

PMINC 

MPC Data RBE2 

Analysis & 

Others 

EOSEX, EOSGAM, EOSIG, EOSJWL, EOSPOL, EOSTAIT 

PBAR, PBCOMP, PBEAM, PBEAM1, PBEAML, PBELT, PCOMP, 

PCOMPA, PDAMP, PELAS, PELAS1, PELASEX, PEULER, PEULER1, 

PROD, PSHELL, PSHELL1, PSOLID, PSPR, PSPR1, PSPREX, PVISC, 

PVISC1, PVISCEX, PWELD, PWELD1, PWELD2 

CORD2C, CORD2R, CORD2S 

ALE, ALEGRID, ALEGRID1, BJOIN, BODYFOR, CFACE, CONTACT, 

CONTFORC, CONTREL, COUHTR, COUINFL, COUOPT, COUP1FL, 

COUP1INT, COUPLE, COUPLE1, COUPOR, CYLINDER, DETSHP, 

FFCONTR, FLOW, FORCE, FORCE1, FORCE2, GBAG, GBAGCOU, 

GBAGHTR, GBAGINFL, GBAGPOR, HTRCONV, HTRRAD, INFLATR, 

INFLATR1, INFLFRAC, INFLGAS, INFLHYB, INFLHYB1, INFLTANK, 

INITGAS, KJOIN, MATINI, MESH, MOMENT, MOMENT1, 

MOMENT2, PERMEAB, PERMGBG, PLOAD, PORFCPL, PORFGBG, 

PORFLCPL, PORFLGBG, PORFLOW, PORHOLE, PORLHOLE, RBE2, 

RBHINGE, RCONN, RELLIPS, RFORCE, RIGID, RJCYL, RJPLA, 

RJREV, RJSPH, RJTRA, RJUNI, SET1, SETC, SPC, SPC1, SPC2, SPC3, 

SPHERE, SUBSURF, SURFACE, TABLED1, TIC3, TICEL, TICEUL, 

TICGP, TICVAL, TLOAD1, WALL, WALLET 

$, ACTIVE, BEGIN_BULK, ENDDATA, GRAV, GRDSET, GROFFS, 

INCLUDE, NASINIT, PARAM, SETTING, VISCDMP

Limitations 

CHAPTER 3 


Reader for Analysis Form Entries. Entries written from selections on the 

Analysis forms (entries before BEGIN BULK) cannot be read back to 

MSC.Patran. 

Entries not Supported by the Reader. The following entries which can be 

written by the MSC.Patran writer, are not supported by the reader in the 

current version: 

Late v2003 writer implementation: EOSTAIT, FOAM2, FAILEST, 

FAILPRS, ALE, ALEGRID, ALEGRID1, FFCONTR, MATINI. 

v2004 implementation: FABRIC, MAT8A, SHRPOL, YLDPOL, 

YLDRPL, YLDTM, YLDZA, YLDMSS, BODYFOR, RIGID, MESH, 

RJCYL, RJPLA, RJREV, RJSPH, RJTRA, RJUNI, CONTFORC, 

INFLATR1, INFLHYB, INFLHYB1, INFLTANK, INFLFRAC, 

INFLGAS, INITGAS, PORLHOLE, PERMGBG, PORFCPL, 

PORFGBG, PORFLCPL, PORFLGBG 

Entries not Supported. The following entries of MSC.Dytran v2004 are not 

supported by the current MSC.Dytran Preference. 

Section MSC.Dytran Entries 

File 

Management 

Case Control CORDDEF, PLANES, PLNOUT, SGAUGES, USASOUT, USASURFS 

Bulk Data ATBACC, ATBJNT, ATBSEG, BOX, CDAMP2, CELAS2, CFACE1, 

CONTINI, CORD1C, CORD1R, CORD1S, CORD3R, CORD4R, 

CORDROT, CSEG, DAREA, FLOWDEF, FLOWEX, FORCE3, 

FORCEEX, GBAGC, HGSUPPR, IGNORE, JOIN, MADGRP, PLOAD4, 

PLOADEX, POREX, RBC3, RCONREL, RELEX, RPLEX, SECTION, 

SGAUGE, SHREX, TABLEEX, TIC, TIC1, TIC2, TICEEX, TICGEX, 

TLOAD2, USA, YLDEX, YLDHY 

Parameters ATBSEGCREATE, CLUMPENER, ENTROPY-FIX, ERRUSR, FAILDT, 

FLOW-METHOD, HGCOEFF, HGTYPE, HICGRAV, HYDROBOD, 

IGNFRCER, MATRMERG, OLDLAGTET, PARALLEL, PLCOVCUT, 

TOLCHK, USA_CAV 

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Analysis Enhancements 

This section describes the various enhancements carried out in the execution controls 

and output requests forms of the analysis menu to support parameters, bulk data and 

case control entries of the MSC.Dytran solver. 

Execution Controls Enhancements 

The Executive Controls form shown below highlights the new parameters and bulk 

data entries supported in Version 2005. 

Support for parameters MIXGAS and 

UGASC 

Support for parameters BULKTYP, 

BULKL and BULKQ. 

Support for parameters HGSHELL, 

HGCMEM, HGCWRP, HGCTWS, 

HGSOLID and HGCSOL 

Support for PARAM EXTRAS 

Support for PARAM MATRMRG1

CHAPTER 3 


Numerous changes have been made to the Executive Controls subforms to 

accommodate new parameters and bulk data entries. These changes are highlighted 

in the individual forms that follow. 

Defines PARAM, MIXGAS. 

Select Default, Yes or No. 

Defines PARAM VELMAX. 

Select Default, Yes or No. 

Defines PARAM UGASC. 

Defines PARAM BULKTYP. 

Select Default, Dyna or Dytran 

Defines PARAM BULKL. 

Defines PARAM BULKQ. 

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72 

Defines PARAM HGSHELL. 

Select Default, F-B Viscous or Dyna. 

Defines PARAM HGCMEM. 

Defines PARAM HGCWRP. 

Defines PARAM HGCTWS. 

Defines PARAM HGSOLID. 

Select Default, F-B Stiffness or Dyna. 

Defines PARAM HGCSOL. 

Lists Existing Constants. Clicking 

on an existing name brings up the 

Constant Name and its Value in the 

boxes below. 

Specifies the name of a new or 

existing constant. 

Defines the value of a new or 

existing constant. 

Select Add, Modify or Delete to 

create a new constant or modify 

or delete an existing constant.

CHAPTER 3 


Lists Existing Assemblies. 

Clicking on an existing name highlights 

the selected items in the listboxes below. 

Lists existing Rigid Materials and Nodal 

Rigid LBCs. Single selection. The 

selected item will be the name of the 

assembly. 

Lists existing Rigid Materials and Nodal 

Rigid LBCs. Multiple selection. The 

selected items will be merged into a 

new assembly. 

Select Add, Modify or Delete to 

create a new assembly or modify 

or delete an existing assembly. 

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Output Requests Enhancements 

The Output Request forms have been updated to support new case control entries. 

Support for ACC entry

CHAPTER 3 


Initiating Calculation Enhancements 

New selections and sections on the Initiating Calculation form support the PARAM 

IMM and IMMFILE entries. 

Defines START FMS 

Defines Case Control CHECK 

Defines IMMFILE FMS 

Defines PARAM IMM 

More detailed documentation is available in the MSC.Patran MSC.Dytran Preference 

User’s Guide. 

75

CHAPTER 

4 


Updates to Basic Functions 

■ Loads/BCs Display Behavior 

■ Combined Vector Component Plots 

■ Three Gigabyte Memory Support 

■ Import/Export Field Data 

■ Pre-Release Functionality

78 

4.1 Loads/BCs Display Behavior 

Overview 

In MSC.Patran 2005, the method by which LBCs are displayed has been enhanced to 

improve the memory management in the display process. For a model with loads 

applied to 300,000 elements, memory usage is now reduced by 500 MB. 

In previous releases of MSC.Patran, LBC display performance could be slow 

depending on the model size. For large models, the time to create an LBC on a large 

number of entities is usually dominated by the creation and rendering of the display 

data. 

Some LBC display behaviors have also been altered so only the requested LBCs will 

be plotted. 

Example: 

4 LBCs are in the current Loadcase 

Only 1 LBC is plotted 

Delete the plotted LBC 

In previous releases, MSC.Patran would re-plot the 3 remaining LBCS. In MSC.Patran 

2005 the remaining LBCs will not reappear. 

In MSC.Patran 2005 nothing is re-plotted.

Other LBC Display Behaviors Changes 

CHAPTER 4 


To further improve LBC display processing times LBC marker data is not created if 

Display/Load/BC/Elem.Props… Show LBC/El. Prop Vectors toggle is off. 

In previous releases, MSC.Patran always created marker data for an LBC when the 

LBC was created, even if the vector toggle was off and the markers did not display. 

In MSC.Patran 2005, if the toggle is off, no marker data is created or displayed. A 

warning message is given, and you can use LoadsBCs/Plot Markers to display 

markers at your discretion. For large models, this can greatly speed up the Loads/BCs 

creation process. 

Show LBC/EL. Prop. Vector OFF 

Apply Pressure to model 

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80 

Display Cleanup 

The functionality of the broom (display_cleanup() command) icon located on the 

Main form toolbar has been enhanced. In previous releases of MSC.Patran the broom 

removed LBC markers from display, but it left marker data on the database that was 

no longer being used. 

In MSC.Patran 2005, the broom erases the memory of what LBCs were plotted. In the 

previous scenario, only the new LBC would be plotted when created. Any set of LBCs 

may still be plotted from LoadsBCs/Plot Markers. 

The use of the broom before closing a database will result in a smaller database 

depending on the number of LBCs displayed. 

You may notice a longer delay when using the broom if many LBC markers are 

displayed. However, this time is recovered in the next LBC creation or display. 

LBC Application Region Highlighting Control 

In previous releases of MSC.Patran when entities were added or removed from the 

LBC application region select databox to the textbox, the items in the textbox were 

always highlighted. For large models, this could take a significant amount of time. 

In MSC.Patran 2005, a settings.pcl preference can be used to control highlighting. If 

the number of entities in the textbox exceeds “limit” only the select databox items are 

highlighted. 

pref_env_set_integer( "lbc_app_reg_hilight_limit", limit ) 

Setting the “limit” to 0 (zero) will highlight any number of entities. 

In MSC.Patran 2005, the PCL command may also be used to set “limit”. This 

command overrides the settings.pcl preference. 

loadsbcs_selapplreg.set_lbc_app_reg_hilight_lim( limit )

CHAPTER 4 


Example: 

In previous releases of MSC.Patran the items in the textbox were always highlighted. 

In MSC.Patran 2005 with: 

pref_env_set_integer( "lbc_app_reg_hilight_limit", 2 ) 

Highlighted items are controlled. 

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4.2 Combined Vector Component Plots 

This enhancement to Results Vector Plots to support plotting sums of vector 

components in addition to the existing capability to plot the individual components. 

This is useful, for example, to plot the resultant shear force in a fastener such as a 

bushing or spot weld. If the axis of the fastener is the local x direction, then the shear 

force can be plotted as the sum of the y and z components of the force vector. 

Any combination of components or component sums may be plotted. Typically, you 

might only plot x and y + z, or y and z + x, or z and x + y. 

To see the new toggles, just set Show As: to Component on the 

Results/Create/Marker/Vector/LoadCase form. 

The attributes form is also changed and now has additional color selections for the 

new components. 

Old session files producing vector plots still work as they did before this change. 

Unspecified new vector components are set to not display and their colors are set to 

default colors. 

Existing Results Templates for Vector Plots also work with the enhanced tool. You can 

use the Tools/Results Templates/Edit form to add the new vector component toggles 

and colors to existing Vector Templates if you wish to do so.

4.3 Three Gigabyte Memory Support 

CHAPTER 4 


The 3 GB application memory option has been implemented in MSC.Patran 2005 for 

HP -UX on both the PA-RISC and Intel Itanium hardware platforms. 

This enhancement represents our ongoing commitment to further enhance 

MSC.Patran's performance and large model handling ability. 

This is in addition to 3 Gb application memory support on Windows XP, Windows 

2000 Server, Linux, and Solaris that was done in previous releases. 

There is no special setup needed on HP-UX with PA-RISC hardware. Extended 

addressing on HP-UX itanium is available only on OS version 11.23 and higher, and 

will also require an OS patch to enable the MPAS addressing model to work. 

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4.4 Import/Export Field Data 

All Fields spreadsheet input forms EXCEPT complex have an "Import/Export..." 

button in the upper right. 

Selecting it gives you a file form and the option to Import or Export CSV (comma 

separated value) files.

CHAPTER 4 


An options menu allows you to set the separator (comma is default) and whether to 

read the first line for Import or write column headings for Export. 

Import completely replaces what is in the current spreadsheet. Export writes 

everything in the current spreadsheet. 

Some Fields spreadsheets require the spreadsheet to be fully populated. This means 

there must be a dependent value specified for every combination of independent 

variables. The Options form from the Fields/Create and Modify forms has a frame for 

specifying an “Incomplete Data Action”. This tells MSC.Patran what you want it to do 

if there are missing values in an imported CSV file. “Abort” is the default. If it is set, 

and a CSV file is imported with any missing values, the import will abort with a 

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86 

warning message. “Set to Zero” and “Set to User Specified Value” can also be chosen. 

If they are, and a CSV file is imported with any missing values, they will be set to the 

value specified. 

For example, if your CSV file looks like this: 

X,Y,Value 

1.0000000E+000, 1.0000000E+001, 9.1000000E+001 

1.0000000E+000, 2.0000000E+001, 9.4000000E+001 

2.0000000E+000, 1.0000000E+001, 9.2000000E+001 

2.0000000E+000, 2.0000000E+001, 9.5000000E+001 

3.0000000E+000, 1.0000000E+001, 9.3000000E+001 

3.0000000E+000, 2.0000000E+001, 9.6000000E+001 

3.0000000E+000, 4.0000000E+001, 9.8000000E+001 

the value for x = 1, y = 40 and x = 2 and y = 40 are missing. They will be set to the value 

specified on import.

4.5 Pre-Release Functionality 

Advanced Surface Meshing 

CHAPTER 4 


Significant changes in the design and functionality of the Advanced Surface Meshing 

capability have been made for MSC.Patran 2005. Because of the extensive nature of 

these changes and the commitment to quality standards, the new ASM is a pre-release 

capability for 2005. It is being presented for your feedback on usability and 

suggestions on the implementation, which will help migrate this to full release status 

in subsequent MSC.Patran releases. To access this capability add the following line to 

your settings.pcl file: 

pref_env_set_logical( "asm2_enable", TRUE ) 

Overview 

Advanced Surface Meshing (ASM) is a facet geometry based process that allows you 

to automatically create a mesh for a complex surface model. The geometry can be 

congruent or noncongruent, and can contain sliver surfaces, tiny edges, gaps and 

overlaps. The geometry is first converted into tessellated surfaces. Tools are provided 

for stitching gaps on the model and modifying the tessellated surfaces as required. 

These modified tessellated surfaces can then be meshed to generate a quality quaddominant 

mesh. 

There are two kinds of representations of facet geometry in ASM process: pseudosurface 

and tessellated surface. Pseudo-surface is a group-based representation and 

tessellated surface is a geometry-based representation. ASM uses tessellated surface 

representation mainly, and also uses psuedo-surface representation as an alternative 

tool to make model congruent. The pseudo-surface operations can be accessed if the 

toggle in Preferences/Finite Element/Enable Pseudo Surface ASM is on (default is 

off). 

Tessellated Surface is piecewise planar and primarily generated for ASM process. The 

surface should not be modified by using the operations in Geometry/Edit/Surface 

form. And it has limitations on using other geometry operations on these surfaces. 

Application Form 

To access the ASM Application form, click the Elements Application button to bring 

up Finite Elements Application form, then select Create>Mesh>Adv Surface as the 

Action>Object>Method combination. There are 4 groups of tools in ASM process: 

Create Surfaces, Cleanup, Edit and Final Mesh. 

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88 

Create Surfaces 

 

 

 

 

Process Icon Specifies the step in the ASM process. 

Create 

Surfaces 

The Create Surfaces icon is selected as the default to begin 

the ASM process. There is only one tool in Initial 

Creation: Auto Tessellated Surface.

Create Surfaces/ Initial Creation/AutoTessellated Surface 

AutoTessellated 

Surface 

CHAPTER 4 


Converts original surfaces into tessellated surfaces. This process 

includes three operations: create triangular mesh on the input 

surfaces; stitch gaps on the triangular mesh; convert the 

triangular mesh into tessellated surfaces. 

Select Surfaces Specifies the surface geometry to be converted into tessellated 

surfaces. 

Automatic 

Calculation 

When Automatic Calculation is turned on, the “Initial Element 

Size” will be set automatically. Turn the toggle off for manual 

entry. 

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90 

Initial Element 

Size 

The element size used to generate the pseudo surface. This size 

will define how well the pseudo surface will represent the real 

surface. A good “Initial Element Size” will be 1/4 the size of the 

desired final mesh size. 

Gap Tolerance The tolerance used to stitch the gaps on the model. Set it to 0.0 to 

skip the stitch operation. 

Create Surfaces/ Initial Creation/Pseudo-Surface Tools 

The icons of pseudo-surface tools will be seen only if the toggle in Preferences>Finite 

Element>Enable Pseudo Surface ASM is ON. 

Pseudo-Surface 

Tools 

Conversion between tessellated surfaces and pseudo-surfaces, 

and some stitch/edit tools on pseudo-surfaces. These alternative 

tools are used when creation of some tessellated surface fails, or 

the stitch tools on tessellated surface are unable to make the 

model congruent.

Initial Creation/Pseudo-Surface Tools/Tessellated to Pseudo 

CHAPTER 4 


Tessellated to Pseudo Convert tessellated surfaces into pseudo-surfaces. After 

conversion, the display mode will be changed to Group 

mode. This icon cannot be seen if the toggle in 

Preferences/Finite Element/Enable Pseudo Surface ASM is 

off. 

Select Surfaces Specifies the tessellated surfaces to be converted into 

pseudo-surfaces. 

Initial Creation/Pseudo-Surface Operation/Stitch All Gaps 

Stitch All Gaps Stitch all the gaps with sizes less than the specified tolerance on 

the selected pseudo surfaces. This icon cannot be seen if the 

toggle in Preferences/Finite Element/Enable Pseudo Surface 

ASM is off. 

Select Tria(s) On 

Face(s) 

Specifies pseudo surfaces by selecting the guiding tria-elements 

on faces. If one or more tria-elements on a surface are selected, 

the surface is selected. 

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Tolerance Gaps with sizes less than this value will be stitched. 

Verify Displays the free element edges on the model. 

Clear Clears the free edge display. 

Initial Creation/Pseudo-Surface Operation/Stitch Selected Gaps 

Stitch Selected 

Gaps 

Select Element 

Free Edges 

Stitches gaps formed by the selected free edges without checking 

the tolerance. This icon cannot be seen if the toggle in 

Preferences/Finite Element/Enable Pseudo Surface ASM is off. 

Selects free edges. To cursor select the free edges, use the “Free 

edge of 2D element “ icon. 


Clear Clears the free edge display.

Initial Creation/Pseudo-Surface Operation/Split Face 

CHAPTER 4 


Split Face Split a pseudo surface along the cutting line connecting two 

selected boundary nodes. The cutting line should divide the 

surface into two disconnected parts and should not intersect the 

face boundary at more than two points. This tool won’t split 

surfaces that are “fixed”. This icon cannot be seen if the toggle in 

Preferences/Finite Element/Enable Pseudo Surface ASM is off. 

Select Tri(s) on 

Face(s) 

Select Nodes for 

break 

Specify pseudo surfaces by selecting the guiding tria-elements 

on the surfaces. A surface is selected if at least one of its tri 

elements is picked 

Select two boundary nodes on the pseudo surface. 



Initial Creation/Pseudo-Surface Operation/Pseudo to Tessellated 

Pseudo to 

Tessellated 

Convert pseudo-surfaces into tessellated surfaces. This icon 

cannot be seen if the toggle in Preferences/Finite 

Element/Enable Pseudo Surface ASM is off. 

Select Tria(s) On 

Face(s) 

Specifies pseudo surfaces by selecting the guiding tria-elements 

on faces. If one or more tria-elements on a surface are selected, the 

surface is selected. 

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Enable Pseudo Surface ASM: 

If it is checked, The icons of pseudo-surface tools in Finite 

Elements/Create/Mesh/Adv Surface will be displayed. It includes the tools to 

convert between tessellated surfaces and pseudo-surfaces, the tools to stitch gaps in 

souse-surfaces and the editing tools for pseudo surfaces in Advanced Surface 

Meshing process.

Cleanup 


Stitch/Auto Stitch 

CHAPTER 4 


Cleanup Provides tools to help in stitching gaps between the tessellated 

surfaces. Both automated and interactive stitching tools are 

available to make the model congruent. 

Auto Stitch Stitch all the gaps with sizes less than the specified tolerance on 

the selected tessellated surfaces. 

Select Surface(s) Specifies the tessellated surfaces. 

Automatic 

Calculation 

When Automatic Calculation is turned on, the “Tolerance” will 

be set automatically. Turn the toggle off for manual entry. 

Tolerance Gaps with sizes less than this value will be stitched. 

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Verify Displays the free surface boundary edges on the model. 


Cleanup/Selected Gaps 

Selected Gaps Stitches gaps formed by the selected free curves. 

Select Curves Specifies the curves that are on the free boundaries of tessellated 

surfaces. 


Clear Clears the free edge display.

Cleanup/Merge Vertices 

Merge Vertices Merge the vertices on the free boundaries of tessellated 

surfaces. 

Select 

Vertex/Points 

Specifies the vertices that are on the free boundaries of 

tessellated surfaces. 



CHAPTER 4 


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98 

Cleanup/Pinch Vertex 

Pinch Vertex Pinch a vertex on a curve. 

Auto Execute If checked, the cursor will automatically be moved to the next 

data box when the data in the current box is selected. 

Select Curve Specifies one curve on the free boundary of a tessellated surface. 

Select Vertex Specify one vertex on the free boundary of a tessellated surface. 



Edit 

Choosing the Edit Process Icon provides you with seven tools to edit the tessellated 

surfaces and prepare them for final meshing. 


Edit Edit the cleaned up model to create a desired mesh. Tools are 

available to remove holes, split, delete and merge tessellated 

surfaces, collapse edges, and insert or delete vertices. Surfaces can 

be tagged as fixed or free for the editing process.

Edit/Merge Surfaces 

CHAPTER 4 


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100 

Merge Surfaces Uses several criteria (4 are exposed to you) to merge the 

tessellated surfaces. Use the check boxes to activate and 

deactivate these criteria. During this operation, surfaces with 

edges smaller than the Edge Size specified can be merged and 

surfaces with Feature Angles and Fillet Angles less than that 

specified can also be merged. In the merging process, additional 

criteria are used to maximize the creation of 3 or 4-sided surfaces 

and reduce the number of T-sections. Surfaces that are “Fixed” 

will be ignored during the merging process. Vertex Angle is used 

to remove the redundant vertices after merging surfaces. 

If Feature Angle, Fillet Angle and Edge Size are all off, the 

operation will merge all the connected tessellated surfaces into 

one surface without checking criteria. 

Select Surface(s) Specify the tessellated surfaces to be merged. Need to pick at least 

two tessellated surfaces for this operation. 

Feature Angle The Feature Angle of a surface edge is defined as the maximum 

angle between the normals of its two adjacent surfaces along the 

edge. 

Fillet Angle A bent angle of a cross section on a surface is the angle between 

the normals of the two sides of the cross section. The fillet angle of 

a surface is the maximal bent angle of all cross sections on the 

surface. 

Edge Size The size of a surface is defined in different ways. The size of a 

circular surface is its diameter; the size of a ring region is the 

length of its cross section; and the size of a 3 or 4-sided and other 

general region is the length of the shortest side. 

Display Small 

Entities 

Brings up a sub-form to display short edges, free or non-manifold 

edges, small surfaces and vertices on the model. 

Feature Property Brings up a sub-form to set, modify and show the feature 

properties of tessellated surfaces, including mesh size and feature 

state (free or fixed) of a surface.

Edit/Fill Hole 

CHAPTER 4 


Fill Hole Fills the holes on the model. There are two ways to specify the hole to 

be filled. One is by picking all surrounding surfaces and inputting a 

radius tolerance. And the other is by picking at least one of boundary 

curves on the hole. A hole may be bounded by more than one surface. 

Fill Hole(s) 

On Surface 

Specify tessellated surfaces. The holes on the surfaces whose radii are 

less than the specified radius will be filled. 

Hole Radius The specified hole radius. 

on Surface(s) 

Curves on 

addtl holes 

Specify at least one curve on each hole to be filled. 

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102 

Create New 

Surface 

Edit/Insert Vertex 

If this toggle is checked, then the hole will be filled by a new 

tessellated surface. If the toggle is not checked and if the hole is inside 

one tessellated surface, the hole will be removed from the surface. 

However, if the hole is bounded by multiple tessellated surfaces, then 

the hole is replaced by a new tessellated surface. 

Display Small Brings up a sub-form to display short edges, free or non-manifold 

Entities edges, small surfaces and vertices on the model. 

Feature 

Property 

Brings up a sub-form to set, modify and show the feature properties 

of tessellated surfaces, including mesh size and feature state (free or 

fixed) of a surface. 

Insert Vertex Insert a vertex to an edge on a tessellated surface. As a result, the 

new vertex will break the edge into two shorter edges. 

Select Curve Specify an edge on a tessellated surface. 

Select Point Specify a point to be inserted. If the point is not on the curve, the 

program will project to point onto the curve before inserting.

Display Small 

Entities 

Feature 

Property 

Edit/Delete Vertex 

CHAPTER 4 




Brings up a sub-form to set, modify and show the feature 

properties of tessellated surfaces, including mesh size and feature 

state (free or fixed) of a surface. 

Delete Vertex Delete vertices on tessellated surfaces. As a result, two or more edges 

will be merged into a longer edge. There are two ways to specify the 

vertices to be deleted. One is by picking the surfaces and inputting a 

vertex angle. And the other is by picking the vertices. Only the vertex 

that is used by two edges can be deleted. 

Delete 

Vertices for 

Surface 

Specify the tessellated surfaces. 

Vertex Angle The angle of a vertex is defined as the angle formed by its two 

adjacent edges. 

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Manually 

select 

vertices 

Edit/Delete Surface 

Specify the vertices to be deleted. 



Feature 

Property 

Delete 

Surface 

Select 

Surface(s) 




Delete the selected tessellated surfaces. 

Specify the tessellated surfaces to be deleted. 



Feature 

Property 



fixed) of a surface.

Edit/Split Surface 

CHAPTER 4 


Split Surface Splits a tessellated surface along the cutting line connecting two 

selected boundary points. The cutting line should divide the surface 

into two disconnected parts and should not intersect the surface 

boundary at more than two points. This tool won’t split surfaces that 

are “fixed.”. 

Auto Execute If checked, the cursor will automatically be moved to the next data 

box when the data in the current box is selected. 

Select 

Surface 

Select Initial 

Point 

Select End 

Point 

Specify the tessellated surface to be split. 

Select the first boundary point on the surface. 

Select the second boundary point on the surface. 



Feature 

Property 




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106 

3.7 Edit/Collapse Curve 

Collapse 

Curve 

Select Curve 

for collapse 

Display Small 

Entities 

Feature 

Property 

Collapse a short edge on a tessellated surface. 

Specify edge to be collapsed. 






Final Mesh 


CHAPTER 4 


Final Mesh Meshes the edited model to generate a quad-dominant mesh. Mesh 

sizes can be defined in sub-form Feature Property to generate the 

desired mesh. Hard nodes and soft/hard bars can be defined in the 

sub-form Feature Selection. Mesh seeds and controls can be defined in 

Finite Element/Create/Mesh Seed or Mesh Control forms. And hard 

curves and hard points can be defined in Geometry/Associate form. 

These mesh entities will be picked up in the final mesh process. 

Select 

Surface(s) 

Element type 

Quad4 

Specify the tessellated surface to be meshed 

Create a quad-dominant mesh with quad4 and tria3 elements. 

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108 

Element type 

Tria3 

Feature 

Selection 

Automatic 

Calculation 

Create a tria mesh with tria3 elements. 

Bring up a sub-form to select hard nodes, soft bars and hard bars on 

the models. These hard entities will be preserved on the final mesh. 

If this toggle is checked, the program will calculate an approximate 

final element size once the tessellated surfaces are selected 

Final Element Specify the element size for the final quad mesh. The size will not 

Size override any specified mesh sizes on tessellated surfaces. 

Feature 

Property 

Brings up a sub-form to set, modify and show the feature properties of 

tessellated surfaces, including mesh size and feature state (free or 


CHAPTER 4 


Final Mesh/Feature Selection 

Defines hard nodes, soft bars and hard bars. The defined hard fem entities will be 

preserved on the final mesh. 

Hard Nodes Select and deselected hard nodes on the model. 

Hard Bars Select and deselected hard bars on the model. The hard bar, 

together with its end nodes, will be preserved on the final mesh. 

Soft Bars Select and deselected soft bars on the model. A soft bar is a 

segment of a feature line on the model. The feature line will be 

preserved on the final mesh, but its nodes may be deleted or 

moved along the feature line. 

Reset Reset the data select box. 

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110 

OK Confirm the selection and return to the Final Mesh Form. 

Cancel Cancel the selection and return to the Final Mesh Form. 

Display Small Entities 

The Small Entities dialog box can be used to display small edges, free edges, nonmanifold, 

small faces and vertices on the tessellated surfaces. 

Select 

Surface(s) 

Specify tessellated. 

Entity Type This toggle determines what kind of entities will be displayed. 

Surfaces: display the tessellated surface whose area are less than 

min size; 

Curves: display the surface edges whose length are less than min 

size; 

Free Edges: display free or non-manifold edges on the model; 

Vertices: display all vertices on the tessellated surfaces.

CHAPTER 4 


Minimum Size All edges smaller than this length or all surfaces smaller than this 

area will be identified and displayed. This size will not be used 

for selecting Edges or Vertices as Entity Type. 

Display This will display the small surfaces or edges, free or nonmanifold 

edges, or vertices on the model. 

Clear This will clear the display. 

Smallest/Largest The smallest and the largest edge or face area will be calculated 

Size 

and displayed here. 

Feature Properties 

The “mesh size” and the “feature state” properties of tessellated surfaces can be set, 

modified, and displayed using this form. 

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112 

Auto Show If checked, the Mesh Size and Feature State of the selected 

tessellated surfaces will be displayed in the Command History 

window. 

Select 

Surface(s) 

Specify tessellated surfaces. 

Mesh Size Mesh size for the selected tessellated surfaces. 

Feature State Toggle to change the Feature State of selected tessellated surfaces. 

Modify Modify the mesh sizes or feature states of tessellated surfaces 

selected. 

Show Shows the mesh sizes and feature states of the selected tessellated 

surfaces in the Command History window. 

Default Sets the default values for the mesh sizes (Global value) and the 

feature states (Free) for the selected tessellated surfaces.

I N D E X 

MSC.Patran 

Release Guide 

I N D E X 


A 

ACIS, 12, 13 

ACIS Export Files, 24 

AIX 

supported OS levels, 11 

C 

CAD File Exports, 24 

CAD File Imports, 23 

CAD systems 

access, 12 

supported, 12 

CADDS, 12, 13 

CATIA V4, 12, 13 

CATIA V4 Export Files, 24 

CATIA V5, 12, 13, 25 

combined vector component plots, 82 

connector element support, 4 

connector tool support, 15 

D 

direct access 

CAD systems, 12 

G 

global ply tracking, 4 

H 

hardware 


HP 


I 

IBM 


I-DEAS Export Files, 24 

Intel 


IRIX 


L 

LS-DYNA results support, 15 

M 

MSC.Marc preference, 50 

MSC.Nastran 

connector element support, 39 

pcompg, 43 

SOL 700 support, 28 

MSC.Nastran preference, 28 

O 

operating systems, 10, 11 

HP, 10 

supported, 12

114 

INDEX 

P 

Parasolid, 12, 13 

Patran FEA solver support, 15 

platforms 

supported, 12 

Pro/ENGINEER, 12, 13 

R 

rts, 24 

S 

SGI 


STEP 214 Export Files, 24 

SUN 


supported platforms, 10, 12 

U 

Unigraphics, 12, 13 

V 

VDA Export Files, 24

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