Querying the Model

You can query the model for information about the inherent model properties or for information about nodes and elements. You can export this information to a .csv file for later reference.

This task shows you how to:

Query Mass and Volume

You can query the inherent model properties by the whole model, a plot, a part, a display group, all non-structural masses, or per ply.

  1. From the Post-processing section of the action bar, click Results Query .
    The Results Query dialog box appears.
  2. From the Item options, select Mass/Volume.
  3. From the list, select one of the following:
    OptionDescription
    Whole model Runs the query on the entire model.
    Plot Runs the query on a specific plot.
    Part Runs the query on a specific part or all parts.
    Display group Runs the query on a specific display group.
    Non-structural massRuns the query on all non-structural masses.
    Per plyRuns the query on all plies.
  4. Optional: Click Advanced Options to define the moments of inertia.
    1. Select Include non-structural mass to include non-structural mass (which includes, among other things, point mass elements) in the mass and inertia computations.
    2. If your model lacks a material density definition, select Default density used when undefined, and enter a value.
    3. From the Origin options, select: Individual centroid, Model centroid, or User Csys.

      You can measure mass properties from the centroid of the entire model (Model centroid) or from individual centroids associated with the parts.

    4. From the Axes options, select: Global, Individual principal, Model principal, or User Csys.

      You can measure mass properties from the principal axis of the entire model (Model principal) or from individual axes associated with the parts.

    5. If you selected User Csys in the previous step, select a specific coordinate system from the list.
      You can query separate coordinate systems for the origin and axis.
    6. Click OK.
  5. Click Query to run the results query.
    The Results Query dialog box displays the results of the query.

Query Nodal Results

You can query the nodal properties such as the node ID, original and deformed coordinates, attached elements, displacement, and case and step information.

  1. From the Post-processing section of the action bar, click Results Query .
    The Results Query dialog box appears.
  2. From the Item options, select Nodal results.
  3. Use the Select tool to pick the desired node directly from the model in the 3D area.

    Note: When you hover the mouse over the plot, the node label appears. The Select tool remains active until you click it again.

  4. Click Query to run the results query.
    The Results Query dialog box displays the results for the current step, frame, or load case. If you select multiple rows, the node labels also display in the plot.

Query Element Results

You can query the element properties such as the element ID, element type, attached nodes, displacement, and case and step information.

  1. From the Post-processing section of the action bar, click Results Query .
    The Results Query dialog box appears.
  2. From the Item options, select Element results.
  3. Use the Select tool to pick the desired element directly from the model in the 3D area.

    Note: When you hover the mouse over the plot, the element label appears. The Select tool remains active until you click it again.

  4. Select Show integration point values to show the integration points.

    Depending on the solver inputs, each element might have one or more integration points at which displacement, stress, or other variables can be measured. These integration points are displayed in symbol plots but not contour plots. However, by selecting this option, you can retrieve the values at integration points for any plot type.

  5. Click Query to run the results query.
    The Results Query dialog box displays element results for the current step, frame, or load case. If you select multiple rows, the element labels also display in the plot.

Filter the Query Results

You can filter the query results by name (for Mass/Volume) or ID (for Nodal or Elemental Results).

  1. For Mass/Volume results, enter the text string by which to filter in the Filter name field.
    The list displays only those results whose Name contains this string.
  2. For Nodal results or Element results, enter the string by which to filter in the Filter ID field.
    The list displays only those results whose ID contains this string.

Clear the Query List

You can clear the query list at any time.

Click Clear List to clear the query results display.

Export the Query List

You can export the query list for later reference.

To export the query results information to a .csv file, click .