Mirroring and Patterning the Display of Models

You can display virtual copies of a model using mirroring and patterning techniques to visualize the complete model from repetitive model parts.

When you use mirroring, you reflect the model around one or more planes. When you use patterning, you choose a circular or rectangular pattern to duplicate instances of the original. You can combine the two methods to achieve the desired view of the model.

The duplicated portions from mirroring and patterning are for visualization only. Any numerical representation of results is accurate only for the portion of the model that was analyzed.

This task shows you how to:

See Also
About Result Options

Creating Mirrored Instances of the Model

You can mirror results using a coordinate system and up to three planes (XY, YZ, and XZ).

  1. From the Display section of the action bar, click Result Options .
  2. Select the Symmetry tab of the Result Options dialog box if it is not already selected.
  3. Select Model Symmetry to enable all symmetry options.
  4. From the Mirror section, select an Axis system for mirroring:
    OptionDescription
    Global Mirrors about the global axis system.
    User-defined Mirrors about a user-defined coordinate system that was defined in this simulation.
    Model axis system Mirrors about a user-defined coordinate system that was defined in the model's product.
  5. Select one or more Mirror planes (XY, XZ, YZ).
    The model display instantly updates.
  6. From the Order of operations section, specify the sequence in which to perform the mirroring and patterning operations when both methods are in use.
  7. Optional: Click Defaults to restore the orginal settings in the dialog box.

    The Defaults action has the same result as deselecting Model Symmetry.

The app displays a mirror image of the model reflected about the specified planes.

Creating Patterned Instances of the Model

You can display results in rectangular or circular patterns to duplicate instances of the model.

  1. From the Display section of the action bar, click Result Options .
  2. Select the Symmetry tab of the Result Options dialog box if it is not already selected.
  3. Select Model Symmetry to enable all symmetry options.
  4. From the Pattern section, select an Axis system for mirroring:
    OptionDescription
    Global Patterns about the global axis system.
    User-defined Patterns about a user-defined coordinate system that was defined in this simulation.
    Model axis system Patterns about a user-defined coordinate system that was defined in the model's product.
  5. To activate a rectangular pattern of duplication:
    OptionDescription
    Number Specify the number of instances of the model to display on the X-, Y-, or Z-axis.
    Offset Specify the offset distance between instances.
    The model display instantly updates with a pattern of instances based on the specified number of copies and the offset distance along the specified axis.
  6. To activate a circular pattern of duplication:
    OptionDescription
    Axis of rotation Specifies the axis about which to rotate the model.
    Number Specifies the number of instances to display rotated around the specified axis.
    Total angle Specifies the total angle in which to evenly distribute all instances.
    The model display instantly updates.
  7. From the Order of operations section, specify the sequence in which to perform the mirroring and patterning operations when both methods are in use.
  8. Optional: Click Defaults to restore the orginal settings in the dialog box.

    The Defaults action has the same result as deselecting Model Symmetry.