Algor

Introduction to ALGOR FEA
ALGORs mission is to pioneer high technology analysis and prediction tools that enable
engineers to create safe, efficient and cost-effective designs. Since introducing finite
element analysis for PCs in 1984 and interfacing with CAD systems in 1985, ALGOR
has emerged as a dynamic player in the computer-aided engineering software industry.
More than 20,000 engineers worldwide have chosen ALGOR software.
ALGOR offers unparalleled engineering technology for every analysis need, including
Mechanical Event Simulation (MES) for motion and stress analysis, finite element
analysis, InCAD technology for CAD/CAE interoperability and piping system design and
analysis.
Using ALGOR, engineers can analyze stresses and displacements in complex parts due to
static or dynamic loading applied constantly or varying with time. Effects of large
deflections under these loadings can be analyzed using a variety of nonlinear material
models. ALGOR can also be used to analyze the effects of thermal loads on parts and will
provide results such as a temperature profile or heat flow through a particular area.
ALGOR also provides fluid flow and electrostatic processors to enable engineers to
analyze the effects of a wide range of phenomena.
For background information on the finite element analysis approach, click on one of the
links below. To begin learning how to use the ALGOR software to create and analyze a
model, go to Starting FEMPRO .
What is Finite Element Analysis?

Finite element analysis is a computerized method for predicting how a real world object
will react to forces, heat, vibration, etc., in terms of whether it will break, wear out, or
work the way it was designed. It is called analysis, but in the product design cycle it is
used to predict what is going to happen when the product is used.
The finite element method works by breaking a real object down into a large number
(1,000s to 100,000s) of elements, such as little cubes. The behavior of each little element,
which is regular in shape, is readily predicted by set mathematical equations. The
computer then adds up all of the individual behaviors to predict the behavior of the actual
object.
The finite in finite element analysis comes from the idea that there are a finite number of
elements in a finite element model. Previously, engineers employed integral and
differential calculus, which breaks objects down into an infinite number of elements.
The finite element method is employed to predict the behavior of things with respect to
virtually all physical phenomena:
Mechanical stress (stress analysis)

Mechanical vibration
Heat transfer (conduction, convection and radiation)
Fluid flow (Both liquids and gaseous fluids)
Various electrical and magnetic phenomena
Acoustics
More than 20,000 engineers in more than 60 countries use ALGOR's finite element
analysis software for mechanical engineering design and optimization. It is virtually
impossible to spend a day without using a product that ALGOR's software helped to
engineer. Products as diverse as fast food restaurant furniture, food containers, exercise
equipment, and automobile tires were all engineered with the help of ALGOR software.
FEA Theory Made Easy

In 1678, Robert Hooke set down the basis for modern finite element stress analysis with
Hooke's law. Simply, an elastic body stretches (strain) in proportion to the force (stress)
on it. Mathematically:
F=kx
F = force
k = proportional constant
x = distance of stretching
This is the only equation you needed to understand finite element stress analysis. Hooke
proved the equation by using weights to stretch wires hanging from the ceiling. This
experiment is repeated every year in virtually every high school laboratory by students
who study physics.
Imagine that a coffee cup is sitting on a table. It is broken down into 2,000 little brick
elements. Each element has 8 corners, or nodes. All nodes on the bottom of the coffee cup
are fixed (all translations and rotations are constrained), so they cannot move. Now, let us
press down on just one node near the top of the cup.
That one node will move a little bit because all materials have some elasticity. That
movement would be described by F = kx for that element except that other elements are
in the way or are tending to hold it back. In fact, as the force is transmitted through the
first element, it spreads out to other nodes. Without a computer, we would lose track of
events very quickly.
In the finite element method, a step occurs called element stiffness formulation. What
happens is that a stiffness, k, is created for the relationship between every node on each
element. Thus, every node is connected to every other node on each element by a spring,
which will behave like F = kx. By so doing, we reduce the coffee cup to a large system of
springs. When the analysis is done a value for the translation, x, and force, F, is
determined for each node by the formula F = kx. Note: F and x are vectors as each has a
value and a direction.
In the final step, results evaluation, the stresses are determined by knowing the force at
each node and the geometry of each element.
Other physical phenomena such as heat transfer, fluid flow, and electrical effects can be
handled in a similar way by using the pertinent governing equations.
Nodes and Elements

What is a Node?
A node is a coordinate location in space where the degrees of freedom (DOFs) are
defined. The DOFs for this point represent the possible movement of this point due to the
loading of the structure. The DOFs also represent which forces and moments are
transferred from one element to the next. The results of a finite element analysis,
(deflections and stresses), are usually given at the nodes.
In the real world, a point can move in 6 different directions, translation in X, Y, and Z,
and rotation about X, Y, and Z. In FEA, a node may be limited in the calculated motions
for a variety of reasons. For example, there is no need to calculate the out of plane
translation on a 2-D element; it would not be a 2-D element if its nodes were allowed to
move out of the plane.
The DOF of a node (which is based on the element type) also relates what types of forces
and restraints are transmitted through the node to the element. A force (axial or shear) is
equivalent to a translation DOF. A moment is equivalent to a rotational DOF. Thus, to
transfer a moment about a certain axis, the node must have that DOF. If a node does not
have that rotational DOF, then applying a moment to the node will have no effect on the
analysis. Likewise, restraining that node with a rotational boundary condition will have
no effect; the node does not have the ability to transmit the moment.
What is an Element?
An element is the basic building block of finite element analysis. There are several basic
types of elements. Which type of element for finite elements analysis that is used depends
on the type of object that is to be modeled for finite element analysis and the type of
analysis that is going to be performed.
An element is a mathematical relation that defines how the degrees of freedom of a node
relate to the next. These elements can be lines (trusses or beams), areas (2-D or 3-D
plates and membranes) or solids (bricks or tetrahedrals). It also relates how the
deflections create stresses.
Typical Steps in FEA using ALGOR

In a typical stress analysis, there is a basic set of steps that the analysis usually follows:
1. Create a mesh (a grid of nodes and elements) that represents the model
2. Define a unit system
3. Define the model's analysis parameters
4. Define the element type and parameters
5. Apply the loads and the constraints
6. Assemble the element stiffness matrices
7. Solve the system of linear algebraic equations
8. Calculate the results
9. Review the results
10. Generate a report of the analysis results
These steps are usually broken up into three stages:
Setting up the model: Steps 1-5

Analyzing the model: Steps 6-8 (These steps are automatically performed by
ALGOR)
Results evaluation: Steps 9 and 10
Installing Updates and BETAS

ALGOR software updates can come in two forms: updates and BETAS. The differences
between these two options are described below as well as the proper installation
procedures for both.
Updates
An update is a new release of your ALGOR software. You can receive an update through
three methods. The first method is the default setting. At specified time intervals, when
FEMPRO is launched, it will connect to the ALGOR web site and look for any updates to
the software. These will be downloaded and installed automatically. The time interval
and settings for this feature can be controlled by accessing the Windows Start menu and
selecting the "Settings: Control Panel: ALGOR Update" command. The second
method is to download an update from http://www.algor.com/profile/. In order to
download an update, you must set up a customer profile. Once a profile is created you
will be able to request two types of updates. A full update download will include the
newest releases of all of the packages that you have purchased. This type of download
will often be rather large.
An incremental download contains only the latest versions of the files that have been
changed since the last time you requested an update. This type of download will be
significantly smaller than the full download. It does not contain all of the software
packages you purchased. DO NOT uninstall your current installation. Simply follow the
installation instructions in the e-mail that you will receive and install the download on top
of your current installation.
The third method of receiving an update is by having a CD can be shipped to you. This
CD will contain the newest releases of all of the packages that you have purchased.
BETA Software
A BETA release is a version of the software that has not been through Quality Assurance
and is therefore not included in an Update release. To receive a BETA, you must request
it from ALGOR. There will be an additional dialog during the installation process where
you will acknowledge that this is BETA software and has not gone through the QA
process.
The BETA CD that you will get will only have the new files necessary for the functions
particular to that BETA. It does not contain all of the software packages you purchased.
DO NOT uninstall your current installation. Simply place the CD in your CD-ROM drive
and the installation process will begin.
Installing and Running ALGOR on a

Linux or HP-UX Operating System
ALGOR processors can be run on the following versions of Linux and HP-UX:
Fedora Core 4 (i386)

Fedora Core 4 (x86_64)
Red Hat Enterprise Linux WS v.4 (i386)
Red Hat Enterprise Linux WS v.4 (x86_64)
HP-UX (PA-RISC) 64 bit
Use the following procedure to install ALGOR on a Linux or HP-UX system:

1. Log into the Linux or HP-UX machine as root.
2. Copy the contents of the ALGOR Software (Linux) CD or the ALGOR Software
(UNIX) CD into a directory on the Linux or HP-UX machine.
3. Run the script file setup.sh at the shell prompt. Follow the instructions of the
script file.
4. For Linux operating system, check if SELinux (Security-Enhanced Linux) is
disabled. It must be disabled to run ALGOR (to allow access to the shared
libraries). To manually disable it, go to /etc/sysconfig/ and edit the 'selinux' config
file. Change the option to "SELINUX=disabled".
5. For Linux operating system, check if the 'Development' group of software
packages is installed. If not, install the 'Development' group. The procedure may
differ depending on the version of Linux; in the Fedora GUI, use the
'Add/Remove Software' option and choose the 'Development' group of packages.
The easier way to run the ALGOR processors on another system to analyze the model is
to use the remote execution options available from the FEMPRO interface. Remote
execution automates the process described below. See Performing the Analysis for
details.
To run the ALGOR processor manually on a Linux or HP-UX machine, the following
procedure needs to be followed:
1. Perform the "Analysis: Check Model" command on the model in FEMPRO.
2. Copy all of the model files into a directory on the Linux or HP-UX machine. This
includes the directory named \modelname.mod and all of the files it contains.
Make sure all of these file have execute permissions (e.g. 755).
3. Run the appropriate processor from the list below using the appropriate runtime
command.
Linear static stress: ssap0 filename -run
If the model includes gap elements or linear contact, replace ssap0

with ssap0g
If the model includes composite elements, replace ssap0 with

ssap0c
If the model includes both composite elements and gap elements or

linear contact, replace ssap0 with ssap0gc
Natural frequency (modal): ssap1 filename -run

ssap1c
Transient stress (modal superposition): ssap2 filename -run
Response spectrum: ssap3 filename -run
Transient stress (direct integration): ssap4 filename -run

ssap4c
Frequency response: ssap5 filename -run
Critical buckling load: ssap6s filename -run
Random vibration: ssap7 filename -run
Natural frequency (modal) with load stiffening: ssap8s filename -run
Weight and center of gravity: ssap9 filename -run
Static stress with nonlinear materials, MES with linear materials and
MES with nonlinear materials: apak4 filename -run
Steady-state heat transfer: ssap10 filename -run
Transient heat transfer ssap11 filename -run
Electrostatic: esap filename -run
2-D Steady Fluid Flow: flow01 filename -run
2-D unsteady fluid flow: flow02 filename -run
3-D Steady Fluid Flow: flow03 filename -run
3-D unsteady fluid flow: flow04 filename -run
Coupled fluid and thermal: ssap10ld filename -run
4. When completed, copy all of the files back to the original computer and folder.
The results can then be viewed with FEMPRO.
Starting FEMPRO
Click on the link to the subject that you want information about.
How to Start FEMPRO

The FEMPRO Interface
Network Installations
Specifying a Default Directory for Your Models
How to Get Help
The Modeling Process
How to Start FEMPRO

Starting FEMPRO from Windows Desktop
1. Press the "Start" button
2. Select the "Programs" pull-out menu and select the "ALGOR V19: FEMPRO"
command.
Starting FEMPRO from the DOS command prompt:
Type Algframe.exe. The general format of this command is:

AlgFrame.exe <filename> /parameter
If a filename is included, that file will be opened.
The following are possible parameters and their functions:
/NoSplash: This turns off the splash screen. (The splash screen is the picture that
appears while the FEMPRO interface is being loaded.)
/DefaultToolbars: This resets the toolbar setting from the previous toolbar state in
the registry to the default setting
/ForceComponentRescan: This first removes components from the registry that it
cannot find and then adds components to the registry that are not already
registered, thus preserving any component-specific settings you may have
entered.
/ForceComponentRescanFull: This does a complete registry wipe on all
component data and then re-registers all components. All component-specific
settings you may have entered will be lost.
/RegServer: This will cause AlgFrame to register its OLE Automation data with
Windows and then immediately exit.
/UnregServer: This will cause AlgFrame to unregister its OLE Automation data
with Windows and then immediately exit.
The FEMPRO Interface
Figure 1: FEMPRO Interface

Figure 1 shows the FEMPRO interface. The important features as shown in the display
are:
A. Title Bar: The title bar displays the program name.
B. Menu Bar: The menu bar is located just below the title bar and contains the pull
down menus.
C. Toolbars: The toolbars provide the user with quick access to many of FEMPRO's
commands.
D. Tree View: The tree view shows the analysis parameters that will be used. The
CAD Solid Model environment is used when importing a CAD solid model. The
FEA Editor environment is used for building 2-D and line element models,
defining the analysis parameters and performing the actual analysis. The Results
environment is used to review the results of the analysis graphically. The Report
environment is used to view the results of an analysis in the form of a HTML
report.
E. Display Area: The display area is where the modeling activity takes place. The
title bar of this window displays the application being used and the model name.
F. Miniaxis: The miniaxis shows your viewpoint with respect to the three
dimensional working area.
G. Design Scenario Toolbar: The design scenario toolbar shows some of the design
parameters that are set for the analysis.
H. Status Bar: The status bar displays important messages.
Network Installations
All of ALGOR's software may be run over networks provided that you have a network or
site license for doing so. After you have initially loaded the ALGOR package on your file
server, you must configure each workstation to run the ALGOR software.
Configuring the Local Workstation

From the local workstation, use Windows Explorer to locate the network area where the
server copy of the ALGOR software was installed. Proceed to the client folder in the
installation folder and select setup.exe. The network client installation dialog will appear.
Press the "Next" button to continue. You will then be prompted to select the location for
storing ALGOR configuration files for the workstation. This location will be where
configuration information unique to this workstation will be saved. Once the installation
has completed, you will be prompted to restart the system in order for the settings to take
effect.
Environment Variables
The ALGOR installation program automatically sets environment variables if appropriate
during the installation process. The description of these variables and their functionality
are included here in case a modification needs to be made after the installation process is
complete.
The environment variable, ALGDEF, points to the local directory containing the ALGOR
configuration files, such as startup.ini and sd3.opt, which establish the graphics and
initialization parameters. These files must be locally maintained so that the user can
control the graphics and initialization parameters. Also, user-defined material libraries are
stored in this directory.
To locate the default files, ALGOR modules first look for the ALGOR_CFG environment
variable. If it is defined and points to a valid file, then it reads that file to get the variable
ALGDEF. If ALGOR_CFG is not defined or the file it points to does not contain an entry
for ALGDEF, then the program looks to see if ALGDEF is defined as an environment
variable.
If ALGDEF is defined in either of the above two methods, the ALGOR module will look
in the directory pointed to by ALGDEF to locate the default files. If ALGDEF is not
defined, the program will look in the directory where the ALGOR software is stored.
Specifying a Default Directory for your

FEMPRO Models
When building and analyzing models, ALGOR does not recommend placing your model
files in the installation directory. ALGOR suggests that a separate directory be created for
each analysis. By changing to this working subdirectory before activating the ALGOR
software, all model and data files will be stored in the working subdirectory. A separate
work area will ease the task of disposing of job-related files.
If you work on only a small number of projects, you could put the models all in one
directory, for example, c:\algmodel. Note that the directory is stored at the root level,
right under c:, to quickly locate your models. If you wish to maintain more than one
project's models, ALGOR recommends that you create several subdirectories underneath
one common directory, for example c:\algmodel\brackets and c:\algmodel\beams. In this
way, you can use the Windows file browser to easily select the parent of the current
directory and then select a different project. Placing multiple project directories at the
root level is not recommended, since you may accidentally store models in the root
directory, c:\, where they could be deleted or otherwise lost.
Setting the Default Directory for the ALGOR programs in the Start Menu
1. Press the "Start" button and select the "Settings" pull-out menu. Select the
"Taskbar & Start Menu" command.
2. Click on the "Advanced" tab and press the "Advanced" button.
3. Select the "Profiles: All Users: Start Menu" folder from the left side of the
screen. Double-click on the "Programs" folder on the right side of the screen and
modify the properties of the icons under the ALGOR folder.
4. For each ALGOR shortcut icon that you locate, use the instructions above to
specify a new "Start in" directory.
How To Get Help
For help on commands and options in the FEMPRO interface, you can right click on the
item that you have questions about and a "Help" dialog will appear with an explanation
for that item. In Superdraw III, you can use the "Help: Command Help On/Off"
command or press <F1> and then click on the item that you need help on.
For help on Superdraw III and Supersurf, you can access the Superdraw III User's Guide
and the Supersurf User's Guide from the respective HELP pull-down menus. For
information on using programs to access ALGOR, refer to the Programming with
ALGOR manual accessible through the help menus.
For answers to issues that are not addressed in these manuals, you can contact ALGOR's
Technical Support service through the following avenues:
E-Mail: service@ALGOR.com (If you are going to attach a model, make sure it is
an archive.)
Phone: 1.412.967.2700
US/Canada: 1.800.48.ALGOR
Fax: 1.412.967.2781
Europe (UK): 44.1784.442 246
Mail:
ALGOR, Inc.
150 Beta Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15238-2932 USA
For information about the latest ALGOR products, refer to the ALGOR Design World
section of the web site at:
News and Publications (Must have access to Internet)
To learn about how other customers are using the ALGOR software, read the Customer
Applications Stories at:
Customer Application Stories (Must have access to Internet)
The Modeling Process
The first step of the modeling process is to open the model that is to be analyzed. This
model can be in several formats. It can be a solid part or assembly created by one of the
CAD solid model packages supported by ALGOR, a universal CAD solid model format,
a model drawn in ALGOR using the FEA Editor environment or Superdraw III, or a
model from a non-ALGOR FEA package. For details on how to open files from each of
these formats, go to the Opening Models section.
After the model is opened, the next step is to create the mesh that will represent the
geometry of the model for the analysis. (Note: This step is only necessary for CAD solid
models that have been imported into ALGOR. Models drawn in ALGOR or imported
from another FEA package will already be meshed.). The meshing process will be
performed in the CAD Solid Model environment. For details on the meshing process go
to the Meshing Overview section.
Once the mesh is created, you will define the element parameters, loads and constraints,
material properties and analysis parameters in the FEA Editor environment. For details
on these steps, go to Setting Up and Performing the Analysis.
After the analysis has run successfully, you can view the results of the analysis. All of the
result options for each analysis type are explained in detail in the Results section
FEMPRO Environments
FEMPRO consists of four main environments where you can perform different functions.
Each environment and its capabilities are listed below.
CAD Solid Model environment

This environment is used to create meshes on models that were created by a CAD solid
model package. These can either be a part or assembly file from the CAD package or can
be a universal file format. The CAD Solid Model environment will allow you to apply a
mesh to the model. This interface uses a Direct Memory Image Transfer file (.dmit) that
is created from the original file type. You can get into the CAD Solid Model environment
using the following options:
If you have the InCAD package for your CAD solid model program, select the
"ALGOR: Mesh" command from the CAD solid model program's pull down
menus. This will transfer the model that is currently open into the CAD Solid
Model environment.
From the FILE pull-down menu in the FEMPRO program, select the "Open..."
command and select the proper solid model or universal file extension in the
"Files of Type" drop-down box. This will open that model in the CAD Solid
Model environment.
If you have a model open in the FEA Editor environment that was originally
meshed in the CAD Solid Model environment, you can go back and change the
mesh in the CAD Solid Model environment. These changes can be made by either
clicking on the CAD Solid Model environment tab at the bottom of the tree view
tab or selecting the "CAD Solid Model" command in the TOOLS pull-down
menu.
FEA Editor environment

This environment is used to define the properties of the model and apply all of the loads
and constraints. The models can either come from Superdraw III, the CAD Solid Model
environment or can be constructed in the FEA Editor environment. The FEA Editor
environment uses a .esx file format. You can get into the FEA Editor environment using
the following options:
From the FILE pull-down menu in the FEMPRO program, select the "Open..."
command and select either a .esx file or a .esd file. This will open that model in
the FEA Editor environment .
From the CAD Solid Model environment, with a model open, click on the FEA
Editor environment tab at the bottom of the tree view or select the "FEA Editor"
command in the TOOLS pull-down menu.
From Superdraw III, select the "File: Export to FEMPRO" command.
Results environment
This environment is used to view the results of all analyses. It uses many output files that
were created during the analysis to show how the model will react to the applied loads.
The Results environment can be accessed by selecting the "Results: View Contours..."
command in the FEA Editor environment after an analysis has been performed.
Report environment
This environment is used to generate an HTML report to present the results of the
analysis. Images and animations created in the Results environment can be inserted in to
the report.
By default, the environments are designed to detect the language in use based on the
Windows regional settings and adjust the graphical user interface and user documentation
accordingly. The languages supported include Chinese (simplified), English, French,

German, Italian and Spanish.
Should you wish to toggle between English and the local language displays, run the
program MultiLanguage.exe located in the ALGOR installation folder (usually
C:\Program Files\ALGOR). When multi-language support is disabled, the user interface
will display labels in English. Note that numerical input and numbers formatted by the
interface (such as dates) will continue to follow regional settings; this is mostly with
respect to comma versus period as decimal separator. Also, dialogs and windows
provided by other vendors will continue to be shown in the local language. For example,
the "File: Open" dialog is provided by Windows; therefore, the "Open" and "Cancel"
buttons will continue to be shown in the local language.
General Options
The FEMPRO interface has the familiar look and feel of most Windows software.
Toolbars and context-sensitive right-clicking are used to maximize productivity. Click on
the link to the subject that you want information about.
Using the File Pull-Down Menu
Using the Edit Pull-Down Menu
Using the Selection Pull-Down Menu
Using the View Pull-Down Menu
Using the Tools Pull-Down Menu
Using the Window Pull-Down Menu
Toolbar Display Options
Keyboard Shortcuts
Units Systems
Part, Layer, Surface Properties
Using the Database Translation Utility
Weight and Center of Gravity Calculator
Script Files
Using the File Pull-Down Menu

The FILE pull-down menu contains the basic commands that involve managing and
printing files.
Creating a New Model
Select the "New..." command in the FILE pull-down menu. The "New" dialog
will appear.
If you want to start a new FEA model in FEMPRO, click on the "FEA Model"
icon.
If you want to start a new KinePak model, click on the "KinePak" icon.
If you want to start a new model in Alibre Design, click on the "Alibre Design"
icon.
Press the "Open" button.
Opening an Existing Model
Select the "Open..." command in the FILE pull-down menu.

In the "Open" dialog, select the file you want to open by going to its location and
highlighting the filename. Use the "Files of Type:" drop-down box to select the
proper extension of the file you are looking for.
Once the correct file is highlighted, press the "Open" button to load that file.
OR
If the file that you wish to open has been used recently, you can select the
filename towards the bottom of the FILE pull-down menu. The file will open
immediately.
Merging Two Files Together

This command will only be available in the CAD Solid Model and FEA Editor
environments.
CAD Solid Model Environment
Open one of the files using the "Open" command.

Select the "Merge..." command in the FILE pull-down menu and select the
second file that you want to join into the opened file.
The second file will be defined as the lowest unused part number in your
assembly. You can repeat this process as needed to create assemblies from
multiple merged parts. If you create a surface mesh on this assembly, the meshes
at the interfaces between the parts will be matched up.
FEA Editor Environment
Open one of the files using the "Open" command.

Select the "Merge..." command in the FILE pull-down menu and select the
second file that you want to join into the opened file.
The second file will be defined as the lowest unused part number in your
assembly. You can repeat this process as needed to create assemblies from
multiple merged parts. Only the geometry data will be merged. Loads,
constraints, element types, element definitions, material properties and analysis
parameters will not be merged. This information will have to be reapplied in the
new model.
Closing a Model
Select the "Close" command in the FILE pull-down menu.

The model you were viewing will close. If you have any unsaved changes, you
will be asked if you want to save the changes. FEMPRO will still be active.
Saving a Model
Select the "Save" command in the FILE pull-down menu. If the file you are using
already has a filename, the file will be automatically saved.
If you are trying to save a new file, the "Save as" dialog will appear. Pick the
location where you want the file saved, type a filename, and press the "Save"
button.
Saving a File Under a New Name
Select the "Save as..." command in the FILE pull-down menu.

Select the location where you want the file saved and the filename and type.
Press the "Save" button.
Saving an Image of the Active Window
Select the "Image..." command in the "Export" pull-out menu in the FILE pulldown menu.
The "Save image as" dialog will appear. In the bottom right corner is an image of
the file to be saved. If you are currently in the CAD Solid Model or FEA Editor
environment, the entire display area will be saved to the image file. If you are
currently in the Results environment, you will be able to define a rectangle in the
display area to save to the image file.
Select the location to save the file, the filename and type.
Define the size of the image by changing the "Width" and "Height" fields in the
"Image Attributes" section as desired. If you keep the "Lock" checkbox
activated, both fields will change as you change one so that the current aspect
ratio is maintained. If you deactivate the "Lock" checkbox the "Width" and
"Height" fields will be totally independent of each other.
Once the desired image and file properties are defined, press the "Save" button.
Exporting an ALGOR Model to Another FEA Format

Select the "Thrid Party FEA..." command in the "Export" pull-out menu in the FILE
pull-down menu. This command is only available in the FEA Editor and Results
environment. For details on what formats are available, see ALGOR's FEA Model
Import/Export Functionality.
Creating a Visualization Data File From Your Model
Select the "Visualization Data..." command from the "Export" pull-out menu in the
FILE pull-down menu. This command is only available in the FEA Editor and Results
environments. There are two types of files that can be created. The VRML file (.wrl) can
be created from both environments and can be viewed in most standard web browsers.
The HOOPS Stream file (.hsf) can only be created from the Results environment. Load
and constraint icons, vector plots and contours on line elements will not be included in
the file. You will need to download a free HSF viewer in order to view these files in a
web browser.
Translating a Model into a Different Database Format
Select the "Database translation utility..." command in the FILE pull down
menu.
In the "ALGOR Release 12 Database Translator" dialog, select the model that
you want to translate by pressing the "Browse..." button, going to the correct
location of the file, and selecting it.
Select the "Original Format" and "Output Format" that you want to translate
the database from and to.
Press the "Translate" button.
See Using the Database Translation Utility for more details on what functions you
can perform with this tool.
Defining the Properties of a Project
Select the "Properties" command in the FILE pull-down menu.

Fill out the necessary fields in the "Project Tracking and Management" dialog.
Press the "OK" button.
Changing the Print Setup for Printing Documents
Select the "Print Setup..." command in the FILE pull-down menu.

Change the printer, paper orientation, and other options to the desired settings and
press the "OK" button.
Previewing a File Before Printing
Select the "Print Preview" command in the FILE pull-down menu.

An image of your file will appear as though it was printed. You can use the
"Zoom In" and "Zoom Out" buttons to see the image with more or less detail.
If you approve the image, press the "Print..." button and you can follow the steps
in the Printing a File section.
Printing a File
Select the "Print..." command in the FILE pull-down menu.

In the "Print" dialog, specify the printer that you want to print at, the number of
copies, and the range of pages you want printed.
By pressing the "Properties..." button, you can specify the paper orientation,
source, and size.
Press the "OK" button to print the file.
Exiting FEMPRO
Select the "Exit" command in the FILE pull-down menu.
Using the Edit Pull-Down Menu
Undoing or Redoing Changes Performed to the Model Geometry
Use the "Undo" command in the EDIT pull-down menu to undo the last
command performed to the geometry. This will not affect the addition of loads or
constraints or anything done in the definition dialogs. This command is only
available in the FEA Editor environment.
Use the "Undo" command in the EDIT pull-down menu to negate the effects of
the last "Undo" command. If you performed the "Undo" command multiple
times, you can select the "Redo" command the same number of times. This
command is only available in the FEA Editor environment.
Cutting an Object from a Model

This command is only available in the CAD Solid Model and FEA Editor environments.
Select an object.
Select the "Cut" command from the EDIT pull-down menu. The object will
disappear from the display area and will be stored on the clipboard for future use.
Copying an Object From a Model

Select an object.
Select the "Copy" command in the EDIT pull-down menu. The object will still
appear on the vertex or surface and will also be stored on the clipboard for future
use.
Pasting an Object on a Model

Perform either the "Copy" or "Cut" command as described in the previous two
descriptions.
Select a vertex, edge or surface that you want to paste the cut or copied object on.
Select the "Paste" command in the EDIT pull-down menu. The object will
appear on the new vertex, edge or surface.
Deleting an Object From a Model

Select an object.
Select the "Delete" command. The object will disappear from the vertex, edge or
surface and will not be stored anywhere.
OR
Select an object.
Press the <Delete> key on your keyboard. The object will disappear from the
vertex or surface and will not be stored anywhere.
Copying a Specific Area of the Display to the Windows Clipboard

This command is only available in the Results environment.
Select the "Copy Region to Clipboard" command in the EDIT pull-down menu.
The mouse icon will now appear as a icon. If you want to select a portion of
the current display to copy to the clipboard, drag this icon from one corner of the
desired area to the opposite corner.
If you want the entire display to be copied to the clipboard, press <Enter>.
Enter the desired application and select the "Paste" command in the pull-down
menus for that application.
Using the Selection Pull-Down Menu

When selecting objects in FEMPRO, there are two pertinent details to specify: what you
want to select, and how you want to select it.
Selecting an Object by Clicking on it
Select the "Point" command in the "Shape" pull-out menu of the SELECTION
pull-down menu.
Left click on or very close to the vertex, line, edge, surface or part (See
Determining What Type of Object to Select) that you want to select.
The selected object should change to magenta.
If you wish to select multiple objects see the Selection Methods below for the
various techniques available.
Selecting Multiple Objects Using a Rectangle
Select the "Rectangle" command in the "Shape" pull-out menu of the

SELECTION pull-down menu.
Left click on the first corner of the desired rectangle.
Drag the mouse to the desired corner diagonally across from the original corner
and left click the mouse again.
All objects of the selected type (See Determining What Type of Object to
Select:) that were fully enclosed by the rectangle, should change to magenta.
Selecting Multiple Objects Using a Polygon
Select the "Polyline" command in the "Shape" pull-out menu of the

SELECTION pull-down menu.
Left click where you want to begin your polygon.
Continue to left click at the corners of the polygon.
When you are done drawing the polygon, press <Enter>. A line will be drawn
from the current point to the original point to complete the polygon.
Select:) that were enclosed by the polygon according to the conditions explained
in the following paragraph should change to magenta.
When using the "Polyline" command, the polyline segments you draw do not
have to fully enclose the items you are selecting, and can cross each other. An
object is considered inside the polyline polygon if it must cross an odd number of
polyline segments to get outside of the polygon. An object is considered outside
the polyline polygon if it must cross an even number of polyline segments to
connect to another item on the outside.
Selecting Multiple Objects Using a Circle
Select the "Circle" command in the "Shape" pull-out menu of the SELECTION
pull-down menu.
Left click at the center of the circle.
Left click again once the size of the circle shown on the screen is acceptable.
Select:) that were fully enclosed by the circle, should change to magenta.
Determining What Type of Object to Select
Use the "Parts" command in the "Select" pull-out menu to select entire parts.
This is particularly useful in assemblies.
Use the "Surfaces" command in the "Select" pull-out menu to select visible
surface entities. When this method of selection is invoked, only the entities that
are on the surface of your model and in the current displayed view will be
available to be selected. This is especially important if you are improving the
mesh quality of a model that may have originated in a CAD system. This
command will only be available in the FEA Editor and CAD Solid Model
environments.
Use the "Vertices" command in the "Select" pull-out menu to limit your
selection to vertices. This is useful for applying boundary conditions and nodal
forces. This command will only be available in the FEA Editor and CAD Solid
Model environments.
Use the "Edges" command in the "Select" pull-out menu to limit your selection
to edges. Once selected, an edge force, boundary condition, elastic boundary
element, rigid boundary element or displacement boundary element can be
applied to the edge. Edges will only exist for models that originated in a CAD
solid model package. This command will only be available in the FEA Editor
environment.
Use the "Lines" command in the "Select" pull-out menu to lines. This is useful
for changing the layer attribute of certain lines in your model for graphical
filtering purposes. This command will only be available in the FEA Editor
environment.
Use the "Nodes" command in the "Select" pull-out menu to select only nodes.
This is particularly useful when you want to inquire on the results at a specific
node on your model. This command will only be available in the Results
environment.
Use the "Elements" command in the "Select" pull-out menu to select only
elements. Once you have an element selected, you can inquire on the statistics of
that element. This command will only be available in the Results environment.
Use the "Faces" command in the "Select" pull-out menu to select only faces of
elements. This is particularly useful for inquiring on face based results such as
heat rate of face. This option is only available for a thermal analysis.
Selection Methods
There are four methods that can be used to select items. These methods are valid when
selecting any type of object with any selection mode (point, rectangle, circle, or polygon).
Default Method: This method is active when you simply select objects with the
mouse and no hot keys. Using this method, the objects in your current selection
region will be the only objects in the selection set.
Toggle Method: This method is active when you hold down the <Ctrl> key when
making multiple selections. Using this method, the selection status of the objects
in your current selection region will be toggled from the original status. The status
of the objects outside of your current selection region will not be changed.
Add Method: This method is active when you hold down the <Shift> key when
making multiple selections. Using this method, the objects in your current
selection region will be added to the selection set. Any objects currently selected,
will remain selected. If you select a point that is already selected while using the
add method, it will remain selected.
Subtract Method: This method is active when you hold down both the <Ctrl>
key and the <Shift> key when making multiple selections. Using this method, the
objects in your current selection region will be subtracted from the selection set.
Any objects currently selected, will remain selected. If you select a point that is
already unselected while using the subtract method, it will remain unselected.
Modifying the Filter
The filter can be used to control which FEA objects are selected. To use the filter, select
the
"Modify Filter" command in the SELECTION pull-down menu. The FEA
objects that have checks in the boxes next to them will be included in the selection. If
there is not a check in the box next to an object, that type of object will not be selected.
Note that the items shown in the list are based on the analysis type and the selection
method (part, surface, edge, line, and vertex).
Selection Modes
Select Neighbors
There are two types of neighbor selection modes available in the FEA Editor
environment. The first can be selected using the "Selection: Mode: Select
Neighbors" command. When this command is active, whenever you select a
vertex or a line, that vertex or line and all of the vertices or lines immediately
next to it in all directions will be selected. For example, if you are selecting a line
somewhere in the middle of a square grid while the "Select Neighbors"
command is active, all of the lines touching the selected line will be selected in
addition to the line as shown in Figure 1 below.
The second type can be used after one or more vertices or lines are selected.
Selecting the "Selection: More Neighbors" command will add all of the
vertices or lines to the current selection set which are immediately adjacent to any
currently selected vertices or lines. Using this command several times will allow
you to quickly selected vertices or lines in a specific area of a model.
Select Chain Border
If you are in line select mode, the "Select Chain Border" command will be
available. If this command is activated, a chain of lines beginning and ending
with the selected line will be selected. If the "Chain Select Largest Border"
option is selected, the largest perimeter of lines will be selected. If the "Chain
Select Largest Border" option is not selected, the lines comprising a single
element will be selected. This command is often used to select the perimeter of a
part in order to change the surface number.
Changing the Type of Objects in a Current Selection Set
If a set of geometry objects is selected, you can right click in the display area and use the
"Select Subentities" pull-out menu to change the type of objects selected. For example,
if you have a part selected, but want to apply pressures to all of the surfaces on the part,
you can select the "Select Subentities: Surfaces" command. Then all of the surfaces on
that part will be selected.
Any geometry object below the currently selected object in the hierarchy list shown
below can be selected using this pull-out menu.
Parts
Surfaces
Edges
Lines
Vertices
Using the View Pull-Down Menu

Changing the Viewpoint of the Model
For one of the 6 orthogonal views, select the corresponding command from the
following "XY Top", "XY Bottom", "XZ Front", "XZ Back", "YZ Left"
and "YZ Right". These commands are in the "Orientation" pull-out menu of
the VIEW pull-down menu.
For an isometric view, select the "Isometric" command from the VIEW pulldown menu. This will orient the model so that the Z axis is vertical and is positive
in the upward direction. The X axis will be pointing out of the screen at a 45
degree angle and the Y axis will be pointing into the screen at a 45 degree angle.
For an axonometric view, select the "Axonometric" command from the VIEW
pull-down menu. This will orient the model so that the Z axis is vertical and is
positive in the downward direction. The X axis will be pointing out of the screen
at a 45 degree angle and the Y axis will also be pointing out of the screen at a 45
degree angle.
Saving a Certain Viewpoint
Get the view to the desired orientation and location.

Select the "User-Defined Views..." command. The "User-Defined Views"
dialog will appear.
Click on the "<Current View>" heading. The "Rename" button to the right will
activate.
Press the "Rename" button. Enter the desired name for this view and press
<Enter>.
Press the "Get View" button to assign the current view to this name.
Press the "OK" button to exit this dialog.
Accessing a Saved Viewpoint
Select the "User-Defined Views..." command. The "User-Defined Views"

dialog will appear.
Click on the heading for the view that you want to apply to your model.
Press the "Apply" button. The view will be applied to your model.
Press the "OK" button to exit this dialog.
Changing the Appearance of the Model
Use the "Shaded Display" command in the "Display" pull-out menu to shade
your model with no feature lines or mesh lines. You can control the color of the
shading in the CAD Solid Model environment by using the "View: Options"
command in the pull-down menus. You can control the shading in the FEA Editor
and Results environments by using the "Tools: Options" command in the pulldown menus and going to the appropriate tab.
Use the "Features Display" command in the "Display" pull-out menu to display
the model with only the feature lines. In the CAD Solid Model environment, if all
of the lines are green, this is a good CAD model. If some of the lines are either
blue or orange, there are problems in the CAD model.
Use the "Shaded with Features Display" command in the "Display" pull-out
menu to display the model with the feature lines and shading. You can control the
color of the shading in the CAD Solid Model environment by using the "View:
Options" command in the pull-down menus. You can control the shading in the
FEA Editor and Results environments by using the "Tools: Options" command
in the pull-down menus and going to the appropriate tab. In the CAD Solid Model
environment, if all of the lines are green, this is a good CAD model. If some of
the lines are either blue or orange, there are problems in the CAD model.
Use the "Mesh Display" command in the "Display" pull-out menu to display the
model with only the mesh lines. You can control the color of the mesh in the CAD
Solid Model environment by using the "View: Options" command in the pulldown menus. You can control the mesh color in the FEA Editor and Results
environments by using the "Tools: Options" command in the pull-down menus
and going to the appropriate tab.
Use the "Shaded with Mesh Display" command in the "Display" pull-out menu
to display the model as shaded with the mesh lines. You can control the color of
the mesh and the shading in the CAD Solid Model environment by using the
"View: Options" command in the pull-down menus. You can control the mesh
and shading color in the FEA Editor and Results environments by using the
"Tools: Options" command in the pull-down menus and going to the proper tab.
Activating or Deactivating the Miniaxis Display

Use the "Miniaxis" command to either activate or deactivate the miniaxis display. The
icon that shows the orientation of the global axis will either appear or disappear. If you
want to alter the size or location of the miniaxis display, go to the "Graphics" tab of the
"Tools: Options" dialog.
Changing from an Orthographic to a Perspective View
Use the "Perspective" command to switch between a perspective and an orthographic
view. The view will zoom out to the perspective view if the option was not already
activated. If the option was already activated, the view will zoom in to the orthographic
view.
Rotating the Model
Select the "Rotate" command from the VIEW pull-down menu.

Click and hold anywhere in the active window.
Drag the mouse around the screen until the desired viewpoint is achieved.
If you want to define a point about which to rotate, right click in the working area.
If you are on top of a vertex, you will be able to select the "Center on Vertex"
command. This will define the selected vertex as the rotation center. You can
select the "Rotate on Model Center" command to rotate about the centroid of
the model. You can specify a coordinate to rotate about by selecting the "Specify
Center of Rotation" command. This will access a dialog where you will enter
the X, Y, and Z coordinates of the desired rotation center.
An alternative way to access this command is by pressing down the wheel button
on your mouse and then dragging the mouse around the screen.
If you want the model to only rotate about one of the global axes, hold down the
X, Y, or Z key. Keep the key pressed down while you rotate the model.
You can use the arrow keys on your keyboard to rotate the model about the
perpendicular axes in the screen. Pressing the right and left arrow keys will rotate
the model about the vertical axis on the screen. Pressing the up and down arrow
keys will rotate the model about the horizontal axis on the screen. Press the S key
while pressing the arrow keys will rotate the model about the axis normal to the
screen. Pressing the X, Y, or Z keys will allow you to rotate about the respective
axis. Each time you press an arrow key, the view will rotate by an amount
specified in the "Rotation Increment" field in the "Graphics" tab of the
"Tools: Options" dialog.
If you want the model to continue rotating around the current vector, press the
<Ctrl> key. Release the mouse button before releasing the <Ctrl> key. The model
will continue to spin until another command is selected.
Zooming Dynamically In or Out
Select the "Mouse Zoom" command from the VIEW pull-down menu.
Click and hold anywhere in the active window.
Drag the mouse up the screen to zoom in or down the screen to zoom out.
on your mouse and the <Shift> key and then dragging the mouse around the
screen.
Zooming In Using a Rectangle
Select the "Zoom on Area" command from the VIEW pull-down menu.
You can define the box by dragging the mouse from one corner to the opposite
corner or by clicking the mouse at one corner and then the opposite corner.
Dynamically Panning Across the Screen
Select the "Pan" command from the VIEW pull-down menu.
Click and hold anywhere in the active window and drag the mouse until the model
is positioned as you want it to be.
on your mouse and the <Ctrl> key and then dragging the mouse around the
screen.
Seeing the Previous View of Your Model
Select the "Last View" command from the VIEW pull-down menu.
The previous view will appear. If you press this button again you will return to the
original view.
Enclosing the Entire Model in the Window
Select the "Enclose" command from the VIEW pull-down menu.

The entire model will appear on the screen. The orientation of the model will
remain the same.
Controlling the Property that is Used to Color the Model
This command is only available in the FEA Editor environment.

The "Color By" pull-out menu will allow you to select the property (part,
surface, layer or edge) that will be used to color the mesh lines of the model.
If you select the "Part" command, the model and the mesh lines will be colored
by that color.
If you select either the "Surface", "Layer" or "Edge" command, the mesh lines
will be drawn in that color.
The shading will be controlled by the "Default Shade Color" in the "FEA
Editor" tab of the "Tools: Options" dialog.
Using the Tools Pull-Down Menu
Changing the Current Working Environment
Use the "CAD Solid Model" command in the TOOLS pull-down menu to
activate the CAD Solid Model environment. In this environment you can create
and modify meshes on your model.
Use the "FEA Editor" command in the TOOLS pull-down menu to activate the
FEA Editor environment. In this environment you can set up your model for
analysis.
Use the "Results" command in the TOOLS pull-down menu to activate the
Results environment. In this environment you can view the results of your linear
analysis.
Use the "Report" command in the TOOLS pull-down menu to activate the
Report environment. In this environment you can review the log and summary
files of your analyses and create an HTML report for presentation purposes.
Creating an .esd file in Superdraw III:
Use the "Transfer to Superdraw III" command in the TOOLS pull-down menu
to open up the .esd file in Superdraw III to make any geometrical changes.
This will open up a Superdraw III window with your model showing.
Accessing the "Options" Dialog
Use the "Options" command in the TOOLS pull-down menu to access the
"Options" dialog which will give you information on loaded components and
some graphical options.
For more information on the options available in this dialog, go to the "Options"
dialog.
Allowing a Person to Create an ALGOR File from a CAD Package
The "Create CAD Transfer Utility..." command will only be available if you
have an InCAD extender package installed on your machine.
Selecting this command will access a dialog which will list the CAD packages for
which you own the InCAD extender packages.
Select the CAD package for which you need an ALGOR Transfer Utility and
press the "OK" button.
A self extracting executable file will be created. This file can be sent to the
person with the CAD package.
When the file is executed, an installation program will begin that will install
FEMPRO.
This version of FEMPRO will allow a user to transfer a CAD model from the
specific CAD package to FEMPRO.
This version will not contain any meshing tools. A DMIT (Direct Memory Image
Transfer) file will be created which can be e-mailed to you. You will then be able
to perform an analysis on the model.
Accessing Third-Party or Custom Programs from FEMPRO
The "Add-ins" pull-out menu will list any add-ins that have been loaded in
FEMPRO.
In addition, the "Add-in Manager..." command will allow you to control which
add-ins are loaded when FEMPRO is started.
Activate the checkbox next to the add-ins that you want to be automatically
loaded.
Use the "Help: Programming with ALGOR" command for details on how to
create a valid add-in.
Accessing Scripting Tools (Macros or VBScripts)
If you want to view, create, or edit macros, select the "Macros..." command in
the "Scripting Tools" pull-out menu.
If you want to create a new VBScript form, select the "New Form" command in
the "Scripting Tools" pull-out menu.
General Information Tab

The "Loaded Components" section of the "General Information" tab will display
which ALGOR components you currently have loaded on your system and also provides
the version number and release date. This information is useful when you contact
ALGOR Technical Support, so you can let them know what versions of the software
packages you are using.
The "Toolbar Options" section can be used to customize the look and feel of all of the
FEMPRO toolbars.
If the "Show file dialog on startup" checkbox is deactivated, the "New" dialog will not
appear to allow you to select a file to open when you start FEMPRO. Instead, you will
have to either use the "File: Open" command or select the file from the most recently
used section of the FILE pull-down menu.
Graphics Tab
The "Display options" section of the "Graphics" tab will allow you to customize the
display area for all of the FEMPRO environments. Choosing an item in the list will
display the properties.
Background
"Primary background color" pull-down: Sets the color of the

background. If not using a gradient color, the entire display area will be
this color. If using a gradient color, the primary color will start at the top
of the display area.
"Gradient background color" checkbox and pull-down: If activated,
sets the color of the display at the bottom.
"Watermark" checkbox: If activated, displays the ALGOR watermark in
the upper left corner of the display area.
Mini-Axis
"Position" pull-down: Sets where the mini-axis is shown on the screen.
"Show axis labels" checkbox: Causes the X. Y and Z labels on the
miniaxis to appear or disappear. To hide the mini-axis entirely, use the
"View: Miniaxis Display" command.
"Size" slider: Controls the size of the mini-axis.
Lighting
"Preview model" pull-down: Controls the display of the preview at the
top of the dialog. This option does not affect the display area.
"Light to edit" pull-down: Sets the light source to edit.
"Enable" checkbox: If activated, the chosen "Light to edit" is turned on.
Use the horizontal and vertical sliders to control the position of the light
source. Use the color palette to set the color of the light.
"Reset" button: Resets the chosen "Light to edit" to the defaults.
Scale ruler
"Show ruler by default in new windows" checkbox: If activated, the
scale ruler is shown in new windows when they are created. Note that the
ruler can be hidden in any given window by using the "View: Scale Ruler"
command.
"Size" slider: Sets the size of the scale ruler.
Miscellaneous
"Draw thicker lines" checkbox: If activated, all mesh lines are drawn
with a heavier weight.
"Keyboard rotation increment" field: The input controls how many
degrees the display rotates when using the cursor keys.
"Big mouse cursor (Ctrl-NumPad +)" checkbox: If activated, the cursor
cross-hairs stretch across the entire display area.
"Tight enclose" checkbox: If activated, the "View: Enclose" command
will size the display so that the current view fills the display area. If
deactivated, the "View: Enclose" command will size the display so that the
model from any angle will fit in the display.
Hardware
"Disable OpenGL hardware acceleration" checkbox: If the graphics
card has the ability to use OpenGL acceleration, activating the checkbox
will disable the acceleration. Toggling the setting can fix problems with
the display (items not showing, display is not clean, and so on).
"Information..." button: Displays the rendering information.
Mouse Options Tab

The "Mouse Options" tab can be used to customize the view manipulation controls of
the mouse. Several templates are provided that match all of the CAD programs for which
FEMPRO provides InCAD support. In addition a template for the ALGOR defaults will
be provided. Selecting one of these templates will cause the controls to appear in the two
sections below. None of the templates provided can be deleted or modified. You can
create a new template by pressing the "Add Template..." button. After you specify a
name for the new template, you will be able to select which direction the mouse must be
moved to zoom in on the model and what occurs when you press the middle mouse
button in while holding down one of the modifier keys in the two sections below. The
controls in a user-defined template can be modified at any time by selecting the template
in the list and changing the controls.
Reporting Tab
The "Reporting" tab will allow you to customize the logo and watermark used for the
reports.
Use the "Custom Logo Preferences" section to specify whether to use a custom logo or
not. The custom logo appears at the beginning of the HTML report. If the "Use Custom
Logo" checkbox is activated, you can browse for the file to use.
Use the "Custom Watermark Preferences" section to specify whether to use a custom
watermark or not. The custom watermark appears as a static background image in the
HTML report. If the "Use Custom Watermark" checkbox is activated, you can browse
for the file to use.
FEA Editor Tab

The "FEA Objects Preferences" section of the "Results" tab will allow you to adjust
the size and color of the icons used to symbolize the loads and constraints in the display
area.
The "When model is moving" section provides options to control the detail that is
displayed while the model is being moved in the display area. Depending on the graphics
resources, displaying less detail will speed up the rotation.
The "Other Colors" section allows you to control the colors used for specific situations.
Analysis Tab
Automated Analysis Section:
If the "Automated Analysis" checkbox is activated, when you selected the "Perform
Analysis..." command, the analysis will be performed and the results will be loaded into
the Results environment automatically. If this checkbox is not activated, you will have to
press the "Analyze" button in the dialog and will have to dismiss the dialog before
viewing the results. This checkbox should be deactivated if you want to submit the
analysis to a remote host.
Use the "Default Units..." button to change the default units that are used when a new
model is started. (The default units are originally set when the software is started for the
first time.) Note that the default units generally apply only to hand-meshed models; the
units for most CAD models are determined from the CAD model. For additional
information on the unit systems, refer to the page Unit Systems.
Processor Options Section:
The "Processor Options" section can be used to select the processor that will be used
for each analysis type when the analysis is performed on the local computer. (The
processor to use for an analysis performed on a remote computer is specified in the
"Remote Execution" section. See the next topic for details.)
The default processor will be set to "ALGOR". If you want to use a NASTRAN
processor or another executable file, click in the "Processor" column for and select the
either the "NASTRAN" or "Select Other..." option in the resulting drop-down box.
The "NASTRAN" option will only be available for the static stress with linear material
models, steady-state heat transfer and natural frequency (modal) analysis types.
Remote Execution Section:
The "Remote Execution" section can be used to set up remote computers that can be
used to perform analyses. Press the "Configure Remote Execution..." button to set up
these computers. Note that the following setup is specific to the computer and user; each
computer with ALGOR (and ideally each user) would need to be setup separately if you
wanted to use remote execution.
There are two items that must be set up in order to remotely submit an analysis.
The first item is to identify the remote execution program. This is done in the "Remote
Exec Programs" tab of the "Remote Execution Options" dialog. All version of
Windows 2000, XP and Server 2003 include Rexec. If this executable is present on the
local system, it will be loaded in this tab. If another remote execution program is present
on your computer, you can set this program up by pressing the "New..." button.
Rexec works in conjunction with the remote execution daemon, Rexecd. Rexecd is
available for most Unix-like operating systems including Linux and HP-UX. Rexecd is
not freely available for Windows.
On Windows computers, the use of PsExec from System Internals

(http://www.sysinternals.com/Utilities/PsExec.html) is suggested. SysInternal's licensing
scheme prohibits ALGOR from shipping PsExec but the application is available free of
charge (http://www.sysinternals.com/Files/PsExec.zip). PsExec does not require the
installation of a service on the remote system (it is installed by the client during
execution).
The recommended Rexec Program settings for PsExec are:
Description: SysInternals PsExec

Path: C:\Program Files\pstools\psexec.exe (modified to match the actual
installation path)
Options Mask: \\%hostname% -u %username% -p %password% %remotecmdline
%
Show Window: True
There are four parameters that will be required to properly set up the remote execution
utility.
1. Description: A unique display name must be provided. This will be used to
identify the program in the "Remote Execution Options" dialog.
If you use different processors remotely, it is a good idea to use the description to
describe both the processor and computer/cluster name. For example
MSC.NASTRAN 2005 on AMD64SERVER
MSC.NASTRAN 2004 on AMD64SERVER
ALGOR on AMD64SERVER
MSC.NASTRAN 2005 on MPI_1_CLUSTER
ALGOR on MPI_1_CLUSTER
Note how a single host can server both ALGOR as well as multiple versions of
NASTRAN.
2. Path: The full path of the filename of the of the remote execution program on the
local system must be provided.
3. Options Mask: This setting allows the parameterization of the remote execution
program's command line using the information that will be provided in the
"Remote Hosts" tab. The following four tokens are supported.
1. %hostname%: The remote host entry's "Host Name" property.
2. %username%: The remote host entry's "User Name" property.
3. %password%: The remote host entry's "Password" property.
4. %cmdline%: The ALGOR processor command line modified to be pathed
to the remote system's ALGOR installation and model working paths.
4. Show Window: Activating this checkbox will specify that the command window
must be displayed during the remote execution. This checkbox must be activated
for the Microsoft Rexec utility because it does not accept the password on the
command line.
The second item is to identify the remote host. This is done in the "Remote Host" tab.
To create a remote host, press the "New..." button. You will be prompted for a remote
host name. After you type in a unique name and press the "OK" button, the "Editing
Remote System" dialog will appear. The following parameters will need to be defined
for the remote host.
1. Host Name: This is the name of the remote computer.
2. User Name: This is the name of the account whose credentials will be used to
log into the remote system. For domain accounts, this field may include the
domain as well (for example, domain\username). This value is case-sensitive on
non-Window host machines.
3. Password: This is the password for the account specified in the "User Name"
field. This value is case-sensitive.
4. Rexec Program: This drop-down box will contain entries for all of the remote
execution programs that have been defined in the "Remote Exec Programs" tab.
Select the program that will be used to access this remote host. In general,
msrexec will be used with all remote system platforms except Windows. A third
party application like PsExec can be used for Windows-based remote systems.
"System" Section:
5. Type: In the "System" section, select the type of system for the remote computer
using the drop-down box.
Use "Uniprocessor/SMP" to run the analysis on a single remote computer. When
chosen, the following items also need to be entered:
CPUs Available: Enter the total number of processors that are available in
the remote system. The number of processors used during the analysis will
be set on the Analysis screen when the job is submitted. Note that the
availability of this control on the analysis control panel depends on the
selected solver type.
"Processor" Section:
6. Type: Select the type of processor to use on the remote system for solving the
analysis.
7. Path: Specify the path to the application selected as the "Type". The path is
entered as if on the remote computer and pointing to the folder containing the
application. On most platforms other than Windows, this string is case-sensitive.
8. Executable: If not using the ALGOR solvers, then enter the filename of the
executable used to solve the analysis. If using the ALGOR solvers, this input will
be disabled. On most platforms other than Windows, this string is case-sensitive.
9. Command Line Mask: These are the placeholders used to start the application
on the remote computer, pass the modelname to the application, and specify any
runtime options to the processor. The format of this input is as follows
(appropriate for ALGOR as shown):
"%remoteprogname%" "%remotemodelname%" %execoptions%
where
"%remoteprogname%" is the placeholder for the path and filename for the
executable.
"%remotemodelname%" is the placeholder for the path and filename of
the model.
%execoptions% is the placeholder for any runtime options required to
start the executable.
Using literal strings, you can specify other options to the processor command
line. On most platforms other than Windows, this string is case-sensitive.
"Work Path" Section:

10. Local: In order for the remote submission to work, the model must be copied into
a shared folder on the remote machine. (The copy will be performed
automatically when the analysis is started; you do not need to copy the files
manually.) Specify the path from the local machine to the folder on the remote
system in this field (e.g. \\Hostname\ALGOR\). This is how the path to the remote
system's directory would appear over a network.
The local path to the remote work folder must be expressed in a manner that
allows a native Windows file copy to be used. While this can be accomplished in
a number of ways, we recommend using an SMB-based share on the remote
system. For most popular non-Windows systems, a free SMB server
implementation, Samba, is available (http://www.samba.org/). For most Linux
distributions, Samba is included as an optional component. For other systems, the
server can be built from the source code on the web site.
It is important to remember that the shared folder you create through the Samba
server will be constrained by both the SMB permissions as well as the operating
systems permissions. If the remote folder is shared using a single account name, it
is recommended that the share be mapped to a drive letter on the local computer.
In this way, alternate credentials can be used (select the "Connect using a different
user name" option in the "Map Network Drive" dialog) and the connection can
automatically be re-established on startup (using the "Reconnect at login" check
box on the same dialog). If you are using your local credentials on the remote
computer or a using domain based credentials on both the local computer and the
remote Samba server, a Universal Naming Convention (UNC) path can be used.
On most platforms other than Windows, this string is case-sensitive.
11. Remote: Specify the path to the shared model directory as if you were at the
remote system. This is how the path to the directory would appear at a command
prompt on the remote machine. This path must result in the same shared location
as the path in the "Local" field. On most platforms other than Windows, this string
is case-sensitive.
Note: The analysis is submitted to the remote computer when you start the analysis. In
order to specify which computer to use, the "Automated Analysis" checkbox must be
deactivate. See Automated Analysis Section above.
Sketching Tab
The "Geometry" section of the "Sketching" tab will allow you to select the colors of
the regular and construction lines when you are in sketch mode.
The "Grid" section will allow you to control the spacing of the grid lines along the local
X and Y axes. You can also control the color of the grid lines.
Results Tab
The "Global FEA Objects Preferences..." button will allow you to control the size and
appearance of all of the FEA objects. This button will also allow you to control how the
arrows for the loads are displayed on the model. By default, the arrows are drawn to
appear outside of the model geometry. In some cases this may cause confusion because
the orientation of the arrows may be different on a single surface of the model.
The "Individual FEA Objects Preferences..." button will allow you to control the size
and appearance of each FEA object. First you must select the FEA object that you are
interested in. The controls that are valid for the selected FEA object will become
available.
The "Part and Mesh Color Preferences..." button will allow you to control the colors
of the parts and the meshes in the Results environment. The primary mesh coloration
refers to the color of the mesh lines on the image that contains a result contour. The
secondary mesh coloration refers to the color of the mesh lines on the image that does not
contain any results contour.
The "Results Preferences..." button will allow you to control the use of lighting when
the results are displayed on the model. You can also specify that you want the results on
beam elements to be depicted as colored boxes at each end of the elements.
Mesh/FEM File Interface Tab

The "Loaded mesh file translation and FEM conversion plugins" section of the
"Mesh/FEM File Interface" tab will display all of the loaded mesh and FEM file
components. If you select one of the components and press the "About..." button, the
version information will be displayed.
Mesh/FEM File Interface Tab

The "Loaded mesh file translation and FEM conversion plugins" section of the
"Mesh/FEM File Interface" tab will display all of the loaded mesh and FEM file
components. If you select one of the components and press the "About..." button, the
version information will be displayed.
View and Rendering Options Dialog

View Tab
The "Color" section of the "View" tab will allow you to control the coloring of the
mesh lines and the surfaces of the model in the CAD Solid Model environment.
The "Clipping" section will allow you to control the range of the model that is displayed
from the front and back of the viewing plane. A value of 1 will show the entire model.
This is the recommended value.
The "Show only unmatched and multimatched features" checkbox will only show the
features lines in the problem areas when activated.
Rendering Tab
The mesh size used to render the model is specified in the "Rendering mesh size
(percent of automatic)" field. If it appears that your model is not correct, you can
reduce this value. It is a percent of the default mesh size which is one sixth of the cube
root of the volume.
The "Use XYZ curve information for rendering" checkbox may result in better
rendering on models for which this information is available.
If a model appears to have surfaces that should not exist, activating the "Faster
rendering" checkbox may eliminate them.
Using the Window Pull-Down Menu

Managing the Windows
Use the "New" command in the WINDOWS pull-down menu to open a new
window with the same contents as the previously active window.
Use the "Close" command in the WINDOWS pull-down menu to close the active
window. You can also click on the X at the top right hand corner of the active
window.
Use the "Cascade" command in the WINDOWS pull-down menu to cascade the
windows.
Use the "Tile Vertically" command in the WINDOWS pull-down menu to tile
the windows vertically.
Use the "Tile Horizontally" command in the WINDOWS pull-down menu to tile
the windows horizontally.
Use the "Windows" command in the WINDOWS pull-down menu to manage the
open windows. This will open the "Windows" window. Select the window that
you want to be active and the press the "Activate" button. You can also click on
the title bar of the window that you wish to make active.
Use the "Next" command in the WINDOWS pull-down menu to activate the next
window in the order that the windows were created.
Use the "Previous" command in the WINDOWS pull-down menu to activate the
previous window in the order that the windows were created.
Toolbar Display Options

FEMPRO has many toolbars that provide easy access to commonly used commands. If a
command in a pull-down menu has a toolbar icon associated with it, the toolbar icon will
appear to the left of the command in the pull-down menu.
Displaying or Hiding a Toolbar
Access the TOOLS pull-down menu and select the "View toolbars..." command.
In the "Toolbars" dialog, activate the checkboxes for the toolbars you want to be
displayed and deactivate the checkboxes next to the toolbars you do not want to
be displayed.
If you want to activate or deactivate the "Cool Look" (buttons with no outlines)
or "Large Buttons" options, you can do that by activating or deactivating the
checkboxes accordingly.
Moving a Toolbar
Move the mouse onto the toolbar's title bar and click and hold the left mouse
button.
Drag the toolbar to the desired location and release the mouse button. As you
move the toolbar, an outline will show where the toolbar will be relocated.
If you move the toolbar to the top or sides of the window, the shape of the outline
will change. Releasing the mouse button now will dock the toolbar outside of the
working area.
Resizing a Toolbar
Move the mouse to an edge of the toolbar. The pointer will change into a double
sided arrow pointing either left-right or up-down depending on the location.
Clicking and moving the mouse will cause the toolbar to either expand or contract
in that direction. However, all of the buttons will still exist because a side-to-side
contraction will be accompanied by a top-to-bottom expansion .
Keyboard Shortcuts
The following is a table of operations that can be performed using combinations of
keystroke commands.
Keystroke
*
+
<Ctrl> A
<Ctrl> C
<Ctrl> O
<Ctrl> P
<Ctrl> S
Function
Expands the tree view to display all of the
headings and branches under the selected
heading.
Expands the tree view to show the headings
directly under the selected heading.
Collapses the branch of the tree view under
the selected heading.
Selects everything in the model that is
selectable under the current selection settings.
For example, if you are in line select mode,
all of the lines and line-based loads and
constraints in the model will be selected. Any
filter settings will also be enforced.
Copy
Open
Print
Save
<Ctrl> V
<Ctrl> X
<Ctrl> Y
<Ctrl> Z
<Ctrl><Shift> M
<Ctrl> Num Pad 1

<Ctrl> Num Pad 2
<Ctrl> Num Pad 3
<Ctrl> Num Pad 4
<Ctrl> Num Pad 5
<Ctrl> Num Pad 6
<Ctrl> Num Pad 7
<Ctrl> Num Pad 8
<Ctrl> Num Pad 9
<Ctrl> Num Pad +
X, Y or Z while in rotate mode
Right or left arrow key
Up or down arrow key
S and arrow keys
<Ctrl> while selecting objects

<Shift> while selecting objects
Paste
Cut
Redo
Undo
Collapse all of the part headings in the tree
view. For large models, this makes it easier to
define the properties for multiple parts
simultaneously.
XZ Front
XY Bottom
Isometric
YZ Left
Enclose
YZ Right
XZ Back
XY Top
Axonometric
Big mouse cursor
The model will only rotate about the
respective global axis.
In the display area, these keys will rotate the
model about the vertical axis of the screen.
Each time you press an arrow key, the view
will rotate by an amount specified in the
"Rotation Increment" field in the
"Graphics" tab of the "Tools: Options"
dialog.
model about the horizontal axis of the screen.
Each time you press an arrow key, the view
will rotate by an amount specified in the
dialog.
model about the axis perpendicular to the
screen. Each time you press an arrow key, the
view will rotate by an amount specified in the
dialog.
Toggle mode
Add Mode
<Ctrl><Shift> while selecting objects
Subtract Mode
Selecting a Units System

Unit Systems for CAD Solid Models
The unit system for models brought in from most CAD packages will be read from the
CAD model file.
Assigning a Unit System to a Model
Variable
In FEMPRO, select the "Units..." command in the TOOLS pull-down menu to

open the "Units Definition" dialog OR right-click on the "Units" heading in the
FEA Editor environment tree view and select the "Unit System..." command.
If the model does not have a filename, you will be asked to enter one now. Press
the "OK" button.
After saving the file, the "Units Definition" dialog will appear. The base units
are force, length, time, temperature, absolute temperature, energy, voltage,
current, and electrical resistance. Mass is derived from the selected force unit.
There are five choices in the "Unit System" drop-down box: "Metric mks (SI)",
"Metric cgs", "English (in)", "English (ft)" and "Custom". The following
table lists the four predefined unit systems and their values.
Metric mks (SI)
Force
Newton
(N = kg*m/s^2)
Metric cgs
dyne
(dyn = g*cm/s^2)
English (in)
pound (lbf)
English (ft)
pound (lbf)
Length
meter (m)
centimeter (cm)
inch (in)
foot (ft)
Time
second (s)
second (s)
second (s)
second (s)
Temperature
Celsius (C)
Celsius (C)
Fahrenheit (F)
Fahrenheit (F)
Absolute Temperature
Kelvin (K)
Kelvin (K)
Rankine (R)
Rankine (R)
Energy
joule (J = N*m)
erg (erg = dyn*cm)
inch-pound (in*lbf)
foot-pound (ft*lbf)
Voltage
volt (V)
volt (V)
volt (V)
volt (V)
Current
ampere (A)
ampere (A)
ampere (A)
ampere (A)
Electrical Resistance
ohm (ohm = V/A)
ohm (ohm = V/A)
ohm (ohm = V/A)
ohm (ohm = V/A)
Mass (Derived)
kilogram (kg)
gram (g)
...(lbf*s^2/in)
slug
(slug = lbf*s^2/ft)
Select the unit system that you want to apply to your model.
Press the "OK" button
Creating a Custom Unit System for Your Model
Select the "Custom" option in the "Unit System" drop-down box.

You will then be able to click on the arrows to the right of each variable field to
create a custom unit system. The following table lists the options available for a
custom-defined unit system:
Variable
Force
Custom Options
Newton (N =
kg*m/s^2)
dyne (dyn =
g*cm/s^2)
pound (lbf)
deciNewton (dN)
dekaNewton (dN)
kiloNewton (kN)
1000 pounds (kip)
meter (m)
centimeter (cm)
Length
Time
Temperature
Absolute
Temperature
Energy
inch (in)
feet (ft)
millimeter (mm)
micron ()
second (s)
minute (min)
hour (hr)
Celsius (C)
Fahrenheit (F)
Kelvin (K)
Rankine (R)
Kelvin (K)
Rankine (R)
joule (J = N*m)
erg (erg =
dyn*cm)
inch-pound
(in*lbf)
foot-pound
(ft*lbf)
millijoule (mJ)
British thermal
unit (Btu)
Voltage
Current
Electrical
calorie (cal)
volt (V)
millivolt (mV)
ampere (A)
milliampere (mA)
ohm (ohm = V/A)
Resistance
milliohm
megaohm
Note: The unit for mass will be derived automatically. See Converting Mass Units for
more details.
1. You can change the specified unit system to your default unit system at any time
by pressing the "Get Defaults" button.
2. After you have set your unit system, press the "OK" button and the selected unit
system will be applied to your model.
Changing a Model's Unit System
In FEMPRO, select the "Units..." command in the TOOLS pull down menu to
open the "Units Definition" dialog OR right-click on "Units" heading in the
FEA Editor environment tree view and select the "Unit System..." command.
Activate the "Allow model unit system to be changed" checkbox.
Change the units to the desired values.
If you want to undo any changes you made and return to the unit system that was
active when you accessed this dialog, press the "Reset From Model" button.
Press the "OK" button.
Note: Your model will not be scaled to this new unit system. For example, a 1 inch by 1
inch block in the English (in) units system will be 1 foot by 1 foot if the unit system is
change to English(ft), not .0833 feet by .0833 feet.
Unit Conversions
This section contains a complete list of the conversion factors that FEMPRO uses. The
conversion table is located in the ALGOR installation directory in the Microsoft Access
file Algordb.mdb in the Units Conversion Table.
Usage:
The following tables list conversion factors between different units. The factors should be
used as follows:
Unit 1
Unit 2
Unit 1
*A + B
Unit 2
*C + D
To convert Unit1 to Unit2, apply formula given in 3rd column, 2nd row: Unit2 = Unit1 *A
+ B.
To convert Unit2 to Unit1, apply formula given in 2nd column, 3rd row: Unit1 = Unit2 *C
+ D.
Current
mA
*1
*1e+03
mA
*1e-03
*1
Source: (4) Elements of Material Science & Engineering

Electrical Resistance
ohm
mohm
Mohm
ohm
*1
*1e+03
*1e-06
mohm
*1e-03
*1
*1e-09
Mohm
*1e+06
*1e+09
*1
Energy
Btu
cal
erg
ft-lbf
in-lbf
mJ
Btu
*1
*252.01
*1.0551e+10
*778.16
*9337.9
*1055.1
*1.0551e6
al
*3.9868e-03
*1
*4.1868e+07
*3.088
*3.0343e+01
*4.1868
*4.1868e3
rg
*9.4777e-11
*2.3885e-08
*1
*7.3757e-08
*8.8509e-07
*1e-07
*1e-4
t-lbf
*1.2851e-03
*0.39548
*1.3558e+07
*1
*12.0
*1.3558
*1.3558e3
n-lbf
*1.0709e-04
*3.2957e-02
*1.1298e+06
*8.3333e-02
*1
*0.11298
*1.1298e2
mJ
*9.4777e-04
*0.23885
*1e+07
*0.73756
*8.8507
*1
*1000
*9.4777e-07
*2.3885e-4
*1e+04
*0.73756e-3
*8.8507e-3
*.001
*1
Source: (2) Fundamentals of Fluid Mechanics
Temperature C
*1
*1.8 + 32.0
*1.8 + 491.67
+273.15
*0.55556 - 17.778
*1
+459.67
*0.55556 + 255.37
*0.55556 - 273.15
-459.67
*1
*0.55556
-273.15
*1.8 - 459.67
*1.8
*1
Source: (3) Thermodynamics
Force
dyn
lbf
dN
daN
kN
kip
dyn
*1.0
*2.2481e-6
*1.0e-5
*1.0e-4
*1.0e-6
*1.0e-8
*2.2481e-9
lbf
*4.4482e+5
*1.0
*4.4482
*4.4482e+1
*4.4482e-1
*4.4482e-3
*0.001
*1.0e+5
*2.2481e-1
*1.0
*10.0
*0.1
*0.001
*2.2481e-4
dN
*1.0e+4
*2.2481e-2
*0.1
*1.0
*0.01
*1.0e-4
*2.2481e-5
daN
*1.0e+6
*2.2481
*10.0
*100.0
*1.0
*0.01
*2.2481e-3
kN
*1.0e+8
*2.2481e+2
*1000.0
*1.0e+5
*100.0
*1.0
*2.2481e-1
kip
*4.4482e+8
*1000.0
*4.4482e+3
*4.4482e+4
*4.4482e+2
*4.4482
*1.0
ength
ft
in
cm
mm
micron
*1.0
*12.0
*3.0480e-01
*3.0480e+01
*3.0480e+02
*3.048e5
*8.3333e-02
*1.0
*2.5400e-02
*2.5400
*25.400
*2.54e4
*3.2808
*39.370
*1.0
*100.0
*1000.0
*1e6
*3.2808e-02
*3.9370e-01
*0.01
*1.0
*10.0
*1.0e4
mm
*3.2808e-03
*3.9370e-02
*0.001
*0.1
*1.0
*1000.0
micron
*3.2808e-6
*3.937e-5
*1.0e-6
*1.0e-4
*0.001
*1.0
Time
hr
min
sec
hr
*1.0
*60.0
*3600.0
min
*1.6667e-02
*1.0
*60.0
sec
*2.7778e-04
*1.6667e-02
*1.0
Source: (1) C.R.C. Handbook of Chemistry and Physics
Voltage
mV
mV
*1.0
*0.001
*1000.0
*1.0
Mass
mg
kg
lbf-s^2/in
slug
mg
*1.0
*1e6
*1000.0
*5.7102
*6.8521e1
*1e-6
*1.0
*0.001
*5.7102e-06
*6.8521e-05
kg
*0.001
*1000.0
*1.0
*5.7102e-03
*6.8521e-02
lbf-s^2/in
*1.7513e-1
*1.7513e+05
*1.7513e+02
*1.0
*12.0
slug
*1.4594e-2
*1.4594e+04
*1.4594e+01
*8.3333e-02
*1.0
Sources:
1. C.R.C. Handbook of Chemistry and Physics
Editor: R.C. Weast
C.R.C. Press, Boca Raton FL, 62nd Ed. (1981)
2. Fundamentals of Fluid Mechanics
Bruce R. Munson, Donald F. Young, Theodore H. Okiishi
John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2nd Edition (1994)
3. Thermodynamics
Keneth Wark, Jr.
McGraw-Hill, Inc., 5th Edition (1988)
4. Elements of Material Science & Engineering
Lawrence H.Van Vlank
Addison-Wesley Publishing Company, Inc., 4th Edition (1980)
Converting Mass Units
FEMPRO uses mass density not weight density. Past releases used both depending on the
processor. Mass density is best illustrated by Newtons second law,
F=Ma
where mass is calculated by dividing by acceleration,
M=F/a
As an example, the mass density of Structural Steel (ASTM-A36) with a specific weight
of 0.284 lbf/in^3 would be calculated as follows:
(.284 lbf/in^3)/(386.4 in/sec^2)= 7.35e-4 lbf*sec^2/in/in^3
Another example of the proper conversion to mass units is the specific heat of Aluminum
2024. The specific heat is .22 BTU/lbm*F. The conversion to mass units is
(.22 BTU/lbm*F)*(9338 in*lbf/ BTU)*(386.4 in/sec^2)=790,000 in*lbf/(lbf*sec^2/in*F)
Note: The above calculations make use of the fact that one lbf equals one lbm at standard
gravity.
Part, Layer and Surface Properties

Parts, layers and surfaces are often just a modeling convenience when you model for
CAD or visualization purposes. As you will notice, each entity (lines, splines, arcs, etc.)
has a surface, layer and part property associated with it. This means that every item
displayed will have three properties. To view the different properties, you can use the
"Color By" pull-out menu in the VIEW pull-down menu. In the slide-out menu you will
see the "Part", "Surface", "Layer" and "Edge" commands.
If you are modeling for finite element analysis, surface and part properties are used by
ALGOR software to indicate various properties.
Surfaces
Surfaces in your model are used to assign surface loads such as applied pressure,
convection, or radiation to specific elements.
For 2-D elements, the edge with the highest surface number among the three or
four sides of the element determines the surface property of the element. This
edge becomes the ij edge where pressures are applied. Positive pressure points
into the element while negative pressure points away from the element.
For 3-D plate elements not created in the CAD Solid Model environment, the
highest surface number among the three or four sides of the element defines the
surface property of the element. For plate elements created in the CAD Solid
Model environment, the surface of the CAD solid model will define the surface of
the plate elements. The pressure is applied so that a positive pressure will try to
move the element away from the defined element normal point.
For 4, 5, 6 or 8-node brick elements not created in the CAD Solid Model
environment, the surface number common to any three of the three or four lines
defining an element face determines the surface property of that face. The highest
surface number among the faces determines the surface number of the element
and that face becomes the face where pressures are applied. For brick elements
create in the CAD Solid Model environment, the surface of the CAD solid model
will define the surface of the plate elements. Positive pressure points into the
element while negative pressure points away from the element.
Parts
Parts in your model are used to assign different materials and element types to specific
elements. To combine different element types, such as plates with beams, simply put the
different elements into unique part numbers.
Layers
Layers are generally used for graphical filtering when building models. The only
elements that have properties associated with the layer property are linear beams. The
layer property for linear beams controls the sectional properties associated with the beam
element. If you need to model different cross sections for beams, then you need to put the
linear beams into unique layers.
Using Multiple Parts When Modeling
You should change the part number whenever a part of your model is of a different
material and/or when you have multiple element types or element properties (such as
thickness) in the model. That is, if you have aluminum and steel in the model, you would
need two parts in the model. Also, if you are modeling a structure with beam elements
and plate elements, you would need two parts in the model. Finally, each part in the
model must consist of complete elements. Therefore, at the interface of different part
numbers you would need the lines to be defined in both of the parts meeting at that
location.
For example, you have elements of Part 1 and Part 2 that meet as shown here:
It appears that the interface only consists of Part 2 lines. However, if we separate the two
parts (as shown below), we see that each part has lines at the interface as desired. This is
exactly how the interface of different part numbers should be modeled so that we have
complete elements for Part 1 and Part 2.
Using layers to group sections of a model together is useful if you are building a complex
model and need to view portions of it as you construct.
Using the Database Translation Utility
The database translation utility can be used to simplify the setup for complex analyses.
This option can be accessed form the FILE pull-down menu using the "Database
Translation Utility..." command. The "ALGOR Release 12 Database Translator"
dialog will appear.
Select the .asd file of the model for which you want to edit the database in the "Model to
Translate" field. Press the "Browse..." button to search your computer for the location.
Specify the original format of the database that you want to translate in the "Original
Format" field. If you are translating this model from the original model you will want to
set this drop-down box to "Algor Native Format - FoxPro Database (*.dbf)". If you
are translating this model from another format back into the ALGOR native format, you
will want to select the format you used to edit the database.
Select the type of format that you want the database translated into in the "Output
Format" field. You can choose between "Microsoft Access Database" (97 or 2000) and
"Text Files". If you choose text files, the database will be translated into .csv files that
can be opened in a spreadsheet program. If you have already edited the database, and you
want to translate it back to the ALGOR native format, select "Algor Native Format FoxPro Database (*.dbf)".
You can specify when you want the translator to warn you about database replacement in
the "When to Warn" drop-down box. If you select "Whenever replacing", you will be
warned every time you press the "Translate" button (except for the first time). If you
select "When replaced database is newer", you will be warned every time that you try
to replace a newer database with an older one. If you select "Never", you will never be
warned and the existing files will always be overwritten.
When you have specified the desired settings, press the "Translate" button. A status
dialog will appear telling you how many entries were converted in each database. If you
translated the file into a Microsoft Access database, there will be a filename.mdb file in
the location of the model. If you translated the file into text files, there will be five .csv
files in the filename.mod subfolder of the directory where the model is located. These
files are the text files that you can edit. The .csv files can be opened in Microsoft Excel as
well as any spreadsheet program or text editor.
After you have made the necessary changes to the database, you must perform the
translation again to translate the model back into the "Algor Native Format - FoxPro
Database (*.dbf)".
General Functions That Can be Performed by Editing the Database

Generating a Superdraw III File from a Database
General Functions That Can be

Performed by Editing the Databases
Each model has five database files. If you translated the .dbf format into a Microsoft
Access database format, these files will appear as five tables in the filename.mdb file. If
you translated the .dbf format into text files, these files will appear as five .csv files. The
names and information contained in these files is described in the following table.
Table or File
ElemCond
Elements
Model
Information Contained
Elements that have element based loading (pressure, heat
generation, current source, etc.)
Orientation of element based load.
Note: There will be no information in this table unless you
performed a Check on your model before translating the database.
The Material, Prop, and Surface IDs of every element
The nodes that define each element.
Material properties for all parts
Element definition options for all parts
NodeCond
Global options
Units
Meshing options specified

Nodes that have a nodal load applied
Orientation of the loads
Nodes

Coordinates of each node
The degrees of freedom at each node
Some functions that can be made easy by editing the database are (Note: These methods
are mostly effective when you are dealing with very large models with which it would
take a lot of time to define properties individually):
Assigning the same or similar material properties to many parts can be done by
copying the fields and just changing the part number to which they are assigned.
(Note: The location of the records within each database is irrelevant. That is, if
you move a row from the middle of the database to the bottom, there will be no
effect. Therefore you can copy something to the end of the database and it will be
accessed just as if it were in the middle.)
Assigning the same or similar element definition parameters can be done by
copying the fields and just changing the part number to which they are assigned.
If you want to have a magnitude of a load vary with position, you can find the
nodes that you want to apply the force to and copy the orientation of the force and
change the magnitude.
Note: If you change any geometry or loading parameters of a model, the geometry and
graphics will not reflect these changes. In order for these changes to take effect, you will
have to run the program asd2esd.exe from the DOS prompt. This will create a Superdraw
file with the changes. You can then use the "File: Export to FEMPRO" command in
Superdraw to create the FEA Editor's esx file. See Generating a Superdraw III File from a
Database for more details.
For details on the database variables, and accessing the databases from other programs,
refer to Programming With ALGOR.
Generating a Superdraw III File from a

Database
ASD2ESD.EXE is a stand along console program. ASD2ESD.DLL is not required. Usage
is as follow:
Asd2esd model_name[.mod] [esd_name[.esd]] [silent]
Where .mod, esd_name.esd and silent is optional; and if you use esd_name, .esd is
optional. If no esd_name is given model_name.esd will be the default.
If any thing is given as silent, no output to the screen at all; otherwise a few
messages will be displayed to tell about the conversion. To use silent mode, both
model_name and esd_name must also be given.
ASD2ESDI.EXE is a MFC form view style interface which required
ASD2ESD.DLL to run.
ASD2ESD.DLL, ASD2ESD.H, ASD2ESD.LIB, and ASD2ESD.INC can be
include in other program.
ASD2ESDD.EXE is a stand along program with a MFC form view style interface.
ASD2ESD.DLL is not required.
Note: All above require AGSDB_AR.DLL to run.

ASD2ESD has codes for converting:
Converting mesh of 2D Solid (triangle and quad), 3D line (truss, beam), 3D Solid
(4-, 5-, 6-, 7-, 8-noded) 3D Surface (treated as 2D Solid). Using
Egroup(I).General.Type as switch. (use element part #)
Converting Nodal Boundary conditions using TxyzRxyz format. (use lowest part
for text)
Converting Nodal force. (use lowest part for text and arrow)
Converting Nodal Moment. (use lowest part for text and arrow)
Converting Nodal Applied temperature. (use lowest part for text)
Color and layer are default to 1.
Text font is default to 0.
Inherit last superdraw view from Global.From_sd.View.
Inherit Tolerance from Global.Tolerance.From_sd.
Inherit max used layer from Global.From_sd.Maxlay.
Note: ASD2ESD depends on Master.Node.Count and Egroup(i).General.Count for a

number of nodes and elements to read.
Following items are not supported:
Boundary element
Displacement
Nodal temperature
Initial temperature
Guiding Vector
Gap Element
Contact element
Voltage and Conductance
Prescribed velocity
Weight and Center of Gravity Calculator

The Weight and Center of Gravity Calculator can be accessed from the "Tools: Weight
and Center of Gravity..." command.
You must have a mass density assigned for the material for each part in your model. You
must also have performed the "Analysis: Check Model" command. If you do not assign
a value for gravity in the "Analysis Parameters" dialog, you will be prompted to enter
one before the calculations are performed.
The "Model Information" section at the top of the dialog will list the volume, weight,
center of gravity, mass moment of inertia and mass product of inertia values for the entire
assembly. The spreadsheet section will list these values for each individual part of the
assembly. An HTML report of these values can be created by pressing the "HTML"
button. A csv file, which can be opened in a spreadsheet program, can be created by
pressing the "Export" button.
Tip When creating an HTML report, the default ALGOR logo can be replaced with a
custom logo. Use the "Tools: Options: Reporting" tab to specify the custom logo.
For more details, go to Mass Properties.
Mass Properties
Fixed Format (3F10.0)
Free Format (N/A)
Notes
(1)
Columns
1 - 10
Variable
XREF
Description
X Coordinate of Reference Point
(1)
(1)
11 - 20
21 - 30
YREF
ZREF
Y Coordinate of Reference Point

Z Coordinate of Reference Point
NOTES:
(1)
Enter this data line to specify the reference point for weight, centroid of gravity and
mass moment of inertia calculations. The value is set at origin (0,0,0) by default.
Degree-of-freedom constraints have no effect on calculations done in SSAP9.
Nodal Load Input Line

The following rules only apply to the input nodal loads/masses used in SSAP9 for
weight, center of gravity, and mass moment of inertia calculation:
Fixed Format (2I5,6F10.0,I2)
Free Format (N/A)
Notes
(1)
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
Columns
1-5
6 - 10
Variable
N
LC
11 - 20
21 - 30
31 - 40
41 - 50
51 - 60
61 - 70
71 - 72
FX(N,L)
FY(N,L)
FZ(N,L)
MX(N,L)
MY(N,L)
MZ(N,L)
KEY
Description
Node Number
Load Case Number
GE.1:Static Analysis
EQ.0:Dynamic Analysis
X-Direction Force (or Translational Mass)
Y-Direction Force (or Translational Mass)
Z-Direction Force (or Translational Mass)
X-Axis Moment (or Rotational Mass Inertia)
Y-Axis Moment (or Rotational Mass Inertia)
Z-Axis Moment (or Rotational Mass Inertia)
Units Flag
EQ. 1: Mass Data Input in Force Units
EQ. 0: Mass Data Input in Mass Units
EQ.-1: Mass Data Input in Force Units
NOTES:
(1)
(2)
One data line is required for each node (N).

Node numbers may be entered in any order.
Reading of data from this section is terminated with a zero in column 5. That is, the last
data in this section must have a zero in column 5. If no lumped mass data is required,
one "zero" data line must be provided.
The values of FX, FY, FZ, MX, MY and MZ depend on the value given by three key
variables: NDYN, LC and KEY. NDYN is set in the Master Control Data Line. The
rules are defined as follows:
Static
= Algor static analysis input file (NDYN = 0, 6, 14)
Dynamic
= Algor dynamic analysis input file (NDYN = 1, 4, 8)
Thermal
= Algor thermal analysis input file (NDYN = 10, 11)
LC
= Load case number (in the input file)
KEY
= Units flag (in the input file) (Decoder sets KEY to zero by default)
FF
= Variable defining concentrated load/mass
FF is defined as:
(1) If input file only contains 2-D elements then FF = FY
(2) For all other combinations FF = FX
FX,FY,FZ
= Input concentrated loads/masses
MX,MY,MZ
= Input concentrated moment/rotational inertia
PX,PY,PZ
= Converted concentrated masses used by SSAP9
RX,RY,RZ
= Converted concentrated mass moment of inertia used by SSAP9
GR
= Gravitational constant (length/sec2)
B=A
= Assign A value to B value (as in FORTRAN language)
|A|
= Take the absolute value of A value
>A
= Greater than A value
<A
= Less than A value
If |KEY| >1, all the load/masses are ignored.
(*)
(*)
(*)
(**)
NDYN
0,6,14
0,6,14
0,6,14
0,6,14
LC
0
>1
1
1
KEY
-1,0,1
-1,0,1
0
1,-1
(*)
(**)
1,4,8
1,4,8
1,>1
0
-1,0,1
0
FX,FY,FZ,MX,MY,MZ/PX,PY,PZ,RX,RY,RZ
Ignored
Ignored
Ignored
Included, but only |FF| and |MX| are used:
PX == |FF|/GR
PY == |FF|/GR
PZ == |FF|/GR
RX == |MX|/GR
RY == |MX|/GR
RZ == |MX|/GR
New rule + Old rule
Included, but only |FF| AND |MX| are used:
if (FF >0.0) then
PX == |FF|
PY == |FF|
PZ == |FF|
if (FF < 0.0) then
PX == |FF|/GR
PY == |FF|/GR
(**)
(*)
*
**
PZ == |FF|/GR
if (MX >0.0) then
RX == |MX|
RY == |MX|
RZ == |MX|
if (MX > 0.0) then
RX == |MX|/GR
RY == |MX|/GR
RZ == |MX|/GR
1,4,8
0
-1,+1
Included, but only |FF| and |MX| are used:
PX == |FF|/GR
PY == |FF|/GR
PZ == |FF|/GR
RX == |MX|/GR
RY == |MX|/GR
RZ == |MX|/GR
10,11
Any
-1,0,1 Ignored
For these cases, the rules are the same as those in "Concentrated Load mass Data"
section.
New rules apply.

Algor

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Introduction to ALGOR FEA

What is Finite Element Analysis?

Mechanical stress (stress analysis)

Heat transfer (conduction, convection and radiation)

Fluid flow (Both liquids and gaseous fluids)

Various electrical and magnetic phenomena

FEA Theory Made Easy

Nodes and Elements

Typical Steps in FEA using ALGOR

Setting up the model: Steps 1-5

Results evaluation: Steps 9 and 10

Installing Updates and BETAS

Installing and Running ALGOR on a

Fedora Core 4 (i386)

Red Hat Enterprise Linux WS v.4 (i386)

Red Hat Enterprise Linux WS v.4 (x86_64)

HP-UX (PA-RISC) 64 bit

Use the following procedure to install ALGOR on a Linux or HP-UX system:

Linear static stress: ssap0 filename -run

If the model includes gap elements or linear contact, replace ssap0

If the model includes composite elements, replace ssap0 with

If the model includes both composite elements and gap elements or

Natural frequency (modal): ssap1 filename -run

If the model includes composite elements, replace ssap1 with

Transient stress (modal superposition): ssap2 filename -run

Response spectrum: ssap3 filename -run

Transient stress (direct integration): ssap4 filename -run

If the model includes composite elements, replace ssap4 with

Frequency response: ssap5 filename -run

Critical buckling load: ssap6s filename -run

Random vibration: ssap7 filename -run

Natural frequency (modal) with load stiffening: ssap8s filename -run

Weight and center of gravity: ssap9 filename -run

Steady-state heat transfer: ssap10 filename -run

Transient heat transfer ssap11 filename -run

Electrostatic: esap filename -run

2-D Steady Fluid Flow: flow01 filename -run

2-D unsteady fluid flow: flow02 filename -run

3-D Steady Fluid Flow: flow03 filename -run

3-D unsteady fluid flow: flow04 filename -run

Coupled fluid and thermal: ssap10ld filename -run

How to Start FEMPRO

How to Start FEMPRO

Type Algframe.exe. The general format of this command is:

If a filename is included, that file will be opened.

The following are possible parameters and their functions:

The FEMPRO Interface

Figure 1: FEMPRO Interface

Configuring the Local Workstation

Specifying a Default Directory for your

How To Get Help

The Modeling Process

CAD Solid Model environment

FEA Editor environment

accordingly. The languages supported include Chinese (simplified), English, French,

Using the File Pull-Down Menu

Creating a New Model

Opening an Existing Model

Select the "Open..." command in the FILE pull-down menu.

Merging Two Files Together

CAD Solid Model Environment

Open one of the files using the "Open" command.

FEA Editor Environment

Open one of the files using the "Open" command.