Dragging nodes

Use Node Drag to interactively reposition nodes associated with 2D elements. Node Drag is useful, for example, when you need to make minor adjustments to the location of an individual node to improve aspects of element quality.

As you drag the node, the software uses temporary graphics to preview how the elements associated with the node will be affected by the node's new location.

With Node Drag, you can only drag one node at a time. However, if you are working with parabolic elements, the software also moves any mid-nodes adjacent to the selected node to preserve their initial characteristics.

Dragging nodes along geometry

On the Node Drag dialog box, if you choose the Along Geometry option, the software preserves the node's association with the underlying geometry.

• If a node is constrained to an edge or curve, you can drag that node along that edge or curve.

• If a node is constrained to a face, you can drag that node along that face.

Note:

You cannot use the Along Geometry option to drag nodes that are not associated with geometry, such as nodes created with the Node Create command.

Dragging nodes off geometry

On the Node Drag dialog box, if you choose the Off Geometry option, you can drag nodes off of their underlying geometry without losing the geometry association.

When you use the Off Geometry option, the software drags the nodes in the view plane (the plane that is perpendicular to the current view direction).

Dragging nodes and element quality displays

A common use of the Node Drag command is to make minor adjustments in the locations of specific nodes to improve specific element quality issues. On the Node Drag dialog box, the Quality Check option lets you display element quality data for the elements associated with the node you are moving. For example, if you select Skew from the Quality Check menu, the software displays the current skew value for all the associated elements. As you drag the node, the software dynamically updates those skew values.

Node drag limitations

You cannot use Node Drag to reposition:

• Nodes that belong to 0D, 1D, or 3D elements.

• A node that is defined on a mesh point.

• A node that is associated with a vertex.

Where do I find it?

• Choose Nodes and Elements tab→Nodes group→Node Drag .

• Choose Menu→Edit→Node→Drag.

How do I

Drag nodes

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Dragging nodes, Simcenter 3D 2021.1 Series

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