Aligning the first edges of 2D elements

Use the 2D Element First Edges command to orient the first edge of 2D elements to match the direction of a selected seed element edge. When you align elements' first edges, you also align the axes of their elemental coordinate systems. Aligning element coordinate systems helps ensure that the software correctly reports results, such as types of results that depend upon direction.

Selecting a seed edge

In the 2D Element First Edges dialog box, use the Seed Edge option to select the element edge to use as the seed edge for orienting other elements. The software draws an arrow along the selected element's edge with the arrow head pointing from the corer node with the lower label (node 1 in the connectivity) towards the corner node with the higher node label (node 2 in the connectivity) . Click Reverse Direction to flip the direction of the arrow, if necessary.

The software modifies the connectivity of the element based on the direction of the first edge.

Displaying and aligning first edges

After you specify the seed edge, you can use the Elements to Check option along with the Display First Edges or Align First Edges options to display or align the first edges of a specific set of elements.

Set of elements with their first edges indicated by the axes of their elemental coordinate systems with the Display First Edges option.	The new element first edge directions after the Align First Edges option was used. Notice how the elemental coordinate system axes change.

Where do I find it?

Application	Pre/Post
Prerequisite	A FEM file as the work part and displayed part
Command Finder	2D Element First Edges

Learn more

Checking your finite element model

Checking for free and non-manifold element edges

Checking and orienting the directions of 1D elements

Checking and orienting the normals of 2D elements

Checking and orienting the normals of 3D element faces

Checking aerodynamic panel meshes

Checking for duplicate elements and nodes

Detecting interference and clearance issues between faces

Checking CAE model consistency

Checking the association of nodes to geometry

Checking the completeness of your model prior to a solve

Computing mechanical loads

Quick links

Command reference

Pre/Post video examples

Bulk Entry Descriptions

Simcenter 3D tutorials

Browse Simcenter 3D help by product area

Aligning the first edges of 2D elements, Simcenter 3D 2021.1 Series

© 2020 Siemens

window.mainLanguage="en_US"

window.delivId=""

window.projectId=""

MathJax.Hub.Config({ TeX: { extensions: ["autoload-all.js"] }, tex2jax: { displayMath: [ ] }, "SVG": { scale: 125 } });