HMD INTRO MANUAL TOTAL v13 MR APRIL10 2014

HyperMesh Desktop Introduction
Pre-Processing for Finite Element Analysis

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Table of Contents

HyperMesh Desktop Introduction
Pre-processing for Finite Element Analysis

Chapter 1 - Basic Interaction with HyperMesh Desktop ....................................... 7
1 - Getting Started With HyperMesh Desktop .................................................................. 7
2 - Opening and Saving Files ........................................................................................ 18
3 - Controlling the Display.............................................................................................. 21
4 - Working with Panels ................................................................................................. 32
5 - Organizing a Model .................................................................................................. 37
Exercise 1a - Interacting With HyperMesh Desktop ....................................................... 47

Chapter 2 - Geometry ............................................................................................ 63
1 - Importing, Exporting and Repairing CAD .................................................................. 63
Exercise 2a - Loading and Repairing CAD Geometry .................................................... 74
2 - Simplifying Geometry ............................................................................................... 81
Exercise 2b - Simplifying CAD Tools ............................................................................. 84
3 - Generating a Midsurface .......................................................................................... 92
Exercise 2c - Midsurface ............................................................................................. 100

Exercise 2d - Midsurfacing with Advanced extraction options ...................................... 122
4 - Generating and Editing Surfaces ............................................................................ 133

Chapter 3 - 2D Meshing ....................................................................................... 141
1 - Automeshing .......................................................................................................... 141
Exercise 3a - 2D Shell Meshing and Topology Refinement ......................................... 150
2 - Checking and Editing Mesh .................................................................................... 159
Exercise 3b - Refining Topology to Achieve a Quality Mesh ........................................ 173
Exercise 3c - Checking and Editing Mesh .................................................................... 186
3 – Comparison Tool ................................................................................................... 214
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4 - Batch Meshing ....................................................................................................... 215

Chapter 4 - Solids and 3D Meshing .................................................................... 221
1 - Creating and Editing Solid Geometry ..................................................................... 221
2 - Tetra Meshing ........................................................................................................ 227
Exercise 4a - Tetra Meshing........................................................................................ 239
Exercise 4b - Tetra Meshing Process Manager ........................................................... 255
3 - Solid Meshing ........................................................................................................ 269
Exercise 4c - 3D Solid Meshing with Hexas and Pentas.............................................. 274
4 - Shrink Wrap ........................................................................................................... 281
Exercise 4d - Shrink Wrap Meshing ............................................................................ 282

Chapter 5 - 1D Meshing and Connectors ........................................................... 289

1 - 1D meshing ............................................................................................................ 289
1.1 - 1D Elements ....................................................................................................... 291
1.2 - HyperBeam ......................................................................................................... 292
1.3 - Connectors.......................................................................................................... 293
Exercise 5a - 1D Meshing and Connectors ................................................................. 300

Chapter 6 - HyperMorph ...................................................................................... 319
1 - Introduction to Morphing Technology using HyperMorph........................................ 319
2 - Free Hand .............................................................................................................. 322
Exercise 6a - Using Free Hand ................................................................................... 326
3 - Domains and Handles ............................................................................................ 332
Exercise 6b - Using Domains and Handles ................................................................. 346
4 - Morph Volumes ...................................................................................................... 354
Exercise 6c - Using Morph Volumes............................................................................ 358
5 - Map to Geometry ................................................................................................... 366
Exercise 6d - Using Map to Geometry ......................................................................... 368

Chapter 7 - Analysis Setup .................................................................................. 371
1 - General Analysis Setup Process & Tools ............................................................... 371
2 - Part Replacement Tool........................................................................................... 389
Exercise 7a - Analysis Setup and Loading .................................................................. 391

Chapter 8 - Capstone Project .............................................................................. 413
1 - Bringing it all together ............................................................................................ 413
Exercise 8a - Capstone Project ................................................................................... 414

Appendix A - HyperWorks Desktop Customization .......................................... 431
DEMO A1 - HyperMesh Desktop Customization ......................................................... 431
DEMO A2 - HyperMesh Desktop Customization ......................................................... 432
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Appendix B - HyperWorks Collaboration Tools & Assembly ........................... 433
1 - HyperWorks Collaboration Tools ............................................................................ 433
1.1 - Benefits ............................................................................................................... 433
1.2 - Components: Explore, Organize, Connect........................................................... 434
1.3 - Terminology and Concepts .................................................................................. 437
1.4 - Organize Browser & User Interface ..................................................................... 439
1.5 - Creating and Using a Personal Library ................................................................ 441
2 - HyperWorks Assembly Browser ............................................................................. 445
2.1 - Modules............................................................................................................... 446
Exercise B1 - Creating and Using a Personal Library .................................................. 449

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Chapter 1: Basics HyperMesh Desktop

Chapter 1

Basic Interaction with
HyperMesh Desktop
1- Getting Started with HyperMesh Desktop
In this section, you will explore the basic layout of the HyperMesh Desktop user interface.

Overview of Finite Element Analysis
Finite Element Analysis was first developed over 60 years ago as a method to accurately
predict the reaction of complex parts to various inputs. Prior to the development of FEA, the
only way to validate a design or test a theory was to physically test a part. This was and still
is both time consuming and expensive. While FEA will never replace the final physical
testing and validation of a design, it can drastically reduce the time and money spent on
intermediate stages and concepts.
FEA in its infancy was limited to large scale computing platforms but the development of
powerful personal computers, combined with intuitive software packages such as
HyperWorks, has brought FEA to the engineers desktop. This has broadened its use and
accuracy many fold.
Finite Element Analysis is now a vital and irreplaceable tool in many industries such as
Automotive, Aerospace, Defense, Consumer Products, Medical, Oil and Gas, Architecture
and many others.
FEA is performed in three stages; Pre-Processing, Solving and Post Processing. These
stages are outlined below.

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Step 1: Pre- Processing
Pre-Processing is the act of preparing (meshing) a model for analysis. Complex geometry is
broken down into simple shapes (elements) in the act of meshing. This allows the solver in
the next step to predict the action of these elements and analyze the reaction of a complex
part to external forces and interactions. The part is meshed and then definitions for the type
and thickness of the material(s) are added. Next, forces and constraints are applied. The
model is then prepared for the analysis with information the solver will need to perform its
calculations. The model is then written in a format that the solver can understand and is
sent to the solver for processing.

Step 2: Solving
Solving is performed by any of the many commercially available software written to perform
Finite Element Analysis. Some of these include popular packages such as RADIOSS,
OptiStruct, Acusolve, Nastran, LS-Dyna, Abaqus, and Ansys, as well as others. The solver
takes the information provided in the file (input deck) created in HyperMesh in Step One and
calculates the part’s reactions to the inputs defined. Common outputs are Displacement,
Stress, Strain and Acceleration. These results are stored in a file that then can be read in
HyperView in the Post-Processing stage.

Step 3: Post-Processing
Post-Processing is where the results of the solver solution can be reviewed and analyzed.
HyperView can provide presentation quality color contoured plots and animations
highlighting any of the requested results. Information can be queried, displaced and even
graphed in numerous windows allowing for customization geared toward the desired
audience.

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HyperMesh Desktop Introduction
Running HyperMesh Desktop


Windows: The installation process creates a HyperWorks group under All
Programs on the Start menu. The default name of the group can be changed during
installation. Most applications can be started using the following instructions.
o
o
o

From the Start Menu, select All Programs.
Click Altair HyperWorks (version or the name defined during installation).
Select the name of the program you want to run HyperMesh Desktop.

Or
o



User can create a Windows Shortcut by right clicking on the above program

and selecting Create Shortcut.

UNIX and Linux:
o At the prompt, type <install directory>/scripts/hm.
o Set up an alias.

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

Mac OS X: The HyperWorks Mac OS X applications can be invoked as follows.
o

The icons in the Applications Menu under the default location (if defaults were
used) or the chosen install folder location.

o

The install location under scripts via a terminal window. (For example, the
command /Applications/AltairHyperWorks/altair/scripts/hm under a terminal
window would launch HyperMesh.)

The Start-In Directory
The “Start-In Directory” or “Working Directory” is the location from which the HyperWorks

Desktop application is launched. This directory defines where certain settings files are
written by default, and where customization files will be searched.


Configuration files (hmmenu.set, hmsettings.tcl, hwsettings.xml, hm.mac, etc.)



History File (command.cmf)



HyperMesh Model Files, FE Data and Geometry Files. (User can browse to different
directories for opening and saving)

The file browser will also use this directory as its default location for browsing for files. This
can be considered as the "current working directory".
This directory can be changed, thereby changing the location where these files are written to
or read from. This has the benefit of allowing different settings to be stored in different
directories to give control over the HyperWorks Desktop environment for different projects or
use cases.

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Changing the Start-in Directory on Windows
On Windows, the default start-in directory for HyperWorks is the My Documents directory.
This can be changed by editing the "Start in" field on the application executable or its
shortcut.
1. Locate and right-click the relevant HyperWorks Desktop application icon from the
Start menu Altair HyperWorks <Version> group.
Or
Locate and right-click the HyperWorks Desktop executable file
(e.g. \hw.exe)
2. Select Properties to open the properties dialog.
3. Select the Shortcut tab.
4. Edit the Start in field to contain the path to the directory in which you want to run the
HyperWorks Desktop application. This directory becomes the start-in directory.
5. Click OK.
6. Start the HyperWorks Desktop application as defined in the "Starting HyperWorks
Desktop Applications" section.

Changing the Start-in Directory on Linux
On Linux, the start-in directory is defined by the directory from which the user runs the
application startup script.
1. cd to the directory in which you want to run the HyperWorks Desktop application.

Start the HyperWorks Desktop application as defined in the "Starting
HyperWorks Desktop Applications" section.

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Settings Files
HyperWorks Desktop writes several different settings files. HyperMesh writes
command.cmf, hmmenu.set and hmsettings.tcl.
HyperWorks Desktop writes hwsettings.xml. Each of these files is detailed below.

command.cmf
The command.cmf file is a command history file containing the commands executed in
HyperMesh whenever any operation is performed. This file can be used to rerun operations
or as a basis for determining the commands required to automate a given process. The
command.cmf file is written to the start-in directory for each session. Deleting this file simply
results in a new file being created on the next operation.

hmmenu.set
The hmmenu.set file stores information about panel options, panel settings, user profiles,
graphics settings, element check settings, penetration check settings, and several other
settings. The hmmenu.set file is written to the start-in directory after each session is closed.
Deleting this file resets the stored settings to their default values. It is possible to customize
the location where this file is read from during start-up. HyperWorks Desktop uses the
following search order to find the hmmenu.set file. If copies exist in multiple locations, only
the first one found in the search order is used:
1. Start-in directory
2. Home directory
3. HW_CONFIG_PATH environment variable
4. Installation directory

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hmsetting.tcl
The hmsettings.tcl file stores information on the browsers, the user interface layout (tab
locations, command window, panel location, toolbars, etc...), keyboard preferences,
import/export settings, recent files, and other various settings. By default, the hmsettings.tcl
file is written to the My Documents directory on Windows and in ~/.altair on Linux after each
session is closed. Deleting this file resets the stored settings to their default values. It is
possible to customize the location where this file is read from during start-up and written to
on exit. HyperWorks Desktop always writes the hmsettings.tcl file back out to the location
where it originally read it from for that session. The following order is used to find the
hmsettings.tcl file:
1. HM_SETTINGS_DIR environment variable. If this is defined, the search stops
even if the file doesn't exist.
2. My Documents directory on Windows or ~/.altair on Linux

hwsetting.xml
The hwsettings.xml file stores information on the browsers, the user interface layout (tab
locations, command window, panel location, toolbars, etc...), keyboard preferences,
import/export settings, recent files, and other various settings. By default, the hwsettings.xml
file is written to the My Documents directory on Windows and in ~/.altair on Linux after each
session is closed. Deleting this file resets the stored settings to their default values. It is
possible to customize the location where this file is read from during start-up and written to
on exit. HyperWorks Desktop always writes the hwsettings.xml file back out to the location
where it originally read it from for that session. The following order is used to find the
hwsettings.xml file:

1. HW_SETTINGS_DIR environment variable. If this is defined, the search stops
even if the file doesn't exist.
2. My Documents directory on Windows or ~/.altair on Linux

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Online Help
HyperMesh offers comprehensive documentation in the online help. The Help can be
accessed through the menu bar or the use of the “h” key on your keyboard. If the user
accesses help through the use of the “h” key, the help documentation is “intelligent”,
opening in the section representing the panel that the user is actively in. Help also contains
detailed tutorials on many advanced HyperMesh functions.

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Example: how to use HyperWorks Online Help to search documentation about comments
created by HyperMesh in the input deck.

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HyperMesh Desktop Graphical User Interface

Title Bar – It tells you which product is active
Menu Bar – It enables access to many types of functionality. It places functionality into
groups, accessible via pull downs
Toolbar – It gives access to commonly used tools via icons
Browser – contains the following tabs:
•

Solver, Model, Utility, Include, Import, Export, Connector, Entity State, Entity
Editor, etc.

Graphics area – displays the model
Menu Pages – divides the main menu into groups based on function
Panel area – menu items / functions for interacting with HyperMesh
Sub-panels – divides panel into similar tasks related to panel’s main function
Command Window – lets the user type in and execute tcl commands
•

Available through the View drop down menu (turned off by default)

Status Bar – shows status of operations being performed
•

Indicates the “current” Include file, Component Collector, and Load Collector

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HyperMesh Desktop Clients
HyperWorks applications can be selected from the Client Selector toolbar.
The Client Selector button on the left-most end of the toolbar allows you to select
HyperMesh, HyperView, HyperGraph 2D, HyperGraph 3D, MediaView, and TextView.
The toolbars, view controls, and menu bars change based on the application you select.

HyperMesh Desktop Keyboard Shortcut and Setting
The secondary menu is a list of panels that can be accessed by using the function keys F1
through F12, or in combination with the SHIFT or CTRL keys.

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2 - Opening and Saving Files

Bringing data files into HyperMesh and saving them are frequent operations every user
should understand. This section will help you become proficient with the various ways this
can be done in HyperMesh. The remaining exercises in this course will assume you know
how to open and save files in HyperMesh.
In this section, you will learn how to:


Open a HyperMesh file



Import a file into a current HyperMesh session



Save the HyperMesh session as a HyperMesh model file



Export all the geometry to an IGES file



Export all the FE data to a OptiStruct Analysis input file



Delete all data from the current HyperMesh session



Import an IGES file



Import a OptiStruct Analysis file to the current HyperMesh session

File Operations
The following file operations are located in the Standard toolbar which can be accessed by
selecting View > Toolbars > HyperWorks > Standard.

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3 - Controlling the Display
When performing finite element modeling and analysis setup, it is important to be able to
view the model from different vantage points and control the visibility of entities. You may
need to rotate the model to understand the shape, zoom in to view details more closely, or
hide specific parts of the model so other parts can be seen. Sometimes a shaded
visualization is best, while other times wireframe visualization is needed to work on details
inside the model.
HyperMesh has many functions to help you control the view, visibility, and visualization of
entities. This section introduces you to these functions.
In this section, you will learn how to:


Control the points of view, mouse, and toolbar.



Control the visibility of entities using the Mask panel.



Control how entities look by using toolbars and the Model Browser.



Rename components.



Identify and delete empty components.



Delete all the geometry lines.

View Control
View control is accomplished through the use of the Standard Views toolbar icons, and 3D
View Controls toolbar, and the mouse.


Standard Views Toolbar Icons

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

3D View Controls Toolbar Icons

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From pull down menu Preferences > Geometry Options or click “o” from keyboard,
you can manage the rotate angle and the zoom factor linked to the previous buttons.



Mouse Controls – The preferred method for Display Control is the use of the Mouse
Buttons. With the CTRL key held on the keyboard the mouse provides total control
over rotation, zoom and pan.

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Model Visualization



Various surface shading options are available on the Toolbar:

From pull down menu Preferences > Geometry Options or click on “o” from keyboard.

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

Transparency
Transparency is available from the Toolbar, allows surface shading in a component
to be set to any level of transparency (Viewing the midsurface of solid geometry).



Various FEM shading options are available on the Toolbar:

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