Chapter 14

Short Topics
Chapter 14 Short Topics
Overview Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS - Part 1

In this chapter, we will present some general tips and tricks on
how to use ANSYS more efficiently

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Chapter 14 Short Topics
A. Toolbar and Abbreviations Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS - Part 1

An abbreviation is a short-cut to commonly used functions. It is a
character string that represents one or more ANSYS commands.

Whenever you define an abbreviation, it appears as a button in the

ANSYS Toolbar, giving you one-button access to the desired
function.

There are five predefined abbreviations when you first start

ANSYS, but you can modify them or add your own up to 100
total abbreviations.

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Chapter 14 Short Topics
Toolbar and Abbreviations Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS - Part 1

As an example, to display line numbers on a line plot, you would need to do
the following:
Utility Menu > PlotCtrls > Numbering > Line numbers On > OK
Utility Menu > Plot > Lines

Later, to turn off line numbers, you would have to use the same menus again.

Instead, you could define three abbreviations:

LINE_ON for the command string *ABBR,LINE_ON,/pnum,line,on
LINE_OFF for *ABBR,LINE_OFF,/pnum,line,off
LPLOT for the command string *ABBR,LPLOT,lplot

and simply press the appropriate combinations of buttons in the toolbar to

turn line numbering on or off. For example, hit followed by to turn
line numbering on and display a line plot.

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Chapter 14 Short Topics
Toolbar and Abbreviations Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS - Part 1

The following information is needed for an abbreviation:
The short-cut name
The command string it represents. To find out the command for a particular
function, first execute the function using the GUI, then list the log file (Utility
Menu > List > Files > Log File).

Use the *ABBR command to define abbreviations:

*ABBR, name, command_string

A convenient dialog box is available for this:

Utility Menu > MenuCtrls > Edit Toolbar
or Utility Menu > Macro > Edit Abbreviations

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Chapter 14 Short Topics
Toolbar and Abbreviations Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS - Part 1

Abbreviations are stored in the standard ANSYS database, so they
get saved to the .db file when you save the database.

You can also write abbreviations to an ASCII file, jobname.abbr:

Utility Menu > MenuCtrls > Save Toolbar
or Utility Menu > Macro > Save Abbr
or ABBSAV command

To restore abbreviations from a file, use:

Utility Menu > MenuCtrls > Restore Toolbar
or Utility Menu > Macro > Restore Abbr
or ABBRES command

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Chapter 14 Short Topics
Toolbar and Abbreviations Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS - Part 1

By creating a series of .abbr files and with a clever use of ABBSAV
and ABBRES functions, you can create nested toolbars
buttons that bring up an entirely new set of buttons and put
together a menu of your own!

Once you master the ANSYS command language, there is virtually

no limit to the power and usefulness of abbreviations!

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Chapter 14 Short Topics
Toolbar and Abbreviations Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS - Part 1

Demo:
Resume rib.db
Create abbreviations EPLOT, APLOT, LPLOT, KPLOT
Delete KPLOT abbreviation
Save abbreviations to file.abbr, then list the file
Now list the log file and show the ABBSAVE command. (This is how
you can find out the commands for a given function.)
Resume rib.db again
Restore abbreviations from file.abbr and use the buttons

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Chapter 14 Short Topics
B. Start File Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS - Part 1

Whenever you start ANSYS, it reads a start file called start100.ans
(or start90.ans, start81.ans, etc. depending on ANSYS revision).

You can include any commands in the start file. The most
common ones are abbreviation definitions.

ANSYS checks for the start file first in the working directory and
then in your home directory. If no file is found, it will read the
default start file in the ANSYS apdl directory (..\v100\ansys\apdl).
The default start file contains several suggested abbreviations, all of
them commented out. You can make a copy of it and uncomment
the ones you want to use.

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Chapter 14 Short Topics
C. APDL Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS - Part 1

APDL is an acronym for ANSYS Parametric Design Language, a
powerful scripting language that allows you to parameterize your
model and automate common tasks.

Using APDL, you can:

input model dimensions, material properties, etc. in terms of
parameters rather than numbers.
retrieve information from the ANSYS database, such as a node
location or maximum stress.
perform mathematical calculations among parameters, including
vector and matrix operations.
define abbreviations (short cuts) for frequently used commands or
macros.
create a macro to execute a sequence of tasks, with if-then-else
branching, do-loops, and user prompts.

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Chapter 14 Short Topics
D. Defining Parameters Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS - Part 1

To define a parameter, use the format

Name=Value
Can be typed in the input window or in
the Scalar Parameters dialog (Utility Menu
> Parameters > Scalar Parameters...)
Name is the parameter name, thirty-two
alphanumeric characters or less.
Value may be a number, a previously
defined parameter, a mathematical
function, a parametric expression, or a
character string (enclosed in single
quotes).
Can be kept in start##.ans file for
commonly used parameters, such as
PI = acos(-1)

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Chapter 14 Short Topics
...Defining Parameters Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS - Part 1

Examples:
inrad=2.5 g=386
outrad=8.2 massdens=density/g
numholes=4 circumf=2*pi*rad
thick=outrad-inrad area=pi*r**2
e=2.7e6 dist=sqrt((y2-y1)**2+(x2-x1)**2)
density=0.283 slope=(y2-y1)/(x2-x1)
bb=cos(30) theta=atan(slope)
pi=acos(-1) jobname=proj1

See *SET command for a list of valid function

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Chapter 14 Short Topics
...Defining Parameters Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS - Part 1

The examples above are scalar parameters, which have a single
value either numeric or character.

ANSYS also supports array parameters, which have multiple

values. Both numeric and character arrays are available. Array
parameters will not be discussed in this course.

28.7 job1
-9.2 job2
xvalues = -2.1 filnam = job3
51.0 job4
0.0 job5

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Chapter 14 Short Topics
...Defining Parameters Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS - Part 1

Some naming rules:

Parameter names must be thirty-two characters or less, beginning

with a letter.

Only letters, numbers, and the underscore character _ are

allowed.

Avoid underscore _ as starting character reserved for ANSYS

use.

Names are not case-sensitive, i.e, RAD and Rad are the same.
All parameters are internally stored in capital letters.

Avoid common ANSYS labels such as STAT, DEFA, and ALL.

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Chapter 14 Short Topics
E. Using Parameters Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS - Part 1

To use a parameter, simply enter its name in the appropriate field
in the dialog box or on the command.

For example, to define a rectangle using the parameters w=10 and

h=5,
you can use the menu:
Main Menu > Preprocessor > Modeling > Create >
Area > Rectangle > By 2 Corners
or commands:
/prep7
blc4,,,w,h

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Chapter 14 Short Topics
...Using Parameters Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS - Part 1

Note:

Whenever you use parameters, ANSYS immediately substitutes

their values.

The rectangle in the previous example is stored as a 10x5 area,

not as w x h. That is, if you change the value of w or h after
creating the rectangle, the area will NOT be updated.

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Chapter 14 Short Topics
...Using Parameters Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS - Part 1

Other examples of using parameters:
jobname=proj1
/filnam,jobname ! Jobname
/prep7
youngs=30e6
mp,ex,1,youngs ! Youngs modulus
force=500
fk,2,fy,-force ! Force at KP 2
fk,6,fx,force/2 ! Force at KP 6

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Chapter 14 Short Topics
F. Retrieving Database Information Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS - Part 1

To retrieve information from the database and assign it to a
parameter, use the *GET command or Utility Menu > Parameters >
Get Scalar Data...

A vast amount of information is available, including model and

results data. Refer to the *GET command description for details.

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Chapter 14 Short Topics
...Retrieving Database Information Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS - Part 1

Examples:
*get,x1,node,1,loc,x ! x1 = X coordinate of node 1 [CSYS]*
/post1
*get,sx25,node,25,s,x ! sx25 = X stress at node 25 [RSYS]*
*get,uz44,node,44,u,z ! uz44 = UZ displacement at node 44 [RSYS]*
nsort,s,eqv ! Sort nodes by von Mises stress
*get,smax,sort,,max ! smax = maximum of last sort
etable,vol,volu ! Store element volumes as vol
ssum ! Sum all element table columns
*get,totvol,ssum,,vol ! totvol = sum of vol column

*CSYS = In the active coordinate system (CSYS)

RSYS = In the active results coordinate system (RSYS)

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Chapter 14 Short Topics
...Retrieving Database Information Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS - Part 1

Some data can be retrieved with a get function.

Examples:
x1=nx(1) ! x1 = X coordinate of node 1 [CSYS]*
nn=node(2.5,3,0) ! nn = node at or near (2.5,3,0) [CSYS]*
/post1
ux25=ux(25) ! ux25 = UX at node 25 [RSYS]*
temp93=temp(93) ! temp93 = temperature at node 93
width=distnd(23,88) ! width = distance between nodes 23 & 88

*CSYS = In the active coordinate system (CSYS)

RSYS = In the active results coordinate system (RSYS)

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Chapter 14 Short Topics
...Retrieving Database Information Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS - Part 1

You can use a get function directly in a field, just like a parameter.
For example:
k,10,kx(1),ky(3) ! KP 10 at X of KP 1, Y of KP 3 [CSYS]*
k,11,kx(1)*2,ky(3) ! [CSYS]*
f,node(2,2,0),fx,100 ! FX force at node(2,2,0) [CSYS]*

*CSYS = In the active coordinate system (CSYS)

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Chapter 14 Short Topics
G. Batch Mode Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS - Part 1

In batch mode, ANSYS reads commands from an input file you
supply, and writes responses to an output file. The process runs
in the background, freeing up your computer for other work.

Of the three main phases of an analysis preprocessing,

solution, postprocessing the solution phase is best suited for
batch mode. Thus a batch input file could be as simple as:
/batch
resume,... ! Resume database from preprocessing session
/solu
solve
finish

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Chapter 14 Short Topics
H. Input files Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS - Part 1

ANSYS is a command-driven program and can accept commands
from several sources:
from GUI dialog boxes (which simply send commands to ANSYS
when you press OK or Apply)
from the keyboard
from input files

An efficient way to run ANSYS, especially when you are rerunning

a previous analysis, is to use input files containing the desired
command sequence:
Utility Menu > File > Read Input from
or the /INPUT command

(The start file is just an input file that is automatically read at

start-up by a built-in /input command.)

The path of the input file can have a maximum length of 250
characters (path and filename) plus an eight character extension
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Chapter 14 Short Topics
Input files Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS - Part 1

For example, you can create a file called rectangle.inp containing
the following lines:
/prep7 ! Enter preprocessor
rect,0,3,0,1 ! Create a 3x1 rectangle
aplot

and then read it into ANSYS:

/input,rectangle,inp ! or File > Read Input from

The ! character above indicates a comment and can be used to:

annotate the input file with explanations.
comment out an entire command.

Note: Cutting and pasting commands into the Input window is

NOT a supported feature.

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Chapter 14 Short Topics
Input files Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS - Part 1

When an input file ( or a macro ) is executed in the wrong module,
repeated warnings occur. Upon encountering five such warnings
a dialog box appears allowing you to stop and exit cleanly.

You can use the log file jobname.log as an input file. Keep in
mind the following points when you do this:
The log file records all commands executed during an ANSYS session.
Always use a copy of the log file, dont just rename it.
It may be helpful to edit the copy first and:
add descriptive comments
clean it up by removing erroneous commands and graphics
commands (/view, /focus, /dist, etc.)
add prompting commands (*ASK)

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Chapter 14 Short Topics
Input files Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS - Part 1

The *ASK Command

*ASK prompts the user for input and assigns the response to a
parameter. For example, you can modify rectangle.inp as follows:
/prep7 ! Enter preprocessor
*ask,w,WIDTH OF RECTANGLE,3
rect,0,w,0,1 ! Create a wx1 rectangle
aplot

When you input this file into ANSYS, you will see the prompt
shown below. Your response, say 5.2, is assigned to the
parameter w, which is used in the subsequent RECT command.

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Chapter 14 Short Topics
Input files Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS - Part 1

*ASK, Par, Query, DVAL
Par is the parameter name to which the response value is assigned.
Query is the prompt string, up to 32 characters. The word ENTER
automatically appears as the first word of the prompt.
DVAL is the default value assigned to Par if the response is blank.

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Chapter 14 Short Topics
I. Session Editor Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS - Part 1

Session Editor
Powerful ANSYS Undo
ANSYS keeps a running copy of your log file from
your last save command.
By modifying the values in the Session Editor
window and clicking OK, the modified commands
are read back into ANSYS.
Main Menu > Session Editor

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Chapter 14 Short Topics
Summary Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS - Part 1

Summary:

Define parameters using the format Name=Value.

Value may be a number, a previously defined parameter, a

mathematical function, a parametric expression, or a character
string.

Use *GET or get functions to retrieve data from the ANSYS

database.

ANSYS stores data in their actual form (numbers or strings), not in

the form of parameter names.

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Chapter 14 Short Topics
J. Workshops Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS - Part 1

Refer to your Workshop Supplement for instructions on:
W14A Abbreviations
W14B 2-D Bracket Using Parameters

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