Coordinate System

Function

Define a user coordinate system using an Euler or 3 Point method.

Call

Model > Coordinate System

<Create/Modify CSys>

Method

Select the defining method of coordinate system.
 

<3 Points>

Specify the coordinates of 3 points to define new coordinate system. The plane defined by 3 points becomes one of the 3 planes of the coordinate system.
 

Name

Enter the name of the new coordinate system.
 

Type

Specify the type of coordinate system.
 

Rectangular

Create a rectangular coordinate.
Cylindrical

Create a cylindrical coordinate.
 

Plane

Select the plane which is defined by 3 points.
 

Origin

Define the origin of the coordinate system. The coordinates may be specified using Snap.
 

Point on Axis 1 (ex. Plane 12 is chosen)

Defines the X-Axis in the rectangular coordinate system and R-Axis in the cylindrical coordinate system. The coordinate may be specified using Snap features.
 

Point on Plane 12 (ex. Plane 12 is chosen)

Define the third point which is located on the '12' plane (XY Plane in the rectangular coordinate system and RT Plane in the cylindrical coordinate system). The coordinate may be specified using Snap.
 

<Euler>

Define new coordinate system using Euler's angle.

Name

Enter the name of the new coordinate system.
 

Type

Specify the type of coordinate system.
 

Rectangular

Create a rectangular coordinate.
Cylindrical

Create a cylindrical coordinate.
 

Ref. CSys

Select the reference coordinate system.
 

Rotation Order

Specify the order of each axis for the rotation.
 

Origin

Define the origin of the coordinate system. The coordinate may be specified using Snap.
 

Rotation Angle 1, Rotation Angle 2, Rotation Angle 3

Specify the rotation angle for 1, 2, and 3 axis (X, Y, and Z-Axis of the rectangular coordinate system, and R, T, and Z-Axis of the cylindrical coordinate system).

<Definition of Coordinate Systems>

Defining User coordinate system UCS

Defining UCS  and displaying it on the plate

In this example, the Element Coordinate System (ECS) of plate element will be modified using the User Coordinate System (UCS).

The model is a 10x10m plate element meshed with LO-quad elements.  Mesh Division defined by 10.

<1>

1. From Pre-works, right click mesh set and display ECS.

2. Call Model > Coordinate System and define UCS

   Name: Test

    Origin:  0,0,0

    Point on Axis 1: 1,0,0

    Point on Plane 12, 1,0,1

Notice that the Plate X-Y axis are perpendicular to the UCS.

<2>

Having defined the UCS in <1> , the plate CS will now be assigned with

3. Call Model > Property > Property.

4.  Select the Plate Property and modify the "Output Coordinate System" to display the UCS created in Step 1.

<3>

The X-Y axis of the UCS is projected and displayed on the plate elements.

5. Hide ECS from Pre-Works.

6.  Call Model > Element > Display Output Coordinate System (Plate)