Selection of Entities © Altair Engineering, Inc. Proprietary and Confidential. All rights reserved.

HyperMesh for Pre-Processing, v2023

Coincident Picking

• File > Preferences >

HyperMesh > Application >
Selection

• Activate the Coincident Picking

tool when selecting coincident
entities.

• Supported entities: Nodes,

Elements, Loads and Systems.

Hint: For more details, visit Altair

HyperWorks Online Help.

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Exercise 1B - Interacting with Selection Filter HyperMesh for Pre-Processing, v2023

File Name and Location:

..\01-Interface\1B\Airframe_Section.hm

Hint:..\01-Interface\1B\Airframe_Section.mp4 *
(*) May differ from the steps described here

Exercise Steps:

1. Load the model

2. Practice using entity selector and keyboard shortcuts

3. Check if there are nodes with a system assigned to them

4. Check the Property assignment and Thickness

5. Check if all the elements in this model are connected to each other

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Exercise 1B (Cheat Sheet) - Interacting with Selection Filter HyperMesh for Pre-Processing, v2023

1. 2. 3.

4. 5.

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Exercise 1B - Interacting with Selection Filter HyperMesh for Pre-Processing, v2023

Step 1

Load the model

a) File > Open > HyperMesh Model:

..\01-Interface\1B\Airframe_Section.hm

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Exercise 1B - Interacting with Selection Filter HyperMesh for Pre-Processing, v2023

Step 2

Practice using entity selector and

keyboard shortcuts
a) Entity Selector > Select Parts from the
drop-down menu or click P.

b) To open Advanced Selection, you can:

1. Click Period key.
2. Click the three dots from the entity selector.
3. Right-click on the modeling window > Select >
By List

c) Select Frame2, Frame4, Frame6 parts

(press and hold Ctrl for multi-selection) >
OK

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Exercise 1B - Interacting with Selection Filter HyperMesh for Pre-Processing, v2023

Step 2

Practice using entity selector and

keyboard shortcuts
d) Press E to select the Elements associated
to these parts.

e) Press N to change the filter to Nodes and

select the nodes associated to these
elements.

f) Press I to Isolate the parts.

g) Set again Entity Selector to All.

h) Right-click > Show Model (or A).

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Exercise 1B - Interacting with Selection Filter HyperMesh for Pre-Processing, v2023

Step 3

Check if there are nodes with a

system assigned to them
a) Visualization toolbar > Show/Hide tool or
D > Display Elements and Systems.

b)Entity Selector > Choose Systems from

drop-down menu (press S until you get
Systems).

c) Right-click > Select > Displayed

(or Ctrl + A).

d) Three systems have been selected.

e) Entity Selector > Nodes or N to select the

nodes associated with the selected
systems.

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Exercise 1B - Interacting with Selection Filter HyperMesh for Pre-Processing, v2023

Step 4

Check the Property assignment and Thickness

a) Model Browser > Double-click on Parts > Select Frame1 component

from the Part Browser.
b)Entity Selector > Select Properties from the drop-down menu and
check the number of properties for Frame1.
c) Open Advanced Selection clicking on the three dots or with Period
key. Check again the properties associated to Frame1 > OK.

Hints:
• You can assign properties in two ways:
• Indirect: Assign a property to Component collector.
• Advantage: Property assignment is clearly visible in the Model Browser.
Remesh of elements does not lose their link to properties.

• Direct: Assign a property to Elements.

• Advantage: Organizing an element into another component collector will not
affect the element’s link to its property. In case of a remesh the newly
created elements will not keep the link to the property of the original
elements to the new elements.

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Exercise 1B - Interacting with Selection Filter HyperMesh for Pre-Processing, v2023

Step 4

Check the Property assignment and

Thickness
d)Model Browser > Double-click on
Properties to open the dedicated browser.

e) Select Top_Flange-1 and Web-1 Properties

for Frame1 holding Ctrl.

f) Check if the Thickness is properly set to

0.1 in the Entity Editor.

Hint: Close Properties and Parts

Browsers. Face Color mode will be
automatically reset to Component.

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Exercise 1B - Interacting with Selection Filter HyperMesh for Pre-Processing, v2023

Step 5

Check if all the elements in this

model are connected to each other
a) Visualization toolbar > Show/Hide tool or
D > Display Elements Only.

b)Entity Selector > Elements. Select one

element on the modeling window.

c) Right-click > Select > Attached or Ctrl + T.

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Exercise 1C - Interacting with Window Selection Methods HyperMesh for Pre-Processing, v2023

File Name and Location:

..\01-Interface\1C\yaris-bumper.hm

Hint:..\01-Interface\1C\yaris-bumper.mp4 *
(*) May differ from the steps described here

Exercise Steps:

1. Load the model

2. Try the different methods of window selection (Box, Circle, Freehand and
Polyline)

3. Select, save and retrieve the elements surrounding the cutouts

Model courtesy of National Highway Traffic

112 Safety Administration
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HyperMesh for Pre-Processing, v2023

Methods

1. 2.

3.

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Exercise 1C - Interacting with Window Selection Methods HyperMesh for Pre-Processing, v2023

Step 1

Load the model

a) File > Open > HyperMesh Model:

..\01-Interface\1C\yaris-bumper.hm

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Exercise 1C - Interacting with Window Selection Methods HyperMesh for Pre-Processing, v2023

Step 2

Try the different methods of

windows selection Box Select

a) Entity Selector > Elements or E.

b) Right-click on modeling window and click

on Box Select.
Circle Select
c) Left-click and drag to select elements inside
the box.

d) Right-click on modeling window and click

on Circle Select.
e) Left-click and drag to select elements inside
the circle.
Freehand
Select
f) Right-click on modeling window and click
on Freehand Select.
g) Left-click and drag to select elements inside
the freehand shape.

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Exercise 1C - Interacting with Window Selection Methods HyperMesh for Pre-Processing, v2023

Step 2 Polyline Select

Try the different methods of

windows selection
h) Right-click on modeling window and click
on Polyline Select.
i) Left-click and drag to select elements inside
the polyline geometry.
j) Right-click on modeling window > Select >
Reverse or press Ctrl + R.

k) Right-click on modeling window and click

on Polyline > Selection mode >
Intersecting.
l) Left-click and drag to select elements that
intersect the selection lines.

Hint: Use Ctrl + left-click to add elements to

selection, Shift + left-click to remove
elements from selection.
Add to selection Remove from selection

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Exercise 1C - Interacting with Window Selection Methods HyperMesh for Pre-Processing, v2023

Step 3

Select, save and retrieve the

elements surrounding the cutouts
a) Entity Selector > Elements
b) Select the elements surrounding the
cutouts with the methods that you preferer.
Hint: Be smart when you choose selection
methods!

c) Isolate the elements.

d) Select the Elements displayed with a box
selection > Right-click > Select > Save
Selection.
e) Display all elements in the model. Right-
click context menu > Select > Retrieve
Selection.
f) Again, Isolate the elements selected.

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HyperMesh for Pre-Processing, v2023

Interface

Getting Started File Selection of Model Move and

Management Entities Exploration Measure
through
Browsers

Exercise: 1A Exercises: 1B-1C Exercise: 1D Exercise: 1E

60m 80m 110m 160m 180m

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HyperMesh for Pre-Processing, v2023

Overview

• Browsers supply a great deal of view-related functionality in

HyperMesh by listing the parts of a model in a tabular and/or
tree-based format and providing controls inside the table that
allow you to alter the display of model parts.
• Browsers in HyperMesh:
• Model Browser​
• Part Browser
• Entity Editor​
• Solver Browser​
• Session Browser​
• Reference Browser​
• Entity State Browser
• Comparison Browser​
• Verification Browser​
• Demo Browser
• Design Explorer Browser​
• Mask Browser​
• ….

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HyperMesh for Pre-Processing, v2023

Model Browser

• What is Model Browser?

• View > Model Browser

• It is a central part of HyperMesh

that allows you to get an overview,
interact, edit, and control all
entities in the model present in the
session.

Hint: For more details, visit Altair

HyperWorks Online Help.

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HyperMesh for Pre-Processing, v2023

Model Browser

1.Model Browser and graphics

are synced.
• Hovering over an object in the
browser, highlights the object in
the modeling window.

2.Each object is preceded by an

icon that indicates the type of
object.
• Hidden object in the modeling
window appears grayed out in the
tree structure.

3.Open specific right-click context

menus to selected entity(s) or
right-click on white space.

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HyperMesh for Pre-Processing, v2023

Model Browser

• Create an entity in the Model

Browser.
1. Right-click in white space to
create any entity, for example, a
Property.

2. Right-click on an entity grouping to

create a specific type of entity for
example, a Property of type
SECTION_SHELL.

3. Upon creating an entity from the

model content view, the Create
Entity dialog is posted for defining
entity attributes such as Name, ID,
and so on.

Hint: Entities can be optionally

displayed in Model Browser
(Flat list) from File > Preferences >
HyperMesh > Browsers

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HyperMesh for Pre-Processing, v2023

Model Browser

• Open entity views in the Model

Browser.
1. Double-click on an entity group to
open its respective entity view
displaying all entities of the
selected type and the entity
attributes.

or

Right-click on an entity group and

select Open in the context menu.

2. Double-click on a second-level
entity grouping invokes a filtered
entity view displaying just the
entities of the selected sub-type.

3. Use Create and Delete buttons in

the entity views to facilitate the
quick creation or deletion of
entities.
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HyperMesh for Pre-Processing, v2023

Model Browser

1.Entity Editor appears for

entity-specific views at the
bottom half of the Model
Browser.

2.Finding Empty / Unused

entities:
• Supported from right-click on
white space.

• Considers all the entities in the

browser.

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HyperMesh for Pre-Processing, v2023

Model Browser

• Populate entity views with

selected content.
1. Pick required entities, including
Nodes and Elements, to be shown
in the respective browser and
further review and edit data with
attribute columns.

2. Click Select Entities… in the

entity view to invoke a selection
context.

Hint: When unnamed entities

(Nodes, Elements, and so on)
exceed the threshold value, the
selection context is automatically
invoked upon opening the respective
entity view.

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HyperMesh for Pre-Processing, v2023

Model Browser

• Append Attributes as columns

to facilitate fast and efficient
review, editing, sorting, and
filtering in an entity view:

1. Right-click on a column heading

and select More from the context
menu to access a list of all entity
attributes that can be appended to
the browser.

2. From the embedded Entity

Editor, right-click on an Attribute
and select Add Column from the
context menu.
• Referenced attributes can be added
as columns in all entity views.

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HyperMesh for Pre-Processing, v2023

Invoke Review Mode

• Select entities to review (one type of entity at a time).

• To invoke review mode right-click on selected entities in the

browser and select Review from the context menu or press
Q (only when working in a browser).

• Adjust the entities being reviewed:

• In the browser, use the up and down arrows.

• Switch your review selection from one entity to another or from one
entity type to another by selecting a new entity.

• Append or remove entities of the same type.

• Exit review mode with right-click context menu or Q.

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HyperMesh for Pre-Processing, v2023

Entity Editor

• Entity Editor enables you to

quickly edit entities and
attributes in a model and
correctly setup solver
information without the need to
switch views.

• Entity Editor makes up the

bottom half of certain browsers,
such as the Solver Browser, the
Reference Browser, and entity-
specific views in the Model
Browser.

• If multiple objects are selected,

the values of properties which are
the same for the selected objects
are displayed in the Entity Editor
and the values of properties which
are not the same are left blank.

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HyperMesh for Pre-Processing, v2023

Entity Editor

• Entity Editor opens as a

free-standing dialog when you
create and edit entities.
• Entity parameters are displayed in
the Name column, and the values
associated with each parameter
are displayed in the Value column.

• The parameters that display in

gray text cannot be edited.

• Once you edit an entity in the

Entity Editor, the changes will be
automatically applied throughout
your model.

• Some entities may have Metadata

associated with them.

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HyperMesh for Pre-Processing, v2023

Column Filters and Predefined Filters

• Quickly filter any Attribute that

is added as a column in
browser.
1. The value entered, shown in
the Search bar, is converted to
the correct syntax.

2. Different types of Operators

can be used to refine search and
multiple column filters can be
applied.

3. Use <Empty> from suggestion list

to find attribute with no value
defined.

4. Quick filtering of browser list with

predefined filters:
• Filter the browser with just the
Selected items.
• Filter the browser with entities that
are Displayed in the graphics.
• Filter out the Current collector.
• Instances

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HyperMesh for Pre-Processing, v2023

End-to-end workflows from CAD to simulation model

Parts Subsystems Connectors

Subsystem Modelling System Modelling Connect Parts and
Subsystems
• Representations • Representations • Representations
• Revisions • Revisions • Controls
• Configurations • Load cases • Efficiency

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HyperMesh for Pre-Processing, v2023

Parts and Subsystems

• Part - Engineering
representation of a physical part

• Part Assembly - Group of part

assemblies and/or parts. PDM Part Structure

• Part Instances - Recognized

from PDM, are automatically
converted to Part Instances on
import into HyperMesh.

• Subsystem - CAE
representation of a self-
contained assembly/group of HyperMesh Client
assemblies within a larger Part Structure

system model.

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HyperMesh for Pre-Processing, v2023

Parts and Subsystems

• Subsystem Browser allows

you to fully model and organize
the model into manageable
subsystems to aide model
management.

• During the model build and

assembly process, you would
use Parts Browser to go from Revision: A.-.1
CAD to CAE model for a Representation: 10mm

subsystem. Revision: A.-.1 Revision: B.4.1

Representation: LHD Pano Roof Representation: 10mm

Hint: For more details visit Altair

HyperWorks Online Help.

Revision: C.2.1 Revision: C.1.3

Representation: 10mm Representation: 10mm

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HyperMesh for Pre-Processing, v2023

Open Part Browser

• Assembly ribbon > Build group > Parts Hierarchical

Flat Part
• Use the Part Browser to create, organize and manage the CAE
part structure/hierarchy.

• Right-click on the column header to add or remove columns

of appropriate attribute.

• PDM Metadata (listed as columns) captured upon the import of a

BOM via the Import dialog.

• Access different views to create/organize:

a. Part view

b. Part Set view

c. Configuration view

d. Configuration view, split left

• Change the display of entities (Hierarchical or Flat Part view)

• Entity Editor - Edit part and component attributes.

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Part Browser - Create Configuration HyperMesh for Pre-Processing, v2023

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HyperMesh for Pre-Processing, v2023

Organize Tool

• Assembly ribbon > Organize

group > Organize
• Move or copy entities into their
proper destinations.

• Open from right-click context

menu or press O after selecting an
entity in the browser.

• Use the first selector to select

entities to move.

• Use the second selector to select

the Destination collector.

Hint: For more details visit Altair

HyperWorks Online Help.

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HyperMesh for Pre-Processing, v2023

Match Parts

• Assembly ribbon > AI/ML group

> Match
• Automatically group selected
parts into part sets based on
comparison method and criteria
selected.

• Use Link parts checkbox to

create Instances.

• Open hamburger menu to define

additional Options.

Hint: For more details visit Altair

HyperWorks Online Help.

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Questions & Answers HyperMesh for Pre-Processing, v2023

6.What kind of operations can I perform with

Entity Editor?
a) Edit Component
b) Edit Material
c) Assign Property
d) All of the above

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Main Concepts - Summary HyperMesh for Pre-Processing, v2023

139
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HyperMesh for Pre-Processing, v2023

MORE TO EXPLORE

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HyperMesh for Pre-Processing, v2023

Solver Browser

• View > Solver Browser

• It provides a solver centric view of the model structure in a flat,
listed tree structure.

• It lists every entity mapped to a solver card image within the session
and places those entities into their respective solver card image
folders.

• To display every entity type supported by the solver in the browser,

activate the Show empty folders option in the Browser
Configuration dialog.

• Use Solver Browser to create and edit loads, constraints and

review the model setup.

• Use right-click context menu and review the definition in the

Entity Editor.

Hint: For more details, visit Altair HyperWorks Online Help.

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HyperMesh for Pre-Processing, v2023

Entity State Browser and Reference Browser

1.View > Entity State Browser

• Set various states for entities in a model.

• You can filter and reduce the number of available or visible entities
and control Export states (Active).

2.Reference Browser
• Select an entity > Right-click > References

• It enables you to understand complex relationships between

different entities that constitute the model.

Hint: For more details, visit Altair HyperWorks Online Help.

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HyperMesh for Pre-Processing, v2023

Renumber, ID Manager and Spatial Renumber

1.Assembly ribbon > Organize group > Renumber

• Review and organize the IDs of model entities (easier Post-
Processing and model management).

• Renumber entities into a different range, offset the IDs of selected

entities by a specified amount, and/or renumber entities in a
particular order.

2.Assembly ribbon > Organize group > ID Manager

• Manage all of the IDs for entities that you create and define ID
ranges for all of the entities in each Include file in relation to the full
model in order to avoid ID duplication.

• ID-Management operations (Create/delete Included Files, create ID

Ranges for new entity types, edit/clear ID Ranges, exclude entities,
filtering).

3.Assembly ribbon > Organize group > Spatial Renumber

• Renumber Elements and Nodes based on spatial sorting.

• Select a sorting schema from the drop-down on the guide bar.

Hint: For more details visit Altair HyperWorks Online Help.

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HyperMesh for Pre-Processing, v2023

Overview

• Assembly ribbon > Build group

> Includes
• In the Model Browser, select the
Includes view to create, review,
edit, organize and update the
contents of a model into various
include files.

• Data which does not have any

references to an include file is
stored in the main model.

• The attributes Export, Include

Path and Include Type (if
applicable, based on solver user
profile) are listed in relevant
columns.

Hint: For more details, visit Altair

HyperWorks Online Help.
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HyperMesh for Pre-Processing, v2023

Overview

• Assembly ribbon > Build group

> Subsystems
• Subsystem Level Workflows

• Drag-and-drop entities into

Subsystem Browser to group
model into subsystems.

• Subsystems can contain any

entity.

• Double-click on an entity to invoke

the Entity Editor.

• Drag-and-drop of multiple includes

invokes an option to create a
subsystem per include.

Hint: For more details, visit Altair

HyperWorks Online Help.

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Model Build and Assembly Workflow HyperMesh for Pre-Processing, v2023

Altair Community
Model Build and Assembly Workflow

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HyperMesh for Pre-Processing, v2023

Model Build and Assembly Workflow

Do you want to learn more?

There is a follow-up training!

Model Build and Assembly

Courses may be taken standalone or as part of Learning

Paths which prepare you for roles in Pre\Post-Processing,
Linear\Nonlinear Analysis, Concept Design & Optimization,
Digital Twin and more!

Please visit Altair Learn site or you can contact your

Altair representative.

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Exercise 1D - Browser Actions HyperMesh for Pre-Processing, v2023

File Name and Location:

..\01-Interface\1D\Taurus.hm

Hint:..\01-Interface\1D\Taurus.mp4 *
(*) May differ from the steps described here

Exercise Steps:

1. Load the model and review parts

2. Find and display isolated shell elements of certain thickness range

3. Reverse displayed elements, then review and edit property

4. Add Young’s Modulus as column in the browser

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Exercise 1D (Cheat Sheet) - Browser Actions HyperMesh for Pre-Processing, v2023

1. 2. 3. 4.

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Exercise 1D - Browser Actions HyperMesh for Pre-Processing, v2023

Step 1

Load the model and review parts

a) File > Open > HyperMesh Model:

..\01-Interface\1D\Taurus.hm

b) In the dialogue, Change Solver Interface to

Radioss.

c) Assembly ribbon > Build group > Parts.

Turn on the Part Browser.

d) Enter “BIW” into Search bar and press

Enter.

e) Select the first part found in the list and

right-click > Review or press Q. Use mouse
or arrow keys to go through the list.

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Exercise 1D - Browser Actions HyperMesh for Pre-Processing, v2023

Step 2

Find and display isolated shell

elements of certain thickness range
a) Model Browser > Double-click Properties
> Open Property Browser.

b) Use Search bar to identify properties with

thickness between 2.0 and 0.75. Use
Intellisense to quickly fill the search string.

c) Isolate these properties.

d) Show respective Elements using Entity

Selector.

e) Optionally use Review mode to highlight

some.

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Exercise 1D - Browser Actions HyperMesh for Pre-Processing, v2023

Step 3

Reverse displayed elements, then

review and edit property
a) Set entity selector to Properties and select
all Properties.

b) Choose Reverse Displayed or R from the

right-click context menu.

c) Double-click on the hood, then change the

value for Shell Thickness to 0.75 in the
Edit Properties dialog.

d) Press Enter to confirm and Close the

dialog.

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Exercise 1D - Browser Actions HyperMesh for Pre-Processing, v2023

Step 4

Add Young’s Modulus as column in

the browser
a) Model Browser > Double-click on
Components to open the specific browser.

b) Select the first component listed and check

if a Material is assigned. Expand the
material information in the Entity Editor.

c) Right-click on E > Select Add Column

attribute in the browser.

d) Use the newly appeared column to sort

components by Material E.

e) Optionally, Isolate all components with E

equal to 1000.

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HyperMesh for Pre-Processing, v2023

Interface

Getting Started File Selection of Model Move and

Management Entities Exploration Measure
through
Browsers

Exercise: 1A Exercises: 1B-1C Exercise: 1D Exercise: 1E

60m 80m 110m 160m 180m

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HyperMesh for Pre-Processing, v2023

Overview

• Home group > Measure tool

1. Draw, length, angle, and radius
measurements in the modeling
window.
a. From the drop-down menu, choose
between Interactive and
Dimensioning mode.

• On the guide bar, open hamburger

menu to adjust visualization Options.

2. Calculate Summary
Measurements (areas, volumes,
centers of gravity, bounding
boxes, and the cumulative lengths
of lines).
• On the guide bar, open hamburger
menu to define additional Options.

Hint: For more details, visit Altair

HyperWorks Online Help.

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HyperMesh for Pre-Processing, v2023

Overview

• Home group > Move tool

• Translate, rotate and position
selected entities in a selected
direction(s) or enter a precise
value in the microdialog.
• Certain types of entities, like
assemblies or pressures, cannot be
moved with the Move tool.

• From the drop-down menu,

choose between Interactive and
Position mode.
• In this mode, you can position the
selected entities by picking one, two,
or three Source and Target location Translate along Translate along Translate freely Rotate around Rotate
pairs. The Source locations an axis a plane in 3D space an axis freely
represent starting reference points,
which are matched with their
corresponding Targets to produce a
transformation.

• On the guide bar, open hamburger

menu to define additional Options.

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HyperMesh for Pre-Processing, v2023

Reposition the Move Tool

• Reposition the Move tool along

an axis, within a plane, or in 3D
space to change the center of
rotation.

• Enter editing mode:

• Hold Shift or double-click one of
the graphical manipulators.

• Move tool becomes orange,

indicating that it is ready to be
repositioned.

• Like translating and rotating, use

the graphical manipulators
and microdialogs to reposition the
tool.

• Let go of Shift or left-click on

empty space to exit editing mode.

• The Move tool displays in white.

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HyperMesh for Pre-Processing, v2023

Reposition the Move Tool

• When left-click the axis origin:

1. Align to global axis.

2. Align the to part.

3. Select and assign a local coordinate system.

a. It indicates that the manipulator is now in local system mode. Clicking this
button again to change the assigned system or reset it to go back to global
system mode.

• When left-click a translation or rotation arrow:

4. Orient the selected direction using the Vector tool.
b. Align to local System or Vector.

5. Use the buttons to apply an incremental translation or rotation in

the selected direction.

Hint: Click Escape to return to initial tool situation and proceed.

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HyperMesh for Pre-Processing, v2023

Snap Points

• Use Snap Points to help align

geometry.

• All snaps are active by default,

although you can suspend
snapping temporarily by pressing
Alt.

Snap Filter
• You can precisely align two parts
with the Move tool by clicking a
snap point on a part, dragging the
part to translate it, and then
releasing the mouse button near a
snap point on a second part.

Hint: For more details, visit Altair

HyperWorks Online Help.

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HyperMesh for Pre-Processing, v2023

Overview

• Several tools in HyperMesh

require you to define a plane or
a vector direction to perform a
certain function, such as: Define a plane Define a vector direction

• Dragging geometry along a vector.

• Spinning it about an axis.

• Splitting it with a plane.

• Edit 1D Elements.

• …

• You can use Plane and Vector

tools to define and edit planes
and directions.

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HyperMesh for Pre-Processing, v2023

Plane Tool

• How to define orientation using Plane tool:

• Pick an initial orientation from the suggested global X, Y, or Z
frames.
• Some planes can be resized (finite) while others cannot (infinite).
Infinite planes do not allow dragging their handles to resize or rotating them
about their normal axis.

1. Left-click and drag the frame area to reposition it along its normal
direction using snaps or a distance value.

2. Left-click and drag the rotator arrows on the sides of the plane to
rotate it around that axis. The rotator arrows appear when
approaching the handles on the sides of the plane.

3. Resizable (finite) planes have handles on all sides and corners and
can be dragged to resize in any direction. They also have in-plane
rotators that appear near the corner handles.

• While resizing, hold Ctrl to resize from the center, and Shift to lock
the aspect ratio.

• Use the options in the microdialog to help position the plane or

change its options.

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HyperMesh for Pre-Processing, v2023

Vector Tool

• How to define orientation using Vector tool:

• Left-click and drag to move the base handle - the point in space where the plane/vector is
located.

• Then, drag the handle at the tip of the arrow to define a vector, or drag two handles on the
edges of the plane to define a plane.

• Use the options in the microdialog to help position the vector or plane.

1. Example: Defining a vector using the plane handles. A spin axis is defined normal to 3
locations on a circle.

2. Example: Defining a plane using the vector handles. A split plane is defined normal to a point
and its perpendicular projection to an edge.

Hint: HyperMesh takes advantage of the following principle: a plane can be defined with a vector
(the plane is normal to the vector specified), just as a vector can be defined with a plane (the
vector is normal to the plane specified).

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HyperMesh for Pre-Processing, v2023

Vector Tool

• Open Move tool and select the

entity to move.
1. Left-click a translation or rotation
arrow.

2. Click the icon to open Vector tool.

3. Orient the graphical vector

according to your needs.

4. Click Apply (play button) to

proceed and close Vector tool
microdialog.
Use Escape or Return (x button)
to go back to initial tool situation.

5. Type a value and/or an increment

to proceed with the entity
repositioning.

6. Exit from Move tool.

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HyperMesh for Pre-Processing, v2023

Define Orientation

• Instead of dragging the handles with the mouse, you can

also define a plane/vector quickly by holding Ctrl and
clicking on any two locations for a vector, or any three
locations for a plane.

Example: Use Along Vector option from microdialog.

• Hold down Ctrl and left-click nodes in sequence:

• Ctrl + 2 nodes → Vector between two nodes

• Ctrl + 3 nodes → Normal vector to the plane by the three nodes

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Main Concepts - Summary HyperMesh for Pre-Processing, v2023

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HyperMesh for Pre-Processing, v2023

MORE TO EXPLORE

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HyperMesh for Pre-Processing, v2023

Transformation Tool

• Home group > Move tool >

Transformation Tool
• Translate, scale, reflect or rotate
entities.
• Action - Select an action to perform
on elements.

• Entities - Select source elements,

nodes, components or systems.

• Duplicate - Create multiple

instances.

• Destination Component - Select

where to organize elements after the
transformation.

Example: Reflected Wing with Loads

in a New Load Collector.

Hint: For more details, visit Altair

HyperWorks Online Help.

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HyperMesh for Pre-Processing, v2023

Overview

1.Home group > Move tool >

Scale
• Increase or decrease entity’s
dimensions in the model.

2.Home group > Move tool >

Mirror
• Mirror/reflect selected entities
across a symmetry plane.

• From the guide bar, open

hamburger menu to define
additional Options.

Hint: For more details, visit Altair

HyperWorks Online Help.

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Exercise 1E - Interact with Move and Vector tools HyperMesh for Pre-Processing, v2023

File Name and Location:

..\01-Interface\1E\move_drag-geo.hm

Hint:..\01-Interface\1E\move_drag-geo.mp4 *
(*) May differ from the steps described here

Exercise Steps:

1. Use Move tool to move a part along a defined direction

2. Extrude profile cross section to bridge the gap using Vector tool

3. Reposition the solid part

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Exercise 1E (Cheat Sheet) - Interact with Move and Vector tools HyperMesh for Pre-Processing, v2023

1. 2. 3.

Hold or

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Exercise 1E - Interact with Move and Vector tools HyperMesh for Pre-Processing, v2023

Step 1

Use Move tool to move a part along a defined direction

a) File > Open > HyperMesh Model:

..\01-Interface\1E\move_drag-geo.hm

b)Home ribbon > Move. In the guide bar, change entity selector to
Parts. The default move mode is set to Interactive.

c) Use the View Cube to set the TOP view (XY plane). Select Flange01
part. The manipulator appears in the modeling window and is globally
aligned normal to the part.

d) Left-click and drag the white vectors (X, Y, Z) to move along a

direction, pick a plane or type a value in the microdialog.

Hint: Move tool is snap sensitive! Use Alt if you want to disable snaps
temporally.

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Exercise 1E - Interact with Move and Vector tools HyperMesh for Pre-Processing, v2023

Step 1

Use Move tool to move a part along

a defined direction
e) We want to move Flange01 part 30 units
along the axis of the longitude of the Profile
part. To do that we have to reposition the
manipulator.
1. Hold Shift and left-click and drag or double-click
on the manipulator origin to enter in the Editing
mode (orange color).

2. Once you are in the editing mode, left-click and

drag the origin to move the move tool snapping
On the Profile part.

3. Grab the tip of the Y vector arrow and project it

on the line of the Profile part.

f) Click on the white space to exit from editing

mode. A vector is now defined by two point
(origin location and another point on the
Profile part).

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Exercise 1E - Interact with Move and Vector tools HyperMesh for Pre-Processing, v2023

Step 1

Use Move tool to move a part along

a defined direction
g) At this point, click on the Y white arrow and
type -30 in the microdialog to move the part
along the defined direction.

h) Click Enter to confirm and exit from the

tool.

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Exercise 1E - Interact with Move and Vector tools HyperMesh for Pre-Processing, v2023

Step 2

Extrude profile cross section to

bridge the gap using Vector tool Vector
tool
a) Topology ribbon > Create group > Extrude

b) From the guide bar, change entity selector

to Surfaces and pick the cross section
surface of the Profile part.

c) Click on the icon to enable Vector tool from

the microdialog.

Hint: Open hamburger menu to review

Options: Keep connectivity and Create
in: Original component.

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Exercise 1E - Interact with Move and Vector tools HyperMesh for Pre-Processing, v2023

Step 2
Flip vector
Extrude profile cross section to
bridge the gap using Vector tool
d) You can define a vector by two ways:
1. Origin (orange point) and a vector point
(dragging the tip of the black arrow to specific
location).
2. Origin (orange point) and two location to define
a plane (dragging white points).

e) Hold Ctrl and left-click on 3 points of the

Flange02 surface to quickly define a plane:
the vector will be normal to that plane. If
necessary, use +- icon to Flip vector
direction. Click Esc to close the Vector tool

f) Type 30 units in the microdialog to bridge

the gap between the two parts > Enter >
Confirm with the green flag to extrude the
surfaces.

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Exercise 1E - Interact with Move and Vector tools HyperMesh for Pre-Processing, v2023

Step 3

Reposition the solid part

a) Home ribbon > Move. Change default

move mode to Position. Under Options,
check Show preview.

b) In the guide bar, change entity selector to

Parts and pick Flange02.

c) Activate Source selector and rotate the

model to select the Mid snap point on the
Flange02 part.

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Exercise 1E - Interact with Move and Vector tools HyperMesh for Pre-Processing, v2023

Step 3

Reposition the solid part

d) Define an equivalent number of Target

locations. Click on the Mid snap point on
the Profile part.

e) Have a look at the preview. On the guide

bar, click on the green flag to confirm the
operation.

f) Review the result and Save your

HyperMesh Model.

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HyperMesh for Pre-Processing, v2023

Training Sessions

Session 1 Session 2 Session 3 Session 4 Session 5

Interface Topology Cleanup 2D Mesh and 3D and 1D Model Setup
(Optional) and Midsurfacing Direct Midmeshing Meshing OptiStruct and
Connectors

Exercises: 1A-1E Exercises: 2A-2G Exercises: 3A-3E Exercises: 4A-4D Exercises: 5A-5D

3h 6h 9h 12h 15h

• Getting Started • Importing, Exporting • 2D Mesh • 3D Mesh • Introduction

• File Management CAD and Topology Generalities and Generalities • Rigids and
• Selection of • Topology Cleanup Controls Definition • Tetra Mesh Connectors
Entities • Geometry • Batch Meshing • Hexa Mesh • Model and Analysis
• Model Exploration Preparation • Interactive Shell • Beam Modeling Setup, Validation
through Browsers • Create, Edit and Mesh • Demos, Q&A and Run
• Move/Measure Review Midsurfaces • Editing Shell • Analyze Results
• Demos, Q&A • Additional tools to Elements • Tune the Bracket
manipulate • MidMeshing • Demos, Q&A
Geometry • Mesh Controls
178 • Demos, Q&A • Demos, Q&A
 Visit Altair Website © Altair Engineering, Inc. Proprietary and Confidential. All rights reserved.

HyperMesh for Pre-Processing, v2023

Useful Resources

LMS Community & Support Altair How To Altair One

Connect to Learning Documentation, Knowledge Discover YouTube Channel Marketplace
and Forums
• Find, schedule • Join our online community of • A quick reference for a specific • Applications
experts. workflow or a feature question.
• Attend standardized Altair • Publisher
training courses (Instructor Led, • KB Articles • Product Groups
Recorded and eLearning).
• Download Tutorial • Solutions
• Operating System
• Installation and Documentation
• Platforms

Want to learn more?

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Questions & Answers HyperMesh for Pre-Processing, v2023

Time
for
Questions and Discussion

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