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Geometry Modeling
Manage CAD, FE, and 2D parametric sketch geometry.
Geometry
Create, edit, and cleanup geometry.
Create Geometry
Explore the tools used to create geometry.
Points and Nodes
Learn about creating, editing, and extracting points and nodes.
Nodes
Nodes are the most basic finite element entity. A node represents a physical position on the structure being modeled.

Welcome
What's New
View new features for HyperMesh CFD 2024.1.
Get Started
Learn the basics and discover the workspace.
Onboarding Resources
Discover HyperMesh CFD functionality with interactive tutorials and community resources.
Solution Layers
Solution-centric workflows allow you to traverse through modeling environments using a dedicated UI layer.
Manage Files and Data
Create, open, import, and save models.
Convert
Use the Convert tool to convert entire models between data types.
Geometry Modeling
Manage CAD, FE, and 2D parametric sketch geometry.
- Sketching
  Create and edit 2D parametric sketch geometry.
- Geometry
  Create, edit, and cleanup geometry.
  - Repair Geometry
    Review geometric errors in the model's surfaces and solids and fix any defects.
  - Create Geometry
    Explore the tools used to create geometry.
    - Points and Nodes
      Learn about creating, editing, and extracting points and nodes.
      - Points
        A point is a zero-dimensional geometric entity.
      - Nodes
        Nodes are the most basic finite element entity. A node represents a physical position on the structure being modeled.
      - Create and Edit Points/Nodes
        Use the Create Points/Nodes tool to create and edit points/free nodes on geometry surfaces and lines or in space.
      - Mark and Clear Free Nodes
        Control which nodes are on the temporary node mark.
      - Interpolate Nodes
        Create evenly spaced or biased nodes by interpolating between existing nodes in space, on a surface, or on a curved or straight line.
      - Extract Points and Nodes
        Use the Extract Points/Nodes tool to interpolate and divide an edge or line, and find the center of an arc, fillet, or multiple curve segments.
    - Lines
      A line represents a curve in space and is not attached to any surface or solid. A line is a one-dimensional geometric entity.
    - Midlines
      Use the Midlines tool to create midlines from existing lines, surface edges, or tube solids.
    - Shapes
      Create and edit circles and rectangles with the Shapes tool.
    - Surfaces
      A surface represents the geometry associated with a physical part. A surface is a two-dimensional geometric entity that may be used in automatic mesh generation.
    - Solids
      Solids are closed volume of surfaces that can take any shape. Solids are three-dimensional entities that can be used in automatic tetra and solid meshing.
    - Create Revolve Regions
      Use the Revolve tool to create axisymmetric revolved regions around select solid bodies. This is useful for creating regions around rotating bodies like fans, impellers, wheels, and so on.
    - Extract Midsurfaces
      Use the Midsurfaces tool to extract the midsurface of sheet metal stampings, molded plastic parts with ribs, and other parts that have thickness clearly smaller than width and length.
    - Extrude Geometry
      Extrude surfaces, nodes, or lines along their normal direction, a vector, or another line.
    - Create Ruled Surfaces and Solids
      Use the Ruled tools to create surfaces/solids by interpolating lines and surfaces either linearly or smoothly.
  - Edit Geometry
    Explore the tools used to edit geometry.
  - Geometry Cleanup
    Clean up problematic areas on geometry.
  - Simplify Region
    Use the Simplify Region tool to create simple shapes around selected geometry.
- Discrete Geometry
  Work with discrete geometry like FE Geometry and floating elements.
- Model Build and Assembly
  Create, organize and manage parts and subsystems.
Meshing
Generate surface/volume mesh by defining mesh controls, or interactively create and edit 2D surface mesh.
Setup
Prepare your model and run the simulation.
Post-Processing
Post-process the simulation results by creating visualizations and measurements.
Automation
Automate simulation processes with templates and utility scripts.
Design Exploration
Once the baseline model is prepared, you can define morph volumes, morph geometry, create design shapes and run DOE studies. These tool work for both AcuSolve and ultraFluidX-based workflows.
Solver Help
More resources for AcuSolve and ultraFluidX solvers.

View All Altair HyperWorks Help

Nodes

Nodes are the most basic finite element entity. A node represents a physical position on the structure being modeled.

A node is used by an element entity to define the location and shape of that element. It is also used as temporary input to create geometry entities.

A node may contain a pointer to other geometric entities and can be associated directly to them.

Nodes are considered to be used if they are referenced in the definition of an element, system, vector, group, load, equation, or are referenced by any card image on any entity. A "free" node is one that is not used by any element or used to define a vector or coordinate system as an example. Unused nodes and any loads that are attached to unused nodes are automatically deleted. Hence, the Temporary or Free node mark is provided as a holding area to save the nodes you are not currently using. Those nodes are saved as long as they are in the temporary/free node mark.

Nodes cannot be organized into components. Nodes can be organized into include files, which defines the solver include file they will be exported to.

A node is displayed a small circle or sphere, depending on the mesh graphics mode. Its color is always yellow.

Note: Preserve nodes are a special case where these free nodes are guaranteed to be saved in the model as well as be hidden from the graphics. These can only be viewed in the Nodes Browser.

Figure 1.

These preserved nodes can be selected from the idle node selector using the Ctrl > A keyboard shortcut.

Figure 2.

You can delete these nodes once selected, as shown in Figure 3. You will be warned of the existence of preserve nodes and, based on your selection, they will be excluded or included from the delete operation.

Figure 3.