Home
API, Reference Guides
Overview of external readers and the Altair Binary Format, the generic ASCII reader, running applications in batch mode, using Tcl/Tk commands, translators, and result math.
Tcl/Tk Commands
The application's scripting interface is a set of Tcl/Tk commands that follow a simple and consistent syntax.
Tcl/Tk Commands
Tcl/Tk classes for the following Altair HyperWorks applications.
MotionView
::model Procedures
::mdlComboBox
This command creates an mdlComboBox widget that is tied to a list variable.

Welcome
What's New
View new features for version 2024.1.
Get Started
Learn the basics and discover the workspace.
Tutorials
Discover product functionality with interactive tutorials.
API, Reference Guides
Overview of external readers and the Altair Binary Format, the generic ASCII reader, running applications in batch mode, using Tcl/Tk commands, translators, and result math.
- Extensions
  Extensions are programs integrated with the application to enhance or extend the user experience.
- External Readers and Altair Binary Format
  Altair Binary Format (ABF) is the standard binary format read by the program. A library called abflib allows you to create files in ABF.
- Generic ASCII Reader
  A generic ASCII reader is now available which allows you to bring custom results directly into HyperView. The Altair ASCII format is useful for reading the results of any in-house or propriety codes which are saved in a generic format.
- Batch Mode
  Batch mode allows you perform a series of operations outside the program interface.
- External Resources
  External resources can be registered in preference files, session files, or Templex files. If an external resource is registered in a program session, it is automatically registered in the session file when the session is saved.
- Python API
  The Python API documentation for HyperMesh applications.
- Tcl/Tk Commands
  The application's scripting interface is a set of Tcl/Tk commands that follow a simple and consistent syntax.
  - Program with APIs for Beginners
    APIs can be used to perform various actions in an application. For example, the AddPage API can be used to add a page within the project.
  - Object Hierarchy
    Overview of object hierarchy for HyperView, HyperGraph, HyperMesh, MotionView, MediaView and TextView.
  - Tcl/Tk Classes
    Links to the introductory pages for the Tcl/Tk commands that can be used in HyperView, MotionView, HyperGraph, HyperGraph 3D, TextView and MediaView.
  - Script Use Cases
    Examples of script uses cases.
  - Tcl/Tk Example
    Learn more about Tcl/Tk with this basic example.
  - Program with Tcl/Tk Command Tutorials
    Learn more about programming with Tcl/Tk commands with this tutorial.
  - Tcl/Tk Commands
    Tcl/Tk classes for the following Altair HyperWorks applications.
    - Framework
    - MotionView
      - mdlIDataMember Class
      - mdlIFlexbody Class
      - mdlIModel Class
      - mdlIModelClient Class
      - mdlIObject Class
      - ::model Procedures
        ::AddToolbarIcon
        This command will create a new toolbar and add an icon to the toolbar.
        ::DrawActiveWindow
        This command is used to draw the active window in the active page. There is an option to “fit” all of the model contents within the graphic area.
        ::EscapeCharacterInstances
        ::EscapeEmbededQuotesIfLiteral
        This command will insert a “\” character before every instance of a specified character in a specified string.
        ::GetAggregateCGAndInertia
        This command will return the aggregate Mass, CG, Moment of Inertia, or Product of Inertia based on the inputs specified. On successful execution of the command, it will return the aggregate value or values. The moment of inertia and product of inertia values returned are with respect to a coordinate system parallel to Global Frame at the aggregate CG of the bodies provided in the list argList.
        ::GetClientHandle
        This command will get a handle for the MotionView client in the active page and the active window.
        ::GetCurrentLRTab
        This command gets the current “side” tab that is selected when the current panel is for a pair entity. This command only gets the current “Left” or “Right” values for the “side” tab if the panel is a Tcl/Tk panel. It returns “L” when the “Left” side is selected and “R” when it is the “Right” side. If the current panel is for a single entity, the last selected “side” tab is returned.
        ::GetMangle
        This command will return a single string that starts with an underscore (“_”), then a unique numeric value, then another underscore followed by the string specified for the “argInfo” argument. This function is commonly used to get a unique name that can be used for a handle name.
        ::GetNamespaceList
        This command is used retrieve all the public namespaces which are exposed to the users as a list.
        ::GetNextAvailableVarnameAndLabel
        This command will be used to get the next available (not already used) pair of varname and label values for a given base name and base label within a given system.
        ::GetPanelSelection
        This command returns the full varname of the last selected entity for the specified Tcl panel. If there had not yet been a selection for the specified panel, if there had been a pick for the System panel, that is returned, otherwise an empty string is returned.
        ::GetProcedureList
        This command is used retrieve all the public exposed methods for a given namespace as a list.
        ::GetValidLocationToAddItem
        From the current selected item(s) in the browser, this command will return the deepest valid (full variable name) container (Assembly/System/Analysis/Template, etc.) for adding an instance of the specified registered entity type.
        ::IsSystemTyped
        This command will be used to determine whether a particular system or analysis or assembly is typed or not. In order for a container to be typed, the user must have specified either a type after the TYPED keyword in the MDL definition or specified a type in the container’s “Properties” tab in the GUI.
        ::IsValidVarname
        This command will check all of the characters of the specified variable name to ensure that they are all valid for a MotionView varname. This is a generic test only and does not ensure that the variable name is valid within a particular context. Variable names in MotionView must start with a letter and can contain only letters, numbers and the underscore character.
        ::ListNamespaces
        This command is used to retrieve all the public namespaces which are exposed to the users. Each namespace will be displayed in a new line.
        ::ListProcedures
        This command is used retrieve all the public exposed methods for a given namespace. Each method will be displayed in a new line.
        ::mdl3StateEntry
        This command creates an mdl3StateEntry widget that is tied to a numerical data member of an existing entity in the model. The mdl3StateEntry widget can accept a scalar numerical value or an equation. When an equation is entered, the equation is stored in the data member as a raw value and the evaluated results are displayed. The entry turns blue to indicate it is an evaluated value.
        ::mdlArray
        This command creates a CheckBox widget that is tied to a data member of an existing entity in the model.
        ::mdlAttachmentTable
        This command creates a table widget for the attachments. This table allows the user to edit and/or resolve the attachments that it contains. The table supports either a system (all of the attachments for that system) or a list of attachments.
        ::mdlCheckBox
        This command creates a CheckBox widget that is tied to a data member of an existing entity in the model.
        ::mdlCollector
        This command creates a mdlCollector widget that is tied to a Reference data member of an existing entity in the model.
        ::mdlComboBox
        This command creates an mdlComboBox widget that is tied to a list variable.
        ::SetLabelText
        This command sets the label text for an mdlComboBox widget.
        ::UpdateCurrentSelection
        This command calls the mdlComboBox selection callback function that was specified during creation with the –selectionfunc option.
        ::mdlComboBoxDM
        This command creates an mdlComboBoxDM widget that is tied to a data member of an existing entity in the model.
        ::mdlFileName
        This command creates an mdlFileName widget that is tied to a FileName data member of an existing entity in the model.
        ::mdlForm
        This command will be used to create a form widget and this will be attached to the form entity passed as an argument. This mdlForm widget is a “table”-like widget with its contents completely defined by the form entity defined in the MDL.
        ::mdlIntDMComboBox
        This command will be used to create a form widget and this will be attached to the form entity passed as an argument. This mdlForm widget is a “table”-like widget with its contents completely defined by the form entity defined in the MDL.
        ::mdlListCollector
        This command will be used to create a list collector widget and this widget will be attached to the data member specified in the argument. A list collector is a collector for more than one type and each type has its selection managed independently. It is like a combobox of collectors of different types and any selection made for each individual type is set independently. For example, if the mdlListCollector is for a MultiRef member (Point (pt) and Vector (vec)) data member, when the list collector is set to Point, the selection is set and retrieved from the “pt” data member. When the list collector is set to Vector, the selection is set and retrieved from the “vec” data member.
        ::mdlMatrix
        This command will be used to create an mdlMatrix widget. It contains a matrix of entry widgets based on the row and column numbers specified. If the number of rows and/or number of columns are not specified, the dimensions of the matrix will not be set.
        ::mdlNonLinear
        This command will be used to create an mdlNonlinear widget, this widget contains a combobox and it allows the user to specify a curve, spline3D, value or expression properties based on the combobox selection.
        ::mdlOption
        This command will be used to create an option widget (combobox).
        ::mdlOrientation
        This command will be used to create an orientation widget, which contains collectors, list collectors, and combo boxes to allow the user to orient an entity. It also may contain a “DC” button that presents the current orientation in a direction cosine dialog.
        ::mdlStringEntry
        This command creates an entry widget associated with the data member handle specified. The widget will provide an interface for the String data member allowing the user to modify the stored string value. This widget does not link with an editbar. The associated data member value is set to exactly what is displayed in the widget.
        ::mdlSymCheckBox
        This command can be used to create a mdlSymCheckBox widget which will be attached to the “sym” data member (by default) of the pair entity passed as an argument. The widget contains the necessary logic to prompt the user regarding copying values (from leader to follower side) and/or breaking symmetry. It also contains common logic that is used to allow or disallow the user from turning the symmetry on or off for an entity.
        ::mdlTableForm
        This command will be used to create an mdlTableForm widget and this will be attached to the table form entity passed as an argument. This widget will display the “records” for a table form entity in rows of the mdlTableForm widget. The individual cell contents are by default created based on the type of data that they contain.
        ::mdlTempCollector
        This command will be used to create a collector widget used to resolve a reference, but this widget will not be attached to any entity data members. Instead, it will set and retrieve the reference value from a Tcl variable. Like the mdlCollector widget, this widget will let the user pick an entity of the allowed type either graphically or from a tree.
        ::mdlTempFileName
        This command creates a widget that represents a filename value that is referenced by a variable (not a data member of an entity).
        ::mdlTempListCollector
        This command will be used to create an mdlTempListCollector widget. This widget is a collector that lets the user select multiple different types and hold on to each reference individually. It is not attached to a data member so it gets/sets its value from the specified variables. The widget is a “combobox” of mdlTempCollectors of different entity types. The user can select the type of entity that they want to resolve and then resolve it. The resolutions for the other types are not lost, they are individually maintained. The list of types includes a variable to hold the value for each type. This widget will not be attached to any data members.
        ::mdlTempMultiPickCollector
        This command creates a widget that allows the user to pick entities from a hard-coded list that is presented in the graphical user interface. This could be used to limit the user’s picks. The widget itself is composed of a collector that is used to set the pick mode (for graphic picking), a list box that contains the available picks, and some convenience buttons to select all/select none/toggle selection.
        ::mdlWizardDlg
        This command creates a dialog designed to easily contain multiple “pages”, multiple configurable buttons and a “built-in” message box to report messages.
        ::RegisterTypedAnalysis
        This command registers a new customized analysis entity type in MotionView.
        ::SelectItems
        This command will select the item specified as an argument in the browser and will display the respective panel. If more than 1 item is specified in the selection list, the items are all marked selected in the browser, but the model panel is displayed.
        ::SetCurrentLRTab
        This command is used to set which LEFT/RIGHT tab of a panel is selected if any panel’s selected entity is a pair.
        ::ShowDetailsForThisEntity
        This command is used to request if the entities contained within a registered entity (container) are to be displayed in the browser.
        ::UpdateCurrentPanel
        This command reloads the current panel for the current solver mode if a current panel is displayed. If there was no panel displayed when this procedure is called, nothing happens. If the solver mode was changed while a panel was displayed, this procedure will reload the panel for the updated solver mode (in case the panel was solver-specific).
    - HyperView
    - HyperGraph 2D
    - HyperGraph 3D
    - MediaView
    - TextView
    - HgTrans
    - TableView
    - Postquery Commands
    - Context Commands
    - Framework Commands
- Translators
  Translators are utilities that are run from the command line of the operating system to convert various types of files into different formats.
- Result Math
  XML commands in the Result Math Module.
- HWC Console
  Record playback workflows in the application.
- HyperMesh Report
- Task Manager
  Use the Task Manager to load an XML file that defines tasks and their attributes.
- HyperMesh
- MotionView
- Templex and Math Reference Guide
- Script and Model Library
  The Script and Model Library is a database of freely accessible scripts and models posted by users and Altair engineers.

View All Altair HyperWorks Help

::mdlComboBox

This command creates an mdlComboBox widget that is tied to a list variable.

Syntax

::model::mdlComboBox path entityHandle data args

Application

MotionView Tcl GUI

Description

This command creates an mdlComboBox widget that is tied to a list variable.

Inputs

path: The full path to the newly created widget.
entityHandle: A handle pointing to the entity.
data: A list of strings containing the entry values and entry labels for the entries in the ComboBox drop down. For example: {"Value 1" "Value 2" "Value 3"}.
args: A list of '-' separated flags to configure the ComboBox widget's behavior.

Example

To create an mdlComboBox widget:

::model::GetClientHandle clnt
clnt GetModelHandle mdl
clnt ReleaseHandle
mdl InterpretEntity entCrv Curve crv_0 "\"Curve 0\""
mdl ReleaseHandle

set dlg [toplevel .dlg]
set frm [frame $dlg.frm -padx 10 -pady 10]
grid $frm -row 0 -column 0 -sticky nesw

set data { "2D Cartesian" "2D Parametric" "3D Cartesian" "3D Parametric"}
set cb [::model::mdlComboBox .dlg.frm.cb entCrv $data -label "Curve type:" ]
grid $cb -row 0 -column 0

entCrv ReleaseHandle

Errors

Returns the path to a mdlComboBox widget if successful, otherwise an error code.