Flexprep Usage
To find the command line arguments for flexprep, choose from one of the following:
- In UNIX, type flexprep at the command line prompt.
- On PC, double-click on flexprep.exe in the bin directory.
- Navigate the Flexbody Prep dialog through Finish and observe the command line arguments.
You can also copy these command line arguments to a script file (UNIX) or BAT file (PC) to
easily repeat the procedure.
Note: flexprep checks the environment variable, TMP. You can
set TMP to any directory large enough for the TMP files if it is a flexprep
run.
usage: flexprep <source>.pch <target>.h3d [-<units>]
// Translate NASTRAN punch file made with ADAMS' DMAP into
ALTAIR h3d file.
example:
flexprep xxx.pch yyy_flex.h3d -METER -KILOGRAM_FORCE
Translate xxx.pch with the optional units to yyy_flex.h3d.
The default is KILOGRAM, MILLIMETER, NEWTON, and SECOND
usage: flexprep <source>.mnf <target>.h3d [-<NO_UNIT_CONV>]
// Translate ADAMS mnf file into ALTAIR h3d file.
example:
flexprep xxx.mnf yyy_flex.h3d
Translate xxx.mnf to yyy_flex.h3d. (units included in mnf
file)
usage: flexprep <source>.h3d <target>.mtx [invar_option]
[+node_list] [+mode_list] [-<units>] [-<mirror option>]
// Translate ALTAIR h3d file into ADAMS mtx file for
flexible bodies.
examples:
flexprep xxx_flex.h3d yyy.mtx TTTTTTTTF +1+1001 +7:9+11:15 -
METER
Translate xxx_flex.h3d to yyy.mtx with node 1, node 1001 and
modes 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 selected.
Unit of the resulting mtx file can be specified (as METER in
his example) in the options list
The default is KILOGRAM, MILLIMETER, NEWTON, and SECOND
In general, mode 1-6 are the rigid body modes so the valid
mode number should start from 7.
flexprep xxx_flex.h3d yyy.mtx TTTTTTTTF +ALL +ALL -METER -
MIRROR_XZ
Include all nodes and modes (rigid body modes will be
automatically excluded)
Use XZ plane (in basic coordinate frame) as the mirroring
plane and translate to mtx file the mirrored part.
flexprep xxx_flex.h3d yyy.mtx TTTTTTTTF +I+6:8+10 +ALL -METER
If interface nodes block exists in the h3d file (e.g. read
from mnf file interface
node block or if the h3d is from flexprep/OptiStruct analysis),
then interface nodes will be selected, plus additional non-
interface nodes (non-force bearing node, or sensory nodes).
Suppose the interface nodes recorded in h3d file are 1 and
1001, the above command will select nodes 1, 1001, 6, 7, 8,
and 10.
usage: flexprep <source>.h3d <target>.h3d [-<mirror option>]
// Translate ALTAIR h3d file into its mirrored (symmetric)
part with respect to the mirroring plane.
example:
flexprep xxx_flex.h3d yyy_flex.h3d -MIRROR_XZ
Use XZ plane (in basic coordinate frame) as the mirroring
plane and create the mirrored part of the original one.
usage: flexprep <source>.<bdf|nas|dat|fem|blk> <target>.h3d
-ospath:<dir path> <mode_type_option> [[<+interface_node_list>|-INODESPATH:<interface_node_text_file>]]
[upper_freq [HZ]] [-<units>] [-<stress>]
// Perform CMS using the OPTISTRUCT or NASTRAN Bulk Data file|FEM and write
results into ALTAIR h3d file. OptiStruct required.If Optistruct is not available in the same installation as flexprep,
provide -ospath option.
examples:
flexprep xxx.fem yyy_flex.h3d CB +1+1001 10 -STRESS
Compute Craig-Bampton modes with nodes 1 and 1001 as the
interface nodes and 10 eigen modes.
Orthogonalize the mode set and write the results as well as
the element stress modes into yyy_flex.h3d file.
flexprep xxx.fem yyy_flex.h3d CB +1+1001 1000.0 HZ
Compute Craig-Bampton modes with nodes 1 and 1001 as the
interface nodes and eigen modes up to 1000 HZ.
Orthogonalize the mode set and write the results into
yyy_flex.h3d file.
flexprep xxx.fem yyy_flex.h3d CB -INODESPATH:inodes.txt 10 -KILOGRAM -METER -NEWTON -SECOND
Compute Craig-Bampton modes with nodes listed in the inodes.txt as the
interface nodes and 10 eigen modes.
Orthogonalize the mode set and write the results into yyy_flex.h3d file.
flexprep xxx.blk yyy_flex.h3d FF +1+1001 1000.0 HZ -STRESS
Compute Free-Free eigen modes with frequency up to 1000 HZ.
Write the results as well as the element stress modes into
yyy_flex.h3d file.
flexprep xxx.blk yyy_flex.h3d FR +1+1001 10
Compute 10 free-free eigen modes and frequency-response
attachment modes with nodes 1 and 1001 as the interface
nodes.
Detect and remove possible dependent modes, orthogonalize the
mode set and write the results into yyy_flex.h3d file.
usage: flexprep <source>.h3d <target>.fdf [+mode_list] [-<units>]
// Translate ALTAIR h3d file into DADS fdf file for
flexible bodies.
example:
flexprep xxx_flex.h3d yyy_flex.fdf +1+10001 -METER
mass unit: GRAM, KILOGRAM, MEGAGRAM, POUND_MASS, SLUG, OUNCE_MASS, KPOUND_MASS
length unit: INCH, FOOT, MILE, MILLIMETER, CENTIMETER, METER, KILOMETER
force unit: OUNCE_FORCE, POUND_FORCE, KPOUND_FORCE, DYNE, NEWTON, KILOGRAM_FORCE, KNEWTON
time unit: MILLISECOND, SECOND, MINUTE, HOUR
Note: Space in the .fem and .h3d file paths is currently not supported on Linux.