Cyclic

Use the Cyclic tool on the Structure ribbon to apply cyclic repetition to a design space.

Cyclic repetitions are valid for optimization but not analysis.



You can generate cyclically repeating shapes like starfish, propellers, or spoked wheels even if you use a design space or loads that are not cyclic themselves. There are two kinds of cyclic shapes: those with symmetric sectors and those with asymmetric sectors. The Cyclic tool is used to create asymmetric sectors, as shown below. (Use the Cyclic Symmetric tool to create symmetric sectors.)
Figure 1. Cyclic repetition with asymmetric sectors


To enforce cyclic repetition on a design space, you specify a center line and the number of repetitions to create within a 360 revolution. Red edges appear on cyclic repetition planes to indicate symmetric sectors and black edges to indicate asymmetric sectors, as shown above. You won't usually generate perfectly cyclic shapes, but you will get nearly cyclic shapes.

Apply Cyclic Repetition

Select a design space and the number of cyclic sectors.

  1. On the Structure ribbon, select the Symmetric tool on the Shape Controls icon.


    Tip: To find and open a tool, press Ctrl+F. For more information, see Find and Search for Tools.
  2. Click the Cyclic tool on the secondary ribbon.


  3. If you selected a design space before invoking the tool, cyclic repetitions are automatically applied to that design space. Otherwise, click on a design space to apply a cyclic constraint.
    A microdialog and a set of three black radial planes appear.
  4. Specify the number of Sectors in the text field of the microdialog.


  5. Right-click and mouse through the check mark to exit, or double-right-click.

Microdialog Options

Double-click a shape control to edit it and access the microdialog options.

Icon Description
Apply Symmetry and Cyclic Repetition Click to convert to a different type of shape control.
Sectors Enter the number of cyclic sectors.
Translate or rotate the shape control.
Align the radial planes to the global x, y, or z direction.
Align a shape control to a design space after moving it. By default, the radial planes are positioned and aligned to capture the natural shape and orientation of the design space, however it is oriented in space.
Click to manually enter the x, y, z components of the direction vector.