Building the geometry of stage models

In a sequentially staged modeling, each of the stages represents a complete model with all ingredient of finite element analysis, composed of geometry, properties , boundary conditions and load conditions. However, it is not necessary to create independent models for the stages. Instead, a stage can be constructed simply by including and excluding its components from the predefined base model.

> Including the selected objects to the current stage

It is the case in which the objects not in the previous stage is to be included into the

current stage. Before including the objects into the current stage, they may not be displayed at the current stage depending on how the display option is set. In order to make the desired object visible, check "All" or "Last" radio button. Then, select the object, and click button. If the selected objects are already within the current model, the button is dimmed.

> Excluding the selected objects from the current stage

It is the case in which the objects in the previous stage is to be exclude from the current stage. Select the objects to exclude, and click button. If the selected objects are not within the current model, the button is dimmed.

> Handling objects created after creation of some stages

As mentioned previously, it is desirable to complete the creation of the base model and then to start creating the stages. Owing to some reason, however, a part of the base model might have been created after creation of some stages, all or in part. In such situations, the newly created objects are automatically included into all the stages already created. If unwanted objects are included in this way, you should move to the relevant stage, and exclude the objects manually.

> "Model Display" options

Only displayed objects are selectable, and thus can be included or excluded as desired. There f o re, it is necessary to control the state of visibility of the desire d objects for building the geometry of a stage. The "Sequential Stage" dialog has radio buttons, "All", "Previous", "Current", "Next", "Included" and "Excluded" for the option of object display. The usage of the buttons is described at the beginning of this section.