Overview > Framework of VisualFEA > Basic User Interface

 

Basic user interface

Functions of basic user interface are those related chiefly with basic usage of VisualFEA, such as inputting geometric data, setting work environments, interactive viewing control, file handling and other functions related to model handling.

> Project and file

Functions of this category are related with project and file such as starting and quitting VisualFEA, and opening, closing, saving files, printing, setting preferences and so on.

  Starting and ending VisualFEA
  File opening, closing, saving
  Printing
 

Preference setting

> View control

View control functions handle the view of finite element model rendered on the screen. The screen view of the model can be controlled interactively. The user can also set the rendering modes and states as desired.

  Zoom in/out (instant zoom, gradual zoom), fit - to - window, rubber- band zoom
  Panning, scrolling, centering
  View rotation (by virtual trackball, by bounding box), setting view direction
  Perspective/parallel projection
  Mono/stereo projection
  Setting light source
  Hiding and showing specified objects
  Aerial view

> 3-D geometric data input system

The 3-dimensional grid and cursor system in VisualFEA is implemented as a highly user-friendly and effective way of inputting 2 and 3-dimensional geometric data. These functions are related with inputting the geometric data and setting the grid and cursor system.

  Setting grid, grid on/off, moving grid planes, resizing grid planes, sub-grid
  Simultaneous keyboard/mouse input conversion
  Snap mode on/off( to node, to grid point, to control point, to curve end)
  3-D cursor

> Model selection and control

Various objects composing a finite element model need be selected for various reasons. The following functions are provided for selection, modification and other operations of the model and its component object.

  Selection of curve, element, node, surface mesh, volume mesh, surface primitives
  Curve-curve intersection, surface-surface intersection
  Projection, duplication, mirroring
  Reshaping curve and surface primitive
  Moving, resizing, rotating mesh

> Model rendering

The finite element model can be rendered in a few different forms chosen by the user. This rendering modes can also be applied for displaying the analysis results such as deformed shape. VisualFEA supports the following rendering modes.   

  Wireframe
  Hidden line removed wireframe
  Shading
  Transparency shading
  Outline-only display
  Broken mesh