*CE_ConnectorLineCombine

Combines multiple line connectors to a single line connector.

Syntax

*CE_ConnectorLineCombine mark_id entity_type entity_mark_id entity_list_id ce_style num_links link_entity_type link_mark_id string_array number_of_strings

Type

HyperMesh Tcl Modify Command

Description

Combines multiple line connectors to a single line connector. In addition, the internal lines (within the connectors) are merged into a single internal line.

Inputs

mark_id
The ID of the mark of connectors. Valid values are 1 and 2.
entity_type
The entity type that specifies the location to create connectors. Valid values are lines.
entity_mark_id
The ID of the mark containing the entities. Valid values are 1 and 2. If specified, set entity_list_id as 0.
entity_list_id
The ID of the list containing the entities. Valid values are 1 and 2. If specified, set entity_mark_id as 0.
ce_style
The style of connectors to create. Valid values are apply_mass, area, bolt, seam, and spot.
num_links
The number of links to use.
link_entity_type
The type of entity to create links for. Valid values are:
comps (for spot, bolt, seam, area or apply_mass)
elems (for spot or apply_mass)
nodes (for spot or apply_mass)
surfs (for spot, seam or area)
tags (for spot or apply_mass)
link_mark_id
The ID of the mark of link entities. Valid values are 1 and 2.
string_array
The string array ID that contains the additional input parameters. The string array is created using the *createstringarray command. This should always be set to 1.
Strings are indicated using the format "name=value". Valid strings are:
area_mesh_size=<value>
The mesh size for area connectors when entity_type is surfs. Default 10.0.
area_mesh_type=<value>
The mesh type for area connectors when entity_type is surfs.
0 - Trias
1 - Quads
2 - Mixed
3 - Right trias
area_offset=<value>
Offset area connectors created from node or line lists from the selected location by this value. Default 0.0.
area_width=<value>
Width of area connectors created from node or line lists. Default 1.0.
line_combine_option=<value>
The combine option for combining the two or more line connectors:

combine_smooth – Combines lines/connector with smooth curve

combine_straight – Combines lines/connectors with straight curve

combine_midline – Combines two lines/connectors as one midline connector

line_density=<value>
The density for spot or seam connectors on lines. Default 0.0.
line_offset=<value>
Offset value from the ends of the line for spot or seam connectors on lines. Default 0.0.
line_offset_flag=<value>
0 - Do not offset connectors (default)
1 - Offset connectors
line_spacing=<value>
The spacing for spot or seam connectors on lines. Default 1.0.
link_elems_geom=<value>
Specifies whether to connect elems (default) or geom.
link_rule=<value>
Specifies the link rule. Valid values are now, at_fe_realize or none (default).
relink_rule=<value>
Specifies the relink rule. Valid values are id, name or none (default).
seam_area_group=<value>
Flag for seam or area connector grouping:
0 - No (default)
1 - Yes
tol=<value>
Add entities as links only within this distance of the specified location. Default 0.0.
tol_flag=<value>
Flag for seam or area connector grouping:
0 - Do not use tol (default)
1 - Use tol
number_of_strings
Integer indicating the size (number of strings) in the string array created using *createstringarray.

Examples

To combine spot line connectors 1 and 2 , lines 3 and 4, and components links 1, 2, 3 and 4 with combine_smooth option:
*createmark connectors 1 1 2
*createmark lines 1 3 4
*createmark comps 2 3 4
*createstringarray 9 "link_elems_geom=elems" "link_rule=now" "relink_rule=none" "tol_flag=1" "tol=99.0" "line_density=0" "line_spacing=5.000000" "line_offset=0.000000" "line_combine_option=combine_smooth"
*CE_ConnectorLineCombine 1 lines 1 1 spot 2 comps 2 1 9

Errors

Incorrect usage results in a Tcl error. To detect errors, you can use the catch command:
if { [ catch {command_name...} ] } {
   # Handle error
}

Version History

2021