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Default Representation of Entities

There are various ways in which nodes, elements, members and geometric entities are represented in Graphic Views.

Note that all surface colours are affected by the current shading settings, and all colours and symbol sizes are affected by the current Graphic Fonts and Styles settings.

Note that the colours of entities stated below can be overridden by specifying the colour of entities explicitly.

Nodes​

Nodes that are attached to elements or members are drawn only if the ‘dots at nodes’ label option is switched on; unattached nodes are drawn only if the respective ‘draw unattached nodes’ display method is switched on.

Standard nodes are drawn as circles.

  • Attached nodes are drawn black
  • Unattached nodes are drawn red
  • Nodes to be created where Members cross are drawn in yellow
  • Nodes in constraints are drawn in blue

Elements and Members​

The colour of elements and members depends on the colour elements’ display method setting:

  • By type – each element type is assigned a distinct colour. When 2D elements are displayed ‘filled’ and ‘solid’ the top (+ve z) surface is drawn light grey and the bottom surface is drawn dark grey.
  • By property – each element property is assigned a unique colour. Elements are coloured according to their property.
  • By material – each material is assigned a unique colour. Elements are coloured according to their material.
  • By initial stage – each analysis stage is assigned a unique colour. Elements are coloured according to their initial analysis stage.