Entity lists

When identifying the drawn entities by the list method a list of entities is specified to identify the part of the model that is to be included. The list is specified on the Lists toolbar for the view by first setting the Display option to the required entity type, whether nodes, elements or members. The list of entities is then specified in the Display List. The full GSA list syntax is available when specifying the list.

When the list is a list of elements and the Analysis layer is being displayed or when the list is a list of members and the Design layer is being displayed, the list simply identifies the elements, or members, that are to be included.

When the list is a list of elements and the Design layer is being displayed, those members that are made up of an element in the list are included.

When the list is a list of members and the Analysis layer is being displayed, those elements that are part of a member in the list are included.

When the list is a list of nodes then those elements or members attached to nodes in the list are included.

When an entity list is set to <current selection> that entity list is set to the current selection set for that entity type. If the current selection is empty then All is assumed. (Unlike in Output views, once acted upon the <current selection> setting is forgotten about and the list is set to the contents of the model set.)

Another way of specifying the list of entities to be drawn is by using the Edit > Draw selection menu command. Draw selection is also available on the right-click menu that is displayed when the cursor mode is set to Select nodes or Select elements. The procedure is as follows.

1. Set the cursor mode to Select nodes or Select elements.
2. Select the nodes or elements to be drawn.
3. Give the Draw selection command.

The entity type and list are then set according to the current selection.