# Creating Nodal Loading Graphically
The following nodal load types can be created using the respective commands in the “Sculpt | Create Nodal Loading” menu:
- Node loads
- Applied displacements
- Settlements
The “Create Nodal Loading” menu is also available on the right-click menu that is displayed when the cursor mode is set to Select Nodes. The procedure is broadly the same for creating each load type and is as follows.
- Set the cursor mode to Select Nodes.
- Select the nodes that are to be loaded.
- Give the respective Create Nodal Loading command.
- Specify the load in the respective nodal load definition dialog box.
# Mapping Node Loads on Nodes
The sculpt “Map Node Loads on Nodes” command allows node loads to be applied to selected nodes with loading values expressed as a function of the coordinates of the nodes. Normal mathematical notation is used in expressions. For example:
z + abs( sin(x) ) * pi
Operations may be with respect to standard (e.g. global) or user defined axis sets.
Node loads can be mapped on nodes using the “Sculpt | Create Nodal Loading | Map Node Loads on Nodes” menu command. The procedure is as follows.
- Set the cursor mode to Select Nodes.
- Select the nodes to be loaded.
- Give the “Map Node Loads on Nodes” command.
- Specify the action to be taken in the Map Node Loads dialog box.