The Shape Interpolation Element node () (which you add from a feature or Component node’s Elements submenu) adds a special contribution to declared variables that adds an element. The element behaves as a shape function but instead of solving for the shape's degrees of freedoms, an expression defines their values directly. The variable the shape defines uses the shape function interpolation to compute the variable's values everywhere. The Settings window contains the sections:

Enter the name of the variable you add the definition for in the Variable name field. The variable name follows the rules described in Entering Names and Expressions and must match the name of a variable declaration somewhere in the same physics interface. The Shape function list contains the shape functions that this definition supports. Choose Continuous or Discontinuous in the Expression type list. Enter the degree of freedom expression in the Expression field. This is the expression the shape function use to find the values of the variable it defines.

The options in the Selection list and Output entities list defines the selection where this variable definition is valid. See Specifying Selections for more information.