Creating a Part

2

Right-click the node, and from the submenu, choose , , or to add a node for a 3D, 2D, or 1D geometry. You can also choose from the menu in the section of the toolbar to create a node of the same space dimension as the current component in the model.

3

In the node’s window, give it an appropriate label. Also choose an appropriate length unit. If you want the part model to be available to users without a license for the CAD Import Module, make sure to choose from the list under .

4

In the table, add input parameters with appropriate names, default values, and descriptions. Use standardized input parameter names for all parts in a part library. This makes automatic matching work when a user substitutes one part for another; that is, the values of input parameters with the same name are kept. In the column, prefer to indicate the unit because this helps the user to understand what is expected. The default expression then also determines what unit to use if the user just enters a number when calling the part.

5

Parameters that are used within the part but should not be specified by users of the part, should instead be entered in the Local Parameters node. A local parameter is typically having a fixed value or is depending on the input parameters. If you have deleted the node, add it under the node and add the local parameters in its window.

6

Add geometry features for the part and build all of them. This geometry sequence can result in one or several geometry objects. If there is no specific reason to have several objects, make sure that there is just one object — for example, using a Union feature. Using a Union feature also has the advantage that the numbering of the entities in the resulting object is canonized (basically, the numbering increases from left to right in the x-coordinate).

7

Add selection features (typically Explicit Selection nodes) in the part for selections of boundaries that are relevant to users of the geometry model. Preferably, the boundary selections should be a partition of the boundaries; that is, they should not intersect and they should together cover all boundaries. In some cases, domain, edge, and point selections are also relevant. Make sure to give each selection an appropriate label. Use standardized labels in all parts in a part library (for example, Inflow, Outflow, and Wall). Doing so makes automatic matching of selections work when a user substitutes one part for another.

8

In 3D, add Work Plane features (with empty Plane Geometry subnodes) for important planes. Users can then use these to position the resulting objects when calling the part. Usually, you use face parallel work planes with the local coordinate system’s origin at the center of the face (and outward normal vectors). You can control the position of the work plane’s coordinate system in the section:

9

Click the button.

10

Run a command (from the menu) to save some space in the MPH-file.

11

Set the model thumbnail image by clicking the button in the root node’s window. If you want to use an image processor to, for example, add dimension arrows showing the meaning of the input parameters, then use the button instead to choose a file with the image to use as the thumbnail.

12

Open the root node’s window and set to 1. You might also add an .