Use a Beam () dataset, selected from the More Datasets submenu, for visualizing beams in a model by providing a 3D representation of the beams, with a correct visualization of their shape. The dataset forms a 3D mesh and evaluates expressions for all vertices of the mesh. It can handle variations in the shape of the cross section along the beam’s length.

From the Physics interface list, choose All (the default) to use beam physics from all applicable physics interfaces, or choose any applicable physics interface. All is useful to visualize the 3D geometry (while evaluating a trivial expression like 0), but that option will fail to evaluate variables that are defined locally inside each physics interface. Selection subnodes can also be used to select the edges that the intended physics is using.

Enter a scaling of the beam as a scalar value in the Scale field (default: 1).

Enter a refinement as an integer between 1 and 5 in the Refinement field (default: 2).

In this section, you create variables that evaluate to the coordinates in the dataset’s coordinate system. Enter variable names in the x’, y’, and z’ fields (the default names of the space coordinates are beam1x, beam1y, and beam1z, respectively, for the first Beam dataset).