Using the face curvature method to select multiple faces

In addition to selecting objects by the angle between them, you can select multiple faces from a part based on the curvature of the faces. When you are performing a task that allows you to pick more than one geometric face, Abaqus/CAE displays a field in the prompt area. The field allows you to choose between the three selection methods—individually, by face angle, and by face curvature, as shown in Figure 1.

Related Topics
Understanding selection within viewports
Selecting objects within the current viewport
Figure 1. Choose the selection method from the field in the prompt area.

The angle selection method is described in Using the angle and feature edge method to select multiple objects.

The face curvature method is available during procedures that select faces. If a procedure accepts object types other than faces, you can change the object type in the Selection toolbar to Faces to access the face curvature method.

Select a face from the part or assembly. Abaqus/CAE selects all connected faces that have similar curvature along both principal directions and are joined at an angle of less than 20°. If you select a flat face, Abaqus/CAE adds any adjoining flat faces that lie in the same plane. Disconnected faces that share similar curvature are not selected, nor are faces that share similar curvature but have significantly different face normals at the edge where they meet. Figure 2 shows two rounded faces selected using the face curvature method.

Figure 2. Select a single curved face to select adjoining faces with similar curvature.

After you use the face curvature method, you can click the individually method in the prompt area and ShiftClick on individual faces to append them to your selection. You can also CtrlClick on items to unselect them. In addition, you can continue to use the face curvature method and use ShiftClick to append faces to your selection. For more information, see Combining selection techniques.