Using the topology method to select multiple elements

You can select multiple elements based on the connection of a row or layer of elements. When you are performing a task that allows you to pick more than one element, Abaqus/CAE displays a field in the prompt area. The field allows you to choose between the four selection methods—individually, by angle, by feature edge, and by topology, 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 and feature edge selection methods are described in Using the angle and feature edge method to select multiple objects.

The topology method is available during most procedures that select elements. If a procedure accepts object types other than elements, you can change the object type in the Selection toolbar to Elements to access the topology method.

The topology method is designed for use with two- and three-dimensional structured meshes. Select an element face from the mesh, and Abaqus/CAE selects all the elements connected to it in a row through the mesh. Select an element edge from the mesh, and Abaqus/CAE selects all the elements in a layer starting with the element faces that share the selected edge. Figure 2 shows selection of an interior row on the left and an interior layer on the right.

Figure 2. Using the topology method to select a row or a layer of elements.

You can use the topology method to select elements from other mesh types, but without the clearly defined rows or layers of a structured mesh, the selections may be unpredictable. In some cases, such as with a tetrahedral mesh, topology selection may be limited to only the elements that share the face or edge you select.

After you use the topology method, you can select other methods in the prompt area and ShiftClick to append more elements to your selection. You can also CtrlClick on items to unselect them. In addition, you can continue to use the topology method and use ShiftClick to append elements to your selection. For more information, see Combining selection techniques.