Creating a node list path

A path is a line you define by specifying a series of points through the model. In a node list path all of the specified points are nodal locations. You create a node list path by entering node labels or node label ranges in a table. To determine the node labels of interest, it is helpful to create a model plot with the node labels visible.

  1. Click the tool to display the undeformed model shape.

    Use the Common Plot Options dialog box to display the node labels. Identify the nodes on the top edge of the foam block.

  2. In the Results Tree, double-click Paths.

    The Create Path dialog box appears.

  3. Name the path Displacement. Accept the default selection of Node list as the path type, and click Continue.

    The Edit Node List Path dialog box appears.

  4. In the Path Definition table, select PART-1-1 in the Part Instance field, type 1:601:40 in the Node Labels field, and press Enter. (This input specifies a range of nodes from 1 to 601 at increments of 40.) Alternatively, you can pick the nodes for the node list directly from the viewport by clicking Add Before...or Add After... in the Edit Node List Path dialog box.

    The selected path is highlighted in the plot in the current viewport.

  5. Click OK to create the path and to close the Edit Node List Path dialog box.