CONSTRUCT NAME Type Alpha_part [Numeric_part]

                 

FEMGEN Command only.

The CONSTRUCT NAME command permits the user to define the alphabetic and numeric parts of names that are automatically generated as a result of geometry generation commands. The `numeric_part' of the name must be an integer and specifies the first number to be used as part of the name. This number is incremented by one each time a new name for this type of part is generated.

The table below gives the parts for which names can be specified and their default names.

Type Default Comments

POINTS P Defines a name for points.

LINES L Defines a name for lines.

SURFACES S Defines a name for surfaces.

BODIES B Defines a name for bodies.

TRANSFORM T Defines a name for transformations.

SHAPES SH Defines a name for shapes.

CSYST CS Defines a name for local coordinates systems.

LOADS LO Defines a name for loads.

TCURVES TC Defines a name for time curves.

SCURVES SC Defines a name for space curves.

LMASKS LM Defines a name for load masks.

MATERIALS MA Defines a name for material properties.

CONSTRNT CO Defines a name for constraints.

PARAMETER PA Defines a name for parameters.

PHYSICAL PH Defines a name for physical properties.

SETS SE Defines a name for sets.

4-CHARS - Specifies that 4-character names are to be used (see note 2).

8-CHARS - Specifies that 8-character names are to be used. This is the default. (see notes 3 and 4).

Notes:

1.

Length of name
The maximum length for a name is eight characters. Names that are automatically generated by FEMGEN will, by default, be generated with a leading alphabetical part as specified in the table above and a numerical part starting from 1. Using the CONSTRUCT NAME command the alphabetical part (max of 4 letters) and the numerical part (8 - number of letters in alpha-part) may be redefined.

2.

4-character names
The command CONSTRUCT NAME 4-CHARS specifies that names are restricted in length to 4 characters. This command is provided so that users can read in FEMGEN history files that were generated before the introduction of 8-character names. To read in such a history file, the file should be edited and the command CONSTRUCT NAME 4-CHARS inserted after the first FEMGEN model_name command found near the head of the file.

Note that 4-character names should not otherwise be used. (However, for completeness note that with 4-character names the CONSTRUCT NAME command could define a 1 or 2 letter alphabetical part for generated names).

3.

8-character names
The command CONSTRUCT NAME 8-CHARS specifies that names may be up to 8 characters in length and this is the default. Thus, for example, in the default mode of operation, point names will be generated from P1 to P9999999 and line names generated from L1 to L9999999.

If the last name in a name generation sequence is reached then the user will be prompted to specify the alphabetical and numerical part for the first name of a new sequence.

On termination of a FEMGEN session the current state of the name generation sequences for the model will be saved in the FEMGEN database and recovered when the model is subsequently re-entered.

4.

Using 8-character names efficiently
There is some additional logic associated with 8-character names which can help speed up model generation. Ideally the user should let the program generate names as required using the default naming sequences and make sure that any new names explicitly specified would not occur naturally in these sequences. For example, a particular reference point should be given a name such as `CENTRE' rather than `P2000'. If, however, the user does explicitly specify a new name that would occur naturally in the current naming sequences it is more efficient to make this name as close as possible to the maximum name already generated in that sequence.

Where the CONSTRUCT NAME command is used to specify the first name of a new naming sequence in order to distinguish parts of a model by the names generated then it is more efficient to generate names in ascending order, for example: from S1001 to S1500, S2001 to S2500 and S3001 to S3500 rather than S3001 to S3500, S2001 to S2500 and S2001 to S2500. The rule is that the name specified for the start of a new sequence should ideally be "greater" than the maximum name already used in that sequence.

5.

Database compatibility
A FEMGEN model created prior to the introduction of 8-character names can be worked on by this version of FEMGEN. The mode of working will, by default, continue to be 4-character names but the user can switch to 8-character names by using the command CONSTRUCT NAME 8-CHARS.

Examples:

1.

CONSTRUCT NAME SU S 1001

Specifies that the first name to be used when generating a surface is S1001. The next surface will have the name S1002.

2.

CONSTRUCT NAME BODIES BODY 100

Specifies that the first name to be used when generating a body is BODY100. The next body will have the name BODY101.