Nodes

Nodes are used to define the ends of members and plate corners. Nodes are also used to specify boundary conditions, diaphragms, story drift locations, and nodal loads. Each node is a point in space defined by coordinates in the global X, Y, and Z directions and temperature that may be used in conjunction with thermal loads.

Note: The terms "node" and "joint" are interchangeable and are both used in this manual and in the program.

Nodes can be input manually, or they can be created automatically as you draw new members and plates on the drawing grid. Once defined, the nodes can be edited in three ways: graphically, in the Node Properties Panel, or in the Node Coordinates spreadsheet.

Define Nodes

To define Nodes:

Select the Node Coordinates spreadsheet from the Spreadsheets tab Data Entry button or from the Data Entry portion of the Explorer panel.
Define the node coordinates and temperature.

Note:

You may use cut and paste, block fill, and block math to enter and edit nodes.
You may choose the prefix that is used to label the nodes.
To modify one node you may click that node in the 3D View to view and edit its properties in the Properties panel.

Relabel Nodes

To relabel Nodes :

After sorting the Node Coordinates spreadsheet into the desired order, go to the Modify ribbon.
Click the Relabel All or Relabel Selected icon.
Choose Nodes.
Alternatively, you can right-click in the Node Coordinates spreadsheet and select either Relabel All Nodes or Relabel Selected Nodes.

Alternatively, you can right-click in the Node Coordinates spreadsheet and select either Relabel All Nodes or Relabel Selected Nodes.

Round-Off Node Coordinates

To round-off Node Coordinates

go to the Modify ribbon.
Click the Round Off Coordinates icon.

Alternatively, you can right-click in the Node Coordinates spreadsheet and select Round Off Node Coordinates.

Note: This utility rounds off all the node coordinates to 1, 2, or 3 decimal places (user selected). It’s sometimes useful for models that have been generated or created via DXF import and have node coordinates with a large number of decimal places that aren't significant. Rounding off those coordinates makes the data more consistent and can help avoid problems such as non-coplanar plate/wall nodes. Also, the default member orientations can change based on whether the member is exactly parallel to a global axis and slight unintended coordinate differences can have an impact here as well.