Overriding material assignments

You assign materials to your frames when you insert them using Frame Generator tools. You select the material in the Material drop-down menu. This material is used for frame analysis simulations.

One aspect of analysis is to allow comparison of different materials for the design solution. Thus, in each simulation you are able to override the assigned material for a given beam. The override occurs only for the specific simulation and does not affect the assembly model unless you promote changes to the model.

When you enter the Frame Analysis environment, the information about beam materials is read automatically. If there is a material that is inadequately defined for simulation purposes, the simulation cannot run. An error message is displayed in the Status folder in the browser. Change the material to run the simulation.

To override the assigned material:

Click Frame Analysis tab Beams panel Material to open a Beam Material dialog box. Beams area lists all beams used in simulation. Click to select a beam whose material you want to change. Check the Customize box. In the Material area, click the pull down arrow to display the list of materials and select the desired material. All occurrences of that component receive the material override. Specify the material overrides for as many beams as you want, then click OK to apply the material changes.

Note: When you change to a different material and one of its properties is insufficient, the property is displayed in red. The OK and Apply buttons are disabled. Select different material, or clear the Customize box to return to the default material.

Delete a material override

To delete a material override:

• Select a beam in the browser, right-click, and select Beam Materials. Uncheck the Customize box and the beam material reverts to the previous material.