Create/Modify User Defined Element (UDE) Definition

Definition Name

Specify the name of the UDE definition 

Replaceable Type of

Optionally specify the name of an existing UDE definition in the same “class” as this new UDE definition. That is, UDE instances can only be replaced with UDE definitions that are of the same “class” (a grouping defined by this field). Note that both the input and output parameters must match to be able to replace between UDE definitions. See Replacing UDE Instances for more details.

Store in Model / Store in Library

Specify either the model or the library in which this UDE definition is to be stored. See Storing a UDE Definition for more details.

Expose Contents

The contents of UDE instances based on this UDE definition will be exposed within the model browser only if this checkbox is selected when creating the UDE definition.

Create Instance

Select this checkbox to automatically create one UDE instance based on this UDE definition upon execution of this dialog. Note that this box is selected and un-editable when storing a UDE definition in the same model from which it is created when it is necessary to maintain the integrity of the rest of the model. 

Topological Objects Tab 

Topological Objects

Specify the set of objects to be included in the UDE definition. Adams View uses the term topological objects because the objects selected need not include supporting items like design variables and force graphics. The Adams View UDE definition creation dialog will automatically account for such items.

Select All

This button populates the “Topological Objects” field with all objects currently in the model

Load from Group

This button populates the “Topological Objects” field with all objects within a specified Adams View group.

Clear All

Removes all objects from the “Topological Objects” field

Variables Tab (only appears if there are design variables influencing objects both inside and outside the UDE definition; see Design Variables with Influence beyond the UDE for more details)

Entity Name

The name of the parametric entity (typically a design variable) which Adams View has identified as influencing objects both inside and outside of the UDE definition’s topological object set 

UDE Definition

Select to maintain the entity’s influence on the object(s) within the UDE definition’s topological object set. The entity will no longer influence the object(s) in the rest of the model and those objects will use the current value of the entity directly. 

Outside Objects

Select to maintain the entity’s influence on the object(s) outside the UDE definition’s topological object set. The entity will no longer influence the object(s) the UDE definition’s topological object set and those objects will use the current value of the entity directly.

Parameters Tab

Entities

List of the user-specified topological objects plus any additional objects which Adams View has identified as necessary to be part of the UDE definition.

Object

Select this box to treat the entity as an object. It will not be exposed as a field on the UDE instance creation dialog for this UDE definition. This checkbox is not selectable for all entities. See Objects vs. Parameters for more detail.

Parameter

Select this box to treat the entity as a parameter. It will be exposed as a field on the UDE instance creation dialog for this UDE definition. This checkbox is not selectable for all entities. See Objects vs. Parameters for more detail.

Input

Inputs are any entities outside the UDE definition’s topological object set referenced by the UDE definition. They will be exposed as fields on the UDE instance creation dialog for this UDE definition. Typically these are dictated by the structure of the model and, as such, this checkbox is not commonly available to be toggled. See Inputs for more details.

Output

Outputs are any entities inside the UDE definition’s topological object set that should be accessible outside the UDE. Typical examples are markers on parts within your UDE definition used by joints or forces outside the UDE definition. They will be exposed as fields on the UDE instance creation dialog for this UDE definition. Typically these are dictated by the structure of the model and, as such, this checkbox is not commonly available to be toggled. However, additional outputs beyond the auto-identified ones can be added and removed via the “Insert Output Row” and “Delete Output Row” buttons. See Outputs for more details.

Rename

Input and Outputs automatically identified by Adams View are given a default name. This will appear as the field label on the UDE instance creation dialog for this UDE definition. If you would like to edit this label you can do so here.