MAPDL how to edit parameters?

[bedermaus]

I did a model in NX/DesignModeler/SpaceClaim with parameters/expressions. When i import model to MAPDL it says that there no parameters. Is it possible to import them and also edit it in MAPDL? I have a lot of same models but with diffrent parameters, how i can automate it with python?

[pmaroneh]

Hello @bedermaus,
I would like to clarify one thing : are you using PyMAPDL or standard MAPDL?
If you have defined parameters in SpaceClaim, why not continue in Workbench and make use of the Parameter Set ?

[bedermaus]

Hi, @pmaroneh
Im using PyMAPDL, i know how to do it with workbench, but im looking into automation this process with PyMAPDL.
How i see it:
User write dimensions of model and program will show him MAPDL model in PyVista window, where i will some more options.

[pmaroneh]

Thanks for clarifying. You could work with some lists to define the parameter values that you want to test and call a module or function for these different values. Something like the pseudo-code below:

[bedermaus]

I will try, thanks.
One more question, maybe you know.
Here is an option in MAPDL to animate nodal displacement - ANDSCL.
Do you know how to show it with python? maybe here is a way via pyvista?

[mikerife]

Hi @bedermaus MAPDL does not have the ability to import CAD parameters (from a CAD file). That was one of, if not the top, 'killer applications' when WB/DesignModeler/Mechanical was first released (way back when it was Design Space).

In MAPDL implementing CAD parameter(s) along with an imported CAD geometry is possible. But efficiently doing so depends on the geometry and the specific parameter. What are you doing with the geometry in DM/SCDM?

Mike

[bedermaus]

I understand, thanks for help!

[bedermaus]

I posted one more question in comment above, maybe you also know soething about that?

[mikerife]

Hi @bedermaus Fairly recently the MAPDL developers deprecated some features, like the Display utility, which essentially deprecated the creation of animations while running MAPDL in batch. And as far as I can tell MAPDL as a Service acts like MAPDL batch with output. I've not investigated every APDL command but I'm pretty sure that we can't create animations when running MAPDL non-interactively now.

So, unless you are using an prior version of MAPDL then there are a few option:

1 Use the PyMAPDL Reader. See this: https://readerdocs.pyansys.com/user_guide/loading_results.html
The reader is legacy as well, but maybe you can use it until the PyMAPDL dev's add animation to the PyMAPDL post-processing.

2 DPF Core and/or DPF Post may add animations (sorry I don't know for sure).

3 I'm a very beginning user of PyVista...it looks like we should be able to use this to create animations. But I don't yet know how.

Mike

[pmaroneh]

Currently creating animations with PyDPF is not exposed. I've created an enhancement request for the PyDPF team to look into (ansys/pydpf-core#231). In the meantime, a workaround might be to use PyVista, there are options to create e .Gif or a .mp4 movie but I've never given it a shot.