Alexandria University

Dept. of Marine Engineering and Naval Architecture

Faculty of Engineering
Fourth Year

Tutorial for ANSYS-ED 5.7

ANSYS Environment
ANSYS is a very powerful tool that may be used to solve a variety of problems.
ANSYS uses the Finite Element Method (FEM) to solve structural problems.
A
D

To communicate with ANSYS, the simplest way, the menu system is used. This is
called the Graphical User Interface (GUI). It provides an interface between the user
and the program.
The ANSYS GUI consists of six main regions as shown in the above figure:
A: Utility menu: Contains utility functions such as file controls, selecting and
graphics controls. You exit the program through this menu.
B: Main menu: Contains primary functions, organized by processors. These include
pre-processor, solution, general postprocessor, design optimizer, etc.
C: Toolbar: Contains push buttons that execute commonly used ANSYS commands
and functions.
D: Input window: Shows program prompt messages and allows you to type in
commands directly. All previously typed-in commands also appear in this window for
easy reference and access.
E: Graphics window: A window where graphic displays are drawn.
F: Output window: Receives text output from the program. It is usually positioned
behind the other windows and can also be brought to the front when necessary, see
figure below.

Ship Structural Design 2

Prof. H. W. Leheta
1

Alexandria University
Dept. of Marine Engineering and Naval Architecture

Faculty of Engineering
Fourth Year

The Main Menu

It contains main ANSYS functions such as preprocessing, solution
and postprocessing. You must complete one function before starting
the next one.
Each menu topic either brings up a submenu ( indicated by > after the
topic) or performs an action:
No symbol for immediate execution of the function
for a dialog box
+ for a picking menu

Ship Structural Design 2

Prof. H. W. Leheta
2

Alexandria University
Dept. of Marine Engineering and Naval Architecture

Faculty of Engineering
Fourth Year

The Utility Menu

It contains ANSYS utility functions such as file controls, selecting, and graphic
controls. Each menu topic on the utility menu activates a pull-down menu of subtopics. These, in turn, will activate a sub-menu (indicated by >) or perform an action.
The figure below shows the file controls.

Graphical Picking
In order to use the GUI effectively, it is important to understand graphical picking.
You can use the mouse to identify model entities and coordinate locations. There are
two types of graphical-picking operations: locational picking, where you locate the
coordinates of a new point, and retrieval picking, where you identify existing entities.
For example, creating key points by picking their locations on the working plane is a
locational picking operation, whereas picking already existing key points to apply a
load on them is a retrieval picking operation.
Whenever you use graphical picking, the GUI brings up a picking menu. The features
of the picking menu that are used most frequently are described next. The figure next
shows retrieval picking menu.

Ship Structural Design 2

Prof. H. W. Leheta
3

Alexandria University
Dept. of Marine Engineering and Naval Architecture

Faculty of Engineering
Fourth Year

A: is the function title.

B: is the picking mode: Allows you to pick or unpick a location or entity. For
retrieval picking, you have the option to choose between single pick, box, circle and
polygon mode.
C: is the picking status.
D: are the keyboard entry options.
E: are the action buttons:
OK: Applies the picked items to execute the function and closes the picking
menu.
Apply: Applies the picked item to execute the function.
Reset: Unpicks all picked entities.
Cancel: Cancels the function and closes the picking menu.
Pick All: Picks all entities available for retrieval picking.
Help: Brings up help information for the function being performed.

The Help System

The ANSYS help system gives you information for virtually any component in the
Graphical User Interface and any ANSYS command or concept. It can be accessed
within the GUI through the help topic on the utility menu or by pressing the help
button from within a dialog box.

Ship Structural Design 2

Prof. H. W. Leheta
4