Built-In functions are those that are predefined by MSC.Patran. Some represent high level functionality such as creating a mesh on a surface, and others are low-level functions such as opening a file for reading. Some examples of these are:
ga_group_current_set(name) – Sets the current group.
ga_display_vector_set(name,style) – Sets the way vector lengths are displayed.
asm_construct_grid_xyz(…) – Creates a geometric point a the specified location.
fem_create_mesh_surface(…) – Creates a plate mesh on the specified surface.
loadsbcs_modify(…) – Modifies a LBC set.
list_create_surface_ass_group(…) – Creates a list of surfaces that are members of a group.
db_get_element_ids(num_elem, elem_ids) – Returns an array of all elements in the database.
ui_form_create(…) – Creates a MSC.Patran form.
utl_process_spawn(…) – Spawns a background process.
file_exists(…) – Determines whether an external file exists.
sys_time(…) – Returns the current system time.
sys_get_user(…) – Returns the user name.
text_open(…) – Opens a text file for reading or writing.
MSC.Patran Built-In Functions
Prefix
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Application
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asm_ or sgm_
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Geometry
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fem_ or mesh_
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Finite Elements
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loadsbcs_
|
Loads/BCs
|
res_
|
Results
|
insight_
|
Insight
|
xy_
|
XY Plot
|
list_
|
Tools/List
|
ga_
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Graphics (Groups, Viewports, Viewing, Display)
|
pref_
|
Preferences
|
mat_ material_
|
Materials
|
fields_
|
Fields
|
loadcase_
|
Loadcases
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elementprops_
|
Element Properties
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MSC.Patran Built-In Functions
Naming Conventions for Other Operations
Prefix
|
Operations
|
db_
|
add and retrieve from the MSC.Patran database
|
file_
|
operating system file and path manipulation
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fio_, io_, virtual_, record, text_, stream_
|
file reading and writing
|
gm_
|
drawing graphic primatives
|
str_
|
string manipulation functions
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mth_
|
math functions
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sys_
|
system and memory operations
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lp_, app_, fem_u_
|
list processor functions
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ui_
|
form and widget creation and manipulation
|
N          
Which function do I use?
I can’t find the function but I know one exists somewhere!
Aaaarrgghhhh!
Sigh, I give up!!!
Relief is in sight!
Elation after finding just the right function!!!
ote: Not all categories are covered here and some functions do not follow the conventions.
MSC.Patran Built-In Functions
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Refer to Appendices A through C for examples of using MSC.Patran built-in functions.
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Appendix A shows how to perform several common PCL tasks such as getting nodes for selected elements, getting property data for selected elements, or extracting element results
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Appendix B describes commonly used string manipulation functions
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Appendix C describes some noteworthy functions, i.e., functions used to sort arrays, search arrays, or calculate common element data such as length, area, volume or centroid location
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