iletisim: omarer25@hotmail.

com
iletisim: [email protected]
ALGHAFORM PAYLASIMIDIR

www.alghaform.com

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1 The AutoForm–User Interface

This part of the workshop describes the basic functions of the Auto-
Form–User Interface.

Most of the functions can be performed in different ways. The les-

sons describe all the ways to perform the functions.

Some menu commands can also be performed by shortcuts (e.g.

View > Fit to window by Ctrl–W). The shortcuts will be mentioned
in detail. You find the shortcuts in the menus right behind the com-
mands. The most important and most frequently used shortcuts
will be listed in lesson 7.

The menus File, Model and Help are „normal” menus whereas the
other menus Run, Results, Time, Display, View and Options are
tear–off menus. You recognize this kind of menu by the dotted line
at the top of the menu. Click the dotted line with the left mouse but-
ton. The menu is separated from the frame of the AutoForm–User
Interface. These tear–off menus are handled as windows that you
move freely on the screen.

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Contents of the Workshop „AutoForm–User Interface“

Introduction.
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Lesson 1

• File types used in AutoForm

• Introducing the user interface

Basic Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Lesson 2

• Rotating, moving and zooming in the main display

• Selecting and measuring

Menu Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Lesson 3

• Defining the function of the right mouse button

• Displaying object information
• Displaying face information

Menu View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Lesson 4

• Adjusting the view on the model

• Saving, restoring and synchronizing views

Menu Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Lesson 5

• Representation of the model

• Defining colors, lights and shading options
• Showing and hiding geometries

Presettings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Lesson 6

• Reducing memory usage

• Representation of the model during rotation

The most important shortcuts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Lesson 7

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 Lesson 1: Introduction

1. 1 Lesson 1: Introduction

The first lesson introduces the most important file types used in AutoForm. Besides we
describe the components of the AutoForm–User Interface.

File types in AutoForm

Working with AutoForm a number of different file types are
involved. We will introduce those file types which are necessary for
the work in the AutoForm–User Interface.

The simulation is always created on the basis of a part or tool geom-

etry. This geometry has to be available in VDAFS– or IGES–format
(Fig. 1.1). The simulation starts with the import of this CAD file (Fig
1.1).

Basing on this imported CAD file further input is generated: Input

concerning the process such as tool geometries, tool movement,
information on the sheet (size, shape, material properties, thickness
etc.) is defined. All this information are saved in a simulation file
(*.SIM). The computed results will be added to this simulation file.
Thus you can change input parameters with leaving the AutoForm–
User Interface.

Fig. 1.1

Files used in AutoForm

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Lesson 1: Introduction

The AutoForm–User Interface

The AutoForm–User Interface consists of the following compo-
nents:

• Menu bar
• Button bar
• Time and result scale
• Main display

Fig. 1.2

AutoForm–User Interface: Calculated simulation on display

The Menu Bar

The menus Display, View and Options will be described in detail
in this workshop. We now give a short survey of the functions of
the other menus:

File
This menu contains all the functions required for file management
actions such as setting up a new simulation file, opening an existing
simulation file, saving the file and printing a file. Besides, there are
some export functions and the Preferences dialog which will be
described in Lesson 6 of this workshop.

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 Lesson 1: Introduction

Model
The items of this menu start the modules needed for preprocessing
activities.

Run
Besides some information windows on the current simulation file
the items to start the computation of a simulation, an optimization
or a trim are available within this menu.

Results
The functions contained within this menu are necessary for evalua-
tion and examination of the simulation results (postprocessing).

Time
This menu enables the user to select a certain process time in the
simulation.

Note:
Note The Results and Time menus are not active until the com-
puted simulation has been reopened. Use the function Reopen in
the File menu to reopen and evaluate a computed simulation.

The Button Bar

The button bar on the right hand side of the AutoForm–User Inter-
face can be switched on/off. Thus the main display increases in size.

Result variables
In the process of evaluation of the simulation, click the buttons to
display the results for the selected result variable. The view in the
main display and the scale will be adapted accordingly.

Directional variables
In the process of evaluation of the simulation, click the buttons to
display the results for the selected directional variable. The view in
the main display and the scale will be adapted accordingly.

Blank sheet
Click the buttons from left to right to activate the sheet at the actual
process time, the blank sheet at the beginning of the process and the
geometry data.

Note:
Note The results buttons (for result and directional variables) and
the buttons for the sheet and the blank are not active until the
computed simulation has been reopened. Use the function
Fig. 1.3 Reopen in the File menu to reopen and evaluate a computed

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Lesson 1: Introduction

simulation. The button for preprocessing geometry is not active until

the meshed geometry has been imported.

Tools
Click one of the tool buttons to show the respective tool.

Note:
Note The tool buttons are not active until the tools have been
defined and are thus completely available in the Input generator.

The Time and Result Scale

The area containing the time and result scale on the lower edge of
the AutoForm–User Interface can be switched on/off. Thus the
mains display increases in size.

Fig. 1.4

Time and result scale

Result Scale
The result scale differs according to the result variable that you
have selected. However, the result scale always contains:

• The name of the result variable, e.g. Thickness.

• The range of values for the selected result variable, e.g. 0.5
as minimum value for Thickness and 0.9 as maximum
value for Thickness.
• The color range according to the values for the selected
result variable.

Time Scale
Using the slider in the time scale you move within the simulation.

Opening the prepared Simulation File

There is just one simulation file for all the exercises in the lessons
dealing with the AutoForm–User Interface.

Open the following simulation file:

File > Open > Select a file: xa_lesson_01.sim > OK User interface

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 Lesson 1: Introduction

Switching off the Button Bar

A few commands to enlarge the main display are available. Switch
off the display of the button bar on the right hand side of the Auto-
Form–User Interface. Use the following command:

Display > Right bar

Fig. 1.4

The AutoForm–User Interface: Button bar switched off

Use the following command to display the button bar again:

Display > Bottom bar or r key

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Lesson 1: Introduction

Switching off the Scales

Switch off the display of the time and result scale on the lower edge
of the AutoForm–User Interface. Use the following command:

Display > Bottom bar

Fig. 1.5

The AutoForm–User Interface: Time and result scale switched off

The whole main display can be used for the display of the model.

Use the following command to display the area containing the time
and result scale again:

Display > Bottom bar or b key

Note:
Note The figures of the user interface have been made basing on
an incremental simulation. The user interface looks slightly different
when you are working on a Hydro or OneStep simulation. The differ-
ences will be explained in the respective workshops.

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 Lesson 2: Basic functions

1. 2 Lesson 2: Basic functions

Lesson 2 deals with functions which you use time and again working with AutoForm:
Rotating or moving the model, zooming, measuring and displaying coordinates or
value of results variables.

Rotating
• The easiest way of rotating the model is using the left
mouse button. Keep the left mouse button pressed during
the rotation process.
• Keep the left mouse button pressed and move the mouse
cursor into the area (about 1 cm width) on the left hand
side of the main display. Move the mouse up and down to
rotate the model about the actual horizontal axis.
• Keep the left mouse button pressed and move the mouse
cursor into the area (about 1 cm width) on the bottom of
the main display. Move the mouse to the right and to the
left to rotate the model about the actual horizontal axis.

Moving
AutoForm offers two ways of moving the model within the main
display:

• Use the left mouse button and the Shift key.

• Use the middle mouse button and the Shift key

There is no functional difference in the actual AutoForm version.

Zooming
• To steplessly zoom use the left mouse button and the Ctrl
key. Move the mouse up to enlarge the model; move the
mouse down to scale down the model.
• Use the middle mouse button to define a rectangle which
determines the zoom area. Restore the original size of the
model using the command

View > Fit to window

• or the shortcut Ctrl–W (see also Lesson 4–View menu).

Using the middle mouse button unintentionally and having created

the rectangle, you can undo the zooming process: Keep the mouse
button pressed and press the Esc key simultaneously.

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Lesson 2: Basic functions

Attention:
Attention As soon as you release the mouse button, the area is
zoomed in.

• A stepless zoom can also be performed using the x and z

keys: Press the x key up to enlarge the model; press the z
key to scale down the model.

Selecting
Selecting means cutting out an area of the model (Fig. 2.1 and Fig.
2.2) to inspect or evaluate this area more exactly. This function may
be helpful if the model is rather complex and edges conceal areas,
which you want to inspect during a rotation.

• Use the middle mouse button and the Ctrl key to select ele-
ments: A rectangle represented by a dashed line is created:
The elements contained within the rectangle are selected.

Using the middle mouse button unintentionally and having created

the rectangle, you can undo the selection: Keep the mouse button
pressed and press the Esc key simultaneously.

Attention:
Attention As soon as you release the mouse button, the elements
within the area are selected.

The selection can also be done in two steps:

• Zoom in the area you will select.

• Select the elements using the command

Display > Select.

The command Display > Select can be replaced by the shortcut

Ctrl– J.

• The whole model is displayed again using the command

Display > Select all

• or the shortcut Ctrl – K.

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 Lesson 2: Basic functions

Fig. 2.1

Whole model before selection

Fig. 2.2

The central area of the model has been selected, i.e. cut.

Measuring
The Options menu (Fig. 2.3) contains four functions for measure-
ment:

Fig. 2.3

The Options menu

The upper four commands control the modes of measurement.

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Lesson 2: Basic functions

2D/3D measurement
When measuring two values are indicated. First the distance
between the start and end point is measured two–dimensionally.
The measurement is carried out in the screen plane. This value is
indicated in 2D mode. The second value is determined three–
dimensionally. This value specifies the shortest distance between
the start and end point, i.e. not the developed length. This value is
indicated in 3D mode.

Vector measurement
The vector between start and end point is determined.

Curve measurement
The developed length between the starting point and the end point
is determined.

Radius measurement
The function puts an arc between the start and end point. The
radius of this arc is indicated.

Fig. 2.4

The distance between the starting point and the end point has
been determined two–dimensionally in the screen plane.

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 Lesson 2: Basic functions

• Use the right mouse button and the Ctrl key to set the star-
ting point and the end point for the measurement. The dis-
tance is measured as soon as the end point has been set:
The mode of measurement and the measured distance
between the starting point and the end point are indicated
(Fig. 2.4).
• To measure horizontally or vertically proceed as follows:
Set the starting point using the right mouse button and the
Ctrl key. Keep the mouse button pressed, release the Ctrl
key and press the Shift key instead.
• Move the mouse up or down to measure vertically; move
the mouse to the left or to the right to measure horizon-
tally.
• Release the mouse button to measure the distance.

The mode of measurement (2-D/3-D, Vector, Curve or Radius) is

determined in Options menu.

Displaying coordinates
Use the right mouse button and the Shift key to display coordi-
nates.

Additional settings are required if the Geometry generator is active:

Working on the Prepare page you can select faces of the imported
CAD geometry and assign them to different registers (e.g. Binder).
The selection of several faces is performed using the right mouse
button and the Shift key. To make sure that the coordinates will be
displayed in this case, use the function Label object/coord. in the
Options menu (Fig. 2.5).

If the Geometry generator is not active, the respective functions of

the Options menu are not active (see also Fig. 2.3). Using the
described shortcut the coordinates are displayed immediately after
clicking the model.

Fig. 2.5

Options menu

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Lesson 2: Basic functions

Special case for the display of coordinates: You are working on the
Prepare page of the Geometry generator. Use the function Label
object/coord. of the Options menu to display the coordinates.

Displaying results
Having calculated the simulation, you can evaluate the results. To
display the results locally for an element, activate the desired result
variable (as e.g. the result variable Thickness in Fig. 2.6). Click the
model with the right mouse button to display the respective value Thickness
for the element (Fig. 2.6).

Fig. 2.6

The calculated thickness is displayed locally using the right mouse

button.

Use the Esc or Backspace keys to remove the value from the main
display (see also Lesson 5 – Clear all labels and Lesson 5 – Clear
last label).

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 Lesson 3: Options menu

1. 3 Lesson 3: Options menu

Lesson 3 describes the functions of the Options menu. The functions are not always
available. You come to know when to use the functions.

The Options menu is shown in Fig. 3.1. Some of the functions have
been described in Lesson 2. For a general survey they are also
described here.

Fig. 3.1

Options menu

There is a dashed line on top of the menu. Click this line to open the
menu in a separate window.

Use the functions

• 2-D/3-D measurement,
• Vector measurement,
• Curve measurement and
• Radius measurement

for measurement (see also Lesson 2 – Measuring). With the button

(2-D/3-D measurement) active the distance between the start and
end point is determined in the screen plane or 3D, respectively.
With the button Vector measurement active the vector between the
start and the end point is determined; with the Curve measurement
active the developed length is determined. The function Radius
measurement puts an arc between the start and end point. The
radius of this arc is indicated.

The four functions can be performed using the shortcuts indicated

in the menu (i.e. -, Shift–-, Ctrl–- and Crtl–Shift–-).

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Lesson 3: Options menu

The following four functions are only active:

• if you are working on the Prepare page of the Geometry

generator or
• if you are working on a tool geometry on the Tools page of
the Input generator and have activated the function Pick
faces in the dialog Reference tool geometry (Fig. 3.2).

All the four functions are only active if the imported CAD geometry
is active and you are using either the right mouse button or the right
mouse button and the Shift key. The impact of the functions

• Label object/coord.,
• Label face info and
• Pick faces

is shown in the Fig. 3.3–3.5.

Fig. 3.2

The tool geometry has to be reworked, namely by selecting faces -

in this case all the functions of the Options menu are available.

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 Lesson 3: Options menu

Fig. 3.3

Having activated the function Label object/coord., the object names

of the faces are indicated using the right mouse button; the coordi-
nates are indicated using the right mouse button and the Shift key.

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Lesson 3: Options menu

Fig. 3.4

Having activated the function Label face info, information on the

faces are displayed using the right mouse button; the coordinates
are indicated using the right mouse button and the Shift key.

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 Lesson 3: Options menu

Fig. 3.5

Having activated the function Pick faces, you select single faces
using the right mouse button. The selected faces are assigned to a
tool in Geometry generator or on the Tools page of the Input gener-
ator. Use the right mouse button and the Shift key to select several
faces at once.

Select crossing Alternatively you can select several faces at once: Use the middle
mouse button to define a rectangle. Having selected Select cross-
ing, all the faces are selected that are completely and partially
within the defined rectangle. If you don’t activate Select crossing
only the faces are selected that are completely within the defined
rectangle. Using the right mouse button and the Shift key you can
add other faces to the selection.

Having displayed coordinates use the Esc or Backspace keys to

remove the values from the main display (see also Lesson 5 – Clear
all labels and Lesson 5 – Clear last label). Having selected faces
click into a white area of the main display to undo the selection.

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Lesson 4: View menu

1. 4 Lesson 4: View menu

Lesson 4 deals with the View menu. Using the functions of the View menu you deter-
mine your point of view on the model. To compare stages in the forming process you
store views, restore views and synchronize the views in several AutoForm windows
opened at the same time.

The View menu is shown in Fig. 4.1. Use the functions of this menu
to define settings for the view on the model.

Fig. 4.1

View menu

There is a dashed line on top of the menu. Click this line to open the
menu in a separate window.

Use the functions From +X – Diagonal view to adjust the view on

the model. Adjust the view to

• positive x–direction
• positive y–direction
• positive z–direction
• positive z–direction, rotated in xy–plane by 90 degrees
• negative x–direction
• negative y–direction
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 Lesson 4: View menu

• negative z–direction
• negative z–direction, rotated in xy–plane by 90 degrees
and
• a diagonal view

Some of these functions can also be performed using the respective

shortcut which is entered right behind the menu item.

Note:
Note The function 2D view becomes active as soon as you edit
binder profiles of a manual binder (see Model > Geometry gener-
ator ... > Binder > Auto > Apply > Manual > Profiles > Add ... >
Edit ...).
... Having activated this function, the view is set to the plane
of the edited binder profile. Thus the binder profile can be viewed
better and more easily reworked.

Fit to window Use the function Fit to window to display the model in the maximal
within the main display. Having zoomed the model use the func-
tion to display the complete model again. Zooming has been
described in Lesson 2.

Use the following six functions for the evaluation of the simulation
results. Especially use the functions, when you have calculated the
simulation with the same geometrical input but with different con-
trol parameter settings to evaluate the results parallely. It is impor-
tant to make sure, that comparison is made for the same areas and
the same increment (time step). The functions made exactly this
possible. These functions can either be used for a single AutoForm–
window or for several simultaneously opened AutoForm–win-
dows.

Save view The current view is stored. You can restore this view as long as it
has not been overwritten.

Restore view The stored view is opened.

Synchronize view Having simultaneously opened several AutoForm–windows and

changed the view in one of the windows, the view is adjusted in the
other AutoForm–windows.

Save all The current view, the selected results variables and the increment
(time step) are stored.

Restore all The current view, the selected results variables and the increment
(time step) are opened.

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Lesson 4: View menu

Having simultaneously opened several AutoForm–windows and Synchronize all

changed the view, the selected results variables and the increment
(time step) in one of the windows, the view, the selected results
variables and the increment (time step) are adjusted in the other
AutoForm–windows.

Attention:
Attention Using these functions of the View menu, a single view, a
single result variable and a single increment are stored at once.
Every time the functions Save view or Save all is used, the existing
information is overwritten. Using the shortcuts (Ctrl
Ctrl–Shift
Ctrl Shift–number
Shift number for
Save view and Shift–number
Shift number for Save all)all makes it possible to save
nine distinct settings. The distinct settings are stored by a number
and can be restored by shortcuts (Ctrl Ctrl–number
Ctrl number for Restore view or
number for Restore all all). You have to remember the number for the
different settings stored, as it is not possible to look up the number
for the different settings. The stored settings are available until they
are overwritten; they are available after closing AutoForm.

Use the function to adjust a perspective view. Perspective

Attention:
Attention If the function Perspective is active, you cannot use the
middle mouse button for zooming, the middle mouse button and
the Ctrl key for selecting and the right mouse key and the Ctrl key
for measuring.

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 Lesson 5: Display menu

1. 5 Lesson 5: Display menu

Lesson 5 deals with the functions of the Display menu. For different situations the display
of the model has to be adapted. The options for the display of the model are intro-
duced in this lesson.

The Display menu is shown in Fig. 5.1. Use the functions of this
menu to define some general settings for the AutoForm–User Inter-
face.

Fig. 5.1

Display menu

There is a dashed line on top of the menu. Click this line to open the
menu in a separate window.

Fill styles
Use the function Fill styles ... to open the dialog Filed styles. Adjust
the representation of the geometries. The settings are defined sepa-
rately for the part (Sheet), the blank sheet (Blank), the tools (Tools)
and the imported CAD geometry (Geom.).

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Lesson 5: Display menu

Fill styles ...

Fig. 5.2

The dialog Fill styles

You can select between:

Representation as Filled mesh:

Fill styles ... > Filled mesh or g key

Fig. 5.3

The geometry is filled and represented by a FEM mesh. Filled mesh

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 Lesson 5: Display menu

Representation as Mesh:

Fill styles ... > Mesh or m key

Fig. 5.4

Mesh The geometry is represented by a FEM mesh only.

Representation as Filled:

Fill styles ... > Filled or f key

Fig. 5.5

Filled The geometry is represented filled.

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Lesson 5: Display menu

Note:
Note Alternatively use the keys g, m and f to define these settings.

Shading is always switched off – independent of the status of the Never shade
Shading button (see also Lesson 5 – Shading).

The shaded mode can be switched on, using the Shade button on Fig. 5.6
the upper right side of the AutoForm–User Interface (Fig. 5.6) or
using the Shading button in the dialog Shading options ... (see Les-
son 5 – Shading options).

If you are preferring one of the modes (shaded or not shaded), use
the commands

File > Preferences ... > Shading > Save

to store the settings (see also Lesson 6–Preferences). They will be

valid next time the AutoForm–User Interface is opened.

The current settings are saved. They will be valid next time the Save
AutoForm–User Interface is opened.

The dialog Fill styles ... is closed. Dismiss

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 Lesson 5: Display menu

Shading options
Use the function Shading options ... to open the dialog Shading
Options (Fig. 5.7). Use the dialog to define a number of settings for
the representation in the AutoForm–User Interface.

Fig. 5.7

The dialog Shading Options

Geometry / Fac- The geometry is represented by triangular elements. The transition

etted between the elements is not smoothened (Fig. 5.8).

Fig. 5.8

Representation with Facetted active

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Lesson 5: Display menu

The elements are smoothened for the representation of the geome- Geometry /
try, to assure a realistic depiction of the geometry (Fig. 5.9). Smooth

Fig. 5.9

Representation with Smooth active

Having selected a result variable (e.g. Plastic strain in Fig. 5.10), the Results /Facetted
representation of the results refers to each separate element.

Fig. 5.10

Representation with Facetted active for results

The results are represented smoothened. The values for neighbor- Results /Smooth
ing elements are averaged and assigned to the elements (Fig. 5.11).

Attention:
Attention This setting may result in false representation of the simu-
lation results, if local peak values are computed in extremely small
areas. The smoothened representation may suspend the correct
representation of these peak values.

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 Lesson 5: Display menu

Fig. 5.11

Representation with Smooth active for results

Use the Color option to activate the colored representation. Activate

the option to display the geometries in colored representation (also
in the shaded mode). Define the colors in dialog which will be
described further below in this lesson.

Use the Shading option to activate the shaded mode as described

above in this lesson.

Use the button Colors ... to open the dialog Color Editor; use the
button Lights ... to open the dialog Lights Editor. Both dialogs will
be described further below in this lesson.

Use the sliders in the lower part of the dialog Shading options to
define the reflections and the sharpness.

The Save button stores the settings. The Load button loads the latest
settings. The Reset button undoes the defined settings; the Auto-
Form default settings are used again.

Lights
Use the Lights ... button to open the dialog Lights Editor (Fig. 5.12).
Use the functions of the dialog Lights Editor to modify the settings
of light sources for the display of the model in the AutoForm–User
Interface. Six light sources are available. Use the sliders to define the
intensity and the direction of the lights.

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Lesson 5: Display menu

Fig. 5.12

The dialog Lights Editor

This dialog is also opened from the dialog Shading options.

Live value
With this button active, the local results are indicated in the scale.
Having selected a result variable, the geometry is displayed shaded
and the respective scale is displayed in the lower part of the user
interface. Moving the mouse within the model, the actual values are
indicated in the scale.

Bottom bar
Use this button to switch on/off the display of the lower part of the
AutoForm–User Interface (time and result scales).

Right bar
Use this button to switch on/off the display of the button bar of the
AutoForm–User Interface (result and directional variables, tools
etc.).

Clear all labels

Displaying results in the part, coordinates or measured distance in
the main display the function removes these information from the
main display. All the information is cleared in one step. Alterna-
tively use the Esc key.

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 Lesson 5: Display menu

Clear last labels

The indicated values are removed step by step: The latest value is
always removed first.

Selecting
Use the functions

• Select
• Select zones
• Select all

to select areas within the geometry for better evaluation (see also
Lesson 2–Selecting).

Select Having zoomed in an area, use the function Select to select the ele-
ments contained within the area (see also Fig. 2.2).

Select all Use the function Select all to display the whole model again.

Select zones If you are using a tailored blank for the current simulation, you can
display the different areas of the sheet or part separately. The dialog
Select zones is opened: The material specifications of the different
parts are listed. Select a specification to display the respective area
of the sheet (Fig. 5.13).

Dynamic section Use the functions of the window Dynamic section to define cut
lines dynamically.

Fig. 5.13

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Lesson 5: Display menu

The blank consists of two parts: One part consists of the material
FeP04 with a sheet thickness of 1,5 mm, while the other parts con-
sists of material DP500 with a sheet thickness of 1 mm. The figure
only shows the second part while the first part is not displayed.

Displaying Geometries
The functions

• Geometries ...
• Tools ...
• Lines ...

are used for the representation of imported CAD geometries, tools

and lines. Use the functions to open the respective dialogs: Geome-
tries (Fig. 5.14), Tools (Fig. 5.15) and Lines.

Note:
Note The geometry has to be displayed in the main display.

Current geometry
Having loaded/imported more than one geometry you decide
which of the geometry will be used for the simulation.

Part
The part is displayed

Binder
The binder is displayed

Flange
The flange is displayed.

Deleted
Deleted faces are displayed.

Binder surface
Fig. 5.14
The binder surface as generated in the Geometry generator is dis-
played.

Binder ring
The binder containing a hole defined by the punch opening line is
displayed.

Fill
The Fill faces are displayed, i.e. faces that have been created on the
Modify and Bndry pages of the Geometry generator.

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 Lesson 5: Display menu

Addendum
The Addendum faces are displayed, i.e. faces that have been cre-
ated on the Addendum page of the Geometry generator.

Default
Sets the Geometries dialog to AutoForm default settings.

Show all
All the elements listed are displayed.

Clear all
All the elements listed are no longer displayed.

Color faces
The faces are displayed colored.

Color objects
Different objects are displayed in different colors (Part, Binder).

Backdrafts
The model is displayed in the colors green, yellow and red: Green
areas indicate areas of the model which contain no undercuts; yel-
low areas mark marginal undercuts; red areas alert you of severe
undercuts. The function is active as soon as the Tip page of the
Geometry generator is opened.

Drawing angle
The distribution of the drawing angle over the model is displayed.
The drawing angle is the angle enclosed by the surface normal and
the drawing direction.

Drawing depth
The geometries in the main display are colored according to the
drawing depth with respect to the current binder. While generating
a binder surface on the Binder page of the Geometry generator, the
drawing depth and thus the punch impact is represented by colors.
You can readapt the binder until a uniform punch impact is real-
ized.

Ranges ...
The dialog Ranges is opened. Alternatively use the commands

Results > Ranges to open the dialog.

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Lesson 5: Display menu

Fig. 5.15

The dialog Tools

Tools are switched on/off. By default all the tools are switched off, Tool on/off
i.e. they are not displayed.

These three tools have been defined for the current simulation. They die, punch,
can be switched on/off separately. binder

If the option is turned on (i.e. the button is depressed) the non- Non-active tools
active tools and active tools are displayed; if the option is turned off on/off
only the active tools are displayed.

Turn on/off the display of columns. Columns on/off

Turn on/off the display of the tool offset. Tool offset on/off

Note:
Note Columns are only visible if you view the model from positive
z–direction.

The dialog Lines lists all the lines that have been defined for the
simulation (e.g. blank outline, symmetry planes, welds, cuts and
drawbeads). Use the Lines dialog to separately switch on/off the
lines.

Note:
Note Some of the lines contained in a simulation are 2D lines (e.g.
blank outline, drawbeads or 2D–cut). These lines are only visible if
you view the model from positive z–direction.

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 Lesson 5: Display menu

Color scale
Use the function Color scale ... to open the dialog AutoForm –
Color Scale Editor (Fig. 5.16). Define the colors for the results scale
of the different result variables in this dialog.

Fig. 5.16

The dialog AutoForm – Color Scale Editor

Colors
Use the function Colors ... to open the dialog (Fig. 5.17). Define the
colors for different elements (such as blank, various kinds of lines or
tools).

The function Colors ... opens the dialog (Fig. 5.17). Use this dialog
to assign colors to elements (such as sheet, different kinds of lines or
tools). A few predefined colors (black, white, gray etc.) are con-
tained in the color list (button labeled Black in Fig. 5.17). Addition-
ally, you can define your own colors using the three sliders.

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Lesson 5: Display menu

Fig. 5.17

The dialog Color Editor

Before changing the color for an element (e.g. sheet), click the
respective button (e.g. Sheet). Define the color now.

Having imported a CAD geometry into the main display, a separate

color is assigned to each face of the geometry. The colors corre-
spond to the colors defined for the tools (Tool 0 etc.). As you can
assign separate colors to ten tools the colors recur beginning with
the eleventh face.

Alternatively open the dialog form the dialog Shading Options (see
Lesson 5– Shading options).

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 Lesson 6: Presettings

1. 6 Lesson 6: Presettings

Some settings are needed temporarily while others settings are universally valid. Lesson
6 introduces the options of the Preferences dialog which can be set universally.

Define settings which you will always use when opening the Auto-
Form–User Interface. These presettings are defined in the dialog
Preferences. To open the dialog use the command

File > Preferences ...

The dialog Preferences

In the following sections, we introduce a few functions of the Pref-
erences dialog, which are not self–explanatory.

Reduce memory usage

This option makes sense for large simulation files. Having activated
the option AutoForm reads in the results of a single increment at a
time. If you move to another increment (using the time slider in the
AutoForm–User Interface), the results for the new increment have
to be read. Thus the memory usage is reduced, but the time for the
evaluation of the results increases, because the results have to be
read for every increment.

Free rotate
With this option active the model is rotated around an axis which is
normal to the screen plane by means of the left and middle mouse
button.

Rotate points
The model is represented by a cloud of points when you are rotat-
ing, moving or zooming the model.

Rotate grid
The model is represented by grids when you are rotating, moving
Fig. 6.1 or zooming the model.

Attention:
Attention If you activate this option for the first time the grids are
calculated. This may results in a short time delay.

Live rotation
The representation of model remains unchanged when you are
rotating, moving or zooming the model.

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Lesson 7: The most important shortcuts

1. 7 Lesson 7: The most important shortcuts

Most of the commands used in AutoForm can also be performed by

shortcuts. The shortcuts are indicated in the menus following the
menu items for the respective command. This lesson recapitulates
the most frequently used shortcuts:

Fit to window (Lesson 3) Ctrl – w

View from x–direction (Lesson 4) Ctrl – x

View from y–direction (Lesson 4) Ctrl – y

View from z–direction (Lesson 4) Ctrl – z

Opening the Input generators Ctrl – i

Opening the Geometry generator Ctrl – g

Select all (Lesson 5) Ctrl – k

Opening the Lines–dialog Ctrl – l

Clear all labels (Lesson 5) Esc

Clear last labels (Lesson 5) Backspace

Switching on/off the button bar b

Switching on/off the area containing the time and result scale r

Switch to color mode (Lesson 5) c

Fill styles – Mesh (Lesson 5) m

Fill styles – Filled (Lesson 5) f

Fill styles – Filled mesh (Lesson 5) g

Synchronize view (Lesson 4): Synchronize view in two AutoForm– s

windows

Save view (Lesson 4) Ctrl–Shift–num-

ber
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 Lesson 7: The most important shortcuts

Ctrl – number Restore view (Lesson 4)

Shift – number Save all (Lesson 4)

Number Restore all (Lesson 4)

x Scale up the geometry in the main display (Lesson 2)

z Scale down the geometry in the main display (Lesson 2)

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Lesson 7: The most important shortcuts

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