Export point cloud of deformed shell nodes

[riccardo.lorenzini2]

it is possible to export the shell of deformed object? i can export as a point cloud, with FNO reader, all the nodes of the object, it's possible to export only the nodes on the surfaces of the deformed model?

thanks.

[John_Holtz]

Hi @riccardo.lorenzini2 . Welcome to the Inventor Nastran forum.

When you say "shell" nodes, do you mean the outside surface or skin of a solid model, or do you mean shell elements?

I assume you mean that you have a solid mesh and want the nodes from the outside surface. I think that Nastran will not do it. The only suggestion that I have is the following:

1. Duplicate the analysis so that you have the same mesh but can change other things in the analysis.
2. Set the analysis type to linear static stress if currently a different analysis type.
3. Delete all the loads from the model.
4. Add a temperature load and select the faces where you want to get the nodes for the point cloud.
5. Right-click in the Model Tree and choose "Generate Nastran File". The .nas file now has TEMP commands that will list every node on the selected faces. Using this list of nodes, you will be able to filter out the nodes that you want from your global list of exported nodes.

John