Description of Neutral File

The neutral file consists of objects. Each object contains a number of consecutive lines that describe one panel, plate, stiffener, clip, assembly Each object is enclosed by two lines called start-of-object and end-of-object respectively. Some message records follow immediately after the start-of-object record. These records contain non-graphical information about the object. Thereafter follow records containing geometry information divided into groups.

For panels and assemblies the geometry information is further divided into groups, surrounded by start-of-group and end-of-group delimiters and possibly with message records immediately after the start-of-group record before the actual geometry. Groups are formed for the panel contour or plate contour and for each hole, stiffener, flange, pillar, bracket in the panel.

A layer record may follow immediately before the geometry records in a group. Thereby it is possible to define a layer for each group.

The following example may illustrate a neutral file describing a panel.

Note: Either the panel contour (default) or the panel plate contours will be included in the intermediate file BUT NOT BOTH. The panel plate contours may be requested through use of the IP keyword PLATE_CONTOURS.

The hole contours for holes crossing the boundary between two panel plates will not be included in the intermediate file. These contours will show as part of the panel plate contours.

Coordinates are, by default, output in E-format with 6 fractional digits and 2 digits in the exponent. By defining the IP EXT_PREC coordinates however will be output in E-format with 15 fractional digits and 2 digits in the exponent.

The geometry data consists of 3D contours, where each contour consists of a start- of-contour record and consecutive segment records. After the contour may follow 3 message records containing volume data.

The following example may illustrate a geometry data part of an intermediate file:

Several similar groups of contour and volume information may follow.