Set the Representation

The Export command was designed as a what-you-see-is-what-you-get system, where the visibility and representation settings in Design control what is exported. This enables you to select certain elements of the Design database for export, and to choose an appropriate level of detail for your needs.

If you are operating in a graphical mode, and working with relatively small volume of data this is ideal. When exporting large models the close integration with the graphical display can result in slow performance.

In this case you can speed up the export significantly by running Design without graphics. It is then very important to ensure that the visual representation is set to what you require.

Note: Design's default settings are different when you are running without graphics.

We suggest that you do the following:

1. Read the Element Representation section of the Design Reference Commands Manual, which discusses the options available.

2. Using Design with graphics enabled, set the representation to your requirements, using either the menus or commands.

3. Select Display then Command Window

4. Type the command:

   Q REPR

5. Note the results, for example:

   Centreline Off

   Tube On

   Obstruct Off

   Insulation Off

   Hole Off

   Ppoints Off

   Ppoint Length 50mm

   Ppoint Numbers Off

   Representation level 6

   Representation level PIPE 6

   Representation level NOZZ 6

   Representation level STRU 6

   Mass Properties Detail level 6

   Pnode On

   Pnode size 100mm

   Pnode colour 22

   Snode On

   Snode size 50mm

   Snode colour 31

   Points Off

   Pline Off

   Pline length 50mm

   Pkey Off

6. Leave Design, and re-enter, but without graphics (by typing dev tty in Monitor).

7. Type Q REPR again, note the results, for example:

   Centreline Off

   Tube On

   Obstruct Off

   Insulation Off

   Hole Off

   Ppoints Off

   Ppoint Length 50mm

   Ppoint Numbers Off

   Representation level 0

   Representation level PIPE 0

   Representation level NOZZ 0

   Representation level STRU 0

   Mass Properties Detail level 0

   Pnode On

   Pnode size 10mm

   Pnode colour Visible

   Snode On

   Snode size 10mm

   Snode colour Visible

   Points Off

   Pline Off

   Pline length 50mm

   Pkey Off

8. Look at the differences, in this case:

   Representation level 6

   Representation level PIPE 6

   Representation level NOZZ 6

   Representation level STRU 6

   Mass Properties Detail level 6

   Pnode size 100mm

   Pnode colour 22

   Snode size 50mm

   Snode colour 31

9. Either include all of these representation commands in your macro file (see Running ExPLANT-A), or select those you do need using the Design Reference Commands Manual as a guide.