P

parameter

A variable quantity that restricts or gives particular form to the thing that it characterizes. In Abaqus/CAE parameter refers to modifiable parameters that define features (for example, the length of an extrusion). It is also used in the term edge parameter to describe a position along an edge, expressed as a fraction of its length. See also keyword parameter to learn how parameters are used in Abaqus input files, and see input parameter to learn how they are used in Abaqus/Design.

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Parasolid

A solid modeling system developed by Unigraphics. You can import Parasolid-format parts generated by Parasolid Version 7 through Version 13. You cannot export parts in Parasolid format.

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parent feature

part

The geometry building blocks of an Abaqus/CAE model. You assemble instances of parts to create an assembly that you can then mesh and analyze.

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part instance

A reusable copy of the original Abaqus/CAE part, except that an instance also maintains its association with the original part; if you modify the part, the part instance is also modified at the same time. When you assemble your model, you work with part instances, not with the original parts.

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partition

A feature used to divide an Abaqus/CAE part or assembly into regions. Such regions have many uses; for example, applying loads or assigning mesh attributes.

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Partition toolset

An Abaqus/CAE toolset that allows you to divide a part or assembly into regions.

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Part module

An Abaqus/CAE module used to create, edit, and manage the parts in the current model.

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part-related modules

Abaqus/CAE modules in which parts are displayed in the viewport. The Part and Property modules are considered part-related modules.

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part set

An Abaqus/CAE set consisting of a region of a part. Part sets are available only when you are in the Part or Property modules.

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path

A line you define by specifying a series of points through your model. You can view results along the path in the form of an X–Y plot.

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plot state

A combination of all the active customization options that produce a plot in the viewport. You enter a particular plot state by producing a plot of the corresponding type. For example, if you produce an undeformed plot, the current viewport will then be in the undeformed plot state. The plot state of a viewport persists, and Abaqus/CAE updates it with any changes you make to the customization options until you produce a plot in some other state in that viewport.

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plug-in

A piece of software that installs itself into another application to extend the capabilities of that application.

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PNG (Portable Network Graphics)

An industry standard for storing bitmap images. A PNG file consists of color information and a compressed bitmap representation of the image. Abaqus/CAE allows you to save images of selected viewports in PNG-format files.

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position constraint

A constraint used to prescribe the relative positions of part instances during assembly in Abaqus/CAE.

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positioning point

A point that locates the first fastening point of mesh-independent fasteners. A positioning point can reside on the first surface to be fastened, or it can reside close to the first surface and be projected along a normal or a user-specified direction.

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PostScript

A page-description language developed by Adobe Systems that offers a flexible font capability and high-quality graphics. PostScript uses English-like commands to control page layout and to load and scale outline fonts. Abaqus/CAE allows you to print images of selected viewports directly to a PostScript printer or to save the same image in a PostScript-format file.

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predefined field

A time-dependent, non-solution-dependent condition that exists over the spatial domain of the model.

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prescribed condition

An external condition such as a load, an initial condition, or a boundary condition applied to a model.

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preselection

A change in the appearance of objects on the screen to help you make the desired selections for a particular Abaqus/CAE procedure. Two types of preselection are available:

  • Preselection highlighting appears in an Abaqus/CAE viewport when you stop moving the cursor. Any objects that would be selected at the current cursor position are highlighted in orange.

  • Preselection symbols appear on an Abaqus/CAE sketch as you move the cursor around to select a point, such as the center of a circle or the end of a line. Preselection symbols help you position the cursor and indicate a point on the sketch that can be selected, such as a vertex or a midpoint.

If you click when preselection highlighting or a preselection symbol is visible, Abaqus/CAE selects the indicated object.

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primary axis

An approximate material direction for a discrete orientation. Abaqus/CAE uses the primary axis and the normal axis to construct a right-handed Cartesian coordinate system. You choose the coordinate system axis that you want the primary axis to represent in the resultant orientation and select topology or datums or enter vector values to define the desired axis.

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primary cursor

An active cursor that you use with most applications on your computer. The primary cursor usually appears as an arrow pointer; you position this cursor by moving the mouse. See also secondary cursor.

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printed output (.dat) file

A file (job_name.dat) that contains information generated by the Abaqus analysis input file preprocessor, including the model definition and any error or warning messages that were detected while processing the input data. In addition, the printed output file contains any printed output data written during the analysis.

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privileged plane

The base of the 3D compass. By default, Abaqus/CAE draws the 3D compass so that the XZ plane is the privileged plane. You can customize the appearance of the 3D compass to change the privileged plane to any of the three major compass planes (XY, YZ, or XZ).

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probe

A mode in which Abaqus/CAE displays information as you move the cursor around the current viewport. Probing a model plot displays model data and analysis results; probing an X–Y plot displays X–Y curve data.

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procedure

The type of analysis to be performed during an analysis step. Static stress, dynamic stress, eigenvalue buckling, and transient heat transfer are examples of analysis procedures.

In Abaqus/CAE many tasks that you perform are broken into step-by-step procedures. When you perform one of these procedures, Abaqus/CAE displays instructions for each step at the appropriate time in the prompt area near the bottom of the main window.

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profile

A definition of the engineering properties of a beam section that are related to its cross-sectional shape and size (for example, cross-section area and moments of inertia). When you define a beam section, you must include a reference to a profile in the section definition.

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A surface profile is the collection of line segments defining the cross-section of analytical rigid surfaces.

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Profile also refers to the distribution of a variable over space or time such as a temperature profile or a wind velocity profile.

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prompt area

An area located at the bottom of the Abaqus/CAE main window that displays instructions for you to follow during a procedure.

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Property module

An Abaqus/CAE module that allows you to define the material and section properties of a model by creating section definitions and assigning them to parts or to regions of parts. Most section definitions refer to material definitions, which you also create using the Property module.

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