You can use the Reference Point toolset to create a reference point that is associated with a part by selecting ToolsReference Point from the main menu bar. A part can include only one reference point, and Abaqus/CAE labels it RP. Abaqus/CAE asks you if you want to delete the original point if you try to create a second point. A reference point on a part appears on all instances of the part in the assembly. The assembly can include more than one reference point, and Abaqus/CAE labels them RP-1, RP-2, RP-3, etc. For more information about the reference point, see Chapter 72, “The Reference Point toolset.”

Abaqus/CAE displays the reference point at the desired location along with its label. You can change the reference point label by selecting Rename from the Model Tree. If desired, you can turn off the display of the reference point symbol and the reference point label; for more information, see “Controlling reference point display,” Section 76.11.

If the part is a discrete or analytical rigid part, you use the reference point to indicate the rigid body reference point. When you create the assembly, the reference point appears on each instance of the part. You use the Interaction module to apply constraints to the reference point or the Load module to define the motion of the reference point using loads or boundary conditions. Motion or constraints that you apply to the reference point are then applied to the entire rigid part.