The main Analysis form is controlled by two PCL classes, “analysis_main” and <analysis_code>_load_aom_data. “analysis_main” is a generic class contained within the p3patran.plb library. The <analysis_code>_load_aom_data class is analysis code specific and resides in the <analysis_code>.plb library. “analysis_main” is not modifiable by the user. For MSC supplied analysis interfaces, such as Patran MSC Nastran or MSC.Marc, the <analysis_code>_load_aom_data class is not modifiable, whereas for user defined analysis interfaces, it is the user’s responsibility to create this class and place it into the Analysis library.

There are many levels of communication between the main Analysis form and the subordinate Analysis forms and functions. This communication will be discussed in detail in the following sections.