All of Patran’s finite element modeling capabilities are available by selecting the Finite Element button on the main form. Finite Element (FE) Meshing, Node and Element Editing, Nodal Equivalencing, ID Optimization, Model Verification, FE Show, Modify and Delete, and ID Renumber, are all accessible from the Finite Elements form.

At the top of the form are a set of pull-down menus named Action and Object, followed by either Type, Method or Test. These menus are hierarchical. For example, to verify a particular finite element, the Verify action must be selected first. Once the type of Action, Object and Method has been selected, Patran will store the setting. When the user returns to the Finite Elements form, the previously defined Action, Object and Method will be displayed. Therefore, Patran will minimize the number steps if the same series of operations are performed.

The Action menu is organized so the following menu items are listed in the same order as a typical modeling session.