There are two Ribbons that contain the buttons used to perform actions in HyperX. The main Ribbon contains all buttons for all available actions, and the Custom Ribbon can be modified by users to hold buttons for the actions they use the most.
Database Tab
The Database tab contains the following functions:
-
New File – Create a new Database.
-
Open File – Open previously created Database.
-
New Project – Create new Project within current Database.
-
Project Options – Load/edit/delete Projects within current Database.
-
Import Project – Import project from another Database into current Database.
-
Project Data - Options to view, delete, bundle, and unbundle Project data. See Project Bundle for more information. Also, options to compare and compact Database(s) (as of version 2025.1.4).
-
Import Database Data (rise-up) – Import selection of Database data from an existing Database or spreadsheet. See Import Database Data.
-
Export Database Data (rise-up) - Export selection of Database data to a Database or spreadsheet. See Export Database Data.
-
Database Defaults – View/modify the Database Defaults including Project units, Design Load Factors, Zone defaults, and composite fabrication rules.
-
Advanced Settings – Detailed list of all Database and Project toggle-settings/factors/limits/coefficients/etc.
-
Package Manager - Opens the Package Manager where you can install and manage additional criteria and Scripts.
-
Package Settings - Opens Package Manager settings where you can add and manage Package Sources.
-
Save Template – Save the current Database settings as a user-defined Database Template
-
Manage Template – Manage available list of Database Templates.
-
Enterprise Database – Manage Company Database options for models being utilized by multiple analysts in collaboration. See Enterprise Use-Case.
-
Browse Materials (rise-up) – Browse entirety of Material selections available in Database. See Material Types.
Model Tab
The Model tab contains operations related to import/export of FEM models, Project unit display, and import/export of CAD.
The function of each button is more explicitly explained below:
-
FEM Import – Import Finite Element Model with user-specified selections. See How To Import a FEM.
-
FEA Results Import – Import results of Finite Element Analysis.
-
Design Loads – View/modify reference temperature, limit/ultimate load factors, and multipliers defining case combinations for selected Design Load Cases.
-
Load Extraction Method (rise-up) – Create a Load Property with corresponding method (average, peak element, element based, etc.) for extraction of FEA loads within Zone/Joint boundaries.
-
Exclude Elements – Select elements to be excluded from force summation and analysis. See How to Exclude Elements from Sizing/Analysis.
-
FEA-Like Loads (rise-up) - Define user-defined stress resultants to be assessed during Sizing/Analysis. See Non-FEA Design Loads.
-
User-Defined Loads (rise-up) - Analysis-specific user-defined loads to be assessed during Sizing/Analysis. See Non-FEA Design Loads.
-
Project Units – Control of Project unit display in relation to units modeled in the FEM (English, SI, or custom).
-
Measuring Tool - Measure distances between CAD and HyperX entities. See Measuring Tool.
-
Change Material Direction - Project a vector to material coordinates for selected plate elements.
-
FEM Export – Export of finite-element model with design sizing results from HyperX.
-
Import CAD - Import CAD geometry (Points, Curves, Surfaces) into the current Project. See How To Import and Export CAD Entities.
-
Export CAD - Export CAD geometry (Points, Curves, Surfaces) to selected file type. See How To Import and Export CAD Entities.
-
Generate CAD Stiffeners - Generate 2D or 3D CAD stiffener entities from existing Sizing results.
-
Create CAD Entities (rise-up) - Options to create new CAD Points or Curves in the HyperX interface. See How To Create CAD Entities.
-
Modify CAD Entities (rise-up) - Options to edit existing CAD entities in the HyperX interface. See How to Modify CAD Entities.
-
Discrete Fields - Open the Library to create and manage custom tabular data. See Discrete Fields.
-
Discrete Field Modifiers (rise-up) - Map and project external Discrete Field tables to the FEM.
Structure Tab
The Structure tab contains operations related to generation of basic HyperX organizational entities (Zones, Structures, Sets) as well as creation and import/export of discretely stiffened Panel Segments.
-
Structure – Create a Structure.
-
Set – Create a Set.
-
Zone – Manual creation of Zones via selection of elements or property regions.
-
Split-Up Zones – Opens the Zone Splitter to automatically create Zones based on orthogonal element, beam connectivity, and customizable rules.
-
Zone Pattern Optimization – Automatic creation of Zones based on Sizing results generated by Element Optimization.
-
Non-FEA Panel - Create a Non-FEA Panel Zone.
-
Non-FEA Beam - create a Non-FEA Beam Zone.
-
Non-FEA Joint - Create a Non-FEA joint.
-
Edit Zone – Edit Element membership of selected Zone.
-
Return to Unused FEM – Convert Elements in created Zone/Structure back to un-used state of initial FEM import.
-
Update Zone Data – Automatically updates area, centroid, and buckling span data for selected Zones.
-
Zone Settings Table – View/modify all properties related to selected zone in a spreadsheet format.
-
Export Zone Edges – Export coordinate points representing the boundary geometry of selected Zone(s).
-
Edge Joint – Create edge-to-edge element Joint definition.
-
Panel Segment – Manual – Define Panel Segment modeling technique and enable manual creation of discretely stiffened panel accordingly.
-
Panel Segment – Automatic (rise-up) – Define Panel Segment modeling technique and enable automatic creation of discretely stiffened panel accordingly from selected Zones.
-
Panel Segment – Import/Export (rise-up) – Import/export Element/Property membership for discrete stiffened Panel Segments.
-
Section Cuts (rise-up) - Create a Section Cut.
-
Help - Links to the Help Center and other Collier Aerospace support sites.
-
Search - Search HyperX for entities and functions.
Material Tab
The Material tab contains operations related to the creation of Metallic and Composite Materials, Adhesive properties, and Fastener definitions.
-
Metal (rise-up) – Create/view material properties for Isotropic Metal.
-
Ply Material (rise-up) – Create/view material properties from Composite Material.
-
Laminate Family (rise-up) – Create, generate, or view Laminate Families for panel and stiffened-panel sections.
-
Laminate (rise-up) - Create/view Laminates.
-
Effective Laminate Generation – Create a thickness-independent Laminate based on selected Composite Material(s) and Laminate fabrication rules. See Effective Laminate.
-
Honeycomb Core (rise-up) – Create/view material properties for Honeycomb orthotropic core material.
-
Foam Core (rise-up) – Create/view material properties for Foam orthotropic core material.
-
Adhesive (rise-up) - Create/view material properties for Adhesive Material for Bonded Joint analysis.
-
Fastener (rise-up) – Create/view material selection, dimensional chart, and options for bolt-style fastener.
-
Rivet (rise-up) - Create/view material selection, dimensional chart, and options for rivet-style fastener.
-
Import Material/Laminates (rise-up) - Import Materials and Laminates from Excel.
-
Export Material/Laminates (rise-up) - Export Materials and Laminates to Excel.
-
Help - Links to the Help Center and other Collier Aerospace support sites.
-
Search - Search HyperX for entities and functions.
Design Tab
The Design tab features operations related to the creation of Design Properties - namely Panels, Beams, and Joints.
-
Plate – Create Design Property for isotropic plate.
-
Laminate (rise-up) – Create Design Property for Composite Laminate.
-
Sandwich (rise-up) – Create Design Property for sandwich concept.
-
Open Section (rise-up) – Create Design Property for an open-section stiffened panel (such as “I” or “T”).
-
Closed Section (rise-up) – Create Design Property for an open-section stiffened panel (such as hat / omega).
-
Grid (rise-up) – Create Design Property for grid-stiffened panel (such as orthogrid / isogrid).
-
Frame (rise-up) – Create Design Property for an open-section stiffened panel with three cap regions.
-
Open Section Beam (rise-up) – Create Design Property for a 1-D Zone with open cross-section.
-
Closed Section Beam (rise-up) – Create Design Property for a 1-D Zone with closed cross-section.
-
Edge Allowable Joint – Create Design Property for an Edge Joint with basic performance allowables.
-
Fastened Joint (rise-up) – Create Design Property for a joint with a threaded fastener. See Bolted Joints for more information.
-
Riveted Joint (rise-up) – Create Design Property for a joint with rivet fasteners. See Bolted Joints for more information.
-
Bonded Joint (rise-up) – Create Design Property for an adhesively Bonded Joint.
-
Zone Dimension Overrides Table (rise-up) – View/override selection of dimensional Zone properties (such as core thickness) for both Analysis and Sizing inputs.
-
Import Design Setup – Import Panel/Beam/Joint property definitions from Excel file.
-
Export Design Setup - Export Panel/Beam/Joint property definitions from Excel file.
-
Help - Links to the Help Center and other Collier Aerospace support sites.
-
Search - Search HyperX for entities and functions.
Analysis Tab
The Analysis tab contains operations related to creating and defining Analysis Properties and corresponding Failure Modes.
-
Create Analysis Property (rise-up) - Create a new Analysis Property from scratch (Panel, Beam, or Joint).
-
Auto-Create Panel Analysis Property (rise-up) - Automatically create a new Panel Analysis Property with HyperX default Failure Modes (adjusted per selected concept).
-
Auto-Create Beam Analysis Property (rise-up) - Automatically create a new Beam Analysis Property with HyperX default Failure Modes (adjusted per selected concept).
-
Auto-Create Joint Analysis Property (rise-up) - Automatically create a new Joint Analysis Property with HyperX default Failure Modes (adjusted per selected concept).
-
Strength Failure Mode (rise-up) - Create a Failure Mode for metallic strength, ply-based strength, or laminate-based strength.
-
Buckling Failure Mode (rise-up) - Create a Failure Mode for one of four buckling categories: panel, beam, stiffener, and local buckling.
-
Crippling Failure Mode - Create Failure Mode containing selected crippling methods.
-
Sandwich Failure Mode - Create Failure Mode containing selected sandwich strength and stability methods.
-
Stiffener Failure Mode (rise-up) - Create Failure Mode containing selected stiffness limit methods.
-
Geometry Failure Mode - Create Failure Mode containing selected geometry constraint methods.
-
Temperature Failure Mode - Create Failure Mode containing selected temperature constraint methods.
-
Joint Failure Mode (rise-up) - Create Failure Mode containing selected joint failure methods (per Joint type).
-
Plugin Failure Mode - Create Failure Mode containing selected methods from the loaded Plugin Package(s).
-
Create Package Failure Mode - Create Failure Mode containing selected methods from a Criteria Package.
-
Section Cut Loads to Zone - Create Non-FEA Zone(s) and apply loads from selected Section Cuts.
-
Plugins – View and load external analysis Plugin Packages.
-
Help - Links to the Help Center and other Collier Aerospace support sites.
-
Search - Search HyperX for entities and functions.
Run Tab
The Run tab holds operations related to Analysis/Sizing, FEA solver iteration, element-based optimization, and producibility studies.
-
Size – Run HyperX Sizing operation on selected entities.
-
Copy Results to Overrides After Sizing - Automatically populate Analysis Overrides Table with Sizing results after each Sizing operation.
-
Copy Results to Overrides - Populate Analysis Overrides Table with Sizing results for selected Zones once, now.
-
Analyze - Run Analysis operation on selected entities.
-
Process Monitor – View logs, warnings, and errors from the Analysis/Sizing process.
-
Number of Processors – Specify maximum number of processors for utilization on HyperX internal hyper-threaded processes.
-
Run HyperFEA – Run the HyperFEA utility for iterating with an external FEA solver.
-
Run HyperFEMGen - Run the HyperFEMGen utility to automatically create discretely meshed panels based on HyperX Zone data.
-
Element Optimization (rise-up) – Customize settings used for Element Optimization or view summary of results from Element Optimization.
-
Ply Angle Study – Trade ply angle limits to find the optimal balance between weight and producibility.
-
Laminate Family Study – Trade Laminate Family designs to find the optimal balance between weight and producibility. See Laminate Family Trade Study.
-
HyperXpert Runner - Define inputs and run corresponding design of experiments. See HyperXpert.
-
Batch Runs (rise-up) - Define and execute multiple runs in batch - for both HyperXpert and the Dashboard.
-
Script Runner - Run selected Python scripts directly from the HyperX interface. See Script Runner.
-
Help - Links to the Help Center and other Collier Aerospace support sites.
-
Search - Search HyperX for entities and functions.
Result Tab
The Results tab provides operations related to displaying, plotting, collecting, and exporting design data and Analysis/Sizing results.
-
Watch Window – View/modify/save tables of custom Zone and Joint data (such as inputs, Analysis, and Sizing results). See Watch Window.
-
Analysis Results Watch Window - Display margin of safety results for each selected Zone and Joint in tabular form. See Analysis Watch Window.
-
Legend – Control visualization and plot imported FEA data, design inputs, as well as Analysis and Sizing results. See Legend.
-
Data Probe – Add custom Legend data labels to selected Zones in the display, as well as min/max values. See Data Probe.
-
Design Result – View Design Results (such as Material, ply angles, thickness) for a selected Zone.
-
Analysis Result – View analyzed failure criteria margin-of-safety results for a selected Zone.
-
Data Plot - Select and plot data. As of version 2025.1.4, plot Section Cut Loads.
-
Analysis Margins- Select and plot MS data per Zone.
-
Failure Criteria - Select and plot failure criteria per Zone.
-
Critical Load Case - Select and plot critical load data per Zone.
-
Stress Reports (rise-up) – Generate detailed Stress Reports (Excel, Word, and .csv) containing inputs, design data, and analysis results of the project.
-
Zone Loads Report – Generate report of load summation and processing for selected Zones.
-
Joint Loads Report – Generate report of load summation and processing for selected Joints.
-
Section Cut Loads Reports - Export loads for a selection of Section Cuts.
-
HyperXpert Viewer - Open the plotting interface to review HyperXpert results.
-
Dashboard - Upload current results to the HyperX Cloud Dashboard. See the Dashboard.
-
Help - Links to the Help Center and other Collier Aerospace support sites.
-
Search - Search HyperX for entities and functions.
Composite Tab
The Composites tab contains operations related to Laminate Family design, Ply visualization (ply shapes, ply angles, thickness, etc.), as well as manufacturing tools and export features offered by HyperX.
-
Laminate Family (rise-up) – Create, generate, or view Laminate Families for panel and stiffened-panel sections.
-
Laminate (rise-up) - Create/view Laminates.
-
Sequencing (rise-up) – Connect Discrete Laminates between adjacent Zones to generate optimal producible composite layup. See Sequencing.
-
Ply Manager – Insert, delete, modify, and rearrange Plies on a Structure. See Ply Manager Form.
-
Zone Transitions (rise-up) - Create and review transitions between adjacent Zones. These are used during Sequencing and to enforce ply drop constraints.
-
Topological View – Toggle visualization of plies on top of structure with “draping” over layered plies and core.
-
Exploded View – Toggle visualization of plies and core with constant offset from underlying Structure.
-
Ply Boundaries – Toggle between visualizing entire plies or simple boundaries.
-
Section Cut – Generate a section cut visualization of plies and core.
-
Ply View Options – Change scaling and other behaviors of ply and core visualization.
-
Global Ply Builder – Ply-based optimization based on Element or Zone Sizing results.
-
Import/Export Options (rise-up) – Import AFP (automated fiber placement) directions or export Ply boundaries.
-
Variable Fiber Direction – Display AFP (automated fiber placement) fiber direction vectors. See How To View Fiber Directions on Plies.
-
Fiber Reference Direction – Show fiber direction vectors on Plies, per Element, relative to material axes.
-
Help - Links to the Help Center and other Collier Aerospace support sites.
-
Search - Search HyperX for entities and functions.
View Tab
The View tab holds all operations related to model visualization, visualization controls, view manipulation, and help access.
-
Refresh Display – Refresh the display by reloading the current Project.
-
Viewport Settings – Control of model, background, and Ribbon visualization options.
-
Custom View Manager - Launch the Custom View Manager to create, edit, enable, or delete a particular Viewport configuration.
-
Color Mode – Select entity mode (sets, panels, joints, etc.) for visual differentiation.
-
Color Selection (rise-up) – Manually or automatically color selected Zones.
-
Appearance (rise-up) – Toggle model appearance options: shading, translucency, and perspective.
-
Boundaries (rise-up) – Select the type of Zone boundary to display.
-
Mesh Lines – Toggle finite-element mesh boundary visualization.
-
Nodes – Toggle finite-element node (grid point) visualization.
-
Element Indicators (rise-up) – Toggle the display of element normal and material orientation vectors.
-
Panel Indicators (rise-up) – Toggle the display of panel visualization options: design, wireframe, buckling span.
-
Panel/Beam Cross Sections – Toggle the to-scale display of panel and beam cross sections.
-
Ply Cross Section Viewport – Display window with detailed cross-sectional view of composite panels for selected Zone.
-
Scale Reference Model - Activate to place human-sized reference figure alongside model.
-
Clipping Planes – Visualize and modify location for a cross-section view of the model.
-
Smart Selection (rise-up) - Custom selection options to define areas and axes of selection.
-
Through-Selection – Toggle box selection behavior: through model or visible entities only.
-
Select By ID - Opens form to select entities by their ID.
-
Touchpad Mode – Activate touchpad-friendly settings for model manipulation.
-
Application Settings – Access license and working directory information, help documentation, website, and bug report options.
-
Help - Links to the Help Center and other Collier Aerospace support sites.
-
Search - Search HyperX for entities and functions.
The Custom Ribbon, found on the lefthand-side of the Viewport, is designed to contain any buttons that are used most often.
Upon first install, it comes pre-populated with the most commonly used actions (Sizing, Legend, Watch Window, etc.). The user can customize this 'toolbox' by dragging additional buttons directly from the Ribbon to the Custom Ribbon. Existing buttons can also be removed by clicking and dragging them out of the Custom Ribbon bar. The configuration of the Custom Ribbon is automatically saved and applied to all subsequent Databases on the user's computer.