MSC Apex - Recent Threads

RE: How do you change the location of "MSC_Apex Workspace" in MSC Apex?

Christian Aparicio — Thu, 23 Jul 2026 10:52:36 GMT

Thank you Edwin!

It worked.

This was my edit.

 <variable name="UserSettingsFilePath" type="String">
   <value>/home/username/MSC_Apex Workspace/ApplicationUserSettings_apex.xml</value>
 </variable>

Oddly, this led to the creation of two locations of MSC_Apex Workspace.

/home/username/Documents/MSC_Apex Workspace
/home/username/MSC_Apex Workspace

This outcome is acceptable because my models are now saved in #2, which was the intent. Thank you again.

How do you change the location of "MSC_Apex Workspace" in MSC Apex?

Christian Aparicio — Tue, 21 Jul 2026 14:01:51 GMT

On Linux, and Windows, the default location of "MSC_Apex Workspace" is always the Documents directory.

Example:

/home/username/Documents/MSC_Apex Workspace

Can the location of "MSC_Apex Workspace" be changed? Perhaps to this location?

/home/username/MSC_Apex Workspace

I prefer to keep my document files and application files separate.

Any guidance on Windows or Linux is appreciated.

Thank you.

RE: How do you change the location of "MSC_Apex Workspace" in MSC Apex?

Edwin Goei — Wed, 22 Jul 2026 12:08:05 GMT

There is the following setting in MSC_ApexConfig.xml (which can be found in <user’s home directory>\AppData\Local\MSC\MSC_Apex):

<variable name="UserSettingsFilePath" type="String">
<value>C:\Users\john.smith\Documents\MSC_Apex Workspace\ApplicationUserSettings.xml</value>

You can change this to the desired working directory path. Furthermore, you need to copy the following files from the old Workspace location to the new Workspace:

- Custom Tools Folder
- ApplicationUserSettings.xml
- CustomToolPalettesSeting_version-number.xml
- MSC_Apex.log

RE: MSC Apex matching mesh creation

Rohit Belsare — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 08:36:11 GMT

Bartlomiej Minor

You have to use the Trasnform tool with "Move from point to point" , I will share you the updated database for your referene. Thanks! Check with this option, if requried then we can have a teams meeting.

MSC Apex matching mesh creation

Bartlomiej Minor — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 06:40:17 GMT

Is there some kind of apex workflow, that allows user to create identical meshes on 2 parallel surfaces, sliced in the same or similar manner, like in screenshot below?

I tried multiple approaches but mose weren't suitable/working.

RE: MSC Apex matching mesh creation

Bartlomiej Minor — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 07:54:57 GMT

I tried the approaches - both require copying the mesh, which is associated to geometry, so geometry is copied along it- shouldn't it be disconnected first somehow?

RE: MSC Apex matching mesh creation

Rohit Belsare — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 07:29:02 GMT

Bartlomiej Minor

There are two approaches you can use to achieve this:

1.Using Mesh Control,

First, transform the mesh from the top surface onto the bottom surface while maintaining the exact offset distance.
Then, use Meshing Tools → Mesh Control to imprint the transformed mesh onto the bottom surface. Once the mesh has been imprinted, remesh the entire bottom surface. The generated mesh will automatically follow the same mesh pattern as the top surface.

2. Using the Transform Tool and Mesh Association,

Use the "Transform" tool to copy the mesh onto the bottom surface while preserving the exact distance.
Next, navigate to "Geometry and Mesh Utilities" and associate the transformed mesh with the bottom surface.
This ensures that the mesh remains properly associated with the geometry and retains the same mesh pattern as the top surface.

Please refer to the attached images for detailed guidance and illustration of the workflow.

I hope this helps!

Thanks!

RE: Python Scripting Workshop Model Introspection Database Not Importing?

Sandip Patil — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 01:30:14 GMT

Apex doesn't Need specific steps to upgrade older databases to Newer version.
you can simply open (file >> Open >> Open Apex Project) database to new version, it will auto update and then you can save it in same version.

Python Scripting Workshop Model Introspection Database Not Importing?

Aly Osman — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 15:28:46 GMT

I am trying to do the Python Scripting workshop. When importing the model database, I get the status message "The database was saved in an old version of MSC Apex application, but you are attempting to import it to a new version that requires the database to be updated, try and upgrade the database before you execute the import model.".

I cannot find information anywhere on how to get older models to work with the latest version of Apex (I am running Apex 2025.2). Can anyone provide assistance on how to remedy this?

RE: Python Scripting Workshop Model Introspection Database Not Importing?

MC202509189142 — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 17:01:57 GMT

Thread moved from How to use Nexus Communuty

RE: Create a group with elements connected to RBEx slave nodes

Andrea Vicentini — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 08:25:57 GMT

Oh ok, that's a slow process if there are a lot of RBEx. It would be a very useful tool.
Thanks Rohit Belsare

Create a group with elements connected to RBEx slave nodes

Andrea Vicentini — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 08:02:06 GMT

Is there a way, like in Patran, to select and create a group of the elements connected to RBEx slave nodes in order to hide them in post processing and evaluating, for example, correct stresses?

RE: Create a group with elements connected to RBEx slave nodes

Rohit Belsare — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 08:24:05 GMT

Andrea Vicentini There isn’t any direct way to automatically select and create a group of elements connected to RBEs. However, you can manually select the elements that are connected to the RBEs, create a group from them, and then choose “Set as Plot Target” in post-processing.

RE: How to display NASTRAN generated XY plots?

Rolf Hildre — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 04:56:35 GMT

Thank you. The ASSIGN command to produce .ps files is very useful and solved it for me

How to display NASTRAN generated XY plots?

Rolf Hildre — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 03:55:26 GMT

Hi!
I'm rather new to APEX/PATRAN/NASTRAN, so please bear with me if this has already been discussed.

In APEX, how do I display NASTRAN generated XY plots that have been generated using syntax like this :

...

SUBCASE 3
OFREQ=10
DISPLACEMENT(SORT2,PHASE,PRINT,PLOT) = 11
$
$ XYPLOTS
OUTPUT(XYPLOT)
XTGRID = YES
YTGRID = YES
XBGRID = YES
YBGRID = YES
XTITLE = FREQUENCY
YTTITLE = DISP MAGNITUDE GRID 1
YBTITLE = PHASE GRID 1
XYPLOT DISP 1 /1(T2RM,T2IP)
YTTITLE = DISP MAGNITUDE GRID 2
YBTITLE = PHASE GRID 2
XYPLOT DISP 1 /2(T2RM,T2IP)
$
BEGIN BULK
MDLPRM,HDF5,1
$
$.......2.......3.......4.......5.......6.......7.......8.......9.......10.....$
$
$ ENTRIES FOR FREQUENCY RESPONSE
$
$ LOAD DEFINITION

...

RE: How to display NASTRAN generated XY plots?

Sandip Patil — Fri, 13 Feb 2026 02:48:11 GMT

The FMS ASSIGN statement.

ASSIGN PLOT=*,FORM=FORMATTED

automatically creates a .ps file of your XYPLOT output.

This file can be viewed with any postscript viewer such as ghostscript: http://www.ghostscript.com/download/gsdnld.html

If you need pdf files, Ghostscript can also be used to convert .ps files into .pdf.

you may try this site: https://online2pdf.com/convert-ps-to-pdf to convert them.

RE: How to create a discrete tie with a list of nodes?

Rohit Belsare — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 03:43:59 GMT

Stumpy This request has been reported to the developmet team with JIRA XX-295003 (in our system)

How to create a discrete tie with a list of nodes?

Stumpy — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 17:12:48 GMT

I wish to create a compliant discrete tie. I've identified the attachment points from another model. There are many individual nodes scattered around and picking them all is tedious. In femap and patran I can simply paste a list of nodes. How can I use a list of nodes as the attachment points in a discrete tie? I am in version 2025.1.

RE: How to create a discrete tie with a list of nodes?

Sandip Patil — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 03:28:48 GMT

List or Groups are currently not supported for picking options in the discrete ties creation.

RE: Using PSHELL and MAT8 with continuous thickness field

GG20250801967 — Thu, 04 Dec 2025 02:13:44 GMT

Messing around revealed that I must apply the MAT8 material to the 3D solid body, not the mid-surface.

Using PSHELL and MAT8 with continuous thickness field

GG20250801967 — Mon, 01 Dec 2025 05:49:09 GMT

Greetings, all

I am designing a composite wing, and our method involves an upper spar cap and a lower spar cap made from uni-directional carbon fibre.

I have defined the CarbonUD properties in MAT8: E11, E22, G12, rho, nu12.

I have created a mid-surface body for each of the spar caps, and used the field function to extract the thicknesses for each of the spar caps. I have oriented the material direction relative to one edge of each of the spar caps. There are no invalid or poor elements.

I have created the wing skins, interior components and shear webs. I have assigned their respective materials to them using panels. They seem to be fine, except for the spar caps. I get the following message for all of their elements:

" *** USER FATAL MESSAGE 4295 (EQD4S)
QUAD4 ELEMENT WITH ID = 2585579 HAS A SINGULAR MEMBRANE MATERIAL MATRIX.
IF MAT2 IS USED, BE SURE G33 IS POSITIVE OR
IF MAT8 IS USED, BE SURE G12 IS POSITIVE."

Why does it not recognise G12? Did I apply the materials wrong? Did I create the panels wrong for 2D meshes with thickness fields?

RE: Using PSHELL and MAT8 with continuous thickness field

Sanjay Patel — Wed, 03 Dec 2025 14:49:07 GMT

t would be difficult to address this issue without having the input file. Please create a support request and attach necessary input files. Form the looks of it it seems to be material properties definition issue.

RE: Can't open a saved project

Frantisek Samson — Sat, 29 Nov 2025 09:42:31 GMT

Hello, thanks for your answer.

I got most of these steps recommended to me by support already and they don't work for me. It seems it really is system related, which is very frustrating.

Thank you for trying

Can't open a saved project

Frantisek Samson — Sat, 15 Nov 2025 15:09:19 GMT

Hello, I am having trouble with MSC Apex. I can work on my project and save it just fine, but when I try to open a saved project I get this persistence error:

Error Opening Project
Failed to execute command, "objy AttachDb -noTitle -quiet -noAutoRecover -mapFile .dbmap -bootFile PersistentStore.boot"

I would be very grateful for any help or suggestions, thank you

RE: Can't open a saved project

Rohit Belsare — Thu, 27 Nov 2025 11:01:43 GMT

Frantisek Samson

1.Ensure your MSC Apex project is stored on a fully local drive (e.g., C:\MSC_Apex_Projects\YourProject). Do not use any network drive. Cloud-synced or network locations are known to cause persistence and database access errors in MSC Apex.

2.Right-click your project folder, select 'Properties', and ensure 'Read-only' is unchecked. Confirm you have full write permissions for the folder.

3.Stale lock files can prevent the database from opening. In your project directory, delete any files named PersistentStore.lck, *.lck, or *.lock. Then relaunch MSC Apex and try again.

4.If a file named "PersistentStore.AutoRecover"exists in your project directory, try renaming it to "PersistentStore" and then open the project.

5.Right-click the MSC Apex shortcut and select "Run as administrator". This can resolve issues related to insufficient permissions.

6.If you are working on a shared or network drive, ensure the MSC Apex "lock server" is configured to use your user account rather than the local system account, and restart the service.

7. Additionally, you can close all the Apex session and then delete the files from below location and then launch the MSC Apex again.

"C:\Users\User_name\Documents\MSC_ApexConfig.xml"

"C:\Users\User_name\Documents\MSC_Apex Workspace"

"C:\Users\User_name\AppData\Local\MSC_Software\MSC_Apex"

I hope this will help! If issue still persist then there might be some platform/system related issue.

Thanks,