New in SOLIDWORKS Simulation 2015 – Flip Shell Orientation in Definition

When defining shells by selected faces, you always need to specify the offset direction.  The offset would be defined as Top or Bottom, and then you would verify if the mesh matches up with your selection.  If not, after meshing you would need to apply a Flip Shell Orientation by selecting the incorrect faces, right-click on the Mesh item in the tree, and select “Flip Shell Elements” from the shortcut menu.

Top face as Top offset

Meshed wrong direction

Flip Shell Elements

As the Preview in the Shell Definition indicated, the offset was going in the wrong direction.  This is because the mesh created the “Bottom” surface (orange colour) on the top face.  Here we would need to select the face and “Flip Shell Elements” after meshing in previous releases.

Now in Simulation 2015, you have the option to “Flip Shell Top and Bottom” when defining the shell.  This shows the correct preview and these orientations are automatically carried over into the mesh so you no longer need to flip shell elements post-meshing.

Flip Shell Top and Bottom

Mesh maintains shell orientation from definition