This section shows you the most important features of the new interface, and shows the step-by-step procedures required to build a model. Not every aspect of the data entry is covered, but this section of the guide gives you enough information to understand the basic principles. Refer to the PV Elite documentation for more information about the different fields in the interface.
The main PV Elite window consists of multiple interface elements.
PV Elite breaks a vessel into individual elements (such as heads, shells, cones, body flanges, and saddles), and the components, or details, on these elements.
(1) - Quick Access Toolbar
Redo
Reapplies a command that was reversed using Undo 
.
Undo
Reverses the previous command. You can also press CTRL+Z.
Customize Quick Access Toolbar
Allows you to customize the appearance of the Quick Access toolbar.
(2) - Options
Provides options for the PV Elite user interface. You can select a theme, language, icon size, and the location of the 3D Graphics Toolbar.
(3) - Ribbons
Groups commands by tabs and panels within each tab.
File Tab
Home Tab
Tools Tab
View Tab
3D Tab
Help Tab
(4) - Data Panel
Displays the grid or dialog of parameters you use to define an element. The displayed data changes for each data tab.
Data is defined in a text box, as a list (
), or by opening a separate dialog (
). After data is entered in a text box, press Enter or Tab to set the value and see the results in the graphic view.
The graphic shows the general data defining one element. The From Node and To Node are assigned by the software and are unique to each element. The nodes assemble the individual elements into the complete vessel. Other general data is common to all vessel wall thickness calculations. A complete vessel is required if all dead and live loads are to be included in the design. However, the software runs wall thickness calculations on elements without constructing the entire vessel.
(5) - Data Tabs
Groups data to define the vessel:
General Input Tab
Design Constraints Tab
Load Cases Tab
Wind Loads (Wind Data Tab)
Seismic Loads (Seismic Data Tab)
Report Headings (Heading Tab)
(6) - Graphics View
Graphically displays the vessel model according to the selected tab.
When you select an element, the data for the element displays in the data panel. To see the data for a detail on the selected element, double-click the detail to open the appropriate dialog.
(7) - Graphics View Tabs
Provides different display modes: 2D View, 3D View, Drawing View, and News Feed.
(8) - 3D Graphics Toolbar
Provides controls for the 3D view and drawing view.
(9) - Status Bar
Displays information, such as the element count, the position and orientation of the selected element, and quick internal pressure calculations for the selected element.
After you are familiar with the software, Keyboard and Mouse Commands provide efficient navigation through the software.
Let's build a simple vertical vessel that has three parts as shown below:
The vessel is built in PV Elite from the bottom to the top; or, the case of a horizontal vessel, from left to right. You will build a horizontal vessel later. This shows how the vessel is built:
