Activating 'Show Form-Finding' in the shortcut menu leads to an automatic preliminary form-finding according to the saved form-finding properties when you change the structure of membrane surfaces. This interactive graphics mode is based on the force density method.
More Information FAQAutomatic Preliminary Form-Finding of Membrane Surfaces
![Generate Catenary](/en/webimage/009135/2417183/01-en-png.png?mw=512&hash=e5b08a40fd9a5a16825be6182b3138f78627561e)
![Cutting Half a Sphere](/en/webimage/009386/2418529/01-en-png.png?mw=512&hash=e5b08a40fd9a5a16825be6182b3138f78627561e)
![General Data](/en/webimage/009780/2420360/01-en-png-png.png?mw=512&hash=6ca63b32e8ca5da057de21c4f204d41103e6fe20)
![Activated Display Option: Topology on Form-Finding Form](/en/webimage/006807/1584412/ff_en-us-png.png?mw=512&hash=94b5759319b2121bb6599f91ab7f09d306687771)
With the activated option 'Topology on Form-Finding Form' in Project Navigator - Display, the model display is optimized based on the form-finding geometry. For example, the loads are displayed in relation to the deformed system.
!["Show Preliminary Form-Finding" Option in Shortcut Menu](/en/webimage/006853/1585587/formfinding-en-us-png.png?mw=512&hash=5ac96ae2cf6fc509d84c9690ca4f8cfabc3db135)
Activating 'Show Form-Finding' in the shortcut menu leads to an automatic preliminary form-finding according to the saved form-finding properties when you change the structure of membrane surfaces. This interactive graphics mode is based on the force density method.
More Information FAQ![Foil Cushion with Material Model Isotropic Plastic 2D/3D](/en/webimage/006832/497212/Form-finding_de.png?mw=512&hash=78051e4822ef57bc2068122c169039849806ee35)
In RFEM, there is an option to couple surfaces with the stiffness types "Membrane" and "Membrane Orthotropic" with the material models "Isotropic Nonlinear Elastic 2D/3D" and "Isotropic Plastic 2D/3D" (add-on module RF-MAT NL erforderlich).
This functionality enables simulation of the nonlinear strain behavior of ETFE foils, for example.
![Feature 002423 | Displaying Results in Solids](/en/webimage/031923/3325382/FE_Solid_EN.jpg?mw=512&hash=d2950a5e2123942fab13aad296e814c67695c955)
The results of solid stresses can be displayed as colored 3D points in the finite elements.