A “Vector Force” load is a force load applied to a face in a specified direction. An example of this load is pressing on the top of a book to push it across a table.

A Vector Load requires three inputs, the geometry of the surface(s) where the load is applied. The direction of the force (a vector) and the magnitude of the force.

A “Bearing Load” is a force applied to a (typically) cylindrical face to approximate the effects of a shaft pressing against the side of a hole. The applied force gets converted to a varying pressure distribution on the portion of the face experiencing compressive pressure. The pressure distribution is computed automatically to achieve the specified overall bearing force.

A Bearing Load requires three inputs, the geometry of the surface(s) where the load is applied. The direction of the bearing force (a vector) and the magnitude of the force.

A “Pressure” load is a load specified in terms of force per unit area. Positive pressures push into the surface, negative pressure pull.

A Pressure Load requires two inputs, the geometry of the surface where the pressure is applied, and the magnitude of the pressure.

A “Hydrostatic” load is a spatially varying pressure as experienced by the walls of a pool due to the weight of the water pressing against them. The pressure at any point depends on the density of the water, increasing from a value of zero at the water surface to a maximum at the deepest point.

A Hydrostatic load requires three inputs, the geometry of the surface where the load is applied, the plane load is applied, and the density of the fluid inacting the load.

A “Torque” load is a load that applies a twisting force around an axis. Torques are specified using a 2 step process. 1: The axis (a ray) is chosen by specifying an origin for the axis followed by a point on the axis (the ray's direction). 2: The magnitude of torque is specified in the entry box. The direction of the torque is determined using the right hand rule: using your right hand, point your thumb in the direction of the axis. A positive torque value applies a torque acting in the direction the fingers of your right hand would wrap around the axis. The torque load is distributed among all the selected faces and varies linearly from zero at the axis.

A Torque load requires three inputs, the geometry of the surface where the load is applied, the axis of the torque, and the value of the torque.