3. When assigning nodes to an element in the input data, the nodes must be specified either in clockwise or counterclockwise order around the perimeter of the element.

If you try to run the analysis on a model that includes a plate element where the nodes are not specified in either

clockwise or counterclockwise order, the error message, “…not numbered counter-clockwise” will be printed in the

output file.

4. All nodes of a (4-noded) plate element must lie on the same plane. If one of the nodes is not coplanar with the

other three, the error message, “plate is…warped” will be printed in the output file. You may use the Check For

Warped Plates command in the Tools menu to locate plates whose nodes are not coplanar.