Defining Material for Plates

	This task explains how you can define the material properties of a plate. You can select a material, grade and thickness combination that is defined in the specifications catalog.
	1.	With your document open click the `Material & Orientation` tab in the `Plate` dialog box. The image below shows the options you need to set for material selection.
	2.	If the option `Show Preferred List Only` is checked then only thicknesses that are in the preferred list will be available for selection. If it is not checked then all thicknesses in the specifications catalog can be selected. The preferred list includes those thicknesses for which the Spec Mode attribute has been set to Y in the specifications catalog.
	3.	Select a `Material` by clicking on the down arrow. Once you select a material, valid grades will be available for selection.
	4.	Select a grade in the `Grade` field. Once you select a grade, valid thicknesses will be available for selection.
	5.	Select a thickness in the `Thickness` field. A section is pre-selected based on your last session. If you want to select another thickness, select `More` from the drop down list, and the `Thickness` `List` dialog box displays. Double-click a thickness under the `Thickness` column to select it. You can limit the selections listed in the `Thickness` `List` dialog box by using the `Filter` field. Enter the a string of characters with an asterisk or question mark, and click anywhere in the dialog box. In the example above, `3*` is entered in the `Filter` field. Only a thickness beginning with `3` displays. You can select the desired thickness and click `OK`. The selected thickness now displays in the `Thickness` field. To see the entire list again, leave the `Filter` field blank, and click anywhere in the dialog box. NOTE: As explained above, If the `Show Preferred List Only` option is NOT selected, then values for thicknesses that are not included in the list will also be available for selection. Values for thicknesses that are in the preferred list display a green square. Values for thicknesses that are not in the list display a yellow triangle.
	The default state of the option `Show Preferred List Only` depends on the `Material Management Mode` entry in the project resource management (PRM) file, as follows. If the value of the Location field for this resource is: None: The option displays in its last opened state. ActiveUnSpec: The option is unselected. (You can check it if needed.) ActiveSpec: The option is selected. (You can uncheck it if needed.)
	6.	Click `OK` when you have made your selections.
	The material and grade you select for the `Material` and `Grade` fields above, should exist in both the specifications catalog and the material catalog. If the material and grade exist in the specifications catalog but NOT in the material catalog you will get the following error messages: `In Structure Design:` ERROR: The selected material, grade combination cannot be found in the material catalog. You will not be able to create the plate. `In Structure Functional Design:` WARNING: The selected material, grade combination cannot be found in the material catalog. You will be able to create the plate, but will not be able to generate a piece part from your design.