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. The force is scalar and not perpindicular to the face it acts upon.

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

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,

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.