The default sign convention depends on how you created the file. If you use a template or an existing file then the default sign convention is that of the source.

When you create a file (not from a template), the sign convention is as follows:

Left to right: Fx, Fy, Fz, Mx, My.

Fx In the positive x-direction (see coordinate axes).

Fy In the positive y-direction (see coordinate axes).

Fz In the negative z-direction (see coordinate axes).

Mx (moment about the X-axis) Per right-hand-rule.

My (moment about the Y-axis) Per right-hand-rule.

Mz (moment about the Z-axis) Per right-hand-rule.

Top row, left to right: Vertical Element Shear, Element Bending, Element Axial, Vertical Deflection. Bottom row, left to right: Horizontal Shear, Twist, Lateral Deflection, Angular Deflection.

Vertical element shear Positive z-shear on the positive x- and y-faces.

Element bending Tension bottom face.

Element axial Tension.

Vertical deflection In negative z-direction (down).

Horizontal shear Positive y-shear on Positive x-face (equivalent to Positive x-shear on Positive y-face).

Twist Positive x-axis moment on positive x-face (equivalent to negative y-axis moment on positive y-face).

Lateral deflection Positive in x- and y-axes directions.

Angular deflection Per right-hand-rule about x- and y-axes.

Left to right: Fx, Fy, Fz, Coordinate Axis, Mx, My, Mz.

Fx In the positive x-direction (see coordinate axes).

Fy In the positive y-direction (see coordinate axes).

Fz In the positive z-direction (see coordinate axes).

Mx (moment about the x-axis) Per right-hand-rule.

My (moment about the y-axis) Per right-hand-rule.

Mz (moment about the z-axis) Per right-hand-rule.