Default sign convention
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:
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.
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.