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Surface loads may be applied to a shell. You may specify loads in either the global or local coordinate system.  Surface loads are lumped to element nodes before solution.  The self weight of shells may be calculated automatically if the material weight densities and self weight multiplier are nonzero.  By default, the self weight acts in the negative global Y direction.  You may, however, change the direction to positive or negative direction of the global X, Y or Z.  This flexibility is useful under certain circumstances.  For example, if you select the model type “2D Plate Bending”, the self weight may be either in positive or negative global Z direction, depending on your preference on the sign convention.  To activate automatic self weight calculation, use the command Create > Draw Loads > Self Weights.