Results post processing

Plot Type Description
CHAPTER 1
Introduction to Results Postprocessing
Graph (XY) Plots XY plots of results versus various quantities. Results can be plotted
against other results values, distances, global variables or arbitrary
paths defined by geometric definitions such as a curve.
Reports Also not technically a plot type, however report definitions of results
are stored in the database like any other plot tool type and can be
created and modified to write reports to text files or to the screen.
Deformation plots are used to display the current model and posted plot tools in a deformed
state. Care must be taken when applying other plots on a deformation plot when more than one
deformation plot is posted since multiple deformation plots can easily clutter the graphics. An
optional display of an undeformed model is controlled as an attribute of the deformation tool.
The targeting of deformation tools to anything other than nodes and elements or groups of
nodes and element is not allowable. Deformations may be used to display any nodal vector data.
Fringe plots map color to surfaces or edges based on the result data defined for the tool. Fringes
are developed from nodal-averaged scalar values. Fringes may be plotted on the model’s
element faces or edges. The fringe tool will supersede all existing or default color and shading
definition for the entities at which the fringe is targeted.
Contour Line plots display contour lines representing result data selected. Contours line plots
are developed from nodal-averaged scalar values. Contour lines may be plotted on the model’s
element faces or edges.
Marker plots display nodal or element based scalar, vector or tensor results as icons or arrows
at the result locations. Markers may be targeted at model features such as nodes, corners, and
edges or faces of elements. Individual scalar, vector and tensor plots are described below but are
known generically as marker plots.
Cursor plots display nodal or element based scalar, vector or tensor results as labels. There are
three types of cursor plots: (1) Scalar, (2) Vector or (3) Tensor. Scalar, vector and tensor result
quantities are displayed as one, three and six labels, respectively. Labels may be targeted at
model features such as nodes and elements. Cursor plots are interactive and the labels are
displayed on the model as the user selects the entities. The result value labels maybe displayed
in a spreadsheet and written to a file, if desired.
Scalar plots display nodal or element based scalar data and are considered special types of
marker plots. Scalars may be colored and scaled based on value and may be targeted at various
model features such as node, faces and edges of elements, and corners.
Vector plots display nodal or element based vector data as component or resultant vectors and
are considered special types of marker plots. Vectors may be colored and scaled based on
magnitude and may be targeted at various model features such as node, faces and edges of
elements, and corners.
Tensor plots display an iconic representation of a symmetric tensor and are considered a special
type of marker plot. Tensors may be oriented in the axes of principal stress or the tensor’s
defined coordinate system. Tensors may be defined by element- or nodal-based tensor data.
Nodal tensors are mapped from element tensors and are used when a tensor marker tool is
targeted at other tools. Tensors may be targeted at nodal- and element-based model features.
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