About Plot Sectioning

Plot sectioning helps you visualize parts that are normally hidden in the interior of a model.

You can create a cut through a view of the simulation results and then choose whether to display the model on the cut (cross-section), above the cut, below the cut, or both. In addition, you can apply transparency and show or hide edges.

In the example below, a model of a manifold is split into two cut views. The left view shows the manifold above (in front of) the cutting plane. The right view shows the cut section and the portion of the manifold below (behind) the cutting plane.


By default, the model is displayed on both sides of the cut. The portion of the model behind the cut is the part that is opposite the normal to the cutting plane as defined by the robot orientation. This portion is displayed using the results contours. You can show the portion in front of the cut as shaded (opaque), as contours (identical to the view behind the cut), or as a wireframe outline. The section through the cut is displayed as contours or symbols, and there is an extra set of internal edges where the cut plane intersects the model. Plot sectioning cuts do not affect the display of vector and tensor arrow symbols in a symbol plot.

You can manipulate plot sectioning cuts using the tools in the context toolbar. For example, you can reverse the cut, show or hide the cutting geometry, show or hide the robot, and change the type of cut (planar, cylindrical, spherical, or iso-contour).

You can create a planar, cylindrical, or spherical cut in two ways. You can specify an origin and normal for the cut, or you can directly select the reference axis and normal direction for the plot section cut. Depending on the model, you can select the following axis options:

  • Result axis system (custom coordinate system created in Physics Results Explorer)
  • Model axis system (coordinate systems created in one of the model apps)
  • SIM axis system (coordinate system inherent in the SIM file and visible from the Display Groups coordinate system entity)
  • Global axis system (default coordinate system; indicated by the robot in the 3D area)
If your SIM file has SIM axis information, you can select the SIM axis only from the context menus. For all other axis options, you can select the axis from the 3D area or the tree. If you select an axis system, the Origin option is disabled and values are populated based on the selected axis.

A plot sectioning cut remains active for all contour plots until you deactivate it using the controls in the Plot Sectioning context toolbar or the Plot Sectioning dialog box.