Displaying Color Code Plots

You can color code the contents of a model to display its components more clearly.

The Create Color Code Plot dialog box provides a set of predefined color code plots. You can also create custom color plots and change the appearance of a plot by changing the level of deformation or the degree of transparency.

Note: Colors are assigned automatically and cannot be modified.

Before you begin: The model must be up to date.
See Also
About Model Plots
  1. From the Plots section of the action bar, click Create Color Code Plot .
    The Color Code Plot editor appears.
  2. In the Definition tab, specify what you want to display in the color code plot as follows:

    Name A custom name for the plot.
    Template The predefined scheme used for color coding:
    • Color Code: By Part: Assigns colors to elements based on the part definition for each element.
      Note: Color Code: By Part is available only for simulations containing parts and instances.
    • Color Code: By Section: Assigns colors to elements based on the section assignment for each element.
    • Color Code: by Material: Assigns colors based on section definitions.
      Note: In the case of layered shell sections, the top and bottom materials are shown on the corresponding sides of the shell.
    Variable Custom variable you want to plot:
    • Part: Assigns colors to elements based on the part definition for each element.
    • Section: Assigns colors to elements based on the section assignment for each element.
    • Material: Assigns colors based on materials defined by section definitions.
    • Surface: Assigns colors based on surface region definitions.
    • Servant Domain: Assigns colors based on the domains used for parallel processing in postprocessing operations. In large or complex models you can achieve high performance visualization by establishing the number of CPU cores allocated to visualization and set multi-core parameters such as load balancing.
    • Element Type: Assigns colors by element types in the model.
    • Rigid Body: Assigns colors by rigid bodies in the model.
    • Face ID: Assigns colors to each element face based on its face identifier. This distinction differentiates TOP and BOTTOM for shells and Face 1 through n for solids.
    • Tied Region: Assigns colors by ties and indicates main and secondary regions.

  3. In the Options tab, specify the deformation, scale factor, and entity labels:
    1. Click Show deformation to display the deformed phase of the model.
      The Scale factor field is enabled.
    2. In the Scale factor field enter a multiplier value to establish a new scale for results.
    3. Click Show node labels to display node labels on the model.
    4. Click Show element labels to display element labels on the model.
    5. For SPH models, toggle the SPH display to display to show SPH particles only, SPH surfaces only, or both SPH particles and surfaces. SPH surfaces are constructed around the SPH particles to aid in visualization of the bounds of the SPH elements.
  4. In the Rendering tab , specify the transparency, visible edges, and edge angle:
    1. Click Apply transparency to make the model translucent.
    2. Select a Visible edges option:
      • Outline: Creates a single solid outline around the model, and enables you to specify an Edge angle.
      • Mesh: Displays the mesh element edges in the model.
      • None: Edges of the model are defined only by the contrast between the color of the model and the background colors and textures.
  5. Click Apply to activate your changes, or click OK to activate your changes and to close the Color Code Plot dialog box.
  6. If your model includes shells, in the Rendering tab specify the rendering style, data source, and scale factor.
    1. Specify the shell rendering style:
      • None: The shell is rendered with no thickness.
      • Offset: The shell is rendered with no thickness at the mid-plane of the thick shell. The displacement of the shell from the reference surface is determined by the Thickness Scale Factor and thickness (Offset) data specified in the analysis element property definitions.
      • Thick: The shell is rendered with thickness at the actual location. The thickness is determined by the value selected for the Thickness Scale Factor and thickness data specified in the analysis element property definitions.

      Offset and thickness are derived from the model definition for the shell elements. The thickness represents the actual material thickness of the shell or membrane elements, and the offset represents how the actual material is positioned in the shell normal direction relative to the modeled element.

    2. Specify the Thickness Data Source for the rendering thickness, either Section or Field.
    3. Specify the Thickness Scale Factor, expressed as a multiplier, to enhance visibility.

      The Thickness Scale Factor allows you to scale up (exaggerate, factor > 1.0) or scale down (diminish, factor < 1.0) the displayed thickness of shell elements. For Offset shell styles, the Thickness Scale Factor multiplies the offset value.

  7. Click Apply to activate your changes, or click OK to activate your changes and to close the plot dialog box.
    The plot of your model is updated according to the selected results and is available for additional analysis using the postprocessing toolbar.

The model is updated to reflect your color code changes.

Large or complex models might have hundreds of colors, and the legend cannot display all the colored regions. In these scenarios you can do the following:

  • Use the probe tool (hover over the model) to show data points that correspond to the parts, sections, materials, servant domains, or element types chosen.
    Note: Use CRTL + Click to create persistent labels on the model.
  • Modify the legend to display a range of values (min/max) or a specific number of intervals.