Creating X-Y Plots from Field Data

From the Plots section of the action bar, click X-Y Plot from Field .
Optional: Enter a descriptive Name.

Select the Support for which you want to create an X-Y plot.

Option	Description
<Select>	Select points on the model directly. Click to edit the coordinates.
Node Sets	Select a predefined node set in the model in which to measure the field data.
Paths	Select a path that you created from nodes, elements, or coordinates; or click to create a new path. See Creating Paths for more information.
Display groups	Select a display group defined for the model. See Creating Display Groups for more information.

Select the scope for displaying the X-Y plot.

Option	Description
Across frames	The X-Y Plot Viewer displays field data for the specified steps, frames, and load cases. The chart plots time on the X-axis against the template variable on the Y-axis.
Through thickness	The X-Y Plot Viewer displays field output through the thickness of shell elements, composite shell elements, and continuum shell elements in your model. The chart plots thickness on the X-axis against the template variable on the Y-axis.

In the Frames list, specify the steps, frames, and load cases for which the X-Y plot will display field data. Select All frames, or select a specific frame or frame set in which to measure the output results.
Click to open the Frame Selector dialog box and select frame ranges. You can define a custom frame range with unique combinations of time, mode, or frequency options. Once created, the frame selector component is available in the Frame selector list in the X-Y Plot from Field dialog box. Click to edit the frame selection options.

Note: Multiple load cases can be associated with a step, and each load case might contain several frames of data. If you select one load case, the X-Y plot is generated for that load case alone. If you select (All), the X-Y plot is generated for all load cases in the step. If you select (All) and there are multiple frames per load case, select the required frames from the Frames list.

Note: For more information regarding the frame selector, see About the Frame Selector.

From the Definition expander, specify the required plot content as follows:


Template	Populates the dialog box with a specific set of variables pertaining to the chosen template. Any customizations that you make reset the Template to <none>.
Variable	Selects the output variable you want to plot. Note: Derived types such as combined load cases and envelope plots are not supported.
Values at	Determines where and how values are displayed on the mesh: Nodes: Integration point values are extrapolated to nodes and averaged across elements. Elements: Integration point values are averaged to a single value for each element. Element nodes: Integration point values are extrapolated to nodes and not averaged across elements. Element face: Integration point values are extrapolated to the element face center. Note: Quilt-type displays are equivalent to fringe plots in CATIA Analysis.
Averaging	Determines if result value averaging can occur and, if so, where the averaging occurs. You can choose to Use section boundaries or use No boundaries for the display of point symbols and elements.
Quantity	Selects the specific quantity you want to plot, which can include the overall magnitude of the variable or one of its invariants or components. For vector fields, the individual vector components are plotted along the global coordinate system. This option is available only for vector or tensor fields (not for scalar display) and only for display of contours or point symbols.
Location	Specifies the section points (integration points across the shell thickness) of the shell geometry that you want considered in the results displays of the X-Y plot: Top: Selects the topmost section point in the selected ply option. Bottom: Selects the bottommost section point in the selected ply option. Middle: Selects the middle section point in the selected ply option. The middle section point is the middle of the defined locations in the section. Section ratio: Selects a value within the range of section points for the whole model or for a specified ply. Use the Ratio slider to specify the section point for which to show results.
Compute quantity before averaging	Computes the extracted field values before averaging is applied. This option is available only when the Averaging and Quantity options are visible. It is hidden if the Phase angle is selected from the Complex options.
Show failed elements	Displays failed elements in the plot. (In plots of the STATUS variable, failed elements are hidden by default.)
Transform Type	Selects the required transformation type: None: No transformation occurs. Nodal: A local coordinate system must be defined at the nodes. The transformed results for a node are given in 1-, 2-, and 3-directions that correspond to X-, Y-, and Z- (rectangular); R-, θ-, and Z- (cylindrical); or R-, θ-, and φ- (spherical) directions, respectively, of the local coordinate system defined for the node. User-defined: A local axis system must be defined for material or element property definition for kinematic coupling constraints, for free directions for inertia relief loads, or for connectors. The global plot results are transformed into the specified local system defined by the Coordinate System option. Model axis system: A local axis system was created in the product structure. From the tree, select the model axis system. This option is available only when vector or tensor components are selected in the Quantity list.
Coordinate System	Selects a coordinate system to transform the selected vector or tensor. This option is available only when vector or tensor components are selected and the Transform Type is set to User-defined.
Include effects of deformation (when available)	Includes the effects of deformation when transformation occurs. Select this option for position-dependent transformations, as is the case for cylindrical or spherical coordinate systems. For shell tensors, the coordinate system is always projected on the shell plane and is, thus, position-dependent for all three coordinate system types.

Note: The Definition expander contains additional options for models containing composites, multiple species, envelope, or complex data. All options in the table above might not be available, depending on the set or parameters you have chosen.

Select Deactivate existing X-Y plots to render the selected plot as the only active X-Y plot in your session.
Click OK.

The X-Y Plots Viewer displays the graph of the data selected.

You can also view X-Y plot parameters in the Feature Manager and in the tree. If you want to change the output variables, support, or step for an X-Y plot in your simulation results, use context menus in the Feature Manager or the tree.

You can view more than one curve at the same time. In the Feature Manager, select or multiselect the plots you want to visualize, right-click, and select Activate to make them visible in the X-Y Plots Viewer.