Creating X-Y Plots from Field Data

You can create X-Y plots from the field output data requested in your simulation.

Before you begin: A simulation must contain field output results.
See Also
About X-Y Plots
Creating X-Y Plots from History Data
  1. From the Results section of the Assistant, click X-Y Plot from Field .
  2. Optional: Enter a descriptive Name.
  3. Select the Support for which you want to create an X-Y plot.
    OptionDescription
    <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.
    Display groups Select a display group defined for the model.
  4. Select the scope for displaying the X-Y plot.
    OptionDescription
    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.
  5. 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.

  6. Select Deactivate existing X-Y plots to render the selected plot as the only active X-Y plot in your session.
  7. 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.