Creating X-Y Plots from History Data

From the Results section of the Assistant, click X-Y Plot from History .
Optional: Enter a descriptive Name.

Select the Variable and its Quantity to display for the Y-axis.

Option	Description
Variable	Selects an existing output variable whose domain, step types, and number of supports matches the selected Y-axis variable.
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.
Transform	Selects an axis system to transform the vector component of the selected history variable. None (as output): No transformation occurs. Physics Results Explorer extracts the data from the SIM file without further modification. Note: If a nodal transformation does not exist at the selected support node or if the results are requested in the global system, the extracted results are displayed in the global system. If a nodal transformation exists at the selected support node and the results are requested in the local system, the extracted results are displayed in that local system. Global: Default coordinate system; indicated by the robot in the 3D area. If a nodal transformation exists at the selected support node and the results are written in the nodal transform system, the extracted results are transformed to the global transform system before being displayed. 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. If a nodal transformation exists at the selected support node and the results are written in the global transform system, Physics Results Explorer displays the extracted results in the nodal transform system. SIM Cys: SIM Cys axes are non-feature-based axis systems written in the Results SIM file. Effects of deformation and location are ignored for non-static and non-cartesian axis systems. The Transform Type option is available only when nodal vector components are chosen in the Quantity list for which the Magnitude invariant is defined. Additionally, you can select model axis systems and results axis systems from the tree, or directly select them from the model.
Location	Specifies the section points (integration points across the shell thickness) of the shell geometry that you want considered for the creation of X-Y curves: First Section/Integration Point: Creates a single X-Y curve for the first section point or integration point; curve names reference the section point or integration point index. All Section/Integration Points: Creates X-Y curves for all section points or integration points; curve names reference the section point or integration point index. Top: Creates X-Y curves for the topmost section point; curve names include the location and the section point or integration point index. Bottom: Creates X-Y curves for the bottommost section point; curve names include the location and the section point or integration point index. Middle: Creates X-Y curves for the middle section point; curve names include the location and the section point or integration point index. Envelope over Section Points: Creates two X-Y curves, one for the envelope maximum value and one for the envelope minimum value. Envelope Min: Creates a single X-Y curve for the envelope minimum value. Envelope Max: Creates a single X-Y curve for the envelope maximum value. Envelope Absolute Max: Creates a single X-Y curve for the envelope absolute maximum value.

Select the Step.
Select the Support for which you want to create an X-Y plot.
You can select regions, sub-regions, nodes, or elements depending on the output data requested when the simulation was run.
When you are selecting a region or a sub-region, you can select geometry, mesh nodes, or publications. Node and element numbers are listed in the Region and sub-region selection editor.

Optional: To plot the variable against the values of another variable on the x-axis, select the required option under X-axis values:

Option	Description
Source	Select one of the following: Time: Creates a plot of a single variable against time. Frequency: Creates a plot of a single variable against frequency. Variable: Enables selection of a new X-axis value based on a plot variable. Curve: Enables selection of a new X-axis value based on a curve. Modal: Creates a plot of a single variable against the mode number of a frequency analysis. Load case: Creates a plot of a single variable against the load case number. Increment: Creates a plot of a single variable against the increment of a steady flow step for example. Buckle: Creates a plot of a single variable against the mode number of a buckle step. Arc length: Creates a plot of a single variable against the arc length of a Riks analysis.
Curve	Selects an existing X-Y curve whose domain, step types, and number of supports matches the selected Y-axis variable.
Complex	Selects complex data. Note: For direct complex values, the peak value is the imaginary component of the complex number associated with the value (such as a component). When values are computed, such as von Mises, the complex values associated with the computed value must be computed through a complete phase to determine a maximum value.

Depending on the variable and step selected for the Y-axis, only compatible options will be shown above for the X-axis. By default, the domain for the selected variable is displayed.

The curve or output variable, you select is used as the X-axis and is plotted against the Y-axis variable selected in Step 3.

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; if you selected All vector components, the graph contains a curve for each vector component.

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.