Using a 2D Plot

You can create 2D plots to gather data on mechanism elements based on the simulation results and to visualize their movement, acceleration, and position, through time. For example, you can plot the position of a body or joint in relationship to other elements or according to the axis rotation.

This task shows you how to:

Before you begin: In the tree, select the result of the current analysis case or the results of one of its analysis steps. For more information, see Computing Analysis Cases.
See Also
About 2D Plots

Create a 2D Plot

  1. From the Results section of the action bar, click 2D Plot .
    The 2D plot appears in the tree, under the Result node.
  2. In the 2D Plot dialog box, from the Step menu, select a kinematics or dynamics step from the current analysis case.
  3. In the Channel Selection, select the mechanism elements to plot. To do so:
    1. Optional: From the Element list, select one of the following icons to filter out the elements to select.

      Filter
      Bodies Filters out all elements in the analysis step except bodies.
      Joints Filters out all elements in the analysis step except joints.
      Loads Filters out all elements in the analysis step except loads.
      Machine Elements Filters out all elements in the analysis step except machine elements.
      Motion Drivers Filters out all elements in the analysis step except motion drivers.
      Globals Filters out all elements in the analysis step except time.

      By default, the filter is selected. All objects in the analysis step are available for selection.

    2. From the second Element list, select the mechanism element to plot.

      Depending on the element you selected, the displayed channels are different.For example, if you selected a body , you may want to plot its position, orientation, velocity, angular velocity, acceleration, or angular acceleration. ; if you selected a joint , you may want to plot the joint forces and torques.

    3. Select the element channels to plot.

      Tip: If you select (or clear) the check box of a channel category, all the check boxes of this category are selected (or cleared).

  4. Click Add to Plot.
    The Viewer 2D Plot panel displays a plotted curve for every selected channel.
    Tip: You can hover over the plotted curve or curves to display the value of the channel at a specific time.
  5. Optional: Expand Plotted Curves to view the list of plotted elements and to modify the properties of the corresponding curves. To do so:
    1. Click next to a curve to open the Curve dialog box.
    2. Click the curve to edit to display the Curve properties options.
    3. Specify the name of the curve to display in the legend.
    4. Select a color, line style, and line width for the element.

    To remove a curve from the list of plotted elements, click next to it.

    The elements plotted in the Viewer 2D Plot panel are updated automatically.
  6. In the Viewer 2D Plot panel, use the following options to navigate and edit the plot:
    OptionDescription
    Edit Opens the 2D Plot dialog box and lets you add more curves to the plot, or edit the color, style, and thickness of the plotted curves.
    Note: The option is only active when the 2D Plot dialog box is closed.
    Zoom to Fit Resets the zoom to show the entire curves, plotted from the start to the end of the analysis time step.

    In the Viewer 2D Plot panel, click and drag the left mouse over a specific part of the plot to zoom on it.
    Toggle Legend Displays or hides the name of the plotted curves.
    Toggle Cursor Displays or hides the respective plot values as you hover over the curves.
    Plot Options Edits the title of the x- and y-axis.
  7. Click to close the Viewer 2D Plot panel, and OK to close the 2D Plot dialog box.

Edit a 2D Plot

  1. In the tree, double-click a 2D plot.
    The 2D Plot dialog box opens.
  2. Edit the 2D plot and its parameters.
  3. Click OK.