Selecting plot display options

You can customize how your model appears in undeformed, deformed, contour, symbol, and material orientation plots. For the undeformed and deformed plot states, all of the customization options applied to the model shape are plot state–independent. That is, Abaqus/CAE applies the customizations to all undeformed and deformed plots, including those that also display contours, symbols, or material orientations. The plot state–independent options govern the render style and fill color; element and surface edges; element colors; the appearance of model labels, node symbols, and display bodies; the movement of the camera; the display of various model entities; the smoothness of curved edges; the color of elements with no results; and model sweeping and extrusion. Use the Options menu in the main menu bar to choose from these plot state–independent customization options.

Select ToolsColor Code from the main menu bar to color individual elements. Select OptionsDisplay Body from the main menu bar to customize the appearance of all display bodies in your model. Select ViewView Options from the main menu bar to customize the movement of the camera. To choose from the remaining plot state–independent options, select ViewODB Display Options from the main menu bar. If you choose to superimpose the deformed model shape on the undeformed shape for the same plot state, select OptionsSuperimpose from the main menu bar to customize the undeformed shape independently from the deformed shape. Like the other plot state–independent customizations, these plot options are applied to superimposed plots in all plot states.

Note:

Displaying model labels and/or symbols in the viewport can increase the amount of time needed to refresh the display for plots and animations.

In addition to the plot state–independent customization options, you can select plot state–dependent options for the contour, symbol, and material orientation plot states. The plot state–dependent options are unique to each plot type. For example, you can customize the contour color spectrum, the size and style of symbols, and the display of material orientation triad axes. If a similar customization such as the color of model edges in the common and contour plot options can be made using both independent and dependent plot options, the plot state–dependent option overrides the independent option.


In this section:

Saving customizations for use in subsequent sessions
Available customization options