Element normals

Use the undeformed shape plot to check the model definition. Check that the element normals for the skew-plate model were defined correctly and point in the positive 3-direction.

This task shows you how to:

Display the element normals

  1. From the main menu bar, select OptionsCommon; or use the tool in the toolbox.

    The Common Plot Options dialog box appears.

  2. Click the Normals tab.

  3. Toggle on Show normals, and accept the default setting of On elements.

  4. Click OK to apply the settings and to close the dialog box.

    The default view is isometric. You can change the view using the options in the view menu or the view tools (such as ) from the View Manipulation toolbar.

Change the view

  1. From the main menu bar, select ViewSpecify.

    The Specify View dialog box appears.

  2. From the list of available methods, select Viewpoint.

  3. Enter the X-, Y- and Z-coordinates of the viewpoint vector as −0.2, −1, 0.8 and the coordinates of the up vector as 0, 0, 1.

  4. Click OK.

    Abaqus/CAE displays your model in the specified view, as shown in Figure 1.

    Figure 1. Shell element normals in the skew plate model.