Material directions

Abaqus/CAE also allows you visualize the element material directions. This feature is particularly useful if you would like to verify that the material directions were assigned correctly in the simulation.

  1. From the main menu bar, select PlotMaterial OrientationsOn Undeformed Shape; or use the tool in the toolbox.

    The material orientation directions are plotted on the undeformed shape. By default, the triads that represent the material orientation directions are plotted without arrowheads.

  2. From the main menu bar, select OptionsMaterial Orientation; or use the Material Orientation Options tool in the toolbox to display the triads with arrowheads.

    The Material Orientation Plot Options dialog box appears.

  3. Set the Arrowhead option to use filled arrowheads in the triad.

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

  5. Use the predefined views available in the Views toolbar to display the plate as shown in Figure 1. In this figure, perspective is turned off. To turn off perspective, click the tool in the View Options toolbar.

    Tip: If the Views toolbar is not visible, select ViewToolbarsViews from the main menu bar.

    By default, the material 1-direction is colored blue, the material 2-direction is colored yellow, and, if it is present, the material 3-direction is colored red.

    Figure 1. Plot of material orientation directions in the plate.