Vector Plot

It plots vector for CAE vector type results. It helps user to understand the model more appropriately. User can identify the direction of force, acceleration, velocity, displacement, etc. in each node or element.

Note

VCollab saves one user color for vector plot in view point as well as in CAX. Full tensor derived type may require 3 user color at most.

Vector Plot Settings Panel

Vector Plot	On/Off switch to plot vectors.
Derived Vector	Default derived vector for vector result is Translational and for scalar and tensor is Normals.
Deformation	Sets deformed nodal position as starting point of vector.
Detach Geometry	Allows user to display vector plot of a part, even if the geometry is hidden.
Uniform Length	Displays all the vectors with default fixed length. user can edit this constant.
Auto Scale	Enables Auto Scale for vector plot
Scale Slider Control	Provides user unconstrained scaling up or down
User Color	Allows user to choose a color from palette for vectors.
Arrow Size	Allows user to choose any one size out of three.
Node Position As	Allows user to set nodal position as either start point or end point.
Reverse	Allows user to change the direction of vector.

The derived vectors are based on the type of result selected.

Result type	Available Derived Vectors
Scalar	Normals (Nodal or Elemental
Vector	Translational (Default)
Six DOF	Translational (Default) Rotational Both
Tensor	Normals (Default) Minimum Principal Direction Middle Principal Direction Maximum Principal Direction Full Tensor

Vector Plot Filter Panel

User Filter	Lists the availabel Filter Options.
Zone Radius	Allows users to define a zone radius. Only one vector is considered for displaying vector.
Nodesets	Allows user to select user defined nodesets for displaying vectors. User can select multiple nodesets.
Apply	Applies filtered nodes for vector plot.
Close	Closes the dialog.

None	No filtering. All the vectors will be displayed.
Zone Radius	Vectors are filtered and there will be only one vector is considered for displaying in the zone of given radius.
Nodesets	Vectors at the nodes of selected nodesets will be displayed.

How to visualize vector plot?

• Click ‘Vector Plot’ icon from CAE Display toolbar to simply view the vector plot.

  

• Notice that vectors are starting from nodal old position where as model is moved with instances.

• Auto scale helps user to view very huge vectors as well as very small ignorable changes inside the viewer.

• Click ‘CAE | CAE Settings to modify vector plot setup.

• Click ‘Vector Plot Settings’ tab.

• By default, Auto Scale is enabled.

• Uncheck Auto Scale to scale manually using slider control.

  

• Notice the change in vector size.

• Uncheck ‘Deformation’ option to plot the vector without considering deformation of model.

  

• Slider bar is positioned always at center of slider unless user moves.

• To scale up, move the slider right side. Slider bar comes to center once user released mouse button up.

• To scale down, move the slider left side.

• User has no constraints to scale up or down.

• User can enter an exact scale value in the edit box at the end of slider and apply the same.

• Use ‘Arrow Size’ option to increase the size of arrow.

  

• Click ‘User Color’ option which enables color box straight against option

  

• Click the color box with default white color.

• It pops up a color palette.

• Choose a color and click ‘Ok’ to apply the color on to the vector plot.

  

• Select ‘Nodal Position As’ either Start Point or End Point. By default, start point is enabled.

  

• Check the ‘Reverse’ check box, if user wants to change the direction of vector.

  

Derived Vectors

• Select a tensor result like stress.

• Normals will be displayed as vectors as seen below,

  

• Select any other derived vector type, say Mid Principal Direction.

  

• Select any other derived vector type, say Full Tensor.

  

How to view vector plot only for visible parts?

• Load a cax file

• Click  Vector Plot icon from CAE Display toolbar.

  

• Click CAE Settings icon from CAE toolbar.

• Select Vector Plot tab.

• Check ‘Detach Geometry’ if it is unchecked.

• Hide a part using product tree.

• Notice that vector plot is available even for hidden part.

  

• To disable vector plot for hidden part, go to CAE Settings dialog.

• Uncheck ‘Detach Geometry’ option in Vector Plot tab.

• Now hide a part using product tree.

• Notice that vector plot is available only for visible parts.

  

Filtering Vectors

• User can clear any filtering using the filter option “None”, It displays all vectors.

  

• User can filter the vectors using the option zone radius. It displays only one vector in each zone with the given radius.

  

• User can filter the vectors using selection of nodesets defined in CAE | Nodeset Manager.