Mechanical APDL Basic Analysis Guide - Ansys

Chapter 15: Creating Graphs
GUI: Utility Menu> PlotCtrls> Style> Graphs
Labeling the curves. For POST26 plotted-variable graphs, the labels applied to your curves are established
when you choose one of the following:
Command(s): NSOL, ESOL
GUI: Main Menu> TimeHist Postpro> Define Variables
Main Menu> TimeHist Postpro> Elec&Mag> Circuit> Define Variables
For all other types of graphs, including array parameter (*VPLOT) curves, the default label will be the item
or parameter name specified in the display action command. For these curves, you can use the /GCOLUMN
command (Utility Menu> PlotCtrls> Style> Graphs) to change the curve labels. The /GCOLUMN command
allows any text or character string to be used as a curve label.
Adding user-defined graphics and text. You can add extra graphics and text to your displays using the annotation
functions by choosing Utility Menu> PlotCtrls> Annotation. See Annotation (p. 263) of this manual for additional
details.
15.2.3. Defining X and Y Variables and Their Ranges
The following subsections detail how to define X and Y variables and their ranges.
15.2.3.1. Defining the X Variable
In POST26 plotted-variable graphs, by default, the program uses TIME (or, for harmonic response analyses,
frequency) for the X variable. TIME does not always have to represent chronological time. In setting up a
time-independent analysis, you can arbitrarily define TIME to be equal to the value of some other item of
interest (such as input pressure). To define a different parameter (other than TIME) against which the Y
variable is to be displayed, use the NSOL, ESOL, and XVAR commands or their GUI equivalents.
15.2.3.2. Defining the Part of the Complex Variable to Be Displayed
When plotting harmonic-response results in POST26, you need to decide what part of the complex variable
(amplitude, phase angle, real part, or imaginary part) to display in your graph. Make your choice using the
PLCPLX command (Main Menu> TimeHist Postpro> Settings> Graph).
15.2.3.3. Defining the Y Variable
The various graphics "action" commands define the Y variable. Sometimes, these commands refer to labels
that have been defined in other commands. For instance, PLPATH uses labels defined in the PDEF, PVECT,
PCALC, PDOT, and PCROSS commands. PLVAR also uses labels defined in the NSOL and ESOL commands.
PLSECT, FSPLOT, and *VPLOT, on the other hand, identify the Y variable directly. (For the GUI equivalents
to these commands, see their descriptions in the Command Reference.)
15.2.3.4. Setting the X Range
The /XRANGE command (Utility Menu> PlotCtrls> Style> Graph) enables you to graph only a portion of
the full range of X-variable data. This command allows you to "zoom" in or out on a particular segment of
your curve.
260
Release 13.0 - © SAS IP, Inc. All rights reserved. - Contains proprietary and confidential information
of ANSYS, Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliates.