Beginning Plotting

Introduction

This use case shows a user how to plot cell and point data. Plotting can be along a line that cuts through your data, or a location with respect to time.

Plot along a line

• Open can.exo. Turn on all data. Apply.
• Drag the can around with the left mouse button until you can see the can.
• Filter→Data Analysis→Plot Over Line. Drag the top of the line to intersect the top of the can. Note that hitting the p key will also place the line on the surface of your object. Apply.
• Properties tab. Unselect all variables except DISPL:Magnitude.
• Lower on the Properties tab, find Left Axis Use Custom Range. Select this, and enter 0.0 and 20.0.
• Find Bottom Axis Use Custom Range. Select this, and enter 0.0 and 20.0.
• Play the animation forward, and notice what happens to the plot.
• You can also add plot labels and axis labels on the properties tab.

Plot point over time

• Edit → Reset Session.
• Open can.exo. Turn on all data. Apply.
• Drag the can around with the left mouse button until you can see the can.
• We want to plot a point over time. First, we need to select a point.
• Click on Select Points On icon. Then, click on a point on the can.
• Filters→Data Analysis→Plot Point Over Time. Apply.
• Display tab, unselect everything other than DISPL (Magnitude)
• You now have a plot of the displacement. at your point.
• Extra Credit – Using Select Cells On icon, and the Plot Cell Over Time, plot EQPS over time.

Plot two variables at same time

• Follow the steps for Plot Point over time, as described above.
• On the Properties tab, turn off DISPL (Magnitude) and turn on variables VEL (Magnitude) and ACCL (Magnitude).
• Select the line that says ACCL (Magnitude), causing this row to turn gray.
• At the bottom of the Display tab, change Chart Axes to Bottom-Right.
• Note below that the ACCL (Magnitude) color has been changed to blue.

Plot multiple points

• Edit → Reset Session.
• Open can.exo. Turn on all data. Apply.
• Drag the can around with the left mouse button until you can see the can.
• We want to plot numerous points over time. First, we need to select the points.
• Click on Select Points On icon. Then, rubber band select a dozen points.
• Filters→Data Analysis→Plot Point Over Time. Apply.
• On the Properties tab, turn off DISPL (Magnitude) and turn on variables VEL (Magnitude) and ACCL (Magnitude).
• Select the line that says ACCL (Magnitude), causing this row to turn gray.
• At the bottom of the Display tab, change Chart Axes to Bottom-Right.

Acknowledgements

Sandia is a multiprogram laboratory operated by Sandia Corporation, a Lockheed Martin Company, for the United States Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration under contract DE-AC04-94AL85000.