Vectors (Cut Plot)

Specifies display options for vectors.

Also you can control the way the vectors are displayed by specifying the default settings under View Options in the Options dialog.

Procedure

  1. Specify the way vectors are displayed:

    • Static Vectors . Displays distribution of a vector parameter as a static image, i.e. the vectors sizes and their density are specified in absolute dimensions.

    • Dynamic Vectors . The distribution of a vector parameter updates in real time as you manipulate the model, even as you zoom-in on local areas.

      Note:

      You graphics card driver must support OpenGL® 3.3. Update your driver, if necessary.

  2. In the Parameter list, select a parameter, which distribution you want to visualize with vectors.
  3. To see how the parameter changes within a certain range, click Adjust Minimum and Maximum  button.

    Then specify the parameter Minimum  and Maximum values, which are the lowest and highest values to be displayed.

    To automatically set Minimum or Maximum to the parameter lowest or highest value in the whole computational domain, click Auto Scale to Global Minimum  or Auto Scale to Global Maximum .

    To automatically set Minimum or Maximum to the parameter lowest or highest value in the plot, click Auto Scale to Plot Minimum  or Auto Scale to Plot Maximum .

    Note:

    If the Auto Scale to Plot Minimum/Maximum mode is selected, the plot has its own color bar and the maximum and minimum values are updated accordingly to the displayed plot area when the plot is shown or exported.

  4. Use the Spacing  slider or type the desired value in the box to control the distance between the vector starting points.

    If Dynamic Vectors mode is selected, it is the distance between vectors along the dynamic trajectory, which specified in pixels.

  5. Use the Max Arrow Size  slider or type the desired value in the box to specify the vector size corresponding to the maximum parameter's value (Maximum).

    If Dynamic Vectors mode is selected, the vector size is specified in pixels.

  6. Use the Min/Max Arrow Size Ratio  slider or type the desired value in the box to control the vector size corresponding to the minimum parameter's value (Minimum).
  7. To change the arrow size ratio to logarithmic, select Logarithmic scale check-box.
    Note:

    Note, that a logarithmic scale cannot be used for negative values or zero.

  8. In the Color by  list, select the way to color vectors:

    • If you want to display the vectors using a fixed color, select Fixed Color and click Color  button to specify this color.

    • If you want the vectors to be colored in accordance with the distribution of the parameter, select By Parameter.

      To see how the parameter changes within a certain range, click Adjust Minimum/Maximum and Number of Levels  button.

      Then specify the parameter Minimum  and Maximum values, which are the lowest and highest values to be displayed.

      To automatically set Minimum or Maximum to the parameter lowest value in the whole computational domain, click Auto Scale to Global Minimum  or Auto Scale to Global Maximum .

      To automatically set Minimum or Maximum to the parameter lowest value in the plot, click Auto Scale to Plot Minimum  or Auto Scale to Plot Maximum .

      Note:

      If the Auto Scale to Plot Minimum/Maximum mode is selected, the plot has its own color bar and the maximum and minimum values are updated accordingly to the displayed plot area when the plot is shown or exported.

      Then specify the Number of Levels .

      Note:

      The vectors which parameter’s value exceeds the specified Maximum value will have the same length as the vectors which parameter’s value is equal to the Maximum. Likewise, the vectors which parameter’s value is less than the specified Minimum value will have the same length as the vectors which parameter’s value is equal to the Minimum.

      For vector parameters with the separately listed X, Y and Z components you can select a Coordinate System  calculated. By default, the Global Coordinate System is selected.

      Tip

      You can replace the default coordinate system by selecting your coordinate system in the flyout FeatureManager design tree.

      To create a coordinate system, click Insert > Reference Geometry > Coordinate System.

  9. To enable spatial representation of vectors, click 3D vectors :

    • 3D Vectors is toggled on. Displays spatial vectors.

    • 3D Vectors is toggled off. Displays vector projections onto a surface.

  10. To select the way vectors are distributed, click Gradient plot .
    Restriction:

    This option is available for Static Vectors mode only.

    • Gradient plot is toggled off. Spacing between all vectors is constant.

    • Gradient plot is toggled on. The vector spacing depends on the displayed vector parameter’s gradient. The number of vectors is increased in places of higher gradients. That is, the more rapidly the vector parameter changes over a given span, the smaller the spacing between the vectors.

    Table 1. Gradient Plot Settings.

    Gradient plot is toggled off

    Gradient plot is toggled on
Parent Topic: Cut Plots