Creating Contour Plots

The contour function in the Contour panel generates color bands on a model, based on the values found in the results file. The bands of color are created by calculating a value for each node in the model and then interpolating across each element.

The results file must include a simulation that contains one of the three forms of data types. Each data type is handled differently when it is used to generate a contour plot. When a contour function is performed, the objective is to take all of the results and place them at the nodes of the elements. In order to accomplish this, HyperMesh may have to average results before it can display the contour plot.

nodal values and displacements	The results are stored at the nodes. HyperMesh can create the contour plot without modifying any of the values in the results file.
element values	The values are located at the centroid of the element. HyperMesh averages the centroidal element values to the nodes of the elements. You should be aware that averaging is taking place when element centroid values are used to create a contour plot.