The second drop-down menu in the Result type section allows you to choose the data component type.  The list of available components is based on the selected result type.  For example:

Displacement (v)

Mag, X, Y, or Z

Stress (t)

vonMises, Signed vonMises, Tresca, Triaxiality, Lode Param xi, Lode Param theta, P1(major), P2(mid), P3(minor), In-plane P1(major), In-plane P2(minor), MaxShear, Intensity, Pressure, , XX, YY, ZZ, XY, YZ, or ZX

1D stress

Multiple options are listed for various elements such as: CELAS, CROD, CBAR, CBEAM, etc.

Energy (s)

No component selection is necessary.

Allows you to display a contour for a specified element layer when a layer definition is available for an element.  The contour will be applied to all layers defined in the model.  If an element has no layer definition, as in a mass or solid, the contour is also displayed regardless of which layer is selected.

The options that control how layers will be displayed are:

Max

Displays the maximum value among the layers for each entity.

Min

Displays the minimum value among the layers for each entity.

Extreme

Displays the maximum absolute values among the layers for each entity.

Sum

Displays the (scalar) sum of all values among the layers for each entity.

Average

Displays the (scalar) average value among the layers which contain data for each entity.

Layers that do not have values (N/A result) will not contribute to the averages (see the example below):

Layer 1 - 10.0
Layer 2 - 26.0
Layer 3 -  30.0

Average is (10+26+30)/3 = 66/3 = 22.0

However if:

Layer 1 - 10.0
Layer 2 - 26.0
Layer 3 - N/A

Average is (10+26)/2 = 36/2 = 18.0

Range

Displays the difference between the maximum and minimum values among the layers for each entity.

The range is shown as zero if there is only one value (for example, for solid elements that do not have any layers or section points reported).

Count

Displays a count of the layers for the given data type.  By default, the total number of layers/plies are given for each node/element.  When used with a Layer Filter or Value Filter, the Count aggregation mode will have slightly different behavior (based on the filter criteria).

MaxLayer

Identifies and plots the layer by name that contributes to the maximum value for each entity.

MinLayer

Identifies and plots the layer by name that contributes to the minimum value for each entity.

ExtremeLayer

Identifies and plots the layer by name that contributes to the extreme (absolute maximum) value for each entity.

Top/Bottom

Displays the contour of top and bottom layers in the same plot.  You can use this option to specify which layer should be on the top or bottom.

Click the Top/Bottom layer setting icon to display the Top/Bottom Layer dialog:

Use the drop-down menu to specify a location (Lower, Mid, or Upper) for the Top layer and Bottom layer.

MaxLayer Contour Plot - Example

Note (for Layers): The maximum, minimum, or extreme value can be queried using Quick Query, Query Panel, Measures, or from the Notes entry fields (in addition to the layer name).  A Category Legend appears for each of these contour plots.

Only in the case of results based at the elemental centroid, would one layer per element be displayed.  For corner bound or nodal bound results (in the case of averaging), different layers may contribute to the max/min/extreme value at each corner/node of the same element.

Click here to view a table in the Derived Load Steps topic which explains the behavior of layer aggregation (Min/Max/Range) in combination with the Min/Max/Range Envelope loadstep types.

Solver specific layer options

Solver dependent label(s).  For example, Z1 and Z2 indicates the upper and lower shells layers in a Nastran model.

For example:

Element 1 Lower = -20, Upper = 10

Element 2 Lower = -5, Upper = 30

Lower layer:

Legend Max = -5, Min = -20

Upper layer:

Legend Max = 30, Min = 10

Min layer:

Legend Max = -5, Min = -20

Max layer:

Legend Max = 30, Min = 10

Extreme layer:

Legend Max = 30, Min = -20

Layer Filter

Allows you to reduce the layer list available for aggregation for the data types which have layers (for example, plies in composite stress/strains or any vector result with layers).

Use corner data

If corner data is available, the Use corner data option is enabled. If you activate the option, HyperView displays color bands by interpolating available corner results within each element.  A discontinuity of the result distribution across element boundaries can be seen.

Before creating a contour plot, you may pick one or more entities from the model.  You can do this by picking entities directly from the screen, using the quick window selection, or clicking the Elements, Components, or Assemblies input collector and using the extended entity selection menu.  If no selection is made, the contour will be applied to displayed elements, components, or assemblies by default.  See Selecting Entities Using the Input Collector for more information on selecting entities.  For contour or multiple models see MultiModel Result Plotting for additional information.

Note:  For MBD models, Systems (or Markers) can also be selected.  Selection will be available if the results file has any type of results that are bound to Systems/Markers (for example; forces or moments).

This drop-down menu allows you to select the result coordinate system to be used to contour the results.  The available options are dependent on the current selection for Averaging method.  You can select the analysis, element, or global coordinate system as well as a user-defined system.  The System input collector is enabled when User System is selected.

Global System

Transforms to the global system.

(proj: none) indicates that no projection rule is selected for shells.  When a projection rule is selected (using the Projection Rule… button) it is displayed, for example, (proj: y, x).

Elemental System

Transforms results to the element coordinate system.  In HyperView, the element coordinate system is defined by element connectivity.

Material System

Transforms to the material system.

This option is only available when the Advanced Result Math template is selected in the Load Model panel and a solver input deck is loaded.

Note:  For plotting data types that do not have relevance to the Material system (for example, Stress with a Z1 and a Z2 data type), it is not advised that you apply the Resolved-In system of Material, because this may result in incorrect transformations.

Ply System

Transforms to the ply system.

This option is only available when the Advanced Result Math template is selected in the Load Model panel and a solver input deck is loaded.

Note:  For plotting data types that do not have relevance to the Ply system (for example, Stress with a Z1 and a Z2 data type), it is not advised that you apply the Resolved-In system of Ply, because this may result in incorrect transformations.

Analysis System

Displays the vector and tensor results as they are output from the solver.

User System

This option is available when the results file contains a user-defined coordinate system. Click the System input collector to select a system by ID or pick from the screen. Markers can also be selected for MBD models.

(proj: none) indicates that no projection rule is selected for shells.  When a projection rule is selected (using the Projection Rule… button) it is displayed, for example, (proj: y, x).

Use tracking system

If a tracking system has been activated in the Tracking panel, the Use tracking system option is enabled.  If you activate this option, the results will be transformed and resolved in the activated tracking system.

This option is not available if you are using the Modal or Linear Static animation mode.

None

No averaging method is used.  Color will be displayed in element-based results, a solid color for centroidal results, or multiple color bands within an element.

Simple

Tensor and vector components are extracted and the invariants are computed prior to averaging.

Maximum

Extracts the maximum values from the surrounding elements attached to a node.  The tensor and vector components are extracted and the invariants are computed for each element (or corner) prior to averaging to a node.  For results components, the corresponding components from each element corner (or centroid) are extracted and then the maximum value is assigned to the shared node.  For invariants, the corresponding invariants are calculated from each tensor at the element corners and then the maximum value is assigned to the node.

For example, as shown in Nodal Averaging of Elemental Results, there are four tensors, [A2], [B1], [C3], and [D4] at four corners at Node 400.

The maximum average of the xx component at Node 400 is:

Minimum

Extracts the minimum values from the surrounding elements attached to a node.  The tensor and vector components are extracted and the invariants are computed for each element (or corner) prior to averaging to a node.  For results components, the corresponding components from each element corner (or centroid) are extracted and then the minimum value is assigned to the shared node.  For invariants, the corresponding invariants are calculated from each tensor at the element corners and then the minimum value is assigned to the node.

For example, as shown in Nodal Averaging of Elemental Results, there are four tensors, [A2], [B1], [C3], and [D4] at four corners at Node 400.

The minimum average of the xx component at Node 400 is:

Advanced

Tensor or vector results are transformed into a consistent system and then each component is averaged separately to obtain an average tensor or vector. The invariants are calculated from this averaged tensor or vector.

Difference

The difference between the maximum and minimum corner results at a node.

Max of corner

Extracts the maximum value from all the corners of an element and the value is shown at the centroid of the element.  The tensor and vector components are extracted and the invariants are computed for each corner prior to assigning to the element centroid.  For result components, the corresponding components from each corner is extracted and then the maximum value is assigned to the element centroid.  For invariants, the corresponding invariants are calculated from each tensor at the element corners and then the maximum value is assigned at the centroid.

For example, as shown in Nodal Averaging of Elemental Results, there are four tensors at each corner of the element A:  [A1], [A2], [A3], and [A4].

The max of corner aggregation of the xx component at the Element A centroid is:

This averaging option is only available when the Use corner data option is checked.  The Variation option is automatically disabled for this averaging method.

Min of corner

Extracts the minimum value from all the corners of an element and the value is shown at the centroid of the element.  The tensor and vector components are extracted and the invariants are computed for each corner prior to assigning to the element centroid.  For result components, the corresponding components from each corner is extracted and then the minimum value is assigned to the element centroid.  For invariants, the corresponding invariants are calculated from each tensor at the element corners and then the minimum value is assigned at the centroid.

For example, as shown in Nodal Averaging of Elemental Results, there are four tensors at each corner of the element A:  [A1], [A2], [A3], and [A4].

The min of corner aggregation of the xx component at the Element A centroid is:

This averaging option is only available when the Use corner data option is checked.  The Variation option is automatically disabled for this averaging method.

Extreme of corner

Extracts the extreme value from all the corners of an element and the value is shown at the centroid of the element.  The tensor and vector components are extracted and the invariants are computed for each corner prior to assigning to the element centroid.  For result components, the corresponding components from each corner is extracted and then the extreme value is assigned to the element centroid.  For invariants, the corresponding invariants are calculated from each tensor at the element corners and then the extreme value is assigned at the centroid.

For example, as shown in Nodal Averaging of Elemental Results, there are four tensors at each corner of the element A:  [A1], [A2], [A3], and [A4].

The extreme of corner aggregation of the xx component at Element A centroid is:

This averaging option is only available when the Use corner data option is checked.  The Variation option is automatically disabled for this averaging method.

Variation (%)

The relative difference at a node from corresponding corner values with respect to the value range from all nodes in the selected components.

If the variation in the results is smaller than the specified percentage, HyperView will average the corner results to the nodes.  If the variation is larger than the specified percentage, HyperView will keep the discontinuity of the results.

This option is not available for all averaging methods.

Average across component boundary

Enables the nodal averaging across the component boundary.  The contribution for a shared node will come from every component associated with that node, while all of the other averaging principles remain.

Feature angle averaging

Activate this option to specify the threshold value for elements to be considered as part of the same feature by specifying a Feature angle value.  All of the adjacent elements whose normals are less than or equal to the threshold value are averaged.

The output of this contour is always corner based data (no centroid values).  A feature angle average calculation example is shown below:

Result at common node 3440:

Feature angle

Allows you to specify the value to be used in the Feature angle averaging calculations.  The default is 30 degrees.  All of the elements whose normals are less or equal to the specified threshold value are averaged.  The value can range from 0 to 180 degrees.

For element feature angle calculation, the current model position is used.  Only shell elements feature angles are considered, therefore all solid and beam elements will be included in the averaging calculation (see the example below):

The result at common node 20983 = the average of corner nodes for all four elements.

Ignore flipped normals

This option is checked by default (for feature based averaging) to allow for any modeling discrepancies to be disregarded.

Consider the picture and description below which shows two adjacent elements whose normals are flipped as a consequence of a model setup discrepancy:

In the example above, the feature angle threshold for averaging is set at 30 degrees.  The image on the left side has an angle between adjacent element normals close to 180 degrees and therefore does not meet the criteria of the 30 degree threshold.  The image on the right has the angle between normals less than 30 degrees, and the threshold criteria for feature angle is satisfied.  However, this could be a modeling discrepancy that should be accounted for, perhaps allowing the averaging of values for elements on the left image, but not allowing averaging of elements on the right image.  This can be accomplished by activating the Ignore flipped normals option.

If strict adherence to the angle between adjacent element normals is to be enforced, then uncheck this option.

See the examples provided below:

Activating the Envelope trace plot option allows you to track the results from Envelope subcases or simulations.

None

No Envelope subcases or simulations are tracked.

Subcase

Tracks the results from an Envelope subcase.

Simulation

Tracks the results from an Envelope simulation.

Note - For the envelope trace plot (subcase or simulation), a Category Legend is shown with subcases or simulations.  You can choose to see the IDs or the labels of the subcases/simulations by checking or unchecking the Show Category ID option in the Edit Legend dialog.  The Envelope Trace Plot option will be disabled if Range is selected for an Envelope subcase/simulation.

Mode

Select one of the following options from the drop-down menu:

None (*Default setting)

<= (less than or equal to)

>= (greater than or equal to)

Range

Value

Use the field(s) to specify a numerical value or range of values.

Discrete color

Produces discrete color bands on contour plots with distinct boundaries between contour levels.  This option uses a texture mapping capability in your graphics card.  If your graphics card does not support texture mapping, the performance may slow down.

Interpolate
colors

Interpolates the contour colors from the undeformed shape (with a zero value) to the result variable reported from the solver.  If you do not select Interpolate colors, the contour colors remain the same for all frames.  This is only applied to modal and linear static animation.

Max

Enter the value to be assigned to the highest color in the contour plot.  Activate the Max check box to apply the value.

The new value is also changed in the Values section of the Edit Legend dialog.

If a value entered for threshold Max is invalid, it will not be applied and the panel will be updated to reflect the actual state.

Min

Enter the value to be assigned to the lowest color in the contour plot.  Activate the Min check box to apply the value.

The new value is also changed in the Values section of the Edit Legend dialog.

If a value entered for threshold Min is invalid, it will not be applied and the panel will be updated to reflect the actual state.

Multiplier

Enter the multiplier for scaling all the result values.  An additional line will be added to the legend if a multiplier value is entered.

Offset

The offset value affects the contour value, contour min/max, and the legend min/max.  An additional line will be added to the legend if an offset value is entered.

The offset value option can be useful for:

Note:  The multiplier takes effect first, therefore you can perform operations like y=mx + C on the contour (where m is the multiplier and C is the offset).

Edit Legend

Opens the Edit Legend dialog where you can change the legend properties.

The following options allow you to manage the result display.

Overlay result
display

Overlays contour, tensor, and vector results in the same window.  If all results are displayed simultaneously, available memory may be affected.

Clear Contour

Clears the contour and returns the model to its original state.

Create Plot Style

Opens the Create/Update Contour Plot Style dialog, which allows you to create or update a result plot style based on the current settings of the contour.

A contour plot needs to be current in order to create a new style or modify an existing one.  All the settings of the contour plot (corner data options, averaging, resolved in systems, default data type/components, display options, legend, etc.) are captured in the named style.

Show/Clear
Iso Value

Displays/clears iso values.

Projection Rule 

This button (located on the far right side of the panel) opens the Projection Rule dialog where you can select the primary and secondary axes from either the global or user-defined system (selected for Resolved in).  When the primary axis is perpendicular to the shell plane, the secondary axis is used.  

Query Results

Opens the Query panel where you can view and export properties and other information related to nodes, elements, components, and systems contained in the active model.

Centroidal results

A solid color is displayed at the elements using the elemental centroidal results directly.

Corner results

The values are located at the corners of an element.  Discontinuous color bands are displayed within each element using corner results.

None

When no averaging method is used, the results remain as element binding, so you can query results using the Elements option in the Query panel or Measure panel.