Visualize Results

Physical displacements and stresses are calculated for parts or assemblies relative to the global coordinate system for the file. You view the results of these calculations through the Results node in the browser.

Within the Results browser node are the various result nodes. You can view Stress, Strain, Displacement, Safety Factor, and Contact Pressure results.

Additional commands for evaluating the results include:

  • The ability to view the mesh overlaid on the results
  • Minimum and maximum views that quickly show the locations of load extremes
  • A deformation adjustment that allows you to visually enhance the effects of loads so you can more readily view the impact of loads
  • Volume plots, both smooth shaded and contour
  • Animation of the displacement

Static Analysis

For Static Stress Analysis, you can view:

  • Strain results, including the strain tensor and the Principal and Equivalent strains
  • Contact pressure (tractions)
  • Displacement
  • Stress
  • Safety Factor

Fully defined material properties must be specified for the results plots to have meaningful content. You can use the Style and Standard Editor to review the properties of any material. The Style and Standard Editor is accessible from the Assign Materials dialog box.

Design constraints can be geometry based:

  • Mass and volume
  • A displacement component
  • A stress component
  • Other applicable field data
  • Safety Factor

The stress state is calculated for a part or assemblies of parts. From the elasticity theory, the three-dimensional stress state on an infinitesimal volume of material at an arbitrary location contains Normal stresses and Shear stresses.

Three normal stresses, Stress XX, Stress YY, and Stress ZZ, and three shear stresses, Stress XY, Stress YZ, and Stress XZ, define the stress state. Tensile normal stresses are positive; compressive normal stresses are negative. Shear stresses are positive when their two defining positive axes rotate toward each other (using the right-hand rule).

Modal Analysis

Creating a modal analysis provides the means to calculate the natural frequencies of vibration for the number of frequencies specified. It includes frequencies that correspond to rigid body movements. In an unconstrained simulation, for example, the first six modes occur at 0Hz corresponding to the six rigid body movements. Design constraints can be geometry based or a frequency.

You can animate the deformed shape to show the modal shape associated with a particular frequency. The contours represent relative displacement of the part as it vibrates. Mode shape images are helpful in understanding how a part or an assembly vibrates, but do not represent actual displacements. To find all the mode shapes below a given frequency, be sure to determine the next two or three mode shapes.

The Compute Preloaded Modes option runs a structural static simulation first and determines the stresses, and then computes the modes, given the prestressed condition. Without the option selected, the program ignores any structural loads defined for the frequency simulation.

Procedures

Display results

After a simulation is run, the graphics region updates to display the results for the analysis type in the form of a volume plot (default display). The various results types populate the Results browser folder. To see the variety of results you can view, expand the Results folder.

Simulation TypeResult displayed
Static AnalysisDisplays the Von Mises Stress plot
Modal AnalysisDisplays the first frequency mode.

To view a different result, right-click the browser node corresponding to the results you want to see and click Activate, or, double-click the result browser node. The graphics region updates to display the selected results type.

NoteDouble-click an active results node to exit the results display.

There are several display options available for interpreting the simulation results.

Volume Plots

The graphics region displays a volume plot and a color bar displays the range of the variable showing in the graphics region. Color order is as follows, from high values to low values: red, orange, yellow, green, cyan, and blue.

Parametric Study Configurations

For Parametric Studies, you can move sliders in the Parametric Table to display the different configurations. If the configuration was not generated, the message “Not Available” displays in the graphics region. You can right click the parameter row and select Generate Single Configuration, or run the simulation to solve the configuration.

Smooth Plot

Smooth shading is the default plot presentation for all result types, whether Static or Modal analysis simulation. Colors blend from one to the next.

Contour Plot

The contour plot presents the colors using a strict banding method. Color separation is clearly seen.

Change the shaded display:

  1. In the Display panel, click the Shaded Display command to display the pull down list.
  2. Select from Smooth Shading, Contour Shading, and No Shading. The graphics region updates.

Mesh

At any time, you can click Mesh View to overlay the mesh on the volume plot. The Mesh View command is an On/Off display toggle once the mesh has been defined.

XY Plots

With parametric studies, you can view the results as a two-dimensional XY plot.

  1. In the browser, select the Results type (Von Mises Stress, Displacement, and so on) you are interested to see in a plot.
  2. Right-click the parameter row and click XY Plot. A window with the XY Plot is displayed over the graphics region. The window is resizable.

The following image is from the same simulation as the preceding image. However, the XY Plot is for Displacement results rather than Von Mises Stress.

Convergence Plots

You define the convergence criteria that is used to reach a solution. You can then view the resulting convergence plot which shows the number of refinements used and the parameter values associated with each refinement.

To view an XY plot of the result convergence, you must have edited the Convergence Settings and set the Maximum Number of h Refinements to greater than zero. Right-click the Results folder node in the browser, and click Convergence Plot. The convergence criteria is set in the Convergence Settings dialog box.

  1. In the Prepare panel, click Convergence Settings. The dialog box displays.
  2. Specify the Stop Criteria percent of convergence required.
  3. Specify the Results type on which to converge.
  4. Specify any Geometric Selections
  5. Specify the Maximum Number of h Refinements to use.
  6. Specify the h Refinement Threshold.
  7. In the Solve panel, click Simulate. Let the simulation complete.
  8. In the Result panel, click Convergence Plot. The plot is displayed in a window over the graphics region.

Deformation Plots

Most often, the true geometry deformation is slight in comparison to the overall model size. In order to understand where deformation is occurring an automated exaggeration effect is provided. The Adjust Displacement Display command provides the following display options:

  • Undeformed
  • Actual
  • Adjusted x0.5
  • Adjusted x1
  • Adjusted x2
  • Adjusted x5

When the volume plot is displayed, select one of the display options to exaggerate the deformation.

Animate Results

You can animate the simulation results and retain the animation for your records by producing video output.

Maximum and Minimum Results

Commands for easily locating the maximum and minimum result values are located in the Display panel.

Click the Maximum Resultcommand to display an annotation at the point where this condition occurs.

Click the Minimum Resultcommand to display an annotation at the point where this condition occurs.

Probe Labels

You use the Probe command to identify points of interest with a label specifying the result type and value at that point. You can annotate as many points as you want. The Probe Labels command turns visibility on and off for those labels.

Boundary Conditions

The Boundary Conditions command turns on and off the display of the load indicator, which points to where the load is applied.

Optimize the simulation

To view the results for different parametric values, move the sliders on the Parametric Table. If the results of the simulations are ready for evaluation, you can display a chart for the results of each parameter or parameter change.

Optimize and filter results by setting limits on some constraint values and minimizing others. In the Parametric Table, Design Constraints section, set the status of a constraint to a type of limit. Specify the value and safety factor of the limit. Then change the status of another constraint to Minimize. The configuration updates and displays a result with the minimized values. If there is an existing configuration that meets all the limits, it displays. Otherwise, the result violates a constraint.

When an optimized solution displays, you can still move the sliders. The constraint values display a green check mark for the optimized constraint. For limit constraints with a safety factor, a colored shape displays to indicate if the constraint was exceeded. A green circle indicates the value lies within the acceptable range and a red square indicates the value lies outside of the acceptable range.

 

Probe results

After running a simulation, you can see results values for given points on the model. You use the Probe command to specify the points, and the Probe Labels command to control probe label visibility.

After running a simulation, probe a point:

  1. On the ribbon, click Stress Analysis tabResult panelProbe.
  2. On the model, click the point of interest. A label with a leader to the point is displayed.
  3. You can probe multiple points.
  4. You can also manipulate labels for a clearer view of the simulation information (See Visualize Results).

Manipulate labels in the graphics window

Manipulate labels in the graphics window, including labels associated with result probes, min and max values, and mesh failures, to better view and present simulation information. You can change the initial distance at which labels are placed, drag labels, and reset the position of labels.

Initial label placement

As appropriate, you can define the initial displacement distance of the labels relative to where you click in the model:

  1. On the ribbon, click Stress Analysis tabSettings panelStress Analysis Settings .
  2. On the General tab, change the Initial Label Placement Distance setting as a percentage of the diagonal of the model bounding box.
    Note Changes to the setting do not affect the position of existing labels.

Move labels

  1. In the graphics window, individually- or multi-select the appropriate labels.
  2. Click one of the selected labels and drag to the new position.
    NoteTo cancel the operation and return labels to their previous location, press ESC while dragging.

Reset label positions

Reset selected labels to their initial placement:

  1. In the graphics window, individually- or multi-select the appropriate labels.
  2. Right-click and select Reset Position.

To reposition all labels in the graphics window, right-click any label, and select Reset All Positions.

NoteChange your selection filter to Select Sketch Features or rotate the view to select a label positioned behind a part.

Change mode shapes

You can view the deformation of a part associated with a particular frequency by activating the corresponding mode plot represented by the browser node. The contours represent relative deformation of the part as it vibrates. By default, results for eight frequency modes and displacement nodes are generated.

  1. Expand the Modal Frequency subfolder under Results on the stress analysis browser.
  2. Double-click the frequency you are interested in seeing presented in the graphics region.

Animate results

You can animate the results and observe the displacement or stress build up over a sequence of images. The animation plays back a series of images, you determine how many, as an animation. You can record the animation.

Start an animation:

  1. In the Result panel, click Animate.
  2. In the dialog box, specify the number of Steps, analogous to images that you want to cycle through to see the displacement changes. To have a smoother or slower animation, increase the # Steps. Valid numbers range from 3 to 30 steps.
  3. If you do not want the original model to display in wireframe during the animation, clear the Show Original option.
  4. Click Record to create an AVI, specifying the video codec as part of that process.
  5. Specify the playback Speed.
  6. Click Play to see the animation. You can pause playback.
  7. Use Stop or click OK to end the animation playback.

When animating displacement of a parametric study, click on the slider to change the parameter value and cancel the Animate command. Change the value, and then click Animate.

Modify the color bar

The color bar displays the range for the result being shown. The bar range is set to Automatic as the default. Inventor assigns the value range for display. The color bar is posted in the graphics region and can be relocated within the graphics region by activating the Color Bar command. Color bar display modifications are session based and do not persist between sessions.

You can modify the upper limit, lower limit, color type, and change the visibility, position, and size of the color bar.

Modify the range or position of the color bar:

  1. In the ribbon bar, click Color Bar to display the Color Bar Settings dialog box.
  2. Remove the check from the Maximum and/or Minimum limit setting.
  3. In the Edit fields, specify a different value as the Maximum/Minimum value for the range.
  4. If you do not like the default position of the Color Bar, specify another position using one of the Position options.
  5. When finished modifying the display parameters, click OK to invoke the changes and close the dialog box.

Create result parameters

The various results from the simulation can be output as parameters in the model.

Create result parameters:

  • right-click the browser Results node and click Create Result Parameters.

View results parameters:

  1. In the ribbon bar, click the Manage tab.
  2. On the Manage tab, Parameters panel, click the Parameters command. The Results Parameters are added to the list of other model parameters.

 

References

Color Bar Settings

The color bar displays the range of the results being shown. The color bar is posted in the graphics region and can be relocated within the graphics region by activating the Color Bar command.

Access:

Ribbon: Stress Analysis tabDisplay panelColor Bar
VisibilityControls the visibility of the color bar of the active result type. When checked (default) the color bar displays. Clear the check mark to hide the color bar.
NoteThis setting affects ONLY the active result.
Color Bar Settings  
  Maximum Displays the calculated maximum threshold value. Clear Maximum to enable manual threshold settings. Enter the desired value as needed. Rechecking Maximum sets the maximum threshold back to the calculated value. Maximum threshold must always be larger than Minimum threshold.
  Number of ColorsSpecifies the number of colors or monochrome shades to be displayed in the color bar. Valid input is from 2 to 12. You can enter the number or use the + (increase) or - (decrease) to change the value.
  Absolute ValuesUnchecked by default, this option, when checked, displays all result values in absolute values and the color bar reflects those values. Negative values for Maximum and Minimum thresholds are invalid when this option is checked.
  Minimum Displays the calculated minimum threshold value. Clear Minimum to enable manual threshold settings. Enter the desired value as needed. Rechecking Minimum sets the minimum threshold back to the calculated value. Minimum threshold must always be smaller than Maximum threshold.
 
NoteWhen Smooth shading is active, the color bar settings are disabled and the number of colors used is 5.
Color Type  
   

Sets the bar scale to display with colors.

   

Sets the bar scale to display as monochromatic or grayscale.

Position  
  TopPositions the color bar horizontally at the top center of the graphics region.
  BottomPositions the color bar horizontally at the bottom center of the graphics region.
  RightPositions the color bar vertically along the right side of the graphics region.
  LeftPositions the color bar vertically along the left side of the graphics region
  Top Right HorizontalPositions the color bar horizontally at the top right of the graphics region.
  Top Right VerticalPositions the color bar vertically at the top right of the graphics region.
  Top Left HorizontalPositions the color bar horizontally at the top left of the graphics region.
  Top Left VerticalPositions the color bar vertically at the top left of the graphics region.
  Bottom Right HorizontalPositions the color bar horizontally at the bottom right of the graphics region.
  Bottom Right VerticalPositions the color bar vertically at the bottom right of the graphics region.
  Bottom Left HorizontalPositions the color bar horizontally at the bottom left of the graphics region.
  Bottom Left VerticalPositions the color bar vertically at the bottom left of the graphics region.
Size  
  StandardSets the color bar to be a fixed height. Set by default.
  CompactSets the color bar to a minimum height.
  Fit to WindowSets the color bar so that its size is a percentage of the graphics region. If the region changes size, the color bar updates and changes its size proportionally.

Convergence Plot

The Convergence Plot command displays the plot within a dialog box. The plot shows:

  • The number of refinements required for the solution to converge, if convergence is achieved, or the number of solution steps requested for the required refinements.
  • The values associated with each refinement.

The window close button in the upper right corner dismisses the dialog box.

To change the plot results criteria, right-click in any open space within the plot pane. Then, click Plot Options.

Access:

Ribbon: Stress Analysis tabResult panelConvergence Plot
Convergence RateDisplays the convergence rate for the plot in the form of an XY plot.
Result typeDisplays the selected result type. The result type is specified in the Convergence Settings dialog box.
ValueDisplays the value range for the selected result type.
Solution StepDisplays the number of solution steps performed to reach the specified convergence criteria.

Plot Options...

Settings    
  Result Component

Displays the selected result type. The result type is specified in the Convergence Settings dialog box. The available result components are:

  • Von Mises Stress
  • 1st Principal Stress
  • 3rd Principal Stress
  • Displacement
  Mode NumberSpecifies the mode to display in the plot pane. Enables only for Modal analysis results.
OK   Displays the plot for the selected result component. Dismisses the dialog box.
Cancel   Cancels the dialog box and any selection changes made. Previous plot continues to display.

Reaction Forces

Displays the Reaction Forces and Reaction Moments for the applied constraints on faces, edges, and vertices. Calculation of reaction forces includes the force acting along bounding edges and vertices. When constraints share edges or vertices, the global summation of forces could appear out of balance. The reaction forces and moments can be inconsistent if the applied constraint shares a surface, edge, or vertex with another constraint.

Access:

Simulation browser Constraint node Context menu Reaction Forces

Reaction forces, for the Fixed, Pin, and Frictionless constraints, are displayed based on the selected constraint.

Reaction forces do not display values unless a simulation has been run. If the constraint is suppressed, the command is not enabled.

Reaction Forces are included, by default, in generated reports. You have the option to exclude this information from the report.

Reaction Force  
  TotalDisplays the total reaction force.
  XDisplays the X component reaction force.
  YDisplays the Y component reaction force
  ZDisplays the Z component reaction force
Reaction Moment  
  TotalDisplays the total magnitude of the reaction moment about the constraint centroid
  XDisplays the value of the reaction moment component about the x-axis of the constraint centroid.
  YDisplays the value of the reaction moment component about the y-axis of the constraint centroid.
  ZDisplays the value of the reaction moment component about the z-axis of the constraint centroid.

Same Scale

Access:

Ribbon: Stress Analysis tabDisplay panelSame Scale

Especially useful for Parametric studies, Same Scale is Off by default.

When the command is on and you slide the parameter control, you see the results update immediately using a uniform scale. The color bar is scaled according to the largest and smallest values within the parameter result sets.

The other occasion where this command is useful is when you are viewing simulation results and hide component bodies. The scale remains the same and does not adjust to reflect the exclusion of the component from the view.

Animate Results

Animates the selected simulation results. Increase the number of steps in the playback or recording for smoother transitions between images.

Access:

Ribbon: Stress Analysis tabResult panelAnimate
 
Plays the animation in the graphics window.
 
Pauses the animation.
 
Stops the animation
 
Records the results animation in AVI format. You specify the filename and codec to use for the recording. The operating system codec selection command and list of codecs are presented.
Show OriginalSpecifies that the original model shape is visible during animation playback. If this option is not selected, the original wireframe is presented as an overlay on the deformed model. The default is checked.
SpeedSpecifies the animation playback speed. There are five choices: Slowest, Slow, Normal, Fast, and Fastest. The default is Normal.
StepsSpecifies the number of steps used in the playback animation. Steps can be considered equal to images or frames. The default is ten steps. The range of valid input for steps is from 3 to 30.

Probe

Displays the simulation results for a specific point on the model.

Access:

Ribbon: Stress Analysis tabResult panelProbe
  1. On the Result panel, click Probe.
  2. Select a point on the model.

    The results for the point display in a label floating over the model with a leader to the selected point.

  3. You can select multiple points. Each point has a leader and label.
  4. Access the context menu commands to modify the label or labels in one of the following ways (See also Visualize Results):

Context menu commands

Edit PositionDisplays the Probe Coordinates dialog box. You can edit the probe position in 3D space using the X, Y, and Z coordinate values.
Probe LabelsBy default Probe labels display when a probe is created. Click this command to toggle visibility of all probe labels.
Delete ProbeDeletes the selected probe.
Delete All ProbesDeletes all probes in the simulation.
Reset PositionResets position of the selected probe.
Reset All PositionsResets position of all probes in the simulation.

Probe Labels

You can probe multiple points of a model. For each point probed, a leader and label are displayed.

Access:

Ribbon: Stress Analysis tabDisplay panelProbe Labels

On the Display panel, click Probe Labels. The command is on by default, and is a visibility toggle. All probe points you have specified display their associated leader and label when the command is engaged. All are hidden when you disengage the command.

NoteIf you manipulate labels, the new positions persist regardless of whether Probe Labels is engaged or disengaged.

Create Result Parameters

Output parameters of the simulation results are created on demand. The parameters are added to the model parameters and are accessed from the model parameter command. The output parameters are grouped in a folder bearing the simulation name.

Access:

Right-click the Results browser node and select Create Result Parameters.

Use the model parameter command to access the output parameters, as you would model and user-defined parameters.

View the results parameters:

  1. In the ribbon bar, click the Manage tab.
  2. On the Manage tab, in the Parameters panel, click the Parameters command.

 

Simulation log

Displays the contents of the simulation run.

Access:

Right-click the Results browser node and select Simulation log.
(Log File)Displays the path and filename of the log file.
Scrollable text box

Displays the simulation log information. The information includes:

  • Start time
  • Number of configurations
  • Default mesh
  • Solution time
  • Convergence rate
  • Number of h refinements success
  • Finish time
  • Total time
Open Folder Opens the folder where the log file is located.
CopyCopies the selected content to the clipboard. In the target document use Paste to place the copied content.
ClearRemoves the log content from the text field and the log file. The log file is retained.