Use scatter plots to visualize a scalar quantity as scattered spheres on a 2D Scatter Surface () or in a 3D Scatter Volume () (as functions of spatial coordinates or any quantities).

Scatter plots can be used as alternatives to arrow plots for scalar quantities or to represent the correlation between two or more different variables to get a feeling for how quantities correlate. To display a quantity using the color and radius of scattered spheres in the model geometry, use the spatial coordinates (x, y, and z in 3D) as the expressions for the scatter plot axes.

If you use some other quantities as the variables that determine the scattered spheres’ positions on the axes, it is good practice to remove the plotting of the data set’s edges (typically the geometry boundaries) by clearing the Plot data set edges check box in the main plot group node’s Settings window. In those cases, the axes in the Graphics window no longer represent the space coordinate for the geometry.

The radius and color can both be functions of independent quantities, so a 3D scatter plot can provide information about up to five different quantities as the three axis directions, color, and radius. Right-click a 2D Plot Group or 3D Plot Group to add these plot types from the More Plots submenu.

Under Evaluation Points, select an Entry method for the grid points coordinates based on space dimension (x grid points and y grid points for 2D; r grid points and z grid points for 2D axial symmetry; or x grid points, y grid points, and z grid points for 3D).

The evaluation points are located in a block-shaped (3D) or rectangular (2D) grid where the axes represent the expressions defined in the Expression section.