3D Cross-Section Surface Plot
3D Cross-Section Surface Plot Using a Cut Plane dataset
A 3D surface cross-section plot visualizes a quantity in one or several planes in time, along a parameter range, or for several eigenvalues. This example uses the Airflow Over an Ahmed Body model from the CFD Module Applications Libraries.
1
Create a Cut Plane 3D dataset.
2
Add a 2D Plot Group (). In the Settings window, select Cut Plane 3D as the Dataset.
3
Add a Surface plot and keep From parent to use the same dataset as the plot group to which it belongs.
4
Continue to define the Surface plot as needed.
5
Click the Plot button (), or right-click the node and select Plot.
The plot displays in the window selected in the Plot window list. To plot results in another window, right-click the plot group node or the plot node and select a plot window from the Plot In submenu.
Creating Interactive 3D Cross-Section Surface Plots
1
In the Model Builder, click a 3D Plot Group node to display the buttons available on the Plot Group contextual toolbar. In the main toolbar, click the cross-section buttons as needed.
The first time the cross-section toolbar buttons are clicked, a Cut Plane 3D dataset and a 2D Plot Group with a Surface plot are added to the Model Builder.
To define a Cut Plane:
a
Click the First Point for Cut Plane Normal button (). Click a starting point on the geometry. The COMSOL software chooses default coordinates as a vertical line intersecting the data in the middle. The green highlighted areas show you what the cut plane looks like if this first click point is selected for the surface plot.
b
Click the Second Point for Cut Plane Normal button (). Click an endpoint on the geometry. The green highlighted areas show you what the cut plane looks like if this second click point is selected for the surface plot.
c
d
Click the 2D Plot Group to view the Surface plot based on the selected points.
To define a Normal Cut Plane:
a
Click the Cut Plane Normal button ().
b
c
Click the 2D Plot Group to view the Surface plot based on the selected points.
To Define a Normal Cut Plane from Surface:
a
Click the Cut Plane Normal from Surface button ().
b
c
Click the 2D Plot Group to view the Surface plot based on the selected points.
2
3
See Table 21-10 for links to all the plots.