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 Application Library.
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
Click either of the buttons and then on the geometry to change the starting point and endpoint, respectively.
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
Click the geometry to add a plane perpendicular to the click location. COMSOL Multiphysics chooses default coordinates as a vertical line intersecting the data in the middle. The green highlighted areas show you what the plot looks like if this normal cut plane is selected for the surface plot.
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
Click the geometry to add a line with a point and direction starting at the click location. COMSOL Multiphysics chooses default coordinates as a vertical line intersecting the data in the middle. The green highlighted areas show you what the plot looks like if this normal from surface cut plane is selected for the surface plot.
c
Click the 2D Plot Group to view the Surface plot based on the selected points.
2
Adjust the cut plane as needed by clicking the buttons, then clicking the geometry to change the coordinates. The dataset and plot group are updated automatically with the cut plane data. Click the 2D Plot Group node to view the updates to the surface plot.
3
Continue adjusting the cut plane until the surface plot representing the points plots the data as needed.
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See Table 21-11 for links to all the plots.
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Results Toolbar and Plot Group Contextual Toolbar
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Plot Group Contextual Toolbar