Mechanical APDL Basic Analysis Guide

Chapter 12: PowerGraphics

Two methods are available for displaying graphics:

• The Full Model display method. Invoke this method via the /GRAPHICS,FULL command (Utility Menu>
  PlotCtrls>Style> Hidden-Line Options).


• The PowerGraphics display method. Invoke this method via the /GRAPHICS,POWER command (Utility
  Menu> PlotCtrls> Style> Hidden-Line Options).

The PowerGraphics method is the default when the ANSYS GUI is active and is valid for all element
types except for circuit elements. The Full Model method is valid for all element types.

The display method you choose depends upon the size of your model and the type of elements used
in the model. If your model contains circuit elements, for example, select the Full Model method. (If
you select the PowerGraphics method for a model containing circuit elements, ANSYS automatically
uses Full Model instead.) If you are creating a large model containing element types supported by
PowerGraphics, the PowerGraphics method offers significantly faster performance than Full Model.

The following PowerGraphics topics are available:

12.1. Characteristics of PowerGraphics

12.2. When to Use PowerGraphics

12.3. Activating and Deactivating PowerGraphics

12.4. How to Use PowerGraphics

12.5. What to Expect from a PowerGraphics Plot

12.1. Characteristics of PowerGraphics

• Displays for large models are plotted at a much greater speed than with the Full Model method.


• PowerGraphics plots quadratic (curved) surfaces for midside node elements.


• This method can display discontinuous results due to material type and real constant discontinuities.


• Shell element results are displayed at both top and bottom layers, simultaneously.


• You can use the Query picking option to query subgrid results for some elements in the Graphical User
  Interface.


• PowerGraphics is not available for circuit elements.


• When requested results data are not supported by PowerGraphics, the results are output using the Full
  Model method.


• Results averaging occurs using only the data at the model surface.


• Minimum and maximum values are valid only for data at the model surface.

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