Command(s):NSOL,ESOL
GUI: Main Menu> TimeHist Postpro> Define Variables
Main Menu> TimeHist Postpro> Elec&Mag> Circuit> Define Variables
For all other types of graphs, including arra y parameter (*VPLOT) curves, the default label will be the
item or parameter name specified in the display action command. For these curves, you can use the
/GCOLUMN command (Utility Menu> PlotCtrls> Style> Graphs) to change the curve labels. The
/GCOLUMN command allows any text or character string to be used as a curve label.
Adding user-defined graphics and text.You can add extra graphics and text to your displays using the
annotation functions by choosing Utility Menu> PlotCtrls> Annotation. See Annotation (p. 283) of this
manual for additional details.
15.2.3. Defining X and Y Variables and Their Ranges
The following subsections detail how to define X and Y variables and their ranges.
15.2.3.1. Defining the X Variable
In POST26 plotted-variable graphs, by default, the program uses TIME (or, for harmonic analyses, fre-
quency) for the X variable.TIME does not always have to represent chronological time. In setting up a
time-independent analysis, you can arbitrarily define TIME to be equal to the value of some other item
of interest (such as input pressure). To define a different parameter (other than TIME) against which the
Y variable is to be displayed, use the NSOL,ESOL, and XVAR commands or their GUI equivalents.
15.2.3.2. Defining the Part of the Complex Variable to Be Displayed
When plotting harmonic-response results in POST26, you need to decide what part of the complex
variable (amplitude, phase angle, real part, or imaginary part) to display in your graph. Make your choice
using the PLCPLX command (Main Menu> TimeHist Postpro> Settings> Graph).
15.2.3.3. Defining the Y Variable
The various graphics "action" commands define the Y variable. Sometimes, these commands refer to
labels that have been defined in other commands. For instance,PLPATH uses labels defined in the
PDEF,PVECT,PCALC,PDOT, and PCROSS commands.PLVAR also uses labels defined in the NSOL
and ESOL commands.PLSECT,FSPLOT, and *VPLOT, on the other hand, identify the Y variable directly.
(For the GUI equivalents to these commands, see their descriptions in the Command Reference.)
15.2.3.4. Setting the X Range
The /XRANGE command (Utility Menu> PlotCtrls> Style> Graph) enables you to graph only a portion
of the full range of X-variable data. This command allows you to "zoom" in or out on a particular segment
of your curve.
15.2.3.5. Defining the TIME (or, For Harmonic Analyses, Frequency) Range
The PLTIME command (Main Menu> TimeHist Postpro> Settings> Graph) enables you to establish
a range of TIME for graph displays. ANSYS always displays TIME in the Z-axis direction. If XVAR = 1,TIME
is also displayed in the X-axis direction.PLTIME or its equivalent then also sets the abscissa scale range.
(A range established by /XRANGE takes precedence over one defined by PLTIME.)
Release 15.0 - © SAS IP, Inc. All rights reserved. - Contains proprietary and confidential informationCreating Graphs