Customizing the underlying plot of an animation

Time history, scale factor, and harmonic animations all display a series of deformed shape, contour, symbol, or (for time history animations only) material orientation plots in rapid succession. At any time before or during animation playback you can customize the deformed shape, contour, symbol, or material orientation plot that underlies your animation. For example, you can toggle the legend, adjust the deformation scale factor, or choose a different field output variable. Use the View, Result, and Options menus to customize the underlying plot of your animation.

  1. Locate the customization options applicable to the current plot state.

    • For contour plot animation, select OptionsContour from the main menu bar.

    • For symbol plot animation, select OptionsSymbol from the main menu bar.

    • For material orientation plot animation, select OptionsMaterial Orientation from the main menu bar.

  2. From the dialog box that appears, select the plot state–dependent customization options that you want. For more information, see Customizing your plots.

  3. Set the plot state–independent customization options that you want by selecting the OptionsCommon, OptionsSuperimpose, ViewportViewport Annotation Options, ViewGraphics Options, or ViewODB Display Options.

  4. Choose the results variables to be animated by selecting ResultField Output.

  5. Select the results steps and frames to be animated:

    • For scale factor or harmonic animation, choose the single step and frame to be animated by selecting ResultStep/Frame.

    • For time history animation, choose the steps and frames to be animated by selecting ResultActive Steps/Frames.