Create a Scatter Graph

A Scatter graph displays the distribution of two variables that have a strong correlation to one another.

To select elements for a Scatter graph:
Select the group of elements, type of elements within that group, and the subset of those elements.
Optionally, select the group of elements, the type of elements within that group, and the subset of those elements.
  • The value of one variable is measured on the X-axis and the values of the other variables on the Y-axis.
  • A wide scatter of the plots denotes poor correlation between the two variables. If the two variables are perfectly correlated, then all the plots will fall on the diagonal (regression line), such as the velocity of a set of particles vs kinetic energy.


In this Scatter graph, the kinetic energy is higher with greater particle velocity, and the distribution of energy is due to the particle size distribution.

Configure the X-axis

In a Scatter graph, the X-axis measures the value of one variable.

To configure the X-axis:
  1. Click the X-axis tab.
  2. Select the attribute and component to plot on the X-axis.
    The attributes available in the list will depend on the elements that have been previously selected.
    The following table shows the attributes and components available for each element.
    Element Attribute Components
    Contacts Contact vector 1 Magnitude, X, Y, Z
    Contact vector 2 Magnitude, X, Y, Z
    Distance Define reference object*
    Normal force Magnitude, X, Y, Z
    Normal overlap N/A
    Position X, Y, Z
    Tangential force Magnitude, X, Y, Z
    Tangential overlap N/A
    Custom property Depends on the number of elements
    Collisions Average normal force Magnitude, X, Y, Z
    Average tangential force Magnitude, X, Y, Z
    Distance N/A
    Duration N/A
    Maximum normal force Magnitude, X, Y, Z
    Maximum tangential force Magnitude, X, Y, Z
    Normal energy loss N/A
    Position X, Y, Z
    Relative velocity Magnitude, X, Y, Z
    Relative velocity normal Magnitude, X, Y, Z
    Relative velocity tangential Magnitude, X, Y, Z
    Tangential energy loss N/A
    Total energy loss N/A
    Velocity element A Magnitude, X, Y, Z
    Velocity element B Magnitude, X, Y, Z
    Geometry Compressive force N/A
    Distance N/A
    Position X, Y, Z
    Pressure N/A
    Torque (element) Magnitude, X, Y, Z
    Total force Magnitude, X, Y, Z
    Velocity Magnitude, X, Y, Z
    Custom property Depends on number of elements
    Particle Angular velocity Magnitude, X, Y, Z
    Compressive force N/A
    Coordination Number Standard, Avg., Total, Min. or Max
    Diameter N/A
    Distance Define reference object*
    Kinetic energy N/A
    Mass N/A
    Position X, Y, Z
    Potential energy N/A
    Residence time N/A
    Rotational kinetic energy N/A
    Torque Magnitude, X, Y, Z
    Total energy N/A
    Total force Magnitude, X, Y, Z
    Velocity Magnitude, X, Y, Z
    Volume N/A
    Custom property Depends on the number of elements
    Note:
    • If the attribute is set to Distance, you must define a point or plane from which the distance is measured. When you select Distance, the Define Reference Object section of the pane will be activated. Select Point or Plane and define its position and, for a plane, its distance from the origin.
    • The X and Y axes are related. The attribute you select to measure on the X-axis will limit those attributes available to measure on the Y-axis. Similarly, if the Y-axis is configured first, the attributes available on the X-axis will be limited.

Configuring the Y-Axis

In a Scatter graph, the Y-axis measures time element attributes and components.

To configure the Y-axis:
  1. Click the Y-axis tab.
  2. Select the element attribute and component to be plotted on the Y-axis.
    The attributes available in the list will depend on the elements previously selected and the attribute being measured on the X-axis. You can select a component type for certain attributes. This is used to determine which value will be plotted for a particular attribute component. For example, the maximum, minimum, or average particle velocity.
    The following table shows the range of attributes, components, and component types available for each element. 
    Element Attribute Components
    Particle Angular velocity Magnitude, X, Y, Z
    Coordination Number Standard, Avg., Total, Min. or Max
    Compressive force N/A
    Diameter N/A
    Distance Define reference object*
    Kinetic energy N/A
    Mass N/A
    Position X, Y, Z
    Potential energy N/A
    Residence time N/A
    Rotational kinetic energy N/A
    Torque Magnitude, X, Y, Z
    Total energy N/A
    Total force Magnitude, X, Y, Z
    Velocity Magnitude, X, Y, Z
    Volume N/A
    Custom property Depends on the number of elements
    Particle Contact vector 1 Magnitude, X, Y, Z
    Contact vector 2 Magnitude, X, Y, Z
    Distance Define reference object*
    Normal force Magnitude, X, Y, Z
    Normal overlap N/A
    Position X, Y, Z
    Tangential force Magnitude, X, Y, Z
    Tangential overlap N/A
    Custom property Depends on number of elements
    Contacts Average normal force Magnitude, X, Y, Z
    Collisions Average tangential force Magnitude, X, Y, Z
    Distance N/A
    Duration N/A
    Maximum normal force Magnitude, X, Y, Z
    Maximum tangential force Magnitude, X, Y, Z
    Normal energy loss N/A
    Position X, Y, Z
    Relative velocity Magnitude, X, Y, Z
    Relative velocity normal Magnitude, X, Y, Z
    Relative velocity tangential Magnitude, X, Y, Z
    Tangential energy loss N/A
    Total energy loss N/A
    Velocity element A** Magnitude, X, Y, Z
    Velocity element B Magnitude, X, Y, Z
    Geometry Compressive force N/A
    Distance N/A
    Position X, Y, Z
    Pressure N/A
    Torque (element) Magnitude, X, Y, Z
    Total force Magnitude, X, Y, Z
    Velocity Magnitude, X, Y, Z
    Custom property Depends on number of elements
    Bond Normal force Magnitude, X, Y, Z
    Normal force Magnitude, X, Y, Z
    Tangential force Magnitude, X, Y, Z
    Tangential moment Magnitude, X, Y, Z
    Note:
      • If the attribute is set to Distance, you must define a point or plane from which the distance is measured. When you select Distance, the Define Reference Object section of the pane will be activated. Select the point or plane from which the distance should be measured. A point is defined by its xyz position, and a plane by its orientation and distance from the origin.
      • When the axis is set to measure the number of particles or number of contacts, you can plot either the total number of particles/contacts or the total number in a defined range. For example, counting only those particles with mass between 0.1kg and 0.2kg or velocity between 2m/s and 5m/s. When you select Total in Range, the Secondary Attribute section of the pane is activated. Select the attribute and component and enter the maximum and minimum values of that range to restrict the range.