Plot and Edit Complex Plots

In this tutorial, you will learn how to create complex plots from a data file and add and edit complex data curves by using mathematical functions.

Click File > Open > Time History File to open the Create Curves by File dialog.

Use the Create Curves by File dialog to constructs multiple curves and plots from a single data file. Curves can be overlaid in a single window or each curve can be assigned to a new window. Individual curves are edited using the Define panel.

From the HyperGraph menu, select Complex Chart to display the Complex Chart ribbon.
Figure 1. Complex Chart Ribbon


From the Complex Chart ribbon, click the Define tool.
Figure 2.


Existing curves can be edited individually and new curves can be added to the current plot using the Define Curves dialog. The dialog also provides access to the program's Expression Builder.

Build a Complex Data Curve from a Data File

  1. From the menu bar select File > Session > New to clear the contents of the session.
  2. Click File > Open > Time history file to open the Create Curves by File dialog.
  3. Use the file browser button to open the control_arm_sol111.pch file, located in the plotting folder.
  4. Leave the X type: set to Frequency [hz].
  5. In the Y type: column, select Subcase 1 Displacements.
  6. In the Y Request: column, select Point id 2086.
  7. In the Y Component: column, select X-Rot.
  8. Click Apply to create the complex curves.
    Figure 3.

Apply the Inverse Fast Fourier Transform (ifft) Math Function to the Complex Data Curve

  1. Change the current window layout of page 1 to a two-window layout .
  2. Activate the window on the right side.
    New plot windows are set to the Line Chart type by default.
  3. Click the Change Type icon () above the plot window and select Line Chart.
  4. From the ribbon, select the Define tool.
  5. Add a new XY plot curve named Curve 1.
  6. Rename Curve 1 to ifft_curve.
  7. Under Source, select Math.
  8. In the x: field, enter p1w1c1.x.
  9. In the y: field, enter ifft(p1w1c1.ym,p1w1c1.yp).
  10. Click Apply to create the XY data curve.
    Figure 4.

Create a Complex Data Curve of Frequency Versus Displacement for Subcase Two, Node 2086, X-Rotation

  1. Activate window 1 (the left window).
  2. Click File > Open > Time history file to open the Create Curves by File dialog.
  3. In the Y type: column, select Subcase 2 Displacements.
  4. In the Y Request: column, select Point id 2086.
  5. In the Y Component: column, select X-Rot.
  6. Click Apply to create the complex curves.
    Figure 5.

Subtract the Subcase Two Curve from the Subcase One Curve

  1. Change the current window layout for page 1 to a three-window layout, .
  2. Make the new, blank plot window active.
  3. Click the Change Type icon () above the plot window and select Complex Chart.
  4. From the ribbon, click the Define tool.
  5. Click Add P/M to create a new complex curve.
  6. Rename Curve 1 to sub_disp.
  7. Under Source, select Math.
  8. In the x: field, enter p1w1c1.x.
  9. In the yp: field, enter p1w1c2.yp - p1w1c1.yp.
  10. In the ym: field, enter p1w1c2.ym - p1w1c1.ym.
  11. Click Apply to create the complex curve.
    Figure 6.