Plotting

DPF-Core has a variety of plotting methods to generate 3D plots of ANSYS models directly from Python. These methods use VTK and leverage the pyvista Python library to simplify plotting. Please see the pyvista Documentation for additional details.

Plotting the Mesh from the Model Object

The Model.plot() method can be used to immediately plot the mesh of the model after loading it. In the following example, a simple pontoon mesh is downloaded from the internet and loaded using the Model class.

>>> import ansys.dpf.core as dpf
>>> from ansys.dpf.core import examples
>>> filename = examples.download_pontoon()
>>> model = dpf.Model(filename)
>>> model.plot()
../_images/pontoon.png

The default plotter settings display the mesh with edges shown with lighting enabled. For a full listing of all the keyword arguments, please see plot.

Plotting using the MeshedRegion

The MeshedRegion.plot() method plots the meshed region. If the MeshedRegion is generated from the model’s metadata, it will generate an identical plot as in the Model.plot():

>>> mesh = model.metadata.meshed_region
>>> mesh.plot()
../_images/pontoon.png

However, when provided with a field as the first argument, it will plot the mesh using those values. In the following example, we will extract the nodal strain in the X direction.

First, extract the X component strain

>>> strain = model.results.strain()
>>> fields = strain.outputs.fields_container()
>>> field = fields.select_component(0)[0]
>>> print(field)
DPF elastic_strain_1.s Field
    Location:   ElementalNodal
    Unit:
    Num. id(s): 8640
    Shape:      69120

This ElementalNodal strain must be converted to nodal strain for
it to be plotted.

>>> nodal_field = field.to_nodal()
>>> mesh.plot(nodal_field)
../_images/pontoon_strain.png

Note

At the moment, only fields with Elemental and Nodal locations are supported. Use the to_nodal to convert to nodal or the 'nodal_to_elemental' operator to convert to elemental.

Fields Container and Fields APIs