Visualization

Tools for visualizing orientations, ply shapes and ply layers.

Several types of visualization tools specific to composites are available. Information that can be plotted includes:
  • Composite laminate material reference orientation
  • Ply fiber and matrix directions
  • Ply shape
  • Ply layers of 2D model shown with thickness

Material Reference Orientation

Material reference orientation of composite laminates.

The material reference orientation of a composite laminate defines zero degree fiber direction from which ply orientations rotate. Visualizations are performed using the Material Reference Orientation dialog.

  1. From the Composite Browser, right-click the white space and select Orient > Material Reference Review from the context menu.
  2. In the dialog, click the Material System tab.
For further details, see Material Reference Orientation.


Figure 1.

Ply Direction

Visualize ply directions.

Ply directions for both nominal fibers and draped fibers can be visualized.

  1. From Composite Browser, right-click the white space and select Orient > Ply Orientation Review from the context menu.
  2. In the dialog, click the Ply directions tab.
For further information, see Ply Directions.


Figure 2.

Ply Shape

Visualize ply shapes.

Visualize ply shape boundaries of selected plies in the graphics area using the selector in the Model Browser.

.
  1. In the Model Browser, change the selector entity type to Plies.
  2. Activate the selector.
  3. Select one or more ply entities in the Model Browser.


    Figure 3.

Thickness and Layers

Display thickness of ply layers.

For ply-based shell models, the thickness of each ply layer can be displayed using the visualization options at the bottom right of the graphics area.
Note: Only laminate thickness is supported for zone-based shell models. Ply layer visualization is not supported. The recommended option is to use the Aerospace Absorb Properties option to convert the zone properties to plies.
  1. From the Visualization toolbar, set Element Representation to 2D Detailed Element Representation.
    This will visualize the total thickness on each element.
  2. Set the Composite Layers control to Composite Layers.
    This will display the individual layers within each element thickness.


    Figure 4.
  3. Set the Element Color Mode to By Prop.
    This will color each layer according to the color of the ply.
  4. From the menu bar, select Preferences > Graphics and type a factor in the ply visualization thickness factor field. Typical values range from 5 to 10.
    The thickness of each ply layer is increased.


    Figure 5.