# Curves

Curve entities define and store xy data and are associated with a plot entity.

Curves do not have a display state. However, the display of a curve in a xy plot window is controlled by the display state and active state of its associated plot.

## Abaqus Cards

Curves are exported as *AMPLITUDE card in the Abaqus input file.
Card Description
*AMPLITUDE Define an amplitude curve
Note: For Standard and Explicit profiles:

The TABULAR definition reads either pairwise entries (new) or four pairs of values per dataline (old). The EQUALLY SPACED option has been updated to the new format as well. The old format is required by users using pre 6.9 Abaqus solver.

The reader can read both formats. The card will be exported the same way as it was imported. The card image allows you to switch between both formats.

## EXODUS Cards

Card Description
Function Time, frequency and/or spatially dependent functions for transient and frequency response analysis.

## LS-DYNA Cards

The output of curves creates a *DEFINE_CURVE or Structured Card 22 using Option 0.

*DEFINE_CURVE can be changed to *DEFINE_TABLE in the card previewer. When DEFINE_CURVE is changed to DEFINE_TABLE, the number of curves the table should contain depends on the XY curves that are referenced by a load, material, component, property, and so on are output.

Upon input, the *DEFINE_CURVE and *DEFINE_TABLE/Card 22 cards are read and placed in a plot called LS-DYNA Load Curves. Upon input, references to curves are preserved and are output along with the card, such as material, component, property and load.

Card Description
*DEFINE_CURVE Define a curve.
*DEFINE_CURVE_SMOOTH Define a smoothly varying curve using few parameters.
*DEFINE_CURVE_TRIM Define a curve for trimming.
*DEFINE_CURVE_TRIM_3D Define a curve for trimming. Trimming is processed based on the element normal rather than the vector.
*DEFINE_FUNCTION Define a function that can be referenced by a limited number of keyword options.
*DEFINE_TABLE Define a table.
*DEFINE_TABLE_2D Define a table.
*DEFINE_TABLE_3D Define a table.

## OptiStruct Cards

Multi-body dynamics curves are represented as curves.
Card Description
MBCRV Specifies the data used to define a curve.
Note: Bulk Data Entry
TABLED1 Defines a tabular function for use in generating frequency-dependent and time-dependent dynamic loads.
Note: Bulk Data Entry
TABLED2 Defines a tabular function for use in generating frequency-dependent and time-dependent dynamic loads. Also contains parametric data for use with the table.
Note: Bulk Data Entry
TABLED3 Defines a tabular function for use in generating frequency-dependent and time-dependent dynamic loads. Also contains parametric data for use with the table.
Note: Bulk Data Entry
TABLED4 Defines the coefficients of a power series for use in generating frequency-dependent and time-dependent dynamic loads. Also contains parametric data for use with the table.
Note: Bulk Data Entry
TABLEG Defines a general tabular function for use in supported reference entries.
Note: Bulk Data Entry
TABLEM1 Defines a tabular function for use in generating temperature-dependent material properties.
Note: Bulk Data Entry
TABLEM2 Defines a tabular function for use in generating temperature-dependent material properties. Also contains parametric data for use with the table.
Note: Bulk Data Entry
TABLEM3 Defines a tabular function for use in generating temperature-dependent material properties. Also contains parametric data for use with the table.
Note: Bulk Data Entry
TABLEM4 Defines coefficients of a power series for use in generating temperature-dependent material properties. Also contains parametric data for use with the table.
Note: Bulk Data Entry
TABLEMD Defines a multi-dimensional tabular function which identifies single or multiple X-values for a single Y-value.
Note: Bulk Data Entry
TABLES1 Defines a tabular function for use as stress-strain curve in elasto-plastic material properties MATS1, MATX33, MATX65, MATHF, as well as material curve in nonlinear material properties MATX36, MATX42, and MATX70. The TABLES1 entry can also be used to define the corresponding material curves on the MATHE Bulk Data Entry.
Note: Bulk Data Entry
TABLEST Specifies the material property tables for elasto-plastic, temperature-dependent materials.
Note: Bulk Data Entry
TABLEXN Defines a tabular function for Stress (X) - Life (Y) pairs to define an SN curve.
Note: Bulk Data Entry

## PAM-CRASH Cards

Card Description
FUNCT/ Definition of curves.
LOOKU / Look up table cards.

## Permas Cards

Card Description
\$FUNCTION Function definition.