Plot Functions

Forms:  Time History Plot, Plot Functions, Quick Plot Function Display Settings, Set Vertical Plot Functions

After a Time History function and a Time History load case have been defined and an analysis has been run, click the Display menu > Plot Functions command  to display the Time History Plot  form, which can be used  to specify the load case and the function(s) to be plotted.  The form will display with a tab at the top, a tool bar, graphical plot and plot parameter options.  

• Tab - The name of the Time History Plot  form displays.

• The Tool Bar -  In addition to the buttons described in the hyperlinked topic, this form has the following buttons:

• •   Define plot functions - Click this button to display the Plot Functions form.  Use the form to define the function(s) to be displayed on the plot, including joint displacement, velocity, acceleration, and reaction; forces for beams, columns, braces, piers, spandrels, links, and stories; base force; energy; and input load. This form has tool bar buttons. Placing the curser over a button displays a tool tip describing the action performed by the button.

  • • Add a new item - Click this button to display the list of the types of functions available. Select a type from the drop-down list to add it to the list of defined functions in the upper area of the form. Use the parameter options in the lower area of the form to complete the function definition for the highlighted item, including changing the program-suggested name of the function if desired. The parameters change depending on the function type selected. Clicking on a parameter displays a brief description of that item in the lower area of the form.

    • Add a copy of the selected item - Select an item in the upper area of the form and click this button to add a copy of it to the form.

    • Delete the selected item - Select an item in the upper area of the form and click this button to delete it.

    • Quick plot function display settings - Click this button to display the Quick Plot Function Display Settings form. Use the options on the form to set the line type, line width and line color for displaying the function(s). The Scale Factor specifies the  vertical axis for the specified function. This form is most helpful when multiple functions have been defined.

    • Toggle between "Collapse All," "Expand to Defaults," and "Expand All" -  Click this button to hide or display the various plot function parameters.

    • Reset changes to item since form was opened - In essence this button can be used to undo changes made to the form since it was opened.

    • Reset item to its default values - As the name suggestions, clicking this button resets the parameters to their default values.

• •   Specify vertical functions - Click this button to display the Set Vertical Plot Functions form. The functions defined using the Plot Functions form (see above) will be listed in the Available Functions list. Use the left / right arrows to move the function definitions from the Available Functions list to the Selected Functions list to specify which functions will display on the plot. If only one function has been defined, that single definition will be displayed in the Selected Functions list. When the OK button is clicked on this form, the selected function(s) will display on the Time History Plot form using the line color, type, and width specified using the individual function parameters or the Quick Plot Function Display Settings form.

• Graphical Plot area. The plot is shown in this area with appropriate labeling for the X and Y axes. When the mouse pointer is moved over the plot, the coordinates of the pointer location are shown below the plot.

• Plot Parameters - Click on a parameter and an explanation of that parameter will display in the lower left-hand corner of the form. When changes are possible, clicking in the value area will display a drop-down list of possible parameters or use the available edit box. If the text of the parameter name is partially hidden, use the cursor to drag the parameter area to make it larger, similar to resizing in Windows or Mircosoft Excel. Similarly, if the text display area in the lower left-hand corner is too small, drag it up to make it larger. The changes made to the parameters immediately update the graphical plot.