Probe Result PropertyManager

The Probe function allows you to query a plot and view the values of plotted quantities at defined nodes or centers of elements.

When you probe a mesh plot, the software displays the node or element number and the global coordinates of the node. When you probe a result plot, the software displays the nearest node or element number, the value of the plotted result, and the global coordinates of the node or center of the element (for elemental values).

For example, in a nodal stress plot, the nearest node number, the stress value, and the global x, y, and z coordinates appear.

When you probe results on a section mesh or result plot, the global coordinates of the probed location, and the result value that is interpolated from the nearest nodes (or element, for elemental plots) appear.
To list results in terms of a selected reference entity, create a plot relative to the selected reference entity, then use the probe function.
Activate the plot to probe the results and select one of the following:
  • Click Probe (Simulation Result Tools).
  • Right-click the plot in the Simulation study tree and click Probe.
  • Click Simulation > Result Tools > Probe.

Options

At Location Probe results for individual nodes or elements that you select in the graphics area.
You can probe section plots on the faces cut by a section plane.
From sensors Probe results at locations stored in sensor lists. You need to define Workflow Sensitive sensors to view the Sensor List.
When probing results from sensor locations defined at coordinates, the location of the nearest node is used instead of the exact location of the sensor.
On selected entities Probe results for all the nodes or elements on the selected entities (faces, edges, or vertices).
At Node number Probe results at nodes identified by their node number. Type the number of a single node or a range of nodes, for example 1000-1020. The locations of the selected nodes with their annotations are visible in the graphics area.
Callouts for the top 25 probed nodes or elements appear in the graphics area to ensure optimal performance.
Distance (Available for mesh and displacement plots). Measure the distance between two nodes. Select the two nodes in the graphics area and the distance information appears in the graphics area and PropertyManager.
For frequency and buckling studies, mode shapes illustrate the profile of the mode only (i.e., the displacement of nodes relative to each other). See Output of Frequency Analysis.

Advanced Option

Element Select to list probe results on elements only.
Node Select to list probe results on nodes only. Results are listed for the mesh node nearest to the selected location.

Results

Displays the node or element number, the value of the plotted result, the global coordinates of the node or center of the element, and the component name if probing an assembly.

  Sensor List (Available for From Sensors only). A list of all the sensors for this model.
Faces, Edges, or Vertices (Available for On selected entities only). Results are given for all the nodes or elements on the selected entities.
  Flip edge plot (Available for On selected entities only). Reverses the order of the nodes in the results list for a selected edge.
  Update (Available for On selected entities only). Click to refresh the results list when you update the geometric entities in Faces, Edges, or Vertices.
  Save annotations for plot (attach sensor) (Available for From Sensors only). Keeps the callouts in the graphics area after you close the PropertyManager.

Statistical Data

(Available for On selected entities only). Lists the values of the plotted result on the selected geometric entities. The sum, average, maximum, minimum, and the RMS (Root Mean Square) values appear.

The probe tool calculates the average value of a result variable by taking into account all the mesh nodes of the selected entity and applying equal weights to all nodes. If the selected entity has areas with finer mesh, then these areas with the denser mesh will have a heavier weight to the calculation of the average value, which would be inaccurate.

In the figure below, the average temperature value for the model with the non-uniform mesh is 441.6 kelvin, while the average temperature value for the model with the uniform mesh is 400 kelvin, which is more accurate.



Distance

(Available for Distance only). Lists the change in the x, y, and z location, as well as the actual distance after deformation between two nodes. The results also appear in the graphics area.

Report Options

Displays the node or element number, the value of the plotted result, the global coordinates of the node or center of the element, and the component name if probing an assembly.

Save as Sensor Select points listed under Results to create a sensor list.
Save Save the probe results to a comma delimited *.csv file. Use a text editor or Microsoft Excel to view this file.
Plot Generate a 2D graph of the results. Linear variation is assumed between listed values. The graph assumes equal distances between consecutive probed locations.
Response (Available for transient studies only). Generate a 2D graph of the results versus solution steps.
Capture Image Saves the active image of the model in the graphics window in an image file. Permissible file formats are: .png, .jpg, or .bmp.
To include a captured image in a Report, selectInclude Image for Report Image file.

Annotations

Selects which annotations for the probe results are visible in the graphics area.

Show Node/Element Number Includes node or element number in the probe results.
Show X, Y, Z Location Includes global coordinates in the probe results.
Show Value (Not available for Distance). Includes results-specific value such as vonMises, URES, or Temp.
Callouts for the top 25 probed nodes or elements appear in the graphics area to ensure optimal performance.
You can move the probe results in the graphics area by dragging them.