3D Cross-Section Line Plots

A 3D line/extrusion cross-section plot visualizes a quantity in one or several lines in time, along a parameter range, or for several eigenvalues. This example uses the Prestressed Micromirror model from the MEMS Module Applications Libraries.

Creating a 3D Cross-Section Plot Using a Cut Line data set

1	Create a Cut Line 3D data set. Enter the 3D coordinates for the plot. Set the start and end point of the line under x, y, and z for Point 1 and Point 2.

2	Click the Plot button ().

3	Add a 1D Plot Group (). In the Settings window, select Cut Line 3D as the Data set.

4	Add a Line Graph. For the data set, From parent uses the same data set as the plot group to which it belongs. Settings under y-Axis Data and x-Axis Data determine the quantity on those axes.

5	Continue to define the Line Graph as needed. See Line Graph.

6	Click the Plot button (), right-click the node, and select Plot, or press F8.

Creating Interactive 3D Cross-Section Line Plots

1	In the Model Builder, click a 3D Plot Group node to display the buttons available on the Plot Group contextual toolbar. On the main toolbar, click the cross-section buttons as needed.

The first time the cross-section toolbar buttons are clicked, a Cut Line 3D data set and a 1D Plot Group with a Line Graph are added to the Model Builder.

Define a Cut Line:

a	On the Plot Group contextual toolbar, click the First Point for Cut Line button (). Click a start point on the geometry. COMSOL Multiphysics chooses default coordinates as a vertical line intersecting the data in the middle.

b	Click the Second Point for Cut Line button (). Click an end point on the geometry. A line connecting the two points is created in the Graphics window.

c	Click either of the buttons, and then click on the geometry to change the start and end points, respectively.

d	Click the 1D Plot Group to view the Line Graph based on the selected points.

Define a Cut Line — Direction:

a	On the Plot Group contextual toolbar, click the Cut Line Direction button ().

b	Click on the geometry to add a line perpendicular to where you clicked. COMSOL Multiphysics chooses default coordinates as a vertical line intersecting the data in the middle.

c	Click the 1D Plot Group node to view the Line Graph based on the selected points.

Define a Cut Line — Surface Normal:

a	On the Plot Group contextual toolbar, click the Cut Line Surface Normal button ().

b	Click on the geometry to add a line with a point and direction. COMSOL Multiphysics chooses default coordinates as a vertical line intersecting the data in the middle.

c	Click the 1D Plot Group node to view the Line Graph based on the selected points.

2	Adjust the cut line as needed by clicking the buttons, then clicking the geometry to change its coordinates. The data set and plot group are updated automatically with the cut line data. Click the 1D Plot Group node to view the updates to the line graph.

3	Continue adjusting the cut line until the line graph representing the points plots the data as needed.

• See Table 20-10 for links to all the plots. • Results Toolbar and Plot Group Contextual Toolbar • Plot Group Contextual Toolbar