Model Geometry (Pyvista)

At any point during model creation, you can run the opstool.vis.pyvista.plot_model() function to visualize the current model’s geometric details. This function operates based on post-processed data saved during the modeling process, ensuring accurate visualization.

You can use opstool.vis.pyvista.plot_model() anywhere within your model script. It reads the predefined data, such as nodes and elements, and generates a visual representation of the model.

import opstool as opst
import opstool.vis.pyvista as opsvis

Here, we use a built-in example from opstool, which is an example of a cable-stayed bridge model primarily composed of frame elements and shell elements. For your own model script, simply place the :func:opstool.vis.plotly.plot_model function anywhere you need visualization.

A Bridge Example

opst.load_ops_examples("CableStayedBridge")
# or your model code here

quick plot

plotter = opsvis.plot_model()
plotter.show()
# plotter.show()

Saving Model Data (Optional)

We can first save the model geometry data by assigning a unique label to the result database using the parameter `odb_tag`. This label is used to identify the data. For more details, see opstool.post.save_model_data().

opst.post.save_model_data(odb_tag=1)

OPSTOOL ::  Model data has been saved to .opstool.output/ModelData-1.nc!

Visualization

We use the opstool.vis.pyvista.set_plot_props() function to predefine some common visualization properties, which will affect all subsequent visualizations of models, eigenvalues, and responses.

opsvis.set_plot_props(point_size=0, line_width=3, notebook=True)

Note

If you are not working in Jupyter Notebook or JupyterLab, ensure that `notebook=False`.

Visualization is straightforward; simply call the opstool.vis.pyvista.plot_model() function. The odb_tag parameter helps you identify which dataset to use. For details on various parameters, refer to the opstool.vis.pvista.plot_model().

plotter = opsvis.plot_model(odb_tag=1)
plotter.show(jupyter_backend="static")
# plotter.show()

OPSTOOL ::  Loading model data from .opstool.output/ModelData-1.nc ...

The function opstool.vis.pyvista.plot_model() returns a pyvista.Plotter. object, which you can visualize using the show method.

You can use Plotter.show. to display the plotting window.

You can also use Plotter.export_html. to export this plotter as an interactive scene to an HTML file.