CST2013: Vector Plot Special Settings

2D/3D Plot: Properties Specials

This dialog box can be opened from the 3D Vector Plot Dialog box.

Scaling frame

Here you can change the maximum to which the plot is scaled.

If you choose a maximum smaller than the field maximum, the field values greater than your chosen maximum are clamped (plotted as if they were equal to the chosen maximum). If you choose to only clamp the size, you will get arrows of maximum size with different colors depending on the field value.

If you choose a maximum greater than the field maximum, size and/or color are scaled down, as if the field maximum were the chosen maximum.

Field line frame

Termination: Field lines stop when the field strength drops below a certain value. Increase the number in this field to make this value smaller. This will result in longer field lines in some cases.

Grid density: The field lines are generated basing on a grid of field vectors interpolated from the 3D field monitor. Increase this value to increase your field line’s accuracy.

Vary radius: By default, only the color is used to visualize the field strength along the field lines. You may change this value to vary the field lines’ radius relating to the field strength. The value is proportional to the variation range; e.g., a value of 4 sets the radius at the maximum field strength to 4 times the radius at the minimum field strength.

Always start at stimulated. port: For a split waveguide with more than two ports, it can be useful to have the field lines start at the output ports and go backward to the input (stimulated) port. Thus, it is guaranteed to have a field line at each port. If, however, you want the field lines to start at the input (stimulated) port, check here.

Surface vectors frame

Vector offset: Here you may enter an offset for surface vectors. They will be offset in normal direction to improve their visibility. Offsets from -2 to 2 are allowed. Negative offset will move the vector to the other side of the surface.

Check vector collision: For strongly curved surfaces, high vector densities may occur. Check here to prevent vectors from being plotted into other vectors. The collision check may take some time, therefore it is switched off by default. Note: Only available with hexahedral meshes.

Distribution of arrows frame

Equidistant: The arrows are plotted with fixed distance.

Optimize: The distance between adjacent arrows is optimized according to the field strength. Note: This option is only available with hexahedral meshes.

Adaptive: The arrow distribution is calculated according to the perspective. The chosen amount of arrows will always be visible in the viewing window (and none outside) and thus adapt to camera movement (zoom, translation, rotation). Note: Since the calculation of adaptive arrows may take a moment, the calculation progress will be displayed on top of the screen.

Optimized Adaptive: The arrow distribution is calculated according to  the field strength and the perspective. Note: This option is only available with hexahedral meshes.

Freeze volume: This option prevents the continuous calculation of adaptive arrows. The arrow distribution at the moment of the 'freezing' is displayed, regardless of the camera movement.

Integral Equation Solver

Note: The following options are only available for the Integral Equation Solver

Draw in Volume:  Use this to switch between volume and surface plot for I-Solver fields. By default  fields are plotted on the surfaces. Please note that the fields value for volume needs some time to be calculated. If sampling is too coarse compared to the wavelength the field amplitude is visualized as bubble plot, else phased arrows are plotted. It is possible to define a subvolume to be plotted.

Bubble off:  if this is  active  the field is always visualized as arrow plot.

Max. number of arrows frame

Defines a maximum number of arrows that will be visualized when setting the Sparse/Dense slider from 3D Vector Plot Dialog to maximum density.

OK

Accepts your settings and leaves the dialog box.

Cancel

Closes this dialog box without performing any further action.

Subvolume

Opens a dialog box for define a subvolume

Help

Shows this help text.