The default result regions in an output database duplicate the regions that were used to assign section properties to the model prior to analysis. Alternatively, you can select element sets or display groups to use as result regions. You can control computations at nodes common to two or more result regions. Choose to ignore region boundaries to computationally combine results for a smoother, more continuous effect. Choose not to ignore region boundaries to visually emphasize model discontinuities. See Figure 42–6 for an example of contour plots with and without averaging across regions; averaging across regions occurs when you choose to ignore region boundaries.
To control computations at region boundaries:
Locate the Region Boundaries options.
From the main menu bar, select Result
Options; then click the Computation tab in the dialog box that appears. The Region Boundaries options appear within the Averaging controls.
To govern computations at nodes common to two or more result regions, toggle Use region boundaries.
To use region boundaries means not to combine values from neighboring result regions when computing nodal averages or when computing discontinuities.
Choose one of the following options to define the result regions:
Tip: To view the current result regions, color code an undeformed or deformed plot using the Averaging regions method of attribute selection. (For more information, see “Coloring all geometry in the Visualization module,” Section 77.5.)
ODB regions
By default, the result regions are the same as the section assignment regions saved in the output database (.odb) file. For more information, see “Assigning sections, orientations, normals, and tangents to a part,” Section 12.15.
Element sets
Specify the results regions by selecting element sets.
Display groups
Specify the result regions by selecting display groups.
Note:
If the desired display groups do not exist, select ToolsDisplay GroupCreate to create them (for more information, see “Creating or editing a display group,” Section 78.2.1).
If you chose the Element sets or Display groups method to set the region boundaries, complete the following:
Click 
.
Abaqus/CAE opens the Specify Averaging Regions dialog box.
From the list on the left side of the dialog box, click the desired regions to highlight them in the list. Use [Shift] + Click and [Ctrl] + Click to select multiple items.
Click the right-facing arrow button in the center of the dialog box to copy the highlighted items to the Selection column. To move the entire list, click the double right arrow button.
To remove region selections, highlight them in the Selection column and use the left-facing arrow button.
Any elements that are not included in the region boundary selections will be colored using the “no results” color (for more information, see “Coloring elements with no results,” Section 55.12.4). Selections that overlap will be combined.
By default, Abaqus/CAE uses feature edges as additional region boundaries. To change the minimum angle used to create feature edges, click 
and change the Feature Angle setting in the ODB Display Options dialog box. Feature edges correspond to the undeformed model and are not recalculated for model deformation. (For more information, see “Defining model feature edges,” Section 55.3.2.)
To average results across feature edges, toggle off Include shell/membrane feature edge boundaries.
Click Apply to implement your changes.
Abaqus computes result values for the display in the current viewport according to your specifications.
By default, your changes are saved for the duration of the session and will affect all subsequent display of results. If you want to retain your changes for subsequent sessions, save them to a file. For more information, see “Saving customizations for use in subsequent sessions,” Section 55.1.1.
