You can read X–Y data from field output data that are stored in the elements through the thickness of a shell or composite solid region of your model. Available data consist of field output that were saved during the analysis. From this output, you can select the following:
a variable at an output position—for example, S11 (stress in the 11-direction) at integration points; and
a single element or a set of elements.
To read X–Y data through the thickness of a shell:
Locate the Thickness options.
Select Tools
XY DataCreate from the main menu bar, then choose Thickness.
The XY Data from Shell Thickness dialog box appears.
Note: The XY Data from Shell Thickness dialog box lists all field output saved during the analysis (except quaternion variables). If this list is empty, field output is not available.
Click the Position arrow to reveal possible positions at which to list variables for your selection; then choose the desired position.
The list of variables is refreshed to show only those that can be read at the selected position.
Select the field output variables to be read using either the check box next to each variable in the list or the Edit text field at the bottom of the page.
To use the check box method:
To select a variable and all of its components, click that variable's check box.
To choose among the individual components of a variable, click the arrow next to that variable's check box to list its components; then click individual component check boxes to select them.
To use the edit method:
In the Edit text field, enter the names of the variables and components to be read. To be valid, a variable must be available in the output database for the current position.
Click the Elements tab.
The Elements options appear.
Select the specific elements for which to read output data.
To specify elements by picking them directly from the viewport:
Choose Pick from viewport from the Selection Method list.
Abaqus/CAE enters the pick mode. Select elements for the display group appears in the prompt area.
Select one or more elements from the viewport (for more information see Chapter 6, “Selecting objects within the viewport”). The elements are highlighted in the viewport.
Note: If you click Done in the prompt area, Abaqus/CAE exits the pick mode and your selections disappear; you must choose a Selection Method from the list.
To specify elements by number:
Choose Element labels from the Selection Method list.
The Part instance and Element Labels fields appear.
Select the name of the part instance for which you are obtaining results from the list in the Part instance field. Type into the Element Labels field a list of element numbers separated by commas or a range of numbers such as 1:4.
Verify your selection by clicking Highlight Items in Viewport.
To specify elements by set name:
Choose Element sets from the Selection Method list.
Abaqus refreshes the item list at the right. If this list is empty, there are no items that meet your selection criteria.
Note: This list does not include the internal sets generated by Abaqus/CAE.
Select one or more set names from the item list. (For more information, see “Selecting multiple items from lists and tables,” Section 3.2.11.) If your model contains many sets, you can use the filter to reduce the number of set names displayed. Click 
next to the Filter field to see examples of valid filtering syntax.
Verify your selection by toggling Highlight items in viewport.
To specify elements belonging to internal sets (sets created by Abaqus/CAE):
Choose Internal sets from the Selection Method list.
Abaqus refreshes the item list at the right. If this list is empty, there are no items that meet your selection criteria.
Select one or more set names from the item list. (For more information, see “Selecting multiple items from lists and tables,” Section 3.2.11.) If your model contains many internal sets, you can use the filter to reduce the number of set names displayed. Click the Tip button next to the Filter field to see examples of valid filtering syntax.
Verify your selection by toggling Highlight items in viewport.
If the data include complex numbers, you can select the displayed form using the Result Options dialog box. For more information on complex number forms in Abaqus/CAE, see “Controlling the form of complex results,” Section 42.6.9.
To evaluate and display the data, click Plot.
An X–Y plot appears in the current viewport. The plot represents the data you have configured in the dialog box, which Abaqus considers temporary data whether or not you have clicked Save to save it.
To save the data you have configured, click Save. Any complex data are saved as the current complex form, not as complete complex numbers.
Note:
To plot your saved X–Y data, select ToolsXY DataPlot from the main menu bar and choose the X–Y data from the pull-right menu.
When you have finished, click Dismiss to close the dialog box.
