Mapping Validation objects can be inserted under imported data objects* to allow for an evaluation of how the mapping operation performed, by either right-clicking and selecting Insert > Validation from the context menu, or by clicking the option. To perform a validation, right-click the Validation object and select . The following sections describe different methods to help analyze and determine if the mapping and interpolation that was performed produced an accurate representation of the mapped value data transferred from the source mesh onto the target mesh.
*Mapping Validation is supported on the following:
Submodeling (Not supported for Shell-Solid Submodeling)
Definition
The variable to display the validation information can be identified using the following properties:
File Identifier*: A list of variables obtained from the parent object will be listed in the File Identifier drop-down. The validation information will be displayed based on the selected item.
Layer: This property is only available when validating Imported Trace from External Data system. Specify the layer from the PCB layout.
Row: The row of the parent worksheet.
Data: The data type for the imported load.
Component: The vector component (X, Y, Z).
Complex Component: The real/imaginary component for complex loads.
Shell Face: Top/Bottom for loads applied to shells.
Note:
File Identifier* property is only available for data imported through the External Data system.
The source mesh referenced by the File Identifier property must provide node locations in order for the application to be able to perform a validation.
Properties 2-6 are not available for data imported through the External Data system. Instead the validation information is displayed for the variable identified using the File Identifier property.
Settings
Within the Settings category, the Type of validation must be specified by selecting Reverse Validation, Distance Based Average Comparison, or Source Value:
Reverse Validation. Reverse Validation takes the results of the imported data (based on the File Identifier) and maps these values back onto the source points. These newly mapped values are compared to the source variables original values.
Distance Based Average Comparison. Distance Based Average Comparison compares the results from the parent (based on the File Identifier) to mapped results obtained by using the distance-based average algorithm. Distance-based mapping will be done using the Number of Points specified. The output graphics will be displayed at the nodal locations of the target mesh.
Source Value. Source Value displays the selected File Identifier data values. With the Display In Parent turned On and the parent of the validation tree node item selected, the interpolated values calculated on the target mesh can easily be compared to the original source point values.
Undefined Points. Undefined Points displays the nodes which do not have an associated value based on the selected File Identifier.
Note: The Reverse Validation and Distance Based Average Comparison options are not available when validating Imported Trace and Imported Heat Generation.
The Output Type can be set to Absolute or Relative Difference (default). For Relative Difference, the percent error is calculated and any values that are above 0.01% will be displayed in the graphics window. For Absolute Difference, any non-zero difference will be displayed. The Minimum and Maximum values will be displayed in the Statistics category of the details view. Subsets of the full set for either relative or absolute differences can be shown by adjusting the Display Minimum and Display Maximum fields. These fields must be within the Maximum and Minimum range defined within the Statistics category.
Graphics Controls
There are multiple display options available: Scaled Spheres, Colored Spheres, Colored Diamonds, Colored Points, Contours, and Isolines. Colored Spheres and Scaled Spheres consume more memory and take longer to display on the screen due to the number of sides being drawn for each sphere. Colored Diamonds consume less memory and time, and Colored Points use the least amount. Contours and Isolines option will only be available when source mesh element connectivity is provided. Use External Data with an Mechanical APDL .cdb formatted file containing elements. All displays will be based on the range entered in the Display Minimum/Display Maximum fields. Display items that are colored will have a discrete legend displayed based on the Display Minimum and Display Maximum, divided equally into ranges. Scaled Spheres, Colored Spheres, and Colored Diamonds can be scaled based on the Scale field value.
If the Display option is set to Isolines, a Line Thickness option will be available to control how the isolines are drawn. This setting will be respected when drawing isolines on the parent object when Display In Parent is On.
If the Display In Parent property is set to On, the validation data will also be displayed when the parent object is selected. The validation data that is displayed in the parent object respects the Active Row and, if available, the Data/Component option selected in the details pane of the Imported Load object.
If the Component property in the details pane of the Imported Load object is set to All or Total, the displayed data represents the vector magnitude of the validation results corresponding to the source identifiers defined in the worksheet of the active row.
If the Component property is set to X, Y or Z component for vectors, the displayed data represents the validation results in the global X, Y or Z directions for the source identifiers defined in the worksheet of the active row.
If the Component property is set to XX/YY/ZZ/XY/YZ/ZX component for tensors, the displayed data represents the validation results in the global coordinate system for the source identifiers defined in the worksheet of the active row.
If the Data property is set to Temperature or Convection Coefficient, the displayed data represents the validation result for the corresponding source identifier selected in the worksheet of the active row.
Legend Divisions control how many contour colors to use and must be within the range from 3 to 14.
Statistics
The Maximum and Minimum read-only fields show the full range of available results from the validation. Number Of Items shows how many items are currently being displayed in the graphics window. This number is based on the Display Minimum and Display Maximum values.
Once a validation has been performed, the data can be exported to a file by simply right-clicking the Validation object and selecting .