ABAQUS/CAE obtains the information needed to produce an undeformed plot from the output database. Immediately upon opening an output database, ABAQUS/CAE displays your model in the Fast plot mode. This plot mode is a quickly drawn display of your model, intended to help you verify that you have opened the intended output database. You can produce an undeformed plot by selecting PlotUndeformed Shape from the main menu bar. In this mode you can apply undeformed plot options (and plot mode-independent options) to customize your plot. Customization options are available under the Options menu in the main menu bar.

By default, ABAQUS/CAE displays your undeformed model at the last frame of the last step available in the output database. If your model varies between steps, perhaps because of the addition or removal of contact surfaces or the application of loads or boundary conditions, you may want to view your undeformed model at steps other than the default. You can choose the step at which to view your undeformed model by selecting ResultStep/Frame from the main menu bar. For more information, see “Selecting the results step and frame,” Section 24.2.

You can also use ABAQUS/CAE to combine your undeformed and deformed model shapes into a single plot. For more information, see “Superimposing deformed and undeformed model plots,” Section 26.4. Combining the shapes provides a context for evaluating the deformations.