By default, ABAQUS/CAE displays element-based field output results in the coordinate systems defined during preprocessing and node-based field output results in the global coordinate system. If you defined nodal transformations during preprocessing, you can choose to apply these transformations to node-based results. Alternatively, you can choose to transform both element- and node-based results into a user-specified coordinate system.
For vector quantities such as displacement, velocity, and acceleration, which are derived from nodal coordinates, ABAQUS/CAE transforms the results to the requested coordinate system using the final quantity (saved vector) instead of the original coordinates. For example, the cylindrical displacement component is computed by projecting the displacement vector along the current r- or 
- direction. By comparison, taking the differential between the transformed nodal coordinates would yield a different result.
When you select a user-specified coordinate system for a transformation, you can also adjust the display of primary variable or deformed variable results to account for the rigid body transformation of the coordinate system. Displaying deformations that account for rigid body transformations enables you to visualize the relative displacements of the model with respect to a moving, user-defined coordinate system. For more information about selecting results variables, see “Selecting the primary field output variable,” Section 24.4.2, and “Selecting the deformed field output variable,” Section 24.4.3.
To transform results to a new coordinate system:
Locate the Transform Type options.
From the main menu bar, select Result
Options; then click the Transformation tab in the dialog box that appears. The Transform Type options appear.
Select the transform type to use for your results.
Select Default to use the default coordinate systems defined for your model. Node-based results are displayed in the global system. Element-based results are displayed in the local orientations defined for the model; if none have been defined, the global system is used. A projection of the global system or local orientation is used for two-dimensional continuum elements, shell elements, and membrane elements.
Select Nodal to consider local directions that have been defined at the nodes. Element-based results are displayed in the default coordinate system (as described above). Nodal transformations defined for the model are applied to node-based results; if none have been defined, the global system is used.
Select User-specified to transform the results for the entire model into a specified coordinate system. Select the transformation to apply from the list of coordinate systems that appears. Coordinate systems defined either during model generation or during postprocessing are available. Systems designated with an asterisk have been saved to the current output database.
If you selected a user-specified coordinate system, you can also apply rigid body transformations to the presentation of primary and deformed variables.
From the Rigid Body Transformations options, toggle on Primary variable to apply rigid body transformations to the primary variable, and toggle on Deformed variable to apply rigid body transformations to the deformed variable.
ABAQUS displays results in the current viewport in the specified coordinate system or systems.
Your changes are saved for the duration of the session and will affect all subsequent display of results.
