ABAQUS/CAE obtains the information needed to produce an undeformed plot from the output database. Immediately upon opening an output database, ABAQUS/CAE displays the undeformed plot state of your model. You can use the plot state-independent options to customize your plot. Select OptionsCommon in the main menu bar to choose the plot state-independent customization options.

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 25.6. Combining the shapes provides a context for evaluating the deformations.