Contour values are drawn on element faces using either the texture mapping or tessellation method. Texture mapping is the default and preferred method and will maximize the performance of ABAQUS/CAE. Although certain graphics adapters do not support texture mapping properly, ABAQUS/CAE can emulate texture mapping in software. However, certain display options are supported only by the tessellation method; in such cases ABAQUS/CAE will override the user setting for texture-mapped contours automatically.
To choose the contour method:
Locate the Contour Method options.
Select Options
Contour from the main menu bar or click 
in the toolbox; then click the Basic tab in the dialog box that appears. The Contour Method options are at the bottom of the page.
Choose one of the following rendering methods:
Texture-mapped. This option uses high-performance graphics rendering capabilities to draw contour values on each element face. If the graphics parameters for your system have been configured to disable texture mapping (see “Tuning graphics cards,” Section 5.3 of the ABAQUS Installation and Licensing Guide), ABAQUS/CAE will emulate texture mapping in software.
Tessellated. This option uses the process of tessellation to draw contour values on each element face.
Click Apply to implement your changes.
The contour plot in the current viewport changes to use the contour method you have specified.
Your changes are saved for the duration of the session and will affect all subsequent contour plots.
