A material orientation plot shows the material directions of the elements in a model at a specified step and frame and a specified section point. ABAQUS/CAE represents the material orientations as triads at the element integration points. For more information on selecting the results step, see “Selecting a specific results step and frame,” Section 24.2.1. For more information on selecting section point locations, see “Selecting the location of output variables,” Section 24.4.5.
To produce a material orientation plot:
Open the output database containing your analysis results.
Select the results step and frame to display.
Select the section point to display.
Select the plot state–independent and material orientation plot customization options you want.
From the main menu bar, select Plot
Material Orientations and choose whether to plot the material orientations on the undeformed shape, the deformed shape, or both.
Tip:
You can also produce a material orientation plot using the deformed 
, undeformed 
, or superimposed 
material orientation tools in the toolbox.
The current viewport changes to display a customized material orientation plot.
ABAQUS automatically refreshes your material orientation plot each time you click Apply in the step and frame selector, section point selector, plot state–independent options, superimpose plot options (if applicable), or material orientation plot options dialog boxes.
