Select this method to specify an X–Y data object by reading history output results from an output database. You can specify which variables to read from the output database, from which steps of the analysis to read, and the frequency at which to read the data; for example, you can read every third data point. You can also specify a numeric form for any complex-valued output data. For more information, see “Reading X–Y data from output database history output,” Section 29.2.1.

Select this method to specify an X–Y data object by reading field output results from an output database. You can specify which variables to read from the output database and for which elements or nodes to read the data. ABAQUS/CAE extracts results from the currently active steps and frames; see “Activating and deactivating steps and frames,” Section 24.3.1, for more information. You can also specify a numeric form for any complex-valued output data. For more information, see “Reading X–Y data from output database field output,” Section 29.2.2.

Select this method to derive a new X–Y data object by manipulating previously saved X–Y data objects. You specify the new X–Y data object by applying functions and mathematical operations to existing data. An example of a function is Combine. If you Combine an X–Y data object containing stress versus time with an X–Y data object containing strain versus time, you produce an X–Y data object containing stress versus strain at equivalent times. For more information, see “Operating on saved X–Y data objects,” Section 29.4.

Select this method to read X- and Y-values from an existing text file. The file can contain more than two columns of data, separated by commas, spaces, or tabs; and you can specify which columns correspond to the X- and Y-axis data. In addition, you can specify the frequency at which the data should be read from the file; for example, every third row. For more information, see “Reading X–Y data from an ASCII file,” Section 29.2.3.

Select this method to manually type X- and Y-values into a simple table editor. Within this method, ABAQUS supports several special editing techniques, as well as an option to read data from a file. For more information on this topic, see “Entering X–Y data from the keyboard,” Section 29.2.4.

Select this method to specify an X–Y data object by reading field output results at locations along a path through your model. ABAQUS obtains results from an output database. You can specify the points, elements, or edges that make up the path and the step, frame, and variable for which to obtain results. For more information, see Chapter 31, “Viewing results along a path.”