Animating by scale factor produces a sequence of images created from a single step and frame of the output database. These images can consist of either deformed shape, contour, or symbol plots. For deformed shape plots and for contour and symbol plots on the deformed shape, the images vary in the scale factors applied to the deformations. For contour and symbol plots, the images also vary in the scale factors applied to the field output.
To produce a scale factor animation:
Use the File menu to open the output database containing your analysis results.
Use the Result menu to select the analysis results to be plotted, including the step and frame, the deformed field output variable, and, for contour or symbol plot animation, the primary field output variable to be plotted. For more information on field output variable selection, see “Overview of field output variable selection,” Section 24.4.1.
Use the Options and View menus to select the customization options that you want.
To initiate the animation, select Animate
Scale Factor from the main menu bar.
Tip:
You can also produce a scale factor animation using the 
tool in the toolbox.
Animation begins in all animated viewports, and the animation controls appear in the right side of the context bar. ABAQUS is now in the scale factor animation plot state. In this state ABAQUS automatically refreshes your plot each time you click Apply or OK in the Results, Options, or View menu dialog boxes. All animated viewports will remain in the scale factor animation state until you produce a plot in some other state, such as the undeformed or deformed state. For more information on customizing the underlying model shape, see “Customizing model shape,” Section 36.4.
