Harmonic animation 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 angle applied to the value of the deformations. For contour and symbol plots, the images vary in the angle applied to the field output; both the real and the imaginary components of the results are used.
By default, ABAQUS/CAE displays a frame counter during harmonic animation. The frame counter indicates the current angle when complex results are viewed.
To produce a harmonic 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
Harmonic from the main menu bar.
Tip:
You can also produce a harmonic animation using the 
tool in the toolbox.
Animation begins in all animated viewports, and the animation controls appear in the prompt area. ABAQUS is now in the harmonic 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 harmonic animation state until you produce a plot in some other (for example, undeformed, deformed) state. For more information on customizing the underlying model shape, see “Customizing model shape,” Section 36.4.
