A display group can contain combinations of model components: part instances, geometry (cells, faces, or edges), datum geometry (points, axes, planes, or coordinate systems), elements, nodes, surfaces, or the entire model. In addition, you can create a display group by operating on previously saved display groups. However, while creating a display group, you can perform operations on only one type of model component at a time. Creating a display group containing selected components of more than one type is an incremental process. The model components that can be used to create a display group depend on the module in which you are working, as shown in Table 52–1.

To create a display group, you first select the particular items of interest. You can then perform a Boolean operation on your selection and the contents of the current viewport. This sequence can be repeated as necessary to create the desired group. In addition, you can create a new display group by editing (for example, performing additional Boolean operations on) the contents of a previously saved display group.

You can save either the selection in the dialog box or the contents of the current viewport as a display group. Once saved, a display group persists only for the duration of the session. You can access a display group only in modules of the same type as the one in which it was created (see Table 52–1). For example, if you create and save a display group in the Part module, you will be able to access this display group only in the Part and Property modules.

A display group named All that contains all objects in the current part, assembly, or output database is created automatically by ABAQUS/CAE. This display group appears in the display group manager for the current module and cannot be edited, copied, renamed, or deleted. It is not associated with a particular part, assembly, or output database. You can use this display group to quickly return to a plot of the entire part or model after performing Boolean operations.