MSC Nastran Thermal > Results Processing and Visualization > 5.1 Overview
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5.1 Overview
Before postprocessing of thermal results can occur, the MD Nastran analysis results must be loaded into the Patran database through the Read Output2 or Attach XDB Action on the Analysis form. You can then display, sort, or retrieve the results using the following options:
Contour Plots (Fringe Plots)
Contour Plots can be made for temperatures (isotherms), temperature gradients, and heat fluxes. Since temperature gradients and heat fluxes are vector quantities, plotting their values on the geometry requires selecting the desired result quantity; magnitude, x-component, y-component, or z-component. Contour plots can be made for any steady-state solution, and any temporal solution state in a transient analysis.
XY Plots
The most common XY plot for heat transfer is the representation of nodal temperature versus time. On an elemental basis, temperature gradients and heat fluxes may also be represented as functions of time. In a general sense, the following XY plot types are available:
• Results versus Global Variables
• Results versus Another Result
• Results versus Distances
• Global Variables versus Global Variable
• Result in Local System
• Result in Arbitrary Path
Global variables include time and percent of load1. Results include: temperature, temperature gradients, and heat fluxes.
1  Percent of load refers to the nonlinear extreme solution technique of determining the result by incrementing the load toward its full level from a reduced initial condition or load.