Visualization Modes
Select a mode from the View dropdown in the toolbar above the 3D viewer.
Available Modes
None
Default mode. Shows tower geometry with member colors by family:
- Legs — primary color
- Diagonals — secondary color
- Horizontals — tertiary color
When analysis is complete, load arrows (EPA/FST) are displayed per section showing wind force magnitude and direction.
Axial Force
Color-coded heatmap of axial forces in every member:
| Color | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Blue | Compression |
| Red | Tension |
| Intensity | Proportional to force magnitude |
Useful for identifying load paths and spotting heavily loaded members.
Shear Y
Displays shear force in the local Y-axis for each element. Helps identify members experiencing significant transverse loading.
Shear Z
Displays shear force in the local Z-axis for each element.
Moment Y
Displays bending moment about the local Y-axis. Useful for evaluating flexural demand on members.
Moment Z
Displays bending moment about the local Z-axis.
Displacement
Color-coded by nodal displacement magnitude. Highlights areas of maximum movement under load.
Unity Check
Color-coded heatmap of unity ratios (demand/capacity):
| Color | Range | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Green | 0.0 -- 0.5 | Under-utilized |
| Yellow | 0.5 -- 0.85 | Efficient |
| Orange | 0.85 -- 1.0 | Near capacity |
| Red | > 1.0 | Overstressed / FAIL |
This is the primary view for pass/fail assessment. Any red member needs attention.
Utilization Heatmap
Similar to Unity Check but displayed as a continuous color gradient across the entire structure, providing a quick visual overview of structural efficiency.
Deformed Shape Toggle
Deformed Shape is a separate toggle button in the toolbar (not a dropdown mode). It can be combined with any of the visualization modes above.
- Scale factor: 1x to 500x (adjustable via slider)
- Reveals how the tower sways under wind
- Useful for identifying:
- Torsional behavior
- Unbalanced loading
- Soft spots in the structure
- Maximum displacement location
Use a scale factor of 10x--20x for a clear visual. At 1x, deformation is usually invisible. At higher factors, the shape may appear unrealistic but is useful for detecting subtle patterns.