How to use matplotlib and numpy in Mechanical?

Ayush Kumar

How to use matplotlib and numpy in Mechanical?

Ayush Kumar

By activating CPython console in Ansys Mechanical v2021R1 - How do I use CPython Console in Mechanical Scripting?

Ideally you should be able to directly use matplotlib and numpy in Mechanical console as they are shipped with the default Ansys Workbench v2021R1. Check the site-packages in your installation folder:

C:\Program Files\ANSYS Inc\v211\commonfiles\CPython\3_7\winx64\Release\python\Lib\site-packages

But I got the following error when trying to do a 3D plot with matplotlib in Mechanical.

Can't find a usable init.tcl in the following directories:
...
This probably means that Tcl wasn't installed properly

This means that tcl and tk libraries weren't installed properly. To get around this issue, one can download the exact CPython version shipped with Ansys WB 2021R1 (https://www.python.org/downloads/release/python-378/)

And copy the tcl and tk folders from your local python installation folder: ...Python37_64\tcl

to C:\Program Files\ANSYS Inc\v211\commonfiles\CPython\3_7\winx64\Release\python\Lib

and then restart Mechanical.

M

Now even easier in 2022r2. If you set the beta options and enable Cpython options you will be able to set the Engine Type in a Python Code object.

When you have a Cpython code object, then matplotlib will work without issue:

   import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
    plt.plot([1,2,3,4])
    plt.ylabel('some numbers')
    plt.show()

This should by default generate an external matplotlib image:

Mahesh_G

In 22R2 & 23r2, I am not able to see the Engine with bita option as well

Rohith Patchigolla

Hello @Mahesh_G , one would need to go to WB --> Tools--> Options and activate the below Beta option and reopen Mechanical to have this Beta option in Mechanical in Python Code object.

Anon

And what do you do when this option is not available? (2023 R2)

Rohith Patchigolla

Hello @Anon , the picture indicates that the general beta options box is not checked.

Could you check this box here , click okay and try again to set cpython capability?

Anon

Yes thank you that did it.