# Shell (2D) Elements & Plot Features **URL:** \ **Category:** Feature Requests\ **Created:** [July 19, 2022, 8:07pm UTC](https://prepomax.discourse.group/t/shell-2d-elements-plot-features/307 "2022-07-19T20:07:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![arnie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ba9def/32.png) [@arnie](https://prepomax.discourse.group/u/arnie)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2022, 8:07pm UTC](https://prepomax.discourse.group/t/shell-2d-elements-plot-features/307/1 "2022-07-19T20:07:17Z")
Good day, If possible, I would like to propose a feature to plot the results of 2D shells found in some commercial software. You will note below that the user has the ability to pick which shell results (Top/Middle/Bottom) are required at a mouse click and it’s not necessary to re-run the entire Step analysis with a Field Output request set to 2D. ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/free1/uploads/prepomax/original/1X/0a06ca8acfabb530f71beabb5929b1056a264c71.png) ---
**Author:** ![FEAnalyst](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/prepomax.discourse.group/feanalyst/32/688_2.png) [@FEAnalyst](https://prepomax.discourse.group/u/FEAnalyst)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2022, 8:20pm UTC](https://prepomax.discourse.group/t/shell-2d-elements-plot-features/307/2 "2022-07-19T20:20:13Z")
I’m not sure if it’s possible taking into account how CalculiX treats shells and what it provides as output for these elements. Maybe this should be requested on the CalculiX forum. ---
**Author:** ![synt](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/prepomax.discourse.group/synt/32/4658_2.png) [@synt](https://prepomax.discourse.group/u/synt)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2022, 12:21am UTC](https://prepomax.discourse.group/t/shell-2d-elements-plot-features/307/3 "2022-07-20T00:21:47Z")
there’s US3 for classical shell element (improved), the output can be request by: \*EL FILE SNEG,SMID,SPOS however, it’s fairly new implementation and has many limited capabilities. for expanded shell element, may this possible inside PrePoMax as post processor since both outer surfaces values available, some further i’m not really sure is in mid surface (mix output 3D & 2D)… ---
**Author:** ![Matej](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a698b9/32.png) [@Matej](https://prepomax.discourse.group/u/Matej)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2022, 2:29pm UTC](https://prepomax.discourse.group/t/shell-2d-elements-plot-features/307/4 "2022-07-20T14:29:46Z")
As I understand the internal workings of the CalculiX, the 3D view shows the whole computed stress field while the 2D view shows the interpolated stress field in the middle of the solid elements. I thought about showing the results of the 3D view in a shell like way. The easiest way would be to reduce the thickness/collapse 3D extruded elements into their thinner versions. But I think this process would not work when using a multi-layer shell definition. There, a single shell is expanded into multiple solid elements of different thicknesses. Then this procedure gets much more complicated. ---
**Author:** ![synt](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/prepomax.discourse.group/synt/32/4658_2.png) [@synt](https://prepomax.discourse.group/u/synt)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2022, 4:18pm UTC](https://prepomax.discourse.group/t/shell-2d-elements-plot-features/307/5 "2022-07-20T16:18:35Z")
> [@Matej](#): > > But I think this process would not work when using a multi-layer shell definition. There, a single shell is expanded into multiple solid elements of different thicknesses. thank you for the hints, also interested in layered shell (composite) and non uniform layer thickness of composite shell element. may another approach is required, each layer need to be categories as a part so it can be hiding when user needed to view inside. below an example visualization of concrete beam as in CalculiX documentation (p.72) and i reproduce the problem using solid element. ![2022-07-20 23_05_58-](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/free1/uploads/prepomax/original/1X/6d08ce5c459b162104ba2617da2d3ff4e1fcccee.png) ![2022-07-20 23_08_21-](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/free1/uploads/prepomax/original/1X/ed7606c50b825d0edd09e7378f0fd2fefc535a29.png) ---
**Author:** ![synt](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/prepomax.discourse.group/synt/32/4658_2.png) [@synt](https://prepomax.discourse.group/u/synt)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2023, 11:09pm UTC](https://prepomax.discourse.group/t/shell-2d-elements-plot-features/307/6 "2023-11-18T23:09:56Z")
currently is possible using layered shell element with composite options, PrePoMax separated each layer in visualization which can be hides. ![2023-11-19 06_01_59-](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/free1/uploads/prepomax/original/2X/2/2aef5b8ec15af6b7e0d9122610f6141f0126a1a6.png) ![2023-11-19 05_59_23-Calculix keyword editor](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/free1/uploads/prepomax/original/2X/7/718fd68e6ec8ef67d1796e1fc85d925657a5f579.png) ![2023-11-19 06_00_46-PrePoMax v1.5.4 dev](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/free1/uploads/prepomax/original/2X/4/45f652e4ab67be725c630a24b393af45990c506d.png) ![2023-11-19 06_02_56-](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/free1/uploads/prepomax/original/2X/e/e8021ed7ca7b3bb05db410aef90ba73175ac3db8.png)