Output Formats

Output Formats#

Flow360 supports multiple file formats for simulation results. This page explains the available formats and their usage.

Supported Formats#

Flow360 supports the following output formats:

  • ParaView - Open-source multi-platform visualization application

  • Tecplot - Commercial visualization software with advanced CFD features

  • CSV - Simple tabular data format for Excel or other analysis tools

When creating outputs in the GUI, you can select the desired format using the Output Format dropdown menu. Options include:

  • paraview - ParaView format only

  • tecplot - Tecplot format only

  • both - Both ParaView and Tecplot formats

Format Details#

ParaView Format#

ParaView is an open-source, multi-platform data analysis and visualization application.

  • Volume Output: .vtu files (unstructured grid)

  • Surface Output: .vtp files (polygonal data)

  • Slice Output: .vtp files (polygonal data)

  • Isosurface Output: .vtp files (polygonal data)

Tecplot Format#

Tecplot format is a commercial visualization format with strong CFD-specific features.

  • Volume Output: .szplt files

  • Surface Output: .szplt files

  • Slice Output: .szplt files

  • Isosurface Output: .szplt files

CSV Format#

CSV (Comma-Separated Values) is a simple tabular format that can be opened in Excel or any spreadsheet application.

  • Probe Output: .csv files

  • Surface Probe Output: .csv files

  • Surface Integral Output: .csv files

  • Aeroacoustic Output: .csv files

Multi-File Management#

Single Files vs. Multiple Files#

For surface outputs, Flow360 provides options to manage multiple geometry elements:

  • Write to Single File: When enabled, all surfaces are written to a single file

  • Write to Multiple Files: When disabled, each surface gets its own file

Time Series Management#

For time-dependent simulations:

  • Time series data is organized into separate files per time step

  • ParaView can automatically detect and load these as time series

  • The frequency of output is controlled by the Frequency setting

File Naming Convention#

Output files follow this naming convention:

  • <CaseName>_<OutputType>_<OutputName>_<TimeStep>.<extension>

Example: Aircraft_SurfaceOutput_WingPressure_00100.vtp

Format-Specific Features#

ParaView-Specific Features#

  • Multi-block datasets for complex geometries

  • Easy visualization of vector fields

  • Extensive color mapping options

  • Streamline, particle trace, and pathline visualization

  • Volume rendering for 3D scalar fields

  • Python scripting for automation

Tecplot-Specific Features#

  • Specialized aerodynamic analysis tools

  • Advanced XY plotting

  • Integrated forces and moments calculation

  • Specialized boundary layer analysis

  • Streamtrace seeding control

  • Multi-frame layouts

File Size Considerations#

Output file sizes can vary significantly depending on:

  1. Mesh Size: Larger meshes generate larger output files

  2. Output Frequency: More frequent outputs generate more files

  3. Number of Output Fields: Each additional field increases file size

  4. Output Type: Volume outputs are typically much larger than surface outputs

To manage file sizes:

  • Be selective about which output fields to include

  • Use appropriate output frequency

  • Consider using slices or isosurfaces instead of full volume outputs

  • Use probes for tracking key variables over time

Post-Processing Workflow#

  1. Generate Outputs: Configure desired outputs in Flow360

  2. Load Files: Open the generated files in ParaView, Tecplot, or other compatible tools

  3. Visualize: Create appropriate visualizations (contours, vectors, streamlines, etc.)

  4. Analyze: Extract quantitative data, compare with experimental results

  5. Export: Save images or videos for reports and presentations

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